Neverness to Everness Version 1.4, titled For Whom the Verses Mourn, launches on September 30, 2026. This time, there is no need to rely on early roadmap leaks: the Version 1.4 Preview Special Program officially confirmed Blackbird and Akane Rin as the two new limited S-Class characters, with Lacrimosa returning alongside Blackbird in the first half. Players following the full rotation can also check the Neverness to Everness banner schedule for current and upcoming Limited Boards.
What Is the NTE Version 1.4 Banner Schedule?
Version 1.4 begins on September 30, 2026, and the preview confirmed that both halves of the update last 21 days. Blackbird and Lacrimosa headline the first half, while Akane Rin takes over in the second half. That puts the phase change on October 21, with Version 1.4 running through November 11, 2026.
| Banner Phase | Date | Limited Board | Featured Character | Esper Attribute | Arc Research Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | September 30 – October 21, 2026 | Foretold Finale | Blackbird | Psyche | Roostfeather Special |
| Phase 1 | September 30 – October 21, 2026 | Fading Reverie | Lacrimosa (Rerun) | Returning Character | Nocturne Special |
| Phase 2 | October 21 – November 11, 2026 | Dazzling Star | Akane Rin | Lakshana | Celestial Special |
The three Limited Boards also use shared progression for their main character pull system, so players moving between the active banners do not need to treat each board as a completely separate pity track. Skin Perks are different: their progress is tracked separately for each board. Lacrimosa's Skin Perks event will also return together with her rerun.
Which New Characters Are Debuting in Version 1.4?
Phase 1: Blackbird Leads Foretold Finale
Blackbird is now officially confirmed as a limited S-Class Psyche Esper in the first half of Version 1.4. Her combat trait is Instant Cycle, and her kit uses her Chain Cage to deal Psyche DMG while applying Forsaken Feather marks. Damage dealt by another active teammate to a marked enemy can trigger a coordinated Forsaken Bird attack, giving her more going on than simply staying on field and attacking.
Her Ultimate, Requies Animarum, transforms her into the Witch of Deliverance, deals heavy Psyche DMG, and temporarily increases the team's ATK. While transformed, Blackbird gains a different Basic Attack chain and access to additional attacks such as Bestowed Grace, Tidings Unto All, and Flames of Deliverance. That makes the final version of her rotations and team setup worth watching once players can test the full kit in live combat.
Phase 2: Akane Rin Takes the Stage
Akane Rin arrives in the second half through the Dazzling Star Limited Board. She is officially confirmed as a limited S-Class Lakshana Esper and fights with her electric guitar, firing high-speed sound blades that let her work from mid-to-long range. Her Basic Attack can chain up to four hits and generates String Energy as she attacks.
Akane's Redirect Skill applies an Overtone to a target. Her Basic Attacks can then channel through that Overtone from a distance for increased damage, while her Empowered Skill can detonate it for a much larger single-target hit. Once her Ultimate gauge is full, Sonic Boom! puts her into a special combat state after an opening burst of damage.
Who Is Rerunning in NTE Version 1.4?
Lacrimosa Returns in Phase 1
Lacrimosa is the confirmed Version 1.4 rerun character, returning in the first half through the Fading Reverie Limited Board. Her rerun runs alongside Blackbird rather than replacing the new-character banner, so players will have two limited character choices during Phase 1. Her associated Nocturne Special Arc Research Program also returns during the same half.
Lacrimosa's Skin Perks event is returning as well. Keep in mind that although the main Limited Board pull progression is shared across the active character boards, Skin Perks counts are handled separately. If cosmetics are part of your pull plan, check which board you are rolling on rather than assuming those counters move together.
What Arc Research Programs Are Coming in Version 1.4?
The preview did more than reveal the characters. It also confirmed three Special Issue Arc Research Programs tied to the Version 1.4 rotation. Blackbird's Roostfeather Special and Lacrimosa's returning Nocturne Special run in the first half, followed by Akane Rin's Celestial Special in the second half.
| Phase | Arc Research Program | Associated Character | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Roostfeather Special | Blackbird | Until October 21, 2026 |
| Phase 1 | Nocturne Special | Lacrimosa | Until October 21, 2026 |
| Phase 2 | Celestial Special | Akane Rin | October 21 – November 11, 2026 |
Pull counts and guaranteed drop thresholds are shared across the active Special Issue Arc Research Programs. That is useful if you start pulling for an Arc in the first half but decide not to finish before the rotation changes. The preview did not provide full Arc stat sheets or enough live testing information to make a final weapon-value comparison yet.
Should You Pull Blackbird, Akane Rin, or Lacrimosa?
Version 1.4 is much easier to plan for now that the lineup and basic kits are official, but a final meta verdict still needs live testing. Blackbird brings Psyche damage, coordinated attacks, a transformation state, and a temporary team ATK buff, while Akane Rin focuses on ranged Lakshana attacks and her Overtone mechanic. Those are meaningful kit details, but numbers, rotations, team requirements, and Arc dependence will matter just as much once the update actually goes live.
- Blackbird: Worth watching if you want a new Psyche option or like her Instant Cycle playstyle. Her coordinated attacks and Witch of Deliverance form give her several ways to contribute damage, but it is still better to wait for real rotation testing before judging how demanding her teams are.
- Akane Rin: Her ranged guitar attacks and Overtone detonation give her a much clearer combat identity than the early leaks suggested. Players interested in Lakshana teams should have more useful information once her full numbers and live rotations are available in Phase 2.
- Lacrimosa: Unlike the two new characters, she is a rerun, so existing players can judge her using an already established kit. Whether she makes more sense than Blackbird will depend mainly on what your current roster is missing.
- Planning for Both Phases: The shared Limited Board pull progression makes it easier to change plans between active banners. You still need to budget carefully, though, especially if you are also considering one of the Version 1.4 Arc Research Programs.
For F2P and low-spending accounts, there is little reason to lock in every pull before Version 1.4 starts. Blackbird arrives first, giving players time to see how her full kit performs before Akane Rin's second-half board opens. If you later decide to add more currency for one of the banners, the Neverness to Everness top-up page is available as another option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When will Neverness to Everness Version 1.4 release?
Neverness to Everness Version 1.4 launches on September 30, 2026. The update is titled For Whom the Verses Mourn. Both halves of Version 1.4 last 21 days, taking the overall banner cycle through November 11, 2026.
What are the NTE Version 1.4 banners?
The first half features Blackbird on Foretold Finale together with a Lacrimosa rerun on Fading Reverie. The second half features Akane Rin on Dazzling Star. Blackbird is Psyche, while Akane Rin is Lakshana.
Who is rerunning in NTE Version 1.4?
Lacrimosa is the confirmed Version 1.4 rerun character. Her Fading Reverie Limited Board returns in Phase 1 alongside Blackbird, and her Nocturne Special Arc Research Program and Skin Perks event return at the same time.
Does pity carry between the Version 1.4 Limited Boards?
Yes. The Version 1.4 Limited Boards share their main S-Class character pull progression, along with other shared board progression announced for the limited banner system. Skin Perks progress is separate for each board, so cosmetic reward counters should not be treated the same way as the main character pity.
What Arc Research Programs are in Version 1.4?
Phase 1 includes Roostfeather Special for Blackbird and Nocturne Special for Lacrimosa. Phase 2 introduces Celestial Special for Akane Rin. Pull counts and guaranteed drop thresholds are shared across the Special Issue Arc Research Programs.
