Patch 1.4.2 Brings Conquest Difficulty and Better Rewards to The First Descendant
The update was scheduled for September 2 at 22:00 PDT on Steam, Xbox, and PS5, with new Conquest events beginning September 3 at 00:00 PDT.
The First Descendant Patch 1.4.2 adds a new Conquest difficulty to Karel’s Mothership, increases rewards across Normal and Hard difficulties, and starts several events tied to the new endgame challenge. The patch was scheduled for September 2, 2026, at 22:00 PDT on Steam, Xbox, and PS5.
Nexon published the full details in its Steam patch announcement. Players were asked to reconnect for smoother gameplay, while the new Conquest matchmaking option will become available after Patch 1.4.2 is applied.
Karel’s Mothership gets its hardest difficulty yet
Conquest Difficulty will be available during the Karel’s Mothership Conquest Ranking Run. All Vulgus receive higher ATK and HP values, the four existing Commander types gain enhanced skills, and some Combat Zones receive new enemy compositions and objectives. Those changes include altered spawn locations, more Elite enemies, additional Commanders, and Champion Vulgus effects in selected areas.
The Tactical Training Room also loses its Elite markers. Mission completion and monster defeat rewards remain the same as Hard Difficulty for Conquest, which means the ranking challenge is focused on tougher combat and faster clears rather than a separate reward table.
The ranking event will run from September 3 at 00:00 PDT until October 15 before maintenance. Its first phase ends September 17 before maintenance, followed by a second phase beginning after that day’s maintenance. Clearing Karel’s Mothership on Conquest Difficulty during the event also awards a special prestigious cosmetic item.
New events support modules and group play
The Assemble World Co-op Event asks players to complete Karel’s Mothership 150,000 times at any difficulty, while each player’s daily goal is to defeat 1,000 enemies. That event runs through September 16 at 23:59 PDT.
Weekend Ancestors Module Readjustments will cost 50% less Gold, Kuiper Shards, and Superconductive Cooling Units during the event period. Players can also dismantle Ancestors Modules to receive one Ancestors Module Fragment, then spend those fragments at the new [Event] Fragment Exchange shop accessed through NPC BB-On in Albion. The fragments remain available from dismantling even after the event ends, but the event shop runs through September 16.
A separate Today’s Readjustment Benefit lets players readjust one Ancestors Module for free each day through September 16. The patch also raises the Chapter 4 Auto Build Setup reward from an Ultimate Weapon Thunder Cage at Level 80 to one at Level 81, while correcting several Boost Path quest descriptions and guide images.
Raven receives adjustments as weapon buffs remain in preparation
Raven receives new visual effects for Raven Feather and Raven’s Claw, along with an updated Vendetta tooltip video. The Nightfall Transcendent Module now allows Raven’s Claw to be held at up to 65 meters instead of 50 meters, and Shadow Step restores two Raven’s Claw stacks. Raven’s Claw also remains available when Raven enters the DBNO state, while Veil of Night’s damage-negated count falls from seven to three.
Nexon also said it is preparing broader buffs for Transcendent Weapons used by firearm-specialized Descendants. The planned work includes numerical changes, more dependable effect activation during combat, and fewer conditions for maintaining those effects. Specific weapons and values were not included in Patch 1.4.2.
Reward increases make Karel’s Mothership more profitable
Normal and Hard versions of Karel’s Mothership receive higher drop rates for Trigger Module Selection Boxes and Ancestors Module Loot. Rewards such as Superconductive Cooling Units, Dimensional Stabilization Keys, Archive Shards, Collectible Coins, experience, Gold, Rare Alignment Devices, Nano Compound, and Quantum Crystals also receive increases, with Hard Difficulty receiving the larger values in the mission completion reward table.
The shop adds the Field Survival Training Bundle, Field Survivor Bundle I, Field Survivor Bundle II, Raven’s Field Survival Trainee Set, Freyna’s Field Survival Trainee Set, Bunny’s Field Survival Trainee Set, Esiemo’s Field Survival Training Instructor Set, Explosion Warning, Field Survival Training Bag, Jawbone Crusher, and Mad Dash. Those products become available September 3 at 00:00 PDT.
The First Descendant Patch 1.4.2 Notes
Greetings, Descendants!
Here are the details of The First Descendant Patch 1.4.2.
Descendants, please reconnect to the game for smoother gameplay.
Please note that the game may be terminated if you do not update by 23:50 PDT.
