With WoW MoP Classic about to be officially launched, recent testing and upgrades are also in full swing. Many old players have personally participated in it to experience it first, and gave developers suggestions based on their gaming experience. At the same time, the developers also analyzed and improved the game data of the majority of players in Beta test version.
Recently, the developers announced adjustments to item levels in Arena combat. This article mainly introduces these specific adjustments and analysis of possible problems with game details and the reasons for making some changes.
Some Changes In Beta TestThe developers saw great enthusiasm from players in MoP Classic Beta, not only with a lot of game data, but also with corresponding detailed player feedback. This enabled them to take corresponding measures to improve PvP experience of players. Here are the changes that have been made in Beta:
Item level of Season 12 Elite PvP weapons lowered to 483 (was 490). Item level of Season 12 Non-Elite PvP weapons raised to 483 (was 470). Battle Fatigue’s healing and shielding reduction raised to 40% (was 30%).You May Like: $1
Some Reasons For These ChangesThe developers are making these changes based not only on the data and feedback from the current Beta players, but also on past game data, especially the performance of different seasons.
When some players invest a lot of $1 to quickly obtain iLvl 490 Elite PvP weapons, although many games will be significantly faster, there is a corresponding risk of unbalanced games. 20 item levels of damage are difficult for players to contend with, and unlike Beta test, not all players will get such weapons.
The differences between the different weapons are only reflected in the first season. In seasons 13 to 15, Elite PvP weapon only has a cooler appearance, and its combat effect is no different from the base Conquest weapon.
When the developers analyzed the game data before Mists of Pandaria, they found that season 12 was obviously an exception. Because that time coincided with the period of various PvP changes, there were not many restrictions and caps, but only a lower Battle Fatigue.
The reason why all item levels were not adjusted to level 490 in this change is that in season 13, Conquest weapon is iLvl 498. This means that there is only an 8-item level difference between the previous and next seasons.
However, in the later Arena seasons, the difference between weapons is 24 and 28 item levels respectively. Therefore, it is a reasonable setting to have at least 15 item levels between different weapons. This means that players basically have the weapons of the next season in season 12.
So it is reasonable for the developers to set the item level of weapons and armor to 483, which is the iLvl of Season 12 armor, just like the style of most seasons in the later period of MoP.
Explanation For Some Players' Questions Why Did They Add Battle Fatigue In This Change?According to the developers, the corresponding damage of players will be reduced when holding lower-level weapons, so for the sake of game balance, the treatment effect will be further reduced to achieve the effect of balanced weapon damage.
At the same time, during testing, they will continue to monitor the level of Battle Fatigue and the corresponding effects to detect whether such adjustments are reasonable.
Why Not Just Use High-Item-Level Weapons To Speed Up The Game?In fact, the essence of this adjustment is to speed up the game process by increasing Battle Fatigue. Because after it is increased from 30% to 40%, the treatment effect will be reduced by 14.3%.
Although weapons with lower item levels will have lower damage, the treatment effect will also be reduced after the damage is caused, and the damage will be more sustained. So during the battle, the game process will also be accelerated, but the burst damage will be reduced.
Will These Changes Affect The Performance Of Player Weapons In PvE?The developer believes that this will not have a big impact, because combined with the specific analysis of the game, in Celestial Dungeons, players can easily get iLvl 483 weapons with a Sha-Touched Socket. At the same time, this will also give players a relatively easy opportunity to add +500 primary stat. The overall effect of the two combined is the same as the old version of 490 item level weapons.
SummaryWoW MoP Classic is still in the testing phase. Only by working together with players and developers can the game be continuously optimized before the game is officially launched. Players provide real game experience and data, giving developers the most real feedback.
At the same time, developers need to listen to the voice of players, monitor and analyze relevant data and specific performance in the game, and continuously improve this upcoming classic version on the technical level.
Since Helldivers 2 was released last year, players have experienced different campaigns, big and small. It is different from traditional plot games. The focus is not on a coherent storyline, but on the interspersed diversity of Major Orders and irregular update events.
It is more like a combination of a multiplayer online game and a traditional single-player gun-action game. Therefore, each update will give players different tasks, and the game experience will also be different.
There are two things that attract players the most in the recent update. One is the different enemies to challenge, and the other is that all players may be given a commemorative cape unconditionally.
New Major Orders, New Enemies And New ChallengesAfter the players experienced the climax battle to defend Super Earth, new enemies and new Major Orders were also launched. The latest Major Order is to defend against a large-scale Automaton invasion. And Jetpack Hulks have become the main enemy in the game. Players can see their figures in the sky during combat missions.
Because these Hulks are equipped with jetpacks, they move very fast. Of course, in order to reduce the difficulty of the battle to a certain extent, their movement trajectory is set relatively simple, and players can predict it after a period of time. And Hulks are relatively large, so players can easily hit them.
By joining different battles and completing corresponding tasks, players can get rich rewards. Of course, if you want to complete the challenge more easily, you need to use $1 to get Premium Warbound to upgrade their weapons, and you can also unlock different appearance kits.
New War ExperienceBecause it has just been launched, many players are still adapting to the settings and related operations of weapons. However, due to the new enemy settings, most players are very excited and enjoy the fierce battle against the air.
At first, players didn't believe their eyes and thought that there was a bug in the game during the battle, but later they gradually adapted to this. This is actually the most common scene in the new battle. Players can enjoy the spectacular air battles and see the fireworks formed by the enemy's explosion in the air.
