Once Human has expanded its survival experience with Isles of Abyss, a new ocean-focused PvE scenario introduced in the Version 3.1.1 update on October 21, 2026. Instead of relying primarily on land exploration, players must now navigate dangerous waters, construct customizable ships, investigate mysterious islands, and uncover secrets hidden beneath the ocean. The update introduces several major gameplay systems, including naval combat, underwater exploration, new survival equipment, ocean-based production, and challenging encounters with powerful enemies such as the Sunken Lord. Players can also discover new Deviations, collect valuable resources, and earn limited-time rewards. For those interested in exploring different account options before starting their ocean adventure, Buy Once Human Account offers a way to browse available accounts and compare their features. This guide covers the most important features of Once Human Isles of Abyss, including how the scenario works, what equipment players need, how to prepare for ocean encounters, and which rewards are available during the launch period.
Isles of Abyss officially launched alongside the October 21 update, introducing a different progression structure from traditional Once Human scenarios.Players begin at the maximum character level, while their development depends heavily on the new Tech system. This changes how equipment upgrades, crafting progression, and survival preparation work throughout the scenario.
| Feature | Isles of Abyss Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 21, 2026 (PT) |
| Update Version | Version 3.1.1 |
| Scenario Type | PvE ocean survival |
| Supported Platforms | PC, consoles, and mobile |
| Core Scenario Duration | Approximately 21 days |
| Starting Character Level | Maximum level |
| Progression System | Tech-based development |
| Main Activities | Ship building, diving, naval combat, island exploration |
| Major Boss | The Sunken Lord |
| Permanent Server | Planned for November 18, 2026 (PT) |
The scenario features multiple progression phases. Its opening phase depends partly on server purification progress, while the second phase lasts approximately 11 days.A permanent server is also planned, allowing players to continue experiencing the ocean environment beyond the initial scenario cycle.
The new environment features tropical islands, cold regions, underwater ruins, shipwrecks, and abandoned facilities. Each location offers opportunities to gather resources, uncover treasure, and encounter dangerous creatures.Unlike traditional exploration, traveling between locations requires players to consider their ships, supplies, environmental conditions, and available diving equipment.
One important addition is the Haywire Zone system, which introduces four environmental anomalies:
Mist of Deceit: One of the unusual environmental phenomena affecting exploration.
Black Tide: A dangerous anomaly associated with the ocean environment.
Time Rain: A special environmental condition that requires preparation.
Skyfire: Another anomaly that introduces additional survival challenges.
These anomalies can affect visibility, temperature, sanity, and supply consumption. Players should prepare protective equipment and appropriate food before entering dangerous areas.The update also introduces the Bay Crocodile, which players can capture using Tranquilizer Throwing Needles. Once captured, crocodiles can be raised, bred, and used as aquatic mounts. Riding one provides damage reduction benefits, making it a useful option for water exploration.
Ship construction is one of the defining features of Isles of Abyss. Instead of functioning only as transportation, ships can serve as mobile bases, combat platforms, and resource-carrying vessels.Players can construct ships through Build Mode and deploy them onto the water using relocation or vehicle-summoning functions.Ship designs can also be saved as layouts and shared with friends, making it easier to reproduce successful builds.
Important Ship Weapons and Equipment
| Equipment | Main Function |
|---|---|
| Ship Cannons | Attack enemy ships and ocean targets |
| Ram | Damage enemies through close-range collisions |
| Naval Mine Launcher | Deploy mines to create dangerous areas |
| Cannon Wheel | Switch between available cannon firing modes |
| Projectile Pre-Aim Line | Assist with aiming projectiles affected by gravity |
Different encounters encourage different ship configurations. Cannons are useful for attacking distant enemies, while ramming equipment provides an alternative during close-range engagements.Naval mines can also create obstacles for approaching opponents.
Players should consider the following when preparing their ships:
Combat capability: Equip weapons suitable for the enemies and objectives being targeted.
Storage capacity: Reserve sufficient space for collected materials and exploration supplies.
Survival facilities: Prepare equipment that supports longer journeys.
Ship layout: Arrange important facilities so they remain accessible during combat.
Team coordination: Assign responsibilities when operating ships with other players.
As Tech progression advances, players can unlock additional construction and combat possibilities.
The ocean floor contains submerged structures, laboratories, shipwrecks, and hidden treasure locations.However, underwater exploration introduces additional dangers. Oxygen management, pollution exposure, and hostile creatures become increasingly important when exploring deeper areas.
Essential Diving Equipment
| Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Basic Diving Suit | Provides protection against underwater pollution |
| Fish Oil Paste | Improves temperature resistance and temporarily protects against water pollution |
| Shark Diving Suit | Offers stronger pollution protection and improved swimming speed |
| Oxygen Tank | Automatically supplies oxygen when the player's oxygen runs out |
| Inflatable Float | Helps players return rapidly toward the surface |
| Air Cushion | Creates a temporary floating platform |
| Spear Gun | Allows players to attack underwater enemies |
Players can discover treasure maps through fishing, beach exploration, quests, and settlement activities.Glowing algae on the ocean surface can also indicate underwater facilities worth investigating.
