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Best base location clearing tips in Satisfactory: How to get explosives and chainsaws DexertoSatisfactory is all about setting up your base and turning it into the most successful factory on the planet. Unfortunately, it can get tricky with all the uneven terrain, rocks, and trees in the way. It’s easy to get caught up in planning the perfect base layout and figuring out the best spots for everything. But have you thought about how you’ll actually flatten and clear the terrain to get started? It’s a crucial step that can easily be overlooked. Fortunately, the game provides a few ways to clear the terrain, though the methods are not the easiest to get or use. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to unlock and use the Chainsaw and Explosives. How to get and use the Chainsaw The Chainsaw in Satisfactory is a fantastic tool for clearing large swathes of terrain quickly. With it, you can enhance your resource gathering and efficiently clear terrain for your projects. Crafting the Chainsaw To craft the Chainsaw, you need to reach Tier 2: Obstacle Clearing. Once unlocked, head to the Equipment Workshop. You’ll need the following to craft it: 5 Reinforced Iron Plates – 25 Iron Rods – 160 Screws – 15 Cables – Equipping the Chainsaw Once crafted, you need to equip the Chainsaw. Press the Tab key to open your inventory, then put the Chainsaw in one of your hand slots. The last step is to make sure you have solid biofuel in your inventory since it’s what the Chainsaw runs on. Using the Chainsaw Approach a tree or bush and right-click to start the Chainsaw. It will cut down the targeted flora and any nearby plants within a 5-meter radius. The Chainsaw works on trees, shrubs, and small rocks, yielding valuable resources like wood, leaves, and mycelium. Chainsaw fuel The Chainsaw uses solid biofuel, which you can craft from Biomass (obtained from leaves and wood). Each solid biofuel lasts about six seconds of operation. Keep an eye on your fuel levels to avoid running out mid-operation. How to get and use explosives Using a Chainsaw to cut leaves can only get you so far. When you reach the mid to late game, it’s time to upgrade to explosives. You can unlock the Nobelisk Detonator and regular Nobelisks via the Sulfur Research chain. To craft the Nobelisk Detonator, you need an Object Scanner, 10 Steel Beam, and 50 Cable. Using the Detonator and Explosive Nobelisks Equip the Nobelisk Detonator. Then, press R to load or reload Nobelisks into the detonator. – Use the left mouse button to throw Nobelisks and press the right mouse button to set off the Nobelisks. – When on higher ground, aim at a 30 to 45-degree angle to maximize throw distance. Best Explosives for terrain clearing Different Nobelisks serve different purposes. Here’s a quick overview: Cluster Nobelisks: Great for clearing large areas quickly. To craft Cluster Nobelisks, you need 3 Nobelisk and 4 Smokeless Powder. – Nuke Nobelisks: Best for extensive clearing but with the added risk of radiation. To craft a Nuke Nobelisk, you need 5 Nobelisk, 20 Encased Uranium Cell, 10 Smokeless Powder, and 6 AI Limiter. – Standard Nobelisks: Useful for smaller tasks or when you don’t need the big bang. To craft a regular Nobelisk, you need 2 Black Powder and 2 Steel Pipe. – Explosive Rebar: This is faster than Standard Nobelisks for terrain clearing. To craft Explosive Rebar, you need 2 Iron Rebar, 2 Smokeless Powder, and 2 Steel Pipes. – That’s everything you need to know about clearing your base location in Satisfactory. If you want to pick the best spot for your factory, check out the Pure Node location and all SAM location guides.

Best Atlantean build order for Age of Mythology Retold World’s Edge / DexertoYou must carry out the optimal build order when using the Atlantean Pantheon in Age of Mythology Retold to advance through each Age quickly and lead you to victory. Atlantean excels in mobility and economic flexibility with various benefits that help you run on auto-pilot in AoM Retold. This is due to its villagers not needing drop-off points, a uniquely passive Favor system, economic-focused God Powers, and automatic military upgrades every time you advance. You can also turn individual human units into Heroes with the click of a button and all buildings and units have an increased line of sight to keep a careful eye on the map and enemy actions. Here’s the Atlantean’s best build order, including the goal of each age, and the order in which you should make certain villagers, military units, and buildings as you transition through each age. Archaic Age Goal: Establish a strong economy and advance to the Classical Age quickly. Out of all four Panthetons to choose from, the Atlanteans have the simplest Archaic Age build order. Your three starter Oracles will be what makes Altanteans different at this stage, they will be your scouts and also generate Favor passively as soon as your match begins. Aside from that, it’s fairly standard. Here is the best Atlantean build order for the Archaic Age: Spread out your 3 Oracles to give sight to nearby areas and look out for any Relics. – Send 2 starter villagers to collect Food. – Order 1 villager to mine Gold. – Order 1 villager to collect Wood. – Build House. – Order 2 villagers to collect Food. – Order 2 villagers to collect Wood. – Order 2 villagers to mine Gold. – Order 1 villager to collect Wood. – Build Temple – Advance to Classical Age – You will need to make sure your Oracles are not close enough to each other’s vision area that will be shown, as this will stop the Favor production of any other Oracle overlapping. Classical Age Goal: Start military production and maintain economic growth. Your villagers are fairly spread out as you enter this Age, with 4 on Food, 4 on Wood, 3 on Gold, and 3 on Favor and this ratio will need to be kept pretty much the same. Instead, just increase your collection levels, especially for Favor compared to other Pantheons, and start your army. Here is the best Atlantean build order for the Classical Age: Order 2 villagers to collect Food. – Order 2 Oracles. – Build Economic Guild to improve resource efficiency. – Order 2 villagers to collect Wood. – Build Barracks and Counter Barracks. – Build 3 houses. – Order 15 military units (5 Murmillo, 5 Turma, 5 Cheiroballista). – Build Armory. – Advance to Heroic Age. – Atlanteans can produce Siege units incredibly early compared to other Pantheons, which is a key advantage during the Classical Age. This is thanks to the Cheiroballista, which is one of their strongest units that is very effective against infantry and can be ordered from the Counter Barracks. If you choose to advance to the Heroic Age with the Minor God Rheia, you will be able to also generate Favor passively from Town Centers by investing in her Horns of Consecration technology. This is a change brought to Retold, whereby in the original game Atlantean Town Centers were the sole way to earn Favor. Heroic Age Goal: Expand your army with stronger units, make efficiency and military upgrades, and scout nearby areas for resources, relics and enemies. Here is the best Atlantean build order for the Heroic Age: Increase your villagers to a total of 25 (10 on Food, 8 on Wood, and 7 on Gold). – Upgrade farming, mining, woodcutting. – Order 3 Oracles. – Build 4 houses (max) – Scout the area with some of your military units and collect Relics. – Double your military units to around 30 units. – Turn 5-10 human military units into Heroes. – Build another Town Center if possible to increase the Population Cap. Note: If you advanced with Rheia then you will want to build as many Town Centers as you can nearby to generate passive Favor. – – Order 3 Donkey Caravans to travel between your two Town Centers to produce passive Gold. – Order 3 Llama Caravans. – Build Fortress. – Advance to Mythic Age. – Mythic Age Goal: Establish dominance and attack your enemies or strive for the final Wonder Age. Ensure your resource economy remains strong, as nearby resources will likely be depleting. If your opponents haven’t attacked yet, they soon will. The priority is to quickly build a massive, well-balanced army, including powerful Myth units, regular soldiers, cavalry, Siege units, and, of course, a Titan. Here is the best Atlantean build order for the Mythic Age: Order 2 Oracles to reach the max amount of 10. – Upgrade farming, mining, woodcutting. – Build more military buildings for the units you use to improve efficiency. – Double your army size again to around 50-80 units in total. – Turn 10-25 human military units into Heroes. – Research the Secrets of the Titans from the Town Center. – Build a Titan gate when you reach enough Favor. – Build a Wonder. – To construct a Wonder, you must spend 5,000 Gold, 5,000 Food, and 5,000 Gold. Once it has been built, it will automatically advance you to the Wonder Age. If you’re struggling to obtain the resources naturally, use your Market to exchange other resources to speed up the process. Wonder Age Goal: Maximise your army’s potential and wipe out all your enemies with the benefits. In Retold, the Atlanteans benefit from advancing to the Wonder Age by it making their Mythic units stronger and the Wonder providing a massive boost to Favor generation. This will allow you to turn as many human military units into Heroes as you can and continue to develop your strongest Mythic units. If you have made it this far, all that’s left is for you to attack any remaining opponents with your entire army. Just make sure that your infrastructure is still in place and that you have any essential military buildings close by to deploy fast reinforcements. Build orders are liable to change in response to opponent actions, your chosen God, and unforeseen situations while playing against more experienced players online or AI with a higher degree of difficulty. For the first two stages, the preset build order will be followed; however, from Stage 3, it will start to vary because of enemy attacks and other circumstances. We have provided the best build order guides for every other Pantheon in Age of Mythology Retold, including the Greeks, Norse, and Egyptians. You can also check out every cheat available and how to use them during your matches.

Best Assault Rifles in XDefiant for low recoil and damage UbisoftThere are quite a few Assault Rifles to choose from in XDefiant, and a few of them have quickly emerged as some of the best weapons in the game. Due to how versatile Assault Rifles can be with their solid damage output and decent range, these weapons can be deadly in almost any situation. You’ll want these Assault Rifles in your hands, so here is a rundown of the best ones currently in XDefiant. Best XDefiant Assault Rifles ACR 6.8 The ACR 6.8 takes the top spot on this list thanks to its low recoil and good damage. This is the case across any first-person shooter, and XDefiant is no different. When using the right attachments, this is amplified even further, and the gun becomes near-perfect. The ACR 6.8 is great up close, from a distance, and everywhere in between. All you need to do is get 10 Longshot Kills with an Assault Rifle to get this bad boy in your inventory. Check out our best XDefiant ACR 6.8 loadout build here. LVOA-C The second entry on this list is the LVOA-C, because of its incredible fire rate and versatility. The gun does have some crazy recoil due to its fire rate, but once a few attachments are unlocked, this gun becomes a solid choice on most maps. The gun has solid damage at medium to close range and can melt multiple enemies in a row with stabilizing attachments and an increased magazine size. Players can unlock this weapon by teaching Tier 20 on the Season 1 Battle Pass. Check out our best XDefiant LVOA-C loadout build here. AK-47 Another staple of almost any first-person shooter, the AK-47 has some of the best damage out of any Assault Rifle, though this does come with less mobility and a lower rate of fire than other options. However, that damage output more than makes up for it. Put the proper attachments on it to make the AK-47 a total monster on the battlefield. All you need to do to unlock it is deal 4,000 damage with any Assault Rifle. Check out our best XDefiant AK-47 loadout build here. If you’re looking for other options in different weapon types, you can also check out our best SMGs and best Sniper Rifles to use in the game – or, stick with us to read up on the current meta.

Best Assault build in Space Marine 2: Weapons, perks & how to play Focus EntertainmentSpace Marines are the bringers of Death in Warhammer, and that’s no different in Space Marine 2, especially when you bring death from above with the Jump Pack Assault build. While the campaign lets you try out a variety of classes, missions, and PvP require the player to fine-tune their creations, forming a specific class into a death machine against Tyranids, Chaos Marines, and all the other enemies you’ll come across on your adventures. However, sifting through all the weapons, grenades, and perks can be pretty overwhelming. So, if you’ve chosen the Assault class, which is commonly known as the Jump Pack class, we’ve got the best build for both the Operation and PvP, so you can dominate anything. Recommended build for Assault Best weapons explained Secondary weapon – Heavy Bolt Pistol Since the Assault class doesn’t have a Primary Weapon, you’ll need to focus on having a powerful Secondary for when you have no other option, which is why we’ve chosen the Heavy Bolt Pistol. The increase in Damage, high Accuracy, fast Reload Speed, and decent range make it extremely versatile and perfect if you’re hesitant to jump into the fray. Sure, damage isn’t your aim with an Assault class, but speed and accuracy certainly are. We recommend grabbing Ophelian Liberation when you’re high enough level, but until then, any will do the job. As for weapons perks, we suggest following the selection outlined above. The focus here is increasing the weapon’s Damage and Recoil. While you’re primarily a melee character, grabbing a well-timed headshot with low Recoil and tons of damage is always a good backup. We’ve also focused on up-close damage too, with the perks Close Combat and Honed Precision coming in useful. Melee weapon – Chainsword The Assault’s primary role is to tank hits and deal high damage in return with their melee weapon. Unlike the Bulwark, this class has some useful secondary guns, but its real power comes from the close-quarters Chainsword. Combining speed with damage, it’s got great Strength and some fantastic Cleaving Potential, and will make your character feel as deadly as a Space Marine should. When you get to Relic level, we suggest choosing the Aquilan Dedication Chainsword. Its Fencing Defense and massive increase in strength is worth the slight drop in Cleaving Potential. Sure, you could choose the Thunder Hammer, but its speed completely lets it down. If you weren’t relying so much on melee damage, this would be great, but as a primary weapon, it just doesn’t hold up. When it comes to perks, you’ll want to hammer down (pun intended) to increase the effectiveness of your Stomp and melee damage, as it’ll devastate the enemies and push them away, hence the Crushing Heel, Reverberating Impact, and Trampling Stride. Best grenades for Assault Frag – Melta – It’s worth noting this is primarily for the 6v6 PvP mode – you can’t choose your grenade in Operations. The best grenade for the Assault class is undeniably the Frag grenade. However, as you level, you’ll want to opt for the Melta grenade. Both deal great damage and are perfect for faster, more knowledgeable enemies in PvP battles. Best perks for Operations While PvP players choose their grenades, Operations get character perks, which are used to craft a powerful Space Marine. Thankfully, you can grab quite a few — and we suggest prioritizing the following ones for the Assault: There are many perks to choose from, and your selection is primarily up to you, depending on your fighting style. However, we recommend selecting perks that boost Jump Pack. The likes of Wings of Flame, Aerial Grace, Ascension, and Smiting Angel all pair perfectly. On top of this, the Assault class is all about melee damage. Choosing perks like Act of Attrition, Winged Fury, and Retribution is ideal, especially as you’ll be dealing plenty of heavy attacks and close-ranged hits. While we’ve opted to use being grabbed or knocked back to our advantage – as it’s pretty common in a horde and tougher missions – you can avoid this perk and eliminate being knocked back using Hammer of Wrath or Perseverance. We just prefer using it to help the Assault rather than attempting to stop it from happening. That bonus damage from Retribution is ideal. How to play the Assault So, now you have the best Assault build in Space Marine 2, it’s time to dive in and play the character. Before you do that, it’s important to understand how the class fights. Their description reads: “Death from Above. An Assault Space Marine crushes their foes with devastating melee blows perfectly timed to ensure victory. As such, you act as the primary melee DPS for the team, flying and stomping your way through hordes. However, perfecting the parry, heavy attacks, Ground Pound, and various combos is vital. Without those, you’re no more than a slightly squishier Bulwark. When it comes to your Skill, you’ll want to time this perfectly. Luckily, the jump resets quickly. We suggest timing the jump to either land on an approaching horde or stun a powerful enemy. Power up your attacks, drop down, and reign havoc. In boss fights, you’ll still want to be upfront occasionally. The best shout here is to shoot from afar while your skill recoups, and then jump and slam onto the boss when it’s back. Your secondary weapon is strong, but doesn’t hold up against many other ranged fighters, so your position is at the front when you have the skill to back you up. When it comes to PvP, the air is your best friend. Don’t be afraid to get close to the enemy, as most are better at range. Simply use your skill, slam down, and be ready to parry, dodge, and heavy attack until they’re downed. So, that’s how to build the best Assault in Space Marine 2. Each build can be adapted if your playstyle doesn’t match this, but this is the ideal build for both missions and PvP. If the Assault isn’t for you, check out our build guide for the Bulwark class.

Best Assassin’s Creed games ranked, from AC1 to Valhalla UbisoftThe Assassin’s Creed saga is ever-changing, but not every game in the franchise reaches the same heights. Here’s the ultimate ranking of the best Assassin’s Creed games, from AC1 to AC: Valhalla. Following the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage and the anticipation surrounding the enigmatic Japanese escapade Red, it seemed fitting to revisit the series and organize the mainline entries from highest to lowest ranking. Despite its widespread popularity, the Assassin’s Creed franchise has experienced fluctuations in quality over time. Some Assassin’s Creed games have been considered groundbreaking classics, while others deserve to be forgotten by history. So, what’s the best Assassin’s Creed game? And which ones should stay buried forever like a lost Apple of Eden? 10. Assassin’s Creed While it may be the first game in a classic series, and released to a ton of hype early in the PS3’s life cycle, the original Assassin’s Creed was a painfully dull experience. The story took inspiration from the novel Alamut by author Vladimir Bartol, which itself was based on the historical Hashashins who were active during the Third Crusade and involved the rather bland protagonist, Altair assassinating Templars. Sadly, the gameplay just didn’t match the awesome setting. Exploring the Holy Land during this era was interesting enough, as was the parkour and the social stealth aspects of AC. Sadly though, the game’s repetitive missions, combat, and boring assassination quests (which were janky, glorified boss fights) let it down. Luckily, the sequel fixed these issues and turned the game into the mega-franchise it is today. 9. Assassin’s Creed Unity AC Unity wasted its incredible setting, making the French Revolution an afterthought in another silly quest for magic apples containing messages from a long-dead civilization. We were honestly never clear about whose side the Assassins or Templars were even on when it came to The Terror, and other significant historical events, such as the storming of the Bastille. The Revolution simply became a backdrop for more Assassins vs. Templar drama that was starting to get stale. Assassin’s Creed Unity is mostly remembered for its many, often game-breaking or hilarious, glitches. This is a shame, because when it worked well, AC Unity looked absolutely lush on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. While the previous game, AC4 Black Flag, was also released for that gen, it was largely a port of an older game whereas Unity was made for the hardware. It should have been a classic, not one of the weakest entries in the series. Buy Assassin’s Creed Unity on Amazon 8. Assassin’s Creed 3 After spending three games with the lovable rogue that was Assassin’s Creed 2’s protagonist Ezio, Connor Kenway was a bore by comparison. Assassin’s Creed 3 had some great ideas, and the combat was better than ever, but AC3 failed to live up to its predecessor. The game told a compelling story, set during the American Revolution as the Assassins and Templars picked their sides, and the family melodrama between Connor and his father, Haythem, was especially well told. In many ways, Haythem was more likable than Connor, so it was fun for the series to give us a sympathetic antagonist for the first time. It was also awesome to play as a character who was half-Native American and had such a powerful connection to the land that was being fought over. The real problem with AC3 was its modern-day story/gameplay sections. These broke up the action and became increasingly nonsensical, with the ending killing the series’ momentum. This meant Ubisoft needed to think long and hard about the future of the series, and what would become the next entry. Thankfully, they nailed it. Buy Assassin’s Creed 3 on Amazon 7. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate There’s nothing especially wrong with Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, it just doesn’t sparkle and is a rather forgettable entry in the long-running series. While it had some bugs at launch, Ubisoft mostly resolved many of the problems that plagued Unity, and exploring Victorian London with gadgets that let us zip up buildings quickly could be thrilling. Playing as two different protagonists, a brother and sister duo who take over the seedy underworld of London, while assassinating notable Templars, was also a novel idea. As usual in the Assassin’s Creed games, the world was a joy to explore but the story was dragged down by AC’s usual faction warfare. The story just felt like the same thing we had seen before. You’re an Assassin, go and kill evil Templars. What was worse, is the stealth elements from earlier games had mostly vanished, leaving a mediocre action experience. Buy Assassin’s Creed Syndicate on Amazon 6. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Everyone loves Vikings, right? After God of War, that awesome History Channel show, and a revived cultural appreciation for all things Nordic, an Assassin’s Creed game set during this era was bound to be a hit. And Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is great, it’s just not as good as many of the other entries. Sailing around the fjords looking for enemy settlements to raid is fantastic fun, channeling games like Black Flag and Origins, but like Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, we felt a tinge of fatigue when playing Valhalla. We appreciated the setting, but the game felt far too similar to AC Odyssey, which did many of the same things – only better. Playing as a Viking and living the life of one was brilliant though. Historically, the game was set before all the Templar vs. Assassin strife but sowed the seeds for that battle to begin, finally making it fun again. Valhalla may not be the best Assassin’s Creed game, but it was the first to release on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, therefore it’s a great entry point for those looking to jump into the series. Buy Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on Amazon 5. Assassin’s Creed Rogue Assassin’s Creed Rogue was released around the same time as Unity, but for the PS3 and Xbox 360. It was intended to give AC fans who hadn’t yet upgraded to next-gen something to play. It’s since been ported to modern platforms, but the game is actually remembered far more fondly than Unity. Rogue lets players control a former Assassin who’s been recruited by the Templars and now assassinates his former colleagues, giving players a chance to experience the conflict from the other side. This change of perspective helped make that stale story feel fresh again and added some delicious intrigue. As far as gameplay goes, Rogue plays a lot like AC: Black Flag, but lets players sail around the North Atlantic rather than the Caribbean. It also serves as a sequel to Black Flag, a prequel to AC3, and sets the scene for AC Unity, providing some connecting tissue to all three of those games. Not bad for a title that was accused of being glorified DLC. Buy Assassin’s Creed Rogue on Amazon 4. Assassin’s Creed Origins Assassin’s Creed Origins was exactly what the series needed after AC Syndicate – that, and a break. Ubisoft decided to stop the annual (sometimes double) release of Assassin’s Creed, putting each game through a longer development cycle. The results were most welcome, as AC Origins was a breath of fresh desert air. The game overhauled nearly every aspect of the series, improving the combat, the environments, the parkour, and the narrative structure. Origins also added some nice RPG elements, and at times, felt more like a Witcher title than an AC game. The setting was ancient Egypt during the Ptolemaic Wars and unlike earlier entries, it took full advantage of this backdrop in terms of gameplay and story. Here, you take on the role of a Maji during the reign of Cleopatra, under Roman occupation, getting to assassinate her enemies. The game also deemphasized the now tiresome modern-day segments and even managed to make the Templars versus Assassin’s story interesting again by creating the shadowy Hidden Ones and their nefarious agenda. Buy Assassin’s Creed Origins on Amazon 3. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Odyssey took the template created by AC Origins and expanded on it, this time adding the celebrated naval elements from AC: Black Flag but without the cannon fire, due to the game being set in ancient Greece. It also used the definitive conflict between Athens and Sparta, which in history would see the former rise as the dominant power. However, most of the game is set hunting down the sinister precursors to the Templars, and while players can enjoy the refined combat system, AC Odyssey made playing as a stealthy assassin a worthwhile playstyle once again. Odyssey’s story finally gave players a look behind the curtain at the ancient civilization that sparked the Assassin’s vs. Templar order and cleverly weaved this into the war between Greek powers. While Origins gave the AC formula a much-needed shakeup, Odyssey took the baton and ran with it. Then sailed even further. Buy Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on Amazon 2. Assassin’s Creed 2 Assassin’s Creed 2 and its two stand-alone sequels, Brotherhood, and Revelations, are collectively known as the Ezio collection. They are also seen as a high point in the series, and the games that helped establish Assassin’s Creed as the legendary brand it is today. AC2 is set during Renaissance Italy, particularly Venice, Florence, and Rome, and stars young nobleman Ezio Auditore da Firenze as he becomes embroiled in the war between the Assassins and Templars. Ezio is a carefree young man at first but when tragedy strikes he’s pulled into a war beyond his imagination. The character is a joy to control and AC has struggled to match his popularity ever since. Seeing Ezio go from a new recruit to the Grand Master of the Assassin order throughout his life’s journey is easily the best AC story ever told. Although, what really makes AC2 great is that it delivered on all the promises AC1 failed to keep. It was nearly the best Assassin’s Creed game ever – but one other managed to beat it for the top spot. Buy Assassin’s Creed 2 on Amazon 1. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag What makes Assassin’s Creed 4 Black Flag the best Assassin’s Creed game isn’t the fantastic naval gameplay or the fact that you get to explore the Caribbean by sea, nor was it because it was the first AC game to appear on PS4 and Xbox One. No, what makes AC4 the best Assassin’s Creed game is the freedom it entrusts to the player. The ridiculous Assassin’s versus Templar story eventually catches up to pirate Edward Kenway, who, like the player, spends most of the game sailing away from it – content to just enjoy life and be a pirate. And that is what AC4 lets players do. AC4 marries the best parts of Assassin’s Creed, and so much more, then lets players just have fun in the world they’ve created. By the point that it does become time to get serious and assassinate some Templars, you won’t mind, because you’ve already plundered the entire Caribbean and have become the most feared buccaneer to ever sail the Seven Seas! Buy Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag on Amazon If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Best Archetype in Vampire The Masquerade Bloodhunt: Clans ranked Sharkmob, DexertoIf you’re looking to dominate Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt’s solo battle royale mode, we’ve ranked the best Archetypes of the Brujah, Ventrue, Nosferatu, and Toreador clans right here. Straying away from its RPG roots, Vampire: The Masquerade has been transformed into a battle royale in Sharkmob’s VTM: Bloodhunt. Set in the dimly lit streets of Prague, Czechia, players are tasked with wiping out their enemies until only they are left standing. In order to do so, they’ll need to master the game’s four different Clans: the Toreador, Nosferatu, Ventrue, and Brujah, along with their Archetypes. With two different classes per clan (with the exception of Ventrue), we’ve ranked all seven of Bloodhunt’s playable Archetypes from best to worst in solo gameplay. Contents All Vampire The Masquerade Bloodhunt Archetype ranked 1. Bloodhunt: Brute and Vandal Archetypes (Brujah Clan) With rippling muscles and an aggression-focused playstyle, the Brujah and its Archetypes truly mean business in Bloodhunt, and are arguably the best class available right now. Short-tempered and ready to rip you apart, you wouldn’t want to meet one of these guys down a dark Czech alley. Divided into Vandal and Brute Archetypes, the Brujah are the optimal class for those who love to be at the heart of the action. While both classes are much of a much in terms of abilities, we prefer to run the Vandal for pure damage power. The combination of Adrenaline Rush and Earth Shock is perfect for stunning your enemies so that you can obliterate them, and Soaring Leap offers a great escape option if too many try to pile in. The Brute is also the perfect weapon, though. Relying a little more on your aim, their Shockwave Punch gives you a barrier if things get a bit too intense, with Soaring Leap providing the perfect escape route for you to make full use of that True Grit passive. 2. Bloodhunt: Siren and Muse classes (Toreador Clan) Sitting second in the Bloodhunt pack are the absolutely stunning Toreador clan Archetypes, with their position on this list proving that they can hold their own in a battle with great mobility, particularly as a Siren. You’ll be able to master the Siren and the Muse, both of which play a more supportive role. While they’re a must-have in groups, their lack of damage leaves them pretty vulnerable out in the Dark World (get it?). If a healing hit-and-run playstyle is what you like, though, then maybe the Toreadors are the one for you – we certainly enjoyed playing them! Of the two, the Siren is the most viable in solo play. The Blinding Beauty flashbang is great for getting yourself out of sticky situations, and your Projection Dash can be used to flank enemies or get away unscathed. Kindred Charm also has its uses, as it’s nicer when your prey doesn’t struggle, right? Sadly, the Muse really struggles in solo combat, which is unsurprising considering they’re designed as a support character. While the self-heal is nice, there are enough mortals around to feed on for health, and the Final Act isn’t much use when you’re public enemy number one. 3. Bloodhunt: Enforcer Archetype (Ventrue Clan) With only one Archetype available to choose from for the Ventrue clan in Bloodhunt, the newest class to be added to the roster thus far is as tanky as they come. The Enforcer Archetype is able to slow and crowd control enemies while simultaneously buffing itself to move in for the kill. This makes it a good choice for both solo and group play, with its skillset offering its own set of advantages to both styles. Subjugating Presence as a passive is relatively useful in play, slowing your nearby enemies and also alerting you when they get just that little bit too close. An excellent accompaniment to this is Flesh of Marble, which gives you invulnerability –albeit briefly — as long as you don’t attack, giving you the chance to swoop in and attempt to defeat your opponent up close. While their skillset is nothing to scoff at, it’s true, the above Archetypes (with the exception of Muse) bring a little more to the table overall, and if you’re looking to pack more of a punch overall, you’re likely better running with one of the Brujah’s two classes. 4. Bloodhunt: Saboteur and Prowler classes (Nosferatu Clan) Calling the dimly lit sewers of Prague their home, the Nosferatu clan are reminiscent of the more classical interpretation of the vampire — ain’t no sparkles on these guys. The Clan is split into two distinct Archetypes in Bloodhunt, the Saboteur and the Prowler. Both prioritize stealth-based combat, so if you’re looking to lurk in the shadows and strike when the end is nigh, then this is the Clan for you, but compared to some of the other best Archetypes on this list, you’ll likely struggle. Of the two, we recommend running the Prowler. Their ability to scout out the surrounding area using their Scouting Famulus (a.k.a bats) and Sense the Beast passive make it easy to lock down wounded enemies, allowing you to swoop in for a quick and easy kill using Vanish. If it turns out someone has also been tracking that target, though, and is looking for a fight, Vanish can also be used for a swift getaway. This doesn’t mean that the Saboteur is any less useful, however. Their passive ability (Unseen Passage) allows them to go invisible while crouching; perfect for snipers and lurkers. Sewer Bomb is also perfect for setting up traps in your surrounding area to alert you to any intruders, or it can be dropped in the middle of a fight and shot to take your enemies completely by surprise. So, there you have it — that’s it for our list of the best Vampire the Masquerade Bloodhunt Archetype and clans! As the game continues to evolve this list may shift around, or even have new Clans and classes added, so be sure to check back for the latest news! For more tips and tricks to help you out on the streets of Prague, check out our other guides: All Blood Resonances in Bloodhunt | Vampire The Masquerade Bloodhunt Bloody Roots quest

