NIKKE January 2026 Update: Velvet Debuts, Banner Guide & Key
SSR Velvet arrives in Goddess of Victory: NIKKE with new banners, limited costumes, and FATAL MAID event. All details for collectors and F2P planners.
Tyler Smith SSR Velvet Headlines NIKKE's Massive January 2026 Content Drop
The first 2026 banner cycle in Goddess of Victory: NIKKE is setting the stage with one of its flashiest additions to date: SSR Velvet. For veteran collectors and fresh "Commanders" alike, this update lands alongside a dense schedule of costume reruns, exclusive events, and banner rotations that warrant close planning—especially for F2P and low-spend players. If you’re aiming to maximize your recruits or debating where to invest resources, this patch’s timing and content deserve careful review.
At a Glance: Critical Dates & Content
- Major Update: Scheduled maintenance on 2026-01-29, 11:00–15:00 UTC+9 (duration may change)
- SSR Velvet banner (Special Recruit): 2026-01-29 (post-maintenance) – 2026-02-11, 23:59:59 UTC+9
- Limited costume reruns: Various, ending 2026-02-11, 23:59:59 UTC+9
- FATAL MAID event duration: 2026-01-29 – 2026-02-11 (UTC+9)
- Union Raid: 2026-01-30, 05:00 – 2026-02-05, 04:59 UTC+9
- File size requirement: 15GB+ for updates, 20GB+ for new installs
Banner Breakdown: Who, When, and Pull Rates
| Banner/Phase | Start (UTC+9) | End (UTC+9) | SSR Rates | Featured SSRs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Recruit: Velvet | 2026-01-29 (after maintenance) | 2026-02-11, 23:59:59 | 4% SSR, 2% Velvet | Velvet (Support, Tetra, Wind) |
| Costume Reruns (Sin, Trony, Signal, Drake) | 2026-01-29 (after maintenance) | 2026-02-11, 23:59:59 | Not stated in official materials | Respective costume units |
SSR Velvet is available only during this window via Special Recruit, with a 2% individual rate (overall SSR at 4%). Gems (paid/free) or Advanced Recruit Vouchers may be used (Ordinary Recruit Vouchers are not accepted). Gold Mileage Tickets are awarded per pull and may be exchanged for Velvet (x200 required, available during the event only).
SSR Snow White: Heavy Arms and SSR Nikke Label remain in ordinary recruitment with specific limitations. See in-game banners for unit eligibility.
Should You Pull for Velvet?
F2P and resource-conscious players need to note these points before committing:
- 4% chance for any SSR, 2% for Velvet: Standard gacha odds; securing Velvet may require upwards of 100 pulls for most players (guaranteed via Gold Mileage, but requires 200 pulls).
- Limited-time costume (Sensual Rabbit): Only obtainable by maxing February Mission Pass (purchased, mission-based); this skin will not rerun in this update's shop cycle.
- Competing reruns: Multiple high-appeal costumes are rerunning for a limited period—budgeting for both characters and cosmetics is essential.
- Post-banner availability: Velvet enters Ordinary and Social Recruits, as well as Mold drops, only after the Special Recruit window closes. She will not be added to the Mileage Shop.
Recommendation:
– Prioritize Velvet if you value her Support/Attack synergy or collect Maid For You squad members.
– Consider saving if your team is not in immediate need; non-payers will find better long-term value with existing high-tier staples, as reruns and rate-ups are increasingly frequent.
Key Events & Rewards: FATAL MAID and Beyond
FATAL MAID introduces a fresh storyline featuring Velvet at the Maid Cafe, with new Challenge Stage boss battles and an event shop filled with Recruit Vouchers and skill upgrade materials. Event shop and missions close on 2026-02-11, 23:59:59 UTC+9—redeem items before the cutoff.
Other notable time-limited events:
– ROMANTIC VALENTINE (Archive unlock): Accessible as of 2026-01-29 via Command Center, tied to ARK GUARDIAN Memory Film drops.
