View source for Special challenge path

{{RETURNTO Mechanics}}

'''Special challenge paths''' are types of [[ascension]] runs that add variant rules and restrictions to the base game. 

A new special challenge path debuts in the Spring, Summer, and Fall of each year. A challenge path is considered to be current or "in season" during its first three months.

Completing a special challenge path awards an additional '''50''' [[Karma]] for a Normal run or an additional '''100''' Karma for a [[Hardcore]] run, if the run started while the path was current. A run started outside of the initial season will earn an additional '''50''' Karma if it is a first of that path for a player (normal ''or'' hardcore). Additionally, a [[Thwaitgold|Thwaitgold statuette]] will drop from [[Naughty Sorceress (3)|The Naughty Sorceress' final form]] or the equivalent final boss.

Playing the current special challenge path has additional restrictions and benefits:
*You are under [[standard restrictions]], not allowed to use limited-time content that is older than January of (path's starting date's year minus 2).  For example, in the Spring 2018 challenge path which begins February 15, 2018, and ends May 14, 2018, you are not allowed to use limited-time content from before January 2016. 
**Standard restrictions end when Ronin ends. Standard does not apply when a special challenge path is no longer current.
*For some paths, you will receive a special [[Ascension Rewards#Special Challenge Paths|path-specific reward]] for ''completing'' a run (beating the final boss) while it is still current.