9 best April Fool’s gaming jokes of all-time Blizzard EntertainmentGaming and April Fool’s Day go hand-in-hand, as there have been countless examples of developers and publishers pulling off elaborate jokes to fool fans. Here are some of the best April Fool’s pranks in gaming from down the years. Like Christmas, Halloween, or even Valentine’s Day, April Fool’s Day is a one-day-only affair that distances itself from all the other regular days in the calendar. When it crosses paths with gaming, it can be absolute magic for even just 24 hours. Everyone loves a well-thought-out April Fool’s gag, and some of the world’s leading brands from Overwatch to LEGO have all been involved in one way or another. So let’s run through some of the best examples of April Fool’s Day clashing with gaming and pick out the most memorable pranks. Best gaming April Fool’s Day pranks From goats appearing on the big screen to unbelievably retro football, the best April Fool’s gaming jokes really do range from the wacky to the wonderful. Check out each entry below along with a short description of what each stunt entailed. 1. PlayStation Flow You know those annoying swimming levels in gaming? Well, wouldn’t they be cooler if you actually had to mimic them yourself? That’s what PlayStation Flow promised, but despite the very convincing advert and promotion, it was nothing more than an April Fool’s day hoax. 2. Football Manager 1888 Football Manager is a success year-on-year as fans all around the world get to assume the reins of a football club and enforce the advice they shower the TV with every week. Football Manager 1888 was announced on April 1, 2020, but as you can guess, ye olde football was just a brilliant joke. 3. Overwatch googly eyes Overwatch 2 carries on the cartoony, somewhat serious nature of Blizzard’s incredible Hero shooter, but back in April 2021, the devs went a bit kooky with the original. See, they made it so that every hero could be equipped with a pair of googly eyes, and it made matches both hectic and hilarious. 4. Touch Grass keys At one point or another, you might have heard the expression to go outside and “touch grass.” Well on April 1, 2022, HyperX took this one step further and jokingly advertised a keyboard with all-new “Grass keycaps,” and we can’t imagine how impractical they would’ve been if they were real. 5. New Twitch categories The meteoric rise of Twitch has been helped in part thanks to games such as Just Chatting. Twitch decided to go all in on 2022’s April Fools by including ‘new’ categories for users to enjoy: Pizza Time, Silent Reading, Character Creation, Chores, Odd Jobs & Errands, and Literally Just Chatting. 6. Diablo makeover It didn’t change too much, but Diablo underwent a bizarre makeover in 2022, and it was quite a drastic swerve compared to its traditional heaven and hell theme. With Diablo 4 set to lead the franchise’s future, we can’t imagine it’ll be incorporating this kind of permanent theme anytime soon. 7. LEGO Halo There seems to have been a LEGO version of almost everything at this point, especially where games are concerned. Halo fans thought they were getting something special at one point after it was announced that LEGO Halo was on the way, but you already know how that ends. 8. Dark Ciders The award for the best-named April Fool’s joke has to go to Dark Ciders – a play on the Darksiders series. Described as “artisanal beverages,” the made-up drinks were a great tie-in to the action-adventure games. 9. Goat Simulator: The Musical Motion Picture We have saved the best till last – Goat Simulator on the big screen. The original game was bigger and better than it had any right to be and its creators teased everyone with a full-scale movie with Jackass’ Steve-O at the helm. We so wish this was true, but for the time being, it’s just another cruel April Fool’s joke. If you enjoyed this fun list and want to see even more cool and creative original content, we have a bunch of other features for you to check out below: 12 best MMO games to play in 2023 | The 15 best Pokemon cards ever, ranked from 1999 Base Set to Scarlet & Violet | All Resident Evil games in order | 11 best Switch RPGS to play in 2023: Zelda, Pokemon, Fire Emblem | Best Xbox Game Pass games for console & PC | Best Soulslike games to play in 2023 ranked | Best free games to download & play on PC, PS5, Xbox or Nintendo Switch

Best Anton Zenless Zone Zero build: W-Engine, Drive Disc, team comp & more HoYoverseAnton is being featured as one of the A-ranks on Zenless Zone Zero’s current banner. If you scored yourself a copy, you must learn Anton’s best W-Engines, Drive Discs, and more to build him effectively. Zenless Zone Zero is HoYoverse’s latest gacha game, with over 50 million downloads at the time of writing. Like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, ZZZ has a banner system with S-rank and A-rank characters featured for a limited time. Ellen is the headliner S-rank for the game’s first limited banner and will remain there until July 23, when she’ll be replaced by Zhu Yuan. In addition to Ellen, you can also pull for the A-rank agents Anton and Soukaku. If you managed to pull Anton, he will need certain W-Engines, Drive Discs, and materials. Keep reading for more information. Best Anton build in Zenless Zone Zero Best W-Engines for Anton Drill Rig – Red Axis The best W-Engine for Anton in Zenless Zone Zero is the A-rank Drill Rig – Red Axis. After launching an EX Special Attack, Electric DMG from Basic Attacks and Dash Attacks increases by 50% for 10 seconds. This effect can trigger once every 15 seconds. The Brimstone An excellent alternative W-Engine for Anton is the S-rank The Brimstone. Upon hitting an enemy with a Basic Attack, Dash Attack, or Dodge Counter, Anton’s ATK increases by 3.5% for 8 seconds, stacking up to eight times. This effect can trigger once every 0.5 seconds. Best Drive Disc for Anton The best Drive Disc for Anton is the four-piece Thunder Metal set. The set bonus for this Drive Disc is as follows: For the final two spots, we recommend using the Swing Jazz Drive Disc set. The set bonus for this Drive Disc is as follows: Anton Promotion & Skill Enhancement Materials Promotion You must gather Basic Offense Certification Seal, Advanced Offense Certification Seal, and Pioneer’s Certification Seal for Anton. The exact number of required materials are below: Basic Offense Certification Seal x4 – Advanced Offense Certification Seal x32 – Pioneer’s Certification Seal x30 – Dennies x800,000 – Skill Enhancement Materials Anton in Zenless Zone Zero needs Basic Shock Chip, Advanced Shock Chip, Specialized Shock Chip, Hamster Cage Pass, Living Drive, and Higher Dimensional Data: Steel Malice. The exact number of materials you need are as follows: Basic Shock Chip x25 – Advanced Shock Chip x75 – Specialized Shock Chip x250 – Hamster Cage Pass x5 – Dennies x2.5 million – Higher Dimensional Data: Steel Malice x60 – Living Drive x9 – Best Anton team comp Anton performs exceptionally well on a Shock team alongside Grace and Rina. Thanks to his Burst Mode, Anton acts as the Main DPS in this team composition. In addition to Anton, Grace can also inflict Shock onto enemies, with Rina able to provide buffs and extend the duration of Shock. As for your Bangboo, we suggest running Plugboo for Bangboo Chain Attacks to inflict 100% more Anomaly Buildup based on the number of Electric characters in your party. Anton’s abilities Basic Attack Dodge Assist Special Attack Chain Attack Core Skill Core Skill Enhancements Mindscape Cinema for Anton Mindscape Cinema is similar to the constellation system from Genshin Impact in how obtaining multiple copies of one character increases the number of buffs. Here are the effects of all the Mindscape Cinema levels for Anton: Warm-Up Exercises (MC1) – When Drill Attack hits an enemy, Anton gains additional Energy, up to a maximum of 5 Energy per skill use. – State of Flow (MC2) – When Anton uses his EX Special Attack and enters Burst Mode, he gains a Shield that equals to 7.5% of his max HP. While in Burst Mode, entering combat or switching in reapplies the Shield effect. This effect can trigger once every 15s. The shield dissipates when Burst Mode ends. – Rotational Training (MC3) – Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2 – Everyone Get Fired Up! (MC4) – When Anton uses a Chain Attack or Ultimate, all squad members’ CRIT Rate increases by 10% for 12s. – Jack of All Trades (MC5) – Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2 – Break the Limit (MC6) – When Anton’s Piledriver Attack triggers a critical hit, his Basic Attack: Enthusiastic Drills (Burst Mode) and Dodge Counter: Overload Drill (Burst Mode) deal 4% more DMG for 30s, stacking up to 6 times. Repeated triggers reset the duration. – Anton pros & cons Now that you know the best Anton build, for more on the game, check our guides for Zenless Zero codes, controller support, and pre-registration rewards.

9 best animal games to play after Stray: Cat games, dog games, more BlueTwelve Studio, Coffee Stain Studios, Crystal DynamicsDog games, cat games, shark games, it doesn’t really matter, everyone loves an anthropomorphic adventure, and here are nine unique journeys you can take yourself on. There’s an unquestionable allure about an animal game as we’re so used to playing as humans because we are humans…but where’s the fun in that? Yes, you could step into the boots of a virtual footballer in FIFA or don the skills and traits of an Apex Legend, but controlling an animal is unique and it’s not something you see all that often. Stray has proven to be a great example of how to pull off an animal game and there are plenty of other fun ones to enjoy. These are the best animal games, featuring a cat game, a dog game, and a lot more! Best dog game – Dog’s Life Who hasn’t wanted to just be a dog for a day? The world around you is fascinating, you can run for hours, you get belly rubs, head ruffles, it’s ok to be called Scruffles, and someone else makes your food for you. You’d be barking mad not to want to be a dog and Dog’s Life provides the perfect escape to this mythical reality. It’s not the most refined title you’ll ever play in your life, but as a dog game, it scratches that itch and gives you a nice insight into the minds of a beloved animal. Best cat game – Stray We know we said after Stray, but we had to mention it as it is quite literally the top dog, sorry, cat in its field. Stray isn’t a hardened simulator in the way Dog’s Life is, but it’s a far more mature and polished experience that not only makes for a great detective platformer – but also a purrfect cat game. We gave it a lot of praise in our official Stray review and it’s also got a decent runtime as well. You get to meow, interact with other cats, and generally be the smallest, cutest ball of kitty floof with enough thoughtful gameplay to not leave you tailing off into boredom. Best shark game – Maneater On the other end of the animal game spectrum, you have Maneater, a complete shark game that allows you to live out your greatest Jaw desires. A meaty experience that sees you take control of a baby shark (doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo) and conquer the seas to take revenge on a shark hunter. Maneater is an over-the-top experience that will leave you thirsty for more. Best raccoon game – Sly Cooper Our devious theivius raccoonus, Sly Cooper, is an eccentric and exceptional thief that makes being a raccoon fun, although, admittedly, probably not the most realistic depiction of the creature. Before Sucker Punch Productions were making themselves inFamous or flirting with the tumultuous territorial conflict of Ghost of Tsushima’s Feudal Japan, they were busy making the much-loved Sly Cooper franchise. Best frog game – Frogger Like Pong, Space Invaders, and Galaxian, Frogger is as primitive as a game can be in 2022, but it’s still a classic and doesn’t look like it’ll croak anytime soon. The concept of Frogger may seem menial and unadvanced by today’s standards, but make no mistake that Frogger can be devilishly tricky and this vintage frog game will have you jumping for joy upon completion of a level. Best goose game – Untitled Goose Game Untitled Goose Game is one of those rare instances in which you are the antagonist as no one wants to deal with a dastardly goose that steals, bonks, and honks at you incessantly. Players will relish their time in Untitled Goose Game as it combines its masterful execution with mad, well-orchestrated melodic music that fits the chaotic carnage that you will inevitably cause. Untitled Goose game may be the only goose game on the market, but it’s, without doubt, the best. Best gecko game – Gex It’s still heartbreaking that we never got more Gex, but if you’ve ever had the strange urge to bounce around on your tail like a trampoline, then you definitely need to dig out some vintage hardware and take control of the universe’s best galivanting gecko. In an era where 3D platformers were king, Gex may have fallen by the wayside to franchises like Mario and Spyro. Still, the boundless charm of the titular hero made being a gecko cool, and maybe one day the witty and urbane character will make a truimphant return. Best bandicoot game – Crash Bandicoot Unlike some of the more obscure entries on our list, Crash Bandicoot needs no introduction as the Wumpa-loving, crate-smashing bandicoot is an all-time great. A bandicoot is certainly a curious choice for an animal game, but Naughty Dog believed it would work, and who are we to question their philosophies given the success of The Last of Us, Uncharted, and Jak and Daxter. It did work, and that’s why new Crash Bandicoot entries are still reportedly being commissioned, with newcomers being woah-fully underprepared for its savage difficulty! Best goat game – Goat Simulator Goat Simulator is a mechanical marvel in that most of its core fundamentals are broken, yet this is what entices consumers to its preposterous goat parkour. Having the title of the “best goat game” is an honor developers Coffee Stain Studios would carry as a badge of honor, and they decided to bless the world by shockingly announcing Goat Simulator 3. Players have come to love those fleeting, and bleating, moments and it does make us wonder if anyone will ever step up to the mantle and attempt to ram Goat Simulator out of the way. For more fun lists and features, check these out below: 7 best games like Stardew Valley in 2022 on Nintendo Switch | 5 best games you didn’t play in 2021 | 9 best open-world games like Skyrim to play in 2022 | Best Metal Gear games ranked | Best Assassin’s Creed games ranked, from AC1 to Valhalla | The 10 best Call of Duty games of all time | 20 best PlayStation Plus games for PS4 & PS5 in July 2022 | Best games of 2022 so far

Best Anby Zenless Zone Zero build: W-Engine, Drive Disc, team comp & more HoYoverseAnby is an A-Rank agent in Zenless Zone Zero who specializes in Stun and dealing Electric DMG. If you wish to build up Daze, you’ll need to know how to effectively build Anby with the best W-Engines and Drive Discs. A-Ranks are easier to obtain than S-Rank characters in Zenless Zone Zero, but that doesn’t mean they are useless in combat. Nicole and Soukaku are examples of powerful A-Rank agents who can hold their own compared to S-Rank alternatives. Anby is another A-Rank agent who can work well in mono-Electric teams to stun opponents and build up Daze and Electro Anomaly. If you scored one or several copies of Anby, keep reading to learn about her best W-Engines, Drive Disc, and more. Best Anby build in Zenless Zone Zero Best W-Engines for Anby The Restrained The best W-Engine for Anby in Zenless Zone Zero is the S-rank The Restrained. After an attack hits an enemy, DMG and Daze from Basic Attacks increase by 6% for eight seconds, stacking up to five times. This effect can trigger at most once during each skill. Steam Oven An excellent alternative W-Engine for Anby is the A-rank Steam Oven. For every 10 Energy accumulated, Anby’s Impact increases by 2%, stacking up to eight times. After Energy is consumed, this bonus remains for eight more seconds. Best Drive Disc for Anby The best Drive Disc for Anby is the four-piece Shockstar Disco set. The set bonus for this Drive Disc is as follows: For the final two spots, we recommend using the Swing Jazz Drive Disc set. The set bonus for this Drive Disc is as follows: Anby Promotion & Skill Enhancement Materials Promotion You must gather Basic Stun Certification Seal, Advanced Stun Certification Seal, and Buster Certification Seal for Anby. The exact number of required materials are below: Basic Stun Certification Seal x4 – Advanced Stun Certification Seal x32 – Buster Certification Seal x30 – Dennies x800,000 – Skill Enhancement Materials Anby in Zenless Zone Zero needs Basic Shock Chip, Advanced Shock Chip, Specialized Shock Chip, Hamster Cage Pass, Ferocious Grip, and Higher Dimensional Data: Murderous Obituary. The exact number of materials you need are as follows: Basic Burn Chip x25 – Advanced Burn Chip x75 – Specialized Burn Chip x250 – Hamster Cage Pass x5 – Dennies x2.5 million – Higher Dimensional Data: Murderous Obituary x60 – Ferocious Grip x9 – Best Anby team comp Anby performs excellently in a mono-Electric team alongside Grace and Anton. In this composition, Anby stuns opponents and simultaneously builds up Daze and Electro Anomaly. Finally, Grace can also generate Electro Anomaly, with Anton triggering the Shock effect inflicted onto enemies. As for your Bangboo, we suggest running Plugboo for Bangboo Chain Attack to inflict 100% more Anomaly Buildup based on the number of Electric characters in your party. Anby’s abilities Basic Attack Dodge Assist Special Attack Chain Attack Core Skill Core Skill Enhancements Mindscape Cinema for Anby Mindscape Cinema is similar to the constellation system from Genshin Impact in how obtaining multiple copies of one character increases the number of buffs. Here are the effects of all the Mindscape Cinema levels for Anby: Rapid Charge Mode (MC1): When the fourth hit of Anby’s Basic Attack hits an enemy, her Energy Generation Rate is increased by 12% for 30s. – Precision Discharge (MC2): When Basic Attack – Thunderbolt hits a Stunned enemy, its DMG is increased by 30%. When Anby’s EX Special Attack hits an enemy that is not Stunned, the Daze inflicted is increased by 10%. – Well-Disciplined (MC3): Basic Attack, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack levels increase by two. – Conducting Charge (MC4): When Anby launches a Chain Attack or uses her Ultimate, off-field Electric Agents recover 3 Energy. For every 12% Energy Generation Rate Anby has, recover an additional 2 Energy, up to a maximum of 6. – Street Experience (MC5): Basic Attack, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack levels increase by two. – Charging Field (MC6): When Anby uses her EX Special Attack, she gains 8 stacks of Charge (max 8 stacks). When she hits an enemy with her Basic Attack or Dash Attack, 1 stack of Charge is consumed, increasing that attack’s DMG by 45%. – Anby pros & cons Now that you know the best Anby build, for more on the game, check our guides for Zenless Zero codes, controller support, and pre-registration rewards. You can also read our tier list for the best ZZZ characters.

Best Amamiya Mirei Solo Leveling Arise build: Stats, skills, weapons, Artifacts Netmarble / DexertoHere are all the best Amamiya Mirei skills, stats, weapons and Artifacts to create the ultimate build for the hunter character in Solo Leveling: Arise. SSR hunter Amamiya Mirei was introduced as a brand-new character as part of the gacha game’s July 31 update. The Wind Assassin harnesses the power of spirits to fire high-damage attacks, and if built correctly, she easily becomes one of the best-ranked DPS hunters in Solo Leveling: Arise. Best Amamiya Mirei build in Solo Leveling: Arise We have outlined all the best stats, skills, weapons and Artifacts in the table below and explained the choices for these further down in the build guide. If you are yet to obtain Amamiya Mirei’s hunter-exclusive weapon Bunny Bunbun and the full eight-piece set of Burning Curse Artifacts, then have also provided alternatives to still create a strong build. Best Amamiya Mirei stats Attack, Mana Power and Critical Hit Damage are the best skills to focus on while building Amamiya Mirei in Solo Leveling: Arise. Mirei scales off her Attack stats as a formidable DPS unit, therefore this is the most important stat out of all of them. However, with her gameplay centering around using her powerful Ultimate skill to deal enormous amounts of damage to opponents and activate powerful abilities, then you will need to buff her Mana Power levels when you can. Finally, Critical Hit Damage and Critical Hit Rate will both be vital when choosing which skills, weapons and Artifacts to equip and upgrade. This is because the majority of her Wind attacks are capable of inflicting high Critical Hit Damage, thanks to her high stat and passive skill benefits. Best Amamiya Mirei skills Wings of Night, Raven’s Cry, and the Ultimate Skill Moonless Night Overture are Amamiya Mirei’s best skills in Solo Leveling Arise. All of Amamiya Mirei’s skills are part of her Kuroha Sword Techniques, which are all numbered and are given a name. Every skill available to her scales of her Attack stat and when paired with her Passive Skills on offer she can also deal massive amounts of Critical Hit Damage. In particular, the two Basic Skills Wings of Night and Raven’s Cry both deal 1550% of Mirei’s Attack as Wind elemental damage and apply other effects. However, her Ultimate Skill resets the cooldown of these skills and her Passive Skills with advancements can increase their damage by a remarkable 80%. As long as you have enough Mana Power at your disposal, Mirei is also able to spam her Ultimate Skill to compliment these skills and inflict high amounts of damage. This is thanks to abilities such as Wings of Night and her hunter-exclusive weapon Bunny Bunbun that increase her Power Gauge meter. Best Amamiya Mirei weapons Bunny Bunbun is by far the best weapon Amamiya Mirei can equip to fight Gate enemies and bosses in Solo Leveling Arise. For every Arise character, the hunter-exclusive weapon is always the greatest choice. However, if you are yet to obtain Bunny Bunbun, the Steel Bow is a strong non-exclusive alternative. This is due to its high Critical Damage dealing benefits. Best Amamiya Mirei Artifacts The Burning Curse Armor and Jewelry sets are the best Artifacts to equip with Amamiya Mirei to create the ultimate build in Solo Leveling: Arise. With Amamiya Mirei scaling off of her Attack stats, then it is a no-brainer to choose the eight-piece Burning Curse set. These Artifacts will buff Mirei’s Attack more than any other option. Despite them not buffing Critical Hit Damage or Mana Power, you can choose particular Burning Curse Artifacts that contain unique individual buffs to increase these. However, getting Burning Curse Artifacts has proved challenging, especially to obtain the complete eight-piece set to reap all the Attack benefits. Here’s all the Artifact benefits for Burning Curse, as well as strong replacements. The Armed Armor set also does well at providing significant Attack buffs for Amamiya Mirei, but it is just not as strong compared to Burning Curse. If you want to focus on boosting your Ultimate Skill, then the Destroyer Armor set’s Power Gauge increase makes it a worthy alternative. For different Jewelry options, Champion on the Field can be used to buff Attack and Expert will greatly increase Critical Hit Rate. However, both of these are nowhere near as effective as the DPS benefits you get from using the 8-piece Burning Curse set. How to get Amamiya Mirei in Solo Leveling: Arise To get Amamiya Mirei in Solo Leveling: Arise, you must draw the SSR hunter from her Spectral Warrior Rate Up banner. You will be able to draw the character from the banner using Draw Tickets from July 31, 2024, until the banner ends on August 20, 2024. If you need free Arise codes to help you get more Essence Stones to draw from the banner, then we have you covered. For Solo Leveling: Arise, we have complete guides on the best build for Sung Jinwoo, the best Artifact sets and the best weapons for every hunter character.