Patch Date
- 09.02.2026 (Wed) 22:00 PDT
Platforms
- Steam, XBOX, PS5
Patch Details
Mega Dungeon “Karel’s Mothership” Conquest
- Conquest Difficulty will be available during the “Karel’s Mothership – Conquest Ranking Run” Event Period.
- In Conquest Difficulty, the ATK and HP of all Vulgus are increased.
- In Conquest Difficulty, the Skills of the existing 4 Commander types are enhanced.
- In Conquest Difficulty, the mission composition and objectives of some Combat Zones change.
- Adjusted the monster composition and spawn locations of some Combat Zones.
- Added 4 Commander types to some Combat Zones.
- Increased the proportion of Elites in some Combat Zones.
- Added Champion Vulgus effects to monsters in some Combat Areas.
- Removed Elite markers in the Tactical Training Room.
- Mission completion and monster defeat rewards for Conquest Difficulty are the same as Hard Difficulty.
- Conquest Difficulty matchmaking will be available after the 1.4.2 Patch is applied.
Shops
- Added new products.
- The following products will be available starting 09.03.2026 (Thu) 00:00 PDT.
| Main Category | Sub Category | Product Name |
|---|---|---|
| Special Bundle | Limited Bundle | Field Survival Training Bundle |
| Special Bundle | Limited Bundle | Field Survivor Bundle I |
| Special Bundle | Limited Bundle | Field Survivor Bundle II |
| Themed Skin | Regular Skin | Raven’s Field Survival Trainee Set |
| Themed Skin | Regular Skin | Freyna’s Field Survival Trainee Set |
| Themed Skin | Regular Skin | Bunny’s Field Survival Trainee Set |
| Themed Skin | Regular Skin | Esiemo’s Field Survival Training Instructor Set |
| Cosmetic Item | Weapon Skin | Explosion Warning |
| Cosmetic Item | Back Attachment | Field Survival Training Bag |
| Cosmetic Item | Chest Attachment | Jawbone Crusher |
| Cosmetic Item | Emote | Mad Dash |
Events
(1) Karel’s Mothership – Conquest Ranking Run
- “Conquest,” the ultimate difficulty, surpassing the existing Normal/Hard Difficulty, will open for a limited time and a Ranking Run Event to determine the mightiest Descendant will be added to celebrate.
- For more details, please check the Event Announcement.
- Period: 09.03.2026 (Thu) 00:00 – 10.15.2026 (Thu) before maintenance PDT
- Phase 1: 09.03.2026 (Thu) 00:00 – 09.17.2026 (Thu) before maintenance PDT
- Phase 2: 09.17.2026 (Thu) after maintenance – 10.15.2026 (Thu) before maintenance PDT
(2) Event Challenge
- Added a new Event Challenge, “Karel’s Mothership: Conquest Difficulty Clear Event.”
- Completing Karel’s Mothership on Conquest Difficulty will allow you to acquire a special prestigious Cosmetic Item.
- Period: 09.03.2026 (Thu) 00:00 – 10.15.2026 (Thu) before maintenance PDT
(3) World Co-op Event
- A new World Co-op Event, “Assemble Event,” will begin.
- World Co-op Goal: Complete Karel’s Mothership 150,000 times (Any difficulty)
- Daily Personal Goal: Defeat 1,000 enemies
- Period: 09.03.2026 (Thu) 00:00 – 09.16.2026 (Wed) 23:59 PDT
(4) Weekend Ancestors Module Readjustment Discount Event
- Added “Weekend Readjustment Discount” Event.
- During weekends within the Event Period, the amount of “Gold,” “Kuiper Shards,” and “Superconductive Cooling Units” required for Ancestors Module Readjustment will decrease by 50%.
- Period: Weekends from 09.03.2026 (Thu) 00:00 – 09.16.2026 (Wed) 23:59 PDT
(5) Dismantle Ancestors Module Event Shop
- Added “[Event] Fragment Exchange” Event Shop.
- Now, dismantling an Ancestors Module at any time will allow you to acquire 1 “Ancestors Module Fragment”!
- You can continue to acquire Fragments even after the Event ends.
- You can access the new Event Shop from NPC BB-On in Albion.
- Consume “Ancestors Module Fragments” to acquire new Ancestors Modules.
- Period: 09.03.2026 (Thu) 00:00 – 09.16.2026 (Wed) 23:59 PDT
(6) Free Ancestors Module Readjustment Event
- Added the “Today’s Readjustment Benefit” Event.
- You can Readjust an Ancestors Module for free once per day.
