Once Human is preparing for its first update since the major Annual Version 2.0 launch on July 3. The July 17 patch will introduce a bunch of balance adjustments, vehicle usability improvements, and construction optimizations based on player feedback. Here’s what you can expect to see soon!
Balance Adjustments
The developers are tackling several combat elements, including Corrosion, Gas Mask Hood, Conflicting Memories, Pyroclasm Starter, Jaws, Pinpoint Strike, Outer Space, and First Electrocution. Some of the key changes:
- Corrosion: Power Surge trigger chance increased from 70% to 80%, with crit rate bonuses and damage buffs adjusted. It no longer inflicts Power Surge status on Deviants.
- Gas Mask Hood: After triggering Power Surge, crit rate and Power Surge damage bonuses last longer.
- Conflicting Memories: Shrapnel trigger frequency and magazine capacity scaling slightly nerfed, but magazine capacity still increased by 40.
- Pyroclasm Starter: The Dragon’s Breath effect now persists after weapon switching.
- Jaws: Blast Elemental damage buff after weakspot hits increased from 30% to 50%.
- Pinpoint Strike/Point Detonation: Unstable Bomber final damage boosted when hitting one enemy.
- Outer Space: Reduced hits needed to summon lightning from 15 to 12.
- First Electrocution: Final damage buff against enemies without Power Surge increased and no longer affected by other players’ Power Surge applications.
Bug fixes include resolving the Viper Mask not working with weapon passives and Hazardous Object wrongly triggering Gulped Lore’s passive effect.
Vehicles
Vehicle gameplay is getting a solid upgrade. Vehicle scrapyards will be scattered in the wilderness, letting you repair and drive vehicles after unlocking the Vehicle Garage. In non-RaidZone modes, vehicles with zero durability can now be repaired on the spot using Vehicle Repair Electric Drills, without needing to return to the garage.
You can lock vehicles for 5 Copper Ingots and 2 Metal Scraps, allowing you to summon and change skins freely. Players can now own up to six locked vehicles in non-RaidZone modes. Plus, garages are buildable in RaidZone mode, with vehicles crafted there unlocked by default for sharing or trading.
Riding pillion on other players’ motorcycles is now possible, complete with a dedicated button for passengers. Also, non-RaidZone players can summon two vehicles simultaneously, which sounds like a fun way to hang out with friends!
Construction
- Fences can now be placed on foundations and ceilings, improving building flexibility.
- Territory placement no longer snaps to nearby territories by default, giving more control.
- Wallpaper visuals on PC have been optimized to prevent open-work structures from being fully covered.
- The territory move area in flight mode has been expanded to include four corners and max height adjustments.
Server Selection Screen
Once Human and Once Human: RaidZone will become separate modes after this update. Once Human will focus on survival, while RaidZone emphasizes balanced PvP. You can switch modes on the login screen and use the same account for both. PvP-affecting content like blueprints and mods won’t work in RaidZone, but cosmetics remain usable everywhere.
New Custom Server Content
- Endless Dream scenario added for custom servers.
- Badge cross-compatibility between custom and official servers.
More custom servers and upgrade packages will be available on July 18, 2025.
Server Overload Prompts
Server lag has been a headache lately, especially during intense fights with many players. To help with this, a new server overload prompt will appear on your ping indicator, turning red when the server is overloaded. The server will dynamically allocate resources to recover, but you can also switch worlds or leave crowded areas to avoid lag. This is a temporary fix while the team works on deeper server architecture improvements.
Save Your Controls
Finally, a quality-of-life update for controls! PC players can save their control settings to the cloud and apply them on demand. Mobile players can share or import custom control layouts via a share code, making it easier to keep your preferred setup across devices.
Wow, that’s quite a list, right? I’m curious about how these balance tweaks will affect combat flow and if riding pillion might become a new favorite feature for squad play.