Feedback And Compensation For All PlayersBecause the game company's login restriction problem caused extreme dissatisfaction among players last year, players bombarded Helldivers 2 with negative reviews on Steam at that time. Thousands of negative reviews bombed on Steam, causing an uproar. In the end, the game company and the players reached an agreement and the problem was solved.
In order to commemorate this incident and appease the players, the game developers decided to give all players a special gift unconditionally in the future: Pillars of Freedom Capes, also known as "review bomb" capes by players.
Because in the game, most of the appearance items and powerful weapons need to be unlocked through Warbonds, and this time the capes may not only be free, but also have a certain commemorative significance. So this has aroused great expectations among the majority of players. After all, which player doesn't want to have a cool cape with commemorative significance for free?
Dune Awakening faithfully recreates Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi world, and for fans of the original, this highly restored approach provides an excellent gaming experience.
The game often uses harsh natural environments and empty desert spaces to control and guide the player’s pace of exploration, turning settings that could have been a disadvantage into advantages.
ProsDune Awakening is characterized by combining survival and MMORPG growth elements, which is a relatively new experience for most players.
If you have played any survival games before, or at least watched a Dune movie, you should have a general idea of how to survive in this sandworm-infested world. In short, it is to collect resources, build yourself a preliminary shelter where you can sleep and rest, and upgrade your equipment in preparation for more dangerous areas with rarer Dune Awakening items.
The developers of Dune Awakening are obviously more comfortable with survival content, as they once made Conan Exiles (although its reviews were mixed). Some players may be discouraged by the harsh survival conditions at the beginning, but this is the fun of survival games: challenging nature, defeating nature, and controlling nature.
Dune Awakening sets many survival dilemmas for players, forcing them to quickly start looking for resources and enter the game state.
Dune Awakening has a day and night rotation, and the sun is the most common enemy faced by players. If you are directly exposed to the sun, you will start to dehydrate in just a few seconds.
Sandstorms will appear at irregular intervals. They roll across the entire map. As long as you stay in it, you will lose blood. You only have half a minute to find a shelter; and the most representative danger is those troublesome giant sandworms. If you stay in their territory for too long, they will be swallowed by them.
So you can’t just leisurely collect $1 and then pick a nice place to build a base. Instead, you have to tense up your nerves to find shade behind rocks, try to avoid the scorching sun, drink every drop of drinking water that is left, and fight the environment every second you spend in the atmosphere.
All of this will be greatly improved as your technology level increases. When you go from walking to Sandbike to ornithopter. You gradually become able to deal with the world calmly, and you can get satisfaction. Although the combination of technology and survival is a bit strange, this is the weird style of the original book.
Cons BaseHowever, sometimes this fanatical adherence to the settings of “Dune” can become quite annoying. The base you build in the initial area has many functional limitations, which forces you to move everything you have after you reach the advanced area, or abandon all Dune Awakening items in that base.
And when the game advances the main line, it will force you to abandon the original base. Although I understand the necessity of plot advancement, it is really annoying to suddenly receive a reminder that “the area is about to be evacuated” when “you have just built an ideal base and arranged a static water purification system”.
CombatCompared with the cleverly conceived survival content, the combat part is lackluster.
Let’s talk about melee first. To be honest, this part feels like a temporary placeholder system to the players. The movements are stiff and there is almost no feedback from the attacks. Sometimes players can’t be sure whether they have hit the enemy. The combo mechanism is very simplified, and the animation is obviously repeated.
Especially when jumping and attacking, the action looks very much like the test action that comes with UE5. Even if you play with different weapons, such as short knives and long sticks, the combat experience is not much improved, and it is not refreshing at all.
The shooting part is slightly better, at least the shooting accuracy and feedback are acceptable, but the design concept is rather strange. Because of Holtzman shield in Dune setting, the gun bullets in the game have been changed to “slow projectiles”, and you have to aim at the enemy like throwing darts. After you are used to other FPS games, it takes a long time to adapt to this system.
Because of the existence of Holtzman shield, guns are often useless. They can basically completely block your bullets, which creates a strange combat experience. You need to switch back and forth between guns and melee weapons, and choose the appropriate weapon according to the enemy rushing over. Many times you have to choose between the swordsman who is sprinting towards you and the enemy holding a ranged weapon a few meters behind him, which may lead to a very passive combat rhythm.
But the problem is that it still arranges a lot of scenes that require you to “fight to solve”, and combat is the most disappointing part of the entire system.
In recent years, most games are not perfect at the first release, and Dune Awakening is no exception. But overall, the flaws do not outweigh the merits, and I look forward to the subsequent adjustments made by the developers.
Do you often encounter Monopoly Go running abnormally?
1. Monopoly Go Crashing Issues Occur FrequentlyIf Monopoly Go keeps crashing, freezing, or randomly restarting, you’re not alone. Players have reported encountering messages like "Sorry, an error has occurred. Please restart the game", which disrupts gameplay.
This guide will help you troubleshoot and fix Monopoly Go restart errors so you can get back to playing smoothly.
2. Common Reasons Server Issues – If Monopoly Go’s servers are down or under maintenance, the game may freeze or crash. Outdated Game Version – Running an old version can lead to compatibility issues. Unstable Internet Connection – Poor connectivity may cause the game to disconnect or restart unexpectedly. Device Performance Problems – Low RAM or insufficient storage can cause frequent crashes. 3. How To Fix Error?If your Monopoly Go keeps restarting or crashing, try these solutions:
Check Monopoly Go Server StatusBefore troubleshooting your device, check if Monopoly Go servers are down:
Official Monopoly Go Twitter: $1 Monopoly Go Website: $1If the servers are experiencing issues, you may need to wait for an official fix.