{| border="1px" cellpadding="8px" cellspacing="0px" style="margin:1em; font-size: 95%" class="sortable"
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
! No.
! Id
! Season 
! Path
! Description
! Reward
! Aftercore differences
! [[IotM and Challenge Path Interactions|IotMs with interactions]]
|-
| 48
| 55
|'''Fall 2025'''
August 15, 2025 to <br />
???
| [[11,037 Leagues Under the Sea]]
|
* Fight the sorceress at the end of the Kingdom's underwater content instead of at the top of a tower. 
| 
* [[Thwaitgold lobster statuette]]
* [[Durable dolphin whistle]] + additional use charges
* [[Violent Vestments]] + [[Hateful Habiliment]] outfit pieces
| 
* All of the regular Council quests become available in aftercore (you can choose to complete them).
* The Mer-kin Temple will be empty, so [[Dad Sea Monkee]] is unavailable.
|
{{InlineItem|Monodent of the Sea}}
|-
| 47
| 54
|'''Summer 2025'''
May 15, 2025 to <br />
August 14, 2025
| [[Hat Trick]]
|
* We all wear a lot of hats around here.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold mad hatterpillar statuette]]
* Hats!
* [[Mad Hattest]] Trophy
|
* Staying in-path allows wearing every hat at once.
| {{InlineItem|prismatic beret}}
|-
| 46
| 53
|'''Spring 2025'''
February 15, 2025 to <br />
May 14, 2025
| [[Z is for Zootomist]]
|
*You are experimenting on familiars and choosing some to graft on to your own body.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold cordyceps ant statuette]]
* 11 (tradable!) familiars
* [[Zoo Graft-on]] Trophy
|
* Aftercore class choice upon breaking the prism
** Your aftercore base Muscle/Mysticality/Moxie will become derived from grafts during the path.
* Can remain in path to use the powerful buffs and skills in exchange for 11 familiars being unavailable
* Can't level up past Level 13 or access Dread if you stay in-path
|
|-
| 45
| 52
|'''Fall 2024'''
August 15, 2024 to <br />
November 14, 2024
| [[Avant Guard]]
|
*Everyone in the Kingdom has a bodyguard.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold shield bug statuette]]
* [[Factoids]] from rare/obscure bodyguards
* [[Burly Bodyguard]] familiar
|
| {{InlineItem|Sept-Ember Censer}}
|-
| 44
| 51
|'''Summer 2024'''
May 15, 2024 to <br />
August 14, 2024
| [[11 Things I Hate About U]]
|
*Is are good for you and I, but Us are bad for you.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold Illinigina illinoiensis model]]
* [[Factoids]] from [[ewe]]s
|
|
|-
| 43
| 50
|'''Spring 2024'''
February 15, 2024 to <br />
May 14, 2024
| [[WereProfessor]]
|
*You are a kindly professor inflicted with a horrible curse.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold wolf spider statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
|
* Aftercore class choice
|
|-
| 42
| 49
|'''Fall 2023'''
August 15, 2023 to <br />
November 14, 2023
| [[A Shrunken Adventurer am I]]
|
*You are so tiny.
|
* [[Thwaitgold fairyfly statue]]
* [[Factoids]]
* [[residual chitin paste]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* Breaking the prism gives you your stats back, and multiplies your fullness and drunkenness by 10
* No major benefits to staying in-path
* You can equip anything you have access to before breaking prism
| {{InlineItem|Just the Facts}}
|-
| 41
| 48
|'''Summer 2023'''
May 15, 2023 to <br />
August 14, 2023
| [[Legacy of Loathing]]
|
*Play with replica items from the past 20 years of Mr. Store!
| 
* [[Thwaitgold splendor beetle statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
* Can acquire (and keep) [[Living to Drink, Drinking to Live|otherwise]] [[Party Planning on a Budget|unavailable]] [[Ancestral Recall|skills]] and [[green pill|special]] [[kill screen|items]] that are tied to old IoTMs
* Can do [[Astral pet sweater|100% runs]] with familiars you do not otherwise possess
|
* Can remain in path for weird farming tricks or to have fun with replica IoTMs
* Some effects from replica IoTMs may linger into aftercore, like [[Little Geneticist DNA-Splicing Lab]] intrinsics
| {{InlineItem|august scepter}}<br />{{InlineItem|Patriotic Eagle}}<br />{{InlineItem|2002 Mr. Store Catalog}}<br />{{InlineItem|Cincho de Mayo}}
|-
| 40
| 47
|'''Spring 2023'''
February 15, 2023 to <br />
May 14, 2023
| [[Avatar of Shadows Over Loathing]]
|
* Play as one of the classes from the recently-released smash hit video game Shadows Over Loathing, by Asymmetric Games!
*No access to permanent skills
*Play as one of three special classes
| 
*[[Thwaitgold anti-moth statuette]]
*[[Factoids]]
*6 [[Tattoos]]
*Unique-to-path boss drops
| 
* There is no class choice after freeing King Ralph - you stay as the special class you chose
* Keep class skills and (un)cursed boss drops in aftercore
|
|-
|-
| 39
| 46
|'''Fall 2022'''
August 15, 2022 to <br />
November 14, 2022
| [[Fall of the Dinosaurs]]
|
* There's been a theme park accident, and dinosaurs have eaten all of the monsters in the Kingdom!
| 
