STALCRAFT: X’s Oct. 28 Patch Notes Detail Festivity and Balance Changes
Festivity's Arena can run for up to 25 rounds, and progression mode opens Nov. 4 after maintenance.
STALCRAFT: X’s Oct. 28 patch notes lay out Festivity’s five-player PvPvE Arena, its gear and league progression, and a wide range of weapon and interface changes. The event’s rounds move between mutant and zombie waves, bosses, and a fight against another team, with each side trying to protect its Relic. EXBO’s Oct. 28 Steam update says players need Bar reputation level 2 to enter.
The Arena’s sequence of PvE rounds, a boss fight, and team PvP follows the round structure and rewards outlined ahead of Festivity. The new details explain how gear choices affect access to the Altar, how the shared shop pool works, and what players can earn through the event’s leagues.
STALCRAFT: X Patch Notes [28.10.2026]
Festivity Arena rules
Each team starts without gear and must defend its Relic in a match capped at 25 rounds. Players begin with a knife, a pistol, and 100 Yav, the event currency used to purchase equipment and improve the shop. The match ends when a Relic is destroyed, a team surrenders, or round 25 concludes. At the round limit, the team with more Relic durability left wins.
The round pattern is three PvE rounds against mutant and zombie waves, followed by a boss round and a PvP round. A Relic can lose up to 15% of its durability during one PvE round. In PvP, teams attack the central Altar, and the side that deals more damage wins the round. The losing team takes 10% Relic damage. From round 6, a changing modifier applies each round, and two modifiers are active at once from round 11.
Armor determines which routes players can use around the lower floor. Level 4 bioinfection restricts access to Scientist armor, while Combo armor can withstand levels 2 and 3 at higher ranks. Players in Combat armor, or without the required protection, must attack the Altar from above. Combat armor is built to absorb enemy attacks and uses fragmentation grenades. Combo armor uses healing grenades, while Scientist armor can reach the Altar through level 4 bioinfection and carries a bullet-blocking shield grenade.
Players can surrender after round 15 by opening match statistics with the ~ key and using the button in the lower-left corner. The decision starts a vote, and unanimous agreement means the team is defeated.
Yav, gear, and Amulets
Yav comes from completing rounds. Earnings depend on lost Relic durability in a regular PvE round, the result of a boss or PvP round, and the coins carried over from the previous round. Saving currency also grants a bonus: every 10 Yav held at the end of a round adds 1 coin, up to 30. The shop is part of the inventory and opens with E. Players can spend 10 Yav to refresh its stock or lock the current selection to carry it into the next round.
The shop draws from a shared, limited pool. Buying a blueprint removes it from that pool even if the item is later sold. Three blueprints matching the current gear are needed to assemble the next rank, and buying the third automatically upgrades the item. Blueprints can also improve armor and weapons to +5 or +10 by using Shift + LMB or dragging the blueprint into the equipment window. Gear must advance in order from Picklock or Newbie through Stalker and Veteran to Master. Master is the top rank for armor and primary weapons, while secondary weapons can reach Legendary.
Higher Shop levels raise the odds of finding higher-rank blueprints and increase the number of Amulets players can equip, extending the Arena’s gear progression. Amulets are artifacts with stats, divided among the Skitter, Fiend, Ghoul, Rat, and Multiset collections. Each set has three different artifacts and grants an additional effect when its required pieces are equipped. Two identical Amulets do not activate a set bonus. The special Eti Amulet from the Multiset can pair with any other set. Identical Amulets can also be combined to raise one to +15.
Match rewards include rubles and Chrismites, which can be spent in the event shop on a 5.45 Extended Magazine, an Athame hunter’s knife, Myron, Death Knell, and Crimson styles, hideout decorations, an Implements event case, and consumables. The magazine, knife, decorations, and styles can be sold to Zen for event currency.
Festivity progression and dates
Progression mode opens on Nov. 4 after maintenance and runs until the event ends on Nov. 18. It is available from 10:00 to 00:00 server time. The league system awards points for both wins and losses up through Epiphany, with fewer points for a loss. Players can claim a league’s rewards as soon as they advance, and some milestones grant extra Chrismites.
Losses deduct points in Epiphany and Deliverance, and rewards for reaching either league are issued only after the event ends. Only 10% of players who reach league 5 enter Epiphany. Deliverance is limited to the highest point totals in each region: 90 players in EU, 15 in NA, 10 in SEA, and 10 in NEA. Both leagues offer a case of personal styles from previous Arenas. Its reward can be rerolled up to 8 times for 5 million rubles per reroll, with no duplicate items.
Double progression tokens can be bought in the shop or obtained from an Implements event case. Players can use up to 3 per match, multiplying points by ×2 for 1 token, ×2.6 for 2, or ×3 for 3. Tokens work only during Festivity and turn into Trade coins when the event ends. In Epiphany and Deliverance, using tokens also increases the potential points lost.
