Black Desert Active Players

Live Steam player count and statistics for Black Desert

Current Players

21.6K

21,554 playing now

24h Peak

22.5K

22,469 peak today

All-Time Peak

60.4K

60,395 record

Steam Rank

#84

Most played games

Last updated: 1/9/2026, 9:51:38 PM

Black Desert Update: Snowboard Showdown and Seraph Illuminate the Adventure

As we approach the end of 2025, Black Desert continues to captivate its dedicated player base with exciting new content and events. With a current average player count of 18,859, the game remains a vibrant and evolving MMORPG, offering fresh experiences for veterans and newcomers alike. The latest updates introduce two major highlights: the adrenaline-pumping Snowboard Showdown event and the arrival of the new class, Seraph. Both updates promise to enrich gameplay, provide rewarding challenges, and keep the Black Desert community engaged well into the new year.

Snowboard Showdown: Hit the Slopes in Style

On December 24th, Black Desert launched the highly anticipated Snowboard Showdown, a seasonal event that brings a thrilling winter sports twist to the game. Players can now test their skills on the Snowfall Crasher with three unique modes: Speed, Jump, and Score. The pre-season runs until the December 31st maintenance, giving adventurers ample time to master the mechanics and prepare for the upcoming ranked competition.

The Snowboard Showdown event is designed to be accessible yet challenging. To participate, players must have at least one character at level 60 or higher in their Family and have completed the “Seal of the Black Sun” knowledge entry, which is unlocked after finishing the Apocalyptic Prophecy main quest. Once these prerequisites are met, players can accept the quest "In Search of the Snowfall Crasher!" from the Black Spirit and seek out Lando at the Snowfall Crasher location.

Completing the initial quest rewards players with 300 Snowfall Crasher Seals and 30 Splat Fisher’s Fishing Rods, useful items that enhance gameplay beyond the event itself. Following this, players can engage with the Snowfall Crasher Helper, Lando, to begin the "Snowfall Crasher Snowboard Challenge" quest. This quest introduces the three snowboard modes, each offering distinct gameplay experiences:

  • Speed: Race through the course aiming to finish under 160 seconds.
  • Jump: Perform tricks and land with precision to rack up points.
  • Score: Combine speed and trick execution to maximize your score.

Players can interact with NPCs Axel, Annika, and Bjarne to learn the ins and outs of each mode, ensuring they are well-prepared for the competitive season. The pre-season records will be wiped once the regular season begins on December 31st, setting the stage for a fresh start and intense competition. Additionally, all related quests remain available until the January 21, 2026 maintenance, giving players plenty of time to engage with the event.

Rewards during the pre-season include the Classic Snowboard (7 Days) and more Snowfall Crasher Seals, which can be exchanged for various in-game items. The event also features a lively atmosphere with snowboard pros visiting the Snowfall Crasher, adding depth and immersion to the winter sports theme. Whether you’re a seasoned Black Desert adventurer or a newcomer looking for a fun diversion, the Snowboard Showdown offers an exciting new way to experience the game world.

Seraph Class Arrives: Illuminate Your Path to Glory

Just a week prior, on December 18th, Black Desert introduced the Seraph class, a radiant new addition that promises to shake up combat dynamics and character progression. Alongside Seraph’s arrival, the update brought a host of supporting features, including up to three additional character slots and a Season Character Ticket, allowing players to expand their roster and dive into the new class with ease.

Seraph is designed to be a versatile and powerful class, equipped with unique skills and abilities that emphasize both offense and support. Players leveling up their Seraph character can participate in the Seraph Challenges, which reward milestone achievements with valuable items such as 2,000 Iudicium et Purgatum Cron Stones, Mercenary’s Experience buffs, and the Divine Blessing of Valor and Life. These rewards are claimable once per Family, encouraging players to invest in their new class while enjoying meaningful progression bonuses.

The update also revamped the Season Pass system, streamlining the growth experience for Season Characters. The Season Pass now offers enhanced support through Seals, enhancement materials, and other valuable items that facilitate faster leveling and gear progression. Notably, the Seal of Journey exchange list has been refreshed, providing new options for players to customize their advancement.

Season Characters benefit from hyper-growth mechanics, allowing them to quickly reach higher levels and access powerful Tuvala gear. The update highlights key rewards such as Black Stones, Concentrated Magical Black Stones, and PEN (V) Tuvala Rings and Earrings, which are essential for endgame gearing. Additionally, a special login event, the Calpheon Ball Login Rewards, runs from December 19th through February 25th, 2026, offering 21 days of exclusive items including 10,000 Cron Stones and various support materials.

For players eager to explore the new class and maximize their growth, the Season Pass provides a robust support system that complements the Seraph’s unique playstyle. Whether you prefer solo adventuring or group content, Seraph’s arrival adds a fresh layer of excitement and strategic depth to Black Desert’s combat landscape.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect in Black Desert

With the Snowboard Showdown and Seraph updates, Black Desert has demonstrated its commitment to delivering diverse content that appeals to a broad range of players. The winter-themed Snowboard event injects fun and competitive spirit into the game world, while the Seraph class and Season Pass enhancements offer long-term growth and progression opportunities.

As the regular season for Snowboard Showdown kicks off on December 31st, players can look forward to intense races and leaderboard battles that test their skill and precision. Meanwhile, the Seraph class invites players to explore new combat strategies and enjoy the streamlined Season Pass benefits throughout early 2026.

Whether you’re carving down snowy slopes or wielding the radiant power of Seraph, Black Desert continues to provide a rich and evolving MMORPG experience. Stay tuned for more updates and events as the game marches into the new year, keeping its community engaged and entertained.