* [[Thwaitgold mosquito-in-amber statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* [[stuffed dinosaur]] (needs to be bought with path currency)
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
| 
* Keep items from the [[Dino World Gift Shop (The Dinostaur)|The Dinostaur]] in aftercore
| {{InlineItem|Jurassic Parka}}
|-
|- 
| 38
| 45
|'''Summer 2022'''
May 15, 2022 to <br />
August 14, 2022
| [[Journeyman]]
|
*Journey to out-of-the-way places to find your skills.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold harvestman statuette]]
* [[The Big Book of Every Skill]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
*Keep skills you learn during the path
|
|-
|-
| 37
| 44
|'''Spring 2022'''
February 15, 2022 to <br />
May 14, 2022
| [[Grey You]]
|
* Resistance is goo-tile.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold protozoa statuette]]
* Class [[tattoo]]
| 
* Aftercore class choice
* Reset to level 1 after freeing King Ralph XI
* Organs will be set to full and adventures will be reduced to 40 if higher, although you can use those adventures before breaking the prism
| {{InlineItem|Grey Goose}}
|-
| 36
| 43
|'''Fall 2021'''
August 15, 2021 to <br />
November 14, 2021
| [[Wildfire]]
|
* The Kingdom is burning! Help put out fires while also helping with everything you usually help with.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold fire beetle statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* Keep [[FDKOL Auxiliary]] equipment in aftercore
* Can still use [[B. L. A. R. T.]]  skills if you have it equipped, though you can no longer gather water
| {{InlineItem|industrial fire extinguisher}}<br />{{InlineItem|Our Daily Candles™ order form}}
|- 
| 35
| 42
|'''Summer 2021'''
May 15, 2021 to <br />
August 14, 2021
| [[Quantum Terrarium]]
|
* A quantum event has collapsed all of the Kingdom's Terraria into one!
| 
* [[Thwaitgold quantum bug statuette]]
* [[quantum of familiar]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
*Returns to a normal run, with your terrarium restored.
|
|-
| 34
| 41
|'''Spring 2021'''
February 14, 2021 to <br />
May 14, 2021
| [[You, Robot]]
|
* Instead of being yourself, be a big rusty junk robot!
| 
* [[Thwaitgold listening bug statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
|
*Your organs will be filled up upon breaking the prism
| {{InlineItem|backup camera}}<br />{{InlineItem|potted power plant}}
|-
| 33
| 40
|'''Fall 2020'''
August 15, 2020 to <br />
November 14, 2020
| [[Grey Goo]]
|
*  A self-replicating mass of grey goo has invaded the Kingdom from the furthest reaches of space. Destroy as much of it as you can in three days!
| 
* [[Thwaitgold slug statuette]]
* [[inert grey goo ring]]
* [[Factoids]]
|
* True Aftercore doesn't exist for this path
* Many zones remain inaccessible
|
|-
| 32
| 39
|'''Summer 2020'''
May 15, 2020 to <br />
August 14, 2020
| [[Low Key Summer]]
|
* Travel to out-of-the-way locations. Variety is key!
| 
* [[Thwaitgold keyhole spider statuette]]
* [[Manual of Lock Picking]] (was supposed to drop up until [[Lock Picking]] became standard-restricted, but currently still dropping)
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* No significant aftercore benefits
|
|-
| 31
| 38
|'''Spring 2020'''
February 15, 2020 to <br />
May 14, 2020
| [[Path of the Plumber]]
|
* Jump, Hammer and Fireball your way through the Kingdom. Just like a plumber!
* Play as a Plumber.
* No access to permanent skills.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold buzzy beetle statuette]]
* 2 [[Tattoo]]s
* [[Factoids]]
* [[red coin]] (in-season reward only)
|
* Aftercore class choice
* Liver remains open on final day
| {{InlineItem|packet of mushroom spores}}<br />{{InlineItem|Powerful Glove}}
|-
| 30
| 37
|'''Fall 2019'''
August 15, 2019 to <br />
November 14, 2019
| [[Kingdom of Exploathing]]
|
* The Kingdom has been blown to bits!
* All Council quests are immediately available at the start of the run.
* Most optional locations/shops are unavailable
| 
* [[Thwaitgold bombardier beetle statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* [[The Imploded World]] (in-season reward only)
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* No signficant Aftercore benefits
* Many zones remain inaccessible
|
|-
| 29
| 36
|'''Summer 2019'''
May 15, 2019 to <br />
August 14, 2019
| [[Two Crazy Random Summer]]
|
* Items have random modifiers
| 
* [[Thwaitgold nymph statuette]]
* [[ring]]
* Additional random modifiers for your [[ring]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
* All effects are lost upon prism break
* Can remain in path to access powerful effects and turngen, but still keeping the 1,000 meat drop cap
|
|-
| 28
| 35
|'''Spring 2019'''
February 15, 2019 to <br />
May 14, 2019
| [[Dark Gyffte]]
|
* Play as a Vampyre.
* No access to permanent skills.
* Skills cost HP and can be reconfigured throughout your run.
