Greetings, Lords! 

This is our thirteenth Developer Letter.

This letter is filled with news celebrating LORDNINE's first anniversary together with you.

The path we have walked together over the past year is now leading us into our second year.

To commemorate this meaningful new beginning, we would like to share several updates with you.

In this letter, we will cover pre-registration for the first-anniversary server Helena, the expansion of our service through HUAWEI AppGallery, preparations for upcoming updates, and the progress of the World Merge.

We would also like to share news about a special opportunity to meet Lords in person at our Thailand Meet-up.

▣ First-Anniversary New Server ‘Helena’ Pre-registration

For Lords preparing for a new beginning

To celebrate LORDNINE's first anniversary together, pre-registration will begin for Helena, a new server created for Lords embarking on a fresh journey.

The excitement of a first beginning, the thrill of defeating your first monster, and the joy of meeting your first companion—we have prepared a special stage where you can experience all of these moments anew.

Helena will support your new challenge so that you can take your first steps alongside Scythe, the new weapon introduced for the first anniversary.

Pre-registration Information

Visit the official LORDNINE website and register on the pre-registration page to get ready to share Helena's very first moments.

A new journey filled with achievements and rewards

Special missions will be added to support the rapid growth of Lords beginning their journey on Helena.

These exclusive missions will only be available on the Helena server. As new Lords complete each mission, they will receive generous rewards worthy of their achievements.

One year built together, a celebration shared together

We have prepared a variety of first-anniversary events to celebrate LORDNINE's first birthday with all of you.

To express our gratitude to the Lords who have supported LORDNINE throughout the past year, we have carefully prepared events designed to turn that gratitude into meaningful enjoyment. We will introduce them one by one.

First-Anniversary Point Exchange Shop

Turn the fruits of your efforts into the items you want

A special Point Exchange Shop will open in celebration of the first anniversary.

During the event period, you can earn first-anniversary points through various activities and freely exchange them for the items you want.

Skin Design Contest

The moment your imagination becomes part of LORDNINE

To celebrate the first anniversary, a Skin Design Contest created together with Lords will be held.

This is a special opportunity for a skin designed by you to be implemented in the actual game. 

We invite you to freely express any ideas you may have had while thinking, “I wish there were a skin like this.”

Imagine a skin born from your creativity traveling across the Kransia Continent.

Through this Skin Design Contest, LORDNINE hopes to fulfill our promise that this is a game we build together with our Lords.

And many more events

In addition to the Point Exchange Shop, Skin Design Contest, and special missions, a variety of other events are also being prepared for Lords.

▣ Expansion to HUAWEI AppGallery

To meet even more Lords

LORDNINE is expanding its service to HUAWEI AppGallery.

Until now, LORDNINE has met Lords through major app marketplaces.

With support for HUAWEI AppGallery being added, the doors to LORDNINE will now open to Lords who previously had difficulty accessing the game.

HUAWEI AppGallery, a new gateway to LORDNINE

HUAWEI AppGallery is a familiar app marketplace for Lords using HUAWEI devices. 

In certain regions, its usage is higher than that of other major app marketplaces, meaning many potential Lords have been waiting for LORDNINE.

Through this service expansion, new Lords will be able to join the world of LORDNINE.

With more companions gathering together, the Kransia Continent will become even more vibrant.

▣ First-Anniversary Update – Scythe Arrives and Balance Adjustments

A new weapon arrives, and balance is refined

In celebration of the first anniversary, the new weapon Scythe will be introduced alongside a wide range of balance adjustments.

Adding a new weapon does not simply mean adding one more option.

We are carefully refining the overall balance so that Scythe can naturally become part of LORDNINE's combat system, while existing weapons and Abilities remain compelling choices.

New Weapon ‘Scythe’

Scythe, the new first-anniversary weapon, is coming to LORDNINE.

Although it is a massive two-handed weapon modeled after the Grim Reaper's scythe, it is also a close-range weapon with short cooldowns and high mobility. 

Its unique mechanic allows it to absorb monsters' souls and enhance its skills, delivering an entirely new combat experience.

The introduction of Scythe marks the beginning of a new chapter in LORDNINE combat.

Direction of Balance Adjustments

The core objective of this balance adjustment is to create an environment in which every weapon and Ability can demonstrate its own appeal.

Until now, Lords have tended to concentrate their choices on certain weapons and Abilities. 

While this was because those options delivered excellent performance, it also caused other choices to receive relatively less attention.

In particular, some characteristics of weapons and Abilities that have long been loved for their reliable performance may be adjusted for the sake of overall balance.

