- Class Debut: The Thornweaver joined as the fifth rider class, introducing nature-based crowd control and defensive “Verdant Bulwark” mechanics that defined the Season 2 competitive landscape.
- Map Evolution: Eilean Càirn debuted as a nature-reclaimed overhaul of Hūnavatn Lake, specifically designed to leverage the Thornweaver’s wall-building and high-speed chase capabilities.
- 2026 Retrospective: Originally priced at 20,000 Iron Coins, the Thornweaver is now categorized as a middle-tier legacy class, frequently bundled in “Starter Collections” for modern 2026 players.
Looking back from the vantage point of 2026, the March 22, 2023, release of Update 1.22 for Century: Age of Ashes stands as a pivotal moment in the title’s history. It wasn’t just a patch; it was the birth of Season 2, “The Fate of Dragons,” which fundamentally shifted the tactical aerial combat of the era. While modern meta-analysis like the Marathon Update 1.025 Patch Notes: Summer 2026 Meta Analysis shows how hero-shooters have since embraced high-mobility utility, the Thornweaver’s introduction in 2023 was the first time Century players had to contend with physical terrain manipulation via the Bramble Wall.
The Thornweaver: A Legacy Class in the 2026 Meta
In 2023, the Thornweaver was a revolutionary addition—the fifth class to join the roster. Clad in bark-like armor and bonded with the Vinedrake species, these riders were designed for area denial and sustainability. In today’s 2026 competitive environment, the Thornweaver has settled into a “middle-tier legacy” role. While it lacks the sheer burst damage of newer 2025/2026 archetypes, its defensive utility remains a staple in objective-based modes.
Archival Ability Breakdown:
- Numbing Retaliation (Passive): Slows enemies upon taking damage—essential for surviving the dive-heavy metas of early 2023.
- Verdant Bulwark (Power): A damage-reduction stance that could be detonated to release poisonous spikes.
- Bramble Wall (Ability): The signature move that allowed riders to physically block tunnels in Eilean Càirn.
Eilean Càirn and Map Mastery
Update 1.22 introduced Eilean Càirn, a reimagining of the Hūnavatn Lake map. For the players of 2023, this provided a hunting ground filled with overgrown vegetation and tight corridors. This map was a masterclass in environmental storytelling, showcasing the “Blooming Ritual” lore through its aesthetic design. While newer maps in the 2026 cycle offer more verticality, Eilean Càirn is still remembered for its “air flow boosts” that rewarded high-skill pathing.
| Feature | 2023 Context (Launch) | 2026 Context (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Thornweaver Cost | 800 Gems / 20k Iron Coins | Legacy Bundle / Starter Pack |
| Lore Progression | 8 Tomes (In-Progress) | Fully Archived (The Narairim Arc) |
| Max Level | Season 2 Dragon Pass (70 Levels) | Vaulted (S2 Rewards in Legacy Store) |
Lore Continuity: From 2023 to the Present
The story arc introduced in March 2023 focused on the collision between the peaceful forest civilizations and the dissidents of the Narairim Trench. In 2023, this was an unfolding mystery delivered across eight tomes. By 2026, this storyline has long since concluded, paving the way for the “World-Eater” events that currently dominate the Century narrative. Reading these old patch notes serves as a reminder of how the “sacred balance” between humans and dragons was first challenged.
While newer entries in the genre, such as Dying Light Update 1.51 Patch Notes: 2026 Meta & PS6 Guide, focus on hardware-specific optimizations for the latest consoles, the 1.22 update was about foundation building. It introduced a reworked Rage system and HUD improvements that remained the standard for several years.
“Dragons and humans maintain a sacred balance, woven centuries ago. But it only takes a spark to light a fire…”
For those looking to relive the original launch hype, the official developer notes from 2023 detail the exact balance changes made to movement speed and braking systems that defined the “stiff” vs. “fluid” control debate of that era. As we continue to track updates like the Call of Duty Black Ops 2 Update 1.005 Patch Notes (2026), the historical significance of Century’s second season remains a fascinating study in live-service evolution.