* Food and Booze are limited to those that can be crafted with blood bags.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold mosquito statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* 2 [[Tattoo]]s
* [[Booke of Vampyric Knowledge]] (in-season reward only)
|
* Aftercore class choice
* Organs remain open on final day
* Can remain in path as a powerful all-rounder class
| {{InlineItem|vampyric cloake}}<br />{{InlineItem|Lil' Doctor™ bag}}
|-
| 27
| 34
|'''Fall 2018'''
August 15, 2018 to <br />
November 14, 2018
| [[Disguises Delimit]]
|
* Wear a mask; swap masks with enemies wearing different masks.
| 
* [[Thwaitgold masked hunter statuette]]
* [[Disguises Delimit#Divergences|Masks]] for the public [[profile|profile's]] [[avatar]] 
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
| {{InlineItem|Neverending Party invitation envelope}}
|-
| 26
| 33
|'''Summer 2018'''
May 15, 2018 to <br />
August 14, 2018
| [[G-Lover]]
|
* Items, effects, skills, and familiars without the letter '''G''' in their name can not be used. 
|
* [[Thwaitgold chigger statuette]]
* [[Garland of Greatness]]
* A [[gattoo|tattoo]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
|
|-
| 25
| 32
|'''Spring 2018'''
Feb 15, 2018 to <br />
May 14, 2018
| [[Pocket Familiars]]
|
* Instead of fighting monsters, pit your team of familiars against theirs!
* No access to permanent skills.
|
* [[Thwaitgold metabug statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* Keep Pokefam caps in aftercore:
* +100% item drop hat
* +4 elemental resistance hat
* +30 ML hat
* -15% combat frequency hat
| {{InlineItem|packet of tall grass seeds}}
|-
| 24
| 31
|'''Fall 2017'''
Aug 14, 2017 to <br />
Nov 14, 2017
| [[Live. Ascend. Repeat.]]
|
* Adventure encounters, item drops, and consumption results are deterministic rather than random. 
|
* [[Thwaitgold time fly statuette]]
* [[perfectly fair coin]] (in-season reward only)
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
* Can remain in path to have predictable monsters indefinitely
|
|-
| 23
| 30
|'''Summer 2017'''
May 15, 2017 to <br />
August 13, 2017
| [[License to Adventure]]
|
* Gain new secret agent skills, in addition to your permanent skills.
* You must clear out a super villain lair each day or face being disavowed by your superiors. 
* You cannot eat, and booze is limited to martinis.
* No familiars.
|
* [[Thwaitgold bug statuette]]
* [[License To Kill]] (in-season reward only)
* [[Factoids]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
* Stomach remains open on final day
| {{InlineItem|Kremlin's Greatest Briefcase}}
|-
| 22
| 29
|'''Spring 2017'''
Feb 15, 2017 to <br />
May 14, 2017
| [[Gelatinous Noob]]
|
* Play as a new class, the Gelatinous Noob, a slime with aspirations of humanity.
* Absorb items instead of eating and drinking.
* Unique skills can be obtained when absorbing items.
|
* [[Thwaitgold amoeba statuette]]
* 2 [[Tattoo]]s
* [[Gelatinous Hubris]] Trophy
|
* Organs remain open on final day
* Can remain in path for weird farming tricks
| {{InlineItem|Robortender}}
|-
| 21
| 28
|'''Fall 2016'''
Aug 15, 2016 to <br />
Nov 14, 2016
| [[Nuclear Autumn]]
|
*The rest of the planet was very recently destroyed by nuclear war, and the Kingdom is experiencing the very early stages of the apocalypse.
*New path-specific skills. Permanent skills are not available.
*Your diet is highly restricted.
*No campground access.
|
* [[Thwaitgold cockroach statuette]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
* [[Adventurer bobblehead]] (in-season reward only)
|
* [[Wrist-Boy]] holo-records can still be used, except [[The Pigs holo-record]] or [[Drunk Uncles holo-record]].
| {{InlineItem|Trick-or-Treating Tot}}<br />{{InlineItem|protonic accelerator pack}}
|-
| 20
| 27
|'''Summer 2016'''
May 15, 2016 to <br />
Aug 14, 2016
| [[The Source (path)|The Source]]
|
*New path-specific skills, in addition to your permanent skills.
*Most sources of stat gain are reduced.
*Fight wandering [[Source Agent]]s to gain stats.
|
* [[Thwaitgold moth statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
* [[Bowl of Tastee-Wheet™]] (in-season reward only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
| {{InlineItem|Source terminal}}
|-
| 19
| 26
|'''Spring 2016'''
Feb 15, 2016 to <br />
May 14, 2016
| [[Avatar of West of Loathing]]
|
*Play as one of three classes, [[Cow Puncher]], [[Beanslinger]] or [[Snake Oiler]].
*Each class has ten unique skills.
*New wandering monsters.
*Some dietary restrictions apply.
|
* [[Thwaitgold scorpion statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* 6 [[Tattoo]]s
|
* Continue to be a Cow Puncher, Beanslinger, or Snake Oiler after breaking prism, keeping all of your AoWoL skills, as well as all of your permed skills.
| {{InlineItem|LT&T telegraph office deed}}
|-
| 18
| 25
|'''Fall 2015'''
Aug 15, 2015 to <br />
Nov 15, 2015 
| [[Community Service]]
|
* All [[The Council of Loathing|council]] quests are gone
* Instead, [[Community Service (adventure)|11 tasks of community service]] must be completed