Update to the Latest VersionEnsure you have the latest version of Monopoly Go installed:
On iPhone: Open App Store → Search for Monopoly Go → Tap Update On Android: Open Google Play Store → Find Monopoly Go → Tap Update Check Your Internet ConnectionA weak or unstable network can lead to Monopoly Go crashing or freezing. Try:
Switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Restarting your router or modem. Moving closer to your Wi-Fi router for a better signal. Close Background AppsIf your device has too many background apps running, Monopoly Go may keep crashing due to memory overload.
On iPhone: Swipe up and close unused apps. On Android: Tap the recent apps button and close unnecessary apps. Restart Your DeviceA simple restart can clear temporary files and fix Monopoly Go crashing issues.
Turn off your phone. Wait a few seconds. Turn it back on. Reinstall Monopoly GoIf the game still crashes:
Uninstall Monopoly Go from your device. Restart your phone. Reinstall the game from the App Store or Google Play. Log back in to restore your progress.Tip: Make sure your game progress is linked to Facebook or Scopely before uninstalling!
4. How To Prevent Future Crashes?To avoid Monopoly Go issues in the future:
Keep the game updated – Always install the latest version. Free up storage – Ensure your device has enough space. Use a stable internet connection – A strong network prevents crashes. Restart your device regularly – This clears cache and boosts performance. 5. Conclusion and Final TipsIf Monopoly Go keeps crashing or restarting, following above steps should help you fix the issue. If the problem persists, consider contacting Monopoly Go’s support team for further assistance.
Have you found any other solutions that worked? Let us know!
Hi, players! Today, let me present to you a mobs farming guide that will yield a substantial amount of gold in WoW Season of Discovery Phase 2, even more than Uldaman! I'm sure you won't want to miss this!
If you like ships, pirates, and treasure maps, stay tuned as I’m about to show you how to clear most pirates at Lost Rigger Cove in 3 pulls, how to open the captain’s chest if you don’t have it on your ship, and how to find Lost Treasure quest by following multiple treasure maps.
For talents, any of the Beast Mastery, Marksmanship, or Survival builds work fine. In this farming, you can put around 7 or 8 points invested in Beast Mastery and the rest in Survival. As for the rune, you can choose Lone Wolf, which seems to be at least 30 seconds to 1 minute faster than Heart of Lion.
Southsea FreebooterFirst, we need to head to the Lost Rigger Cove in Tanaris, at the workshop boat. We’re going to pull pirates with levels 44 and 45, using our serpent pet. The reason why we’re using the wind serpent is because it has a ranged attack. So you want to body pull the first mobs and then use the WeakAura with 5.5 seconds until the next mobs will aggro. We’re also trying to use the range attack to pull all the mobs that we can.
Make sure if you have Southsea Freebooter in the first pull, try not to pull more than 2 Southsea Freebooters because they are ranged mobs and they’re going to kill you. You can just body pull those 2 mobs and put a free Frost Trap in the middle. Try to practice this jump. Basically, the jump is you press jump and once you reach the highest point of the jump. Press forward and then you slightly move on the ledge.
For our pets, the serpent has dive rank 1, which is 40% speed, while a wolf or a cat can have dash rank 2, which is 60% speed. You can actually use any pet you want. Once all the mobs are dispatched, they'll attempt to flee. Focus on the remaining Level 45 mobs, applying Serpent Sting and Multi-Shot for maximum damage.
Southsea SwashbucklerFor the second pull, we're using the Eye of the Beast. Starting from the back of the ship, we aim to avoid aggroing extra mobs from the front and risking getting dazed too soon. If the pet gets dazed, it complicates the pull significantly. So, we opt for approaching from behind the ship.
Our target is to pull the mobs known as the Southsea Swashbuckler. Once we aggro the first pack, you'll notice my WeakAuras displaying a bar with a 5.5-second duration. We proceed to engage the second pack, attempting to cast a Lightning Bolt on both mobs and avoiding getting dazed. Despite getting dazed at one point, you can maneuver by strafing backwards to evade it.
As you gain experience, you'll become adept at pulling more mobs behind you. Setting down the Frost Trap, we jump back up and commence with Explosive Shot and Explosive Trap. Occasionally, the mobs may respawn in such cases, simply add them to the rotation. They'll run into the Frost Trap, making it easy to handle.
The Third PullFor the third pull, we'll back off a bit because the mobs will respawn. We use Eye of the Beast again, and this time, we can go in front. We're going to go all the way up into the boat. Try to walk, strafe, jump backward. Once you get undazed, just move ahead all the way on top of the ship. Then get the one furthest away and use a Lightning Bolt.
Now, you can jump in the ship and press escape, and the mob will get automatically teleported to you. You can try to pull more mobs, especially if you have pirates, not the Freebooters because the Freebooters are kind of dangerous. We're not going to interfere with our first pull. We're just going to pull the mobs on the left and the right.
Captain's FootlockerLet's delve into the contents of the Captain's Footlocker, which holds several valuable items. Firstly, it may contain a quest item along with the item required to start the quest, typically available for 4 $1. It may house a Captain's Key, a unique item used to unlock a Captain's Chest located on the third boat, where we engage the mobs. Inside, you may find a guaranteed green item or the elusive Southsea Lamp.
