Nexon used the Descendant Fest 2026 livestream to lay out the full The First Descendant 2026 second half roadmap, covering every major update from July through December. The second half of the year brings three new playable Descendants, two new dungeons, a reworked Intercept Battle system, and the game’s first asymmetric PvEvP mode.
The headline release is Season 4 Episode 1 on August 20, which delivers the decisive battle against Karel inside a brand-new Mega Dungeon. Below is every date, Descendant, and mode on the schedule, in release order, so you know exactly what to prepare for and when.
1. Full July-December 2026 Update Schedule
2026 Second Half Roadmap
The roadmap runs on a near-monthly cadence, starting with the July 15 update and ending with a December release. Nexon attached exact dates to the first three updates, while the November and December releases only have month windows for now.
| Date | Headline Content | New Descendant |
|---|---|---|
| July 15 | Void Intercept Battle: Extreme | None |
| August 20 | Season 4 Episode 1, Mega Dungeon | Raven |
| September 17 | Cradle of Evolution dungeon | Ultimate Hailey |
| November | Henosis Sanctuary dungeon | Monet |
| December | Colosseum-A PvEvP mode | None |
2. July 15 Update: Void Intercept Battle Extreme
Void Intercept Battle: Extreme
The first stop on the roadmap is a rework of the game’s core boss content. On July 15, the existing Hard Difficulty Intercept Battle and Void Abyss Intercept Battle merge into a single mode, subdivided into clear difficulty tiers instead of living as separate activities.
On top of the merged structure, Nexon is adding Void Intercept Battle: Extreme, a new tier that pushes past the current difficulty ceiling. If you have been farming Void Abyss for endgame materials, finish any planned clears before the July 15 update, because the merged tier structure will change the weekly routine.
3. August 20 Update: Season 4 Episode 1, Raven, and Mega Dungeon
New Descendant Raven
August 20 is the biggest date on the entire roadmap. Season 4 Episode 1 launches the final chapter of the current story arc, teased in the world premiere trailer The Great Clash, which shows Karel and the Descendants colliding in an all-out assault on Albion.
The update bundles a new dungeon format, a new Descendant, and a long-term weapon system into one release.
Mega Dungeon and the Karel Boss Fight
Mega Dungeon
The centerpiece is a new Mega Dungeon that is larger than any existing dungeon in the game. It features more diverse level design, interactive environments, and multiple boss encounters stacked into a single run.
The final encounter is the long-awaited fight against Karel himself. Nexon says the battle is built around a heavily cinematic presentation, positioning it as the climax of the story that has been running since launch.
New Descendant Raven
Season 4 also adds Raven, the charismatic former boss of an Albion back-alley guild, to the playable roster. Her kit is built around aggressive close-range play with three defining tools:
- Shotgun blasts: Deadly close-range damage as her core output.
- Instant repositioning: Rapid movement skills that let her dive in and out of danger.
- Raven Form summon: A unique summoned companion that fights at her side.
Transcendent Weapons, Trials, and Conquest Mode
Transcendent Weapons
Progression expands with Transcendent Weapons, a new long-term equipment system launching with 11 weapons. Their effects are interchangeable, so two copies of the same weapon can be tuned for completely different builds, which gives endgame farmers a fresh customization layer to chase.
The update also introduces an endless Trials mission where enemy difficulty scales indefinitely. Two weeks after the season launch, Conquest opens as a time-limited difficulty, with a ranking run event rewarding the fastest and strongest squads.
4. September 17 Update Adds Ultimate Hailey
Ultimate Hailey
The September update focuses on Descendant power and randomized endgame content. Ultimate Hailey joins the roster on September 17, giving the damage dealer her upgraded Ultimate version, together with two new Ultimate Skill Modules to expand build options.
The update also opens the Cradle of Evolution, a new dungeon built around stronger randomized elements than any existing content. Expect run-to-run variation to play a much bigger role here than in the current dungeon rotation, which should keep repeat farming sessions less predictable.
5. November Update: New Descendant Monet and Henosis Sanctuary
Cradle of Evolution
The November update brings the third new character of the roadmap, Monet, alongside a new dungeon called Henosis Sanctuary. Nexon has not yet shared Monet’s role, weapon focus, or skill kit, and details on the dungeon’s mechanics are equally light for now.
More information should arrive as the update approaches, likely through the usual pre-patch developer notes on the official site. We will update this roadmap hub as soon as Monet’s kit and the Henosis Sanctuary rewards are revealed.
6. December Update: Colosseum-A PvEvP Mode
Colosseum-A
The year closes with the roadmap’s most experimental addition. The December update introduces Colosseum-A, a new game mode and the first asymmetric PvEvP content in The First Descendant.
The mode splits players into two competing factions that battle waves of Vulgus while actively targeting and interfering with each other’s missions. Players can even transform into a Colossus during matches, turning the game’s signature raid bosses into a playable power fantasy against the rival team.
7. The First Descendant 2nd Anniversary Events
Descendant Fest 2026 Twitch Drops
Alongside the roadmap, Descendant Fest 2026 kicked off a month of second anniversary celebrations that are live right now. These events run in parallel with the July 15 update, so log in early to stack the rewards before Season 4 arrives:
- Anniversary login drops: Customization items, boosts, and in-game currency, available from July 2 through July 29.
- Two-week in-game event: Returning and new cosmetic rewards plus growth events.
- Transcendent Alignment Device: The first-ever distribution of this item, tied to the anniversary event.
- Skin Design Contest voting: Finalist voting runs July 6 through July 20, with winning designs added to the game.
- Player recap infographics: Personal two-year stat recaps available through the official website.
- Figure pre-orders: Nendoroid Bunny, Figma Valby, and a Scale Figure Ultimate Bunny, open through the end of August.
With three Descendants, two dungeons, a weapon system, and a PvEvP mode all landing before the year ends, the H2 2026 roadmap is the densest content stretch The First Descendant has seen since launch.
Related posts:
The First Descendant Roadmap Reveals Ultimate Yujin, Grim Reaper, and Major 2026 Updates
The First Descendant Season 3: Breakthrough Overview – Major Updates and a NieR: Automata Collab
Arc Raiders 2026 Roadmap – All Upcoming Content Through April 2026
The First Descendant January 2026 Update Guide: Breach Tracking, Enzo Rework, Weapon Buffs, Events, and More
The First Descendant April 2026 Update Guide
