Once Human Update: The Way of Winter Brings New PvE Challenges
The newest Once Human update released October 17, introducing exciting gameplay features with the "Way of Winter" scenario. This new player-versus-environment (PvE) experience focuses on surviving in extreme climates and battling powerful enemies, all while exploring the vast, snow-covered land of Arkam. Players will need to team up with the faction known as the Column to navigate harsh weather, uncover secrets hidden within the mountains, and face off against formidable foes like Igna, the leader of the Vultures.
With new regions, storylines, tasks, and an updated temperature system, Once Human continues to deliver an engaging survival experience for players. Let’s break down the key updates and what you can expect from The Way of Winter.
New Region: Arkam
The Way of Winter scenario introduces Arkam, a sprawling, snow-laden region divided into three sub-areas: Onyx Tundra, Vena Fjord, and Ember Strand. Each area presents its own unique environmental challenges and mysteries for players to solve.
Onyx Tundra: A frozen wasteland where survival is a test of endurance.
Vena Fjord: Known for its dangerous cliffs and icy waters.
Ember Strand: A volatile area where fiery landscapes contrast with the icy surroundings.
Each sub-region offers numerous riddles and scenic viewpoints, allowing players to engage in meaningful exploration while earning rewards.
Riddle Challenges and Scenic Viewpoints
Arkam is filled with 60 riddle spots, divided into seven types: Frozen Loot Crate, Ray Tracer, Tiny Bear Balloon, Doll Consortium, Hoarder Rat, Greedy Rat, and Follow the Footprints. Completing these puzzles rewards players with special in-game items, helping them progress in the game.
For explorers, there are also 30 Scenic Viewpoints scattered across Arkam. These can be found near stunning natural or man-made landmarks, offering breathtaking views and unlocking Field Guide entries when interacted with.
Don’t forget to hunt for the rare Mystical Crates—five in each sub-region—signified by their glowing purple lights. These crates contain valuable rewards that can aid you in your journey through the icy wilderness.
The Way of Winter Storyline and Tasks
Players will face off against Igna, the leader of the Vultures, who is intent on using the power of Chaosium to bring about an apocalypse. As part of the Column, you must prevent Igna's plans by completing a series of story-driven tasks and commission objectives.
The storyline unfolds in phases as players tackle key challenges to stop the massive living machines causing climate disasters. Each task and journey goal is designed to immerse players in the unfolding battle for survival in the frozen north.
The Temperature System and Dynamic Weather
One of the most exciting updates in The Way of Winter is the new temperature system. This mechanic makes survival more complex by forcing players to navigate the extreme cold of Arkam. Temperature is influenced by the time of day, environment, and weather conditions, adding an extra layer of difficulty.
The new resistance stat determines how well your character can withstand harsh temperatures. Higher resistance levels reduce the impact of freezing or scorching environments, allowing players to explore longer and fight more effectively. The temperature system will not affect other scenarios like Evolution's Call or Prismverse's Clash, but it is crucial for survival in The Way of Winter.
Dynamic Weather Adds Realistic Challenges
A revamped weather system introduces a variety of environmental effects, including blizzards and volcanic storms. These weather changes not only impact visibility but also affect the survival of players, enemy behavior, and the durability of buildings and structures.
The unpredictable weather can make navigating Arkam’s terrain more dangerous, as players must now contend with environmental hazards that can change rapidly. The dynamic weather system also impacts combat, as extreme conditions may affect visibility and movement during battles.
New Wonder: The Thermal Tower
In the second phase of The Way of Winter, players can unlock the new Thermal Tower wonder. This massive structure has the ability to alter temperature and environmental conditions across a large area, making it an essential tool for survival and strategic combat.
The Thermal Tower will play a key role in later phases of the scenario, offering players the chance to control the climate in their favor during crucial battles.
Chaosweaver Events and Seasonal Phases
Chaosweavers—massive, mysterious living machines—pose a significant threat in The Way of Winter. These dangerous entities create natural disasters like blizzards and volcanic storms wherever they appear. As the season progresses, Chaosweavers become more powerful and appear more frequently, challenging players to locate and defeat them before they can cause widespread destruction.
Like the previous scenario, The Way of Winter scenario unfolds across five distinct seasonal phases, each offering new gameplay features and increased difficulty:
Arctic Domain (7 days): Introduces public crisis events, the Vena Fjord, and Onyx Tundra regions.
Scattered Ash (8 days): Unlocks Ember Strand and introduces hard-mode dungeons and Chaosweaver tasks.
A Glimmer of Hope (10 days): Pro-mode dungeons become available, along with additional Chaosweaver elimination tasks.
The End of Ice and Fire (10 days): Features the powerful Frost and Flame event, where the strongest Chaosweavers spawn.
Break of Dawn (28 days): Players can sign up for the next season and prepare for new adventures.
New Dungeons and Challenges
Once Human has also added new dungeons in this update, such as Rift Space - Secret Servitor and Rift Space - Treant, offering fresh challenges for players looking to test their skills. These dungeons are available in both Hard Mode and Pro Mode, ensuring that there’s something for players at every level of gameplay.
Other new challenges, like the Stardust Challenge and the Securement Silos, provide additional opportunities for rewards and progression throughout the season.
New Deviations and Combat Optimizations
Several new Deviations have been added to enrich combat and survival gameplay, including:
Tar Pudding: Increases fuel refining speed.
ZapCam: Attaches to your back, locking onto enemy targets during combat.
Snowsprite: Creates ice crystals that shatter and deal damage to nearby enemies.
Combat Deviations have also been optimized to improve targeting, increase effectiveness, and reduce unnecessary movement during battle. These updates enhance the tactical options available to players, making combat more fluid and rewarding.
Seasonal Prizes and Events
New prize pools like Destructive Flames and Blazing Fire have been introduced, featuring legendary gear and weapon blueprints. Players can also participate in limited-time events such as the Snowy Realm Journey, which offers daily login rewards and weekly gifts, including unique cosmetics and Starchroms.
Additionally, the Scenario Reselection Event allows players to exit scenarios that don't meet their expectations within 24 hours of joining, offering more flexibility and control over gameplay.