Best Alicia Blanche Solo Leveling Arise build: Skills, stats, weapons, Artifacts NetmarbleAlicia Blanche has arrived as a hunter available to get in Solo Leveling: Arise. To get the most out of the character, you’ll need to upgrade and use the best items to create the ultimate build. All hunters have the ability to level up, gain additional skills, and improve their stats in Solo Leveling Arise. As you advance through the levels, you’ll also need to gather powerful weapons and Artifacts to let you easily defeat difficult monsters, such as bosses, and clear high-level Gates. Alicia Blanche was released by Netmarble as part of the game’s first major content update on May 29, and can be drawn from the Ice Witch Rate Up banner. Despite Sung Jinwoo receiving the ice-themed SSR exclusive weapon Skadi, the star of the show has been the French Water Mage character Alicia Blanche. Here are all the best skills, stats, weapons, and Artifact sets you need to construct the ultimate Alicia Blanche build in Solo Leveling: Arise. Solo Leveling Arise: Best Alicia Blanche stats Attack, Water Damage, and Critical Hit Rate are the most important stats to prioritize when creating the ultimate Cha Hae-In build in Solo Leveling: Arise. Alicia Blanche proved early on to be one of the most technical hunters in Arise due to her multiple distinctive skills and abilities, such as Freezing her opponents. But, this can make her challenging to use for beginners. However, if you build her by choosing skills, weapons, and Artifacts to buff your Water attacks and Critical Hit Rate stats, then she will be worth the time spent to get used to her and become a uniquely powerful character in your hunting team to use for different situations and bosses. Solo Leveling Arise: Best Alicia Blanche skills Alicia Blanche’s best skills are her Basic Attack Frost Arrow, the Basic Skills, Winter Storm and Ice Needle and her Ultimate skill, Absolute Zero. In particular, you will want to focus on leveling up her Basic Skills of Winter Storm and Ice Needle, due to these being her main high damage-dealing skills. As you rise up the ranks, upgrading the Frost Arrow Basic Attack and Absolute Zero is also beneficial to keep upgrading. However, her QTE skills and other Basic Attacks will be significantly less useful and should be the lowest priority with your upgrades. Blanche’s QTE skills will also naturally level up with hunter Advancements when obtaining dupes for the character. Solo Leveling Arise: Best Alicia Blanche weapons The best Alicia Blanche weapon to use in Solo Leveling: Arise is her own hunter-exclusive SSR weapon The Witch of the Snowstorm. In Arise, the hunter’s exclusive weapon is always the greatest option for any character. For non-exclusive weapons, the Steel Bow is the highest Critical Damage dealer, thus if you still need to obtain The Witch of the Snowstorm, it’s a worthy substitute. Solo Leveling Arise: Best Alicia Blanche Artifacts Toughness (Hard Leather) is the best all-round Armor set and Expert (Beast) is the best Jewelry set to equip with Alicia Blanche. This is due to the superior Critical Hit Rate and Critical Hit Damage buff you receive from using these. The Armed (Black Lion) and Solid Foundation (Dragon Knight) Armor sets and the Champion on the Field (Red-Eyed) Jewelry set are also still viable options for their Basic Attack and overall Attack stat boosts. Equipping any combination of the Artifacts mentioned will still pack a punch, and different Gates, enemies and bosses you are taking on will favor certain sets more than others. For Solo Leveling: Arise we have also provided the best build for Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In, as well as the best Artifact sets for every hunter character. If you need free Arise codes or are wondering what the current and next banners are, then we have you covered.

Best AK-47 loadouts in XDefiant: 3 class builds for low recoil and damage The AK-47 is a staple of first-person shooters, and XDefiant is no different as it brings the powerful rifle to the battlefield. When kitted out with the right equipment, this gun is already emerging as a strong candidate as one of the best weapons in the game’s early meta. To take advantage of this, check out the following guide on how to build the best loadout for XDefiant’s AK-47 assault rifle. Recommended XDefiant AK-47 loadout Here are the following attachments you will want to throw on your AK-47 to make it as good as it can be: Barrel: Lightweight – Front Rail: Pistol – Optics: Reflex – Magazine: Fast Mag – Stock: Folded – This AK-47 loadout for XDefiant is best because it’s designed to give you speed when handling the powerful assault rifle. This starts with the Lightweight Barrel, which gives you improved ADS and Movement Speed, at the slight cost of some damage range reductions. This emphasis on speed is also carried over to the Pistol Front Rail to boost to your sprint-to-shoot time, as well as the Folded Stock that will increases Movement Speed. The Fast Mag provides a faster reload so that you won’t have to worry about finding a hiding spot to reload your weapon. Finally, the Reflex Optics are a solid option to help improve your aim and accuracy from any range. Our favorite secondary option to use with this AK-47 loadout is the M9 Pistol, as its semi-automatic firing is useful in tight quarters when reloading the AK-47 just isn’t viable. Using a Frag Grenade is also a great way to clear out objectives and soften up your enemies before heading into a firefight. Best AK-47 loadout for low recoil AK-47 is notorious for having a high amount of recoil. So, here are the attachments you can use to get as low recoil as possible: Muzzle: Muzzle Brake – Barrel: Stabilizing Barrel – Front Rail: Angled Grip – Stock: Padded Stock – Rear Grip: Heavy Grip – Start with the Muzzle Brake which will provide horizontal recoil reduction while decreasing short and medium range by 5%. The Stabilizing Barrel will reduce vertical and horizontal recoil by 2.5%. Since our goal is stability and low recoil, the Angled Grip can reduce horizontal recoil even more while providing 15% aim stability. A stock attachment will cement the weapon’s stability so use the Padded Stock to improve recoil recovery, aim stability, and ADS control. Finally, use the Heavy Grip for additional flinch resistance and a 2.5% reduction in horizontal recoil. If you need an optic, you should sub out the Heavy Grip for it. For your secondary weapon, we would recommend the D50 here. It’s a close range monster that can easily take down enemies if they get too close, making for a great secondary option that can rival SMG TTK if you’re able to land shots. Best AK-47 loadout for high damage AK-47 is already a hard-hitting weapon. However, if you’re looking to up the numbers even more, here are the suggested attachments: Muzzle: Muzzle Booster – Barrel: Heavy Barrel – Stock: Folded Stock – Magazine: Quick Mag – Rear Grip: Quick Draw Grip – Start with the Heavy Barrel, which will increase weapon damage by 5% while reducing the rate of fire by 10%. This is where the Muzzle Booster shines to increase the fire rate. Use the Folded Stock to increase movement speed so you can always be on the move. This’ll hit your accuracy a bit, but the goal with this loadout is to hit hard and fast. The AK-47 fortunately has some great optics, but, if you find yourself needing a scope, this is the attachment you’re best off subbing out. With increased movement speed, use the Quick Draw Grip, which let’s you draw your weapon faster after sprinting. Finally, pair this with the Quick Mag for additional ammo capacity and increased reload speed. For your secondary weapon, use the M9. It’s consistent and reliable as a sidearm for when one mag isn’t quite enough to get you though the fight. Pair this with the Frag Grenade that’s great for zoning the enemy if tossed on a whim, or clearing a room after it’s cooked. How to unlock the AK-47 in XDefiant You can unlock XDefiant’s AK-47 by completing the challenge of dealing 4,000 Damage with Assault Rifles. If you want to experiment with another assault rifle, our best XDefiant M4A1 loadout build has you covered. You can also check out our picks for the best handguns and best Sniper Rifles if you’re looking to try other weapons. Finally, knowing the best controller settings and the best keyboard and mouse settings will give you the upper hand.

Best Ajax build in The First Descendant: Skills, Weapons, Reactor & Modules NexonIn The First Descendant, Ajax is an excellent Tank and Support option with strong crowd control features and everything needed to dominate combat arenas. After hours of testing, we’ve found a great build for you to try. The big negative surrounding Ajax is his lack of damage. His attacking options are fairly limited and fights that require DPS above all else probably won’t have much call for him. However, he’s still at the top of our tier list in a Tank/Support role. So here’s our recommendation for the best Ajax build in The First Descedant, including skills, weapons, reactor & modules to use. The First Descendant Best Ajax build – Recommended Best Ajax skills Ajax is a bit of a specific use case because he heavily relies on using his skills in conjunction with one another. That said, the best skills to use for Ajax’s build in The First Descendant are as follows: Hypercube This is the most effective and useful Active Skill in Ajax’s arsenal, spawning a dome-like shield around the character, which allies can also take advantage of. The durability of this shield is dependent on Ajax’s health, but it’s a hugely useful skill to have when enemy forces prove too powerful or numerous. The enhanced version of the skill also reflects incoming damage that hits the barrier back at the enemy who hit it. Expulsion Ajax’s lack of impressive offensive options doesn’t mean he can’t play a major role in setting damage up for squadmates. Expulsion strikes all nearby enemies and blasts them back, creating range that is often make or break in The First Descendant. The enhanced version of the skill knocks foes back further still, increasing Ajax’s Max Shield in the process. All skills You can find a full breakdown of every skill Ajax has below: Event Horizon (Passive): Acquires Void Energy after using skills. When the Void Energy reaches its maximum amount, it enhances skills and grants additional effects. – Orbit Barrier: Creates a shield in front of Ajax. Durability increases proportionally to Ajax’s HP and DEF. If enhanced, it reflects damage proportional to DEF to enemies hitting the barrier. – Void Walk: Leaps into the air and lands on the ground to strike nearby enemies, stunning them. If enhanced, Max Shield increases for a certain period of time. – Expulsion: Strikes nearby enemies, knocking them back. If enhanced, the knockback range and Max Shield are increased. – Hypercube: Creates a dome-shaped shield. Durability increases proportionally to Ajax’s HP and DEF. If enhanced, reflects damage proportional to DEF to enemies hitting the barrier. – Best weapons for Ajax The best weapons to use for Ajax’s build in The First Descendant are: Albion Cavalry Gun – Secret Garden (Tactical Rifle) – Tamer (Machine Gun) – The best choice is the Albion Cavalry Gun. This firearm synergizes perfectly with his skill set, as the gun grants additional damage against stunned enemies. The Cavalry’s Unique Ability increases Firearm ATK after you hit a stunned enemy. Hitting a Critical Hit on a stunned enemy also inflicts stun. If you pair this with Ajax’s Void Walk skill it can cause mass stun on anyone within its area of effect, further improving the gun’s damage. Secret Garden and the Tamer are great alternatives. Using skills while wielding Secret Garden will enhance the gun’s stats, and Tamer really shines in boss encounters. Best Reactors for Ajax in The First Descendant We recommend picking up the following Reactors to boost Ajax’s overall output: Materialized Mechanics: Provides a boost to Tech and Non-Attribute, the latter of which buffs Skill Power ratios, improving skills. – Materialized Phase: Provides a boost to Non-Attribute and Dimension (which affects Ajax’s Barrier abilities). – Ajax’s barrier skills are Dimensional, while his other skills are Tech, so bear this in mind when you’re analyzing reactors to use. Best Modules for Ajax The best Descendant Modules available to Ajax are: Matrix Recomputation modifies Expulsion to grant a buff that helps allies survive, allowing the character to provide significant support to teammates. Tech Specialist adds further power to the Void Walker and Expulsion offensive skills, with the other modules designed to buff Ajax across the board, with everything from HP to Shields receiving general improvements. The final two modules are reserved for use when you need specific elemental resistances. Going into difficult fights with that extra layer of protection can greatly increase your overall chances of survival and success. Best External Components External Components are one of the more grindy areas in The First Descendant, with much of the potential benefit being down to RNG. The ones that are most appropriate for Ajax will bring bonuses to Max HP – Max Shield – DEF – Ajax already has the highest individual Health pool of all the Descendants, but you’ll want to continue to improve that base stat wherever possible. Max Shield continues this trend, combining with DEF to increase survivability across the board. You’ll likely have to go through a lot of poor rolls before you are able to get the one you want, and components are arguably the most “looter shooter” elements of the game. How to unlock Ajax Like the majority of Descendants, you’ll need to get your hands on specific items and crafting resources to unlock Ajax in the game. These are: Ajax Enhanced Cells x430 Silicon – x303 Hellion – x35 Artificial Biometal – Ajax Enhanced Cell Blueprints – x200,000 Gold – Ajax Stabilizer x386 Hardener – x408 Ceramic Composite – x30 Compound Carbon Activator – Ajax Stabilizer Blueprint – x200,000 Gold – Ajax Spiral Catalyst x402 Compound Coating Matierla – x462 Shape Memory Alloy – x42 Positive Ion Particle – Ajax Spiral Catalyst Blueprint – x200,000 Gold – Ajax code Intercept Battle: Executioner: Amorphous Material Pattern 019 required – Intercept Battle: Swamp Walker: Amorphous Material Pattern 096 required – Vespers: Abyssal Void Fusion Reactor: Vespers Lost Moonlight Lake – White-night Gulch: Void Fusion Reactor: White-night Gulch Hatchery – For a complete rundown of how to unlock him in The First Descendant, our dedicated guide has you covered. That’s everything you need to know about the best Ajax build in The First Descendant. For more builds, check out our guides for Jayber, Gley, Bunny, and Freyna.

Best action RPGs like No Rest for the Wicked FromSoftware / Private Division / Grinding Gear GamesThe Soulslike action-RPG No Rest for the Wicked from Ori developer Moon Studios launches in early access soon, so here are some other games like it you should play. Moon Studios surprised fans of its Ori series with the announcement of No Rest for the Wicked. Unlike the Austrian studio’s previous games, which were Metroidvanias, No Rest for the Wicked is a gritty action RPG that draws inspiration from Soulslikes and the A Song of Ice and Fire franchise. The game enters early access on April 18, 2024, with a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S version planned for a later date. Whether you want something to play while you wait for the full game’s release or you’re looking for what to play next, here are some action RPGs that No Rest for the Wicked players will also enjoy. Bloodborne If you’re looking forward to No Rest for the Wicked, odds are you’ve probably already played Bloodborne. Regardless, this list would be incomplete without mentioning it. Bloodborne is widely considered to be among the best games ever made, and for good reason. Everything about Bloodborne from its fast-paced combat to its gothic Victorian era-inspired setting has become beloved by fans since the game’s 2015 release. It’s really no wonder why players are so eager for news of a remaster or remake, even if that doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon. Monster Hunter World No Rest for the Wicked’s developers have also cited the Monster Hunter series as an inspiration for their game, likely thanks to its deep combat system that pits players against massive and frightening bosses. The series’ latest mainline game is Monster Hunter Rise, but its predecessor Monster Hunter World remains the more popular option. Monster Hunter World’s longevity is clear, with its player count remaining relatively high to this day. Those numbers have been bolstered in recent months following the announcement of Monster Hunter Wilds, which is slated to release in 2025. Mortal Shell A fellow indie Soulslike, Mortal Shell should scratch the same itch as No Rest for the Wicked. Both are dark, atmospheric and action-packed games that draw clear inspiration from Dark Souls and were made by a smaller team. Mortal Shell isn’t as universally beloved as games like Bloodborne or Dark Souls, with some criticizing its short length, lack of variety, and lower difficulty level compared to other games in the genre. Still, there’s plenty to like about the game, and that difficulty could make it a good starting point for players who want to get the hang of the genre before jumping into a more punishing experience. Diablo 4 Since its announcement, No Rest for the Wicked has been compared to Diablo 4 thanks to its grimdark fantasy setting and similar gameplay elements. Reception to the game has been mixed and, as an online game with seasons, players’ feelings on it have shifted back and forth since its June 2023 release. Fortunately, Diablo 4 is having a moment right now thanks to a successful Game Pass release and excitement surrounding Season 4, which starts on May 14. With players cautiously optimistic for the game’s future and plenty of new content coming soon, now is a great time to get into Diablo 4. Path of Exile Dark fantasy action RPG Path of Exile is another great choice for No Rest for the Wicked fans, and it has the bonus of being free to play. You play as an exile sent to a cursed land who’s forced to fight and work with other exiles to survive. With plenty of character-building options and over a decades-worth of content, there’s no shortage of things to do. Since Path of Exile released in 2013, developer Grinding Gear Games has made over 30 expansions, with the most recent one coming out just last month. Even with the long-awaited sequel set to enter closed beta in June, the devs plan to continue supporting and adding to the original Path of Exile, so you don’t have to worry about running out of options. Lies of P 2023’s Lies of P has to be among the best Soulslikes not made by FromSoftware itself, making it a perfect choice for those interested in No Rest for the Wicked. Its concept alone is compelling, being a retelling of Pinocchio in which the player must fight through the city of Krat, taking on puppets and humans alike while deciding whether to tell some lies along the way. A brutally difficult game, Lies of P has been praised by Soulslike veterans and newcomers to the genre alike. Plus, with DLC in the works and a likely sequel teased at the very end, it seems like NEOWIZ is just getting started. Darksiders Genesis The Darksiders series shares its tone and holy warrior-theming with No Rest for the Wicked, and the latest game in the series, Genesis, even has the top-down perspective in common with Moon Studios’ upcoming title. Each game in the series has players taking control of one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as they try to bring balance to a world torn apart by a war between Heaven and Hell. A spinoff prequel to the rest of the series, Darksiders Genesis follows Strife and War as they try to save humanity from Lucifer. You can swap between the two playable characters whenever you want or play co-op, allowing you to enjoy the game with a friend. Darksiders Genesis’ main story clocks in at around 14 hours, which is relatively short for the genre – something that may be a breath of fresh air for gamers tired of long and bloated RPGs.

Best XDefiant ACR build: class loadouts for damage & low recoil UbisoftXDefiant’s ACR is one of the best weapons in the game and our recommended loadout absolutely shreds. Here is the best ACR build in XDefiant and some alternative classes, for damage and low recoil. Along with the MP7, the ACR 6.8 tops our overall weapon tier list in Ubisoft’s game. Its control and damage is extremely impressive when compared to others you can unlock in a similar timeframe, too. So, let’s dive right into the builds we have found the most success with when playing. Best XDefiant ACR build – Recommended loadout This is the best loadout for the ACR in XDefiant, so make sure you get these attachments: Optic: Reflex Sight – Front Rail: Superlight – Stock: Padded Stock – Magazine: Fast Mag – Rear Grip: Quick Draw – To bring out the best in the ACR, we are starting with the Superlight and Quick Draw Grip that will both improve your speed with which you aim down your sights so that you can do fine in a close-range skirmish as well. The Padded Stock is designed to keep your shots stable when aiming, and also give you better recoil recovery. Using the Fast Mag allows you to reload faster, which can be a huge help to keep the shots raining on your target. Finally, the Reflex Sight is most-balanced optic in the game, in our opinion. It offers the ability to hit enemies from any distance without having an extensive aiming animation. Your best bet for a Secondary Weapon is the 686 Magnum which comes with a powerful kick that can be great up-close, and the Frag Grenade to soften an objective up before moving in. Best ACR build for damage Muzzle: Muzzle Booster – Barrel: Heavy Barrel – Optic: Reflex – Front Rail: Small Vertical Grip – Rear Grip: Quick Draw Grip – In order to bring the most damage out of the ACR 6.8, we are going to start with the Muzzle Booster that will give you a faster rate of fire, which is going to help negate the hit that will take with the Heavy Barrel. However, this barrel is going to give you a boost of damage which makes it an essential part of this loadout. The Reflex is going to do a great job of keeping your shots on-target so that you can deal that extra damage. The Small Vertical Grip is designed to provide quicker ADS speed, so that you can maneuver around a firefight much better, which is also what the Quick Draw Grip is going to give you. Best ACR build for recoil Optic: Reflex – Muzzle: Muzzle Brake – Front Rail: Tactical Grip – Rear Grip: Heavy Grip – Stock: Padded Stock – While the ACR 6.8 comes with very little recoil as is, using these attachments will make it nearly devoid of any recoil. This is what the Muzzle Brake, Tactical Grip, and Padded Stock are here for. Each of these three attachments is going to bring your recoil to the point of being near non-existent to keep your shots on target. The Reflex sight is just such a solid optic to use that it’s hard not to slap on the ACR 6.8. It can help you handle an encounter from any range, and with minimal recoil, your shots are going to land. How to unlock the ACR 6.8 in XDefiant The ACR 6.8 is unlocked by completing the challenge of getting 10 Assault Rifle Longshot kills. This means taking an enemy out when you are over 30 meters away from them. The ACR 6.8 is just one of the XDefiant weapons that have quickly emerged in the game’s meta, along with the MP7, P90, and AK-47.

Best XDefiant AA-12 build: Class loadouts for recoil & damage UbisoftThe AA-12 is the full-auto shotgun in XDefiant which is devastating at close range, especially with a meta loadout. Here’s the best build that makes it as effective as possible by maximizing its damage. Alongside the M870 and Double Barrel, the AA-12 is the third shotgun in XDefiant, and the only full-auto one. With it being fully automatic, it has the worst range of the three but is also significantly more forgiving if you miss that opening shot. It’s almost entirely useless at medium and long range, but if you can keep gunfights up close, nothing outclasses the AA-12. It is especially effective in close-quarters situations like locking down a room or objective. To make the AA-12 as effective as possible in this role, you’ll need a meta loadout to use in XDefiant. Here’s the build you’ll want to be using with this shotgun. Best AA-12 build XDefiant – Recommended loadout Muzzle: Barrel Extender – Barrel: Choke – Front Rail: Pistol – Rear Grip: Quick Draw – Stock: Lightweight – Even though the AA-12 is strictly a close-range weapon, you’ll still want to improve its damage range where possible. To do this, use both the Barrel Extender muzzle and Choke barrel for a huge 25% improvement to close and medium-range damage. The other key to dominating with a shotgun is consistency, and there’s no better attachment to improve that than the Pistol front rail. When equipped, this front rail narrows Spread Accuracy by 20%, making shots much more consistent. It also hastens Sprint-Shoot Time by 10%, another useful stat to optimize on any shotgun. With those key areas addressed, the remaining two attachment slots should be used to improve mobility and handling. The Quick Draw rear grip boosts both ADS Speed and Sprint-Shoot Time by 10% each. This helps keep the AA-12 feeling snappy and responsive. Finally, partner that with the Lightweight stock for the most well-balanced AA-12 loadout possible. This meta stock raises ADS Walking Speed by a huge 20%, but it’s the 2.5% buff to Movement Speed that gives it such great synergy. Best AA-12 loadout for low recoil Muzzle: Barrel Extender – Barrel: Stabilizing Barrel – Front Rail: Angled Grip – Rear Grip: Lightweight Grip – Stock: Padded Stock – Start with the Barrel Extender which increases short-range and long-range damage by 10% which is extremely important as the AA-12’s range is quite lackluster. Pair this with the Stabilizing Barrel to add 2.5% to vertical as well as horizontal recoil recovery. The Angled Grip will further give you 5% recoil recovery and improved aim stability. Finally, the Lightweight Grip and the Padded Stock will give 25% and 15% recoil recovery respectively along with improved aim walking speed and ADS flinch which will help you control the weapon better. Best AA-12 loadout for high damage Muzzle: Muzzle Booster – Barrel: Heavy Barrel – Front Rail: Pistol Grip – Rear Grip: Lightweight Grip – Stock: Lightweight Stock – Since the AA-12 deals the most damage at close range, you need to be constantly on the move to stay as close to your enemies as possible. Start with the Muzzle booster, which will increase the rate of fire at the cost of some horizontal and vertical recoil. Pair this with the Heavy Barrel, which will increase your damage at the cost of a hefty amount of fire, which will be compensated by the Muzzle Booster. The Pistol Grip will increase sprint-shoot time, which will help you be on your toes, and when paired with the Lightweight Stock, will further increase your aim-walking speed and movement speed. Finally, the Lightweight Grip will help you gain ADS movement speed along with some recoil recovery. How to unlock AA-12 in XDefiant The AA-12 is unlocked by completing the following Base Challenge in multiplayer: “Get 15 Shotgun Point-Blank Kills.” This can be a tricky challenge to complete, as Point-Blank Kills require you to be almost touching the enemy player when they die. The best strategy is to sneak up on enemies using the Echelon’s Digital Ghillie Suit. When activated, it makes you invisible for a short while, providing a great chance to close the gap unnoticed. Best AA-12 alternatives in XDefiant While another shotgun would work too, the Vector .45 ACP actually has the most in common with the AA-12. Both are deadly close-range weapons, relying on their high fire rates and fast TTKs to make up for their lower range. That’s all for the best AA-12 loadout in XDefiant. For more top-tier options, check out the best XDefiant weapons, and consider using these meta builds for the ACR 6.8, M16A4, MP7, and TAC-50.