For safer exploration, beginners should follow a few basic principles:
Start with shallow shipwrecks before entering heavily polluted waters.
Carry oxygen supplies and emergency ascent equipment.
Watch for environmental hazards and hostile creatures.
Follow treasure-map clues instead of exploring randomly.
Return to the surface before resources become critically low.
Preparing properly can make underwater expeditions more productive and reduce unnecessary losses.

Surviving at sea requires more than weapons and diving equipment. Isles of Abyss introduces production systems that allow players to collect food, process materials, and support extended voyages.Trawl Nets can catch fish while ships travel across the water, while Advanced Trawls improve fishing efficiency and collect floating supplies. Players can also use Tidal Cages to breed fish, with upgraded versions offering shorter breeding cycles.Other useful facilities include Drilling Wells for obtaining abyssal sea oil and equipment that uses Black Tide Fuel to improve power generation or propulsion capabilities.New ocean dishes provide additional survival benefits. Stealth Cuttlefish Sashimi reduces the range at which underwater enemies detect players, while Silky Fish Oil Soup reduces swimming-related consumption.Establishing reliable food and resource production early can help players spend more time exploring and less time returning to shore for supplies.
Isles of Abyss introduces several encounters that test different aspects of survival and combat.
| Encounter | Main Mechanics |
|---|---|
| Voyagers | Naval battles, boarding enemy ships, and collecting treasure |
| Calamity Tower | Ship cannon combat, tentacles, exposed weak points |
| Calamity Nest | Fighting Calamity Owl and managing summoned enemies |
| Sea Calamity Zone | Destroying naval mines, turrets, and shield structures |
| The Sunken Lord | Multi-stage encounters involving tentacles, platforms, and changing attack patterns |
| Drifting Greenhouse | Avoiding poison pools and defeating a floating enemy |
The Sunken Lord: The Major Endgame Challenge
The Sunken Lord is one of the scenario's most significant encounters. Its entrance becomes available when server purification progress reaches 100%.Players must first defeat the Calamity Hatchling guarding the entrance before progressing deeper into the encounter.The battle features dangerous tentacles, projectile attacks, environmental hazards, and changing combat spaces.Team coordination is particularly important because players must manage surrounding threats while identifying opportunities to damage the boss.
Calamity Tower and Other Encounters
Calamity Tower begins with story-related challenges and develops into more demanding team encounters.Players must destroy dangerous tentacles, target exposed weak points, and use ship cannons against protected structures.Meanwhile, Calamity Nest introduces the Calamity Owl, which summons enemies and uses sound-based attacks. Its Revenge mechanic marks a player for pursuit, creating opportunities and risks for the team.Higher-difficulty challenges become available as the scenario progresses.
Unlike scenarios centered on conventional character leveling, Isles of Abyss uses Tech progression to determine equipment crafting capabilities and access to advanced survival systems.Existing weapon blueprints and Mods can be brought into the scenario, although their full effectiveness depends on Tech development.The update also introduces Heart of the Ocean, a special resource obtained through exploration, treasure hunting, and scenario challenges. It can be consumed to access challenge rewards, including Mods.
New collectible content includes:
Duet: A Deviation obtainable through the Sunken Lord encounter that can modify weather effects within a territory.
Chaos Rebecca: A new Chaos Deviation associated with the Chaos Tower.
Precision Load: A lower-body armor Mod that restores ammunition after long-range weak-point hits.
Turret Enhancement: A glove Mod that increases damage dealt through operated facilities.
Additional Morphed Deviations can be obtained through Voyagers, Calamity Tower, Calamity Nest, and other activities.
The Version 3.1.1 update includes free rewards for players who log in during the launch celebration.
The celebration package can be claimed through the in-game mailbox until November 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT.
| Free Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| SOCR - Cosmic Visitor | Legendary weapon blueprint |
| Snowline Elite Vest | Legendary armor blueprint |
| Starchrom | 10,000 |
| Meta Pass Trial Card | 30 days |
| Howler Weapon Skins | DE.50, MP5, and EBR-14 variants |
The SOCR - Cosmic Visitor introduces Frost Vortex and Ice Spear interactions, while the Snowline Elite Vest strengthens Frost Vortex effects.The Halloween Wonder Night event also began on October 22 and runs through November 11, offering seasonal activities and opportunities to earn cosmetics and other rewards.Players should check their mailboxes and event menus to avoid missing time-limited rewards.
Once Human Isles of Abyss brings a substantial change to the game's survival formula. Customizable ships, underwater exploration, ocean production, and naval combat create a new experience that rewards preparation and cooperation. New players should prioritize building a reliable ship, developing Tech, gathering diving supplies, and establishing food production before attempting difficult ocean encounters. More experienced players can focus on Calamity Tower, the Sunken Lord, and collecting new Deviations and equipment Mods. Players interested in exploring alternative account options can also browse Cheap Once Human Items listings to compare available features and find an option that suits their gameplay preferences. With free legendary blueprints available until November 8 and seasonal activities continuing into November, the October update offers plenty of reasons to explore the new ocean scenario.