- Period: 09.03.2026 (Thu) 00:00 – 09.16.2026 (Wed) 23:59 PDT
(7) Boost Path: Ultimate Bunny Build Guide
- Changed the reward level of the Thunder Cage granted in the “Auto Build Setup” Quest in Chapter 4.
| Existing Rewards | Updated Rewards |
|---|---|
| Ultimate Weapon Level 80 | Ultimate Weapon Level 81 |
- Updated the condition text for some Quests in each chapter to match the actual conditions.
| Chapter | Quest | Existing Completion Condition Text | Updated Completion Condition Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Into the Battlefield 25 | Dismantle equipment in the Inventory | Designate any Equipment in your Inventory as Junk and Dismantle it |
| 2 | Replenish Equipment 4 | Dismantle equipment in the Inventory | Designate any Equipment in your Inventory as Junk and Dismantle it |
| Replenish Equipment 7 | Equip (Equipment Level 25 or higher) | Equip a Reactor of Level 25 or higher | |
| Replenish Equipment 23 | Dismantle equipment in the Inventory | Designate any Equipment in your Inventory as Junk and Dismantle it | |
| 3 | Descendant Modules 1 | Equip (Equipment Level 40 or higher) | Equip a Reactor of Level 40 or higher |
| Descendant Modules 5 | Dismantle equipment in the Inventory | Designate any Equipment in your Inventory as Junk and Dismantle it | |
| Descendant Modules 14 | Equip the External Components Set (All Slots) | Equip External Components of Level 25 or higher (All Slots) | |
| Descendant Modules 17 | Dismantle equipment in the Inventory | Designate any Equipment in your Inventory as Junk and Dismantle it | |
| 4 | Ultimate Equipment 1 | Equip (Equipment Level 50 or higher) | Equip a Reactor of Level 50 or higher |
| Ultimate Equipment 5 | Dismantle equipment in the Inventory | Designate any Equipment in your Inventory as Junk and Dismantle it | |
| Ultimate Equipment 15 | Dismantle equipment in the Inventory | Designate any Equipment in your Inventory as Junk and Dismantle it | |
| Ultimate Equipment 18 | Equip the External Components Set (All Slots) | Equip External Components of Level 30 or higher (All Slots) | |
| 5 | Weapon Modules 5 | Equip (Equipment Level 60 or higher) | Equip a Reactor of Level 60 or higher |
| Weapon Modules 16 | Equip the External Components Set (All Slots) | Equip External Components of Level 50 or higher (All Slots) | |
| 6 | Reactor 6 | Equip (Equipment Level 80 or higher) | Equip a Reactor of Level 80 or higher |
| Reactor 11 | Enhance to +1 | Enhance a Reactor to +1 | |
| Reactor 19 | Equip the External Components Set (All Slots) | Equip External Components of Level 75 or higher (All Slots) | |
| 7 | Transcendent Weapon 8 | Equip (Equipment Level 90 or higher) | Equip a Reactor of Level 90 or higher |
| Transcendent Weapon 19 | Equip the External Components Set (All Slots) | Equip External Components of Level 80 or higher (All Slots) | |
| 8 | Prepared Equipment 1 | Equip (Equipment Level 100 or higher) | Equip a Reactor of Level 100 or higher |
| Prepared Equipment 2 | Enhance to +5 | Enhance a Reactor to +5 | |
| Prepared Equipment 19 | Equip the External Components Set (All Slots) | Equip External Components of Level 90 or higher (All Slots) |
- Updated the guide images for some Quests in each chapter with more intuitive visuals.
Descendant Rebalance/Improvements
(1) Common
- Improved the Invincible effect display when respawning after a Descendant’s death.
(2) Raven
- Added FX effects to the AOE areas of “Raven Feather” and “Raven’s Claw.”
- Updated the tooltip video for the “Vendetta” Skill.
- “Nightfall” Transcendent Module
- Raven’s Claw
- Fixed so that continuous damage no longer attacks objects within range.
- Max Holding Distance: 50m → 65m
- Shadow Step
- When used, recovers 2 stacks of Raven’s Claw.
- Changed so that Raven’s Claw is no longer removed when Raven enters the DBNO state.
- “Veil of Night” Damage Negated Count: 7 → 3
Content Improvements
# Designer’s Comments
We have been receiving a great deal of feedback regarding the performance of Transcendent Weapons used by firearm-specialized Descendants.
We are aware of the same issues, and our internal gameplay data also confirms that, compared to Transcendent Weapons used by skill damage-focused Descendants, both the adoption rate and practical combat contribution are relatively lower.
Before making adjustments, we would like to first explain how we are analyzing the current situation and what direction we are preparing improvements in.
Transcendent Weapons used by skill damage-focused Descendants have high base amplification rates, and the way amplification is applied is also intuitive.
