A new The First Descendant update has arrived for the free Steam looter shooter as developer Nexon looks to recover from recent negative to a round of character nerfs. The latest patch follows up Season 2 Episode 2's introduction of Serena with a new ultimate character variant for Blair, a harder tier for the new endgame mode, Void Erosion Purge, and a wealth of new components and modules to expand your build potential.
free Steam game's recent review score plummet into the 'mostly negative' range. Its headline addition is Ultimate Blair, the latest special variant for the looter shooter's roster, which is accompanied by an exclusive quest for the fiery chef-turned-combatant.
In his new form, Blair sports a golden mask and comes with two new skill modules that can be obtained from Hard Intercept Battles and Module Combine. The first, Killer Recipe, boosts your crit rate, crit damage, and skill power when attacking burn-afflicted enemies. It allows you to fire a Spicy Meatball that explodes, dealing damage and inflicting burn, and using skills on burning opponents also generates Chef's Touch, which can be used to recover MP or to unleash targeting fireballs at multiple foes.
The second module is Next-Level Recipe, and transforms him into a more close-ranged barrage of fire. Equipping this allows you to create large flaming zones on the ground around Blair as you move, which damage and burn any enemies that step on them. Using this loadout, his third skill also becomes a powerful, fan-shaped flamethrower that lets you quickly melt through the rest of their health.
Elsewhere, recent roster addition Ines has also been improved, resolving issues where her Chain Lightning and Floating Lightning abilities were applying incorrectly, were unable to hit certain objects, or would disappear if the next target was behind terrain. Now, if it's unable to see another potential victim, the lightning will instead return to Ines.
There are five new external component sets available, including the Fire Brand set that suits Blair nicely by stripping away enemy fire resistance. There's a new method to enhance both reactors and external components at workbenches. You'll also find 55 more rare and ultimate modules (all but the Elemental Resistance Battlesuit being for firearms) that can be earned from the Sigma Sector, Hard Intercept Battles, or through Module Combine.
Having been adjusted to a satisfactory spot, Void Erosion Purge gets a new tier, 'Challenge' difficulty. This becomes available after you clear stage 30 in the normal mode, and comprises five stages that must be each finished within a target time to unlock the next. There are special Tier X Cores and Weapon Core Amplifiers available upon your first completion – note that you can currently only access them through private operations, so you'll need to find a group to you.
The First Descendant update 1.2.14 is out now. You can play for free on Steam. There are plenty more smaller tweaks, additions, and quality-of-life changes to be found in the full patch notes courtesy of Nexon, such as increased experience gains from Sigma Sector and easier access to the blueprints and codes required to craft Ultimate Bunny.
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