The goal is not simply to weaken those weapons and Abilities, but to allow them and other options to each express their own unique strengths. 

Weapons and Abilities that newly receive attention will also provide Lords with fresh enjoyment in making choices.

Skill Adjustments for Existing Weapons

Alongside the arrival of Scythe, the skills of existing weapons will also be readjusted.

Weapons that previously felt lacking will be improved so they can offer new appeal.

•    Strengthen each weapon's identity and advantages

•    Improve the competitiveness of relatively weaker weapons

•    Reduce balance gaps between weapons

Ability Balance Changes

The Ability system will also undergo an overall balance readjustment.

Abilities are a core system in LORDNINE combat. To achieve a complete balance, the Ability system must be refined alongside weapon adjustments and the introduction of a new weapon.

•    Improve underused Abilities

•    Reasonably adjust excessively powerful Abilities

•    Expand the appeal of diverse Ability combinations

•    Open up possibilities for new builds

Through these changes, Abilities that have not been widely used until now will receive renewed attention, creating an environment in which Lords can try a wider variety of builds.

Some Lords may experience inconvenience as familiar builds change.

However, this adjustment is ultimately intended to create a healthier environment in which every weapon and Ability can fulfill its own role.

More choices, deeper combat

The arrival of Scythe, renewed attention for existing weapons, and greater diversity among Abilities will together add even more depth to LORDNINE's combat.

Even with the same character, you will be able to try different weapons, experiment with various Ability combinations, and enjoy discovering the optimal build for each situation.

By using the Preset system together with these options, a single character can freely switch between completely different combat styles.

Building balance together with Lords

Balance is not something that can be completed all at once.

This adjustment is only the beginning, and we will continue refining it based on ongoing monitoring and feedback from Lords.
Detailed changes to weapons and Abilities will be announced through the Update Notes.

▣ August Update Preview

Changes we will build together in August

Before the excitement of the first anniversary has even faded, a variety of updates are being prepared for August. This includes the long-awaited World Merge, as well as a wide range of content designed to support the growth of Lords.

1. World Merge

The promised time is approaching

As announced in the previous letter, the World Merge will take place in August.

First, we would once again like to offer our deepest apologies for the schedule being adjusted several times.

The date originally announced as July 15 was postponed to August, and we understand that this may have disappointed many Lords who had been preparing for the merge. 

Even so, we ask for your understanding once again that this decision was made to safely protect your valuable data.

We can now reveal the server groups that will be merged.

First Merge Group (Group A)
•    Ricardo + Media

Second Merge Group (Group B)
•    Horatio + Yvonne + Douglas + Santiago

The servers within each group will be merged into a single integrated server. 

The names of the new merged servers will be announced separately.

We will repay your patience with a thoroughly prepared and stable merge.

2. New Active Skills for Each Weapon

New power that expands the horizon of battle

A new Active Skill will be added for each weapon.

These new Active Skills can be learned at Level 85 and have been designed to emphasize the identity and characteristics of each weapon.

Each weapon will receive a skill with its own distinct appeal, providing new options for your combat style.

The detailed performance and effects of each new skill will be revealed later through the Update Notes.

We hope you look forward to seeing which skill will bring new energy to your playstyle.

3. Hunting Ground Expansion – Tomb of Tyriosa B4

Deeper into the depths, toward a greater challenge

A new basement floor, B4, will be added to the Tomb of Tyriosa.

This new Hunting Ground is intended for Lords who have completed the challenge through B3, and stronger monsters will be waiting for you. 

In keeping with the nature of the Tomb of Tyriosa, where enemies become more powerful the deeper you descend, B4 will offer both greater challenges and rewards worthy of them.

4. Experience Renewal for Existing Hunting Grounds

Barbas returns as a Hunting Ground worth revisiting

The amount of EXP obtainable in the Barbas region will be renewed.

Barbas has been a region through which many Lords pass, but we have received feedback that its efficiency was relatively lacking compared to other Hunting Grounds.

Through this renewal, Barbas will once again become an attractive place to hunt.

[Direction of the Barbas Renewal]

•    Increase EXP gained from defeating monsters

•    Improve growth speed for Lords within the relevant level range

•    Diversify Hunting Ground options

Lords currently growing in the Barbas region will be able to feel the difference in progression speed after the renewal.

Other regions will also receive EXP renewals sequentially in the future.

5. Expansion of Mount Collection Effects

More Mounts, stronger Collection Effects

A variety of Mounts have been added to LORDNINE over the past year.

