Smilegate announced on the 5th that Lost Ark has received its latest Shadow Raid, featuring the Lord of Death, Velgardin. Adventurers are now tasked with setting foot on the Kadarum Archipelago to face this new threat. For those who have been keeping up, the narrative ties to Kadarum and Velgardin were teased in a prologue quest released on the 29th.

The raid spans two gates and is strictly for eight players looking for endgame challenges. It comes in Normal, Hard, and Nightmare difficulties, requiring item levels of 1,750, 1,770, and 1,780 respectively. The first gate, the Cemetery of Holy Rest, pits you against a blade-and-sarcophagus wielding Velgardin, while the second gate throws the four-armed monstrosity, Phetus an Kragma, the Forger of Death, into the mix. A notable addition is the 'Holding Just Guard' system, where timing your blocks perfectly is key to turning the tide.

To sweeten the deal, the first adventurers to clear the second gate—regardless of difficulty—will be rewarded with a new piece of gear, the gauntlet. This Hero-grade item can be upgraded using materials dropped by Velgardin; it provides a nice stat boost without inflating your overall item level. Additionally, the update refreshes existing content like Chaos Rifts and Guardian Raids with new segments.

Naturally, there are events to celebrate. The 'Velgardin Conquest' runs until September 16, offering rewards like relic titles and party lounge backgrounds for completing missions. Furthermore, until the 19th, a Twitch-style Drops event is running in partnership with the streaming platform Chzzk. Watching Lost Ark streams will net you growth materials, and a few lucky viewers might even snag a chicken coupon.

For more information on Lost Ark, head over to the official Lost Ark website for all the details.