This update brings a new Training Ground, improvements to the new-player experience, balance changes for Travelers and weapons, and a rework of Pod buffs. We’ve also updated the Loadout, Lobby, and UI to make preparing for battle smoother and easier.
Pre-download is now available, so you can download the update in advance and be ready for the upcoming test.
Check out the full details below.
Combat Prep & Play Experience Improvements
Tutorial
We've improved the guidance flow so players move naturally into Time Race after finishing the tutorial.
A Time Race recommendation popup now appears on tutorial completion.
The same popup appears if you leave mid-tutorial and complete it after re-entering.
New Player Experience
We've improved early matchmaking so players new to Time Takers can adapt to the game's core combat and flow before experiencing more varied play.
We've also updated the matchmaking logic to better account for player experience and skill level, providing a smoother experience as new players get accustomed to the game.
Character select time has been set to 60 seconds, plus 15 seconds of confirmation time.
The starting tier for new players has been changed from Silver 3 (0 pts) to Bronze 1 (80 pts).
Region Matchmaking
We've added region matchmaking so you can choose where you play.
Default Regions and Region Selection
On first install, the two regions with the lowest ping are selected by default.
If you select only one region, matchmaking runs in that region only.
If you select multiple regions, matchmaking follows the priority order below.
Region Priority
North America (Virginia) → Asia (Korea) → Europe (Frankfurt)
If you select both Virginia and Korea, matchmaking searches Virginia first.
Party Play
In a party, matchmaking follows the party leader's region settings.
For example, if the leader has Virginia selected and a member has only Korea, the party searches in Virginia.
Training Ground
We've added a Training Ground so you can test Travelers and weapons more freely before jumping into combat. Try out different Traveler, weapon, and upgrade combinations for yourself.
Traveler Balance
We've adjusted the skills and upgrades of several Travelers including Rokuro, Bertie, Raven, Edu, Arthur, Andrei, Zsa Zsa, and Ep0ch. Some skills had their damage, healing, shield values, and effects changed, and some skills and upgrades had functional changes.
Skills
We've adjusted the performance and effect descriptions of some Traveler skills.
TravelerSkillChanged ItemBeforeAfterRokuroAsura ExecutionPost-use delay0s0.2sBertieFly, Bertie!Guaranteed height on skill use-8mRavenRaven StormInitial projectile count-4EduRed ProtocolBarrier durability3,0002,000Knockback damage128100ArthurHold the LineAdditional shield180150Shield of ProtectionBarrier durability2,5001,500Shock damageBase abilityRemoved from base ability → moved to skill upgradeGlorious ChargeDamage taken reductionExisting effect appliedRemovedAdditional shield-450Shield duration-5sAndreiJelly ExplosionHealing displayHealingHealth and shield healingAdditional shield-100Shield duration-3sJelly PistolDamage displayPoison gas damagePoison gas damage per secondPoison gas damage per second2040Let’s Goo!Damage displayArea damageArea damage per secondArea damage per second2080Jump attack range-16mMovement speed increase50%80%Damage-dealt absorptionExisting effect appliedRemovedContinuous healing-30
Skill Upgrades
We've adjusted the effects and composition of some Traveler skill upgrades.
TravelerLevel (Key)UpgradeChanged ItemBeforeAfterRokuroLv. 9 (E)Smoke ScreenSmoke range13m26mBertieLv. 9 (E)Triple BananaThrow count63EduLv. 13 (Z)Recovery ProtocolIncreased barrier durability4,0003,000Initial health restored on skill use-100Healing visual-Added in-barrier healing visualEnhanced ProtocolKnockback damage300250ArthurLv. 5 (Q)Hold your ground!Additional shield270220Lv. 9 (E)Sturdier ShieldBarrier durability3,5002,200Shock ShieldElectrocution damageBase skill effectChanged to skill upgrade effectDamage per second-200Increased duration-6sReduced cooldown-38sLv. 13 (Z)VanguardUpgrade effectDamage taken reductionBonus shield enhancementIncreased additional shield-520Increased shield duration-7sIncreased movement duration-4sAndreiLv. 5 (Q)Hardened JellyEffect displayBonus shieldIncreased bonus shieldShield duration-3sLv. 9 (E)Larger Jelly ProjectilesIncreased explosion radius6m12mLv. 13 (Z)Strengthened Jelly TransformationUpgrade nameJelly RegenerationStrengthened Jelly BodySustained healingUpgrade effectRemoved (moved to base skill effect)Jelly Elastic ExplosionUpgrade nameSpeed JellyJelly Elastic BlastMovement speed increaseExisting effect appliedRemovedJump height increaseExisting effect appliedRemovedIncreased attack range-20mZsa ZsaLv. 9 (E)Gravity Field RechargeUpgradeWider Gravity FieldGravity Field RechargeUpgrade effectRange increaseCooldown reductionReduced cooldown-43sEp0chLv. 13 (Z)Weakening DroneEffect displayIncreased damage taken by enemies on hitApplies Damage Taken Increase EffectIncreased damage taken by enemies10%30%Duration-3s
Weapons
Weapon Renaming
We've overhauled weapon names across the board.
