Build 26335408

Today's update focuses primarily on infrastructure, server improvements, optimization, and overall game performance. A lot of work has been done behind the scenes to improve Grindwick's stability and performance.

However, there are also several new features and quality-of-life improvements for players, including the new Ascendant difficulty, additional rewards, a new merchant, and a rework of Guild Master tasks.

Ascendant Grind Level is an additional challenge designed for high-level characters (100+). I originally planned to introduce it much later, but decided to release it earlier to make future game balancing easier. This allows me to better adjust standard progression and Grind Levels while keeping Ascendant as a separate challenge for high-level players.

Patch Notes

Added Ascendant Grind Level, accessible through the Ascend button after reaching Grind Level 20. This is the final difficulty tier of a map, recommended for characters level 100+.
Ascendant monsters are stronger, faster, and have a pulsing light-blue outline. They provide increased EXP and Gold rewards.
Activating Ascendant unlocks direct access to this difficulty for all current expedition participants. Unlocks are saved separately for each map.
Added Ascendant Shards, which can drop from Ascendant monsters. Using one Shard grants 1 Ascendant Dust.
Added the Ascendant Merchant to the hub. Dust can be exchanged for legendary equipment, cards, and Remnants, as well as mythical monster cards.
Reworked Guild Master tasks. Rewards can now be claimed after just 25 kills, or players can continue the task to increase the Gold reward. Every complete set of 25 kills grants 1 Guild Point. Slime and Bat tasks are available from level 1, while all other tasks require level 2.
Standardized the death penalty to 1.5% of the character's total EXP (reduced from 3%), including above level 100. Skill EXP loss has been reduced to 0.5% (previously 1%).
Buffed Focus Potions. They now restore 30–45% of maximum Focus, up from 20–35%.
Health and Focus now fully regenerate while staying in the Explorers Guild hub.
Added a free set of Training Weapons, available from an NPC in the hub. These serve as an emergency option if you accidentally get rid of all your weapons.
Increased the maximum number of active Auction House listings from 5 to 30 per character.
Expanded the chat system with separate Polish, Portuguese, and Trade channels, along with commands for switching channels. Players can now link items in chat, allowing others to preview their stats.
Added a right-click context menu for items, allowing players to lock, unlock, destroy, and link items in chat.
Added a Take All button to the expedition backpack, allowing players to collect all stored Gold and items at once.
Improved the interface with a wider UI scaling range, an updated top menu, a collapsible Grind Level panel, and clearer displays for enchanting costs, stats, and results.
Added the /roll command, which rolls a six-sided die and displays the result above the character.
Added maintenance notifications to the game client and website.
Various map improvements and a hidden easter egg.