You’ve seen the ads. Everyone has. But the recent Raid Shadow Legends update—the one that actually kicked off 2026—is a weirdly big deal for anyone who hasn’t checked their inbox in a few weeks. It isn't just another batch of champions with slightly higher numbers. We’re talking about a massive Assassin’s Creed crossover and a whole new faction called the Argonites.
Honestly, people usually roll their eyes at crossovers. They feel like a cash grab. But the introduction of Kassandra as a "Mixed Fusion" event champion is shaking things up because she’s effectively the face of the Argonites. This is the 16th faction in Teleria. It’s a lot to keep track of.
The Argonites and the Assassin’s Creed Factor
Plarium didn't just drop one champion. They dropped an entire lore expansion. The Argonites are the newest addition to the Nyresan Union, joining the ranks of the Dwarves and Sylvan Watchers. If you’ve been ignoring your faction crypts, this is your wake-up call. You can't just ignore a new faction anymore; not when they come out swinging with kits like Kassandra’s.
Kassandra is a Magic-affinity Legendary ATK champion. Her kit is basically built to be a nuisance in PvP. She has this skill, "Everything Is Permitted," that triggers a massive bonus hit when enemies fall below 25% HP. It ignores all DEF. That’s scary.
Most people are debating if she’s worth the resources. If you’re mid-game, you might feel like skipping. Don't. Even if her kit seems "niche," she’s the first of her kind. Being the only Argonite for a while means she’s your only ticket to making any headway in the Argonite Faction Wars when that eventually opens up.
The Grim Forest and the Roguelite Shift
There’s a new mode that’s been flying under the radar: Grim Forest. It’s basically a roguelite dungeon unlocked at level 55. If you’re tired of the same old "press auto and walk away" gameplay, this is for you. It uses something called Distorted Energy.
You enter with a deck of champions—10 for Normal, 20 for Hard. The twist? The game only pulls a few of them for each stage. You might have your best nuker, but if the game doesn't "draw" them, you have to survive with your supports. It’s chaotic. It’s also incredibly rewarding if you’re looking for Mercurial gear or Mythic accessories.
Why People are Frustrated
Some players are calling the start of 2026 a bit of a "bait" season. This week, specifically around January 13th, there are Progressive Chance events. You’ll see icons for Acelin the Stalwart or Losan K’Leth.
The community on Reddit is pretty split. Veteran players are saying "skip" because a Summon Rush for the fusion is right around the corner. If you blow your shards now on a 15x chance, you might not have enough to finish the Kassandra fusion.
Manage your shards. It’s the oldest rule in the book, but with these new 2026 updates, it’s more important than ever. Plarium is getting much better at dangling "almost" great champions in front of you right before a guaranteed event.
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What’s Actually Changing in Siege?
Siege mode got a facelift too. For the longest time, clans were "tanking"—intentionally losing to stay in lower tiers and farm easy wins. It was annoying. Now, if you’re in Tier 7 or 8, you have to maintain at least 5,000 points. If you don't? You’re out.
They also added a matchmaking cooldown. You won’t have to fight the same powerhouse clan two weeks in a row anymore. That variety is a breath of fresh air for smaller clans trying to grow.
Looking Forward: Old Fusions Return
The biggest rumor that actually turned out to be true is the return of old fusions. Plarium confirmed that in 2026, we’ll see events that allow players to pick up champions they missed years ago. Think about the people who missed Tormin or Ultimate Deathknight. Those gaps in a roster can be soul-crushing.
This isn't just a rerun, though. It’s part of a new event structure where the game checks what you don’t have. It’s a smarter way to handle a game that’s getting increasingly crowded with hundreds of champions.
Actionable Next Steps for Teleria
Stop hoarding and start planning. If you want to stay relevant in the current Raid Shadow Legends update cycle, here is what you need to do:
- Prioritize the Kassandra Fusion: Even if you aren't an Assassin's Creed fan, she is the cornerstone of a brand new faction. You’ll regret not having her when the Argonite crypt opens.
- Watch the Shard Calendar: Do not pull for Progressive Chance events this week unless you are already "at mercy" for a legendary. Save those shards for the Summon Rush on January 15th.
- Build a Deep Roster for Grim Forest: Focus on versatile supports like Uugo or Scyl of the Drakes. Since you can't guarantee which champion the game "draws" in Grim Forest, having a bench of 20 solid units is better than having 5 "god-tier" ones.
- Check Clan Participation: If you’re a clan leader, use the new scroll counters in Siege. It’s the easiest way to see who is actually contributing and who is just collecting rewards.
The game is changing. It's becoming less about having one "perfect" team and more about managing a massive, diverse army. Stay smart with your gems, keep an eye on the Argonite expansion, and don't let the "bait" banners drain your resources before the real events hit.