Best 93R loadout for XDefiant: 3 class builds for damage & low recoil XDefiant continues the FPS tradition of offering plenty of secondary weapons that you can use when your primary runs out of ammo in a bind. And very few are as good as the 93R. These guns don’t provide the most power in the game, yet that doesn’t make them any less useful. The 93R, in particular, brings a burst of fire that, when combined with the right attachments, can be the difference you need when your primary runs dry. Of course, you will need the best loadout for XDefiant matches, so here’s a rundown. Recommended XDefiant 93R loadout These are the attachments to bring the best out of the 93R in XDefiant: Muzzle: Muzzle Booster – Magazine: Extended Mag – Optics: Reflex – Rear Grip: Quick Draw – This loadout aims to make the most out of what the weapon brings to the table, while also countering some of its shortcomings, mainly its small magazine size. First, the Muzzle Booster will increase the 93R’s rate of fire to make it even faster to get shots off at your opponents. It does reduce some recoil control, but since you’ll be using it in close quarters, this shouldn’t be an issue. The Extended Mag will help with the small magazine size, as it offers 15 more shots per clip. Your reload time will increase with it, but in most situations, you will be pulling the 93R out to finish someone off, meaning one full clip should suffice. The Reflex Optic is a solid option that provides a better way to line up shots, while not being as cumbersome as other sights that increase the time it takes to aim your weapon. The final attachment is the Quick Draw to also improve the time it takes to aim. This means switching to the 93R and getting a shot off won’t be as difficult as it normally could be. Best loadout for damage Muzzle: Barrel Extender – Optic: Reflex Sight – Rear Grip: Heavy Grip – Magazine: Fast Mag – Starting out this loadout is the Barrel Extender to offer a little more range with the 93R since that’s one of its shortcomings. This is further helped by the Reflex Sight to give you some more accuracy when firing. The Heavy Grip is a great option to offer better recoil to keep all of your shots on-target with each burst. The Fast Mag is here to round it out and offer quicker reloading at the cost of some minor hits to ADS Speed and Flinch Control. Best loadout for recoil Muzzle: Brake – Optic: Reflex – Rear Grip: Heavy Grip – Magazine: Fast Mag – The Muzzle Brake is the first attachment for this loadout so that you have better horizontal recoil, with the Reflex Sight will help with your aim. The Heavy Grip can give you better horizontal recoil, as well as ADS flinch control. FInally, the Fast Mag is great for quicker reloading. Best primaries to use with 93R Now, the 93R is a secondary weapon, so it’s best used as a complement to a primary gun. And it’s important to know which weapons this pistol will most aid given its strengths. Since the 93R is a great close-quarters weapon, you’ll want to pair it with a primary designed for short-range encounters. This means SMGs are going to be your best bet, and the following are going to work best with the 93R: In addition to being the best SMGs in the game, all three of these guns are the best out of any weapon type. Their efficiency when fighting up close and personal makes them all fantastic companions for the 93R. How to unlock the 93R To unlock the 93R, you will need to sprint for 240 seconds with a Secondary Weapon. This is an easy challenge to complete and doesn’t even require you to interact with any other players. There are other great primary weapons besides the SMGs listed above, so check out how to best equip the ACR 6.8, AK-47, and M4A1.

Best XDefiant 686 Magnum build: Class loadouts for recoil & damage UbisoftThe 686 Magnum is one of the best secondary weapons in XDefiant and, with the right build and loadout, this powerful pistol can even be run as a main weapon. Players have a lot of choices when it comes to pistols in XDefiant, and the 686 Magnum is one of the best options, boasting both a ton of stopping power and a decent fire rate. With one headshot or just a few body shots, the weapon can take down any enemy and is a formidable piece of equipment when players unlock every attachment it has to offer. This potential for a quick takedown makes it one of the best weapons in XDefiant, across all of the game’s Factions. Of course, you’ll need the best 686 Magnum loadout for XDefiant, so here’s a rundown of three builds that work well with the iconic hand cannon. Best 686 Magnum build XDefiant – Recommended loadout These are the best attachments to make the 686 Magnum lethal both up close and at medium range: Muzzle: Muzzle Booster – Optics: Reflex – Rear Grip: Quick Draw – The best loadout for the Magnum makes it as easy as possible to draw it and spam bullets into an enemy after running out of ammo with your primary weapon. For this, the Muzzle Booster is great, increasing the gun’s rate of fire, while Quick Draw makes it easier to use this weapon while running around. Finally, the Reflex optic is a fine attachment to run with this build, though an optic is not required to get full use of the Magnum. With these attachments, it’s worth being mindful that this build isn’t the most accurate, as it is geared toward spamming an entire magazine quickly during close fights, rather than precision shooting. Best 686 Magnum loadout for low recoil Here are the attachments you’ll want to use on the 686 Magnum to lower its recoil as much as possible: Muzzle: Compensator – Optics: Reflex – Rear Grip: Lightweight Grip – For this Magnum loadout, players will want to add attachments that increase the gun’s recoil recovery and increase recoil control. The best attachment for recoil control on the weapon by far is the Compensator, which should tamper down its vicious kicks after each shot. The Lightweight Grip also directly aids in recoil recovery, while the Reflex optic provides players a better reticle to aim with as the Magnum’s iron sights aren’t ideal for precision aiming. Best 686 Magnum loadout for high damage Muzzle: Muzzle Booster – Optics: Reflex – Rear Grip: Fabric Grip – This loadout makes the 686 Magnum a monster up close and quick to equip after you run out of ammo in your primary weapon. The Muzzle Booster increases the gun’s rate of fire, which should help players empty their clip into enemies faster. The Fabric Grip is crucial to this build since it improves aiming stability, making it far easier to line up and land those high-damage headshots. Similarly, the Reflex sight is a top-tier optic that makes landing shots easier, especially when trying to stretch out the 686 Magnum’s effective range. How to unlock 686 Magnum in XDefiant To unlock the 686 Magnum in XDefiant, players will need to get 5 Quick-Swap kills. Quick-Swap kills are when players damage enemies with their primary weapon, and finish them off with their secondary. That’s all for the best 686 Magnum builds in XDefiant. However, there are plenty of other great secondary weapons besides this pistol, like D50 and M1911. If it’s a primary weapon you want instead, try out the ACR 6.8, AK-47, or M4A1.

Best 50 players in UFL football game: Player ratings StrikerzNow that the UFL beta is live, we know have an idea of which players have the best ratings. Here’s a look at the top 50 players in the free-to-play game, sorted by overall. On June 7, Strikerz went live with its open beta for UFL, a free-to-play football game which has a heavy emphasis on team-building, but has received strong reviews from fans thus far for its gameplay. Because there’s a large emphasis on team-building, one might wonder which players are rated the best. Here’s a look at the best of the best in UFL. Top players in UFL Here’s a look at the top 50 players in the free-to-play UFL game, sorted by overall: Jude Bellingham is one of several 91 OVR players in the game, along with Manchester City teammates Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland, Bellingham’s new teammate Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is an investor in the new UFL game. Additionally, Kai Havertz, who had a fantastic 2023-24 season, and breakout star Cole Palmer made the cut for the top 50. We should note that many other notable names are tied at 88 OVR but didn’t make the cut. Those names include Theo Hernandez, Marquinhos, Darwin Nunez, Raphinha, Marcus Rashford, Ruben Dias, and Heung-Min Son. Also, be mindful that these ratings are as of the game’s open beta, which launched on June 7, 2024.

Best 24 Conan Exiles mods to download in 2024 FuncomMods are a fun way to tailor your experience in Conan Exiles and change the game to your liking. You can even use mods to make the game easier or ramp up the challenge. Here are the best Conan Exiles mods you can download in 2024. Conan Exiles is a game that takes a lot of time to master and many of its systems and rules may seem restrictive to some players. Mods are an excellent way to make adjustments to the game, giving players the ability to make it suit their playstyle. The game is a sprawling open-world RPG set in the Conan the Barbarian universe, and largely follows old-school RPG rules that may put off newer players. However, these Conan Exiles mods allow every player to make the gameplay and systems in the game more palatable to them. There are a lot of Conan Exiles mods, but we’ve selected the best and most useful ones for players to try. We’ve split the Conan Exiles mods into three categories, character, customization, and gameplay mods. This way players can decide which mods they like the look of to improve their experience How to install Conan Exiles mods You can add mods to Conan Exiles by using the Steam Workshop. To get started, download the mods you want to use from the links below. To install multiple mods at once, at them to your Steam Workshop Collection. From here, follow the below instructions: Open your game panel in Steam and select the Steam Workshop – In the new window, search for the mod you want and select the green Install – The installation process should now begin. Once completed, return to the Steam Workshop – Restart the application and when you log back in, the mods should now be added to Conan Exiles. – If you’re playing an older version of Conan Exiles and not through Stream, then follow this information here to install mods. How to enable Conan Exiles mods Enabling mods in Conan Exiles is easy, just follow these simple steps: Open the game’s main menu and scroll down to about halfway. – Select the Mods option – This will bring up a menu that shows all the installed mods you currently have. – Select the arrow button on each mod to place that mod into the Active Mods list. – Click apply changes and close the menu. – Congratulations, your Conan Exiles mods will now be live and ready for you to enjoy. Are Conan Exiles mods available on console? Currently, only the PC versions of Conan Exiles have access to mods. While the game is available on Xbox One and PS4, these versions are not compatible with the mods below. Conan Exiles character mods The below mods are designed to tailor the player character, either cosmetically or by adjusting their skills and abilities: Elite Conan The Elite Conan mod doubles the level cap, letting players reach level 100 and become a god among insects. While some players will find they become a little overpowered, this is a fun mod for those who want to experience Conan Exiles without limitations and become the Conan of legend. Infinite weight This mod stops your character from becoming over-encumbered and allows you to carry as much as you want. This is incredibly helpful as it allows you to carry all your favorite gear and cosmetics anywhere you like. It’s most useful to players who love building things, as they can carry all their supplies everywhere they go without needing to deposit them anywhere. If carry weight is something that annoys or weighs you down, get rid of it for good with this mod. Pickup+ This mod does exactly what it suggests, it helps players pick up more items. But the main draw is that it allows players to pick up items they’ve spent or already used. For example, used all your bricks to build a house? This mod lets you pick these items back up and unbuild that house. The base game will let players unbuild, but their resources will be spent regardless. This turns the player into recycling royalty. 25 more Levels + 325 more Attribute points + 333 more Feats This mod raises the level cap in Conan Exiles from 50 to 75. Not only that, but the mod also offers exactly what it says in the title, giving you the freedom to spend your 325 more attribute points and 333 more Feats as you wish. It essentially lets you build an end-game character from the very start without any of the grinding normally involved. Immersive Animations This mod adds a range of new animations to the game to make it more lifelike. NPCs and players will incorporate these animations into their move set in a natural way which makes the game feel more realistic and immersive. Players can decide which animations they want to add and which ones they can live without, but it’s a great way to bring fresh life to an aging game. NoStamina2Climb This mod allows players to climb anything they want without using stamina. While stamina is still depleted when running and fighting, it’s no longer used in climbing. There’s nothing more annoying in Conan Exiles than running out of stamina while climbing up something large. This eliminates that worry, letting players climb to their heart’s content. Sweat&NoBlood While the blood and gore adds to the Conan Exiles experience, such things aren’t for every player. This mod essentially offers a more PG13 experience and removes blood from the game. However, it replaces it with sweat and it works rather well, although it turns all NPCs and player characters into incredibly sweaty people, which is even grosser if you think about it. Building, items, and customization mods The below mods are for those who want to make changes to the game’s building and crafting mechanics. We’ve also added mods that change items and how the player uses them here too: Pythagoras This popular mod is for those who love building in Conan Exiles and don’t want to be restricted by the limitations of the base game. The Pythagoras mod allows players to adjust the dimensions of their builds, creating more elaborate structures by using corners and slopes. This mod is brilliant when used alongside the other building mods. ReCustomize ReCustomize is really a character mod, but it’s one that lets you change your character’s appearance after the initial creation options. No longer is your character stuck with that awful beard you originally liked and have now grown to hate. The ReCustomize mod means you can alter your character’s appearance any time you like, and are never bound to one look or set of features. Craft all the things This mod eliminates the need to unlock or find crafting recipes and opens all of them from the moment it’s installed. Players will need to find the materials themselves, but the Craft all the things mod lets you plan your build and cosmetics from the start. Once you have the items you need, you can build the item from the recipe. Increased item stack The increased item stack mod works very well with the above Craft all the things mod because this one actually gives you the materials you need to craft anything and everything. Conan Exiles vanilla mode limits the items you can hold to 100, but this mod eliminates this, letting you stack up to 1000 items. Trust us, this will be plenty. Beyond Limits The Beyond Limits mod offers more customizable character tools that go far beyond what the devs originally planned. This mod allows players to morph their character in freakish and bizarre ways if they wish. They can turn their avatar into a hulking giant, or a Gollum-like creature. The mod pushes the character customization beyond where it’s meant to go, letting players get as creative as they want. Building Unlimited This mod allows players to build massive and amazing structures without any limits. What may normally take many hours of farming and resource building is ready to be used. Players can be as creative as they want, and this mod allows building without any restrictions. The only limit is your imagination! Teleport Stone The Teleport Stone mod adds a fast travel system to the game not unlike the one that appeared in Dragon’s Dogma. Teleport Stones can be farmed and used to travel instantly to specific locations. This means players no longer need to die to warp back to their settlements or trudge across dangerous terrain. The main advantage of this mod is the time it saves players traversing the map. Unlimited Durability This mod essentially makes weapons and armor indestructible, without ever needing to be repaired or unequipped. While durability is a fun RPG element to some, it’s an annoyance to others. The Unlimited Durability mod means that players no longer need to worry about their items degrading mid-combat. It turns off this element of the game, giving players one less thing to worry about. Hide Helmet Players who spent time getting their avatar’s face and hair perfect will appreciate this mod. It allows them to walk around without a helmet, but still feel the benefit of one. Players can still have a helmet equipped, and enjoy the protection and buffs it provides, but won’t have to cover their beautiful faces or extravagant hairstyles. Basically, it makes your helmet invisible. Conan Exiles gameplay mods The following mods make changes to the overall gameplay rather than the character, items, or building options: Offline mode Offline mode turns Conan Exiles into a solo experience for as long as you want it to be. This lets players explore the world alone without interference from other players and get on with questing and building. Some players prefer going solo and this mod is an excellent way to turn Conan Exiles into your own personal playground. It also removes all the log-ins and server menus, letting you jump straight into the action. Map marks and coordinates The map marks and coordinates mod unlock all markers and waypoints from the moment it’s installed. This means players can pursue all questlines and paths from the start and no longer need to consult the manual map. The mod also provides coordinates so that players can see how far they are from each marker at any time. While the mod may not suit exploration purists, those looking for a streamlined experience will find it helpful. Pippi user & server management The Pippi user and server management tool is a mod for server admins and hosts, letting them change the game’s usual restrictions. Admins can change the game to let in more players, map systems, chat options, rules and so much more. It essentially lets hosts tailor the game to their liking rather than sticking to the standard server rules in the base game. Boss HP lowered (single player only) Most of the epic boss battles in Conan Exiles are geared around multiplayer, where a squad of players work together to tackle one large enemy. This mod reduces the HP of each of these bosses so that a solo player can tackle them one-on-one. It changes the dynamic drastically, turning boss encounters less like something from Monster Hunter and more like something from Bloodborne. However, it’s only worth using in single-player mode, otherwise, it will make bosses too easy. UI Evolved The UI Evolved offers a refreshed and remixed version of the game’s usual interface. It offers a cleaner and more polished version with some customizable options to suit each player. This also impacts how the map is displayed and how other notifications appear on the screen. It’s not for everyone, but some players will prefer it. Enhanced combat The enhanced combat mod refines the game’s fighting system, switching it from hack and slash to a more tactical and nuanced approach. Think less Skyrim, and more Dark Souls. The mod lets players take part in duels rather than mindless butchery, providing a target-tracking system that works incredibly well. Players who want their PvP to have more style and skill will love this mod. NPC traders The NPC traders mod is quite simple, but it makes a real difference. This mod takes traders from settlements and sprinkles them across the wilderness and roads. It means you’re likely to run into one sooner or later, reducing the number of trips you need to take to town. It’s a helpful way to not interrupt gameplay and you’ll soon learn where your favorite traders hang out. Predators This mod creates a more realistic environment and lets wildlife act in a more natural and realistic way. No longer will predators only attack the player on sight, mindlessly stalking around until they spot you. This mod lets predators stalk other NPCs, enemies, and animals as prey, creating a much more fun, unpredictable, and vibrant world.

Best 100 players in College Football 25: Player ratings EA SportsOn July 10, 2024, EA Sports unveiled the best players in College Football (CFB) 25, a list that includes the likes of Travis Hunter, Qwinn Ewers, and Jalen Milroe, among others. Thanks to the introduction of NIL agreements, College Football 25 includes their names and likenesses. This also means that EA was tasked with giving each player added to the game an overall rating that befits their talent level. So, here’s a look at the best 100 players in College Football 25, plus top athletes sorted by position. The best players in College Football 25 Here’s a look at the top 100 players in College Football 25, sorted by overall: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan) – 96 – Will Campbell (LT, LSU) – 96 – Ollie Gordon II (HB, Oklahoma State) – 96 – James Pearce Jr. (RE, Tennessee) – 95 – Caleb Downs (FS, Ohio State) – 95 – Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado) – 95 – Malaki Starks (FS, Georgia) – 95 – Mason Graham (DT, Michigan) – 95 – Quinshon Judkins (HB, Ohio State) – 95 – Tate Ratledge (RB, Georgia) – 95 – Luther Burden III (WR, Missouri) – 94 – Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame) – 94 – Kelvin Banks Jr. (LT, Texas) – 94 – Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona) – 94 – Barrett Carter (ROLB, Clemson) – 94 – Jay Higgins (MLB, Iowa) – 94 – Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado) – 93 – Carson Beck (QB, Georgia) – 93 – Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State) – 93 – Mykel Williams (LOLB, Georgia) – 93 – Deone Walker (RE, Kentucky) – 93 – Omarion Hampton (HB, North Carolina) – 93 – Treveyon Henderson (HB, Ohio State) – 93 – Aireontae Ersery (LT, Minnesota) – 94 – Jaydn Ott (HB, California) – 93 – Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss) – 93 – Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas) – 92 – Xavier Watts (FS, Notre Dame) – 92 – Jack Sawyer (LE, Ohio State) – 92 – Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon) – 92 – Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU, LOLB) – 92 – Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama C) – 92 – Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan) – 92 – Tacario Davis (CB, Arizona) – 92 – Malachi More (FS, Alabama) – 92 – Tahj Brooks (HB, Texas Tech) – 92 – Clay Webb (LG, Jacksonville State) – 92 – Sebastian (FS, Castro Iowa) – 92 – Jonas Sanker (SS, Virginia) – 92 – Quincy Riley (CB, Louisville)- 92 – Jonah Monheim (C, USC) – 92 – Devin Neal (HB, Kansas) – 92 – Tyler Booker (LG, Alabama) – 91 – Ashton Jeanty (HB, Boise State) – 91 – Tory Horton (WR, Colorado State) – 91 – Donovan Jackson (LG, Ohio State) – 91 – Abdul Carter (RE, Penn State) – 91 – Dylan Fairchild (LG, Georgia) – 91 – Donovan Edwards (HB, Michigan) – 91 – Jason Henderson (ROLB, Old Dominion) – 91 – Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State) – 91 – Danny Stutsman (MLB, Oklahoma) – 91 – Luke Kandra (RG, Cincinnati) – 91 – Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State) – 91 – Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan) – 91 – Kaimon Rucker (RE, North Carolina) – 91 – Kevin Winston Jr. (SS, Penn State) – 91 – Landon Jackson (LE, Arkansas) – 91 – Tez Johnson (WR, Oregon) – 91 – Jaeden Roberts (RG, Alabama) – 91 – Maxwell Hariston (CB, Kentucky) – 91 – Ricardo Hallman (CB, Wisconsin) – 91 – Logan Parr (LG, SMU) – 91 – Nicholas Singleton (HB, Penn State) – 91 – Jabbar Muhammad (CB, Oregon) – 91 – Dorian Strong (CB, Virginia Tech) – 91 – Damien Martinez (HB, Miami HB) – 91 – RJ Harvey (HB, UCF HB) – 91 – Oronde Gadsden II (TE, Syracuse) – 91 – Dontay Corleone (DT, Cincinnati) – 91 – Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama) – 90 – Ashton Gillotte (LE, Louisville) – 90 – Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss) – 90 – Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame) – 90 – Cobee Bryant (CB, Kansas) – 90 – Deontae Lawson (MLB, Alabama) – 90 – Howard Cross III (DT, Notre Dame) – 90 – Rueben Bain Jr (LE, Miami) – 90 – Jalon Daniels (QB, Kansas) – 90 – Nick Martin (MLB, Oklahoma State)- 90 – Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss) – 90 – – Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) – 93 OVR – Carson Beck (Georgia) – 93 OVR – Quinn Ewers (Texas) – 92 OVR – Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) – 92 OVR – Jalen Milroe (Alabama) – 90 OVR – Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State) – 96 OVR – Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) – 95 OVR – Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) – 93 OVR – Treveyon Henderson (Ohio State) – 93 OVR – Jadyn Ott (California) – 93 OVR) – Travis Hunter (Colorado) – 95 OVR – Luther Burden III (Missouri) – 94 OVR – Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) – 94 OVR – Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) – 93 OVR – Tony Horton (Colorado State) – 91 OVR – Will Campbell (LSU) – 96 OVR – Tate Ratledge (Georgia) – 95 OVR – Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) – 94 OVR – Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota) – 93 OVR – Parker Brailsford (Alabama) – 92 OVR – James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) – 95 OVR – Mason Graham (Michigan) – 95 OVR – Deone Walker (Kentucky) – 93 OVR – Walter Nolen (Ole Miss) – 93 OVR – Jack Sawyer (Ohio State) – 92 OVR – Barrett Carter (Clemson) – 94 OVR – Jay Higgins (Iowa) – 94 OVR – Mykel Williams (Georgia) – 93 OVR – Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU) – 92 OVR – Jason Henderson (Old Dominion) – 91 OVR – Will Johnson (Michigan) – 96 OVR – Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) – 94 OVR – Tacario Davis (Arizona) – 92 OVR – Quincy Riley (Louisville) – 92 OVR – Denzel Burke (Ohio State) – 91 OVR – Caleb Downs (Ohio State) – 95 OVR – Malaki Starks (Georgia) – 95 OVR – Xavier Watts (Notre Dame) – 92 OVR – Malachi Moore (Alabama) – 92 OVR – Sebastian Castro (Iowa) – 92 OVR – The defending champion Michigan Wolverines placed five players in the top 100. Will Johnson, a shutdown corner who nabbed seven picks over his first two seasons, is the highest-rated player in the game. Johnson is joined by defensive lineman Mason Graham and College Football 25 cover athlete Donovan Edwards. Five of the top 100 players in the top 100 also come from the Oregon Ducks, including Dillon Gabriel and Evan Stewart. Gabriel, who’s coming over from Oklahoma, threw for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns last season for the Sooners. Then, there’s the dynamic duo from Colorado. Travis Hunter is rated as the sixth-best player in the game at 95 OVR. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders is at #17. Best quarterbacks Let’s take a look at rankings by position in CFB 25, starting with the best quarterbacks: Despite Colorado having a poor finish to its season in 2023, Shedeur Sanders had an impressive season with 27 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Meanwhile, Georgia’s Carson Beck shined in the 65-7 TCU whomping of TCU in the 2023 National Championship game, throwing for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. Best running backs Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon was sensational for OK State last fall. Gordon led the nation in rushing yards (1,732) and finished second in rushing touchdowns (21) behind Blake Corum. The top five also include Ohio State running backs Quinshon Judkins and Treveyon Henderson, as well as Omarion Hampton from the Tar Heels. Best wide receivers Now, the best wide receivers in CFB 25: Tetairoa McMillan and Luther Burden were in the top ten in the nation last year in receiving yards. Those two are rated in the top three, with star wide receiver Travis Hunter taking the top spot. Best offensive linemen Here’s a look at the best offensive linemen in College Football 25: Left tackles are the lifeblood of any offense. Three of them make this list, including Will Campbell, Kelvin Banks Jr., and Aireontae Ersery. Best defensive linemen These are the top five defensive linemen in CFB 25: Three defensive ends are represented here: James Pearce Jr., Deone Walker, and Jack Sawyer. Mason Graham, an All-American in 2023, is the best interior lineman in College Football 25. Best linebackers Now, a look at the best linebackers in College Football 25: Jason Henderson finished fourth in the nation last fall in total tackles for losses (19.5) and second in total tackles (170). He’ll join the list of top five linebackers, headlined by Jay Higgins and Barrett Carter. Higgins was the NCAA leader in total tackles (171). Best cornerbacks Here are the best cornerbacks in CFB 25: Will Johnson, the highest-rated player in the game, is also the best cornerback. Johnson is joined by Quiny Riley, Tacario Davis, and Benjamin Morrison. Best safeties Lastly, a look at the best safeties in College Football 25: The top five is a loaded one, as Alabam star Malachi Moore and Caleb Downs are among the headliners. Be sure to check out the pre-order bonuses for College Football 25, plus what features will be included.