It could contain Journeyman's Backpack, 14 Slaughters, and other valuable items. If you obtain a captain's key, it's unique, but you can store the extras in the pet footlocker without opening them, allowing you to open them later as needed. It's advisable to accumulate several keys before opening the chest since it respawns every 20 to 30 seconds.
In addition to the Captain's Footlocker, you may discover the Upper Map Fragment, Middle Map Fragment, and Lower Map Fragment, which, when combined, form one treasure map. Completing the quest initiated by these maps grants you Cuergo's Treasure Map. However, one drawback is if you die the Corpse Run is quite long and it's going to take a while to get back.
Cuergo's Treasure MapComplete the quest Cuergo's Gold and accept the reward from the quest - Cuergo's Hidden Treasure. First, you'll need a key. It is quite a complicated quest because of the mobs that spawn out of 5 on the map. You need to kill one of the 5 mobs so you can loot the key. Then you have to reset the mobs to loot the treasure chest.
Kite one mob far away until it dies, and then you Feign Death and loot the key. When you go back to the initial chest, you put the pet far away, like 100 yards away from the chest. You attack with the pet, and then you put the pet on passive, and you go and loot the chest. The mobs will follow the pet, you will loot the chest, rinse and repeat.
After dedicating 100 hours to playing Enshrouded, I’ve compiled 15 advanced tips to optimize your gaming experience.
1. Unlocking EverythingTo begin with, unlocking everything and discovering new $1 in the game will also unlock the recipes associated with them.
During my initial gameplay, I encountered difficulty finding Goo because I hadn’t crafted Bug Dust, despite having it unlocked as a recipe. I failed to make the connection between the two, so I highly recommend thoroughly exploring all craftsmen and crafting one of each item as a precaution.
2. Animation CancelationWhile many enjoy leaping off an Arcane Tower, it can lead to unfortunate outcomes, such as carelessly tumbling off a mountainside into lava or plummeting to one’s demise.
To mitigate such mishaps, you can cancel various actions, like mid-air movement, by right-clicking just before reaching the ground. This technique can be incredibly beneficial in preventing accidents.
3. Work Outside The BoxSome players relish navigating through intricate traps, but at times, it’s more practical to bypass them entirely. Whether by leaping onto a nearby ledge, circumventing obstacles, or devising alternative routes around a base, leveraging the environment’s features can simplify traversal.
Utilize terrain advantages and remember, you have multiple options for overcoming obstacles — whether by digging, flying, or dismantling structures — rather than solely relying on conventional methods like finding switches.
4. Don’t Scrimp On AmmunitionDuring the initial 20 hours of gameplay, I relied solely on wooden arrows as a Ranger due to their affordability and ease of resource acquisition. However, I reserved rarer arrows for encounters with bosses.
Yet, resources are plentiful in this game, making it a prudent choice to opt for arrows that deal 21 damage over those inflicting only eight, even if it requires slightly more resources. The significant increase in damage output justifies the additional preparation time, resulting in a smoother gaming experience.
5. Streamlined CraftingDid you know that crafting a Lockpick on the go consumes double the resources? Hence, thorough preparation is essential.
Although metal scraps are relatively abundant, certain items prove more resource-efficient to craft. For instance, utilizing a spinning wheel instead of a hand spinner doubles the resource output, making it worthwhile to explore alternative crafting methods for frequently used resources or recipes.
6. Easier ExplorationWhile this method may be addressed in future updates, my experience with games like Skyrim has taught me a valuable lesson: with the right approach, you can ascend any mountain.
Whether through strategic jumping and rolling or utilizing double jumps, this technique can significantly reduce the time spent navigating mountainous terrain and expedite exploration efforts.
7. Essential Skill SelectionCertain skills are indispensable in this game and warrant careful consideration. I highly recommend acquiring the Double Jump skill, which not only aids in evading danger but also facilitates exploration.
Additionally, the Desert Stomach skill provides an extra food slot, significantly enhancing character buffs. Another valuable skill is Updraft, simplifying exploration and granting access to elevated areas with ease.
For solo players, investing in resource gathering skills proves highly advantageous, particularly for those inclined towards construction. On dedicated servers, it’s beneficial for each player to assume a specific role. I strongly advocate for tanks to select the Earth Aura skill, reducing damage by 10% for all players. It would be intriguing to explore potential synergies if this effect could be stacked among multiple players.
In cooperative gameplay, the Water Aura skill offers team members free healing, further augmented by pairing it with Waters of Life.
8. Exploration StrategiesWhen embarking on exploration endeavors, it’s prudent to carry altars or the necessary resources for their construction. In later levels, certain biomes lack stone, crucial for building altars. Hence, if you intend to utilize teleportation points or return to base as needed, it’s essential to have these resources on hand.
For extended journeys where altars may not suffice, consider bringing a campfire along. Placing it in a sheltered area grants a short rested bonus, enhancing your travel experience.
9. Enhance ComfortOptimize your comfort level at your main base to capitalize on the rested bonus it offers. This bonus significantly boosts stamina and stamina regeneration.
With sufficient investment, you can enjoy an hour-long rested bonus, provided you avoid perishing during your travels, as death resets the bonus.
10. Maximizing Projectile EfficiencyWhile swords and staves excel at striking multiple enemies simultaneously, arrows wielded by Rangers possess similar capabilities.