Simply equipping the weapon immediately increases the damage of primary skills, so the value of the weapon can be felt relatively easily even before additional setups are completed.
On the other hand, Transcendent Weapons used by firearm-specialized Descendants are designed so that Transcendent effects are triggered or maintained in conjunction with shooting, since shooting itself is the primary source of damage.
In this process, there are structures that require fulfilling specific conditions or repeating certain actions to maintain effects, and they were designed to achieve their intended performance only when modules, sub-abilities, and Descendant setups are sufficiently prepared.
However, aside from this design intent, we clearly recognize that the current performance of Transcendent Weapons used by firearm-specialized Descendants is not meeting expectations.
Accordingly, we are preparing an overall buff for these weapons.
In addition to simple numerical adjustments, we are reviewing improvements that allow effects to be more reliably activated during actual combat flow, as well as reducing the conditions and operational burden required to maintain effects, thereby improving usability.
We will provide detailed information on the specific targets and adjustments as soon as preparations are complete.
Furthermore, even after the changes are applied, we will continuously monitor actual gameplay data and feedback from Descendants to closely examine whether the intended level of performance is being achieved across various combat environments, including high-level content.
If we determine that further adjustments are needed, we will respond swiftly.
(1) Content
- Removed elements that impeded movement in certain areas within “Void Vessel – Assumed Bridge Zone.”
- Rewards for “Karel’s Mothership” will be increased.
- Commander monster defeat rewards will be increased.
Normal Difficulty
- The drop rate for “Trigger Module Selection Box” will be increased.
- The drop rate for “Ancestors Module Loot” will be increased.
- The drop rate and drop quantity of “Superconductive Cooling Unit,” a material for Ancestors Module Readjustment, will be increased. (109x – 125x obtainable at a certain probability)
- The drop quantity of “Dimensional Stabilization Key” will be increased. (4x – 15x obtainable, 73x obtainable at a low probability)
- The drop quantity of “Archive Shard” will be increased. (22x – 63x obtainable, 583x – 729x obtainable at a low probability)
Hard Difficulty
- The drop rate for “Trigger Module Selection Box” will be increased.
- The drop rate for “Ancestors Module Loot” will be increased.
- The drop rate and drop quantity of “Superconductive Cooling Unit,” a material for Ancestors Module Readjustment, will be increased. (146x – 166x obtainable at a certain probability)
- The drop quantity of “Dimensional Stabilization Key” will be increased. (5x – 20x obtainable, 97x obtainable at a low probability)
- The probability and quantity of mission completion rewards will be increased.
| Reward | Normal Difficulty | Hard Difficulty | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before | After | Before | After | |
| Trigger Module Loot L | 22.5% | 36.4% | 30% | 48.5% |
| Superconductive Cooling Unit | 23 | 146 | 30 | 194 |
| Archive Shard | 68 | 83 | – | – |
| Collectible Coin | 102 | 165 | 135 | 219 |
| EXP (Descendant & Weapon) | 604,800 | 977,537 | 806,400 | 1,303,382 |
| Unique Arche Factor EXP | 4,253 | 6,874 | 5,670 | 9,165 |
| Gold | 27,000 | 43,700 | 36,000 | 58,200 |
| Ancestors Module Loot | 22.5% | 36.4% | 30% | 48.5% |
| Rare Alignment Device | 22.5% | 36.4% | 30% | 48.5% |
| Nano Compound | – | 11,950 | – | 15,834 |
| Quantum Crystal | – | 9,950 | – | 13,184 |
(2) Monsters
- Improved the animation for destroying the clone summoned by the Commander “Torisar the Curse-Spreader” in “Karel’s Mothership.”
(3) Miscellaneous
- Improved the “Purchase from the Shop” button so that it is activated when implanting a Transcendent Weapon Module without owning a Transcendent Photon Imprinter.
Bug Fixes
(1) Descendants
- Raven
- Fixed an issue where equipping the “Nightfall” Transcendent Module allowed more than 11 Raven’s Claws to be summoned.
- Fixed an issue where the count of “Raven’s Claw” was calculated incorrectly when Raven spawned after falling into a cliff area.
- Fixed an issue where stacks of “Shadow Shot” could be acquired through Firearm hit conditions in the Transcendent Module “Law of the Back Alley.”
- Fixed an issue where the FX for Raven’s roll intermittently failed to display.
- Blair / Ultimate Blair
- Fixed an issue where “Hot Delivery” Skill from the Transcendent Module “Next-level Recipe” did not function correctly when acquiring the “Limit Break: Zone” Variable Code in Trials.
