What to expect from the latest Lost Ark server merges

By Dillan | March 6th, 2024 | Categories: Lost Ark

Lost Ark will finally implement their latest server merges within the first two weeks of March. As the player count dwindles, the population in each server becomes uneven, with some having barely any gamers while others retaining a healthy number. The merges come in two batches, so heroes should expect an extended downtime for two days. Here is what we can expect from the upcoming changes:

March 6 and 13 Server Merges

Due to the number of existing servers, the merges will occur in two batches to ensure lower downtime and to allow devs some breathing space to fix any issues that might happen afterward. The downtime for both will be 16 hours during the regular scheduled maintenance dates. Here are all the Lost Ark server merges for both March 6 and March 13:

March 6 Maintenance

Central Europe

Antares + Neria = Neria
Slen + Kadan = Kadan
Calvasus + Ealyn = Ealyn
Mokoko + Kayangel = Kayangel
Lazenith + Thrain = Thrain
Ezrebet + Zinnervale = Zinnervale
Trixion + Asta = Asta
Armen + Wei = Wei
Evergrace + Nia = Nia

North America – East

Aldebaran + Azena = Azena
Zosma + Una = Una
Vykas + Azakiel = Azakiel
Danube + Regulus = Regulus
Elzowin + Avesta = Avesta
Kharmine + Galatur = Galatur
Adrinne + Karta = Karta
Sasha + Ladon = Ladon

North America – West

Bergstorm + Mari = Mari
Enviska + Valtan = Valtan
Shandi + Rohendel = Rohendel
Akkan + Lauriel = Lauriel

South America

Kazeros + Elgacia = Elgacia
Blackfang + Arthetine = Arthetine

March 13 Maintenance

Central Europe

Neria will become Ortuus
Wei + Kadan = Elpon
Asta + Zinnervale = Ratik
Nia + Ealyn = Arcturus
Thirain + Kayangel = Gienah

North America – East

Galatur + Azena = Luterra
Ladon + Una = Balthorr
Karta + Azakiel = Nineveh
Avesta + Regulus = Inanna

North America – West

Rohendel + Mari = Thaemine
Valtan + Lauriel = Brelshaza

South America

Arthetine + Elgacia = Vaigrys

As many will notice, some servers will be merged with others more than once to reduce the number of data centers and to maintain healthier player populations. Central Europe will have five by the end of the merges. NA East will have four, while NA West will retain two. Lastly, South America will have one.

Why is Lost Ark Merging Servers?

Smilegate has done several merges in the past two years, most of which were done at the community’s request. Uneven gamer distribution led to other servers having significantly fewer players, resulting in longer pub matchmaking. To remedy this, Lost Ark decided to merge centers with fewer residences with those with healthier communities.

What Happens to Rosters in Merged Servers

While Lost Ark has done several merges before, some players might need to learn what needs to happen to their characters when their current centers are affected. Typically, classes will be imported to the merged servers and will not impact the progression. However, complications may arise if gamers have multiple rosters in two involved data centers. Fortunately, Lost Ark provides a detailed answer to players’ concerns. Here’s everything you need to know about what happens:

Character and Slots

Universal Character Storage will be introduced into the game, with a pop-up guide telling players how they work. All characters affected by the merges will be imported into this new storage and can permanently collect heroes. Players can move characters in and out of this storage space to set them active for play.
All slots will be reset to the original six, and any purchased slots will be refunded to players. They can reuse these tickets to extend their Roster again.

Moving In and Out of the Universal Character Storage

Only characters moved to the active Roster can be used and designated for gameplay and currency acquisition. Those imported from the Universal Character Storage will be tagged as bound as soon as they earn Gold, so you cannot move them back to the storage. However, this status will be removed during the weekly resets. Characters can be transferred back to the Universal Character space after that.

Main Character

The system that features the main character and setting will also be reset. Upon maintenance, the class with the highest item level will be the main feature. You can change this later once they manually select a new class to display.

Roster

The Roster with the highest EXP and level will be the one to take over for both merged servers.
Rewards for Rosters will be recalculated after the merge to determine the highest values. These cannot be claimed more than once.
Items within the roster storage will be sent to the Universal Storage after the maintenance.
The Roster Storage Slot with the higher capacity will be retained. Meanwhile, players that used resources to extend the removed one will get their Gold and Crystals refunded to their Universal Storage or Product Inventory.