* Each task takes 60 adventures, but that can be reduced by optimizing a related stat.
|
* [[Thwaitgold termite statuette]]
|
* Is extremely fast and can leave most organs available
* Many zones remain inaccessible
|
|-
| 17
| 24
|'''Summer 2015'''
May 15, 2015 to <br />
Aug 14, 2015 
| [[One Crazy Random Summer]]
|
* Every monster has a [[Monster Modifier]]
* Dice gear is automatically free-pulled
* Runs are ranked by Fun instead of speed
|
* [[Thwaitgold caterpillar statuette]]
* [[dice ring]] (for Seal Clubbers)
* [[dice belt buckle]] (for Turtle Tamers)
* [[dice-print pajama pants]] (for Pastamancers)
* [[dice-shaped backpack]] (for Saucerors)
* [[dice-print do-rag]] (for Disco Bandits)
* [[dice sunglasses]] (for Accordion Thieves)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
| {{InlineItem|Puck Man}}
|-
| 16
| 23
|'''Spring 2015'''
Feb 15, 2015 to <br />
May 14, 2015
| [[Actually Ed the Undying]]
|
*Play as [[Actually Ed the Undying#Class|Ed]] [[Ed the Undying|the Undying]]!
*Gain Skill Points as you level up, and use them to progress in three different skill trees.
*Instead of familiars, servants are unlocked at certain levels, gaining new effects every 7 levels.
*Losing a fight takes you to [[The Underworld]], where you can upgrade your body and buy special items for [[Ka coin]]s, dropped by certain phylum of monsters.
*Immune to most [[HP Restorers|HP]] Restorers; only a trip to The Underworld can heal you.
*You can't consume food or booze without buying the required organ, and your Spleen starts out small.
*No campground access.
|
* [[Thwaitgold scarab beetle statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* 2 [[Tattoo]]s
* [[still-beating spleen]] (in-season reward only)
* Can perm [[Mild Curse]]
|
* Aftercore class choice
* Organs remain open on final day
* Can remain in path as a powerful all-rounder class
| {{InlineItem|The Crown of Ed the Undying}}<br />{{InlineItem|bottle of lovebug pheromones}}
|-
| 15
| 21
|'''Winter 2014'''
Nov 15, 2014 to <br />
Feb 14, 2015
| [[Picky]]
|
*Pick only 3 familiars and 11 permanent skills.
|
* [[Thwaitgold nit statuette]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
* [[picky tweezers]] (in-season reward only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
|
|-
| 14
| 19
|'''Fall 2014'''
Aug 15, 2014 to <br />
Nov 14, 2014
| [[Heavy Rains]]
|
*The Kingdom is flooded! Each water level (up to 6) adds +10 ML, +5% chance of dropped items washing away, and various other difficulties
*New wandering monsters, varying by water level and zone type
*New path-specific skills cast with new resources Rain, Lightning, and Thunder (100 max, regained through various sources, filled to 100 each rollover) and learned with the items dropped from the wanderers at water level 6
*Most ascension-relevant bosses are replaced with dangerous new watery versions of their old selves
|
* [[Thwaitgold spider statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
* [[beautiful rainbow]] (in-season reward only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
* Can remain in path to keep powerful Thunder, Rain, and Lightning skills at cost of Heavy Rains washing away items
| {{InlineItem|Thor's Pliers}}
|-
| 13
| 18
|'''Summer 2014'''
May 15, 2014 to <br />
Aug 14, 2014
| [[Slow and Steady]]
|
*100 adventures each rollover, no adventure gains from other sources
|
* [[Thwaitgold wheel bug statuette]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
* [[Bottled day]] (in-season reward only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
|
|-
| 12
| 17
|'''Spring 2014'''
Feb 15, 2014 to <br />
May 14, 2014
| [[Avatar of Sneaky Pete]]
|
*Play as a new class, The [[Avatar of Sneaky Pete]].
*Gain Skill Points with each level up, and use them in three different skill trees.
*In place of a familiar, you have a talking motorcycle that can be upgraded.
*Your stomach is small, but your liver is legendary.
|
* [[Thwaitgold dragonfly statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* 2 [[Tattoo]]s
* [[Cool Guy]] Trophy
|
* Can fill Sneaky Pete's liver and be reduced to 14 drunk upon prism break
* Aftercore class choice
* Stomach remains open on final day
| {{InlineItem|Sneaky Pete's leather jacket}}
|-
| 11
| 16
|'''Winter 2013'''
Nov 15, 2013 to <br />
Feb 14, 2014
| [[Class Act II: A Class For Pigs]]
|
*You cannot use other classes' Guild skills or any [[Traveling Trader]] skills.
*You start with all Guild skills for your class.
''(Before May 14, 2014)''
*Double stat gain from monsters, but most noncombat stat gains are halved.
*Monsters gain additional powers at higher +ML.
|
* [[Thwaitgold ant statuette]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only) 
|
* No Aftercore benefits
|
|-
| 10
| 15
|'''Fall 2013'''
Aug 15, 2013 to <br />
Nov 14, 2013
| [[KOLHS]]
|
*You must spend the first 40 [[Adventures]] of each day in [[KoL High School|high school]].
*You may only drink illicit booze.
|
