Etheria: Restart launches in East Asia — Global Fest brings free pulls, new SSRs, and the game’s most competitive season yet

Etheria: Restart launches in East Asia this week, and XD Games is marking the milestone with a city-sized party that spans every server. “Global Fest,” a limited-time celebration running September 25 to October 23, bundles generous login rewards, a returnee program stuffed with pulls, two brand-new SSR Animus, a premium limited skin, and a revamped real-time PvP season that puts the spotlight on the game’s tactical depth. Whether you’re a daily Hyperlinker or someone eyeing a comeback, this is the best time in months to build out your roster.

Below is your complete, practical guide—what you’ll get for free, who to pull, how to route your first seven days, and what to expect from the newly sharpened competitive ladder.

TL;DR — the big wins at a glance

• Dates: Global Fest runs Sep 25–Oct 23 (server time).

• Instant freebies: Use code ETHERIA0925 for 10 pulls; log in for a 7-day check-in that includes a premium Light/Dark SSR Selector (fan-favorites like Lily are on the list).

• Returnee program: If you’ve been away 21+ days, you can claim 60 pulls, 1 SSR ticket, Perfect Lattice, double drops on your first 1,000 Stability points in several challenge modes, and a Return Banner with a guaranteed SSR within 80 summons (Veronika, Tsukuyo Mi, Kloss, Holden, or Fuqiu).

• New SSR Animus: Emberweave·Kokardi and Resonant Sound·Mizusumi Aya debut on event banners.

• New limited skin: Eternal Night·Yeli, with new visuals and voiced lines.

• PvP relaunch: Stellar Contention (SS1 Season) opens with a refreshed global leaderboard, a free RTA Pass packed with cosmetics, and the RTA Hyperlinker Cup—a broadcasted bracket for top ranks.

• Celebrity kickoff: The East Asia launch features signal boosts from Weiqi world champion Ke Jie, League of Legends legend Uzi, and fighting game star Xiaohai.

Why Global Fest matters (even if you’re not in East Asia)

Live-ops RPGs often ring in regional launches with localized perks. Global Fest is different: it’s multi-server. That means the East Asia release isn’t just a local beat—it’s a moment where progression across regions accelerates, PvP populations spike, and banner value rises. If you’re min-maxing, this global alignment is the kind of timing that shapes your account for months.

Free rewards — how to claim and stack them efficiently

1) The no-brainer: code + check-in

• Redeem ETHERIA0925 → 10 free pulls.

• Complete the 7-day Global Fest check-in → resources plus a premium L/D SSR Selector (anchor your team with a cornerstone Light/Dark unit like Lily if she fits your comp).

Tip: Don’t rush the Selector. Review your box and future banner plans; the Selector can fill a hole (healer, cleanse, or breaker) that a new SSR pull might not.

2) The returnee track (21+ days away)

• 14 days of check-ins → Perfect Lattice, 60 pulls, SSR ticket.

• Two 14-day mission phases → extra mats and currency; pair these with your daily routine for low-friction gains.

• Double drops on the first 1,000 Stability points in Investigation, Threshold, and GP Outpost—use those early to jump-start gear and growth.

• Return Banner → guaranteed SSR in ≤80 pulls from a strong pool (Veronika, Tsukuyo Mi, Kloss, Holden, Fuqiu).

Route it: Prioritize double-drop content early in your session (before spending Stability elsewhere). Then clear mission milestones while you burn event stamina.

New SSR Animus deep dive — Kokardi & Mizusumi Aya

Emberweave·Kokardi

• Role snapshot: Frontline damage dealer with a “weave & burn” cadence—sustained DPS that spikes off well-timed skill chains.

• Why she’s exciting: Emberweave kits typically reward correct sequencing and status layering; Kokardi looks tuned for players who manage buffs/debuffs carefully and exploit extended fights (bosses, endurance waves).

• Who she likes to work with: Units that provide consistent uptime (speed buffs, damage taken up, or DoT support) and stability so her rotations don’t get cut short.

Resonant Sound·Mizusumi Aya

• Role snapshot: Tempo-control specialist who leverages sound/resonance triggers—think turn manipulation, resist shred, or combo amplification depending on build.

• Why she’s exciting: Teams that need setup to shine (e.g., true-damage bursts or multi-hit passive triggers) love a character who can force windows on demand.

• Who she likes to work with: Combo-hungry carries, units that convert extra turns or enhanced states into explosive damage.

Pull priority (fast take): If your box lacks a reliable long-fight DPS, Kokardi is a safe investment. If you already have damage but lack control or synergy priming, Aya can raise your ceiling more.

A prestige cosmetic with more than a palette swap: Eternal Night·Yeli

The Eternal Night·Yeli limited skin is more than a reskin—it ships with unique visuals and fresh voice lines, which is rare outside collabs and festivals. If you main Yeli or use her as a showpiece in RTA lobbies, this is the kind of cosmetic that telegraphs veteran status without affecting balance.

