By Sickr on December 16, 2025

The fast and frenetic Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is set to be updated to Version 1.0,3 on 18th December and it looks set to be another meaty update. Sadly, there aren't any new playable characters, but there's a new difficulty mode along with new challenges and a host of other improvements, so those that have already cleared the game might want to jump back in. It should be noted that the patch notes have been roughly translated from Japanese, so some words in English might be translated incorrectly.

Phantom Mode:

"Phantom Mode" is a new feature that randomly occurs in battles that have already been cleared.
In battles where "Phantom Mode" occurs, some of the enemies that appear will change into "Dangerous Species" or "Miasma Enemies," and there is a chance that "Phantom Ganon" will appear when a strong enemy is defeated. Compared to normal battles, you can obtain more "High-Purity Zonanium Steel."

Difficulty level "Taboo":

In the new difficulty level "Taboo," you can experience high-difficulty battles that are even more tense than "Very Hard."
By clearing a certain number of battles in "Taboo," you will receive special rewards such as "High-Purity Zonanium Steel" and "Increased Carry Limit for Special Food."

Adding new challenges:

Following the first free update, the second update will also add multiple "Battle Challenges" and "Hyrule Challenges" to the Hyrule map after clearing the main story. Lizalfos and Chuchu will appear as new "dangerous species." Additionally, the "Training Hall" on Sky Island will be unlocked, allowing players to activate Sync Strikes by entering the "Training Hall" with two other players.

New unique skills added:

New unique skills will be added to the Mysterious Golem for the One-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Sword, and Spear. The One-Handed Sword's unique skill, "Shield Charge," allows you to step forward with your shield ready to ward off dangerous attacks from charging enemies. Additionally, by timing this skill with an enemy attack, you can unleash a powerful spinning slash.
You can learn it by completing the "Battle Challenge" and "Hyrule Challenge" that will be added in this update.

New weapons added:

The Forbidden Sword, a one-handed sword whose blade has been tainted by miasma and transformed into a sinister blade, has been added. It can be equipped by Mysterious Golems and warriors of all races.
You can obtain it by clearing the battles added in this update.

In addition to the above, the following new battles will be added:

"Battles focused on warriors"
"A deadly battle with a certain formidable enemy"

Functionality improvements:

The "Tweet Challenge" that requires a Sync Strike has been changed so that it can be completed by the character not in control when the Sync Strike is activated.
You can now exit the "Special Conversation" in the gallery by pressing the [B] button.
Adjusted the conditions and frequency for displaying tutorials for evasion and guarding
When Zonanium Steel is at its possession limit, the following weapon strengthening functions can now be used at the end of battle: "Max Blacksmith" and "Erase engraving"

Bug fixes - Fixed several issues, including:

When setting the material for "Electric Zalfos" in the material sensor, the battle "Desert Desert Demon" in which "Electric Zalfos" does not appear also reacts.
After clearing all the battles displayed, you may need to clear several more battles before the battle challenge "Sword Flashing in the Desert" appears.
When playing split-screen 2P, attack sounds from the 2P side may not be heard.
If you register the materials required for "Secret Ability Release" in the "Sensor," you can only unregister them from the "Material Items" screen in the menu.