When ammunition is scarce, precise timing allows a single arrow to damage multiple adversaries. Positioning enemies closely before releasing the bow maximizes the efficacy of each shot.
11. Eat For The PartTo enhance your damage output, prioritize consuming meals tailored to your objectives rather than relying on basic foods, especially in later stages of the game.
Crafting hearty meals with significant buffs can substantially boost attributes.
12. Better SpreadingFor future base or farm development involving dirt roads, ensure efficient resource allocation by placing a few resource blocks and using a rake to spread them out. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the extent of coverage, saving considerable resource-gathering efforts.
Regarding the rake, there’s a current bug preventing its crafting for players above level five who haven’t done so already. In such cases, creating a new character, obtaining the necessary resources (likely spring twigs and stone), crafting a rake, and transferring it to the primary server temporarily is the workaround.
13. Strategic Resource MappingWhile resources replenish regularly, the absence of an option to disable respawning hampers gameplay difficulty.
To aid resource management, meticulously mark resource locations on your map for future reference, facilitating efficient retrieval.
14. Expedited LootingTo refresh resources and items swiftly, exit and relaunch the game or, if on a server, stop and restart it.
Although regarded as an exploit, this method enables players to exploit item acquisition by repeatedly entering and exiting the game. While not recommended, placing a Flame Altar near a gold chest or Flame Sanctum allows for resource farming or continual item rolling.
15. Exploit Enemy BehaviorGiven the game’s recent release to Early Access, its optimization remains incomplete, resulting in suboptimal enemy pathfinding.
However, this flaw presents strategic opportunities for players seeking to exploit enemy weaknesses. Whether confronting isolated soldiers or formidable bosses, evading their attacks using the Double Jump ability and engaging them from a distance can offer a tactical advantage.
Bonus Tip: Streamlined Weapon HandlingYou can swiftly equip a weapon by right-clicking it and selecting “Equip,” enabling seamless weapon transitions using the Q key. This eliminates the need for manual weapon swapping, allowing for rapid weapon changes during combat scenarios.
This method proves particularly advantageous for Rangers, facilitating quick bow shots followed by a swift transition to a sword and shield setup for close-range defense, potentially preserving one’s life by promptly raising the shield.
The new Necropolis expansion in the Path of Exile is upcoming! A recent announcement from GGG has disclosed that the majority of its features will not be integrated into the core. So, in this guide, we delve into the Unique items exclusive to Affliction that will now become part of the core drop pool in Path of Exile 3.24.
We have got a large number of information from the GGG Affiction post, for the only part of Affliction which is actually going core in POE 3.24 - the Necropolis League. That’s the Wildwood exclusive Unique items.
In order to prepare for the new journey in Path of Exile, it is also necessary to store some $1 in advance.
OverviewA lot of players anticipated the inclusion of the That Which Was Taken Crimson Jewel in the core game, but it seems that's not the case. Unless it's introduced in a different manner, like as a drop from a new boss, we might have to wait until the March 21st reveal to confirm. Based solely on this post, it appears That Which Was Taken won't be part of the core game.
However, 6 other Unique items are going core. 3 were exclusively found by enemies in the Wildwood. Those are the Trickster’s Smile Unique helmet, the Nametaker Unique sword, and the Flawed Refuge Unique shield.
The other 3 were exclusive drops from the King in the Mists boss fight. Those are the Pragmatism Unique body armor, the Untouched Soul Unique amulet, and the Burden of Shadows Unique staff.
Flawed RefugeThis addition to the core game is quite intriguing - The Flawed Refuge shield highlighting its potential power in the right setup. Unique items like this one go unnoticed until someone discovers a strong use case, catapulting it into the spotlight.
A notable combo involves pairing the Flawed Refuge shield with Divine Flesh, allowing players to mitigate elemental penetration on 90% of incoming damage. If I happen to find this shield in SSF during the Necropolis league, I might explore building around it since I missed out on obtaining it during the Affliction league.
It will be fascinating to see the rarity tier assigned to this Unique item when it enters the core game. Given its potential usefulness, I anticipate it won't be overly rare, but only time will tell.
PragmatismThe next I want to diacuss is the Pragmatism Unique body armor. This one can be so powerful when it’s used in a smart way. I know that in the Affliction League, there were a bunch of builds using this with the new Bodyswap of Sacrifice gem to explode the Dark Marionette specters.
They were using this body armor to gain a bunch of gem levels for the Raise Spectre gem so that the Dark Marionette had a lot more maximum life. But the Dark Marionette specters will no longer be obtainable in Necropolis.
Burden Of ShadowsAnother Unique item is the Burden of Shadows staff, purportedly the rarest drop from the King in the Mists encounter. Despite playing through the league, I didn't personally witness this staff drop, nor did I encounter many builds utilizing it.
As a two-handed weapon, the Burden of Shadows staff faces stiff competition from well-crafted weapons and shields. Its utility and effectiveness may be questioned, especially considering its drawbacks. However, once it enters the Unique core drop pool, and assuming it's not excessively rare like Tier 1 or Tier 0, players might delve into experimentation with it.
The potential of the Burden of Shadows staff could increase if Blood Magic receives buffs in upcoming leagues. This could prompt players to reassess its viability and explore new synergies, potentially unlocking hidden strengths that were previously overlooked.
