The First Descendant Overview — Descendants, Loot, Co-op, Season 4

The First Descendant is a free-to-play third-person looter shooter developed by NEXON Games and published by NEXON. Players choose a Descendant, combine character abilities with firearms and modules, clear story and world missions, collect materials and equipment, and research stronger characters or gear. It launched July 2, 2024 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Core loop

The main loop moves between combat and preparation. A player selects a Descendant, enters a mission alone or with others, uses guns, abilities, and the grappling hook to defeat Vulgus forces, then returns with weapons, modules, components, and research materials. Those rewards improve the next build or unlock another Descendant and piece of equipment.

Regular missions build toward harder activities and large Colossus battles that support teams of up to four players. Progress comes from both character kits and gear: a Descendant supplies active abilities and role strengths, while weapons, modules, reactors, and external components shape damage, survival, and resource use.

What makes it different

• Descendant kits and gun builds work together. Character abilities do not replace firearms; both sides of the build matter.
• Research turns materials into progression. New Descendants and equipment often require collecting blueprints and components before a timed research process.
• The grappling hook changes movement. It supports rapid traversal and repositioning during missions and boss fights.
• Co-op scales into giant encounters. Colossi and later activities emphasize mechanics, team roles, and sustained build progression.

Who it fits

The First Descendant suits players who enjoy repeatable co-op missions, collecting loot, refining builds, unlocking characters, and returning for seasonal content. It is less suitable for players who want a one-and-done campaign, dislike repeated farming or research timers, or expect every character and item to unlock through a short linear path.

Current Season 4 snapshot

Update 1.4.0 went live August 20, 2026. It adds the Season 4 Episode 1 story, Karel's Mothership, Raven, Trials, Archive Shards, Transcendent Weapons, and changes to Onslaught and Axion Plains.

Choose the exact answer

Player need	Current page
Understand the whole patch	Update 1.4.0 changes and current patch status
Start Season 4 Episode 1	S04 EP01 story requirements and rewards
Research Raven	Raven blueprints, Complex Filament Seeds, and drop rates
Understand Raven after the balance patch	Skills, modules, and Patch 1.4.1 changes
Enter the mega dungeon	Karel's Mothership unlocks, difficulties, and rewards
Enter or understand Trials	Trials requirement, rounds, Variable Codes, and Rotational Build
Farm a flexible research substitute	Archive Shard sources and uses
Understand the new weapon tier	Transcendent Weapon quality, drops, dismantling, and readjustment
Check Onslaught after the exploit restriction	Onslaught availability, stages, rewards, and current warning
Unlock or revisit Axion Plains	Axion Plains requirements and Season 4 uses

Current unlock chain

1. Update and reconnect so Patch 1.4.1/1.4.1b is applied.
2. Finish any missing main quests through S03 EP04.
3. Complete S04 EP01 and the quest And, Tomorrow.
4. Clear Karel's Mothership on Normal to unlock Hard and the later Conquest event.

Trials, Raven research, Archive Shards, Transcendent Weapons, and Onslaught each have separate requirements and reward tables. Use the focused page for the activity you want instead of treating them as one mandatory route.

Onslaught status

Nexon temporarily restricted Onslaught Stage 1 after identifying repeated Transcendent Weapon acquisition through abnormal play. Stages 2 through 4 remained available, and Stage 1 was restored August 27 after the fix. Bans and item recovery followed the exploit investigation.

Sources

• The First Descendant Update 1.4.0
• Patch 1.4.1
• Season 4 Episode 1 page
• Official launch notice and platforms
• The First Descendant on Steam
• August known issues
• Onslaught abnormal-gameplay notice