Jan 15 & 22, 2026: Test Server Debuff Patch + Item Chronicle Review

I will focus mainly on the debuff changes and mention a few points about the Item Chronicle that felt a bit lacking.

The debuff easing patches previously announced by the officials were implemented through two updates: the "Jan 15 (Thu) Test Server Patch Notes" and the "Jan 22 (Thu) Test Server Patch Notes."

While most of the content was introduced in the Jan 15 patch, some bug fixes followed on the 22nd.

The patch ensures that the highest effect within a debuff group is applied.

This logic, which previously only applied to Combo: Screw Upper, has now been expanded to most debuff skills.

1. Defense/Protection Reduction Display and Duration Extension Test

Let’s check what happens when using Combo: Screw Upper on a Stake.

1. Screw Upper (No Reforges)

Defense -330, Protection -55 reduction.

(The values appear high because the percentage reduction from Status Support is applied to the skill.)

2. Screw Upper (Defense Level 7 Reforge)

Defense -337, Protection -55 reduction.

3. Screw Upper (Protection Level 5 Reforge)

Defense -330, Protection -60 reduction.

4. Screw Upper (Protection Level 5 + Defense Level 7 Reforge)

Defense -337, Protection -60 reduction.

Even when used in order, removing the Defense reforge on the 3rd Upper resulted in the displayed Defense reduction dropping by 7.

Does it actually overwrite the effect? Since the official notice mentioned duration extension, let's test it.

1. Petalacha - Defense 7, Protection 5 Screw Upper

Skill Display: Defense -338, Protection -60

Debuff Window: Defense -110, Protection -28 reduction

2. Petalacha - Screw Upper (No Reforges)

Skill Display: Defense -331, Protection -55

Debuff Window: Defense -110, Protection -28 reduction

Fortunately, I confirmed that while the numbers popping up during skill use might be lower, the actual Debuff Window maintains the higher values.

2. Full Debuff Speed Test

Let’s test how long it takes to apply a full set of debuffs.

1. Full Debuffs (Pre-Improvement)

Using the old debuff method took 11 seconds. Since I'm not the fastest at applying debuffs, please use this for reference only.

Status Support - Brionac - Death Mark - Upper - Shadow Bind - Spinning Slash (Spread) - Ceraunus - Mir - Bone Dragon * 4 - Support Shot

A total of 13 steps were used (Bone Dragon was counted 4 times / Dash Punch was used to set up Upper but omitted from the list).

2. Full Debuffs (Post-Improvement)

After the improvement, it took only 6.5 seconds.

Brionac - Death Mark - Upper - Bone Dragon (All 4 via Friend Summon at once)

The time has been drastically reduced to just 4 skill actions.

Since Brionac takes a lot of time in both cases, what if we skip Brionac and use Pragarah instead?

3. Skipping Brionac (Post-Improvement)

Skipping Brionac reduced the time to a staggering 2.5 seconds. Using an even faster combination like Shadow Bind + Spinning Slash, I confirmed it can drop to around 2 seconds.

Additionally, since "pre-Status Support" (Sun-Sang-Ji) is no longer a requirement, boss DPS is expected to increase indirectly.

3. Pet Friend Summon Test

1. Re-summoning Pet in Friend Summon Slot

Pets currently active in a Friend Summon do not appear in the UI, but their summon cooldown still runs, preventing them from being summoned. If you use all 4 stacks of Bone Dragon via Friend Summon, you won't be able to summon other pets immediately, so you need to manage your slots wisely.

2. Summoning Dead Pets

Just like the live server, dead pets will not trigger their Friend Summon effect.

3. Dead Pets in Friend Summon Slots

Even though both Mir and Ceraunus are dead, the pets placed in the Friend Summon slots still trigger their summon effects. Since this is the 2nd week of the test server, I assume many things have been fixed; I hope this is an intended feature rather than a bug. If it doesn't work, managing slots will become a huge headache. You can see in the GIF that it doesn't apply if the pet is on summon cooldown.

4. Item Chronicle

Acquisition Methods Added

It is a positive change that acquisition methods are added, showing which dungeons an item can be found in.

For some items, you can check multiple potential materials if they exist.

However, some items only display one material even if multiple sources are possible.

The production window keeps snapping back to its original position even after moving it. I hope they fix the window position persistence and add an auto-search feature.

Summary

1. Debuff application speed is expected to be more than twice as fast due to the improvements.

2. Overall player DPS will increase since "Sun-Sang-Ji" (pre-applying Status Support) is no longer mandatory.

3. Crom Bás clear times are expected to drop, especially in mob rooms where you can just spam Shadow Bind + Spinning Slash.

4. The Item Chronicle needs some improvement in the details, but the feature itself was much needed.

Translated by Gemini AI -

Please leave a comment if any item names differ from the NA server or if there are any typos.