* [[Thwaitgold bookworm statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* Upgradable [[Yearbook Club Camera]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
* Trophies: [[Purity of Essence]], [[Ansel Adams Jr.]], [[Eleven Down, None to Go]] 
|
* No Aftercore benefits
* Can remain in path to create powerful after-school items at the cost of effective liver
| {{InlineItem|Steam-Powered Cheerleader}}<br />{{InlineItem|over-the-shoulder Folder Holder}}
|-
| 9
| 14
|'''Summer 2013'''
May 15, 2013 to <br />
August 14, 2013 
| [[BIG!]]
|
* You start off at level 15, with 200 points in your mainstat, and 150 in each of your offstats.
* All the monsters have 150 additional attack, defense, and HP.
* All free runaways are non-free
|
* [[Thwaitgold Goliath beetle statuette]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* Finishes ascension with at least 200 mainstat and 150 offstats for aftercore purposes
|
|-
| 8
| 12
|'''Spring 2013'''
Feb 15, 2013 to <br />
May 14, 2013
| [[Avatar of Jarlsberg]]
|
*Play as a new class, The [[Avatar of Jarlsberg]].
*Gain Skill Points with each level up, and use them to gain skills in four different skill trees.
*In place of a familiar, you may summon one of four Food Companions.
*Use your [[Cosmic Kitchen]] to cook up special food and weapons depending on the skills you unlocked.
*Your diet is restricted to food and drink from your Cosmic Kitchen.
|
* [[Thwaitgold firefly statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* 2 [[Tattoo]]s
* [[Cosmic Thing]] Trophy
|
* Aftercore class choice
| {{InlineItem|Jarlsberg's pan}}
|-
| 7
| 11
|'''Winter 2012'''
Nov 15, 2012 to <br />
Feb 14, 2013
| [[Class Act]]
|
*You cannot use permed skills except those from your own character [[class]].
|
* [[Thwaitgold praying mantis statuette]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
| {{InlineItem|Summon Geeky Gifts}}
|-
| 6
| 10
|'''Fall 2012'''
Aug 15, 2012 to <br />
Nov 14, 2012
| [[Zombie Slayer]]
|
*Play as a new class, The [[Zombie Master]].
*Unique skills can be obtained when defeating special monsters.
*Only unliving familiars can accompany you.
*Instead of MP, you have a Zombie Horde.
*Your liver is limited, and you can eat only brains.
|
* [[Thwaitgold maggot statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* 2 [[Tattoo]]s
* [[Talkative skull]] Familiar
|
* Aftercore class choice
* Liver remains open on final day
| {{InlineItem|box of bear arms}}
|-
| 5
| 9
|'''Summer 2012'''
May 15, 2012 to <br />
Aug 14, 2012
| [[Bugbear Invasion]]
|
* The [[Lair of The Naughty Sorceress]] is replaced by the [[Bugbear Mothership]].
* Bugbears appear in many locations in the kingdom.
|
* [[Thwaitgold woollybear statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
|
* No Aftercore benefits
| {{InlineItem|Artistic Goth Kid}}
|-
| 4
| 8
|'''Spring 2012'''
Feb 15, 2012 to <br />
May 14, 2012
| [[Avatar of Boris]]
|
*Play as a new class, The [[Avatar of Boris]].
*Unique skills can be obtained for free when you level up.
*Your faithful minstrel Clancy accompanies you in place of familiars.
*The only weapon allowed is your trusty axe Trusty.
*Your liver is limited, but your appetite is legendary.
|
* [[Thwaitgold stag beetle statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* 2 [[Tattoo]]s
* [[Request Sandwich]], from [[note from Clancy]] after getting 30 skills during a run
* [[And My Axe]] Trophy
|
* Aftercore class choice
* Liver remains open on final day
| {{InlineItem|Boris's Helm}}
|-
| 3
| 7
|'''Winter 2011'''
Nov 15, 2011 to <br />
Feb 14, 2012
| [[Trendy]]
|
*Cannot use any [http://www.kingdomofloathing.com/typeii.php limited-time content] that has been unavailable for more than one year.
*Skills, items, and familiars are all subject to being non-trendy.
|
* [[Thwaitgold butterfly statuette]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
|
* No Aftercore benefits
|
|-
| 2
| 6
|'''Fall 2011'''
Aug 15, 2011 to <br />
Nov 14, 2011
| [[Way of the Surprising Fist]]
|
*Weapons and off-hand items may not be equipped.
*Meat gains from monsters, quests, and items are significantly reduced or non-existent.
*Items may not be auto-sold for meat, and meat cannot be pulled from Hagnk's.
*Special combat skills may be learned from certain zones.
|
* [[Thwaitgold grasshopper statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
* Can perm [[Master of the Surprising Fist]]
* Trophies: [[Mixed Martial Arts]], [[Hadouken!]], [[Good Will Punching]]
|
* Keep potentially powerful skills in Aftercore
|
|-
| 1
| 4
|'''Summer 2011'''
May 17, 2011 to <br />
Aug 14, 2011
| [[Bees Hate You]]
|
*Cannot use any items or familiars that have the letter "b" in them.
*Equipment with the letter "b" will cause you damage in combat.
*Bees attack you every 15-20 turns. 
|
* [[Thwaitgold bee statuette]]
* [[Factoids]]
* [[Unblemished Uniform|Stainless]] equipment (hardcore only)
* [[Reconstituted crow]] Familiar
* [[Buzzkill]] Trophy
|
* No Aftercore benefits
|
|}