What happens when you defeat all Berserkers in God of War Ragnarok? Sony Santa MonicaDefeating each and every Berserker in God of War Ragnarok is no small feat, but the challenge is more than worthwhile. Here’s what happens when you take them all down. In the 2018 God of War reboot, Valkyries stood tall as the fiercest challengers. Eight in total were scatted throughout the realms and in battling them, a final fight with their Queen Sigrun became available. In the 2022 sequel, Ragnarok effectively replaces Valkyries with Berserkers. Given the Valkyries have been conquered, a new threat steps up in their place. As you would expect, these Berserker fights are just as tough as their earlier counterpart. But what happens when you get through every boss that lies ahead? If you’re a veteran of the series, you may already have a good guess, but here’s what you can expect by defeating every Berserker in Ragnarok. SPOILER WARNING From this point on we’ll be entering spoiler territory and discussing many of the biggest surprises throughout God of War Ragnarok. We highly recommend you experience the story for yourself before reading any further, as many twists and turns are best discovered in your own playthrough. But if you’re still here, continue down the page at your own risk. Contents What happens when you defeat all Berserkers in God of War Ragnarok? Regardless of which order you tackle them in, defeating all Berserkers across every realm in Ragnarok draws to the same conclusion. Once they’re all knocked down a secret final boss fight unlocks. This last remaining challenge can be found in Midgard, at the tombstone where you first learned of Berserkers in the first place. You can interact with it when you’re ready to trigger the final step. As this is one of the toughest tasks in all of Ragnarok, we highly recommend saving this until the very end of your run. Entering the fight under-leveled or without some of the strongest endgame equipment will have you struggling to stay afloat. It’s worth exploring some more and coming back once nearly all other loose ends have been tied up. Fighting King Hrolf Kraki in God of War Ragnarok Upon interacting with the grave, King Hrolf Kraki rises from the ground. The King of the Berserkers himself appears to challenge Kratos and exact revenge for his fallen allies. This boss fight is no joke. Alongside Gna, it stands out as one of the two most difficult battles in the entire game. Expect to die — a lot. You’ll need to spend time learning the King’s attack patterns and how to best capitalize on brief windows of opportunity. Spamming your Runic Attacks all at once will only do so much as the King has an outrageously big health bar. It’s no use trying to focus damage as you’ll only get so far with that approach. Instead it’s vital you time your attacks and make the most of your cooldowns. Swap between weapons while others are recharging, use your companion’s summon to stagger the target, and do your best to roll out of harm’s way when possible. You’ll also have to keep an eye out for certain charge-up attacks. Fortunately, they can all be interrupted, but you barely have a split second in which to react and pick the right counter. Whether it’s shield bashing, using a ranged attack with a certain element, or even selecting the right arrow, staying on your toes and thinking fast will serve you well. Hilt of Skofnung reward By conquering the challenge and taking down King Hrolf Kraki, you’ll unlock the Hilt of Skofnung, arguably the most powerful Relic in Ragnarok. Although it has a staggering 236-second cooldown, it’s well worth the wait. By activating this Relic, Kratos summons a mystical sword that unleashes its power from the souls within (the Berserkers you took down on your path to the King). Essentially, you can call on the collective power of the bosses you toppled throughout the journey, overwhelming any remaining targets as you clean up the realms.

Ben Brode teases Marvel Snap’s bright future: Transmog system, esports scene, more Marvel / Second DinnerAlthough Marvel Snap only just launched in full, the team at Second Dinner already has plans in motion for the next few months and even years ahead. Ben Brode was kind enough to discuss new features, modes, and possible additions on the horizon in our recent conversation. From the very beginning of Marvel Snap’s closed Beta it was clear the developers were onto something special. With approachable yet deeply strategical gameplay, stunning presentation and the Marvel IP behind them, it didn’t take long for the game’s full release to captivate the masses, shooting to the top of the App Store charts with haste. Now a few weeks on from its global rollout and countless players have been pumping dozens of hours into the free title. However, the dev team are acutely aware this hot start is only the beginning. With a long-term development roadmap already in place, we have a decent idea of what’s on the horizon. From Collector’s Tokens and new modes on the way to friends list functionality, there’s plenty in the pipeline. But speaking more in-depth on what’s to come, Ben Brode was more than happy diving into new features, future esports support, Twitch integrations, and plenty more in between during a conversation with Dexerto. Is a transmog system on the way to Marvel Snap? While the community is always coming forward with new suggestions, one particular talking point has gained more traction than the rest. That idea being some form of transmog system in Marvel Snap. As it stands today, upgrading cards changes their appearance to a degree. The higher the tier, the flashier they appear with all sorts of animated quirks, 3D backdrops, and nifty VFX. However, in the process of upgrading a card, you’re also changing its border color. All cards begin with the default gray edge before moving the ranks. Rare is blue, Legendary is orange, Infinity is purple, and so on. Naturally, some of these border types fit certain cards better than others. It’s only fair one player with a Wong deck would prefer to keep the Uncommon green border around their card to better match with his attire. The same logic can be applied across the board, leading many to demand a system in which these colors can be picked manually. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple, in fact, it’s rather “tricky,” as Brode explained. “I understand the desire,” he said during on the subject. “The problem is, there’s not really any other way to denote the current rarity. So there’s some gameplay functionality included in that equation.” Though in saying that, Brode didn’t entirely rule out a new system coming down the line to resolve this issue. Quite the opposite, as while he couldn’t divulge specifics, cautiously cutting himself off a few times, he did confirm the team is working on this very matter right now. “We’re working on borders in ways that might make people feel better in the future.” Expanding on current features & implementing new ones In-game events When it comes to in-game events, it’s still very early days yet in Marvel Snap. Since the quickly scrapped Nexus Events in the Beta, all we’ve seen are a handful of bite-size mini-celebrations hidden away in the menus. Most recently, for instance, a Halloween event was tucked away in the inbox page and only provided 100 Credits for the most consistent players. Moving forward, it’s certainly an area the Second Dinner crew hopes to expand on. “We’re experimenting with our inbox technology,” Brode said. The dev team is constantly “trying new stuff out” and recognizing there’s “a lot of room for improvement on events.” As for when we might see a more ambitious rollout, no exact timeline is in place, though Brode assured we’ll see the start of these improvements “at some point soon.” Hot & Featured Locations Each and every week in Marvel Snap, we see a mix of Hot & Featured Locations rotate in and out. Typically, this serves as a way for players to get familiar with brand-new additions that season as these Locations appear far more often than usual. While this particular system isn’t going anywhere, one of our suggestions may very well shake things up in the near future. On pitching the idea of community input here – having fans vote in-game or on social media for the next Location in focus – Brode was all about it. “Oh cool, that sounds rad! I’ll send that idea off to the team. That’s cool.” So there’s every chance we get some input and help decide which Locations pop up in the weeks to come. Twitch integrations For Brode’s previous work on Hearthstone, watching matches online couldn’t have been more intuitive. Your favorite streamer more than likely had Twitch functionality allowing you to interact with their game board. Just by hovering over a certain card in play, or tapping on their deck list to the side, you could instantly learn more about the game as a newer player. For the time being, nothing is set in stone to replicate this popular level of engagement in Marvel Snap, but it’s definitely something the team is eager to tick off down the line. “I actually don’t think that requires any work from the developer side,” Brode said. “I think that’s mostly on the Twitch side but I’m not sure. I think it’d be rad though!” More ways to communicate Currently, your options to communicate in Marvel Snap are quite limited. Beyond a handful of simple dialogue boxes and a number of emotes, there’s little else you can do to engage with your opponent, be it for a good-willed greeting or a toxic taunt. Though things are set to improve in this regard soon as Second Dinner looks to add more customization in this particular area. “I’m sure we’ll add more,” Brode continued. “One of the things I think really makes the game fun is having goals, having things you’re excited about. Additional emote types is another category that would be really fun to collect.” Marvel Snap’s competitive future Since its arrival in closed Beta, Marvel Snap has focused on just one game type. Players compete in single, 1v1 battles using their favored decks. The winner earns a set amount of Cubes and continues their climb up the ranked ladder while the loser slips down. It’s a basic starting point to get everyone acclimated but it’s far from the only idea Second Dinner has in mind. One such feature we already know of is the upcoming friendly battle system. Soon, we’ll be able to compete against friends in a new way thanks to this round-based format. Games here are effectively best of five or occasionally best of three, depending on Snaps, as Brode explained. “Each player has 10 health. The stakes of this game is how much damage the winner deals to the loser. So if you Snap, you’re risking more of your health but you’re also dealing more damage to the loser. It creates this really intense focus because if you Snap wrong, you’re gonna run out of health. Every decision really matters.” It’s in this ‘Battle Mode’ that Brode sees Marvel Snap’s competitive scene really finding its footing. “Once we have that in the game, people can run community tournaments and from there, we’ll see how things go.” From inside the studio, however, they’re optimistic early events will catch on given not only the game’s approachable design, but how exciting these Battles are to spectate. “I think it’s super fun,” he continued. “It’s how we’ve been playtesting tournaments internally. It wasn’t like we intended to go build a great esport, but I think we accidentally did. It’s actually just really fun to watch competitive Marvel Snap.” For the time being, many specifics of this new mode remain under wraps, though Brode did tease us with an example of a ‘sudden death’ shootout. If players take “too long” getting through their Battle, the game pivots. Now, “it’s just the first to win [the round]” is crowned the ultimate victor. “It’s really fun, I think players are gonna love it. “I think Battle Mode will be a really fun way to test your skill against someone else and get several reps against them to see who’s best.” One such way this new mode can spring to life is through aforementioned content creators. By creating a custom lobby, top streamers and pro players alike can then share a code in order to bring viewers into the match. “You can tell anybody else in the world ‘come challenge me,’” as Brode explained. While Battle Mode is just one big addition for fans to look forward to, it’s barely scratching the surface of what the team at Second Dinner has in mind for the future. “We have a lot of exciting modes we’re looking at.”

On the back of Blizzard business cards: Ben Brode details Marvel Snap’s unlikely genesis YouTube: Marvel SnapFour years on from Hearthstone’s global rollout, director and public face of the development team Ben Brode left Blizzard. Fast forward another four years and his new studio just launched its debut project Marvel Snap. But how did this gargantuan partnership come about? How did an indie team strike gold out of the gate? Ironically enough, it all started on business cards from his former employer. When Hearthstone entered the spotlight in 2014, it largely helped revolutionize the Collectible Card Game genre in digital form. Captivating presentation, addicting gameplay systems, and of course, that once-renowned Blizzard polish all helped catapult it into one of the more popular and successful CCGs in the Western market. Years of support, multiple expansions, and millions in revenue later, how do you follow up on such an immense creation? That’s exactly what Ben Brode set out to answer in 2018 when he announced his departure from Blizzard and formed Second Dinner alongside a slew of ex-Hearthstone developers. Before long, the crew had amassed $30 million in investment from Chinese company NetEase and announced its first title was to be a collaboration with entertainment juggernaut Marvel. This was all before even so much as nailing down an idea of what this game might look like, as Brode recounted in conversation with Dexerto. Friends in superpowerful places Before Second Dinner opened up shop and long before Marvel Snap came into the equation, Brode worked alongside Jay Ong at Blizzard. In the midst of Hearthstone’s transition from Beta to full-fledged release, Ong took up an exciting opportunity at Marvel. He was to lead the charge as the head of Marvel Entertainment’s video game wing. “He had a really cool strategy,” Brode said, having been contacted by Ong soon after stepping into his new role. “‘Let’s do to Marvel Games what Marvel has done with [the MCU].’ Every single time a Marvel movie comes out, you’ve gotta see it because you know it’s gonna be good. So he said Marvel Games should be like that. Every Marvel game should be awesome. The fruits of that labor have only shown in recent years, with the likes of Marvel’s Spider-Man from Insomniac Games and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy from Eidos-Montréal raising the bar on what fans can expect from games under the umbrella. But Ong was putting out feelers far and wide from as early as 2014. One such group he was eager to collaborate with was his former colleagues on the Hearthstone team. “He called and said ‘I know you guys can make incredible stuff. I’d love to do something incredible on mobile. If you guys start a new studio, I would love to work with you and do something really cool.’” In a matter of months, Brode and a handful of others parted ways with Blizzard, founded Second Dinner, and took up their friend’s offer on a Marvel-centric mobile game. Exactly what said game would look like, however, no one had quite thought that far ahead just yet. “We were working on some other ideas,” Brode explained, “and when we were like ‘ok, this Marvel thing is going to happen,’ we started skinning them with Marvel.” It didn’t take long for the team to realize this approach wasn’t going to cut it though: “We needed to build a game from the ground up to be a Marvel game, so we started over.” Making the most of unused business cards From the very beginning of this partnership, Brode knew he wanted his team to develop a mobile card game of sorts using the Marvel IP. Typically, this ideation process can be grueling. Which central mechanics should you hone in on? What should it look like? How many players per match? It’s all a great deal to consider but fortunately for the newly relocated group, they settled on the idea of Marvel Snap sooner than expected. “We quickly landed on [Snap]. In fact… it was so fast,” Brode laughed. “It was the second idea we had. We were like ‘this is too fast, we should explore other things just in case.’ How often is the second idea the best idea? So we spent at least a week trying out other stuff. It was the worst week because all we wanted to do was play [Snap].” So with the earliest concept of the Snap gameplay loop swiftly in focus, what came next was to design a few cards that work within the rules. It’s here where a batch of now outdated business cards from his former workplace came in handy. “Once upon a time, we used to make card games on the back of my dad’s business cards. So when I got my first job in games, I got business cards and I kept them. I thought someday, maybe I’ll make a card game with these. So when we started doing this, I got my business cards and I did the first prototype of Marvel Snap on the back of my old Blizzard business cards.” Brode shared some of those cards, each crudely written out with black marker. They had all the same relevant information you see on your favorite characters in Marvel Snap today: Cost, Power, card names, and card effects. Shockingly enough, many of these stats and abilities even hold up to this very day, years removed from the concept phase. Elektra is still a 1 Cost | 1 Power card that destroys an enemy 1-cost card. Captain America is still a 3 Cost | 3 Power card that gives other cards at the same Location +1 Power. Even Galactus remains intact from the very first idea, destroying two Locations on the board if it’s the only card you play at the other. The likes of Professor X, Gambit, Namor, and many others were all envisioned from the very start of development, right on the back of old Blizzard stationery. “What’s funny is this makes it seem like not a lot changed,” Brode said, “when actually, a lot did change.” Although the core idea of ‘snapping’ was in place, many fundamentals hadn’t yet taken shape, despite the fact a few dozen cards were effectively finalized right away. From “the number of turns” to “the way Locations work,” and even the Snap mechanic itself, plenty of variables were up in the air as development got underway. “But throughout all of it, a lot of these cards stayed very similar.” Back in the formative years of Second Dinner, the growing team was laying tracks while the train was already in motion. Cards continued to be theorized while basics building blocks were still yet to be locked in place. Initially, for instance, Locations functioned quite differently from how we see them today, Brode elaborated. Where today each of the three unique Locations reveals itself one turn after another, that wasn’t always the case. In fact, Locations “didn’t always have abilities” in the first place. Later down the road, when custom effects were involved, all three Locations would reveal on turn one. Unfortunately, this solution was “overwhelming,” the team quickly realized before pivoting once again. At this stage, players were even required to build multiple decks — one housing your cards and one for Locations. In essence, each competitor was able to influence the playing field by pre-selecting a favorable effect on the board. “You built a 12-card hero or villain deck and then you build a Location deck. The Locations were one of mine, one of yours, and one at random. So the games were less variant and it was very unbalanced. Certain strategies had access to very powerful Locations and certain ones didn’t. It was much more complicated.” While limiting RNG and having a say in which Locations appear has been a popular talking point among the community, Brode and the team tested it extensively in previous years and came to the conclusion it’s simply “less fun. “Part of the fun in Marvel Snap is being put in new situations that you have to puzzle your way out of. If you’re in the same situation over and over again, there’s less puzzling, less thinking on the fly, and less problem-solving. So I think having a lot of variance there is really important.” The weight of Hearthstone’s shadow Regardless of how you look at it, Second Dinner certainly had a tremendous weight on its shoulders during Marvel Snap’s development. Be it internal stress from those on the former Hearthstone team wanting to outdo their previous work, expectations from the new Marvel Games division in their corner, or simply just investors keeping tabs on their progress, pressure was clearly mounting. “I remember thinking, gosh, what if it’s not fun?” Brode admitted. “We’re going to spend years trying to make this thing and what if I set us off in the wrong direction?” Having served as the face of the Hearthstone team throughout its launch years, all but representing the developers in videos for the community, appearances at major events, and leading content reveals, Brode is no stranger to bearing the brunt of that pressure. If Marvel Snap were to fall short, in many ways, he would take on that responsibility. But three weeks removed from the global rollout and Marvel Snap has done anything but that. “Launch has been amazing,” he said, with the trademark Brode smile the CCG community knows all too well. “In some ways, launch represents an exhalation of breath I’ve been holding in for four years. “I’m a very optimistic person so I felt pretty good about it. We’ve been playing it for years internally. It’s a game we playtest every week if not twice a week. So I think we had the benefit of just a huge amount of time to really hone in and polish the core gameplay, make sure it felt really good.” But not only that, Brode had unwavering confidence in those around him: “A game like this is only as good as the team building it. “We have just this unbelievable team. Our VFX artists are so good at making snappy VFX that really highlight the stories of the characters. The engineering team built a really unique backend where we were able to launch a giant game with no server issues, no downtime, that’s kind of unheard of. We just have this unbelievable team. Our number one value is to make a place people really love to work at. Everything else becomes easy after you do that.” Second Dinner’s launch title shot to the top of the App Store and Google Play charts shortly after release, quickly reassuring Brode and the team at large they were on the right path all those years ago. Though as we all know, in a live-service world, launch is only the beginning. But with the state of Marvel Snap upon release and a developer committed to its long-term success, there’s no question the sky is the limit.

Ben Affleck’s Batman gets great looking new figure Beast KingdomRising from the dust of DC and Zack Snyder’s movies, this new Justice League figure featuring Ben Affleck’s Batman looks amazing as it hits pre-order. While we might never see Ben Affleck’s Batman on screen again, that hasn’t stopped Beast Kingdom from cooking up a new figure. Based on his appearance in the Justice League movies, this figure is all kinds of incredible. It’s this all-black, imposing vision of the Caped Crusader. The massive chin poking out the cowl, along with the cape highlights the most irritating thing about Snyder’s vision for the movies. Batman looked amazing on screen, but the movies themselves let everything down. Beast Kingdom’s 2.0 version of the Justice League Batman encapsulates the design’s best qualities. It sports a more accurate design, as well as grappling cable and Batarangs. Beast Kingdom tries again with Justice League Batman figure However, you might have noticed the “2.0” moniker being attached here. According to reports from the original version, fans were left disappointed at the quality of the final figure. This new 2.0 version has been specifically made to address the complaints. It’s currently available for pre-order on Entertainment Earth, with a release date of April 2025. It’ll set you back $59.99, but you won’t be charged until it’s ready to ship out to you. Beast Kingdom’s DC line of figures doesn’t just stop at the Justice League and Zack Snyder’s era. A previous entry included Michael Keaton’s Batman, as well as Adam West and John Cena’s Peacemaker. The company also designs and puts out figures from across the entertainment world. Disney, Rick and Morty, and Marvel are all just some of the big hitters from Beast Kingdom. If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Beloved management simulator Prison Architect confirms sequel & release date Almost eight years after the full release of the original game, Prison Architect 2 is on the way, and it’s arriving on virtual shelves sooner than many may expect. The first Prison Architect was extremely well-received by the wider community. Originally developed and published by UK-based Introversion Software, by June 2019, the game had been downloaded over four million times. In the same year, the rights to the game were purchased by strategy behemoth Paradox Interactive. However, despite regular updates to the original, news concerning the release of a sequel has been limited. Now, that sequel has been announced, it’s bringing some significant changes to the original formula. Prison Architect goes 3D and dials up the detail In an official release statement from Paradox Interactive and independent games studio Double Eleven, the long-awaited Prison Architect 2 has a scheduled release date of March 26, 2024. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with potential players on the latter being able to preorder from today. The big change comes in the visual department, as the game moves away from the original 2D layout and towards shiny 3D. Significant updates have been made to the internal simulation systems, with far more advanced relationships and behaviors between inmates. Additionally, how those inmates develop under the player’s care is a finer balance, with behavior highly dependent on management style. As expected, Prison Architect 2 will feature a full career mode, upgraded from the last game and set across a new world map. Though some details are still under wraps, it does look like the emphasis has been placed on allowing the player to manage their way, whether that be progressive rehabilitation or harsh retribution. Game Director Gareth Wright had this to say on the upcoming release: “In Prison Architect 2, our team set out to create the next level in management gameplay. A greater degree of player freedom, impactful choices, and inmate simulation come together to provide an enhanced presentation of prison management, in a 3D world. “We look forward to seeing how players get creative with multiple floors and catwalks to finally construct and expand in 3D. And then optimize and balance their prison’s safety, security and self-betterment.” More details on the game will inevitably emerge as Prison Architect 2 barrels towards launch in the coming weeks.

Beginner tips in God of War Ragnarok: What you should know before playing SonyIf you’re just jumping into God of War Ragnarok and looking for the most important tips to get your playthrough going on the right foot, here’s what we recommend above all else. Whether you’re an experienced God of War in your own right or just dipping your toes in the franchise for the first time, Ragnarok is accessible for players of all skill levels. Regardless of whether you’ve taken down Sigrun or not, everyone starts back at square one in the sequel, meaning you have to fight your way to success once again. While you may find some challenges easier than others, there are still plenty of threats across the realms that will push you to your limits. So if you’re looking to optimize your early hours and ensure you’re set up for success as the game progresses, look no further than our beginners tips below. From making the most of your earned currencies to extremely beneficial options tucked away in the settings menus, here’s what we recommend in God of War Ragnarok. Take your time in the settings Before you even load into Ragnarok for the first time, it’s well worth taking a moment to sift through the game’s industry-leading slate of accessibility settings. While some might not be all that beneficial for you in particular, there is one specific option that everyone can toggle to improve their experience. Under the Accessibility menu is the Navigation & Puzzles section. Here, you’ll find a setting labeled ‘Puzzle Timing.’ By bumping the duration on these timed puzzles to either Extended or Extended+, it gives you a bigger window in which to trigger the necessary steps. While not game-changing per se, this slight tweak can certainly help avoid some frustrations with a handful of the more challenging puzzles throughout the game. Better yet, increasing this time doesn’t impact Trophy hunting in any way, so there’s no downside to giving yourself an assist here. Don’t waste resources early Next up, it’s crucial you keep in mind the scarcity of resources early on. With limited materials at your disposal and only a few ways of farming more, we strongly recommend you avoid burning them on early game equipment. There’s no need to use an entire supply of one resource just to upgrade a chest piece when you’ll be finding new, and often better, armor at a rapid pace. Even if you find certain loot that matches your playstyle perfectly, it’s still worth keeping it at the base level for a few hours. There’s every chance you find something even better to replace it soon, without having wasted all of your materials upgrading the previous component. Grind XP in the opening hours It’s ultimately your decision in how you approach an open-world game like Ragnarok. But if you’re looking to make the most of the experience and ensure you’re in top fighting shape early on, it’s crucial you take some time to explore side content. That means finding hidden collectibles, completing missions for strangers along the way, and generally veering from the main path. You never know what secret might be hiding just around the corner that could drastically improve your build. Be it a new heavy Runic attack for your weapon, a stunning piece of armor, or even just a surplus of Hacksilver, it’s always worth exploring where possible. This is even more essential in the early hours where supplies are limited and every upgrade makes all the difference. So once you’re out in the open, be sure not to rush straight to the main objective. Upgrade your Skills before anything else During your time in the opening hours of Ragnarok, you’ll quickly amass a good amount of experience. It’s entirely your call how you spend this XP, but to truly get the most bang for your buck, we advise upgrading your Skills ahead of anything else. While you can upgrade the power of attacks and even help improve Atreus’ arsenal just like in God of War (2018), the best way to spend your XP early is on Skills. By unlocking as many powerful maneuvers as possible, Kratos will be far more versatile in combat. Not only that, but using a wide range of Skills frequently soon provides even more of a benefit. Just by engaging with your favorite attack patterns or special combos, you’ll eventually have access to unique upgrades. So it’s vital for long-term success that you look to unlock a wide range of Skills in the short-term when starting your run in Ragnarok.

Who is The Beetle in comics? Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 villain explained Insomniac Games | Marvel ComicsLeaked info pertaining to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 implies that legacy villain The Beetle may be making their debut in an upcoming DLC mission. A recent Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 leak could have given away a pretty significant DLC plot point. The leak, via a dev menu that was mistakenly left accessible, doesn’t feature any specific content but rather a broad overview. The villain the DLC may introduce is one who has been fighting Spidey and other Marvel heroes for years now, though they’re not the original holder of the title. Although Insomniac Games has yet to officially confirm DLC for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, here’s everything you need to know about Marvel Comics villain The Beetle. Marvel’s The Beetle is the daughter of Spider-Man villain Tombstone The DLC leak references Beetle Janice, but she’s not the original Beetle. The first was Abner Jenkins, a mechanic who turned to crime. Jenkins would do battle with a number of heroes over the years, most notably the Fantastic Four and the Avengers as a member of the Masters of Evil. He would ultimately find a new lease on life as a member of the Thunderbolts, where he abandoned his villainous ways and became known as the hero Mach. In an effort to defeat the then-Captain America Bucky Barnes, Baron Zemo bequeathed the Beetle identity to Janice Lincoln, the daughter of New York crime boss Tombstone. Though Janice was unsuccessful in her attempts at defeating Captain America, she found herself deeper and deeper into a life of crime, following in her father’s footsteps. Janice would eventually form her own criminal supergroup, The Syndicate, consisting of gender-flipped versions of popular Spider-Man villains, including Scorpina and Electro. Most recently, Janice has found herself balancing her criminal life with a relationship with Peter Parker’s roommate, Randy Robertson. How will The Beetle factor into Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 DLC? It’s important to note that as of this writing, The Beetle is not yet confirmed for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, let alone any DLC plans. However, the leaked content on the dev menu and the events of the main story hint at a DLC that may crib from a recent Spider-Man comic event. In Gang War, New York’s criminal underground goes to war with itself when Tombstone is attacked at Janice’s wedding. Janice herself, along with the Syndicate, vie to take control, with Janice eventually becoming the new Scourge. It does end on something of a bittersweet note. Seeing that Janice is either going to win the war or be killed, Tombstone slips back into a life of crime and violence. He knocks out his own daughter and takes the decisive final strike in the war himself, becoming the sole leader of New York’s criminal underground.