BeforeAfterPM-1 Assault RifleV-41 CarbinePM-3 Burst RifleV-16 PulseA-6 Rocket CrossbowChaserA-10 Energy RifleFluxPM-2 RailgunDeadeyePM-5 Marksman RifleR-12 WatchmanB-2 FlamethrowerBlazeB-6 LightningStormA-3 Rocket LauncherComet LauncherA-5 Life or DeathLife or Death
Weapon Balance
We've adjusted the combat performance of some weapons.
WeaponItemBeforeAfterR-12 WatchmanLeft-click overheat buildup57BlazeLeft-click damage3834StormLeft-click damage2527Comet LauncherDamage falloff over range30% reduction70% reductionRight-click damage2522
Weapon Upgrades
We've adjusted the upgrade effects and options for some weapons.
WeaponUpgradeItemBeforeAfterV-41 CarbineLv. 7 Combat BoostMovement speed increaseMovement speed increased for 3s on hitting an enemySplit into Movement Speed Increase (%) [20] / Duration (s) [3]FluxLv. 3 Shield ConversionShield durability per overheat610R-12 WatchmanLv. 7 (fully reworked)Rapid Cooling-Weapon overheat recovery speed increase (%) [40]Double Tap-Projectile count increase [1] / Main features damage reduction (%) [40]StormLv. 3 Forward GrabMax range36m25mLv. 7 Current OverloadWeapon fire rate increase2%2.5%Max stacks5040Initial current thickness10.8 (increases with stacks, max 3)Comet LauncherLv. 3 / Lv. 7Upgrade orderLv. 3 Weapon Cooler / Lv. 7 Piercing RoundLv. 7 left: Weapon Cooler / right: Piercing Round
Pod System Improvements
We've reworked Pod buffs so you have more options depending on the combat situation and your playstyle.
All existing Pod buffs have been removed, and 9 new Pod buffs have been added.
Pod BuffEffectJump Height IncreaseJump height +300%Movement Speed IncreaseMovement speed +50%Weapon Damage IncreaseWeapon damage +30%Weapon Range IncreaseWeapon range +100%Time Energy Collection Range IncreaseTime energy collection range +30mWeapon Heat ReductionWeapon heat buildup -100%Bonus Shield GainGain 600 bonus shieldLevel Increase+1 levelSkill Cooldown ReductionSkill cooldown -50%
Lobby & Convenience Features
Loadout Overhaul
We've reworked the Loadout screen so you can check Traveler, weapon, and upgrade information all in one place.
The existing Traveler and Weapon menus have been merged into the Loadout.
Accordingly, the Weapon Research menu in the Lab has been removed.
Voice Chat
We've added lobby voice chat so you can prepare for battle more smoothly with your party.
Voice chat is available in the lobby once you've formed a party.
Press ESC to view the voice chat participant list.
Players not connected to voice chat are shown as NOT CONNECTED.
Added an indicator so you can easily see who is currently speaking.
Party: green
Team: blue
Voucher
A new Voucher Shop has been added. You earn Voucher XP by acquiring items, and reaching certain XP thresholds unlocks the next page.
Purchasing Voucher items with Chronostone earns Voucher XP.
Collecting enough Voucher XP unlocks the next page.
Unlocked pages let you view and purchase new customization items.
Other Improvements
Traveler Appearance Updates
Some Travelers' appearances have been updated.
Yuna's appearance has been changed.
Cassie's appearance has been changed.
In-Game UI/UX
We've improved several in-game visuals and HUD elements so you can read the combat situation and your teammates' status faster.
You can now check downed teammates' respawn timers on the respawn screen.
Added a sequence that briefly shows the opponent who eliminated you before switching to the respawn screen.
Improved the UI shown when the final two teams remain.
Unified the health display colors on the status HUD and the respawn screen.
When healing an ally with Life or Death, a support effect is now shown on the target's Player Tag.
OP.GG Stats Support
Time Takers is now live on OP.GG.
Let us know how these changes feel. See you in the game!