Bandai Namco has released new details on post-release plans for Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris! The game is getting a ton of free content after release including:

• Monthly raids
• Daily quests
• CUBEs
• New systems
• Additional updates

New characters are coming to the game and paid content will be provided both as DLC and via the Premium Pass. Thanks to Gematsu, all the details are available below:

Characters

Renly Synthesis Twenty-Seven (voiced by Mutsumi Tamura)

An Integrity Knight that wields the Divine Object “Twin Edged Wings,” a pair of twin-edged throwing knives. As an extraordinarily gifted swordsman, he was recruited to the Integrity Knights at an exceptionally young age, but was unable to use his “Armament Full Control Art.” Because of this, he was marked as a failure and forced into cryostasis for five years.

Scheta Synthesis Twelve (voiced by Lynn)

An Integrity Knight known by the nickname “The Silent” due to her silence and lack of emotion. Even Bercouli Synthesis One fears her as a fierce swordsman. She was given the “Black Lily Sword,” a Divine Object that can cut through anything, by the Administrator.

Hathilian (voiced by Jun Fukuyama)

A man with a deep connection to the Axiom Church. He refers to Medina as the “Savior” who has the power to revive the Administrator, the highest minister of the Axiom Church. His goal is to…

■ Story

The resurrection of the Administrator, the highest minister of the Axiom Church…

A man who calls himself Hathilian calls the surprised Medina by the name “Savior,” and says “she alone” has the power to revive the highest minister.

Kirito and company’s words do not reach the girl, who lives to clear the name of the Orthinanos family—.

Norlangarth North Empire Fourth Empress Kayode Norlangarth

The Empress who governs the North Empire. A strongly dignified woman, she gives off an overwhelming aura unwelcoming to others. She dotes over a child that she carries in her arms, but she herself has a secret.

Titans

A race that fights to survive. And to prove their strength and reason for being. Why do they seek strength? The titans will stand before Kirito and company without any answers.

Dark Knight

A knight that wears heavy armor and slowly strides. Is this knight a ghost of the past? Or an invader from the Dark Territory? The knight’s identity is currently a mystery.

■ Sacred Arts

There are eight types of Sacred Arts: “Thermal,” “Aerial,” “Aqueous,” “Cryogenic,” “Metallic,” “Crystalline,” “Luminous,” and “Umbral.” Unlike other skills, Sacred Arts can be used without spending SP. As you increase each element’s level, you will unlock higher-class arts.

Thermal and Cryogenic

Thermal arts specialize in long-distance attacks. Some techniques will deal continuous damage to the enemy.

Cryogenic arts specialize in attacking the enemies in front of or in the area around you. There are also techniques that temporarily freeze enemies in their tracks.

Aqueous and Aerial

In addition to attack-type techniques, Aqueous arts include buff-type techniques that reduce damage intake. There are also techniques that blow back enemies, which are good to use in battles against hordes.

Aerial arts also include buff-type techniques. By using a wind barrier, you can protect the entire party from the enemy’s attack.

Metallic and Crystalline

Metallic arts are buff-type techniques that strengthen the user’s body. They can also be used to generate rocks, creating obstacles for the enemy or footholds for your party.

Crystalline arts specialize in attacks, including counter techniques that reflect enemy attacks and attack techniques that follow the enemy.

Luminous and Umbral

Luminous arts are support-type techniques that include recovering the HP of party members, as well as debuff-type techniques that lower the enemy’s accuracy rate.

Umbral arts are debuff-type techniques weakens the enemy or obstructs their actions. Some techniques can inflict the confusion status ailment.

■ New Weapon: Twin Edged Wings

The weapon only used by Renly in the original work and anime. It is exclusive to Renly in the game as well. It specializes in long-distance attacks.

■ Communication and Dates

You can also hit the town on dates with your party members, hold each other’s hands, and even carry them around while walking.

■ Post-Launch Update Plan

Post-launch support for Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris will consist of both free and paid content, including:

• Free Content (as mentioned previously)

  • Monthly Raids: “Ancient Apostle”

  • Daily Quests

  • CUBEs

  • New Systems

• Paid Downloadable Content

  • Premium Pass

  • SAOCoins

  • SAOShop

The four major contents of the update plan are daily quests, CUBEs, raid quests, paid downloadable content, and reward content.

Daily Quests

Daily Quests are new quests that will update everyday.

Example quests include:

• Defeat 10 enemies.

• Gather five material items.

• Activate Sword Skills 10 times.

• Perform three Link Attacks with Eugeo.

Quests contents have a range of difficulties, ranging from several minutes to several hours to clear. By clearing daily quests, you can obtain item rewards and CUBE tickets.

CUBEs

CUBEs allow you to obtain various items, including costumes, weapon skins, accessories, consumable items, and emotes. The items that CUBEs contain are random. Items such as costumes and weapon skins do not affect their actual performance.

Items obtained by CUBEs can be obtained by using CUBE tickets, as well as by spending the in-game currency known as SAOCoins.

SAOCoins cannot be used to purchase CUBE tickets—they can only be used to choose and purchase the items that a CUBE would contain.

SAOCoins have been implemented so that users who purchase the game a few months after release, or users who are unable to play everyday can save time.

SAOCoins

SAOCoins are in-game currency that can be used to purchase various items. They will be available for purchase in the following packages:

• 100 SAOCoins (100 yen)

• 600 SAOCoins (500 yen)

• 1,500 SAOCoins (1,000 yen)

• 2,100 SAOCoins (1,500 yen)

SAOCoins can be spent at the SAOShop to purchase specific items normally obtained by CUBEs.

CUBEs and SAOCoins

For users who play everyday, CUBE tickets can be obtained by clearing Daily Quests. The items that a CUBE contains are random.

For users who prefer to save time, items normally obtained by CUBEs can be purchased with SAOCoins, with prices ranging from 400 to 1,000 SAOCoins.

Early Purchase Bonus Update

In addition to the previously announced early purchase bonuses (the original costume designs by users from Asia, Europe, North America, and Japan), users will also receive 200 SAOCoins.

Raid Quests

“Ancient Apostle” is a series of free raid quests that will be implemented via updates.

In addition to character scenarios (voice-overs included), new bosses will be added, balance adjustments will be made, and more. The new bosses can be challenged solo offline, or online with other users.

Downloadable Content

The Premium Pass will include new scenarios, including two parts.

The volume of the main for the two parts is about 200,000 kanji characters. This does not include sub-episodes and the like, and is about half the scenario volume of the main story.

Other new content will also be included with the Premium Pass.

The Deluxe Edition includes Premium Pass pre-loading. More details will be announced at a later date.

Bonus Content

Beater’s Cafe members will receive the “Beater’s Cafe Original Costume” as a free gift. For details, please check the Beater’s Cafe official website.

*Update* The Steam page for Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris is up now!

Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris releases on May 22nd for PS4, Xbox One and PC worldwide. Stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news and updates!