NIKKE x Lycoris Recoil Collab: Patch 2026-02 Breakdown

The eagerly awaited Lycoris Recoil crossover headlines the NIKKE February 2026 patch, bringing a rare blend of limited collab units, challenging new events, and sweeping system updates. With a combination of F2P-friendly event rewards and strategic banners staggered throughout the month, this update is set to redefine roster planning and meta priorities for both collectors and competitive players.

Maintenance for Patch 2026-02 arrives on 2026-02-12 (UTC+9), with extended downtime and mandatory updates across all clients—Commanders are urged to make pre-patch checks and allocate enough device space (see checklist below).

At a Glance: Key Dates & Banners

Maintenance: 2026-02-12 00:00 to 07:00 (UTC+9); server downtime required for all
SSR Chisato Nishikigi Banner: 2026-02-12 post-maintenance–2026-03-12 04:59 (UTC+9)
SSR Takina Inoue Banner: 2026-02-19 05:00–2026-03-12 04:59 (UTC+9)
SR Kurumi (Event Reward): Earnable throughout collaboration period
Major Collab Event: 'Lie cause Recoil' active 2026-02-12 to 2026-03-12
New costumes: Available via passes, gacha, and mission rewards

Banner Schedule & Rates

Banner Phase	Start	End	Featured Unit(s)	SSR Rate	Target Rate
Chisato Nishikigi	2026-02-12 after maintenance	2026-03-12 04:59 (UTC+9)	SSR Chisato Nishikigi	4%	2%
Takina Inoue	2026-02-19 05:00	2026-03-12 04:59 (UTC+9)	SSR Takina Inoue	4%	2%

Pity:
– Gold Mileage (200 tickets) guarantees one copy of the banner SSR—no currency expiry at banner end.
– Units will not enter standard pools post-collab (confirmed: both banner SSRs and SR Kurumi lock out after event period).

Event Overview: 'Lie cause Recoil'

The centerpiece collaboration event offers:

Story-driven stages (split into Part 1 and 2; full clear yields Advanced Recruit Vouchers, materials, and event currency)
Free SR Kurumi: Earned via participation and login milestones (log in for 14 days to guarantee claim)
Challenge & Cooperative Boss Fights: Coordinated Operation schedule (three weekends; see related guide)
Mini-game: 'LYCO RECO BEATS' – Rhythm game daily tasks for minor extras
Special Passes: FIRST/SECOND LYCORIS PASS (paid; unlocks limited costumes for Chisato and Takina)
Limited cosmetics: Mission-locked, gacha, and pass-exclusive outfits

Note: All collab characters and rewards are confirmed as time-limited and not re-added to standard or mileage shops after event close (2026-03-12 04:59 UTC+9).

Should You Pull? (F2P/Low-Spend Guidance)

SSR Chisato Nishikigi
- Role: Attacker (SMG, Iron, Abnormal)
- Banner window: 2026-02-12 after maintenance–2026-03-12 (UTC+9)
- Strengths: Burst-enhanced damage and self-buffing; strong in skirmish and challenge content
- Drawbacks: Not stated in official materials—future meta impact uncertain
- Recommendation: Collab units rarely rerun and won’t enter permanent recruit pools—priority for collection and flex utility. 2% rate = usual 50 pulls per SSR; plan accordingly for Gold Mileage if F2P.
SSR Takina Inoue
- Role: Supporter (Sniper Rifle, Iron, Abnormal)
- Banner window: 2026-02-19 05:00–2026-03-12 (UTC+9)
- Strengths: Teamwide offensive buffs, enemy debuffs, true damage burst
- Drawbacks: Not stated in official materials—synergy beyond event context unknown
- Recommendation: Synergizes with attacker-heavy comps, most valuable if missing flexible support elsewhere.
SR Kurumi
- Acquisition: Free via 14-day login or collab event participation
- Use: Early-game utility and extra roster depth
- F2P Note: Highly recommended to secure Kurumi via free event route; no future access.
General Tips:
- Ordinary Recruit Vouchers do NOT work on these banners; stock up on Gems/Advanced Recruit Vouchers.
- Mileage system (200 Gold) is only insurance—calculate currency needs early.
- F2P/low-spend: Prioritize Chisato or Takina according to team needs, but beware split banners; skip one if you want to guarantee the other.