Untouched SoulI’m very happy to see the Untouched Soul amulet go core. This is a really fun one that enables a bunch of life stacking builds. And I think in the future, we’ll see a lot more builds making use of this one as well. Perhaps for some mana stacking or even accuracy stacking.
Trickster’s SmileMoving on, let's discuss the Trickster’s Smile. The Trickster’s Smile, in particular, leaves me uncertain. Its functionality seems quite limited and cumbersome, occupying a crucial helmet slot. I anticipate it won't find widespread use due to its niche nature and awkward mechanics.
NametakerRegarding the Nametaker, it boasts a formidable 200% critical strike multiplier and 100% instant leech when striking Unique enemies, thanks to their 20 enemy power. While it may not currently rival other options, I anticipate it may find its niche in future builds, showcasing the unpredictable nature of Unique items transitioning into the core game.
The experiences with the Nametaker in the early stages of the Affliction League didn't provide much clarity. Despite attempting various theory crafted setups and experimenting with dual-wielding mechanics, I struggled to discern its effectiveness or potential applications in practical gameplay scenarios.
Final ThoughtIndeed, the introduction of Unique items often brings about unforeseen synergies and strategies. These items may initially go unnoticed, lying dormant until new mechanics or interactions arise, suddenly thrusting them into the spotlight.
I'm sure many POE players are eagerly await to see the tier assignments for these Affliction Uniques. Only time will tell how these Affliction Uniques will be classified.
One of the most consistent sports simulation games, MLB The Show, is finally back with another home run. Although Diamond Dynasty feature introduced in MLB The Show last year was disappointing, the developers said they heard the feedback and will make corrections for MLB The Show 24.
After taking a look at the recent Feature Premiere for Diamond Dynasty, it’s easy to see that they’ve generally done just that. The developers have made changes based on player feedback, with some highlights including Power Creep, Team Affinity programs, and power of Captains.
In this guide, we’ll talk about the new features and changes coming to Diamond Dynasty to help you get a head start once you get into the game.
QoL ChangesFirst, let’s explain the quality of life changes, which are also the biggest changes in Diamond Dynasty because they cover various areas.
Power CreepThe developers mentioned Power Creep early on because people were getting tired of all the 99 ratings it was getting right away. This time, Season 1 will start with high 80 ratings and low 90 ratings, and we won’t start getting into 99 ratings until the end of Season 1. The same cycle begins again after each 3-month season.
It’s unclear whether there will be a higher floor for terms of ratings at the start of Season 2, but regardless, it should be a delightful change.
Introduction Of Season ConceptAlso new is the three-month seasonal change, which ties into the general idea of XP being more easily earned, but also focuses more on trying to limit XP payouts in the game. This way, people aren’t getting ahead of others on XP reward path by taking advantage of various games.
The developers want everyone to reach 99 ratings by the end of the season, rather than a few people reaching 99 ratings in the first few weeks.
Parallel SystemParallel System will also be changing in MLB The Show 24, and Parallel players will need a lower threshold to reach higher parallels.
Wild Card SlotsIt’s worth noting that Season 2 starts with 4 wild cards in your lineup, which is an increase from last year. While you’ll need to invest more $1 in wild cards, this should help diversify your lineup more as the season goes on.
Team AffinityFor Team Affinity, if you missed the 99 OVR that will come into play in TA Phase 3, don’t worry because you can get him after Season 1 as well. You only need 10 wins to earn Events and Battle Royale rewards, including Flawless, in a single run.
This also makes Team Affinity programs easier to complete, while adding more programs each season. Team Affinity is arguably the biggest change this year in terms of how it works.
Team Affinity ProgramsThere will be three batches of Team Affinity programs every season, which basically means we’ll have one every month.
These TA programs will include 30 players at a time and are much more flexible in how you earn these rewards.
If you want to acquire these players, you don’t have to do activities such as Conquest or Showdown. Because their XP requirements are generally low, the developers want us to play the game the way we want while still getting those rewards. This means that whether you prefer co-op, solo, or multiplayer, you should be able to earn these rewards.
When the third TA program drops in the third month of the cycle, there will be 99 OVR in this program. What’s more, this will be a program that you can complete at any time throughout the year, and it won’t be time-limited like the first two parts of the program.
Captains & Cornerstone CardsThe developers enhanced Captains and introduced Cornerstone Cards in the hope of making team-building more important and making the lineup more diverse.
Cornerstone players will appear at the start of each season, and there appear to be four players at each release, and you can swap one player for another at any time during the season.
For Captains, there will be 60 captains at launch, 2 per team, and you'll be able to earn them throughout the year.
Captains are set up to make them more important in making squads for specific teams more viable. With this in mind, your captain will give better boosts if you have fewer high-rated options. This way, you don’t feel you can’t compete with your current team’s specific squads. On top of that, each captain will improve his hitter and pitching ability this year.
New ItemsBesides Live Series and more, MLB The Show will feature 250 player items this year, including Flashbacks, Legends and all that good stuff. Season 1’s bosses are Andy Pettitte, Jimmy Rollins, and Larry Walker.
Also, some of the card series coming this year include:
Subway Series Negro Leagues Series/Barrier Breakers Hyper Series Hall of Fame Series Headliners Pack Standout SeriesIn terms of programs, we know at launch there will be the usual Season 1 Program, a Spring Breakout Program, and a Starter Program, which is on top of the usual Battle Royale and Ranked programs.