– 7-Day Login Event – MAID CAFE STAMP: Log in for any seven days to claim Recruit Vouchers and enhancement materials.
– Union Raid (Boss challenge): Open 2026-01-30 – 2026-02-05; only accessible to Union level 3+.
– Coordinated Operation (Boss: Ziz): Quick three-day event (2026-01-30 to 2026-02-01), team up to earn Broken Cores and ranking currency for the shop.
– Champion Arena (Beta Season 22): Competitive PvP season begins 2026-01-29.
Preparation Checklist Before Maintenance
- Free up storage: 15GB minimum, or 20GB for new installs (mandatory per new update requirements).
- Spin down long missions: Wrap up time-sensitive campaign/event tasks before downtime.
- Resource planning: Delay pulls until after maintenance to access new banners, unless targeting earlier features.
- Update client: Via App Store, Google Play, or PC launcher post-maintenance; do not close the app while updating resources to avoid failures.
Day-1 Priorities: Where to Log In First
- Check Recruit banners for SSR Velvet and evaluate resources.
- Begin FATAL MAID event—clear early stages for event currency.
- Start the 7-Day Login Event for free pulls/materials.
- Register for Union Raid and Coordinated Operation if eligible.
- Visit Cash Shop for time-limited rerun skins (Sin, Trony, Signal, Drake) if aiming to complete collections.
QoL and System Updates
- PIRATE CAFE mini-game added to the Arcade for additional casual rewards.
- New profile card objects and in-game titles offer more ways to personalize your presence.
- Full bug fix and optimization notes will be published post-maintenance (not stated in official materials as of this patch note).
Visual suggestion: Consider a banner image featuring Velvet with the Maid For You squad, or a table showing the current Special Recruit rates, to help players quickly visualize the new banner. Alt text should read: "SSR Velvet heads the Maid For You squad in the Goddess of Victory: NIKKE January 2026 update banner overview."
Costumes: New and Returning—Plan Accordingly
| Costume | Unit | Obtain via | Sale Period (UTC+9) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensual Rabbit | Velvet | Feb Mission Pass | 2026-02-01 – 2026-02-28 |
| Backstreet Dream (Rerun) | Sin | Cash Shop | 2026-01-29 – 2026-02-11 |
| Sweet Step (Rerun) | Trony | Cash Shop | 2026-01-29 – 2026-02-11 |
| Dramatic Chocolate (Rerun) | Signal | Cash Shop | 2026-01-29 – 2026-02-11 |
| Maid For Villain (Rerun) | Drake | Cash Shop | 2026-01-29 – 2026-02-11 |
Advisory: Most costumes are time-limited and must be purchased during the stated window. Sensual Rabbit is exclusive to the Mission Pass track for February.
Teams & Synergies: Velvet's Place in Current Meta
SSR Velvet brings a support kit focused on ammo consumption to buff attacks—likely to slot best into rapid-fire or magazine-centric squads. Her synergy potential will shine in teams that benefit from burst support and attack chain triggers, particularly with other Maid For You units or multi-shot weapons.
– Alternative cores: If lacking top-tier DPS, consider Velvet as a sub-support paired with burst attackers (e.g., Modernia, Scarlet)
– Note: Early theorycrafting only; full performance metrics pending wider community data.
Looking Ahead
This patch sets the tone for NIKKE’s live service model in 2026: stacked unit banners, recurring cosmetics, and event-led content cycles. Pay special attention to resource allocation, as future events may overlap more frequently. Track banner expiry closely, and revisit other EarlyGG coverage for context on evolving meta and past rotations.
Key Takeaways:
- SSR Velvet’s Special Recruit offers new meta strategies and collection value, but resource management is crucial for F2P.
- Stacked costume reruns and event rotations—log in early for best access and reward planning.
- Review all deadlines and update requirements closely to avoid missing content.
Stay tuned on EarlyGG for deep-dive guides, meta analysis, and upcoming patch leaks as we approach the next content cycle for Goddess of Victory: NIKKE.