NEW: Learn About the 2026 Roadmap!
S1: Forbidden Catalyst | The Great Rift
★ All Banners | Upcoming Banners
☆ New Characters: Chizuru | Itsuku
✪ Upcoming Characters: Sereniel
Tier Lists Pages: Character | Partner | Cards

This is a guide to the Forbidden Catalyst Season 1 update for Chaos Zero Nightmare (CZN). Learn about all the new features that will be added during the game's first seasonal content.
| New Content and Updates | |
|---|---|
| Forbidden Catalyst: Season 1 Updates | December 3 Patch Notes |
List of Contents
| Event | Event Duration |
|---|---|
Forbidden Catalyst |
12/3/2025 - 01/14/2026 |
Toward the First Light |
12/24/2025 - 01/14/2026 |
Memoir of the Ark Protection Bureau Chief |
12/24/2025 - 01/14/2026 |
| Event | Release Countdown |
|---|---|
Overdrive - Simulation |
12/31/2025 - 01/06/2026 |
Hello, 2026! |
01/01/2025 - 01/14/2026 |
Rei's Gift |
01/06/2026 - 01/20/2026 |
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Sereniel is added as the final character for season 1 phase 3. She's an instinct hunter that focuses on Ravage mechanic to regain AP and manipulate her cards for multiple usage.
Sereniel Character Cards and Potential Materials

Peko is added as the partner rate up for Season 1 phase 3 and is the designed partner for the combatant Sereniel.
Peko Partner Effect and Overview
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| Event Duration | December 24, 2025 - January 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
Complete missions get Hunter Combatant and Partner Materials alongside Sereniel's secrets in this event.
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| Event Duration | December 24, 2025 - January 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
Meet Guests that will visit the SS Nightmare to make a wish or meet the Protos and crew in this Aether spending event to get various rewards.
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| Event Duration | December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026 |
|---|---|
Earn double the amount of resources when clearing runs inside Simulations for a limited-time only.
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| Event Duration | Permanent |
|---|---|
If you are a returning player and are eligible, you can get various rewards by spending Aether!
Garden Cafe's Returnee Present Event
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| Event Duration | January 1, 2026 - January 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
Check-in for 7 days to receive a total of 10 Signal Amplification Rescue Anchors and 5 Rescue Anchors.
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| Event Duration | January 6, 2026 - January 20, 2026 |
|---|---|
Check-in for 7 days to receive a total of 10 Prism Lens that lets you pull for prismatic effects of the cards for your characters!
| Item | Purchase Limit | Cost |
|---|---|---|
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5x | Pure White Fragment x1,500 |
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5x | Pure White Fragment x1,500 |
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5x | Pure White Fragment x1,200 |
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1x | Pure White Fragment x4,000 |
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5x | Pure White Fragment x200 |
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1x | Pure White Fragment x4,000 |
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20x | Pure White Fragment x20 |
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20x | Pure White Fragment x20 |
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20x | Pure White Fragment x60 |
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200x | Pure White Fragment x30 |
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20x | Pure White Fragment x200 |
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200x | Pure White Fragment x10 |
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5x | Pure White Fragment x400 |
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10x | Pure White Fragment x200 |
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200x | Pure White Fragment x50 |
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100x | Pure White Fragment x50 |
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300x | Pure White Fragment x120 |
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150x | Pure White Fragment x120 |
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∞ | Pure White Fragment x400 |
The last batch of the supply store items has been added to the game. Use your accumulated Pure White Fragments to further bolster your resources using the seasonal shop.
The next part of the Forbidden Catalyst Mission will be added to the game. The story features Sereniel and the other upcoming combatant Narja and their involvement to the game's seasonal story.

