Nexon has released Hotfix 1.2.23 for The First Descendant, available across Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The patch introduces the limited-time Axion Plains Demo, which runs from July 24 to August 7, 2025. Players can preview new content including three characters (Ultimate Bunny, Ultimate Freyna, and Nell), two Ultimate Weapons, a new monster type, a new vehicle, and various combat zones. While progress is not saved, players can earn one-time demo completion rewards, with further rewards issued beginning August 13 for participation and survey feedback.
The patch also brings significant weapon rebalancing, buffing 20 unique firearms with increased attribute damage, weak point damage, and enhanced special abilities. Highlights include a major overhaul to The Final Masterpiece, Thunder Cage, and Fallen Hope, offering a more potent arsenal across varied damage types.
Key improvements include reduced gold costs for core crafting, updates to shop offerings with new skins, paints, and emotes, as well as enhancements to UI clarity, Photo Mode, and reward tracking. A range of bugs have also been addressed, resolving visual inconsistencies, gameplay tracking issues in quests, and tooltip errors.
Patch Highlights:
1. Axion Plains Demo (July 24–August 7, 2025)
- Playable via the main title screen under “Season 3 Breakthrough: Axion Demo.”
- Features:
- Three characters: Ultimate Bunny, Ultimate Freyna, Nell
- Two Ultimate Weapons: ERASER and Exterminator
- New monsters: Legion of Breach and Wall Crasher Colossus
- Vehicle preview and map segments
- Rewards:
- Completion: Crystallization Catalyst, Spoils Box, 30% Boosts
- Participation: Axion Spearhead Box (titles, paints, currency)
- Survey: Additional Crystallization Catalyst
2. Weapon Rebalancing
Significant buffs across 20 weapons. Key examples:
- The Final Masterpiece: Damage values increased over threefold in some abilities
- Fallen Hope: Firearm ATK on poisoned enemies more than doubled
- Thunder Cage: Unique Ability now deals 400% additional damage
- Clairvoyance, Blue Beetle, and Nazeistra’s Devotion received large attribute damage boosts
3. Shop Updates
- New Limited Bundles: Bunny and Rabbit-themed game bundles
- Themed Skins for multiple characters including Serena, Valby, Luna, and Bunny
- New Emotes: Rabbit Dance, Rabbit Fishing
- Customizations: 10+ new paints and hair dyes
4. Content Improvements
- Core crafting gold costs reduced by up to 60% across all levels
- Event item dismantling enabled (limited to event-acquired tickets)
- New Photo Mode features: stickers, descriptions
- UI changes: clearer reward indicators and improved message placements
5. Bug Fixes
- Corrected tooltip display for Blair’s Deadly Cuisine
- Resolved overlapping UI in Emotes and Battle Pass screen
- Fixed quest progress tracking for multiple item combinations and blueprint sales
- Addressed inconsistencies in character skin application and visual effects
- Fixed several combat and interface issues related to Party functionality and environmental objects
The First Descendant is a free-to-play multiplayer looter shooter developed by Nexon. Released on July 2, 2024, it combines role-playing elements with cooperative gameplay in a sci-fi universe.
Are you planning to try the Axion Plains Demo or take advantage of the weapon rebalances? Share your experiences with us.