Final ThoughtsSadly, we haven’t gotten a ton of news about single-player updates, as there are more single-player missions planned in various plans, other than easier access to XP and rewards. That said, it seems like playing any mode in Diamond Dynasty will feel more rewarding this year, which is the bigger overall deal.
In short, this looks to be the year for developers to correct many of the changes they made last year. Regardless, hopefully all the new content added this season will make people even more excited about the upcoming MLB The Show 24!
Danger abounds in Skull and Bones, and whether you’re sailing or hunting, there’s always a variety of enemies or hostile wildlife to test your mettle. There are many types of wildlife in the game, including Sharks, Crocodiles, and Hippos, and they come in different variations.
While they present a considerable challenge to players, hunting these hostile wildlife also provides valuable resources, including animal hides, meats, and skins for cooking, crafting, or character customization. Looting these resources is even more crucial if you want to become a top pirate.
In this guide, we’ll introduce the 10 hostile wildlife in Skull and Bones and explain their locations to help you harvest these valuable resources faster and become the overlord of the ocean.
Before EnteringBefore jumping in, I must remind you that although hostile wildlife is map marked, some species are rarer and harder to find than others with specific locations. Therefore, I recommend that players better equip their Dhow ship and be ready to capture larger prey in a small area.
In addition, it is also very necessary to purchase some food, tools and other $1 in advance. Without further ado, let’s start this large-scale hunting activity!
10. Nile CrocodileNile Crocodile is the most common type of crocodile in the game, and they tend to lurk in the rivers on the west coast of Africa and parts of Red Isle.
Killing a Nile Crocodile rewards the player with Crocodile Tooth, a necessary loot in Thrill of the Hunt Contract. Nile Crocodile can also drop Crocodile Meat or Crocodile Hide, which can be cooked by the player to restore 30% of stamina.
9. Madcap CrocodileMadcap Crocodile is a more ferocious variation of Nile Crocodile. Although Madcap Crocodile can be found in East Indies, Red Isle, and Coast of Africa, they are rarer than other species.
When killed, they drop Thick Crocodile Hide and Prime Crocodile Meat. They also share the same map markers with other crocodile species, so players must check whether each one is specifically hunting Madcap Crocodile.
8. Saltwater CrocodileSaltwater Crocodile are only found in East Indies region of the map, such as near Spice Islands, but are more common than other crocodile species in the area. Players can shoot high-powered cannon fire and end battles quickly to earn loot like Crocodile Meat and Ruined Animal Skin.
7. Siren CrocodileSiren Crocodile is a rare crocodile found in some parts of East Indies. To increase your chances of a successful kill, aim your spear at its head to make it pause and back off.
The player can then repeat this strategy and increase health as needed to defeat the creature and take its hits. Therefore, when you drive a Dhow ship against it, it is recommended that you carry a lot of repair kits.
Siren Crocodile will drop a large amount of loot when killed, usually three Thick Crocodile Hides and four Prime Crocodile Meat.
6. Apex CrocodileApex Crocodile is the rarest crocodile in Skull and Bones, and it only has about one spawn point, located in Ring of Fire area in East Indies. Players can find a small area of enclosed water south of this area that only Dhow can reach.
Obviously, Apex Crocodile is a challenging creature to level up to level 20, but it rewards players with the rare Apex Crocodile Hide and Prime Crocodile Meat.
5. Great White SharkPlayers can find Great White Shark almost all over the map, and they are also one of the most common hostile wildlife in the game. Typically, players can find them near the high seas and coastlines rather than along inland rivers.
Defeating Great White Shark will provide the player with Shark Skin or Shark Meat as loot. Players can cook Shark Meat to make Grilled Shark, which increases stamina by 40% after consumption. Players can also refine Shark Skin through Refinery in the game to create Shark Leather.
4. Hammerhead SharkHammerhead Shark is another shark that players can find in the world map, but it may be less common. They tend to live in specific areas, such as near Lanitra Outpost in northern Red Isle, along Coast of Africa and near various islands in East Indies.
Hammerhead Shark can be killed with just a few hits from the spear, just don’t let them get too close to the player’s Dhow ship. This makes them one of the most challenging hostile wild animals to fight. Likewise, once defeated, they drop Shark Skin or Shark Meat.
3. HippopotamusIn addition, Hippopotamus are also a dangerous hostile wildlife in the game, and they are usually harder to defeat than any shark. Players can only find them in the southern Red Isle area and in rivers and lakes along Coast of Africa.
This variant is probably the easiest to fight of all the wild Hippos in the game, but they still require a lot of shooting to take down. Players can cook Grilled Hippo using Hippo Hide and Prime Meat they drop to restore 50% of their stamina.
2. Bull HippoBull Hippo is very aggressive. It will attack the player’s Dhow ship like a battering ram, so here you need to use more powerful ships and better weapons, such as Bombardier Padewakang ship.
Bull Hippo is the rarest species of Hippo, with only about one or two spawn points on the map. Players can find them in rivers on the northwest Coast of Africa region and in Sultani Island region. When killed, they will drop approximately three Apex Hippo Hides and three Prime Hippo Meat.
1. Alpha HippoAlpha Hippo is a dangerous enemy that attacks Dhow ship with devastating force. It is also one of the rarest Hippo breeds, with only about one species found in a small enclosed lake in Rover Zone in northern Red Isle, accessible only by Dhow ship.
Like Bull Hippo, it drops Apex Hippo Hides and Apex Hippo Meat, which are used for cooking and crafting. That said, it’s one of the hostile wild animals in the game with the best access to resources for those players who can avoid its deadly attacks.