The Great Rift's second content is added to the game. Face off against the new boss of the Great Rift which utilizes ravage mechanic while being weak to Void and Instinct.
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Chizuru, a Void Psionic combatant, and is set to arrive on December 3, after Yuki's rate-up banner. Chizuru specializes in single-target multi-Hits like Mei Lin.
Chizuru Cards and Potential Materials

Itsuku will be accompanying Chizuru as her partner, since her passive synergizes well with Chizuru's kit.
Phase 2 introduces new content for the Laboratory 0 Chaos area, including new Unidentified Areas that grant Fates as rewards, as well as a Hidden Boss that can be encountered based on your decisions during specific Unidentified Area events.
New Unidentified Areas can be found in Laboratory 0 that offer additional fates as rewards. Normally, fates can only be obtained at the beginning of each half of the Chaos. However, once acquired, these two new fates will stack with the fate you previously selected.

A Hidden Boss can now appear during your Laboratory 0 Chaos run, and you may encounter it depending on the choices you make when selecting different options during Unidentified Area events.
How to Reach Laboratory 0's Secret Boss
Phase 2 brings new updates to the Zero System/Codex game mode. Chaos runs within the Zero System will now include Dimensional Tunnels, an event previously exclusive to Laboratory 0. Completing this event makes your Save Data eligible for seasonal content, giving players more ways to obtain Seasonal Save Data without being limited to Laboratory 0 Chaos runs.

Sweet Dream, the second boss encountered during Laboratory 0 Chaos runs, will be available in the Nebula Distortion game mode of the Forbidden Catalyst starting December 9, 2025.

Phase 2 unlocks The Great Rift game mode, where players will try to earn as many points as possible, and aim for the top of the leaderboards! This game mode will have you form two teams and attempt to beat the same boss within a turn limit.

The Supply Store’s second supply will open during the second phase. This includes the Omega Code, which allows players to manifest a combatant’s Ego and obtain their Memory Code. Note that this only works for 5-star combatants you already own.

The Forbidden Catalyst’s Chapter 2, The Forbidden and the Seal, will become available during the second phase, continuing the story and unlocking more battle missions. From these battle missions, you can earn additional achievement rewards for each star obtained.
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| Combatant | Partner |
|---|---|
Yuki Banner |
Westmacott Banner |
Phase 1 features two new banners, Yuki’s and Westmacott’s, which will be available until December 3, before Season 1’s second phase goes live.

Yuki is featured as the first Combatant available to pull in Season 1’s Phase 1. She is an Order Striker who specializes in her Inspiration cards, which add effects when her Attack cards are drawn through an effect, excluding the natural five-card draw each turn.
Yuki Character Cards and Potential Materials

