1.53 Update

3 days ago
6 min read

Hello, Storm Strikers!

Here are the details for the 1.53 Update (2026.02.12).

Developer Comment

We’re planning to adjust the key-slot layout to lower the barrier to entry by rebalancing the value of Swap Skills and stabilizing the core gameplay experience.
In this process, some playstyles may become more restricted. However, we will address this by improving and prioritizing the development of new Swap Skills.
Please share your thoughts on new Swap Skills for various heroes via the Balance Discussion and Suggestions boards. We’ll review your feedback and reflect it in future Swap Skill development..

캐릭터 밸런스

Shifu
- Key Slot Changes
  - Removed Dragon Stamp from the R slot
- Cloud Step cooldown increased: 3s → 4s
- Comment
  - We’re slightly reducing Shifu’s overall map presence that comes from high mobility, to encourage moving together with teammates rather than relying on solo plays.
Maximus
- Key Slot Changes
  - Roar of Conviction: removed from the Shift slot
- Max HP decreased: 1160 → 1080
- Comment
  - We want Roar of Conviction to be chosen in the R skill slot for the purpose of immediate movement lockdown.Also, by lowering Max HP, we aim to keep crowd-control resistance through barriers while adjusting Maximus’ ability to withstand focused fire.
Warmonger
- Choke Slam grab damage increased: 30 → 70
- Choke Slam collision damage decreased: 110 → 70
- Boulder Tackle push damage increased: 30 → 90
- Boulder Tackle collision damage decreased: 150 → 90

Comment
- We’re shifting part of collision damage into base damage to improve minimum damage output in situations where there is no wall.

Eveleen
- Key Slot Changes
  - Accretion Disc: removed from the E slot
  - Exotic Matter: removed from the E slot
  - Time Dilation: removed from the Shift slot
  - Asteroid Cluster: removed from the Shift slot
- Comment
  - We’re adjusting Eveleen because repeatedly using Exotic Matter and Accretion Disc in sequence could heavily restrict opponents’ movement and was difficult to respond to.

Volf
- Flame On! (Charge) damage decreased: 110 → 105

Comment
- We want to ease the portion of Volf’s pattern where sustained pressure creates favorable trades and burst damage then “locks in” the advantage.

Bernhardt
- Key Slot Changes
  - Blitzkrieg: removed from the R slot
  - Savage Dash: removed from the R slot
  - Rampaging Fury: removed from the Shift slot
  - Inferno Strike: removed from the Shift slot
- Comment
  - We want to limit the play where Bernhardt could take two long-range mobility skills and use the battlefield far more broadly than other options.
Akira
- Flashbang damage decreased: 100 → 70
- Flashbang cooldown decreased: 7s → 6s
- Phantom Slash (Return Hit) damage increased: 125 → 175
- Phantom Slash (Return Hit) slow effect moved → Demon Strike
- Comment
  - We want to give Akira stronger advantages for engaging and disengaging, enabling quicker repositioning during fights and allowing intentional creation of favorable timings—while adjusting burst damage.Also, we’re moving the slow effect from the Phantom Slash (Return Hit) to Demon Strike. The goal is to shift focus away from the intended chain of Phantom Slash → Flashbang / Ghost Thrust, and instead improve the hit rate of the Phantom Slash return hit itself. In addition, we’re tuning damage that was significantly lacking compared to Battōjutsu, so that after dealing reliable damage with Phantom Slash, players can choose between committing with Flashbang based on remaining HP, or applying poke damage with Ghost Thrust.For Ghost Walk, we’re currently reviewing whether it should have a constant cooldown for situational responses, or be designed around a single, highly meaningful use.
    We’d love to hear your feedback on this design direction.

Alice
- Key Slot Changes
  - Vortex Stinger: removed from the RMB slot
  - Sacred Breeze: removed from the RMB slot
  - Holy Chase: removed from the E slot
  - Blade Gust: removed from the E slot
- Vortex Stinger cooldown decreased: 8s → 7s
- Vortex Stinger travel distance decreased: 1400 → 1300
- Gale Strike cooldown decreased: 6.5s → 6s
- Comment
  - We want Alice’s gameplay to center around a burst-and-disengage damage cycle.