- Fixed an issue where the Beam Rifle additional effect dealt abnormal damage when the Transcendent Module “Backdraft”‘s “Power of Fire” effect was applied.
- Harris
- Fixed an issue where Harris’ passive UI did not display correctly while progressing through Story Mode.
- Ultimate Yujin
- Fixed an issue where the damage output was abnormal when using the “Bio-link Drone” Skill from the Ultimate Yujin “Combat Protocol” Transcendent Module.
(2) Equipment & Modules
- Fixed an issue where aim assist was not correctly deactivated even when the aim moved off a targeted Colossus’s Weak Point while using a controller.
- Fixed an issue where some Transcendent Weapons did not apply the additional damage effect when hit during firearm attacks.
- Frost Blossom, Sparky, ATR-0 Prototype, Nightmare Launcher, Volcanic Heart
- Fixed an issue where the Damage Interval was incorrectly displayed when deploying “Emperor’s Guard Lance” from the Transcendent Weapon “Emperor’s Guard Lance.”
- Fixed an issue where certain languages were not applied to the tooltip of the Transcendent Weapon “Unleashed Instinct.”
- Fixed languages: English, German, French, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish
- Fixed an issue where the Ultimate Weapon Default Skin could not be replaced with another skin when it was equipped for the first time on a Transcendent Weapon.
- Fixed an issue where “Overboost” placed in the Sub Slot on the Transcendent frame of the Vehicle “GLIDE-4” was duplicated.
- Fixed an issue where the tooltip description for “Arche Stabilization,” the Seasonal Inversion Reinforcement Collection effect, was partially displayed incorrectly.
(3) Content
- Trials
- Fixed an issue where automatic movement to Albion did not progress correctly even after selecting “Escape” during a Round Check.
- Fixed an issue where the Max HP x% and Max Shield x% values for “HP Imprint” and “Shield Imprint” were displayed incorrectly.
- Fixed an issue where “Critical Hit Damage” for certain Variable Codes was incorrectly displayed as “Critical Hit Rate” in some languages.
- Fixed an issue where the “Rounds per Magazine decrease” effect for certain Variable Codes was displayed incorrectly in specific language localizations.
- Fixed an issue where characters abnormally clipped into or climbed onto terrain structures.
- Karel’s Mothership
- Fixed an issue where the Descendant fell outside the Mothership when a Mission failed during combat with Commander Karel.
- Fixed an issue where effects were displayed abnormally in the cinematic that plays when completing the first Mission on Normal Difficulty.
(4) Monsters
- Fixed an issue where the clone created by Commander “Pattern-Enhanced Arche Slayer” in “Karel’s Mothership” intermittently failed to disappear.
- Fixed an issue where the Ranged Skill Damage range and effect range of Commander “Alzaroke” did not match.
(5) UI & UX
- Fixed an issue where closing the Event screen did not function correctly alongside the Main Quest cinematic on first login after an update.
- The content name in the Onslaught entry UI has been updated from “Onslaught Mode” to “Onslaught.”
(6) Miscellaneous
- Removed items that can no longer be acquired from Breach Tracking from the Library.
- Writhing Organic Matter and Amorphous Alloy Steel
- Fixed an issue where camera movement was not possible in Lounge Photo Mode.
- Fixed an issue where the React to Player option did not function properly in Lounge Photo Mode.
- Fixed an issue where the page display rules were incorrectly applied when entering the Battle Pass Shop without having purchased a Premium Upgrade.
- Fixed an issue where some accounts could not progress the Challenge Event “New Content Challenge Mission” and “The Great Battle Deployment Mission.”
Tell us what you think of Conquest Difficulty and the new Karel’s Mothership rewards in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
The First Descendant
Developed by Nexon Games
Launched in July 2024, The First Descendant is a next-generation third-person co-op action RPG looter shooter featuring high-quality graphics developed using Unreal Engine 5. In the game, players become a Descendant whose mission is to combat against alien invaders – The Vulgus who crossed dimensions over 100 years ago and brought with them the devastating Colossi and destruction– for the survival of humanity and to protect Albion and the continent of Ingris. Players will encounter spectacular stories as they grow stronger through various missions and raids to finally discover the Descendants' secret. Cooperation is crucial as players team up with one another in strategic multiplayer boss fights where teamwork and tactics are key. New equipment, materials, and items obtained through a myriad of missions and boss fights will contribute to players’ character development.
- Genre Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
- Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One
- Perspective Third person
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Release July 2, 2024
- Publisher Nexon Korea
-
Age Rating