Westmacott is Yuki’s partner for Season 1 Phase 1, as she synergizes well with Yuki’s kit. Westmacott’s Ego Skill allows her to draw a card belonging to her assigned Combatant. Her passive increases the damage of drawn Attack cards by 50%, and also grants a 20% damage bonus to her assigned Combatant’s Inspiration cards.
Westmacott Partner Effect and Overview
Kentris and Family Head are the two bosses available in Nebula Distortion during Phase 1. Family Head was added at a later date, and both bosses will remain available until the end of Season 1’s Phase 3 along with Sweet Dream, which is a boss available in Phase 2. Activating distortions makes the fights more difficult, but also increases the rewards!
The first wave of items are available during Phase 1, which includes various growth materials for Strikers and Order combatants, as it is catered for Yuki's combatant growth. There is also a free Tear of God weekly, so make sure to claim them at least once a week!
The Forbidden Catalyst’s Chapter 1 becomes available during the 1st phase, introducing players to the Laboratory 0 Chaos area. Finishing Chapter 1 unlocks the Laboratory 0 content, where players can begin creating their Seasonal Save Data for the Forbidden Catalyst content.
The Laboratory 0 is the new Chaos Zone that will be added to the game right as the new season drops. This Chaos Zone will present its own roguelike events, new obtainable cards, equipment, and Destinies.
| Card | Details |
|---|---|
Forbidden: Gesture of Freedom
|
AP Cost: 0
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: 1 random card in hand, Cost -1
Tags: ・ Exhaust Exhaust When used, this card moves to the Exhaust pile |
Forbidden: Portrait of Fury
|
AP Cost: 1
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: 70% Damage x 1For every 4 cards in hand, +1 Hit Draw 1 for each Hit Tags: ・ Lead Lead At the start of the turn, 50% chance to reduce this card's cost by 1. Effect removed when another card is used. |
Forbidden: Ecstasy of Violence
|
AP Cost: 9
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: 150% Damage x 4 When drawing by ability, Cost of this card -1 Tags: ・ Retain Retain This card is not discarded at the end of the turn |
Forbidden: Guidance of Futility
|
AP Cost: 1
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: When drawn by an ability, Heal 40% and -1 Stress of a random Combatant
Tags: N/A |
Forbidden: Disposable Ego
|
AP Cost: 1
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: Draw 1, Draw for each Cost of that card
Tags: N/A |
Forbidden: Engraved Malice
|
AP Cost: 2
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: Draw 1Activate 2 random card(s) from hand Tags: ・ Lead Lead At the start of the turn, 50% chance to reduce this card's cost by 1. Effect removed when another card is used. |
Forbidden: Eternal Hunger
|
AP Cost: 0
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: Response: Draw 1, +1 AP
Tags: ・ Exhaust Exhaust When used, this card moves to the Exhaust pile ・ Retain Retain This card is not discarded at the end of the turn |
| Card | Details |
|---|---|
Aggressive Mutant
|
AP Cost: 0
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: Draw 1 own Attack Card(s)For 1 turn, +50% Damage Amount Tags: ・ Exhaust Exhaust When used, this card moves to the Exhaust pile |
Shell-Forming Cell
|
AP Cost: 0
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: 70% ShieldFor each card in hand, +25% Shield Tags: ・ Retain Retain This card is not discarded at the end of the turn |
Propagative Virus
|
AP Cost: 2
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: Damage 120% x 1Response: +1 hit (Max 5 stacks) Tags: N/A |
Muscle-Enhanced Evolver
|
AP Cost: 1
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: 80% x 2 DamageInspiration +2 hits Tags: N/A |
Self-Generating Experiment
|
AP Cost: 2
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: When there are 6 or more cards in hand, the cost of 1 random card in hand changes to 0 for 1 turn (1 time per turn )
Tags: ・ Lead Lead At the start of the turn, 50% chance to reduce this card's cost by 1. Effect removed when another card is used. |
