The celestial voyage we’ve all been eagerly anticipating has returned, and it’s set to be quite the adventure! From February 4th, starting at 10 a.m., and stretching all the way to February 18th at the same hour (PST), players can immerse themselves in the lunar magic of the Lunar Awakening event in both the Seasonal and Eternal Realms. This extraordinary event brings a mysterious spectacle to the shrines scattered throughout Sanctuary, infusing them with astonishing power and prosperity. It’s believed that this unusual occurrence is a gift from the Ancestors, blessing celebrants in joyous commemoration from beyond the grave.
If you’re exploring Sanctuary and want to make the most of the event, activate any shrine you find, including Nahantu. Doing this rewards you with a whopping 100% bonus experience that lasts for two minutes. In addition, you’ll gain enhanced power and earn some Ancestral Favor Reputation, making your journey more rewarding than ever.
To really dive into the festivities of Lunar Awakening, make your way to Ked Bardu and explore the Northern part of town. There, you’ll encounter Ying-Yue, the charismatic leader of the Lunar Night Market. This vibrant market acts as the central hub for all things Lunar Awakening. Here, you can exchange your Ancestral Favor Reputation for Unceasing Gifts from the Ancestors caches and some eye-catching Lunar Renewal-themed rewards.
Throughout Sanctuary, you’ll discover Lunar Shrines sprinkled across both dungeons and the wilderness. Battle your way to these shrines, engage with them, and take down monsters to accumulate heaps of Ancestral Favor Reputation.
These Lunar Shrines are not your ordinary shrines; they hum with special powers, a gift from the spirits of your ancestors, and during the Lunar Awakening, they’ve been given an extra special significance in honor of the year of the snake! When activated, these shrines not only grant you a double XP bonus but also sport a fresh look to celebrate this time of festivity. They are easy to spot with their unique map icons, offering an exciting twist in gameplay as you travel throughout Sanctuary.
Speaking of twist, these shrines come with their own set of perks:
- Artillery Shrine – Let your spells potentially summon a holy bomb.
- Blast Wave Shrine – Each explosion calls forth a cluster bombardment.
- Channeling Shrine – Enjoy increased attack speed and a chance to reset cooldowns.
- Conduit Shrine – Expect frequent and powerful shocking strikes.
- Greed Shrine – You might just summon a Treasure Goblin. As long as the Shrine stays active, your kills summon them.
- Lethal Shrine – Get a chance to execute monsters instantly and frighten surrounding ones. Bear in mind, this works on Elites, but not on Bosses or other Players.
- Protection Shrine – Reflect all the damage aimed at you. The damage reflection scales with Level and Difficulty.
Once you activate a Lunar Shrine, Miserly Spirits spawn quickly, allowing you to benefit right away from the shrine’s unique boost to your gameplay.
To add to the excitement, there are 10 Ancestral Favor Reputation Levels you can achieve, each bringing rewards like the dazzling Resplendent Spark and six distinct Lunar-themed cosmetic treasures, including the new Trag’Oul’s Consort mount. After reaching the reputation peak, you can continue to harvest more rewards in the form of Unceasing Gifts from the Ancestors.
If you’re aiming for some fashion to match the vibe, don’t miss the opportunity to check out Tejal’s shop for exclusive Lunar Awakening-themed attire. Dress your character up with stylish Armor Cosmetics like the Sorcerer’s Scholar of the Lonely Moon, and don’t forget to upgrade your trusty steed with the exquisite Dragon of the Lonely Moon mount armor.
So, gear up to celebrate with Ying-Yue and bask in the magical glow that Lunar Awakening brings when it kicks off on February 4th!
