Etheria: Restart SS4 begins today, adding a new progression system and brand new Animus
XD Games is thrilled to announce that the new Etheria: Restart season – SS4 Loong’s Thunder: Shattered Dawn – has begun today, and will run to 10 June 2026.
One of the big new features of SS4 is the Tactical Imprint progression system. Players can boost their combat stats by equipping a Tactical Imprint (shareable across all different Animus). Imprints have both passive traits and four fixed sockets that can enhance an Animus’ stats even further. By inserting the brand new Components into these sockets, players can upgrade their Animus’ offensive, defensive, and vitality stats.
In order to obtain Tactical Imprints and Components, players must take advantage of the new Hyper Kernel system. Hyper Kernel is Etheria: Restart’s latest factory system, providing resources, power buffs, and the aforementioned Tactical Imprints and Components to players. Through the Hyper Kernel, players can also produce Energy Crystals, which can be used to level up terminal nodes, increase maximum stability, and more. On top of that, players can use the Hyper Kernel to dispatch Animus on regional expeditions for rich rewards. Eventually, players will be able to upgrade the Hyper Kernel to operate as a fully automated, smart factory that collects all resources and supplies for players.
SS4 Loong’s Thunder: Shattered Dawn welcomes new Etheria: Restart players with a dedicated Sprint Server. This is designed to accelerate growth via a 14-day Double Drop limited-time event, Hyper Camp assessment missions that offer Training Points to unlock various rewards, and the Summit Arena Beginner Protection Mechanism that ensures players are not matched with Level 100 opponents until they reach that level themselves.
Additionally, five new Animus will join Etheria: Restart during SS4, starting today with Xuan Chi and Rimeheart Dinah. The defence-orientated Xuan Chi – brother to Xuan Li – can enhance the turn meter of both himself and his allies, creating more opportunities to act; Rimeheart Dinah, meanwhile, is a support-type Animus, taking damage for her teammates on the battlefield, before attacking enemies with her giant blade.
Additional Animus being added to Etheria: Restart include intelligence officer Luvia, and senior security operative Qano, coming on 30 April. And the final Animus of SS4, Leiboz Life Workshop test subject Sharon, will arrive on 21 May.
A number of adjustments have also been made to members of the pre-existing roster. Asal has received a comprehensive buff, Bornova’s damage range has been stabilised, and Heinrich is getting some new Control abilities. For full details on all adjustments, be sure to check out the SS4 Seasonal Balance Adjustment notes.