PvP, but make it global: Stellar Contention (SS1) and the Hyperlinker Cup

Global Fest coincides with the first SS1 season of Stellar Contention, Etheria’s real-time arena. Expect:

• A refreshed global leaderboard so regional populations collide more visibly.

• A free RTA Pass—cosmetics, lobby bling, and thematic rewards simply for participation.

• The RTA Hyperlinker Cup: a broadcasted invitational where top placements get bracketed into best-of matches you can watch live.

Meta forecast: With control-leaning kits like Mizusumi Aya in the pool and steady DPS threats like Kokardi, expect two poles in early SS1:

1. Control/tempo squads that deny win conditions;

2. Layered sustain-DPS compositions that outlast and out-trade once they stabilize.

Bring cleanse, anti-stun, or immunity tools; draft dispel or buff steal to punish over-stacked opponents. And if you’re new to RTA, the free pass makes this the best low-risk time to learn counter-picks.

Celebrity signal boost — and why it matters

The East Asia rollout is getting marquee attention from Ke Jie (Weiqi/Go world champion), Uzi (LoL legend), and Xiaohai (FGC star). That cross-genre megaphone typically drives new PvP blood, faster queue times, and streamed theorycrafting—great conditions if you want to study the meta in real time or showcase your own draft tech.

Seven-day plan for maximum value

Day 1

• Redeem ETHERIA0925 → 10 pulls.

• Start 7-day check-in (locks your L/D SSR Selector path).

• If returning: trigger the returnee program and spend double-drops immediately on Investigation / Threshold / GP Outpost.

• Do easy event missions while the stamina bar refills.

Day 2–3

• Farm gear tiers that your core team needs; don’t spread resources thin.

• Clear story or boss gates that unlock more daily income (avoid getting “resource-starved” on Days 4–7).

• Decide whether to pull Kokardi or Aya first based on box gaps.

Day 4–5

• Enter Stellar Contention for placement; collect RTA Pass milestones.

• If you’re anxious about losses, play off-hours to face more casual drafters while you learn bans.

Day 6–7

• Lock in your L/D SSR Selector choice after seeing how your pulls landed.

• Finish any Global Fest daily/weekly objectives; bank consumables for the second week push.

• Review the Return Banner pity if you’re a returnee—don’t leave a guaranteed SSR on the table.

Banner strategy — how to pull without regret

1. Secure role coverage: Healer/cleanse, breaker/control, sustained or burst DPS, and a flexible tech slot.

2. Prioritize guarantees: Returnee 80-pull guarantee is high-EV; use it if eligible before chasing 50/50s on limited banners.

3. Selector = glue: The Light/Dark Selector should complete a team, not duplicate a strength. If you lack cleanse or need a reliable pivot, pick that over a “shiny” option you won’t field.

4. Skin ≠ stats: Eternal Night·Yeli is prestige; don’t cannibalize progression for cosmetics unless you’re already stable.

New or returning? Here’s the fastest way to feel “caught up”

• Do not level everything. Take one full squad to target breakpoints first (Ascension thresholds, skill unlocks, gear caps).

• Use double-drop windows to push mats you’re chronically short on; don’t spread across three modes in one session.

• Borrow supports from friends/guildmates for early boss checks so you can save resources for your own carry.

• Spend stamina (Stability) early in your day to minimize overflow waste; stash potions and skip tickets for the final week when you’re sniping last event objectives.

Frequently asked questions

Is Global Fest only for East Asia servers?No—the event spans all servers to celebrate the East Asia release, so everyone benefits.

How many free pulls can I reasonably get?At minimum: 10 via ETHERIA0925, plus the 7-day check-in resources and (if returning) 60 pulls + 1 SSR ticket, with more from mission phases and routine play.

What’s special about the Return Banner?Eligible returnees get a guaranteed SSR within 80 pulls from a curated pool of strong top-enders—a high-value path to patch a roster hole.

Do I need to play PvP to enjoy Global Fest?No—but the free RTA Pass makes dabbling smart; even a few wins unlock cosmetics and gives you a read on the evolving meta.

Will Eternal Night·Yeli ever return?There’s no confirmation. Treat it as limited for now.

The bottom line

With Etheria: Restart launches in East Asia, XD Games has synchronized a rare, high-value window for every region: free pulls, a premium L/D Selector, welcoming returnee rails, two compelling SSRs, and the most watchable RTA season the game has fielded. If you’re new, Global Fest is a launchpad; if you’re lapsed, it’s a comeback tour; if you’re competitive, it’s a meta lab with a global audience.

Log in, lock your check-ins, route your stamina through double-drops, and pick banners with intent. The Genesis threat will still be there tomorrow—but discounts, guarantees, and a swelling PvP ladder won’t.