Currency

Players with rosters on two merging servers will have their currency summed up. They will get the total sum of the resources they farmed from data centers. These currencies include Crystal, Gold, Silver, Pheons, Phoenix Plumes, Pirate Coins, Coins of Courage, Providence Stones, Gienah’s Coin, Procyon’s Coin, and Ancient Coin.

Engravings

The Engraving with the highest points will be retained. However, if two have the same level, they will be summed up to reach the next tier. Any surplus points will be discarded. Engraving Recipes held within Storage and Inventories will also be summed up.

Cards

All Card Deck presets will reset.
The Roster with the higher Card Deck Slot will remain in terms of the slot. If the other one used Gold or Crystals to extend the capacity, the resources used will be refunded to their Universal Storage or Product Inventory.
Card Books will sum up all cards from both rosters and remove any duplicates. The remaining will be exported to Universal Storage.
In terms of Enhancement, the highest enhanced Card will carry over, and any XP used for the other one will be discarded. However, XP progression for the remaining Card will be retained.
For Catalog Slots, the one with higher numbers will carry over. Players who used resources to extend the slots for the removed one will have their Gold and Crystals refunded to their Universal Storage or Product Inventory.

Adventurer’s Tome

Adventurer’s Tome Progression will be combined based on each server’s progression and recalculated to determine additional rewards.
The following will be summed up: Main Quests, Collectibles, Cooking, Vistas, Dungeons, Monsters, Bosses, Hidden & Another Stories, Rapport, Triport, and Virtue Points. Any excess points will be discarded.

Rapport

You cannot claim the same reward twice. If you’ve already redeemed one in another server, you cannot claim it again after the merge happens.

Collectibles

Collectibles will be combined, while duplicates will be discarded. This will affect the following: Island Souls, Giant’s Hearts, Masterpieces, Omnium Stars, Mokoko Seeds, Ignea Tokens, World Tree Leaves, See Bounties, Sheet Music, Emotes, Pet Tricks, Emoticons, and Toys.
A new recalculated reward set will be available and can be claimed after the merge.

Ships

With the more significant ship acquisition, ship levels, ship skins, sail glyphs, and crew list, the Roster will retain their settings. However, duplicate ship skins and glyphs purchased with Crystals can be refunded by contacting Customer Support.

Achievements

The Roster with the higher achievements will retain their progression. Meanwhile, the overall progression for both will be integrated.
Completion Rewards will carry over and can’t be collected twice. If one has already been redeemed in another server, it can’t be obtained again.
Titles and Virtue Points will be combined, with duplicates being discarded.

Una’s Tasks

The Roster with the higher Reputation Level, Reputation Points, and Completion Count will carry over.
Roster Rewards can only be claimed once, so you cannot obtain them again if you have redeemed them on either server.
The Roster with the higher MMR and PvP rank will take over.

RVR

Rank Level and Weekly History with higher level and EXP will carry over.
Weekly Faction Hall of Fame and War Status will reset.
Weekly Calculation and Faction Change Penalty will consider the highest number between the servers. The most recent Escape Penalty also carries over after the merge.

Bifrost

Slots will be recalculated depending on the higher Roster level and combined Ignea Tokens.

Skill Runes

The list will be combined from both servers, but duplicates will be discarded.

Stronghold

The one with a higher Stronghold Level and Experience, Crafting List and Status, Stronghold Ships, Quests, Farm, Pet Ranch, List, and Attraction level will take over.
NPC Outfits, Structures, Completed Research and Progression, Dispatch, Stronghold Crew, Badge, Slots, and Jukebox will be combined from both servers.
The Roster with higher Manor Status Value, Feast Status, and Merchant Status will also carry over.

Pets and Mounts

Pet Collections will be combined, and duplicates will remain.
Mounts will be combined, but duplicates will be discarded. In exchange, compensation will be sent to Universal Storage. These can include new Mount Selection Chests or Tradeable versions of collectible rides.

Storage

Both Universal Storage and Material Storage content will be combined.
Events
For the Mokoko Challenge, the one with higher progression will remain.
For the Valtan Extreme Gate Progress and Rewards, the one with the higher level with carry over.

Trade Skills and Energy

The Roster with higher Life Energy, Trade Skills Level, and Experience will take over.
Leap Essence from both combined servers will be combined.

Item and Product Inventory

Both Product Inventory and Count Limit will be added together. However, if the Inventory exceeds 50 after the merge, you won’t be able to purchase or receive additional items until the occupied slots are brought down below the threshold.