Serpent Moon is not only an event for Hunt: Showdown, but also sets the course for the future of the game. We have all the info on the release, scope and how it works.
Hunt: Showdown is currently more exciting than ever. With Serpent Moon, the biggest event in Hunt history is waiting in the wings – and not only that: Serpent Moon sets the course for the future of the best current multiplayer shooter. Because after Crytek has spoken very openly about the financial challenges of keeping the immense player base happy on the one hand, but also keeping the game profitable on the other, there is now for the first time a Battle Pass.
And on top of that, there are countless other changes, mechanics, features and so on that even professionals can quickly lose track of. But that”s what we”re here for: We”ve sorted all the important information from the developer streams of the last few days and weeks to bring you all the important new features at a glance – as a sort of handout for the event!
What”s new?
What is Serpent Moon?
Serpent Moon is a temporary event for Hunt: Showdown multiplayer that continues the story of the last event – Traitor”s Moon (see the recap here). For the duration of the event, slightly different rules apply in the multiplayer games, you can unlock legendary weapon skins, get new guns, level up the Battle Pass and so on. You can see it all summed up very nicely in the trailer:
Start time: From when to when does Serpent Moon run?
Serpent Moon starts on 27 July 2022 around 4pm German time and runs for pretty much exactly 60 days until 26 September 2022, 4pm This makes Serpent Moon the longest Hunt event ever.
What are the new weapons?
You can unlock two new free weapons as part of the event:
- The Sparks Pistol has the heavy thump of a regular Sparks, but the compact shape of a revolver. You can even hold two of them in your hands at the same time – if both shots hit, all that”s left of your opponent is a small smoking crater.
- The Romero 77 Alamo works like the regular Romero shotgun, but now has a magazine, shoots faster, but is more cumbersome to use and does not support different types of ammunition.
How does the Battle Pass work?
Crytek”s own Battle Pass is clearly oriented towards the great role models Fortnite and Co. In concrete terms, this means that there is a free and a paid Battle Pass progression.
The paid one is called Gilded Path and gives you special rewards that you don”t get as a free
player. But that”s only limited to cosmetic items – the two new weapons unlock all people.
Also common by now: If you have leveled up the free Battle Pass for a while and then decide to buy the Gilded Path, you will automatically get all Battle Pass levels you have reached so far unlocked for the Premium Pass retroactively.
How does the event work exactly?
The linchpin of Serpent Moon is the new Battle Pass. All the special features of the event will help you climb the Battle Pass levels. You can earn points in every Hunt: Showdown multiplayer match from the start of the event. These points will help you progress through the Battle Pass.
There are two types of points:
- Event points: This is the hard currency. With event points you level up the Battle Pass, we have already explained the details above.
- Snake Tokens: This new currency is a kind of intermediate level. For example, if you loot the new Snake Nests, you”ll get these Snake Tokens – and to make it a double portion of Event Points, you”ll need to sacrifice the Snake Tokens at a special altar near the boss lair.
You keep
Event Points even if you do not successfully extract them in a match. Snake tokens, on the other hand, are permanently lost – and not only that: enemy hunters can loot them from your corpse. Uff.
How do I collect Event Points?
There are some completely new game mechanics for the event that exist solely to allow you to earn points. These contents are:
- Snake Nests: All over the map you will find small snake nests that you can shoot for 2 points. Or you can approach carefully and loot the nests for more loot. With a bit of bad luck, however, the snakes in the nest will bite you.
- Altars: Near the boss forts you will find new altars where you can sacrifice your Snake Tokens to generate more event points.
There are, of course, still traditional ways to get Event Points. Those who have played previous Hunt events should have few surprises here. We”ll list them for you:
Some traits now function differently
Three traits have been adjusted to make it easier to collect points:
- Poison Sense: When an enemy is poisoned, you can now spot them in Shadow Sight for three times the distance – 150 metres.
- Beastface: Reduces the risk of snakes attacking you in snake nests.
- Serpent: You can also sacrifice your Snake Tokens from a distance.
How does the Evolving Hunter work?
Another new feature is the Evolving Hunter. This special hunter is called Viper and starts during the event as a rather casually dressed dude with a loose shirt and loose trousers. In the course of the event, however, you can upgrade this Hunter to a total of four levels – and his appearance changes with each new level. However, you are always free to choose which of the four possible appearances you prefer.
There is a new time of day
During Serpent Moon there”s a new time of day … although the term is actually misleading: There”s a new night scenario. The original night maps are replaced by special Serpent Moon variants with a greenish shimmering moon in the sky. However, this special time will be limited to the event. For the time being.
Leaderboards work differently now
What would the world be like without leaderboards? Well, probably largely the same, but in Hunt: Showdown leaderboards will still work differently from now on. The old system has already been kicked with patch 1.9 recently, instead you place yourself during the event with your collected event points. With enough points, you will land in special bronze, silver and gold tiers and then receive more Hunt dollars and blood currency.
If you haven”t given Hunt: Showdown a chance yet, now is one of the best opportunities you”ll have had in a while.
