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Which access window applies to you?
As of October 4, Founder’s Pack owners are playing during Advanced Access. The full free-to-play global opening remains scheduled for October 5, 2026 at 13:00 UTC, or 15:00 CEST in Paris.
The published schedule closes Advanced Access at 05:00 UTC on October 5 and reserves the following eight hours for maintenance. A downloaded client or an existing character does not allow play during maintenance.
| Milestone | UTC | Paris time |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Access ends / maintenance starts | October 5 · 05:00 | October 5 · 07:00 CEST |
| Scheduled full launch / maintenance ends | October 5 · 13:00 | October 5 · 15:00 CEST |
Prepare before the opening
- Install the global Windows client and allow time for launcher updates.
- Use the October 3–4 launch server announcement to agree on region, faction and server with your group before creating a character.
- Keep the account that owns any purchased pack signed into the launcher.
- Read the latest maintenance notice immediately before your planned session.
Choose a launch destination
NC published a separate server list for the free-to-play opening. Match the region, faction and exact server name with your group, and distinguish these launch servers from the Advanced Access server pool before committing to a character.
Use the server guide to compare the published lists, then check the character-creation screen when service opens. A listed server is a planned destination, not a guarantee of immediate entry or unrestricted character creation.
- Launch Server ListNC / AION 2 Global · Global · Published 4 October 2026 · Reviewed 4 October 2026
If the opening time has passed
Check the notice timestamp and your timezone before treating a login failure as an account problem. Maintenance can be extended, while an individual server may also have a queue or a character-creation restriction.
If the publisher reports service restored and your account alone cannot enter, record the exact error and follow the troubleshooting guide. Avoid purchasing a second access pack while investigating an entitlement issue.
Global is a separate service
Korea and Taiwan launched in November 2025. Their characters and progression do not transfer into global. A regional update video can show classes, progression caps or systems that are absent from the global client.
Use the Global label for launch planning; use KR / TW articles as regional references. Check the article’s source date before copying a build or progression route.
Sources for this article
- Advanced Access ServersNC / AION 2 Global · Global · Published 29 September 2026 · Reviewed 2 October 2026
- AION 2 on SteamNC on Steam · Global PC · Reviewed 2 October 2026
- AION 2 official global teaser siteNC Japan · Global / Japan-facing English page · Reviewed 2 October 2026
- NC reveals AION 2, CINDER CITY and Like or Die at gamescom ONLNC · Global launch · Published 26 August 2026 · Reviewed 2 October 2026
- Scheduled Maintenance Sun Oct 4 / Mon Oct 5NC / AION 2 Global · Global · Published 4 October 2026 · Reviewed 4 October 2026
- AION 2 official Steam news feedNC on Steam · Global · Reviewed 4 October 2026
- Launch FAQNC / AION 2 Global · Global · Published 30 September 2026 · Reviewed 2 October 2026
- AION 2 Launches at Midnight on November 19 in Korea and TaiwanNCSOFT · KR/TW · Published 18 November 2025 · Reviewed 2 October 2026
- Launch Server ListNC / AION 2 Global · Global · Published 4 October 2026 · Reviewed 4 October 2026
Publisher facts are summarized in original prose. Practical recommendations are editorial advice. Read our methodology.
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