Those are all 10 hostile wildlife in Skull and Bones, defeating them will help you get one step closer to becoming a top pirate!
In today's guide, I'd like to share with you with some leveling Uniques, which can allow you to go through the early campaign and get into Monoliths quickly. These Uniques can be used to support any class or build you choose to craft.
These items have very low-level requirements and are commonly found. Even if you don't have them, you can easily obtain them through the Merchant Guild, often for a small amount of $1. Besides, some are even free with no Legendary Potential. With just the base Uniques and no legendries, they will still carry you through the early chapters of the campaign.
Weapon: Firestarter’s TorchThe real powerhouse is the Firestarter’s Torch. This weapon is incredibly potent in the first few chapters. With a 177% chance to inflict Spreading Flames on hit, this effect can go as high as 26. Spreading Flame deals fixed damage over time, totaling 200 damage over 4 seconds.
In the early game, simply hitting any enemy with this torch equipped can trigger Spreading Flames, obliterating entire packs. The Spreading Flames DoT spreads to all nearby enemies, making it devastating in crowded encounters.
As we enter Fortress Gardens, we're playing as our Rogue with nothing but the Firestarter’s Torch equipped. Utilizing only basic attacks, I'll demonstrate how effective it is. Once triggered, you'll see how it spreads to everything around.
This allows us to gather a large pack of enemies, hit them a few times with any skill, and watch as the spreading damage over time obliterates them. This torch is my go-to weapon for early leveling, and I rely on it for every character I create.
Helmet: CalamityWhen it comes to the helmet, we have a couple of options. But I typically run the Calamity helmet. While it's not that great, it does provide some fire damage, which synergizes with an item we'll be using later.
Body Armor: The KestrelFor body armor, the Kestrel is our top choice. With no level requirement, it offers significant advantages. It provides bonus movement speed and a chance to gain haste for 1 second on hit. It boosts the effectiveness of haste, making it an excellent choice for staying agile during combat. The Kestrel is a solid body armor option, ensuring you remain swift and mobile.
Belt 1: The ScavengerFor the belt slot, my preference is the Scavenger. Requiring only Level 9, it offers up to 120% chance to find potions, along with granting haste for 3 seconds upon potion use. Throughout the campaign, you'll find yourself constantly consuming potions to restore health.
The potion finds chance provided by the Scavenger ensures you keep your potion reserves topped off. Furthermore, the haste granted synergizes well with other items like the Kestrel, which enhances the effectiveness of haste.
Belt 2: Thorns SlingerIf you're considering alternatives for the belt slot, there are a couple of options to explore. One choice is the Thorns Slinger. While I typically refrain from using this if I've already equipped the Scavenger, it does offer additional movement speed and a chance to inflict bleeding on hit, providing some offensive utility.
Belt 3: VipertailAlternatively, you may consider the Vipertail belt. This option boasts up to a 70% chance to poison on hit, along with some dodge rating and increased melee attack speed. It's a solid choice if you're seeking to enhance your damage output and don't require the speed provided by the Scavenger.
Rings: Arboreal CircuitThen, for the rings, our choice is the double Arboreal Circuit. With no level requirement, each ring can provide up to 18% movement speed if you achieve a maximum roll on both the implicit and the explicit stats on the ring itself. Therefore, we equip 2 of these rings.
They offer a chance to summon an ocher tree whenever you get hit, essentially acting as a decoy totem that draws enemy attention away from you. Having 2 of these rings equipped not only boosts your speed through the campaign but also provides additional minions to aid in tanking enemies if you come under attack.
Gloves: AvariceNext, for gloves, our choice is simple - Avarice. This option is readily available early in the campaign. Avarice gloves provide Elemental Resistance and a source of leech, making them a valuable addition to your gear.
Having Elemental Resistance ensures you're better protected against Elemental Damage, while leech provides a means of regaining health during combat, enhancing your survivability.
Boots: Advent Of The ErasedWhen it comes to boots, there are several options to consider. You could opt for the Morningfrost boots, which have a Level 8 requirement. They provide decent movement speed and offer a significant source of flat damage if you stack some dexterity.
However, my preference lies with the Advent of the Erased boots. These are unique boots from the Weaver’s Will set. Weaver’s Will functions such that as you wear the item and gain experience, the Weaver will add affixes and upgrade them, essentially granting you a free Legendary item.
If you manage to find a pair with 30% movement speed, you'll find yourself moving swiftly through the game. These boots provide good movement speed, a chance to gain haste when a nearby enemy dies, reduced damage over time while under haste, and a bit of Ward on cooldown.
Relics: Tome Of ElementsFor the relic, we just take 2 of elements because it is a non-level requirement. It gives you a little of extra leech with the elemental damage that we’re going to be doing with, like the spreading flames and all that. Then you get some extra chance to ignite on hit with elemental skills if you have any. It is a really solid relic.
Final ThoughtSo if you have a budget and you do want a solid leveling set that could be applied to any character, then I would highly recommend investing and rolling all this damage over time and just letting the Firestarter’s Torch carry you into your Monoliths.
I’m sure you can run plenty of other options with different weapons, maybe different armor pieces, but these are the pieces that I use because they’re common, they give you a lot of movement speed and haste, and the Firestarter’s Torch just absolutely carries your damage in the early game and in early monoliths, especially if you really build into it and stack up that damage over time.