Off The Grid’s December 2025 update marks a turning point for the extraction shooter, introducing Ranked Protocol as a foundational redesign rather than a conventional content expansion. The update focuses on competitive structure, systemic balance, and long-term progression, reinforcing the game’s push toward a more defined skill ladder while maintaining space for casual play. Developer Gunzilla Games frames the patch as a reconfiguration of Teardrop itself, with changes that affect how players deploy, fight, earn rewards, and interact with the world.
A Clear Split Between Competitive and Casual Play
The most visible change arrives with the introduction of Ranked Mode. Built around Extraction Royale Trios with ten squads, Ranked Mode strips out campaign content and random loadouts to emphasize consistency and player skill. Higher rarity HEX drops are more common than in casual matches, and rewards scale upward as players climb the ladder. Survival stakes are also higher, with only a single free respawn allowed and late-match systems removing unused respawn tokens entirely.
For players uninterested in rank progression, Casual Extraction Royale now serves as the default relaxed alternative. Available in both Trios and Solos, this mode replaces the previous standard Extraction Royale and reduces the overall presence of high-rarity loot. The separation between Ranked and Casual play gives Off The Grid a clearer identity on both ends of the spectrum, allowing each mode to be tuned around distinct player expectations.
Progression Systems Lean Into Long-Term Engagement
Ranked Protocol brings meaningful updates to Off The Grid’s economy and progression systems. Item conversion allows players to dismantle unused gear in exchange for HEXes, with advanced recipes offering a chance at higher rarity rewards. This system gives long-term players a way to recycle inventory clutter while still engaging with progression loops.
Consumable Boosters now supplement account and Battle Pass progression, appearing across multiple reward tracks. Challenges have been reworked to better match their intended completion timelines, and cosmetic- and loadout-based objectives have been removed. The result is a progression structure that places greater emphasis on consistent play rather than specific equipment or setups.
Teardrop’s World and Systems Continue to Evolve
World updates begin with significant changes to Little Kyiv, which now serves as a prototype for expanded Off The Grid integration across Teardrop. Several structures have been removed to make room for themed spaces, and in-world advertising boards introduce a more active and connected atmosphere tied to game modes and events.
Deployment and respawn systems have also been rebalanced. Players now enter matches unarmed, redeployment terminals are rarer, and automatic respawns are disabled earlier in matches. High-tier loot zones are more clearly telegraphed through smoke signals and defensive turrets, while HEX extraction now requires functional generators, adding more risk to late-game decision-making.
Cyberlimbs Shift Toward Utility Over Raw Power
One of the most impactful gameplay changes comes from a sweeping cyberlimb rebalance. Gunzilla Games has repositioned cyberlimbs as tools that create opportunities rather than secure eliminations outright. Damage values have been reduced across many limbs, while cooldowns have been shortened to keep abilities available without letting them dominate encounters.
At the same time, Off The Grid introduces its first Legendary Cyberlimbs, which appear only during matches and function similarly to legendary weapons. These variants expand on existing limb designs with persistent effects, enhanced tracking, or near-constant mobility, serving as high-impact endgame tools rather than standard loadout options.
Combat Refinements Aim for Consistency and Readability
Gunplay has received a broad set of refinements aimed at improving clarity and fairness. Shooting now originates from the camera in most scenarios, reducing discrepancies between crosshair placement and bullet travel. Aim assist values have been standardized across platforms, and shoulder switching, sliding, and reload interactions have been smoothed out to reduce unnecessary interruptions.
Jetpack movement has also been overhauled, removing older momentum exploits and providing more predictable vertical control. Combined with updated input mappings, these changes make movement more responsive while reducing edge-case behaviors that previously favored experienced players disproportionately.
Weapons, Loadouts, and the Role of Choice
Off The Grid now limits players to two weapon slots, removing the dedicated pistol slot and forcing more deliberate loadout decisions. Pistols have been reclassified as primary weapons and buffed accordingly, while sniper rifles have undergone extensive tuning to preserve their role without overwhelming long-range engagements.
Weapon audio has been reworked for better feedback, bullet impacts are easier to read at distance, and an expanded bullet penetration system allows rounds to pass through certain objects and even players. This system is still in its early stages, but it introduces more dynamic firefights and the potential for collateral damage in tightly packed encounters.
A Structural Step Forward for Off The Grid
Ranked Protocol positions Off The Grid as a more structured and competitive experience without abandoning its extraction shooter roots. By separating ranked and casual play, reworking progression, and redefining the role of cyberlimbs, the December 2025 update establishes a clearer framework for future development. For a web3-enabled shooter still carving out its identity, this update signals a shift toward long-term stability and competitive longevity rather than short-term novelty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Ranked Protocol in Off The Grid?
Ranked Protocol is the December 2025 update that introduces Ranked Mode, reworks progression and economy systems, and significantly adjusts combat, cyberlimbs, and world mechanics.
How does Ranked Mode differ from Casual Extraction Royale?
Ranked Mode focuses on competitive play with stricter respawn rules, higher reward scaling, and no campaign content. Casual Extraction Royale offers a more relaxed experience with reduced high-rarity loot and no rank pressure.
What are Legendary Cyberlimbs?
Legendary Cyberlimbs are powerful, match-only variants of existing limbs that feature enhanced abilities or persistent effects. They are intended as late-game tools similar to legendary weapons.
Why were weapon slots reduced to two?
The reduction encourages more meaningful loadout decisions, improves weapon swapping on controllers, and prevents players from covering every combat range without trade-offs.
Does Off The Grid still support casual players after this update?
Yes. The introduction of Casual Extraction Royale and the removal of rank pressure from that mode ensure that players can still enjoy the game without engaging in competitive progression.
