PUBG and Stellar Blade come together in the unlikeliest collab, and it'll make your wallet cry

PUBG Battlegrounds and Stellar Blade could not be more different, but they do say that opposites attract. Well, the effect must've been especially potent for PUBG Studios and Shift Up, because the neighbouring developers have teamed up on something more than a little unexpected. Stellar Blade protagonist Eve has just been announced as PUBG's third Contender, and the Naytiba-slaying heroine has today traded her sword for a frying pan in the freshly-dropped Update 41.1.

Alongside Eve's base Nano Suit, you'll be able to access her War Dress and Comfort Force skins through leveling her up. You can also unlock a couple of different hair options, which are all interchangeable. PUBG's Contender skins and upgrades are tied to its gacha system, so it won't come cheap unless you have a serious lucky streak. Considering it can cost 100s, if not 1,000s of dollars to max a Contender cosmetic if you get the short end of the straw, I'm not really seeing the appeal. All of Eve's outfits are completely free in Stellar Blade, so seeing such egregious monetization in her battle royale game iteration is a bit of an ick.

Nonetheless, I can imagine there will be plenty of G-Coin packs sold; whales are gonna whale, after all. You will get a few modest cracks at getting Eve through completing event missions and clearing the event pass, but don't hold your breath. If you do miss out, then at least you'll be able to trade your tokens in for other craftables. You can check out everything on offer in the deep dive post here.

PUBG debuted its Contender line last year. These were intended to be ultra-premium cosmetics with elevated elements that made them stand out from other skins. 2025 inductees Hanna and Dorian weren't quite up to snuff, and PUBG Studios acknowledged it had missed the mark. In its 2026 roadmap, the studio said it's "doubling down on the unique Contender experience by reinforcing narrative elements you can feel in gameplay and expanding customization freedom." At the very least, Eve is a step in the right direction.

Elsewhere in the PUBG Update 41.1 patch notes, there's a brand new mode, Xeno Point, which has you defend against invading forces on Miramar. On Erangel, meanwhile, new destructible terrain has popped up, allowing you to morph the map using explosives or, in Fortnite fashion, with the newly added pickaxe. There are also new attachments and a new use for the Blue Chip Tower, which lets you cough up your chips for a care package, among other tweaks, changes, and additions. It's a solid patch, all told, so know that there's at least something positive in today's update, even if Eve doesn't come home.