Hunt: Showdown 1896 – Web of the Empress: All the info on the new event

Web of the Empress marks the start of the next big event for Hunt: Showdown 1896 – dark, toxic, and full of new gameplay mechanics.
At the center of it all is the eponymous Empress as the antagonist: she pulls the strings behind the scenes and forces the Bayou to adopt new rules – with fresh enemies, mechanics, and loot that will noticeably change your loadouts and tactics.

TL;DR – Here’s what you can expect

• New enemies: Bileweavers (spider swarms & egg sacs)
• New POI: Bileweaver Nest with hidden rewards
• New progression system: Event Points → Pledge Marks (remain after the event)
• New mechanics: Tarot Cards (12 disposable cards), Destiny’s Dial (gamble terminal)
• New loot class: Scarce Weapons (only found in matches)
• New Hunters: including The Hanged Man, The Stormseer
• Battle Pass with 40 rewards
• Extensive gameplay, UI, loot, and trait updates

Story of “Web of the Empress”

The Empress pulls the strings behind the scenes. As the mother of spiders, she poisons Bayou and minds – and sends the Bileweavers, a completely new threat, on the hunt. Her goal is clear: revenge.

Start & end of the event

• Start: September 24, 2025
• End: December 10, 2025.

New content & features

New hunters

• The Hanged Man – “Cheats death wielding forbidden tarot”
• The Stormseer – “Struck by lightning, cursed with visions”
• More hunters were teased in the first trailer.

New AI: Bileweavers

Bileweavers are spider-like swarm enemies that hatch from egg sacs and defend their territory.

• Behavior: spit bile, jump at you, overwhelm you in groups
• Egg sacs: trigger proximity-based attacks; you can destroy them preventively before the swarm hatches

New POI: Bileweaver Nest

A central, web-covered nesting place for the spiders. Inside:

• Hidden treasures with traits, restoration, ammunition, and other unlockable goodies
• 3 guaranteed Tarot Cards in the nest; random spawns outside (linked to eggs).

New Feature: Destiny’s Dial

The slot machine you’ll find in the Bileweaver Nest.

• Bet: Pledge Marks
• Payout (random): Traits, Restoration, Upgrade Points, and other bonuses

New, rare weapons

Scarce Weapons can only be found in matches, so you can’t get them through regular game progression.

• Homestead 78 – Long-range relative of the Rival 78, more punch, medium range
• Wildland – Modified Centennial: higher damage, longer barrel, improved magazine, swift reload mechanic

New feature: Tarot Cards (12 single-use cards)

One-time consumables with powerful, sometimes risky effects. You can get them in the world, via Dark Tribute, or through Hunter Loot.
There are also 3 fixed cards in the Bileweaver Nest, otherwise they are random (often spawns linked to eggs).

Bounty Clash: Tarot Cards have also been added to the mode.

• The World – reveals all boss targets
• The Moon – +2 sec. Dark Sight boost
• The Garden – full healing (team) & removes bleeding/burning/poison
• The Fool – copies the last card used
• The Tower – AoE damage 65 m, kills monsters; user catches fire
• The Magician – Fake Dark Sight Ping, causes heavy bleeding to user
• The Devil – Less Sway/Spread (except Shotguns) until Down; destroys extra Health Chunk when Down
• The Sun – strong regeneration 60 sec, heals even while taking damage
• Judgement – doubles duration of current buffs; sets HP to 1
• The Hanged Man – briefly spectates the nearest enemy Hunter; sound warning for them afterwards
• The Empress – grants Catalyst, Necromancer, and a random Burn/Scarce trait
• The Chariot – swaps Locked/Unlocked exits for all teams (Bounty Hunt only), destroys 1 health chunk, 5 min CD

Event Progression: Event Points, Pledge Marks

Collect Event Points to earn Pledge Marks. Pledge Marks unlock rewards, Traits, Destiny’s Dial, and more.

Important: Pledge Marks, Traits, and Scarce Weapons do not expire after the event—you can even carry Pledge Marks over to the next event.

Web of the Empress Battle Pass

The Battle Pass includes 40 rewards—skins, currencies, and more.
As always, there will be a free and a paid version.

Tips for getting started in the event

• Prioritize eggs: Destroy Bileweaver egg sacs to prevent swarms – and secure the Tarot spawns.
• Don’t waste Pledge Marks: Since they persist, it’s worth investing in Destiny’s Dial and Traits.
• Test scarce weapons: Homestead 78 and Wildland offer noticeably different time-to-kill/handling – use the matches as a testing ground.
• Risk-reward with Tarot: Judgment + The Sun can be powerful – but remember HP = 1 and self-debuffs.

FAQ: Quick answers
Do Pledge Marks remain?
Yes, Pledge Marks, relevant Traits, and Scarce Weapons remain after the event.

Where can I find Tarot Cards?
In the world, via Dark Tribute, when looting Hunters – and three fixed cards in the Bileweaver Nest.

What is Destiny’s Dial?
A gambling terminal: you bet Pledge Marks and receive randomized rewards (traits, restoration, upgrade points).

General Updates & Adjustments

Weapon Balancing

• Melee: improved hit detection & increased maximum range
• Mako: reduced recoil, more responsive handling
• Cyclone: slower reloading

Settings for automatic selection

• Exceptions: Toolboxes, Hunter Loot, Beetles
• Default: On – can be adjusted

Trait Changes

• Blade Seer: no longer required to see projectiles in Dark Sight; range +→ 75 m
• Assailant: no longer required to throw in-world tools (now always possible)
• Witness: Corpse healing removed, cost 5 → 4

Loot & Spawn Overhaul

• Custom ammo now spawns in weapons in the game world – including scarce ammo types
• Loot box loot rebalanced more broadly
• Beetle spawns: only Choke Beetles now

New Deployable: Powder Keg

• Pickable/placeable in-world explosive (in match only)
• Works like a small red barrel
• Powder kegs and lanterns now take systemic damage

NPC & AI

• Grunts: improved spawns, movement/pathfinding, slower in water
• Hunter Bots (for new players up to rank 11): improved combat behavior

UI & UX

• Centralized lobby for all game modes, home screen removed
• New Career tab
• Gear screen redesigned; traits embedded there, “Clear all Traits” shortcut
• Random 3rd player can be invited in lobby

Rarity system for cosmetic items

• Rarity system rolled back – less visual noise
• Cosmetic items are now “legendary” or “mythic”
• Common/Uncommon/Rare removed, sorting by rarity removed