Number is the running number of all challenge paths whereas id is the number used in api.php (see [[Paths_by_number|Paths by number]]).

==In-Season Rewards==
These are special rewards given to those who complete a special challenge path while it is in-season.
* This reward is given only if the run is '''started''' while it is still current. That means as long as the path is current when started, you will receive the in-season reward.
* If your run exceeds 1000 turns in a normal ascension and breaks ronin you are released from [[standard restrictions]], but you can still get the in-season reward.

==Commendations==
'''Challenge Path Commendations''' are special rewards given to players whose ascension is listed on an in-game challenge path leaderboard (either Normal or Hardcore) at the end of that path's season. These commendations appear on a player's profile, and are awarded based on placement within the leaderboard:

{| border="1px" cellpadding="8px" cellspacing="0px" style="margin:1em; text-align: center"
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
! Leaderboard Position 
! Commendation
|-
|'''#1'''<br />(1 per season)
|Gold Star<br />[[File:Cpreward gold.gif|Gold Star]]
|-
|'''#2 - #12'''<br />([[Eleven|11]] per season)
|Silver Moon<br />[[File:Cpreward silver.gif|Silver Moon]]
|-
|'''#13 - #35'''<br />([[Twenty-three|23]] per season)
|Bronze Button<br />[[File:Cpreward bronze.gif|Bronze Button]]
|}

