The 0.3.6 update for Illuvium: Arena is now available, introducing a new Ascension system to the game, which radically changes the foundation of the Ascendant game mode, adding new features and changes. These updates simplify the gameplay for newcomers and add more strategic depth, making each match more diverse.

Illuvium: Arena, a free autobattler game, available in public beta on the Epic Games store, received an update to version 0.3.6 on March 25, introducing a new Ascension system that changes the core of the Ascendant mode. Now, the game introduces new Ascension features, significantly impacting the core gameplay process. Specifically, Illuvials can now be ascended to the next stages, requiring players to first place a Stage 1 Illuvial on the board before they can ascend it to the next stage using Ascension tokens.

Ascension tokens are a new resource that begins to accumulate from the 2nd round, with players receiving 2 tokens per round. Each Ascension requires the use of 1 token, and if you end the round with one or more tokens, only one of them will carry over to the next round. If you choose to recall a Stage 3 Illuvial, you will get back 1 token.

Now, players will use the new and simplified Team Builder, through which they need to add all the stages they would like to play. Previous teams have been reset due to recent changes, rendering them incompatible. Creating a team is now easier than ever, as you now only select one aspect for each Illuvial instead of choosing dominant traits, making team building more intuitive for both current and new players.

An early version of bots has also been introduced into the mode, allowing players to practice against them while queuing in the Casual Queue. The model used for bots will improve over time as it gains experience in more games, with plans for future model updates.

With the new system in place, developers hope it will provide "a sense of progression and achievement as you develop your board."