Event overview and timing
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Update | North Line (first major post‑launch content update) |
| Community event | Breaking New Ground (global, multi‑phase) |
| Start | November 13 at 10:30 a.m. CET (1:30 a.m. PST) |
| Primary goal | Rebuild tunnels from Speranza to open the new region, Stella Montis |
| Unlock trigger | Map opens when community progress reaches the target |
| Availability window | Limited‑time event, with post‑unlock Phase II running until December |
How Breaking New Ground works
Breaking New Ground is a shared effort: everyone contributes crafting materials to restore the tunnels leading to Stella Montis. Progress is tracked globally, so every run helps move the counter. As you donate, you earn a special event currency called Merits. There’s a cap on Merits from material donations to prevent simple stockpile turn‑ins from trivializing the track.
Eligibility calls for prior playtime. You need some progression before you can contribute (the in‑game prompt references “at least a few rounds”; some guidance mentions five). If you’re new, knock out several rounds first so the project node becomes available.
Event phases and progression
- Phase I — Breaking New Ground: donate materials to rebuild the tunnels. When the global goal is reached, the gate to Stella Montis opens for everyone.
- Phase II — Staking Our Claim: a limited‑time progression track with challenges and rewards runs after the unlock and remains active until December.
Tip: If you want to maximize contribution value, balance donations with active play—Merits from donations are capped, and you’ll need Merits for the second phase.
What to donate: materials list
- Metal Parts
- Fabric
- Chemicals
- Rubber Parts
- Plastic Parts
These materials drop across the four launch maps and can also be obtained by salvaging items. If your stash is thin, quick raids for common containers and salvageable gear are the most reliable way to build stock.
Stella Montis: what opens when the community finishes
Stella Montis is a “cold, pristine” northern region whose abandoned structures stand in stark contrast to the Rust Belt’s wreckage. Expect a more sterile, mysterious tone and story hooks tied to what humanity left behind. Runs in Stella Montis can yield rare resources, new gameplay items, and potential weapon blueprints.
One ARC type is exclusive here (see below), and Stella Montis‑themed questlines become available with the unlock.
New ARC threats
- Matriarch: a hulking ARC that appears under specific map conditions. Present from the start of Breaking New Ground.
- Shredder: exclusive to Stella Montis, pushes close‑quarters pressure and punishes careless positioning.
Plan for heavier crowd control and contingency tools (mines, displacement, and fast burst damage) to manage sudden pressure spikes from these enemies.
New gear and playstyles
North Line adds a new weapon and a set of quick‑use items (including mines). Exact item names and rolls vary by drop source and blueprint, but the slate covers an energy‑focused rifle option alongside utility explosives for space denial.
Two new “playstyles” arrive—Lone Wolf and Trailblazer. These are presented as new ways to tailor how your Raider plays; details on their mechanical hooks are light ahead of the update, so expect to evaluate them once their nodes and bonuses are visible in‑game.
What to do today to be ready
- Clear several rounds so you meet the participation requirement when the project goes live.
- Stockpile the five required materials; focus on salvage‑rich routes to quickly fill gaps.
- Reserve inventory space: you’ll want room to haul materials and any new items or blueprints that drop once Stella Montis opens.
- Group up for the opening window if you can—community unlock speed depends on total contributions.
Quick answers
- When does the Breaking New Ground event start? November 13 at 10:30 a.m. CET (1:30 a.m. PST). Regional unlocks follow that baseline.
- How long does it last? Phase II runs until December; the map unlock itself happens when the global goal is met.
- Is the update paid? North Line is a free content update.
- What happens to Merits after unlock? Merits fuel the Phase II progression track and its rewards.
North Line turns Stella Montis from a locked teaser into a real destination and ties that reveal to a visible, shared push. Gather the five materials, contribute early, and keep some Merits in reserve for Staking Our Claim once the tunnels open.