Commendations are accompanied by a message from the [[Leaderboard Robot]] (#3737):

<div style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 0 10px 10px 10px;"><p>Dear ''<playername>'',<br />Your position on the final ''<pathname>'' ''<ascension type>'' leaderboard entitles to you to a ''<commendation type>''.</p>
<p>Now everybody that looks at your profile will know how awesome you are. Or were, at the end of the ''<pathname>'' season.</p>
<p>Love,<br />The Magical Mystical Mighty Meritorious Misanthropic Masterful Magnanimous Masticating Muhahahahah-ing Leaderboard Robot</p></div>

There is one new adjective on the last line each season, added onto the other ones. The earliest recorded was "Magical Mystical" when [[Avatar of Boris]] was the current path.

For either Sneaky Pete or Slow and Steady "Muhahahahah-ing" was removed and replaced with "Meddling." Also, line breaks were added to the format.
As of Avatar of West of Loathing, "Maddening" has been replaced by "Maniacal Much-Loved".
<div style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 0 10px 10px 10px;"><p>Dear ''<playername>'',<br />Your position on the final ''<pathname>'' ''<ascension type>'' leaderboard entitles to you to a ''<commendation type>''.</p>
<p>Now everybody that looks at your profile will know how awesome you are. Or were, at the end of the ''<pathname>'' season.</p>
<p>Love,<br />
The Magical Mystical Mighty Meritorious<br />
Misanthropic Masterful Magnanimous<br />
Masticating Meddling Marauding Maudlin<br />
Malingering Metamorphic Maniacal<br />
Much-Loved Mind-Bending Majestic<br />
Masochistic Majesty's-Secret- Service-Serving Monotonous Monotonous Monotonous<br />
Merry-Making Mechanical Merry-Crimboing Much-Belated <br />
Machiavellian Marioesque Maurading Macrocephalous Morphing<br />
Mellow Monday-loving Mentoring Mesozoic Matronly Miniature Moxious <br />
Mythological Meat-shielding Modifying Mortarboarded Maritime <br />
Leaderboard Robot</p></div>

Commendations may not be received immediately following the end of a path; some manual intervention by KoL's admins is required. A player can only earn 1 commendation for Normal and 1 for Hardcore. In challenge paths with multiple leaderboards for multiple classes (eg Class Act-types with 6 classes &times; 2 formats = 12 boards or subsequently Avatar of West of Loathing with 3 classes &times; 2 formats = 6 boards), being on multiple boards ''for the same ascension type'' will still only yield 1 commendation of the highest eligible type.

In rare cases, additional commendations are awarded.
* An additional hardcore Gold Star was given in [[Low Key Summer]] in response to [[Chez Snootée]] offering an [[eldritch mushroom pizza]] creating an unbeatable run.
* An additional full set of softcore and hardcore commendations was given in [[11,037 Leagues Under the Sea]] in conjunction with adjustments made to the path that increased the length of runs.

Having a commendation allows access to the '''/challenge''' [[Chat Guide: Channels|chat channel]].

==See Also==
* [[IotM and Challenge Path Interactions]]

{{Ascension Paths}}

[[Category:Game Mechanics]]