Accordingly, higher tiers of Mount Collection Effects will be added.

Collection Effects, which previously had a maximum of Tier 6, will be expanded to higher tiers. 

Additional Status bonuses can be obtained upon reaching these new tiers.

Lords who have spent a long time collecting different Mounts will be able to gain stronger Status bonuses through this expansion.

 It will also provide a new goal for Lords who have not yet begun their collection or are still in the process of building it.

August, a month we will fill together

Alongside the major change of the World Merge, a variety of content updates will fill the month of August. 

We look forward to seeing you enjoy combat with new Active Skills in the new post-merge environment, take on challenges in the expanded Hunting Grounds, and continue growing in renewed regions.

The specific schedule and details of each update will be announced sequentially through separate notices and Update Notes.

▣ We Want to Hear More of Your Stories

Stories beyond the data

As we operate LORDNINE, we review a wide range of data every day.

 Login time, hunting patterns, content participation rates, and trading trends all help us understand the current state of LORDNINE.

But there are things numbers alone cannot tell us.

Which moments brought you genuine joy? Which parts left you disappointed? Why do you continue to love LORDNINE? Or what made you feel that you might want to step away?

These are the true voices that can only be heard through the stories Lords share directly with us. And we learn far more from those voices.

Meeting face to face – Thailand Meet-up

This time, we would like to meet Lords in a more special way.

We will soon hold a Thailand Meet-up where we can meet local Lords in person and share conversations together. 

This will be a valuable opportunity to sit face to face and have sincere conversations with Lords with whom we have previously communicated only through letters and within the game.

Beginning with this Thailand Meet-up, we hope to continue listening to Lords through various methods suited to each region.

 Since playstyles and attitudes toward the game differ slightly by region, we believe it is important to find communication methods that fit each local community.

To hear the voices of even more Lords

However, there are practical limitations to meeting every Lord in person. 

Some Lords enjoy LORDNINE from the other side of the world, some may find it difficult to attend a Meet-up, and others quietly enjoy the game in their own way.

For this reason, we have prepared a survey to gather the voices of even more Lords.

•    The most enjoyable moment you experienced while playing LORDNINE

•    Areas where you felt disappointed or inconvenienced

•    What you hope to see from LORDNINE in the future

•    Elements you believe need improvement

•    Any other stories you would like to share freely

There are no right answers.

 Please feel free to share your honest thoughts and feelings from your time with LORDNINE.

A future shaped by your voices

Every opinion you share will be used as valuable reference material when reviewing future development directions and service operations.

Looking back on the past year, many changes in LORDNINE began with feedback from Lords.

 The Ability Book Piece system, Lucky Draw, and Preset system were all improved based on your feedback.

The stories shared through this survey will also become valuable groundwork as we build LORDNINE's second year together.

▶ Participate in the Survey

We will respond with the same care you put into sharing

Every story that a Lord takes the time to share holds great meaning for us. Whether it is a brief comment or a long message, we will value every word.

We will also transparently share how your feedback has actually been reflected through future Developer Letters. 

We will listen sincerely and respond sincerely so that your voices never disappear without meaning.

We will continue honoring our promise to build LORDNINE together.

We are waiting to hear your story now.

▣ Closing

Lords, thank you for reading this long letter to the end.

This is our thirteenth letter.As we pass the special milestone of our first anniversary and take our first steps into the second year, we are delighted to share these new updates with you.

This letter contained many different stories. We welcome Lords preparing for a fresh start through pre-registration for the first-anniversary new server Helena. Through HUAWEI AppGallery, we will also meet Lords in even more regions. 

And with the arrival of Scythe, the accompanying balance adjustments, progress on the long-prepared World Merge, and the wide range of August updates, we hope you can feel that a new season of LORDNINE is beginning.

Above all, the part of this letter we prepared with the greatest sincerity concerns the opportunities to hear your voices more closely.

 We are preparing to sit face to face with Lords through the Thailand Meet-up, and we hope to hear from even more of you through the survey. Just as the voices of Lords have shaped LORDNINE over the past year, those conversations will continue to guide the direction of LORDNINE in the future.

Over the past year, LORDNINE has grown together with its Lords. We want to continue building the time ahead in the same way. From new beginnings on Helena, to meetings in Thailand, and through the countless moments still to come, we will remain together with you.

There will certainly be areas where we fall short. Whenever that happens, the honest voices you share become our greatest guide.

We ask for your continued interest and support as LORDNINE begins its second-year journey.

Thank you.