The Early Sunset / Ex Machina update is the first major part of Pilgrammed’s Junk Pits expansion, introducing a brand-new progression path, new exploration mechanics, powerful enemies, and several unlockable tools. While players were excited to jump into the new content immediately, the update also adds progression requirements that must be completed before accessing the new area.
If you’re wondering what was added and how to start the update, here’s everything you need to know.
How to Start the Early Sunset Update
The new content begins in the Village of the Rain, where players can find the entrance leading toward the Junk Pits expansion.
However, you cannot access the new area immediately.
Before entering, you must meet several requirements:
- Reach Soul Level 8
- Defeat Highway Son
- Speak to the required NPC after defeating the boss
If you haven’t reached Soul Level 8 yet, you’ll need to continue progressing through the base game before the update opens.
Junk Pits Expansion (Part One)
The Early Sunset update marks the beginning of the Junk Pits storyline.
Although this is only the first part, players can already explore new environments, discover hidden NPCs, and unlock progression items that will be useful in future updates.
The developers have confirmed this is only the beginning of a larger expansion.
New Sky Battleground Rewards
The update gives players another reason to visit the Sky Battlegrounds.
One of the biggest rewards is the Slingshot, but earning it isn’t as simple as finding it.
To unlock the Slingshot, you must:
- Enter the Sky Battlegrounds.
- Survive until Wave 30.
- Return to claim the reward.
Lower waves are relatively easy, but later waves include stronger enemies and boss encounters.
New Boss: Highway Son
One of the major additions is the Highway Son boss.
Defeating Highway Son is now part of the main progression toward the Junk Pits update.
The fight features:
- Multiple attack patterns
- High damage attacks
- A second phase
- Powerful projectile abilities
Learning the boss’s attack timing and parrying key abilities makes the encounter much easier.
Glider Unlock
After defeating Highway Son, players receive one of the most useful traversal upgrades in the game:
The Glider
The Glider greatly improves exploration by allowing players to travel across large gaps and reach areas that were previously difficult or impossible to access.
It also speeds up general exploration throughout Pilgrammed.
Climbing Claws
Another important mobility upgrade introduced during progression is the Climbing Claws.
These allow players to climb specific walls and cliffs that previously blocked exploration.
Once unlocked, returning to older regions becomes worthwhile since many hidden paths are now accessible.
New Exploration Areas
Players will encounter several previously inaccessible locations during the update, including:
- New cloud platforms
- Hidden teleport locations
- Pitfall entrances
- Mountain climbing routes
- Additional mystery locations
Some locations remain locked until higher Soul Levels, encouraging players to continue progressing before returning.
Stronger New Enemies
The update introduces several new enemy types across different regions.
Players may encounter enemies such as:
- Pink Slimes
- Colored Orb creatures
- Mystery Worms
- Giant Mystery Worms
- Additional Junk Pit creatures
Many of these enemies deal significantly more damage than early-game monsters, making proper equipment and parrying more important.
New Training Quest Rewards
The Elite Training questline has also been expanded.
Completing the training tasks requires defeating enemies such as:
- Mystery Worms
- Magma Turtle
- Mondo Squid
After finishing the questline, players receive new rewards, including the Elite Knight Helmet.
Although the helmet may not be the strongest equipment for every build, completing the quest unlocks additional progression.
Banking Gold Is More Important
One lesson many players quickly learned is to bank your gold frequently.
Since dying causes players to lose carried gold, storing money before exploring dangerous areas can save a large amount of progress.
This becomes increasingly important while learning new bosses and exploring unfamiliar regions.
Higher Soul Levels Unlock More Content
The update heavily expands endgame progression.
Several new locations require higher Soul Levels before they become accessible.
Examples include:
- Soul Level 8 for the Junk Pits progression.
- Soul Level 10 for certain restricted areas.
Players who haven’t reached these milestones should continue completing quests, defeating bosses, and leveling before attempting the newest content.
New Weapons and Equipment
Throughout the update, players can discover several new pieces of equipment, including:
- Slingshot
- Round Staff
- Climbing Claws
- Glider
- Elite Knight Helmet
- Various accessories and armor drops from new enemies
Many of these items focus on improving exploration rather than simply increasing combat power.
The Early Sunset / Ex Machina update is a major progression update that expands Pilgrammed beyond its existing world. Instead of immediately throwing players into the Junk Pits, the game encourages them to strengthen their character by defeating Highway Son, increasing their Soul Level, unlocking traversal tools like the Glider and Climbing Claws, and completing new training quests.
While this release only covers the first part of the Junk Pits expansion, it lays the foundation for future updates with new bosses, exploration mechanics, equipment, and areas that reward players who continue progressing through the game.