Festivity challenges have been added to the Season Pass, with more challenges and rewards in the event tab. Matches will award 30% more rubles and Chrismites from Nov. 7 at 05:00 server time through Nov. 9 at 05:00 server time, and again from Nov. 14 at 05:00 server time through Nov. 16 at 05:00 server time.
Season quests and safe zones
The new tulpa! season quests include Fire and Ash, Save and Protect, Two Thousand Yards, and Deus Ex Machina. Mercenaries can get Two Thousand Yards by speaking with Wentz and Bitok. Rise players can talk to Sitnikov for Deus Ex Machina. Save and Protect begins at a location in Temple Swamp, while Fire and Ash begins at a location in Barrier. The update also adds decorations to safe zones and continues the Shock wave story, with Lynx finding Cleat’s hiding place while Liv’s plan to set the Black Market against Typhoon remains underway.
Economy and profile changes
Event completion rewards now guarantee 100% of the base reward, with a chance of an increased payout. The change is intended to reduce cases where difficult events paid too little and easy ones paid too much. EXBO says long-term farming income may increase only slightly. The minimum reward comparisons are approximately 3,899 to 5,130 rubles for Mines/Inflow, 7,642 to 10,055 for Forge-11, and 20,520 to 27,000 for Stillwaters. The sales limit for Detector Components at Arsen changes from 165 to 170.
The profile’s right-hand column is now called Achievement Showcase. Its pinned statistics and achievements are managed through profile customization, where rows can be rearranged and configured individually. A row can contain 2 statistics, 1 achievement, or 3 items, but its number of slots cannot be changed. Only personal items can be pinned, and items from inventory or personal storage can be added while in a safe zone. Statistics and Achievements retain the options for viewing other players and managing privacy.
Interface, map, and bundle updates
- Player interactions menu: the menu that appears now does not block controls or capture the mouse cursor. You can still move and shoot. To select an action, use the hotkeys indicated on the buttons.
- Shop: when you left-click on an item in the Suitable for section on the style/motif page, the 3D model changes to show the selected item equipped with the style/motif. Minor issues with interactions involving item slots in sets are also fixed.
- Season Pass: a notification now appears when the level increases. Updated icons and tooltips for rewards.
- Task log: added the ability to pin exchange recipes.
- HUD: added highlighting for events required to complete active quests.
- Hideout: if another object is required to open an object, the tooltip now specifies which one.
- Weapon examination: now has its own button in the settings.
- The map now matches the current season’s color palette.
- Fixed minor bugs in the map display.
- Objects in the world are now displayed on the map as well.
The Grace of Festivity bundle is available in the in-game store and includes event currency, cases, seasonal crates, season levels, and Overdrives. The first 6 purchases have discounts of up to 75%. The update also adds guide articles covering safes, looting, in-game chat, Arsenal, player trading, attachments, infections, base traders, subdivision battles, anomalies, and side effects. A new Interaction and Communication section covers in-game chat, squads, player exchange, and subdivisions, with revised article formatting.
Weapon and armor balance changes
Assault rifle damage changes include small reductions to the FN Scar-H variants and increases to several other rifles. The update also adjusts machine guns, sniper rifles, submachine guns, pistols, a shotgun, an attachment, and armor.
- FN Scar-H (A): Damage: 47 → 46.5
- FN Scar-H: Damage: 45.1 → 44.6
- The FN Scar-H is slightly weakened (by half of the last buff), as it became too effective after many recent adjustments.
- HK417 (A): Damage: 45.2 → 45.5
- HK417: Damage: 43.4 → 43.6
- The HK417 is slightly bto compete more fairly with other similar rifles.
- K2C1: Damage: 39 → 39.3
- K2: Damage: 34 → 34.3
- AK-15: Damage: 47.5 → 47.8
- AK-203: Damage: 38.4 → 39
- AUG A3 (A): Damage: 41.3 → 41.8
- Steyr AUG A3: Damage: 36.3 → 36.5
- ASM Serval: Damage: 37.5 → 37.1
- AMB-17: Damage: 42 → 41.8
- X95 (A): Damage: 32.2 → 32.4
- IWI Tavor X95: Damage: 30.9 → 31
- FN F2000 Tactical: Minimum damage: 31.9 → 32.3
- HK G36C: Damage: 34.8 → 35.5
- TKB-0146M: Damage: 36.6 → 37.5
- QBZ-191 Thunderbird: Damage: 37.6 → 37.7
- AK-12: Damage: 37.5 → 38
- AK-12 (A): Damage: 43 → 43.5
- Less popular assault rifles and ones that lag behind their counterparts are now stronger, while overly effective assault rifles designed for close combat are now weaker.
