Lost Ark has expanded its endgame with an 8 player Shadow Raid featuring Belgardin Hand of Death. The 2 phase encounter introduces a timed hold parry combat system and rewards players with a new cuffs gear category upgradeable to level 25. The challenge is live across 4 difficulty tiers starting at item level 1750 following the completion of the Kadarum story questline.
Access to the encounter requires completing the story quest titled When the Bell Falls Silent on the Kadarum archipelago. The raid splits into 4 distinct difficulty settings based on character progression. Both Expedition and Normal modes demand an item level of 1750. Players tackling Heroic mode must reach item level 1770, while Nightmare mode pushes the gear check to item level 1780.
Combat across the 2 phases centers on an extended parry system. Certain boss strikes require players to press and hold a designated defense key rather than tapping it, demanding precise deflection timing to avoid massive group damage. Revive counters remain strictly capped according to the chosen difficulty tier, though the encounter slowly replenishes extra lives as the battle progresses to reward sustained execution.
Clearing Belgardin grants access to cuffs, an entirely new equipment piece that players can upgrade up to level 25 using upgrade components farmed directly from the boss. The patch also adds fresh achievements, character titles, stronghold melodies, and collectibles. Clearing the fight on Nightmare difficulty yields a chance at an exclusive MVP screen cosmetic backdrop.