Raki
- Key Slot Changes
  - Kitty Rush: removed from the E slot
  - Kitty Step: removed from the E slot
  - Meow Meow Zoomies: removed from the Shift slot
  - Purrfect Pounce: removed from the Shift slot
- Furry Flurry (center) damage decreased: 80/80/80 → 60/60/60
- Furry Flurry (outer) damage increased: 80/80/200 → 100/100/220
- Purrfect Pounce cooldown decreased: 8s → 6s
- Meow-phoon vortex damage increased: 960 → 1040
- Comment
  - We’re adjusting short-range trick movement and adding more variation to Raki’s play cycle through Meow Meow Zoomies and Purrfect Pounce, aiming for combat flow with mixed tempos.
    Also, we’re shifting some of Furry Flurry’s center damage to the outer area to improve the floor of baseline damage, and to ensure Meow-phoon delivers a clear payoff when you seize an opening.
Rei
- Key Slot Changes
  - Arctic Incantation: removed from the R slot
  - Frost Barrier: removed from the Shift slot
- Comment
  - We want Biting Hailstorm and Arctic Incantation to be chosen with distinct goals—pressure/zoning vs. counterplay—each aimed at controlling space.
Lucy
- Removed: Bloody Burst can no longer be used after Vermilion Void
- Bloody Burst post-delay increased: 0.25s → 0.4s
- Comment
  - The “compressed burst damage” created by weaving Bloody Shot mid-combo was difficult to respond to, so we’re adjusting it.

Narae
- Key Slot Changes
  - Blessing of Swiftness: removed from the RMB slot
  - Blessing of Grace: removed from the RMB slot
  - Divine Wave: removed from the E slot
  - Divine Light: removed from the E slot
- Comment
  - We want healing skills to be chosen as the default.Also, we want the E slot to offer a meaningful split between immediate save potential and increased engagement value, encouraging decisions that fit team composition and combat situations.

Chloe
- Key Slot Changes
  - Zoom Zoom, Horo Car!: removed from the R slot
  - Tag! Freeze!: removed from the Shift slot
- Hey Buddy! Let’s Play! cooldown decreased: 3s → 2.75s
- Comment
  - We want the R slot to be more than simply “pick the strongest skill,” and instead to be a strategic choice with clear goals such as survivability, safety, or combo offense.Also, to cover some reduced response options, Hey Buddy! Let’s Play! will help Chloe react more nimbly.
Sabio
- Key Slot Changes
  - Let’s Breakdance!: removed from the E slot
  - Rescue Grenade: removed from the R slot
  - Reaction Grenade: removed from the R slot
  - Sanctuary of Kukulkan: removed from the R slot
- Comment
  - We want Sabio’s core playstyle using Let’s Breakdance! and Nitro Gliding to be firmly established,and for E-slot Swap Skill choices to be selected with clear goals—healing, counterplay, or lockdown.

Electra
- Key Slot Changes
  - Encroaching Thorns: removed from the E slot
  - Land of Delight: removed from the R slot
  - Condemnation of Desire: removed from the R slot
- Comment
  - We want a more aggressive playstyle built around Encroaching Thorns to become the default..

Yuna
- Key Slot Changes
  - Help Maid Supplies: removed from the E slot
  - I’m Cleaning Here!: removed from the R slot
- I’m Cleaning Here! final hit damage increased: 105 → 125

Comment
- We want to solidify Yuna’s core playstyle, and adjust the final hit of I’m Cleaning Here! so it can be meaningfully used in a wider variety of situations.

Other Bug Fixes & Improvements

Updated hero difficulty ratings
Updated hero order in Character Select and the Hero page
Fixed an issue where hit reactions did not apply for some heroes
Fixed an issue where an airborne effect applied to Rei’s Arctic Incantation
Fixed an issue where canceling Rei’s ground-targeted skill could cancel basic attack delay
Removed Akira’s Battōjutsu AOE range indicator
Added camera presentation effects to Akira’s Ghost Walk
Added missing [Dash] tag to Raki’s Meow Meow Zoomies skill description
Added missing movement speed increase and damage values to Raki’s Meow-phoon skill description
Added missing [Dash] tag to Theo’s Tactical Maneuver skill description
Added missing [Dash] tag to Al-Manat’s Spirit of the Dune skill description
Updated Yuna’s Clear Stream skill description to include allies in its activation conditions
Improved an issue where Yuna’s Clear Stream Stance did not cancel when a stun hit
Fixed an issue where Yuna could use the 2nd hit of Clear Stream without landing the 1st hit
Fixed an issue where Yuna’s Azure Flowing Water follow-up could be canceled when a stun landed mid-chain