12/31 Balance Patch Pre-Notice
24 December 2025
Developer Notes
As previously announced, this Balance Patch implements numerical changes and skill trait improvements to prepare for further character adjustments. These modifications are based on raid and normal dungeon gameplay data.
In the case of skill trait adjustments, we also considered the new Artifact Growth Stage that will be released on January 15th.
Upon reaching the new Growth Stage, you will be able to select two skill traits for a single skill through the new Hidden Power slot.
Due to the skill trait change, all traits applied by adventurers will be reset after the update. Please make sure to reselect your traits before playing.
Additionally, we will be changing Tome of Amnesia's price in the EP Shop to 0 to allow you to experience trait changes freely.
We would also like to announce balance direction clues for the February patch, planned to be applied to the test server, which many adventurers are curious about.
Basically, party synergy will be significantly reduced, and character personal performance will be significantly increased. Let's get into some of the details:
For all characters except healers, all buffs and debuffs that affect Attack Support in the result window will be reduced. Some effects may be removed depending on the character. Furthermore, we plan to completely remove party effects that reduce or accelerate cooldown. Character attack power will be increased based on the removed/nerfed effects, and each character will be able to efficiently cycle through their skills without support characters.
For healers, the party effects will be numerically standardized. All healers will now also share the same core party effects. Core synergies will be changed to not overlap between multiple characters, except for healing.
We are preparing to integrate Physical/Magical party effects to facilitate a smoother and friendlier party forming environment.
Since party support effects are crucial in Elsword gameplay, we understand that many adventurers may be worried about the changes.
To minimize the aftermath of party synergy nerfs, we will adjust all monster stats on the test server and gather feedback from those playing it. The test server will be continuously updated based on that feedback to ensure a better game experience.
We will provide a detailed course of action when the test server is released in February.
9 Comments
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Upon reaching the new Growth Stage, you will be able to select two skill traits for a single skill through the new Hidden Power slot.**
Hang on, does that mean that we can choose a single Skill to have both Skill Traits applied to it?! If so, I’m gonna need to figure out what Skills I have equipped that will benefit from that in PvE.
Basically, party synergy will be significantly reduced, and character personal performance will be significantly increased.
I hope this means that the weaker chars like Aisha, Ain, etc. get damage buffs to be on par with the other chars.
Furthermore, we plan to completely remove party effects that reduce or accelerate cooldown. Character attack power will be increased based on the removed/nerfed effects, and each character will be able to efficiently cycle through their skills without support characters.
Hmm… not sure about this one. Guess it depends on how smooth Skill cycling will be for everyone after the patch compared to now.
For healers, the party effects will be numerically standardized. All healers will now also share the same core party effects. Core synergies will be changed to not overlap between multiple characters, except for healing.
This sounds… alright. I’m hoping those “same core party effects” will at least be decent.
We are preparing to integrate Physical/Magical party effects to facilitate a smoother and friendlier party forming environment.
Not sure what this means tbh. Kinda hoping it means Kinda hoping it means that all skills that boost Attack will boost both Attack stats.
Hang on, does that mean that we can choose a single Skill to have both Skill Traits applied to it?!
Yes, but I believe you will have to use Master Artifact Scrolls to roll the one you want (4th line of Hidden Power.)
Kinda hoping it means that all skills that boost Attack will boost both Attack stats.
Yes, they are trying to make classes buff everyone without having to be compatible with their primary attack type.
Hm… Complicated but it could work. I guess they want to make all Classes as hybride with their own signature stuff. otherwise they’ll be one meta class per char (Why playing another classes of a char? They want to kill the P/MATK sides and synergies.).
Why did they nerf Burst Grenade????
this will work in KR but will not work in any other server
like in KR they pretty much do 1 support all dps and judging by the kr players im friends with they like the support slot being limited to only 1
totally the reverse in NA,EU.Pserver where 1 or 2 dps and load up with supports+synergy
Basically, party synergy will be significantly reduced, and character personal performance will be significantly increased
Performance based on gear. **So basically, before, if you **weren't geared, but had a class that was useful you can be taken. Now, if you arnt geared, you wont be taken.
:/
RIP easy raid/big boss access for Support characters with just +0 green set
Removing CDA is fine and dandy but can they at least provide ERP reset coins to adjust some of my ERP build
Remove CDA, make blue great again