The moment that legions of Lost Ark players have been clamouring for has finally arrived: the conclusion of the Kazeros Raid is here.

Smilegate RPG confirmed on the 20th that they have updated Lost Ark with Act 4, 'Citadel of Ruin', and the finale, 'The Last Day'. This update follows the narrative arc where adventurers, alongside the Sidereals, rescue Armen before finally standing face-to-face with Kazeros, the Lord of the Abyss who has long held Arkesia in a grip of terror. Players must navigate through two gates in Act 4 before engaging in the final showdown against Kazeros in the finale.

The stage for Act 4, 'Citadel of Ruin', is Diaspero, the abyss fortress constructed by Kazeros. In the first gate, players will face the Lust Legion Commander, Echidna, who wields fans and chakrams with lethal, flamboyant precision. The second gate pits them against Armoche, the guardian of Diaspero. Armoche, the final ruler of the abyss encountered in the raid, specialises in using stone statues and sandstorms to overwhelm challengers.

To enter Act 4, you must first complete the prologue episode 'Trace of Fate', released on the 6th. The Normal difficulty requires an item level of 1,700 or higher, while the Hard difficulty demands at least 1,720.

The Kazeros Raid finale, 'The Last Day', is dedicated to the ultimate confrontation. It is split into two gates: the first is the 'Lord's Audience Chamber' at the peak of Diaspero, and the second is the 'Abyssal Land', a massive battlefield warped into existence by Kazeros himself.

Given that this serves as the final boss fight for the first part of the story, the developers are pulling out all the stops, utilising every bit of raid-designing expertise they have accumulated to create a truly majestic and novel spectacle. Director Jeon Jae-hak teased the experience during a live broadcast on the 14th, highlighting combat sequences that incorporate 'Ella', the game's unique language, alongside new clash motions that have certainly piqued our interest.

The finale comes in three difficulty tiers: 'The First', 'Hard', and 'Normal'. 'The First' will be unlocked immediately. Once a group manages to clear it, the Normal and Hard difficulties will open the following Wednesday. This staggered release is intended to inject a sense of prestige and historical significance for the adventurers brave enough to tackle the world-first race.

Entry to the finale is restricted to those who have cleared Act 4 on either Normal or Hard. To attempt 'The First', you must have cleared Act 4 on Hard and reached an item level of 1,740. For Normal and Hard, the requirements are 1,710 and 1,730 respectively.

Lastly, a new progression system called 'Ark Grid' has been introduced. This is a long-term growth mechanic where you combine six types of cores and gems to alter skill sets, adjust tripods, and customise combat styles. The six cores can be obtained in Act 4 and the finale, while gems are earned through Guardian Raids and the Kurzan Front.

Smilegate RPG is also incentivising those looking to prove their mettle with a 'The First' clear event. The top raid party to succeed will receive the 'Kazeros, The FIRST' title, an exclusive trophy, and a special adventurer banner. Furthermore, their characters will be immortalised with statues in each city, and they will receive a physical Kazeros statue. Rewards will also be distributed to the top 10 raiding parties.

Smilegate RPG CEO Support Gil stated, "We have poured all of our raid-designing expertise into this, preparing for the grand war against Kazeros with our utmost dedication. We hope this provides a thrilling experience for our adventurers and encourage as many of you as possible to take on the challenge."

Further information regarding Lost Ark can be found on the official Lost Ark website.