Hello Explorers, we will introduce a brand-new concept in this preview: "Blueprint Apex Level." In previous exploration journeys, the levels of ship blueprints, system adjustments, and highlights in battles were reset with each Star System Settlement. We will introduce the "Apex Level" attribute to ship blueprints to encourage Explorers to participate in activities and make contributions to the Lagrange Network. Explorers can gain "Proficiency" through leveling up, adjusting systems, and engaging in combat. Proficiency can be used to enhance the blueprint's Apex Level and gain permanent attribute growth or increase the enhancement/adjustment level cap, further boosting the blueprint's strength.
Unlocking Authentication Credential and "Apex Level"
Before enabling the "Apex Level" gameplay, you need to collect the "Apex Authentication Credentials" of the corresponding Tech Route and ship type. These Credentials can be obtained through controlling a building on the map for the first time, Privateers' Secret Meeting, and Star System/Network Loot Distribution. Each star system will produce Authentication Credentials for different Tech Routes as follows:
Antonios Tech Route Credentials can be obtained from the Dawn Exploration Agreement 2.0.
NOMA Shipping Group Tech Route Credentials can be obtained from the Node Recovery Agreement.
Jupiter Industries and Dawn Standard Tech Route Credentials can be obtained from the Trojite Crystal Mining Agreement.
NOMA Shipping Group Tech Route Credentials can be obtained from the Data Rescue Agreement.
Dawn Standard, Thunderbolt, and Hayreddin Tech Route Credentials can be obtained from the Star System Rescue Agreement.
(Apex Authentication Credentials can be obtained in Privateers' Secret Meeting)
After obtaining the Credentials, you can go to the City of Antontas and use the corresponding Apex Authentication Credentials at the Strategic Assets Identification Center, select your favorite ship blueprint, and enable its Apex Level.
(Strategic Assets Identification Center in the City of Antontas)
(Enabling Apex Level)
"Path to Apex" Series Mission Rewards
After enabling the Apex Level feature, you will receive the Path to Apex series missions, the primary content of which includes leveling up, adjusting systems, submitting items, and engaging in combat. When the missions are completed, the corresponding capital ship/aircraft will receive lots of proficiency rewards, increasing their corresponding Apex Levels. For the corresponding super capital ship blueprint, a substantial amount of Exclusive Tech Points will also be awarded for completing the series missions for the first time in addition to the proficiency rewards.
(Path to Apex series missions)
Unlocking Exclusive Background and Ship Appearance Customization Features
After enabling the Apex Level feature and completing specific missions, you can unlock a new exclusive background and ship appearance switch feature, allowing you to freely switch between the original ship appearance and the ship appearances obtained from fully enhancing various systems.
After completing the series missions, you will also earn exclusive liveries and titles as rewards corresponding to the tech route of the blueprint by further raising the Apex Level.
(Exclusive livery at certain Apex Level)
"Star System Achievement" and Proficiency Acquisition
In addition to the Path to Apex series missions, Explorers can also gain proficiency by completing achievements within the star system. Corresponding amounts of proficiency can be gained from each ship level increase, each adjustment level increase, and the ship's anti-ship/anti-aircraft/siege/repair stats accumulated in combat.
If you wish to gain proficiency for a specific ship, you can re-certify the Credential to reactivate the apex authentication of the same blueprint and take on the "Beyond Apex" EX series missions to further gain proficiency through activeness missions. Additionally, after the apex authentication series missions are completed for the first time, the conversion feature will be unlocked, allowing the conversion of some generic/Exclusive Tech Points into proficiency for the corresponding blueprint.
(Tech Point conversion)
"Apex Level" Bonus Effect
The Apex Level will serve as the primary attribute of a blueprint, affecting all variant models under that blueprint. The current Apex Level cap is Lv.30. Each level will provide HP bonuses to the ship and increase the level cap for certain enhancements/adjustments. Most players can gradually obtain the majority of the bonuses through daily activities or repeated use of the Credentials. At the same time, each Apex Level will also increase the ship's production resource cost and production time to maintain the balance among different Explorers' strategies and tactics.
(Ship Blueprint with Apex Level bonuses)
The Apex Level gameplay will be introduced to Explorers in late October. We hope this feature will better motivate Explorers' daily activities, such as production, construction, and combat, bringing more diversity to the competition among Explorers.
