On September 2, 2026, NCSoft applied an update to the Korean Main Server with permanent changes to progression, several hunting zones, and graphics settings. The main change is the removal of the Sayha’s Grace system and the conversion of its experience effect into a new, permanently active Growth Bonus.
Regional scope: these changes are confirmed only for the Korean service. There is currently no official confirmation that they will arrive in Lineage 2 Essence Europe or Lineage II Aden in North America. They should therefore be treated as an indication of how the game is evolving, not as a release announcement for other regions.
Sayha’s Grace is replaced by a permanent bonus
The patch removes the Sayha’s Grace system from the Korean Main Server. Its existing EXP +300% effect becomes part of a new Growth Bonus that remains permanently active, removing the need to maintain a grace gauge.
As a result, the related server buff that maintained grace is also removed. NCSoft states that some items and buffs linked to Sayha’s Grace will have their effects changed to EXP/SP bonuses. Details concerning item exchanges or removals are specific to the Korean service and should not be applied to other regions.
Practical impact
- Basic progression no longer depends on maintaining Sayha’s Grace points on the affected Korean servers.
- The experience effect is integrated into the game as a permanent system bonus.
- Consumables connected to grace enter a Korea-specific transition process.
If this change later reaches Essence or Aden in other regions, it would significantly affect the daily management of farming. However, there is not yet enough official information to assume that an international implementation would be identical.
Changes to hunting zones and Monster Extermination
NCSoft also adjusted the Monster Extermination system. The points awarded in some areas were changed, while Blazing Swamp and Horong’s Bamboo Forest were added as locations where extermination points can be earned.
The patch also changes two high-level areas:
- Level 95 monsters in the deepest section of Horong’s Bamboo Forest receive higher offensive power and grant more experience.
- Level 94 and 95 monsters in the deepest section of Cruma Tower have less HP and grant more experience.
In practical terms, the update makes one zone more demanding while improving farming efficiency in the other. These values apply only to the Korean patch and may change if the content is adapted for Europe or North America.
New options to improve performance
The update adds two permanent settings intended to reduce visual load during farming and battles involving many characters:
- A Very Low effects quality setting, with fewer decorative particles and secondary animations than the Low option.
- An option to minimize the effects of other characters, which should be especially useful in large-scale combat.
These changes do not affect balance, but they may improve visibility and performance in raids, sieges, and crowded fights.
Important gameplay fixes
The notable fixes included in the patch are:
- An issue that capped the effect of critical damage received reduction at 90% has been corrected.
- The evasion check that was not being applied correctly to some magic skills has been restored.
- The defense granted by Fafurion’s Belt when equipped by a Guardian has been increased.
- A duplicate Queen Ant reward distribution that could occur during Dimensional Gate has been fixed.
- Monster distribution in the deepest section of Cruma Tower has been adjusted.
- The character selection screen now displays HP and MP values above 100,000 correctly.
The official notes also contain temporary events, L2 Store products, and region-specific Special Crafting. Those sections are not included in this summary because they do not represent general, permanent changes to the game.
What this means for Essence and Aden players
The most significant change is the removal of Sayha’s Grace. If NCSoft extends it to other regions, it would simplify one of the central progression systems in Essence/Aden and reduce reliance on consumables used to maintain the experience bonus.
For now, the only confirmed fact is its implementation in Korea. Europe continues with its current version of Lineage 2 Essence, and the North American version of Aden has not published equivalent notes. We will update this information if either region receives official confirmation.
Official source
Applied on: September 2, 2026.