The First Descendant has received Hotfix 1.2.23, which introduces the Axion Plains Demo, weapon balance changes, new shop items, and several bug fixes. This update is important because it provides players with a fresh way to experience the game, featuring new characters, weapons, and content, while refining key gameplay elements.
Axion Plains Demo
Players will be able to try the Axion Plains Demo via the “Season 3 Breakthrough: Axion Demo” button on the title screen. The demo will be available from July 24, 2025, after maintenance, until August 7, 2025, before maintenance.
- The demo features a unique game structure, difficulty, and visuals designed specifically for this experience, different from the regular updates.
- Progress in the demo will not be saved, so restarting resets Descendant settings to default.
- Players can pick from three characters: Ultimate Bunny, Ultimate Freyna, or the new Descendant Nell.
- Two new Ultimate Weapons, ERASER and Exterminator, can be previewed.
- The demo includes previews of new Legion of Breach monsters, the Colossus Wall Crasher, and a new Vehicle type.
- Parts of the Axion Plains map, including a hunting ground and Colossus capture zone, are available to explore.
Completing the demo grants rewards via in-game mail, including a Crystallization Catalyst, Spoils Box, and several 1-hour boosts like 30% Gold and Kuiper Shard boosts. These completion rewards can only be earned once.
Participation rewards, distributed starting August 13, 2025, include the Axion Spearhead Box containing titles, bike paints, Crystallization Catalyst, gold, and Kuiper Shards. Additional rewards are available for those who complete the survey after playing the demo.
For more details on rewards, check the event notice.
Shop Additions
New products have been added to the shop, including several themed bundles like the Rabbit Game Bundle, new paint bundles, and hair dye bundles. Themed skins for various characters such as Serena, Ines, Hailey, Luna, Valby, Sharen, Gley, Freyna, Bunny, and Viessa are also available. Cosmetic items include emotes like Rabbit Dance and Rabbit Fishing, current acrobatics spawns, UI themes, and name cards. Various common paints and hair dyes have been added for customization.
Weapon Rebalance
The update adjusts the performance of many weapons, showing distinct Abilities at Level 4 and attribute damage at Level 100. Notable changes include:
- The Final Masterpiece: Several abilities have damage increases, including Exploding Ecstasy (50% to 160%) and Poison damage per second (7% to 21%). Attribute damage increased from 1,005 to 9,936 and weak point damage from 1.5 to 2.11.
- Python, EXCAVA, Enduring Legacy, Thunder Cage, Fallen Hope, Divine Punishment, Albion Cavalry Gun, Secret Garden, King’s Guard Lance, Clairvoyance, Voltia, Nazeistra’s Devotion, Perforator, Peace Maker, Wave Of Light, Blue Beetle, Frost Watcher, Afterglow Sword, Piercing Light: Various increases in attribute damage, weak point damage, and unique ability performance.
Content Improvements
- Cores: Gold costs for crafting cores have been reduced progressively from stage 1 to 10, cutting costs roughly by half at each stage.
- Events: “Descendant Purchase Tickets” from the event shop can now be dismantled for 1st Anniversary Tokens, except those bought directly in the shop. This dismantling will end with the anniversary event.
- UI & UX: First Clear Rewards now show before acquiring rewards in Void Erosion Purge Challenge difficulty. A “Sale Complete” indicator was added for customize items in the event shop. Photo Mode got default stickers and descriptive text for frames and stickers. The External Component Core screen description was improved.
- Miscellaneous: Notification messages for party recruitment and storage purchases were changed for clarity and positioning.
Bug Fixes
- Fixed incorrect tooltip display for Blair’s “Deadly Cuisine” small fireball count when “Backdraft” is equipped (from 3 to 5).
- UI fixes include timers overlapping buttons, emote preview issues, quest dialogue inconsistencies, item display order, and missing timers in Challenge Difficulty.
- Gameplay fixes address issues with Ecive Scan attribute weaknesses, quest completion counting for modules and blueprints, and visual inconsistencies in character skins.
- Other fixes include correcting the description of the “Descendant Purchase Ticket Selection Box,” damage animations on Colossus, and visual effects for certain skins and effects.
Have you tried the Axion Plains Demo yet? How do you feel about the weapon changes? Let’s chat in the comments below.
