AFK Journey players have a substantial reason to log in as Version 1.1.17 arrives as the final major update before the Song of Strife season concludes. The patch does not simply adjust numbers or fix minor issues—it introduces a new hero, a fresh fishing system, a magical time-capsule feature, updated event rewards, and additional PvE content. With the Asia-Pacific launch celebration in full swing, the update also makes several premium heroes more accessible than before.

Aves 11 Makes Her Debut
The headline addition is the mysterious Aves 11, who makes her official debut in this version. Players can complete simple quests in the Swallow's Retreat event to earn one Lily May's Soul Sigil and a set of upgrade items. The event is designed to be approachable, giving both new and returning players a clear path to strengthen their roster without requiring an overwhelming time investment.
All Heroes Available Event Expanded
To celebrate the Asia-Pacific launch of AFK Journey, the development team has refreshed the hero list for the All Heroes Available event before the new season begins. Players can obtain all heroes introduced from March 27 to August 8, including the Celestial Talene and the Hypogean Phraesto. The login requirement for a hero draw has also been reduced from seven days to five, so players can collect powerful units more quickly. It is a meaningful shift for free-to-play and low-spending players, who previously had to wait longer to secure top-tier heroes.
Time Seedlings: A Magical Memory Garden
Version 1.1.17 also introduces Time Seedlings, a whimsical feature tied to Magisters and their ability to seal photos and text with magic. When a Magister crystallizes a memory, it becomes a Time Seedling that can be unsealed after a long period, much like amber preserving something from the past. Growth does not rely on typical watering or sunlight; instead, Time Seedlings feed on the power of wishes. The more wishes players send, the faster the seedling develops. Once fully nurtured, a Time Seedling grows into an Everlife Tree, creating a lasting in-game record of moments that might otherwise be forgotten.
🎣 Fishing Brings a New World-Map Activity
Players exploring the world map will now encounter fishing spots with abundant fish. Each fishing spot features different species, and dedicated anglers can keep a record of everything they catch. Weight matters: heavier fish are considered higher quality, and with a little luck, players may reel in rare fish with unique colors. The system is not a simple button press, however. A small slip-up while casting can cost a catch, so timing and precision matter. Practice makes perfect, and the feature adds a relaxing but skill-based side activity to the game.
Additional PvE and Returning Events
Beyond the new modes, Version 1.1.17 features a new PvE mode and brings back some previous events. Details are still being rolled out through official social media platforms and community channels, but players can expect more opportunities to earn resources and test different team compositions. The return of older events also helps newer players catch up on limited-time rewards they may have missed.
Patch Highlights at a Glance
| Feature | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Aves 11 | New mysterious hero debut |
| Swallow's Retreat | Earn Lily May's Soul Sigil and upgrade items |
| All Heroes Available | Talene, Phraesto, and more; login days reduced to 5 |
| Time Seedlings | Plant memories and grow them into Everlife Tree |
| Fishing | Catch, record, and collect rare fish on the world map |
| PvE Mode | New player-versus-environment challenge |
Compared with standard patch cycles, Version 1.1.17 leans heavily into side activities and collection. The fishing system offers a persistent hobby that can be enjoyed without consuming stamina, while Time Seedlings add a social and sentimental layer. Meanwhile, the All Heroes Available update directly reduces the gap between newer accounts and established players, making the pre-season period an ideal time to build a second team or re-roll for a favored hero.
Overall, Version 1.1.17 gives AFK Journey players several reasons to return before Song of Strife ends. Whether they are chasing rare fish, nurturing a Time Seedling, or adding Talene and Phraesto to their collection, the patch combines casual activities with meaningful progression rewards. Since the update acts as the final major content drop of the season, players may want to complete event quests early and keep an eye on official announcements for exact end dates.
Data referenced from HowLongToBeat can help frame AFK Journey Version 1.1.17’s appeal as a “pre-season wrap-up” update: features like Fishing and Time Seedlings add low-pressure, repeatable goals that suit short daily sessions, while the Swallow’s Retreat quests and the refreshed All Heroes Available event give returning players a clear, time-efficient path to meaningful roster upgrades before Song of Strife ends.