Forced Learning Apparatus
|
AP Cost: 2
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: Upon using 4 cards, Draw 1 (1 time for each turn)
Tags: ・ Lead Lead At the start of the turn, 50% chance to reduce this card's cost by 1. Effect removed when another card is used. |
Confiscation
|
AP Cost: 0
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: Draw 1From Draw Pile or Discard Pile, move 1 random Forbidden Card(s) into hand Tags: N/A |
Forbidden Algorithm
|
AP Cost: 3
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: Create 1 random Forbidden Card(s) in hand
Tags: ・ Exhaust Exhaust When used, this card moves to the Exhaust pile ・ Lead Lead At the start of the turn, 50% chance to reduce this card's cost by 1. Effect removed when another card is used. |
HA-00
|
AP Cost: 2
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: 100% x 4 Damage to random enemiesTo targets hit, 1 Vulnerable or 1 Weaken Tags: N/A |
Hyper Regeneration
|
AP Cost: 1
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: At the start of next turn, Heal 300% 1 Vulnerable to self Tags: ・ Exhaust Exhaust When used, this card moves to the Exhaust pile |
| Card | Details |
|---|---|
Chilling Godfather
|
AP Cost: 0
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: Activate the bottom 1 card(s) of the Draw PileChoose 1 card(s) in hand and move them to the bottom of the Draw Pile Tags: N/A |
Hunger of Loss
|
AP Cost: 1
Type:
Attribute:
Effect: Draw 1If there are no cards in hand, Draw 4 extra Tags: ・ Exhaust Exhaust When used, this card moves to the Exhaust pile |
| Fate | Effect |
|---|---|
Control
|
Forbidden Catalyst equipment will appear as a reward for Elite Regions. (Next 2 times) |
Brainwash
|
Each time you Draw a card with your ability, +2% Damage Amount. |
Dream
|
Forbidden Catalyst Cards and equipment at the Dellang Shop are always discounted by 30%. |
Inference
|
Dimensional tunnel location revealed. |
Intolerance
|
Increase the chance of a Forbidden Catalyst Card appearing in Training by 50%. |
Regret
|
Each time you Draw a card with your ability, +1 Morale for 1 turn. |
Alrtuism
|
For every 3 cards Drawn with an ability, +1 AP. |
Self-Control
|
Upon Ravage, Draw 1 card. |
| Closure | Decrease Turn Draw by 1.^ At the start of the turn, draw 1 Attack Card and increase its Damage Amount by 20% until used. |
| Liberation | At the start of the battle, create 2 Ambush Attack Cards. |
| Equipment | Effect |
|---|---|
Chimeranite
|
When you Draw by an ability, +35% Damage amount to your own Attack Card(s) for 1 turn (Max 1 time per turn) |
Replica Core
|
When drawing your own Attack Card by an ability, that card +50% Damage Amount for 1 turn |
Mutagenic Wave Amplifier
|
When Drawing a Status Ailment or Curse Card, +12% Damage Amount for 1 turn |
W-52 Dopamine Injector
|
When Drawn with ability, increase Damage Amount by 20% for 1 turn (2 times per turn) |
Mutant Predator Spike
|
When there are 4 or more cards in hand, increase Damage Amount by 30% |
| Rocket-Adorned Cape | At the start of the battle, 1 Damage Reduction and Draw 1 |
| Wings of Freedom | When hit, +10% Damage Amount (Max 3 stacks) |
Emblem of an Exceptional Entity
|
+30% Damage Amount. Stress received becomes 0 (1 for each battle) |
Source of the Forbidden
|
When hit, inflict 1 random effects among Vulnerable, Weaken, or Impair to the attacker (3 times per turn) |
Unconfirmed Recovery Ampule
|
When an ally uses a Forbidden Card, Recover 3% of Max HP, 80% Fixed Shield |
Superconductive Protein
|
At the start of the battle, change the cost of 1 card in your hand to 0 for 1 turn |
Overcurrent Shock Unit
|
When you Draw by an ability, 50% Fixed Damage to a random enemy |
Brainwave-Blocking Helmet
|
When you Draw by an ability, +40% Fixed Shield |
Incomplete Carapace
|
At the end of the turn, if you have 3 or more Cards in hand, +140% Fixed Shield |
Hyperimmunity Hormone
|
When you Draw by an ability, +25% Shield gain for 1 turn (Max 2 times per turn) |
Administrator ID Badge
|
At the start of the battle, 1 Evade |
Nerve Hacking Module
|
When an ally uses a Forbidden Card, +20% Damage amount and +20% Shield gain for 1 turn (Max 2 times per battle) |