- DSA RPD: Damage: 39.3 → 39.8
- M60: Damage: 51 → 51.2
- PKP Pecheneg: Damage: 45.3 → 45.5
- Worn PKP: Damage: 39.8 → 40
- RPL-20: Damage: 44 → 44.5
- Slightly buffed the machine guns that were less effective in terms of PvP.
- OTL-03 Karbach: Headshot damage: 1.5 → 1.54
- Cheytac M300: Headshot damage: 1.15 → 1.18
- FN Scar SSR: Damage and minimum damage: 71.5 → 72
- It was lightly behind the MK14 in terms of PvP effectiveness.
- Scorpion EVO III: Damage: 30.6 → 30.5
- TDI Kriss Vector: Damage: 34.8 → 34.6
- TDI Kriss Vector: Minimum damage: 19.3 → 19.1
- SR-3M: Damage: 33.1 → 32.8
- SR-3M: Recoil: 0.51° → 0.59°
- SR-3M: Maximum damage range: 16 → 15
- SR-3 Vikhr: Damage: 29 → 28.9
- SR-3 Vikhr: Recoil: 0.45° → 0.56°
- SR-3 Vikhr: Maximum damage range: 16 → 15
- SIG MPX: Minimum damage: 21.3 → 21.5
- PPK-20, Vityaz-SN, PP-19-01 Vityaz: Rate of fire: 750 → 760
- Excessively powerful submachine guns are weakened, and less popular ones are slightly strengthened.
The SR-3M and Vector lead the pack in terms of the number of kills and, at the same time, boast a very high kill efficiency.
- Sig Sauer P320: Damage: 75 → 74
- The SIG Sauer P320 stands out from other pistols because of its great versatility: its massive damage per magazine and high comfort make it the preferred choice in far too many situations.
- Magpul FMG-9: Recoil: 0.3° → 0.25°
- Magpul FMG-9: Horizontal recoil: 0.26° → 0.25°
- Increased FMG-9’s comfort, as its high recoil was reducing this pistol’s effectiveness too much.
- AEK-965: The recoil after firing is slightly reduced.
- Now, almost immediately after firing a shot, the shooter experiences a minimal level of stopping power.
- ASh-12 Extended Magazine: Reload: 3 sec → 3.25 sec
- ASh-12 Extended Magazine: Tactical Reload: 2.4 sec → 2.6 sec
- ASh-12 Extended Magazine: Added Recoil: -5%
- ASh-12 Extended Magazine: Added Horizontal recoil: -5%
- ASh-12 Extended Magazine: Added Recoil increase: -10%
- ASh-12 Extended Magazine was at a significant disadvantage in terms of ergonomics, since the weapon’s base damage is high enough for it to perform perfectly well even with a 25-round magazine.
However, since the weapon isn’t particularly effective even with a high-capacity, ergonomic magazine, it won’t be weakened. Instead, the underpowered magazine will be upgraded. - Aurora Jumpsuit: Bullet resistance: 39 → 42
- Aurora Jumpsuit: Added Speed: 1%
- Aurora Jumpsuit: Carry weight: 5 kg → 7 kg
- Aurora Jumpsuit: Bleeding Protection: 35% → 25%
- Seekers Exoskeleton and Morgues Exoskeleton: Removed Stamina: -15%
- Seekers Exoskeleton and Morgues Exoskeleton: Bullet resistance: 158 → 151
- Seekers Exoskeleton and Morgues Exoskeleton: Now compatible with any containers
- Arc Jumpsuit: Fixed incorrect sizes: small → medium
Other changes and fixes
- Refined the quest chain at the start of the game.
- Changed sound design for Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant: added ambient sounds and new music.
- Injectors are now unlocked as you progress through the tutorial and are available for purchase from merchants in all safe zones.
- Fixed an issue with sending private messages to players whose usernames contain a large number of consecutive underscores.
- Added sound effects when upgrading armor and weapons.
- Adjusted the position of the Bale bag on the back: it is now positioned slightly higher.
- Fixed kill tasks that required a specific weapon.
- Fixed a bug where a character could get stuck while climbing an obstacle, causing the character to slow down and damage to be incorrectly applied.
- Fixed game crashes with AMD drivers newer than version 26.8.1.
- Fixed a bug that prevented penalties to be added to spread in jumps in some cases.
- Fixed an issue where the appearance of items in the radial menu was not updated correctly when they were replaced or upgraded.
- Updated the model and animations of the RSh-12, as well as the textures of its motifs, and adjusted the visuals of cartridges in skins.
- The faction bonus to the selling price now also applies to the Fence in the Drunken Geiger Bar.
- Fixed the Twins being absent from the Signal dungeon.
- Fixed a game crash that occurred when opening the key holder during a trade with another player.
Which armor type would you bring into the Altar fight, given the different bioinfection limits and grenade options? For updates on Festivity’s league race and its Nov. 4 progression opening, stay connected through X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
Stalzone
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