Become the Mandalorian this Cyber Monday with $35 off this replica helmet Save 21% on the premium wearable Black Series The Mandalorian helmet for just $129.99 this Cyber Monday. This Cyber Monday, bounty hunters and Star Wars fans can save 21% on a premium electronic helmet modeled after Din Djarin’s in the acclaimed Disney+ series – The Mandalorian. Usually $164.99, the Black Series headgear is now $129.99 for 24 hours only. With exceptional deco accuracy and detailing, it authentically brings the Mando’s iconic Beskar helm to life at over $35 off. Slip on the finished helmet, recreating the bounty hunter’s HUD display from the show. There’s also a removable tactical torch on the side to illuminate those shadowy cantina deals. And with thick padded interior lining, the helmet stays comfortable however long the hunt. The clean silver finish captures Mandalorian Beskar at its best – crafted to stand the test of time across countless parsecs. From sandblasted Tatooine to ice-capped Navarro, this is a helm made for the most formidable hunters in the parsec. The Mandalorian Premium Electronic Helmet for just $129.99 Even with the Cyber Monday 21% discount, collectors get unbeatable build quality. With adjustable inner fittings, the helmet slides on smoothly whether you’re a Jedi padawan or a fully-grown hunter. So if you know a Mandalorian clan member without a helm this holiday season, Cyber Monday makes completing their armor a far more reasonable deal at over $35 off. Now even bounty-hunting foundlings can continue the way of the Manda and uphold the creed. It’s likely that this deal won’t last forever, so be sure to move quick. Looking out for more Cyber Monday deals? Check out this deal on the M1 iPad Pro. If you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Beat Saber multiplayer guide: How to play with friends on PS4, Oculus and PC Beat GamesExperience Beat Saber’s multiplayer mode on PS4, PC, and Oculus and share the rhythmic lightsaber action with friends. Here’s your guide to get started. Beat Saber, the popular VR game known for its lightsaber-wielding, rhythm-based gameplay, now offers a multiplayer feature. This addition allows players to join forces and slash through beats in unison. Note, however, that Beat Saber has no official connection to the Star Wars franchise. In Beat Saber multiplayer and single-player, blocks hurtle towards you and need to be slashed in time to the beat. Players who successfully time their strikes to any given track will score the most points. Contents Does Beat Saber include multiplayer? – How to set up Beat Saber multiplayer – Joining a game in Beat Saber multiplayer – Tips to win in Beat Saber multiplayer – Does Beat Saber include multiplayer? Beat Saber was originally a single-player VR experience, but the game’s multiplayer potential was immediately obvious. An update added multiplayer to Beat Saber, allowing 5 players to compare their skills. The update also switched out the game’s first-person view to a new third-person angle. This also lets you create and control your own customizable avatar. How to set up Beat Saber multiplayer On the game’s main menu, select Online Mode, and Beat Saber will then allow you to create your avatar. The customization options aren’t vast, but they’re enough to create a colorful blocky saber-wielding version of yourself. Once you’re happy with your avatar, you’ll then need to select your difficulty setting. This determines how fast the blocks come towards you and the other players. Remember, you’re all competing against each other, the difficulty just dictates how intense the gameplay will be for everyone. Next, you’ll need to select which musical tracks you’ll get. You can either select ‘Built-in’ or ‘All.’ The ‘Built-in’ option includes all the tracks featured in the base game. However, ‘All’ includes every track added to the base game and those added in third-party releases. Some players will own all tracks while others will only have the ones that come bundled with Beat Saber. If you or one of your fellow players doesn’t own a specific track, they’ll need to sit out that round in spectator mode. Therefore, if you want to make sure all players are included in every round, then select the ‘Built-in’ option. Joining an online game Once you’ve selected your avatar, difficulty, and music, it’s time to join a game in Beat Saber multiplayer. You’ll be added to the game’s lobby where you and your fellow players will need to vote on your chosen track. Naturally, vote for the tracks you’re most familiar with for the best shot at victory. Remember though, your competitors will be doing the same thing. Once the music is selected (or the timer runs down) you’ll then enter the round – and may the best Beat Saber win. Tips to win in Beat Saber multiplayer Don’t worry about what your opponents are doing once the blocks start flying, just treat it like a single-player round. Focus on the blocks coming towards you, the beat, and your timing for the best chance to win. You’ll be able to see your score, as well as the scores of other players, but paying too much attention to this will distract you. Remember, the blocks fly in a predictable pattern based on the track and the difficulty. In time, your muscle memory and ability to move with the music will give you the upper hand. Practice makes perfect. There you have it, how to install custom songs in Beat Saber. If you found this guide helpful try checking out some of our other VR-based content: Best VR games 2023 | Every PS VR2 game | Among Us VR | Best VR Horror games | Resident Evil 4 VR | Best VR headsets to buy | Best Meta Quest 2 VR games

Bayonetta’s Hellena Taylor’s pay claims disputed amid controversy Bayonetta voice actor Hellena Taylor claimed that Platinum Games and Nintendo had offered $4,000 for her talents, but new sources allege that her fee was significantly more. On October 15, long-time Bayonetta voice actor Hellena Taylor shared her story of working with franchise developers Platinum Games. Taylor, who hasn’t returned for Bayonetta, revealed that the devs had purportedly acted in an “immoral” fashion with a “lowball” offer of $4,000 for her time. Since then, Bayonetta director Hideki Kamiya and current voice actor Jennifer Hale have had their say on the situation. Now, new reports have surfaced that allege Taylor was offered more than she initially claimed. Bayonetta voice actor’s low pay claims disputed by new sources Hellena Taylor was allegedly set to make more than she originally revealed in her boycott request video. In a report from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Taylor would have made at least $15,000 if she had continued with the franchise. The report details that Taylor would have been paid “$3,000 to $4,000 for four hours in the studio” per session on the upcoming Bayonetta game. It is said that Taylor would have been required to attend at least “five” sessions. Platinum offered Hellena Taylor between $3k and $4k per session for at least 5 sessions, according to two people familiar with the deal and documentation viewed by Bloomberg. In response, the people said, Taylor asked for a six-figure fee and residuals. Negotiations fell apart — Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) October 18, 2022 Taylor had supposedly requested a six-figure payment for her services, with the option for residual payments. The voice actor had previously denied this, though her six-figure sum has been corroborated by sources over at the VGC via private messages. In messages exchanged with the VGC, Taylor herself firmly stated that details of a $15,000 payout were “an absolute lie, and a complete joke.” She also stated that it was “categorically untrue” that she had received an offer with a higher fee. Bayonetta franchise director Hideki Kamiya has also had his Twitter account restored, following his responses to Taylor’s claims. Bayonetta 3 releases on October 28, 2022.

Bayonetta’s Hellena Taylor reportedly declined recast offer after calling for boycott Platinum GamesA new report claims that Bayonetta voice actor Hellena Taylor was offered more money than she had previously disclosed and that she was recast after “lengthy negotiations” with Platinum Games. On October 15, Bayonetta voice actor Hellena Taylor called out Platinum Games and Nintendo for “immoral” conduct, revealing that she will not be voicing the character in the upcoming third instalment due to only being offered a $4,000 sum to voice the role. As a result, Taylor has been calling on fans of the series to boycott the game, with the situation now bringing to the forefront the larger discourse surrounding the role of voice actors and compensation for their work. Most recently, Jason Schreier reported at Bloomberg that Platinum Games had originally wanted to hire Taylor for five or more sessions, each paying $3000 to $4000 for four hours of work in the studio. Schreier’s sources then added that Taylor refused the offer, wishing to negotiate for “a six-figure sum as well as residuals on the game.” Platinum Games declined and were unable to come to an agreement after “lengthy negotiations”, with the company then beginning auditions for a new actor to take on the role. Voice actor Jenifer Hale has since taken on the protagonist and while she has acknowledged the controversy online, she is unable to comment any further due to an NDA. Schreier also reported that Platinum Games offered Taylor the chance to still feature in the game as a cameo appearance and were going to offer her the fee of one session, however, she allegedly turned down that offer as well. The Bloomberg report then went on to offer up Taylor’s reaction to these claims, with the voice actor calling this recounting “an absolute lie” in an email, and adding that Platinum is “trying to save their ass and the game.” “I would like to put this whole bloody franchise behind me quite frankly get on with my life in the theatre,” she wrote. At the time of writing, neither Platinum Games nor Nintendo have commented on this development in regard to the Bayonetta recast drama. Bayonetta 3 is set to release on October 28, 2022.

Bayonetta voice actor responds to claims she’s a “liar and gold-digger” PlatinumGamesVoice actor Hellena Taylor responded to accusations she’s a “gold-digger” and a “liar” after reports said she was offered more money to reprise her role in Bayonetta 3 than she originally claimed. Hellena Taylor made headlines on October 15 when the voice actor released a statement calling for a boycott of Bayonetta 3, claiming she was offered $4,000 to come back for the game’s third installment. Since then, it was revealed that Taylor rebuffed Platinum’s offer to be recast in the role for $3-4k per voice session, which would total five sessions. Taylor countered the company with a six-figure offer, which Platinum declined. Now, Taylor is hitting back and offering a defense of her actions since her boycott became public. Bayonetta voice actor speaks out defending her “reputation” On October 24, Hellena shared a post on social media targeted at people claiming she’s a “liar and gold-digger.” She also explained her side of how negotiations went with Platinum, “As I posted on part three of my video thread. I explained that their first offer was too low. That offer was $10,000 total. Remember, this is a $450 million franchise.” Taylor then said that she declined the company’s offer even after receiving a $5,000 pay bump offer following a personal letter she wrote directly to PlatinumGames’ Hideki Kamiya. She then finally declined to voice the Umbra Witch in Bayonetta 3. After hearing nothing for the next 11 months, she claims the company came back to her with an offer of $4,000 to voice “some lines.” Hellena also claims she never asked for $250,000 and was only asking for a “fair, living wage.” Despite her clarification, there is still confusion among fans as to what exactly went down.

Bayonetta Origins Cereza and the Lost Demon: Release date, trailer, gameplay, more PlatinumGamesBayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a prequel to the beloved Bayonetta trilogy, so here’s all the details you need including release date, trailers, and gameplay details. Nintendo has revealed plenty of details about Bayonetta Origins, a new entry in PlatinumGames’s over-the-top action game series. However, unlike other titles in the Bayonetta series, Origins features a cute storybook art style and more easygoing gameplay. If that wasn’t enough, the upcoming title will also delve into the Umbra Witch’s past, giving fans the chance to see how Bayonetta came to be the powerful witch she is in the main games. Here’s everything we know about the game so far. Contents Bayonetta Origins release date – Bayonetta Origins platforms – Bayonetta Origins trailer – Bayonetta Origins story details – Bayonetta Origins gameplay – Bayonetta Origins release date Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon will be released on March 17, 2023. If that’s too long to wait, players that want a sneak peek of the upcoming game can access a playable teaser within Bayonetta 3 thanks to a recent update. Simply purchase the Old Picture Book from the in-game shop known as The Gates Of Hell and the playable teaser will appear in the chapter select screen. Bayonetta Origins platforms At the time of writing, Bayonetta Origins has only been confirmed to release on Nintendo Switch. It’s unlikely that the game will be released on any other platforms, especially with Bayonetta 3 also being a Switch-exclusive game. Bayonetta Origins trailer Bayonetta Origins story details As the name suggests, Bayonetta Origins takes place long before the events that happen in the trilogy. According to Nintendo’s official press release, “Players take on the role of Cereza, a young apprentice witch, and start a fateful journey into a forbidden forest to gain the power to save her mother.” Bayonetta Origins gameplay One of the biggest differences shown in Bayonetta Origins is the distinct storybook-inspired art style, which makes it a lot more colorful than past entries. Aside from this new look, the game also features gameplay never before seen in the Bayonetta series. Players will control both Cereza and her infernal demon partner Cheshire using a different Joy-Con for each character. The left Joy-Con can be used to control Cereza and cast magic, while the right Joy-Con can be used to control Cheshire and brawl with enemies. It’s expected that this younger version of Cereza will be far less powerful than she is in the main trilogy of games, so there will be a bigger focus on exploration and puzzle-solving than the action-packed adventures fans are used to. That’s everything we know about Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon. Be sure to check out our other release hubs to get the latest news on all the big releases: The Elder Scrolls 6 | GTA 6 | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | KOTR Remake | Pikmin 4 | Wonder Woman | DokeV | FFXVI | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Dragon Age 4 | Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | The Day Before | Resident Evil 4 Remake | WWE 2K23 | Destiny 2: Lightfall | Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon preview – The makings of a magical adventure PlatinumGamesBayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a very different Bayonetta game than what fans have come to expect, trading blazing-fast action and ridiculous boss battles for cozy storybook vibes with a focus on exploration and solving puzzles – and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Acting as a prequel to the main trilogy of games, Bayonetta Origins places you in the sensible shoes of a young and timid Cereza who’s still learning how to master her magic (there are no high heel handguns or sassy comebacks to be found here) with the help of an exiled Umbra Witch called Morgana. Frustrated with living under the stern and watchful eye of Morgana, and determined to save her mother from years of imprisonment, Cereza ventures into the forbidden Avalon Forest in search of answers, following a mysterious white wolf and warding off faeries who want to feed on her soul. The big ‘gimmick’ of Bayonetta Origins is the dual control system, which sees the Left Joy-Con assigned to Cereza and the Right Joy-Con assigned to Cheshire – a powerful and deadly Infernal Demon that’s taken the form of her beloved stuffed cat. These controls did feel a bit cumbersome at first, but I’ve gotten used to them over the few hours I’ve played so far and I’m becoming quite fond of them. When exploring Avalon Forest, Cereza can carry Cheshire as a soft toy, or release him if they need to go their own ways, at which point you’ll control them both separately. There are rosemary bushes that only Cereza can pass through, while Cheshire is the only one who can reach high-up ledges or smash through thorns that block your path. Much of the game is spent figuring out how to get both Cereza and Cheshire through to your next destination, and while the difficulty level is pretty low, the exploration-meets-puzzle-solving gameplay is really enjoyable – especially when you learn new abilities that let you discover secrets and alternate paths. A few chapters into the game, Cheshire gets access to his first alternate form – a wood form – that lets him dish out different attacks and gives him new powers, like the ability to extend his tongue and grab objects in the distance or open previously locked doors. I’m assuming there are more forms to come, although I haven’t discovered them yet. There’s still plenty of combat to grind through in Bayonetta Origins, but the battles here are relatively tame by comparison and there’s a bigger focus on getting Cereza and Cheshire to synchronize their abilities rather than using flashy, over-the-top special moves. Most battles I’ve experienced so far have followed a similar format: Use Cereza’s magic to entangle an enemy in its place, then unleash a barrage of physical attacks from Cheshire. It works well, although it is a bit on the basic side and I have found myself missing the dramatic flourishes and complexities from the main Bayonetta games. One area where Bayonetta Origins has really impressed me so far is its visual presentation. While last year’s excellent Bayonetta 3 was slightly let down by the Switch’s lack of power, Bayonetta Origins is right at home on Nintendo’s hybrid console – it runs perfectly, the Okami-like watercolor art style is beautiful, and it’s the perfect cozy game to snuggle up on the sofa with. It’s fair to say that Bayonetta Origins might not appeal to purists who want the bombastic action and risque diva attitude they’ve grown accustomed to, but it’s shaping up to be a great standalone adventure in its own right that could earn the franchise a wider audience than before. I’ve only played a few chapters of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, and I’m already won over by its storybook charm and unique mechanics. Depending on how the story progresses and whether it manages to keep the gameplay fresh with new abilities for Cereza and Cheshire, this could end up being another brilliant addition to the Nintendo Switch library.

Bayonetta director Hideki Kamiya’s Twitter account disappears amid voice actor controversy YouTube: Sega EuropeBayonetta director Hideki Kamiya has had their Twitter account restricted, following the ongoing controversy between Hellena Taylor and Platinum Games/Nintendo. On October 15, Bayonetta voice actor Hellena Taylor implored fans to boycott the release of Bayonetta 3, following “immoral” conduct on behalf of Platinum Games & Nintendo. Price, the voice behind the franchise’s titular character, revealed that she was offered a meager $4,000 to lend her talents to the third installment. Though Taylor insisted what they did was “legal”, this has nonetheless sparked outrage from fans of the long-running franchise. Following Taylor’s decision to share her story, Twitter has intervened to restrict the account of Bayonetta director Hideki Kamiya. Bayonetta’s Hideki Kamiya embarks on Twitter blocking spree Shortly after Taylor’s story was shared with the world, it was only a matter of time before agitated fans would retaliate by addressing Kamiya himself. “Sad and deplorable about the attitude of untruth. That’s what all I can tell now,” Kamiya said in an indirect response. “By the way, BEWARE OF MY RULES,” added the Bayonetta director. However, this tweet only acted as the catalyst to incite boycotted responses. One Bayonetta fan suggested to Kamiya that “you could, I dunno, pay your VAs.” As Kamiya began to receive intense backlash by the minute, reports of the Bayonetta 3 executive producer blocking people soon began to spread. Kamiya’s efforts to avoid the angered attention of fans would be short-lived, as it appears that Twitter themselves have stepped in to restrict Kamiya’s access across the social media platform. “The “Hideki Kamiya blocks everyone” plot twist that no one saw coming,” said Twitter user @rabbidluigi. Before Kamiya’s restrictions were imposed, they continued to tweet out messages such as “It would be nice to block the quote retweet too… I can’t read it” and “I warned you.” Hideki Kamiya’s Twitter disappears following account restriction It was later reported on October 16 that Kamiya’s Twitter account had disappeared. When visiting the PG_kamiya account, users are met with the message “This account doesn’t exist”. According to third-party tweet tracking apps, Kamiya sent his last tweet around 30 minutes prior to his account’s deletion. It remains unknown whether he deleted his own Twitter account or if it was forcefully removed by the platform itself. Twitter users began to rejoice and joke that Kamiya had blocked so many people that he blocked himself. Others claimed he must have given up on blocking everyone and decided to deliver the ultimate block. Platinum Games and Nintendo have yet to issue an official response on the matter.

Bayonetta creator reveals he envisioned the franchise as a nine-part game “saga” PlatinumGamesBayonetta creator Hideki Kamiya has revealed his scrapped plans for a nine-part game “saga,” which won’t come to pass since he departed from PlatinumGames. The Bayonetta series currently consists of four games: the original trilogy and Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, a prequel story. There was also an anime movie called Bayonetta: Bloody Fate, which launched in 2013. While the original Bayonetta received a multi-platform release, the latest entries were published by Nintendo, leading to the title character’s inclusion in Super Smash Bros. This is why many people consider Bayonetta a Nintendo character, even though PlatinumGames and Sega own the franchise. The tumultuous development cycle of the Bayonetta games and the polarizing ending of Bayonetta 3 have put doubts on future entries in the series. This was further cemented when series creator Hideki Kamiya left PlatinumGames in 2023. Hideki Kamiya has revealed his nine-episode saga for the Bayonetta series, which will never come to light Kamiya revealed in a new video on the Hideki Kamiya Channel that he originally planned for Bayonetta to consist of nine episodes and for the franchise to become the “Bayonetta Saga.” Unfortunately, now that Kamiya has left PlatinumGames, his plans won’t come to fruition. While Kamiya is no longer involved with Bayonetta, he believes the series will continue without him. To date, PlatinumGames and Sega have not made any official statements about the future of the franchise. Bayonetta 3 involved the multiverse, with different iterations of the title character working together to stop a threat to the fabric of reality. If this was the third entry in a nine-episode series, we can only imagine how crazy the later games would have been. At least Bayonetta fans had an ending to the series in Bayonetta 3, unlike the poor Shenmue players of the world, who will likely never get a resolution to the story, no matter how many years go by. It’s a shame Kamiya won’t get a chance to complete his vision of the Bayonetta saga, but it took nearly fifteen years to produce four installments. Even if he had remained with PlatinumGames, Kamiya might not have finished such a lengthy project within his lifetime.

Bayonetta 3: Release date, trailers, platforms & everything we know PlatinumGamesThe witch is back in Bayonetta 3, so get ready for some more electric hack and slash gameplay — here’s everything we know about Bayonetta 3. Bayonetta 3 was first announced back at The Game Awards 2017, with PlatinumGames’ newest adventure for the charismatic heroine set to be the biggest and grandest one yet. The first two games have been favorably compared to the likes of Devil May Cry and God of War for their incredible action and engaging story and characters. The game has been in development for years, but we’re now getting very close to its arrival. Here’s everything we’ve been able to gather so far. Contents Bayonetta 3 release date PlatinumGames has finally given a release date for Bayonetta 3, with the bewitching action title dropping on October 28, 2022. 2022 is already shaping up to be a positively stacked year when it comes to video games, but Bayonetta’s return marks one of Nintendo’s biggest hitters. Bayonetta 3 trailers Check out the game’s latest trailer below: Here’s the game’s first trailer. There was then a sustained period of silence after the debut trailer, leading to many wondering if the game had been canceled altogether. However, these fears were allayed during the September 23, 2021, Nintendo Direct. Not only did we get to see the game’s current state, but we got extended gameplay footage with a nearly 4-minute look at the game. You can check it out below. Possibly the final look at Bayonetta 3 arrived during the September 13, 2022, Nintendo Direct, and it teased players even more with tasty details. What platforms will Bayonetta 3 release on? Bayonetta 3 will release exclusively on Nintendo’s Switch with no plans to be brought to other platforms. The series has been a Nintendo exclusive since Bayonetta 2, so it’s unlikely to release elsewhere unless Capcom changes it’s terms with Nintendo. For the latest news on more upcoming games in 2022, check out these hubs: The Elder Scrolls 6 | GTA 6 | God of War: Ragnarok | Wolverine | Spider-Man 2 | Forspoken | Pokemon Violet & Scarlet | Wonder Woman | DokeV | FFXVI | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Sonic Frontiers | Dragon Age 4 | Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild sequel | The Witcher 3 next-gen patch | Avatar Frontiers of Pandora | Haunted Chocolatier | Hogwarts Legacy | The Expanse: A Telltale Series

Nintendo confirm Bayonetta 3 release date following ratings leak Platinum GamesAfter a while in development, PlatinumGames’ Bayonetta 3 is drawing near after the game was found on the Nintendo website officially rated by the ESRB, and its release date was subsequently announced. The Bayonetta franchise features relentless, classic hack ‘n’ slash gameplay, like God of War, as the titular Bayonetta cuts down wave after wave of demonic enemies using an array of slick and sexy moves. Bayonetta 3 has been in development for quite some time now and there’s been constant doubts and concerns over the state of the game and its progress. These fears have finally been put to bed as the game has not only been officially rated by the ESRB – the Entertainment Software Rating Board – but a new trailer has given the game’s release date. Bayonetta 3 to release in 2022 The new “Bayonetta 3 – The witch returns this autumn!” trailer concluded with the seismic news that it will be available to buy from October 28, 2022. There are always some telltale signs that a game is prepping for its release, these being a game going gold, and the title also officially being verified by age rating certification boards. Assigning an official rating means you’ve had to determine a rating from a game’s content, but the contents would have to be finished first, or near enough. An investigative Tweet from user The_Marmolade on July 12, 2022, saw that the ESRB had given Bayonetta 3 an official age rating. They have given it an M for Mature citing the following reasons for this: Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, and Strong Language. Anyone who’s played either of the first two games won’t be surprised by this rating as Bayonetta has always gone to the next level with its adult themes. Then on July 13, 2022, we got the long-awaited announcement of the game’s release via a new trailer – which you can check out below. With a lack of AAA star power for Nintendo, such as Breath of the Wild 2, as we enter into the second half of 2022, Bayonetta 3 could wind up being one of the Nintendo Switch’s biggest titles – especially as the game is a Nintendo Switch-exclusive.

Bayonetta 3’s new voice actor responds to drama and boycott NintendoJennifer Hale, the new lead voice actor in Bayonetta 3, has addressed the previous actor’s call for a fan boycott. Over the weekend, Bayonetta’s longtime voice actor, Hellena Taylor, spoke out about why she didn’t reprise her role for the third game. Taylor claimed she’d received a lowball offer of just $4,000 for the entire project. “I was just asking for a decent, dignified, livable wage,” the actor said of the circumstances. In addition, Taylor asked that fans boycott Bayonetta 3’s imminent release, telling her followers to instead put their money towards charity. The new Bayonetta 3 voice actor speaks out amid controversy Today, the new voice of Bayonetta, Jennifer Hale, addressed the situation to the best of her abilities. While Hale remains under NDA, she shared a message on Twitter that opens with the following, “…I support every actor’s right to be paid well and have advocated consistently for this for years.” With respect to the call for a boycott, Hale added that she hopes audiences will keep an open mind about the game, especially since a dedicated team of people contributed to Bayonetta 3’s creation. The Bayonetta 3 actor closed the message by expressing her hope that all parties can “resolve their differences in an amicable and respectful way.” It’s easy to understand Hale’s reticence on the matter, given her contractual obligations. Still, as a respected voice in the community, many will undoubtedly appreciate the grace with which she delivered her statement. Series creator Hideki Kamiya spoke out following Hellena Taylor’s statement, as well. His comments incited outrage, which, in turn, resulted in him blocking a slew of Twitter users. Twitter limited his account for a time following the blocking spree, though he’s since returned to the platform. Bayonetta 3 hits Nintendo Switch on Friday, October 28.

