Featured Article
This article has been recognized for its exceptional quality and comprehensive coverage.
How to access multiplayer
Multiplayer unlocks after completing Chapter 1, Episode 1 of the main story. Players access co-op through the mission board at the Mercenary Headquarters in Colhen. The matchmaking system assembles parties for Special Missions. Dedicated co-op boss encounters separate from the single-player story.
Special Missions
Special Missions pit a party of up to four players against a boss encounter with a 30-minute time limit. These are standalone boss fights designed for group play, not story missions.
During the June 2025 alpha test, two Special Mission bosses were available: the White Tyrant and the Blood Lord. The White Tyrant was defeated 351,000+ times. The Blood Lord was tougher at 154,000+ defeats.
Quest | Details |
|---|---|
Party size | Up to 4 players |
Time limit | 30 minutes per mission |
Difficulty | Fixed, does not adjust. Both solo (with follower) and 4-player variants exist |
Matchmaking | Mission begins once 4 players join the lobby |
Mid-mission joining | Not allowed. If a player disconnects, they cannot rejoin |
Revival mechanics
Each player has 2 revives per Special Mission. Downed players auto-revive after a delay but can be revived faster by a teammate. Revives restore full health but do not replenish potions or consumables.
The mission fails if all players are downed simultaneously or all individual revives are exhausted. The limited revive count creates real stakes. Dying early is costly because you might need those revives in the final phase.
Combat changes in multiplayer
Two major combat system features are disabled in multiplayer: the Stagger Gauge is hidden, and Fatal Actions cannot be triggered. This fundamentally changes the combat loop. Without Fatal Actions as a damage payoff for stagger management, sustained DPS through normal combos and Active Skills becomes the priority. Difficulty does not scale down if players leave or disconnect. The remaining players must finish at full difficulty with fewer people.
Rewards and loot
Special Missions reward weapon Blueprints, rare upgrade materials (Burning Crystal of Eternity, Tempestuous Orb of Origins, etc.), Hanner, and crafting resources. Leaving or failing a mission forfeits all rewards. There is no partial loot for getting a boss to half health. This is an all-or-nothing system.
Solo Special Missions
Special Missions can be attempted solo with an AI follower. The follower draws aggro, deals damage, and revives automatically when downed. Solo difficulty is the same as multiplayer. The game does not adjust boss health or damage for fewer players. This makes solo Special Missions significantly harder than group runs.
Why single-player focus
Game director Dongseok Oh explained two reasons for making the game primarily single-player. First, multiplayer settings weaken narrative immersion. Having three other player characters in cutscenes dilutes the storytelling. Second, combat balance and visual clarity suffer when four characters perform flashy abilities simultaneously. The team wanted a focused experience where you can actually see and react to what's happening.
During the November 2025 Discord AMA, the team emphasized that Defying Fate is non-competitive, "everyone will be able to comfortably play at their own pace." There is no rushing players or gear-check gating.