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The patch notes for Season 1: Invasion are finally here. We got new game modes, weapons, modules, a ton of good Quality of Life changes (seriously, quite a lot), bug fixes, and Hailey Scott, a new Descendant. However, everyone expected that she would be unlocked as any other Descendant, with an endless grind to get those low-drop-rate components. But, the reality may surprise you.
Practically a Guaranteed Drop
Right before the official release of Season 1 (the exact time varies depending on your time zone), Nexon posted some patch notes on August 29, with all the information about the new content. What got everyone’s attention were the details on how to get Hailey and her research materials. Instead of grinding for blueprints (a random, usually pretty low-rate drop), players will have to farm for specific materials (36 of each, to be specific).
From the official post:
Farming Hailey’s Research Materials
- Hailey’s “Enhanced Cell DNA,” “Stabilizer Components,” “Spiral Catalyst Links,” and “Data Chips” can be acquired by completing “Invasion Dungeons.”
- Clear any Invasion Dungeon to acquire one of Hailey’s Research Materials with a 100% chance.
- Clear Invasion Dungeons faster to acquire up to 3 Hailey Research Materials at once.
- Invasion events occur daily in two dungeons. Invasion Dungeons can be cleared twice per day.
- Hailey’s Research Materials can also be acquired by defeating monsters in Hard Infiltration Operations. To farm Hailey’s research materials faster, participate in the following Hard Infiltration Operations:
- Hailey Enhanced Cell DNA: [Kingston] [Hard] – Magister Lab, Slumber Valley
- Hailey Stabilizer Component: [Vespers] [Hard] – The Shelter, [Echo Swamp] [Hard] – The Chapel
- Hailey Spiral Catalyst Link: [Agna Desert] [Hard] – The Asylum, [Agna Desert] [Hard] – Caligo Ossuary
- Hailey Data Chip: [Hagios] [Hard] – The Haven, [White-night Gulch] [Hard] – Mystery’s End
It Can Take Around 10 Days to Get Hailey
If we got this right, if you’re effective you can get up to 12 Research Materials per day (three for completing an Invasion “faster”, twice per day, in two separate dungeons). Since you need 36 of each type (Stabilizer, Enhanced Cell, Spiral Catalyst, and Data Chips), that adds up to 144 Research Materials in total. If you get 12 per day, that means you’ll get it all in 12 days, provided that you don’t get any duplicates (Nexon is silent about those).
Add the fact that “Hailey’s Research Materials can also be acquired by defeating monsters in Hard Infiltration Operations”, so an odd Material here and there will speed up the process.
How Is This Better Than the Usual Grind?
Compared to other Descendants, you are guaranteed at least one Material each time you complete a run, which means you have a sense of progress. It’s not much but it’s honest work. Compare that to doing dozens of runs for a slim chance of getting the Blueprint you need. There is absolutely no guarantee on when and if it will drop, it may take two runs or it may take 52. Or even more.
Ultimately, it all boils down to personal preference. Some players enjoy the thrill of a random drop rate, while others would rather see some progress each time they complete a run. Of course, this is all speculation based on the information we are given, so time will tell how this new method of getting a Descendant will play out.