Bayonetta 3 fans torn after Platinum reveals family-friendly mode Platinum GamesPlatinum Games revealed that their upcoming action game Bayonetta 3 will include a mode that censors much of the character’s bare skin in the game, leaving fans torn over the decision. Bayonetta is a franchise marked by its sexuality as much as its blood-pumping action combat, and the latest trailer for the third installment in the series is no different. While the game finally has a release date which will help Nintendo round out the fall Switch lineup of 2022, many Bayonetta faithful turned their attention to an announcement after the trailer dropped regarding a new mode Platinum is introducing, one that is splitting the fanbase. Bayonetta 3 fans split on new mode which covers up characters’ skin After the trailer dropped on July 13, Platinum shared on social media news that a new mode would be added to the game come launch day of October 28. “We’ve added the revolutionary ‘Naive Angel Mode’ to Bayonetta 3 so more people can fully enjoy it. By turning it on, you can play right in the living room without having to worry about what’s on-screen… we think.” The company included a video to demonstrate how the mode works. When turned on, the Umbra Witch will be completely covered up when she would normally show bare skin. On top of covering up the main character, the mode alters the outfits of side characters as well. Quickly after, the company’s replies were full of both support for the decision and anger by fans who disliked their choice to offer a censored version of the game. One user embraced the decision and said, “With Angel Mode, people who ‘can’t enjoy it because of fanservice’ now can play, and those who want to see the game as intended can enjoy without censorship. This is a total win.” Not all fans were thrilled with the introduction of a family-friendly mode, however. One confused Bayonetta fan said, “So it censors the sexual stuff and not the violence, seems an odd choice in my opinion.” Although not all fans of the series are convinced the game needed this mode, it will certainly make it easier for players to fire the game up in their family living room without any added awkwardness.

Bayonetta 3 creator responds to Nintendo’s stance on game nudity PlatinumGamesFans excited for Bayonetta 3 have been questioning the decision to include a censored mode that hides some of the game’s nudity, and the game’s creator has given some insight into Nintendo’s attitude towards it. Some of the reasons the character of Bayonetta has become so endearing to fans over the years is her laid-back attitude toward her sexuality whilst kicking some serious ass. After disappearing into the wilderness for some time, Bayonetta 3 now has a release date and the countdown is on for the upcoming hack ‘n’ slash sequel. One of the biggest talking points about the game has been the new Naive Angel Mode, a new censored version of the game that will tone down the nudity and Bayonetta’s creator has opened up on this matter. Nintendo relaxed about Bayonetta nudity Child-friendly franchises such as Mario, Pokemon, Kirby, etc, have given the impression that Nintendo is a family-orientated company. As such, more adult content sometimes comes across as a surprise, and Bayonetta bearing some of her flesh throughout the games leans heavily into that risque aspect. The Naive Angel Mode has been implemented into Bayonetta 3 which will keep the titular character clothed during scenarios in which she’d ordinarily be more naked. People have pointed to Nintendo as a primary reason for this, but thanks to a translation from Nintendo Everything, we now know this is not the case. Bayonetta creator Hideki Kamiya had this to say: “I see a lot of people bring up Nintendo when discussing the nudity in Bayonetta, but during our time with the Bayonetta 1 port, Bayonetta 2, and Bayonetta 3, the only suggestion we received was regarding the Link costume in Bayonetta 1 and 2, and how it should have been a little bit more revealing.” He continued: “No bias influenced that aspect of the game, and I think players can enjoy the game without worrying that it may have been…after working with them [Nintendo] for such a long time, I get the impression that although there are times where we may butt heads, they’re surprisingly open to direct discussions around development and sales.” So it seems that not only is Nintendo ok with Bayonetta’s scantily-clad material, but seem to be open to the concept in general. The revelation will likely come as a surprise to many, but at least fans of the franchise know that the idea for the game mode was an internal one and not a result of pressure from higher-ups.

Bored Ape Yacht Club is developing a new “play-to-earn” NFT game Bored Ape Yacht ClubBored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) is one of the most exclusive and well-known NFT groups in the space. Now, they’re using their fame to develop a new “play-to-earn” NFT game where players can buy in, earn tokens for playing, and cash out. If you know of the NFT space, you know of BAYC. One of the biggest and most exclusive groups in crypto, the Yacht Club (and its various spinoffs) have been sold for more than $1 billion collectively. Now, with the launch of their ApeCoin cryptocurrency on March 16, they’re expanding their reach into the gaming market with a new “play-to-earn” game. Professed as “a token for culture, gaming, and commerce used to empower a decentralized community building at the forefront of web3”, ApeCoin will be powering BAYC’s title, although details on what it’ll include are thin. Introducing ApeCoin ($APE), a token for culture, gaming, and commerce used to empower a decentralized community building at the forefront of web3. 🧵 — ApeCoin (@apecoin) March 16, 2022 The game will be developed in conjunction with nWayPlay, who have created a number of other “play-to-earn” titles in the gaming space. The concept of play-to-earn has been popularized by NFT games, where players can earn more tradeable collectibles just by playing the game. They can then use these newly-minted NFTs to power their own gameplay, or sell them off for a profit. Read More: How to buy and sell NFTs – ApeCoin will also be used to power over NFT games in the marketplace, with game developers jumping at the chance to integrate the new cryptocurrency into their titles. Gordo asleep. V posts leaks. pic.twitter.com/RUKaPQRQ64 — Bored Ape Yacht Club 🍌 (@BoredApeYC) March 1, 2022 NFT games have fallen under scrutiny from players across all gaming spaces. Axie Infinity, one of the most well-known in the space, has been criticized for its high cost of entry in the thousands and “exploitative” scholarships. Recently, YouTube star Dr Disrespect announced his game company, Midnight Society, would be integrating NFTs into their gaming universe starting with Project Moon. While the star is adamant the games will remain free-to-play, players can buy and trade cosmetics on the blockchain to use in Midnight Society titles. This includes an early access NFT, the Founders Pass, which currently retails for around $50. There’s no timeline on BAYC’s NFT game release yet, but with the first concept images out, development is certainly underway.

BattleBit Remastered system requirements – Minimum & recommended PC specs BattlebitKnowing BattleBit Remastered’s system requirements can help you have the smoothest experience, so here are both the minimum and recommended settings needed to run the popular FPS. BattleBit Remastered has received a lot of hype from FPS fans, thanks to its massive lobbies and destructible environments. The game takes inspiration from shooters like Battlefield, enabling players to dive into intense firefights on large-scale maps. However, with numerous vehicles and 254-player lobbies, the game’s onscreen action can get rather hectic. So, if you’re wondering whether you’ll be able to run BattleBit Remastered on your PC or wish to know what hardware is needed for a smooth experience, then our system requirements guide has you covered. BattleBit Remastered minimum requirements To ensure that you can run BattleBit Remastered smoothly, here’s a complete list of the minimum spec requirements you need to meet: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system – OS: Windows 10 (x64) – Windows 11 (x64) – Processor: Intel Core i5-2310 – Memory: 6 GB RAM – Graphics: Geforce GTS 450 or equivalent or better – DirectX: Version 11 – Network: Broadband Internet connection – Storage: 2 GB available space – BattleBit Remastered recommended requirements In order to maximize your FPS and reduce any performance-related frustrations, you’ll want to check to see if your PC meets the BattleBit recommended requirements: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system – OS: Windows 10 (x64) – Windows 11 (x64) – Processor: Intel Core i5 4th Generation and above – Memory: 8 GB RAM – Graphics: Geforce GTX 600 Series or equivalent or better – DirectX: Version 11 – Network: Broadband Internet connection – Storage: 2 GB available space – Unlike many current-gen FPS games, BattleBit Remastered can run on very old hardware, which makes it a fantastic game for most systems. However, the above system requirements are needed to have the best gameplay experience possible. Of course, if you have a high-end PC, then you won’t need to worry when it comes to encountering any frame rate drops or stutters. So, there you have it, that’s everything you need to know about the BattleBit Remastered system requirements. In the meantime, be sure to check out our other BattleBit Remastered guides below: Is Battlebit Remastered on PS5 & Xbox Series X|S? | Does BattleBit Remasted have controller support? | BattleBit Remastered codes | BattleBit Remastered playercount | Is Battlebit Remastered free to play?

How many people play BattleBit Remastered? Player count in 2023 BattlebitBattlebit Remastered has quickly become one of the most popular games on Steam, but how many people actually play it? Well, our Battlebit Remastered player count tracker has everything you need to know. Battlebit Remastered has gained a lot of attention from both Battlefield and CoD fans alike, who are looking for another FPS game to sink their teeth into. The blocky shooter has quickly risen up the Steam charts, with many casual and competitive CoD players praising the game’s fun gameplay. Combine this with the destructible environments and customizable weapons, and you have a recipe for an extremely addictive shooter. With its affordable entry price and minimal system requirements, it’s not hard to see why Battlebit Remastered has become so popular. So, if you’re curious to know how many people play Battlebit Remastered or just wish to see how the game’s figures stack up in 2023, then our player count hub has you covered. Battlebit Remastered player count tracker According to SteamDB, the Battlebit Remasted player count currently sits at 71,668 peak players. The game also hit its all-time peak of 87,323 players on June 26, 2023. While Battlebit Remastered has only launched relatively recently, the player count will likely rise as more players discover it. The game will also inevitably get more players as and when the next Steam sale goes live, which could see it receive a discount. While we don’t currently have any details on whether Battlebit Remastered will be coming to consoles, it would certainly raise the player count even further, especially if crossplay is a feature. Of course, like all games, Battlebit Remastered’s player count will fluctuate as time goes on, but for now, there is a large community to play with. Make sure you bookmark this page to stay up to date with the latest Battlebit Remastered player count stats.

The rise and fall of each battle royale game in Twitch viewership The battle royale genre has evolved a lot even in the short time since it came to prominence. We go through each of the battle royale stalwarts – Fortnite, PUBG, H1Z1, Apex Legends and Blackout – looking at their Twitch viewership statistics over time. H1Z1 kicked off battle royale Unknown to some the battle royale genre was propelled into the relative mainstream by H1Z1. It was originally released on Steam’s early access programme in January 2015. At the time of course it faced no competition from competing games, meaning it was the go to game for those who wanted their battle royale fix. Unfortunately Twitch stats weren’t being tracked with the detail they are today when the game was first released, so there is little data for the game’s viewership. It is also important to note that Twitch has become an increasingly popular platform since 2015, as shown by TwitchTracker. Twitch has grown into the most popular live streaming platform… PUBG – the next stage in battle royale PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds was released in March 2017, once again on Steam early access. It took battle royale to the next level, captivating gamers from across the world. It’s more realistic take on battle royale including the introduction of a huge playing field in Erangel, meant that it shot up the Twitch charts. However, despite its popularity it only took over League of Legends, in terms of viewership, for brief periods in the months of August and September 2017. Despite the divided opinion, Fortnite is the undisputed king of battle royale – at least in terms of Twitch viewership… Fortnite the biggest game ever? PUBG was big but the next battle royale game to release, Fortnite, would go on to become on the most iconic games in history. Releasing in July of 2017, Fortnite would overtake PUBG’s Twitch viewership in January 2018, and it wouldn’t look back. Since then there hasn’t been a week where PUBG would average more concurrent viewers than Fortnite – testament to the universal popularity of the game. Fortnite also overtook League of Legends a month later, and although there have been short periods LoL would top Epic Games’ number one game, Fortnite has been the more popular. Even today, it is the most watched game on Twitch. PUBG vs Fortnite vs Apex Legends average number of concurrent viewers by week… Even Call of Duty had to get involved Due to the enormous success of battle royale, even Call of Duty decided to make their own version. This came in Black Ops 4 in the form of Blackout. As Twitch doesn’t differentiate between Black Ops 4 multiplayer and Blackout, the stats are somewhat skewed. However, what we do know is, that upon its release in October of 2018 it peaked at 286,000 viewers, which at the time made it the most popular game on Twitch. This is hardly surprising considering the brand appeal Call of Duty brings with it. This peak was followed by a sharp decline, though, with the game gradually declining to the 75,000 viewers it averaged in the first week of November. This shows while Blackout may have been competitive with PUBG for viewership, Fortnite was once again the clear victor. Blackout viewers take up an unknown percentage of these views… The previous spikes were beta periods. Apex Legends – one hit wonder? Another mammoth title then entered the fray – Apex Legends. Out of nowhere EA announced and released the newest mainstream battle royale game in February 2019. Surpassing even EA’s wildest expectations, it skyrocketed in popularity, going straight to the top of the Twitch charts. Any big streamer – whether it be Dr Disrespect, Shroud or Ninja – were spending most of their streaming hours playing the game. Think of the most viewed game on Twitch in any given week before Apex Legends’ release and it was obliterated. Right now, Apex Legends holds the record for most viewers in a week and it came in the first two weeks following its release. Apex Legends short time on Twitch has been spectacular… However, its insane initial popularity was only ever going to go one way – and it did so, drastically. After just one month it fell behind Fortnite and after six weeks it even fell behind GTA 5 – although this was when the Grand Theft Auto 5 role play was exploding. Apex even fell behind PUBG, dropping to an average of just 14,000 viewers. Since then it has gone back above and this coincides with the introduction of Season 2. Over the last seven days, as of July 26, is still Twitch’s most viewed game with 9.5% of viewership. Comparatively, Apex Legends sits in 11th place on 2.6%, just ahead of PUBG by the smallest of margins which sits on 2.5%.

Battle Royale Games Set to Make over $20 Billion in 2019 – Fortnite, Battlefield V, Black Ops 4 and More A new report estimates that the Battle Royale genre will generate over $20 billion in revenue in 2019, almost doubling from 2018 and over 10 times as much as 2017. Following the success of PlayersUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fortnite: Battle Royale, a number of AAA console titles like Battlefield V and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 will enter the market, causing a major boom. Fortnite itself is estimated to have made over $1 billion in revenue so far on in-game purchases alone, and the spread of PUBG and Fortnite on PC, console and mobile has made BR available to every type of gamer. New challengers are also dropping in to the BR genre, such as Realm Royale, Islands of the Nyne and Fear the Wolves, looking to topple the market leaders. But it is the ‘premium console’ titles like Black Ops 4 and Battlefield V, that will really drive the revenue streams, according to a report from SuperData. Battle Royale has quickly become the talk of the games industry. With massively successful titles like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fortnite: Battle Royale, new entrants like Realm Royale, and Battle Royale integration into traditional AAAs like Battlefield V, the genre is one of the biggest trends in games. Black Ops 4’s ‘Blackout’ BR mode, if executed right, is being tipped as the game to have the greatest ability to put a dent in Fortnite’s dominance. Because the majority of Battle Royale players are shown to have previously played shooter games the most, Call of Duty and Battlefield will already be fan favorites for many Fortnite/PUBG players. This will mean attracting them to their BR modes will be easier, than say for the brand new BR titles Islands of the Nyne or Fear the Wolves.

Batman in line for major MultiVersus buff already Warner BrothersBatman is set to receive numerous buffs in MultiVersus, as the DC Comics hero becomes one of the game’s more viable fighters. MultiVersus brings together a pantheon of legendary characters from Warner Brothers, including Shaggy, Superman, and more. Iconic DC Comics vigilante Batman is part of the roster and is in line to become of the game’s best fighters for both new and experienced beat ’em up genre players. As the developers tweak and improve MultiVersus ahead of its July launch, Batman is already scheduled to receive some game-changing buffs. MultiVersus devs detail fresh Batman buffs According to MultiVersus Game Director, Tony Huynh, Batman has numerous buffs that will change how appealing the character is in battle. If you’re looking to start using Batman in-game, expect the following buffs to be implemented soon: While in smoke Batman and allies ignore enemy projectiles – Hitting with attacks while in smoke or 1 second after coming out of smoke will apply 5 stacks of weaken instead of 1 – Up air 2 applies an electric dot (damage over time) for a few seconds – Air 1 go into 2 on hit more easily – Weaken once applied increases damage and knockback from subsequent attacks to that same target by 5% per stack – While there are plenty of changes to come for Batman in MultiVersus, Huynh did express that he’s “not sure if these will work, we’ll go into testing and try them out.” Batman buffs: While in smoke Batman and allies ignore enemy projectiles. Hitting with attacks while in smoke or 1 second after coming out of smoke will apply 5 stacks of weaken instead of 1. Up air 2 applies a electric dot (damage over time) for a few seconds.#MultiVersus— Tony Huynh (@Tony_Huynh) May 29, 2022 Batman: made up air 1 go into 2 on hit more easily. Now off to bed. good night! — Tony Huynh (@Tony_Huynh) May 29, 2022 MultiVersus held its closed alpha recently and will be available for multiple platforms this July. Make sure you check out our MultiVersus page for all the latest news and guides. MultiVersus full roster list | How to play MultiVersus early | Is Neo coming to MultiVersus? | MultiVersus character nerfs

Batman & Batwing Funko Pop crashes in price by 25% at Entertainment Earth The Dark Knight swoops in with the Batwing Funko Pop! Ride figure, now 25% off for at Entertainment Earth. Gotham City crooks beware – the Dark Knight descends from the shadows to protect your shelf! The Batman in Batwing Funko Pop! Vinyl Deluxe Ride figure is currently 25% off, letting collectors welcome the Caped Crusader home at unbeatable value. This dynamic 5.3-inch recreation places a stealth-suited Batman in the Batwing jet’s open cockpit. Griping the controls with signature intensity. The vehicle itself sports sleek black contours true to Batman’s intimidating high-tech arsenal. Furthermore, the figure comes with a detachable stand that you can remove anytime you want. Compact enough for any display while packing a bold presence, this Pop! Ride turns imaginative play into a heroic crossover event. Have Batman jet over Central City in support of Flash or raid the Legion of Doom’s headquarters alongside Justice League allies – the scenarios are unlimited. Save over $25 on Batman in Batwing Funko Pop! Expand your vinyl Funko figure roster without blowing your budget, thanks to this timely 25% discount. For just $19.68, Batman and the Batwing can reinforce your shelves as you curate the ultimate DC lineup. But act fast, as the most coveted heroes sell out quickly even when not marked down. Dispatch Gotham’s shadowy protector into action with this sleek vinyl tribute to his signature whelmed ride. The contoured Batwing looks fantastic alongside other DC Funko figures, and deals this good rarely come twice in Batman’s hometown! Pick it up and send a message to evil-doers everywhere at a price that can’t be beaten. If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Batman: Arkham Trilogy on Switch will release with Robert Pattison’s suit following leak Rocksteady StudiosFollowing a bizarre leak last month, Rocksteady has confirmed Batman: Arkham Trilogy’s upcoming Nintendo Switch port will include Robert Pattison’s The Batman suit as a timed exclusive. Rocksteady’s acclaimed Batman: Arkham Trilogy is finally coming to Nintendo Switch on December 1, 2023, and, in addition to the beloved games and all of their DLC, Switch players are getting an additional treat included in the port. Robert Pattison’s suit from 2022’s The Batman will be added to the games as part of the release. This comes a month after The Batsuit leaked via a brief, accidental release on the Epic Games Store. Robert Pattison’s The Batman suit will debut in Arkham Trilogy’s Switch port The news of the suit’s inclusion as part of Batman: Arkham Trilogy’s Switch port came at the end of the game’s launch trailer, which is available on Nintendo’s YouTube channel. The fine print explains that The Batman suit will be available first on Nintendo Switch, with plans to bring it to other platforms “at a later date.” Back on October 26, some players on the Epic Games Store spotted Pattison’s suit had been added to the game. However, this was pretty quickly removed with no explanation. This latest trailer confirms what many suspected to be the case, with the suit’s release being tied to the Switch port. Batman: Arkham Trilogy’s Switch port is releasing just a couple of months ahead of the next game in Rocksteady’s franchise, as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is scheduled to release on February 2, 2024. Set years after the trilogy, the game follows supervillains/anti-heroes Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and King Shark as they take on brainwashed Justice League members. This includes Batman, with Arkham Trilogy actor Kevin Conroy posthumously reprising his role as the Caped Crusader. For more on the upcoming Suicide Squad game and all things Batman, be sure to check out the rest of Dexerto’s coverage.

Where to find and destroy Barrier Stones in Ghostwire Tokyo: Blindess quest Tango GameworksThe Blindness quest in Ghostwire Tokyo requires players to find and destroy four Barrier Stones before time runs out, so we’ve got their locations to make completing it a lot easier. Most quests in Ghostwire Tokyo are relatively straightforward, with a focus on defeating Visitors and heading to marked locations, but there are some quests that require you to solve puzzles that can be a little bit difficult. One of these takes place during the Blindness quest in Chapter 3 of Ghostwire Tokyo. After failing to cleanse a torii gate, players will need to find and destroy four Barrier Stones to escape and continue their mission. To make things worse, you’ll be racing against the clock with a 15-minute time limit. While this may seem generous, some of these Barrier Stones are quite hard to find, so we’ve got a location guide to help you out. All Barrier Stone locations in Ghostwire Tokyo: Blindness It might be the case that Barrier Stones spawn in different places for every player in Ghostwire Tokyo, but these are the four locations we found them, which is a good place to start: Barrier Stone 1 location The first Barrier Stone is relatively easy to find, as it’s floating just in front of you. Keep running forwards from where you begin this quest at the torii gate and you should spot it. Barrier Stone 2 location This next Barrier Stone is floating in the air near the south side of the barrier. Look up to the sky and use the Tengu (those are the flying spirit birds) to grapple your way onto the roof, then shoot it down. Barrier Stone 3 location Here’s another Barrier Stone that’s up in the sky. To destroy this one, head to the northwest corner of the barrier and use the fire escape stairs outside a nearby building or glide across from a Tengu. Barrier Stone 4 location The final Barrier Stone is floating in the sky at the east side of the barrier. Follow the road east from the torii gate (watch out for the powerful Visitor!) then look to the sky – you can shoot it from the ground. That’s all four of the Barrier Stone locations in this area. Once you’ve destroyed them all, the barrier will come down and you’ll be able to continue on your next mission in the game. It’s a good idea to use your Spectral Vision when searching for Barrier Stones, as they’ll glow with an orange hue – although you can’t always spot them if they’re too far away. Like we said before, these Barrier Stones may spawn in different locations for each player. If this is the case, use your Spectral Vision to guide you and keep searching the skies. Looking for more Ghostwire Tokyo tips and tricks? Check out our guide to the best skills and abilities, how to unlock the Fallout 4 Vault Suit, and how to pet dogs and cats.

