Through an update on September 2, SOL: Enchant added new items, 'Runes of Damage', and off-hand equipment, 'Guarders'. The Transmutation System also officially opened its doors this week. While there were various reactions to these new progression methods, discussions surrounding Nine Cores unexpectedly resurfaced. Here is a roundup of this week's news in SOL: Enchant, featuring fresh updates alongside re-emerging past issues.

Guarders, off-hand equipment similar to Knight shields that can be used by other classes, have been added. Guarders can be equipped by Rangers, Mages, and Healers, with a total of 10 types introduced ranging from Common to Legendary. They can be obtained by defeating boss monsters or through crafting. In addition to base stats, Guarders of Rare grade or higher grant bonus stats such as increased damage, accuracy, and magic amplification.

For general players who find boss monsters difficult to defeat, the 'Guardian's Guarder'—which can be crafted with Rare Design Blueprints obtained relatively easily from hunting or the Exchange—is expected to become the primary choice. In particular, the Guardian's Guarder features a damage increase option, making it an excellent piece of gear to use until higher-tier Guarders are obtained.

Since classes other than Knights previously struggled to properly utilize the off-hand slot, player reaction to the addition of Guarders has been mostly positive. The equipment is drawing attention as a new means of progression, as it allows players to secure additional damage and defense-related stats.

With rising demand for crafting Guarders, changes have also appeared in related crafting materials. The Exchange price of Leather, a major crafting material, has gradually increased. As a result, some players are comparing costs to decide whether to craft the materials themselves or purchase finished Leather from the Exchange.

Along with a new Rune page, new Runes of Damage were added. As the name suggests, Runes of Damage boost base damage and come only in Uncommon, Rare, and Epic grades. Starting from Rare grade, a critical damage option is also added. Equipping all slots with runes of Rare or Epic grade or higher triggers a set effect that grants extra critical damage, giving them high value as a new progression element. However, the problem lies in how to obtain them.

Runes of Damage can only be obtained through synthesis. Damage Runes do not appear from opening Rune Chests. Players must go through the additional step of synthesizing after obtaining runes from major existing sources like World Bosses or package purchases, making the acquisition rate lower than that of conventional runes.

Among players who actually attempted synthesis, feedback indicates that Damage Runes drop far less frequently than expected. While players welcome the addition of a new growth feature, filling up an entire Damage Rune page is expected to be challenging since they are not easy to come by.

The Transmutation System, which had its implementation delayed during the GENESIS patch, officially opened following the patch on Wednesday, September 2. It generated interest even before the update, as it allows players to use unused equipment as material to aim for other items or gear of higher tiers. In particular, it raised expectations as a fresh way to utilize existing gear holdings.

However, since the system went live, voices questioning its cost-effectiveness have emerged. Materials eligible for input are tradeable, unengraved Rare equipment, and aiming for higher-tier gear requires not only items enhanced above a certain level but also Transmutation Crystals. Considering the significant value of the invested resources, the system does not guarantee a desired item and can even yield gear lower in tier than what was put in, leading players to view it as too burdensome for active progression.

While opening up a way to obtain Epic equipment outside of boss drops is attractive, the outcome may fall short of the invested resources. Consequently, players evaluate it as closer to gambling content meant for casual fun or attempting high-risk, high-reward plays using surplus resources, rather than a reliable method of character progression.

Multiple Healer skill bugs reported since the GENESIS update have been resolved. Issues with auto-casting Heal and Bless Heal simultaneously and debuff errors with Divine Ray have been fixed, while key buffs were adjusted so they can no longer be removed by Dispel. With Healer support stabilizing following these fixes, players report fewer sudden deaths and noticeably smoother hunting.

To support active World Content, the PvP and Guild systems were also refined. Friendly and hostile guild registration limits were expanded to 30 each, the PvP Book storage limit was raised to 100 entries, and the death penalty recovery window was extended to 3 days. Players note that tracking and managing battle logs during intense World rivalries has become much easier.

Meanwhile, a feature that teleports players to a random location upon starting Schedule Mode was implemented. However, as players feel little noticeable impact at present, its actual utility remains to be seen.

Apart from the update, discussions surrounding Nine Core—a major exchange currency—have surged again. Back on July 29, the threshold for unlimited Nine Core crafting was adjusted to Level 52 through a crafting formula revamp. At the time, as the requirement for unlimited crafting was raised, an increasing number of players rushed to level up their characters to reach Level 52.

Recently, however, the opposite trend has emerged. With characters parking at Level 52 to focus exclusively on crafting Nine Cores rather than leveling up further, debates over the supply and value of Nine Cores have resurfaced. Some players believe these characters continuously produce and flood the market with Nine Cores, driving down the currency's value. Consequently, opinions have emerged urging developers to raise the unlimited crafting level requirement above its current state to encourage continuous character progression.

Counterarguments are equally strong. Opponents point out that raising the unlimited crafting requirement again would increase the burden not only on existing main characters, but also on new players and those leveling alt characters. In particular, with character development limited to two in the Squad system, continuously raising the crafting level requirement could act as an artificial barrier.

Ultimately, the community is divided between limiting supply to preserve Nine Core value and avoiding excessive burdens on character progression. Since issues surrounding Nine Cores have resurfaced despite a restriction adjustment in July, it remains to be seen whether additional changes will be made to crafting requirements or new Nine Core sinks.

In developer notes released on Wednesday, September 2, the role of the Supreme God and details of higher Divine Authority were revealed. The Supreme God will hold authority beyond single-server Divine Powers, directly influencing the entire World. Examples shown included forcibly teleporting specific guilds to designated areas, adjusting boss spawn rates, and extending dungeon time limits. Detailed election methods and specific schedules for the Supreme God will be revealed sequentially through future developer notes.

Improvements to boost the practical utility of existing Divine Authority and guild management autonomy were also announced. To address the issue where cast animations hindered quick usage during intense combat, players will be able to assign Divine Authority activation directly to quickslots for rapid use. In addition, systems will be updated so that players elected as Gods can freely leave their guilds in response to internal conflicts or changing circumstances.

Following the introduction of the World Exchange and Battlegrounds, as the Supreme God's authority to shape the World landscape and Divine Authority improvements take form, political maneuvering and factional alliances competing for World dominance are expected to intensify further.