Teams & Synergy

Chisato Nishikigi: Best slotted as primary damage dealer, pairs well with skill-boosting and shield supports. Consider units offering reload/attack speed buffs for optimal output.
Takina Inoue: Flexible, works in both mono-Iron and hybrid teams. Her Defense Down and True Damage mechanics may combo well with burst AOEs and single-target bosses.
SR Kurumi: Event-reward specialist. Useful for players with limited rosters or climbing mid-level content but easily out-scaled later.

F2P and low-spend players: focus on integrating Chisato or Takina into default compositions, adjusting flex slots for meta performance during the collab period.

Events & Rewards Breakdown

[Lie cause Recoil] Core Timeline

Stage/Event	Start/End	Key Rewards
Collab Main Event	2026-02-12 post-maintenance–2026-03-12	Gems, SR Kurumi, materials, relics
Story Part 2 Unlock	2026-02-19 05:00	Advanced Recruit Vouchers
Coop. Operations	Three weekends (dates below)	Broken Cores, Gems, dev materials
14-Day Login	2026-02-12 post-maintenance–2026-03-12	SR Kurumi, vouchers, materials

Coordinated Operation Phases:
– 2026-02-13 12:00–2026-02-15 23:59 (UTC+9)
– 2026-02-20 12:00–2026-02-22 23:59 (UTC+9)
– 2026-02-27 12:00–2026-03-01 23:59 (UTC+9)

Other Events:
– CHOCOLATE, PLEASE! (2026-02-13 05:00–2026-02-16 04:59): Short, light-hearted daily event.
– FULL BURST DAY (Weekend intervals): Enhanced rewards for Interception and Simulation Room.

New Systems & QoL

Campaign: Chapters 43 and 44 now open (normal mode), continuing main scenario (note: Jien Japanese VO not present for these chapters at launch).
Lost Sector: Sector 27 and EX-15 available post-patch.
Tribe/Manufacturer Tower: Expanded to Floor 1350 and 1250 respectively.
Solo Raid Museum: Boss re-challenge features, improved tracking for buffs/missions; expanded ranking and reward options.
Favorite Items: Now includes Privaty, Moran, Zwei, and Centi.
UI/Profiles: Fresh lobby backgrounds, expanded profile decor, and title additions.

Preparation Checklist (Pre-Patch)

Free device space (15GB+, recommended 20GB for new installs)
Complete daily/weekly event tasks to avoid missing stamina/currency
Stock Advanced Recruit Vouchers & Gems for collab pulls
Plan for event login days—SR Kurumi is time-locked
Level up key team units in anticipation of power-creep challenges

Day-1 Priorities After Maintenance

Update client from official store (AppStore/Google Play/PC Launcher)
Log in to secure SR Kurumi and start event progression
Check banner rates and pity; plan pulls around Gold Mileage budget
Progress through campaign and collab events for maximum rewards
Review new profile/lobby options for customization

Accessibility & Visual Guidance

Suggested Visual: Banner overview chart with dates and rates for Chisato and Takina.
- Alt text example: "Table highlighting limited-time banners, phase dates, and SSR acquisition rates in NIKKE's February 2026 Lycoris Recoil collab update."
Suggested Visual: Event roadmap summarizing the timeline of the collab’s events and mini-games.
- Alt text example: "Timeline graphic showing start and end dates of Lycoris Recoil main event, mini-game, coordinated operations, and login rewards in NIKKE patch 2026-02."

Conclusion: Meta Shifts & What’s Next

The Lycoris Recoil collaboration sets a high bar for limited-time NIKKE content—balancing exclusive character designs, generous event rewards, and meta-altering banners. For F2P and low-spend Commanders, resource planning and event engagement are critical to maximizing value.

Stay tuned for post-patch analyses and team comp breakdowns on EarlyGG, and revisit past major updates for context on meta evolution.

For further guides on event strategy, banner math, and in-depth reviews of Chisato and Takina, see our internal February 2026 Patch: Coordinated Operation Event Arrival and January 2026 Update: Velvet Debuts, Banner Guide & Key overviews.

Official update notes referenced. No unconfirmed leaks or rumors included. All dates verified as of publication.

NIKKE x Lycoris Recoil Collab: Patch 2026-02 Breakdown