Nebula Distortion will let you challenge bosses that you have already faced in other game modes. However, this mode will let you add modifiers called distortions and stack them atop each other to grant bosses additional buffs and challenges. This will push your deck-building, team composition, and strategies in exchange for rewards for besting bosses you yourself have created.
The first boss will be Kentris, the first boss on Blue Pot, followed by Family Head, the first boss of City of Mist, and Sweet Dream, the Interior boss of City of Mist, 4 weeks after.
Each boss that will be present on the Nebula Distortion will follow the same boss mechanics that they do on your regular encounters against them during your Chaos runs. The only modifiers they will have are the distortion effects you choose to have during your runs.
The Great Rift will let you form 2 parties and will also use your existing save data to challenge the boss of the Great Rift stage. The battle will have obtainable bonus effects during the fight, and your goal is to deal as much damage as possible during the given turns.
The Great Rift will have cumulative rewards for repeated attempts as well as a main reward based on the highest score achieved.
If you're having issues with creating your deck and team composition for the challenge, the game mode will have a leaderboard that will let you see the highest performer's setups and team members, and be able to follow or use their strategies as a reference for your own runs.

Aside from actual new content, there will also be a new supply store tab for the season's Pure White Fragment currency. This will let you spend the seasonal currency to buy items such as Rescue Anchors, Signal Amplification Anchors, Potential Materials, and the Omega Code that will let you get a Manifest Ego for a 5 star character of your choice.

The new season's content will also feature its own story mission that will highlight the events of the Forbidden Catalyst seasonal story content. The story will revolve around a cooperation request from Terrascion to the Arkhianon due to a problem from the Protos sent by the empire.
The story will primarily revolve around Yuki as well as the other characters appearing for the next banner, such as Chizuru and Sereniel.
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Each Captain Level you reach will now provide more rewards. These additional rewards include Promotion and Potential materials, making it somewhat easier to upgrade your team. All rewards from claimed levels will be sent straight to your Mail.
The Policy System will also introduce rewards when choosing a policy. This adds an additional factor when deciding policies, instead of relying solely on numerical values.

There will be improvements to the Save Data System such as easier identification of storable Save Data and more in-game information. This change makes the sytem easier to understand for players.
For the Zero System, the Unit cost of Codex Merging will be reduced by 20%. This cost reduction makes it easier for players to take on more difficult Chaos levels. In addition, a future update will implement a system that grants one free merge a day.

Changes will be added in the first update to make progressing Affinity easier. These changes include reduced Affinity requirements for Growth Guide missions, increased chances of obtaining gifts during Excursions, and additional gifts in the Shop. The Affinity required to obtain Petit Stickers will also be reduced from Level 20 to Level 7.
A Messenger System will also be added to the game in December, which includes special Combatant stories.There will also be a Preferred Gift system, which will make it easier to further bond with your preferred Combatants.
Affinity Guide: How to Increase Friendship Bond

The Memory Fragment display will be improved to make managing your fragments easier and faster. Labels will also be added to the Memory Fragment icons to make them easier to distinguish from each other.

Lastly, 2 separate rewards were sent to players' Mail to commemorate the Developer Note and Developer Commentary on November 8, 2025. Sent rewards include 600 Crystals and 200,000 Units. Make sure to claim your rewards in the Mail before it expires on November 14, 2025.

The Forbidden Catalyst Season 1 Phase 2 update was released on December 3. The current phase, Season 1 Phase 2, will last for three weeks and end on December 24, after which the third phase will begin. Most of the seasonal content will also be added to the game as permanent features, including the Laboratory Chaos Zone along with its cards and destinies.

| Season 1 News and Details | |
|---|---|
| Upcoming Changes | |
| Season 1 New Content | |
| Nebula Distortion Guide | The Great Rift Guide |
| Supply Store Items | All Forbidden Cards |
| Laboratory 0 (New Chaos) | |
| Phase 3 New Characters | |
|---|---|
| Phase 2 Banners | |
Sereniel Rate-Up Banner |
Peko Rate-Up Banner |
| Phase 2 New Characters | |
|---|---|
| Phase 2 Banners | |
Chizuru Rate-Up Banner
|
Itsuku Rate-Up Banner |
| Phase 1 New Characters | |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 Banners | |
Yuki Rate-Up Banner
|
Westmacott Rate-Up Banner |
| Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 November 12-December 2, 2025 |
•
• New Chaos: Laboratory 0 • New Game Modes: Nebula Distortion • Phase 1 Items in the Supply Store ㄴ Use
• Forbidden Cards • New Equipment • New Neutral Cards • New Fates • Chapter 1 Forbidden Catalyst Story |
| Phase 2 December 03, 2025-December 23 2025 |
•
•
• New Game Modes: Great Rift • Phase 2 Items in the Supply Store ㄴ New Material:
• Core of Discord: New Secret Boss • Chapter 2 Forbidden Catalyst Story |
| Phase 3 December 24, 2025 - January 14, 2025 |
•
•
• Phase 3 Items in the Supply Store • Chapter 3 Forbidden Catalyst Story |

Season 1 Update: Forbidden Catalyst

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