January 7th marks the rendezvous with Grandis! The new character Lian debuts in the Chinese server of MapleStory.

Today, MapleStory rolls out the “Lian Alliance” update, bringing the well-loved new character “Moonlight Swordsman Lian” into Grandis’ territory. Her iconic white hair and rabbit ear look, together with strong combat potential, have earned her huge anticipation even before release, with pre-registrations surpassing 200,000. Multiple reservation rewards and development support events are also unlocked alongside the update, inviting all islanders to embark on a new adventure chapter together.

A brilliant fusion of Eastern aesthetics and top-tier combat power

The new class Lian’s design is rich with traditional Eastern charm, featuring striking silver hair and vivid red eyes, embodying both the sharpness of a swordsman and the charm of a young girl. Her background story centers on themes of “protection” and “healing.”

In combat, Lian’s damage output is among the best. She pioneers a dual-sword system with “Plum Blossom Sword as main damage and Soul Sword triggering passives.” Her signature skill, “Azure Dragon Sky-Splitting Sword,” combines the power of both swords to unleash devastating damage. From second job advancement, she can consistently deal damage, and at fourth job, skills like “Thousand Plum Branch Bind” and “Infinite Calamity” perfectly blend impressive visual effects with combat strength. Without complicated skill switching, she can stack multiple damage effects smoothly, boasting high potential and easy control even for beginners, enabling quick progress in challenges.

“Beloved daughter” treatment sparks great anticipation

Earlier, MapleStory hosted a “Water Moon Blooming Lian” cruise launch event aboard the “Yunjin Princess” on Shanghai’s Huangpu River. This exclusive event confirmed Lian’s status as MapleStory’s “beloved daughter,” with core members from the Chinese and Korean development teams attending in person, sharing generous reveals that greatly excited players.

The event also invited professional cosplayers who recreated many iconic game characters live. Popular streamer FireLine appeared stunningly in Lian’s cosplay, bringing the virtual character to life and instantly elevating the atmosphere. Every attendee received exclusive “Water Moon Blooming Lian Guzi Outfit” merchandise and other gifts.

Co-creating the ecosystem breathes new life into the character

Lian’s immense popularity has sparked a vibrant wave of player-driven creative works, widely shared across social platforms, giving the character a more vivid presence. The cosplay community has also embraced Lian enthusiastically, with experts meticulously crafting detailed replicas of her look.

Artists in the hand-drawn domain have portrayed Lian’s swordsman image with delicate strokes, enriching the wandering swordsman’s persona. These player-initiated creations not only expand the new class’s influence but also deepen the emotional connection between players and the game IP.

Low barriers to development make starting the adventure easy

To help players quickly master the new class Lian, the developers have greatly lowered the growth threshold. Currently logging in players can claim powerful rewards like 18-star tickets and character cards. By entering the exclusive code “Water Moon Blooming Lian Early New Year,” they can also redeem practical items such as Superior Growth Elixirs, VIP Accelerators, and Eternal Excellence Cubes to support their progress.

From today until the end of March, the exclusive “Swordsman’s Journey” event for the character Lian begins. Players who complete weekly tasks and stepwise advancement challenges will receive abundant growth materials to speed up leveling. The new update also features comprehensive system optimizations, including added one-click buff functions, enhanced cross-server team experiences, unified weekly content reset times, and a new option to skip class storylines, greatly improving user convenience and ensuring both new and veteran players can enjoy the adventure effortlessly.

Starting now, the new “Lian Alliance” update is officially live, inviting all adventurers to create their own Lian character and embark on an extraordinary journey across the continent of Grandis!