Steam News28 July 202617d ago

Update 0.42: New Rift Trials & Boss Refinements

Update 0.42 is now live! Update 0.42 expands the Unstable Rift with two special boss encounters and new cosmetic rewards.

In this update4

Full notes

Full Aetheris Core update

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What changed

0 fixes3 additions10 changes0 removals

Store
Compatibility
Gameplay
Events
Balance
UI and audio

addedUpdate 0.42 is now live!Update 0.42 expands the Unstable Rift with two special boss encounters and new cosmetic rewards. It also makes early permanent progression friendlier, refreshes several enemy visuals, and improves the fairness and readability of multiple late-game bosses.

changedNew Special Rift TrialsAlpha and Beta now attack on independent rhythms—and a third Warden joins the battle when one of the original Wardens reaches half health. All three must be defeated.

addedProgression ImprovementsHeart Tree costs now scale more gently with Core Level. The first 10 Core Levels add no additional level-based cost, with later increases ramping in gradually.

changedProgression ImprovementsThe first four Core Goal rewards now grant 30, 60, 70, and 125 Aether Seeds, increased from 20, 50, 50, and 100.

changedBoss Balance & ReadabilityStarforge Core: Overload now triggers after satellites survive for 18 seconds instead of 22 and uses three distinct denial-ring patterns. Normal difficulty cycles through them, while Hard difficulty selects them unpredictably. Telegraphs and ring boundaries have also been improved.

changedBoss Balance & ReadabilitySentinel Ophion: Its ultimate beam is 20% shorter on Normal. Contact damage, venom pressure, and several attack cadences have been eased. The Hard finale now begins later and uses smaller zones.

Aetheris Core changes

addedUpdate 0.42 expands the Unstable Rift with two special boss encounters and new cosmetic rewards. It also makes early permanent progression friendlier, refreshes several enemy visuals, and improves the fairness and readability of multiple late-game bosses.

changedAlpha and Beta now attack on independent rhythms—and a third Warden joins the battle when one of the original Wardens reaches half health. All three must be defeated.

addedHeart Tree costs now scale more gently with Core Level. The first 10 Core Levels add no additional level-based cost, with later increases ramping in gradually.

changedThe first four Core Goal rewards now grant 30, 60, 70, and 125 Aether Seeds, increased from 20, 50, 50, and 100.

changedStarforge Core: Overload now triggers after satellites survive for 18 seconds instead of 22 and uses three distinct denial-ring patterns. Normal difficulty cycles through them, while Hard difficulty selects them unpredictably. Telegraphs and ring boundaries have also been improved.

Update 0.42 is now live!

Update 0.42 expands the Unstable Rift with two special boss encounters and new cosmetic rewards. It also makes early permanent progression friendlier, refreshes several enemy visuals, and improves the fairness and readability of multiple late-game bosses.

New Special Rift Trials

Aegis Core Unbound

The Aegis Colossus abandons its normal shield cycle. Its core remains exposed throughout the fight while its invulnerable hands attack at Rift speed.

First clear: unlocks Rift Rally Captain for Najko.
Repeat clears: 180 Aether Seeds and 14 Mastery Sprouts.

Gemini Discord

Alpha and Beta now attack on independent rhythms—and a third Warden joins the battle when one of the original Wardens reaches half health. All three must be defeated.

First clear: unlocks Meadow Breeze for Reina.
Repeat clears: 210 Aether Seeds and 16 Mastery Sprouts.

Progression Improvements

Heart Tree costs now scale more gently with Core Level. The first 10 Core Levels add no additional level-based cost, with later increases ramping in gradually.
The first four Core Goal rewards now grant 30, 60, 70, and 125 Aether Seeds, increased from 20, 50, 50, and 100.

Boss Balance & Readability

Starforge CoreOverload now triggers after satellites survive for 18 seconds instead of 22 and uses three distinct denial-ring patterns. Normal difficulty cycles through them, while Hard difficulty selects them unpredictably. Telegraphs and ring boundaries have also been improved.
Sentinel Ophion: Its ultimate beam is 20% shorter on Normal. Contact damage, venom pressure, and several attack cadences have been eased. The Hard finale now begins later and uses smaller zones.
Aegis Colossus: Hands now deal contact damage only during active attacks. Hard fissures provide more player clearance, and their damage paths more accurately follow their visible curves.

Visual, UI & Localization Polish

Refreshed the Bomber, Brute, and Flanker enemy sprites.
Added complete portrait and ship artwork for the two new pilot skins.
Improved Najko's loading-screen animation and alignment.
Renamed the settings label to “In-Game UI Scale” for clarity.
Expanded localization coverage and refined several Rift, run-history, modifier, and reward messages.

Thanks for playing, and good luck in the Rift!

Source

Steam News / 28 July 2026

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