Barcelona star Griezmann dropped as Konami ambassador after racism scandal KonamiBarcelona and France star Antoine Griezmann has been removed as a Yu-Gi-Oh! ambassador by Konami as new footage has emerged of him and teammate Ousmane Dembele mocking Asian workers. France was knocked out early from the 2020 European Championships, coming in as heavy favorites but heading home in the round of 16 to an unexpectedly strong Switzerland side, losing on penalties. That said, the footage appears to come from earlier, with many fans assuming it’s from Barcelona’s pre-season tour of Asia. While both players have released statements apologizing for the incident, Konami have put out their own statement, confirming they’ve dropped Griezmann and requesting an explanation from Barcelona. Dembélé: “”All these ugly faces just [for us] to play PES, aren’t you [Griezmann] ashamed.”” Dembélé:””Oh fuck, what a language”” Dembélé:””You’re [supposed] to be developed as a country, aren’t you?””— +Barça (@plusbarca_) July 3, 2021 “Konami Digital Entertainment believes, as is the philosophy of sports, that discrimination of any kind is unacceptable,” Konami explained to open their statement. “Previously we had announced Antoine Griezmann as our Yu-Gi-Oh! contents ambassador, however in light of recent events we have decided to cancel the contract.” The Japanese publisher is also partnered with Barcelona in eFootball PES, similar to the likes of Italian side Juventus. On that, Konami confirmed that they “will be requesting FC Barcelona as a club partner to explain the details of this case and its future actions.” Barcelona have not yet made a public statement in response, but with the vast financial difficulties they’re facing, they won’t want to be losing friends and partners. Griezmann first became a Yu-Gi-Oh! ambassador back in June 2021, so the partnership didn’t last long at all, barely scratching the two-week mark. Similarly, fellow footballer Mesut Ozil was removed from Chinese versions of PES after he took a stance regarding Uighur Muslims reportedly being kept in prison camps in Xinjiang.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden voice cast – All characters and actors Focus EntertainmentBanishers: Ghosts of New Eden features a range of exciting characters to tell its creepy story. Here’s the full Banishers voice cast. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is an upcoming survival horror game that’s one of our most anticipated titles for February 2024. The game is reminiscent of Project Zero, and The Dark Pictures Anthology, as it borrows from other ghostly third-person and narrative-driven adventures. However, it also features some griping shooting sections and allows the player to use their own spooky powers against the supernatural forces. The game puts players in the shoes of two ghost hunters who arrive in the village of New Eden to investigate and solve the ghastly goings-on. However, they are both joined by a variety of other characters – some among the living and the dead. Below, you can find the full cast of characters in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden as well as the voice actors playing them. Banishers: Full voice cast Here’s the full voice cast of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden: Amaka Okafor – Antea Duarte Russ Bain – Red Mac Raith(voice) Ildiko Preszly – Deborah, Woman in White, Nightmare Jennifer McKinnon Magee – Jane ‘Wapun’ Eric Geynes – Various characters There could be many more characters and voice actors we’re unaware of so far. But we may need to wait until release day to learn more. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden releases on February 13, 2024. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden voice cast | Is Banishers coming to Steam Deck? | Is Banishers coming to Nintendo Switch? | Is Banishers coming to Xbox Game Pass? | Banishers: Recommended PC specs

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden – PC requirements & recommended specs Focus EntertainmentBanishers: Ghosts of New Eden is coming to PC as well as PS5 and Xbox, here are the recommended specs for the ghostly game. Like Project Zero, and The Dark Pictures Anthology, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a survival horror game that marries ghost hunting with choice-driven adventure mechanics. It’s also one of our most anticipated titles for February 2024 and looks set to please horror fans everywhere. The game puts players in the shoes of two ghost hunters who arrive in the village of New Eden to investigate and solve the ghastly goings-on which is sure to creep some players out. If you’re playing the game on PC though, you’ll need to know if your rig can run it. Here are the PC requirements and recommended specs for Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. Banishers: Recommended requirements To run Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden on PC, you’ll need to be running the following for optimal performance: Processor: Intel Core i7-3930K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 – Memory: 16 GB RAM – Graphics: GeForce / GeForce GTX 970 or GTX 1060 / Radeon R9 390 – Storage: 20+ GB available space – However, to truly run Banishers at high performance we’d recommend the following setup: Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600x / Intel i5 11600k – Memory: 16 GB Ram – Graphics: AMD RX 5700 XT / Nvidia RTX 2070 – Storage: 20+ GB SSD available space – This will allow you to run Banishers in over 1440p or even 4K without noticing a dip in quality or performance. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden voice cast | Is Banishers coming to Steam Deck? | Is Banishers coming to Nintendo Switch? | Is Banishers coming to Xbox Game Pass? | Banishers: Recommended PC specs

Banana game takes over Steam as people pay thousands for digital bananas SteamSteam is being overrun by a Cookie Clicker-type game centering around a Banana. This game has players buy and sell digital items for thousands of dollars despite doing nothing but farming digital items. The objective behind Banana is fairly monotonous. The whole premise is to leave the game in the background on your computer to see what special banana you may be able to obtain. Those familiar with Counter-Strike’s skin market will understand how much people are willing to pay for exclusive items, and Banana is no different. Multiple banana types are seen in the game, most of which are based on memes like the Sad Hamster from TikTok. You would expect others to have different rarities, like golden or shiny. Despite the game’s primarily mundane premise, the attraction of potentially getting one of the rare bananas draws players in. Banana is currently one of the most-played games on Steam, with over 800,000 concurrent players and dozens of rare bananas on the market. The prices of these bananas range based on rarity, similar to how CSGO skins are bought and sold from loot crates. Some of the most expensive bananas sell for upwards of $1,000, with others ranging from $100 to $900. But what value do these bananas serve? Realistically, there are none, aside from being able to say that you’re the proud owner of a $1000 banana that may only have one or two others like it. The mixture of the aspect of NFTs and gambling sparked a conversation within the Steam community, which resulted in some members wanting to ban the category of these AFK games altogether. Banana is not the only game that uses the concept of selling rare items gained by leaving the game in the background. There are three other versions, or spinoffs, of the original Banana game, one featuring a cucumber and banana, an egg, and a bunch of cats. At the time of writing, Cats has jumped from around 3,000 concurrent players to over 40,000 in less than 24 hours, with some of the items in that game selling for hundreds of dollars as well. This trend isn’t going anywhere any time soon. “If people didn’t buy cosmetic bananas, then this wouldn’t be a problem. Feels like NFTs all over again,” said one commenter. But there is no simple solution for getting rid of these games, as, as one person outlined, there is a lot of money to be gained from the situation from a business standpoint. “The real winners are the developers and Valve. Valve takes a percentage of each transaction. If people are so moronic that they buy virtual bananas for hundreds of dollars, then God help them,” said another. Despite their nature, these games remain one of the most popular on the platform. However, the gambling aspect could bring more criticism and an eventual takedown, as the post suggests.

Banana game creators insist it isn’t a “scam” as ex dev embroiled in pump & dump drama BananaThe Banana game creators are insisting their project isn’t a “scam” after an ex-dev was embroiled in allegations of a pump and dump scheme. Over the past few weeks, a game called Banana has overtaken Steam in a way we have never seen before. As of writing, it has managed to hit 800,000 concurrent players on Steam and has overtaken Baldur’s Gate 3 and Hogwarts Legacy on the platform’s most-played games list. Through its rise, many questioned if the dead simple release should even be allowed on Steam, as one of the main reasons players have been checking it out is to earn in-game items they can sell for real money on the marketplace. Amid discussions around the project, its devs took to Discord to set the matter straight, insisting Banana isn’t a “scam.” Such accusations largely surfaced after issues regarding an ex-dev were brought to light, issues involving an alleged pump and dump scheme. In a video by TDMHeyzeus, the content creator accused one of Banana’s devs, TheseLions, of making money on Steam by creating a game that dropped an item, gifting said unit to friends, pumping it on the marketplace, and making a profit. The game, titled Run, was eventually taken off Steam, with Valve banning its creator. However, TheseLions wasn’t banned but does have a VAC ban on their account. After the video caught fire, one of the creators of Banana made a statement about the former developer and their involvement in the alleged scheme. “We did not know about this until recent videos started to point this out and we had a talk almost immediately,” said co-creator Spartan. As a result of the discussions, they parted ways with TheseLions. Spartan outlined that the game is run by him and fellow creator Sky, stating that “there is no scamming/scam going on” as well as adding that TheseLions has had all their bananas removed from their inventory and is not part of the team anymore. “We are working on an update and cannot wait to turn this game into something bigger and better than just a clicker game,” Spartan added.

Baldur’s Gate & Dragon Age vet releases hellish new D&D adventure for charity Wizards of the Coast / Arcanum WorldsThe newly released Chains of Asmodeus for D&D Fifth Edition offers new monsters and a high-level adventure through the Nine Hells written in part by a former BioWare designer. Dungeons & Dragons‘ latest book for Fifth Edition brings players to the Nine Hells for an adventure where they’ll encounter Archdevils and Asmodeus himself. Released on DMsGuild by Wizards of the Coast, Arcanum Worlds’ Chains of Asmodeus is a sourcebook and adventure that provides plenty of content for high-level players, including a stat block for Asmodeus, Lord of the Nine. The book, written by former BioWare designer James Ohlen and Hugo-winning British author Adrian Tchaikovsky, also supports the charity Extra Life. D&D 5e’s Chains of Asmodeus is a high-level adventure through the Nine Hells A Nine Hells adventure like this is certainly an exciting prospect for D&D players. For one, Ohlen has a long history of writing for RPGs and D&D. He spent 22 years at BioWare, serving as Lead Designer or Creative Director on games like the first two Baldur’s Gate titles, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age: Origins. Chains of Asmodeus also introduces a stat block for over 50 high-level monsters including the Lord of the Nine Hells himself and the other major Archdevils. These will come in handy for the book’s adventure, written for players level 11-20. Given that a major criticism of D&D 5e is the lack of high-level content, Chains of Asmodeus looks to scratch that itch for more challenging content. The book also supports a good cause. All proceeds from Chains of Asmodeus go to Extra Life, a program from the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals that raises money for life-saving treatments, health care services, research, and much more. Chains of Asmodeus is available to purchase as a PDF, with plans for a print version coming soon. If you enjoyed this, check out the rest of our Dungeons & Dragons coverage.

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 Remastered review: Aging dungeon crawler returns at the right time Black Isle StudiosThe Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 remaster is here, but how does it hold up against the more modern dungeon-diving RPGs? Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 is a game we remember fondly. It, along with the first Dark Alliance game, were spin-offs from the main Baldur’s Gate series and focused more on hack and slash gameplay over the traditional turn-based style of the main series. While both games were received well by fans and critics, they always felt a lot like Diablo clones. This wasn’t a bad thing, as dungeon divers were crying out for more games of this type, but it meant that both Dark Alliance titles lived in the shadow of the Diablo series. Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance 2 remaster key details Price: £24.99/$29.99 – Developer: Black Isle Studios – Release Date: July 20, 2022 – Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC – Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance 2 remaster trailer The right game at the right time With both of the originals launching on PS2 and the original Xbox, it’d be fair to say a remaster is justified, but how does it fare? Like its predecessor, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 is part of the Dungeons and Dragons family and is set in the titular city, sometime after the first Dark Alliance game. Baldur’s Gate is still reeling from the events of that title and you play as a new adventurer, who originally showed up to fight the previous big bad, only to be pulled into a new quest against another enemy. The premise is pretty basic and D&D lore has moved on significantly since 2004, but it’s nice to see classic characters like Drizzt and Ysuran again. Like most fantasy RPGs you get to choose your character class at the start of the game, and can unlock more by beating certain game modes to add some replayability. Hack and miss Most classes are your typical hack and slash character templates, so you can choose to play the game as warriors, rogues, wizards, and even a necromancer. The story also slightly alters depending on which class you pick, but so does the gameplay – and significantly. We don’t just mean in terms of playstyle either, some classes just function better than others. This is because Dark Alliance 2 still feels like a PS2 game in many ways, most notably with the combat. It’s just as clunky as ever on console and fails to feel as precise as games like Diablo 3 or even Diablo 2 Resurrected. PC players may have an easier time, as the mouse will highlight exactly which enemy you strike. The game would have benefited from some form of lock-on system to save your character slashing at the air more than at the game’s monsters, but it doesn’t totally ruin the experience. It does, however, remind players of the game’s age and could put some off. This sort of flimsiness simply doesn’t fly in 2022 as gamers are used to a much tighter experience. Some classes suffer from this more than others and it may not bother everyone, but in our playthrough, we primarily focused on magic users to avoid the janky hack and slash combat. Getting the best out of Dark Alliance 2 Playing as the Necromancer was rewarding, but don’t expect a character that can summon a horde of minions. You can only summon one skeleton or shadow warrior at a time, although they are effective allies, and blasting enemies with spells from the sidelines while our undead minion focused their aggro was superb fun, as was playing as other characters that engaged in primarily ranged combat. The couch co-op returns from the original Dark Alliance 2, but it’s a shame the developers didn’t add any online play. This is a title that would really benefit from online multiplayer, but it comes from a time before this was commonplace. Still, it’s a wasted opportunity, but perhaps the implementation of such a significant mechanic was unrealistic. However, we are happy to report that the cheats return, if you’re into that sort of thing. If you remember how to access the cheat codes from the PS2 version of the game, try the same combination of buttons on the equivalent controller. Of course, we’d recommend beating the game legitimately first, but if you wanted to hop into the extreme difficulty with a fully leveled character from the start to take on the game’s bosses, then the option is there. The right game at the right time… again? The remaster does a good job of touching up the more jagged edges of Dark Alliance 2, but don’t expect miracles, it’s the same game you remember and looks a lot like the first game’s remaster. However, like the first time Dark Alliance 2 came out, the remaster hits our shelves at an interesting time. The game has arrived in between Diablo 3 and 4, as well as after the hype surrounding Diablo 2 Resurrected has subsided. It also comes at a time when Blizzard’s long-running series has hit a stumbling block with Diablo Immortal and could serve as a soothing balm for fans looking for an alternative – and one without microtransactions for that matter. Those looking for more dungeon diving action may find Dark Alliance 2 to be a fun distraction and a nice companion to other games in the genre. Some of the dungeons outstay their welcome but Dark Alliance 2 is a great game to play in short bursts, so feels right at home on Nintendo’s hybrid system. We imagine the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S version looks much prettier in 4K, but there’s only really so much polish you can give a game from nearly twenty years ago. Verdict 6.5/10 The good news is that today, dungeon-crawling games like this are more popular than ever, so Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance 2 could be exactly what you’re looking for. The genre has boomed and this makes an older game feel fresh again, especially to those who didn’t play it the first time around, if you can forgive its imperfections – and some players won’t be able to. Don’t expect it to compare with the likes of Diablo 3 or Path of Exile, but fans of the genre will be well served by Dark Alliance 2. Reviewed on Nintendo Switch For more of the latest releases, be sure to check out some of our other reviews: Diablo Immortal | V Rising Early Access | Card Shark | Sniper Elite 5 | Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course | Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes review | The Sims 4 Werewolves Game Pack review | Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak review | As Dusk Falls

Baldur’s Gate 3’s strongest cantrip can only be used once Larian StudiosIn both Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur’s Gate 3 cantrips are known for being relatively weak spells that players can use as often as they want, making them incredibly valuable for spellcasting characters. However, Baldur’s Gate 3 players have noticed one cantrip that breaks all of these rules. As a screenshot shared to the BaldursGate3 subreddit shows, Gale’s Netherese Orb Blast is classified as a cantrip, leading the poster to joke, “This is a cantrip so I can use it as much as I want, right?” Of course, this isn’t really a cantrip like Eldritch Blast or Mage Hand. The Blast is an action exclusive to Gale, whose storyline revolves around his history with the goddess Mystra and the Netherese Orb lodged in his chest. Once you unlock the ability to use the Orb in Act 2, you can detonate it whenever you want, though doing so obviously kills Gale and anyone else nearby. This means most players either don’t use it or save it for the final battle, sometimes to ensure an Honor Mode victory. This clearly sets it apart from actual cantrips, whose usefulness largely stems from being able to cast them over and over. Presumably, Netherese Orb Blast being classified as a cantrip is a failsafe to ensure players can detonate their Gale even if he has no remaining spell slots or has been respec’d into a non-magic class. Still, that hasn’t stopped Baldur’s Gate 3 players from joking about the Blast being a cantrip that, as one player said, you can cast “as much as you want for the rest of your life.” “Jumping from a plane without a parachute is also a cantrip,” said another. Other commenters joked that you can cast the “cantrip” as much as you want, though you’ll need to start a new game or reload an old save.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s cast is back in action for a can’t-miss D&D session Wizards of the Coast/Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 does an awesome job of converting the tabletop RPG into a video game. Now the reverse is set to happen with the core cast reprising their roles in a High Rollers D&D one-shot. Baldur’s Gate 3 has exploded in popularity becoming one of the biggest video game launches of 2023. Its faithful recreation of fifth edition D&D has made it the perfect introduction to the tabletop RPG. Since its release, fans of the series have been crying out for some sort of D&D crossover with Baldur’s Gate 3’s cast of voice actors. Well, these prayers have been answered, and that crossover is finally coming. The folks at High Rollers D&D have announced their plans and are set to go. On September 22 at 11 AM PDT (7 PM BST), Dungeon Master Mark Hulmes will take the Baldur’s Gate 3 cast on their very own D&D adventure. While they’ll be missing the legendary Matt Mercer of Critical Role fame, the core cast of Baldur’s Gate 3’s colorful companions are set to roleplay their in-game counterparts. The adventure will feature Neil Newbon as Astarion, Devora Wilde as Lae’zel, Samantha Béart as Karlach, Tim Downie as Gale, Theo Solomon as Wyll, and Jennifer English as Shadowheart. It looks like the session may have already been filmed based on the teaser that Larian Studios shared via Twitter. The cast introduced themselves in meme-laden fashion proving how much they keep an eye on the game’s community. Jennifer English referring to Shadowheart as “God’s favorite princess” was just one of many inside jokes flung around. With a cast this creative, the adventure is set to be a hilarious one. Some of Baldur’s Gate 3’s cast members have already been putting the work (or play) in with their own playthroughs of the game. While unique shenanigans like Niel Newbon being murdered by his own character aren’t likely to occur on the tabletop, there’s still room for the game’s trademarked randomness. Hopefully, this is enough to whet your appetites until the session goes live in what’s sure to be a whimsical adventure.

Baldur’s Gate 3 will have a permanent impact on D&D – but is it for the best? Wizards of The Coast / Larian StuidosWhile Baldur’s Gate 3 may have dramatically impacted the video game world, its footprint can be found all over Dungeons & Dragons, with players and DMs alike witnessing an intense and permanent shift – but is it for the best? Throughout the past few years, Dungeons & Dragons has been part of an unprecedented rise in popularity. Thanks to the easy-to-access nature of its 5th edition, the success of the D&D movie, and its many new books, the TTRPG has seen a fantastic rise in new players and DMs. However, you can’t examine the rise of D&D without touching on perhaps its biggest contributing factor, Baldur’s Gate 3. The expansive RPG has dominated both the gaming and TTRPG world, bringing a slice of Faerun to millions of eager adventures. Although, at the same time, we’ve seen a shift in Dungeons & Dragons, with players and DMs reporting major alterations to the game many know and love – for better, and for worse. Warning, spoilers for the end of Baldur’s Gate 3 below. Baldur’s Gate 3 has enhanced many aspects of D&D At its core, Dungeons & Dragons is a community game, it’s meant to be enjoyed with friends, and the rules inside its handbook are supposed to be bent, or even broken when the time feels right. In contrast, a video game has to have limitations. Its virtual DM leaves no space for rule-bending or ‘rule of cool’ and instead encourages players to use the limitations, and some well-placed barrels to their advantage. Naturally, due to this, the playstyle is exponentially different in BG3, meaning the players or DMs coming from the game into the TTRPG will both be a part of and witness a grand shift in how the game is experienced. Inspiration and lessons for the masses One of the key changes many have begun to see is from the inspiration. Baldur’s Gate 3 has provided many DMs the chance to place a prebuilt world into their games and has allowed players the chance to have essential knowledge on those locations, allowing for a much more engrossing storyline. After all, Baldur’s Gate isn’t the location of a video game, but rather a well-known city that cemented its place in Dungeons & Dragons long before the game series was even invented. If the story lent itself to the fact, there’s now a possibility to simply lead on from the events of Baldur’s Gate 3. Perhaps the players are the characters they built in the game, or perhaps their victims of the mindflayer attacks, where loved ones succumbed to the tadpoles? Alternatively, the introduction of the companions allows for a recognizable NPC addition, even if players make some of the villains and others helpful aids. The success of Baldur’s Gate 3 has introduced a wonderful new layer to the TTRPG and has taught both DMs and players new ways to battle, explore, and tell a story. After all, even now DMs are reporting seeing their players argue with ‘Well we could do this in Baldur’s Gate 3, so can I do it here?’ While also choosing the Shove action, new spells, and roleplay options as inspired by the game. Unique combat The Shove action is a prime example of how Baldur’s Gate 3 has enhanced Dungeons & Dragons, particularly in combat. The intense action economy and layout of BG3 feels much more accessible than the character sheet of D&D and have allowed players the opportunity to look at their characters’ abilities in a different light. Therefore creating a more comprehensive understanding of battles, spells, and attacks and introducing room for tactics, flavor, and tougher battles. For example, with a complete understanding of the combat economy, players can navigate battles with more twists. Take the Sarevok battle in Baldur’s Gate 3, not attacking his sidekicks is imperative, and introducing something like that into D&D allows for a brand new way to fight. This implementation and addition of other features happening during combat have become familiar thanks to Baldur’s Gate 3, allowing for a brand new way to create unique combat for both players and DMs to enjoy. D&D faces an identity crisis in 2024 However, the argument can also be made for a negative change coming to Dungeons & Dragons at the fault of Baldur’s Gate 3. After all, D&D has had decades to perfect its craft and has therefore created a massive following with certain expectations going into a session. Whereas Baldur’s Gate 3 has now come into the scene and brought with it a wave of new players, expectations, and new practices. As such, we find ourselves yet again in a period of great and rapid change. Those expectations are being risen to another level, and new styles are being implemented, bringing in unforeseen challenges. Especially for a game that’s decades old and hasn’t ever met this kind of development. Reaching impossible expectations Many D&D fans will be more than aware of an issue called the ‘Matt Mercer effect.’ The effect explores the success of Critical Role and acknowledges the impact the stories created and told by Mercer have on the D&D space. Often, fans will watch the show and look for their own D&D games, expecting all the other players and the DM to be seasoned voice actors with their hearts, souls, and plenty of time in the campaign at hand. Naturally, D&D is a lot more casual than this and for many, it’s a way to connect with friends and tell a collaborative story, rather than bringing a story to millions. In a way, Dungeons & Dragons is having its own ‘Mercer effect’ with fans now jumping into the TTRPG with the expectations of an RPG that took years to create. As such, many can feel the pressure of these new players and often find it rather frustrating to see new fans coming in and attempting to replicate that design and way of playing, and ultimately feeling disappointed when it fails to match up to those practically impossible expectations. A problematic style of gameplay Bouncing off the impossible expectations of mirroring an RPG to a TTRPG are the combat and battle techniques. As previously mentioned, one of the best things to come out of BG3 is its action economy and how it’s taught many players new ways to approach a battle. However, attempting to mirror the same combat introduces a rather problematic style of gameplay, with many arguments between players and DMs already occurring. The frustration extends past the game, and invites a different kind of gameplay, where players are often seen arguing ‘Well, I could do that in Baldur’s Gate’. Essentially, in D&D there’s an unspoken rule that the DM’s word is final, and issues are brought up after the game if they’re not extremely urgent, and on that, D&D isn’t a video game, so there will always be issues. However, with a direct transition from the game to the table, the etiquette and unspoken rules haven’t revealed themselves, meaning you have the issue of skilled players with high expectations but no experience in the game itself. Conclusion Ultimately, whether it’s for the best or the worst, it’s hard to deny that Baldur’s Gate 3 has changed Dungeons & Dragons forever. New players are flocking and the TTRPG has seen yet another wave of unprecedented success, proving this experience is far from dying. Despite the discourse and the arguments between new players and veteran fans, one thing is worth remembering. Dungeons & Dragons is, at its core, a versatile game, and that’s what makes it great. The most important element of D&D is its community and sense of collaboration. Whether you’re inspired by Baldur’s Gate 3, Stranger Things, the D&D movie, or something else entirely, as long as you and the rest of the table have fun then it’s a game well played. Ultimately, D&D is mainstream now, and will therefore be subjected to larger influences, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that when the right expectations and conversations are had before sitting down to play.

Baldur’s gate 3 voice actors for all characters Larian StudiosThe voice acting in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a highlight, with a roster of skilled actors behind its characters. Discover who’s voicing the main characters in the game. Baldur’s Gate 3, the long-awaited RPG, offers players a wealth of content, from intricate combat to a range of classes and subclasses, all brought to life by its compelling characters and their voice actors. Along your journey, you’ll come across a lot of interesting folks, and the main cast members are brought to life by a star-studded lineup of voice actors who you’ll likely recognize. So if you’re wondering exactly who voices your favorite character in the game, here are all the main voice actors in Baldur’s Gate 3. The Baldur’s Gate 3 main cast The following actors make up the star-studded cast of Baldur’s Gate 3: Narrator: Amelia Tyler – Astorian: Neil Newbon – Shadowheart: Jennifer English – Wyll: Lanre Malaolu – Gale: Tim Downie – Lae’zel: Devora Wilde – Minsc: Matthew Mercer – Karlach: Shala Nyx – General Ketheric Thorm: J.K. Simmons – Where you’ve heard the Baldur’s Gate voice actors before Amelia Tyler Amelia Tyler has had her hand in the Dungeons and Dragons scene for years, voicing Wendaug in Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, Kingmaker, and Bard’s Tale IV. On top of that, players may recognize her voice in We Happy Few, Battlefield V, Sea of Thieves (in which she voiced The Siren Queen), and Amnesia: Rebirth. Tyler is no stranger to the world of gaming or voice acting. Neil Newbon Fans of We Happy Few will be delighted to find out two of its major voice actors are starring in Baldurs Gate 3. Neil Newbon is known for voicing Nick Lightbearer. On top of that, he also stars as both Elijah and Gavin in Detroit Become Human, and Karl Heisenberg in the recent Resident Evil Village. Jennifer English The star-studded cast continues through the experiences Jennifer English. Some Soulslike gamers may recognize her as the voice of Latenna in Elden Ring, or other gamers will see her as Leya in Divinity: Original Sin II. Lanre Malaolu Lanre Malaolu is best known for his work on screen rather than as a voice actor, appearing in Casualty, Doctors, Hollyoaks, and Holby City. However, he has recently opened up to the world of voice acting through both Baldur’s Gate 3 and Last Stop. Tim Downie Similar to Malaolu, Tim Downie is best known on-screen rather than in games. He appears in shows like Good Omens, Dodger, Outlander, and Paddington. It seems Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of his first dips into the voice-acting world. Devore Wilde Decore Wilde is another actor known for her time in Hollyoaks, but she’s got her hand in some rather popular video games. Some may know her from her part in Battlefield 2042, or Total War: Warhammer 3. Matthew Mercer It’s entirely likely that most gamers and anime fans have heard Matt Mercer’s voice somewhere. Whether it’s as the Dungeon Master for the hit DnD show Critical Role, Cole Cassidy in Overwatch, MacCready in Fallout 4, or Levi Ackerman in Attack on Titan. Mercer is a giant in the voice acting world and has played his part in an overwhelming amount of roles. Shala Nyx Shala Nyx is best known for her voice in Expeditions: Rome and has appeared in a plethora of Television shows as well as taking to the stage occasionally. While she may not have voiced many video games as of yet, this role could be that step forward. J.K. Simmons Known mostly for his major part in Whiplash, or as J. Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man series, J.K. Simmons is an A-list actor filled with experience and recognizable roles. He will be playing the currently unseen antagonist of Baldur’s Gate 3. From more content on the game, check out our guides below: Best Sorcerer build | Best Bard build | Best Rogue build | Best Fighter build | Best Ranger build | Best Barbarian build | Best Druid build | Best Warlock build | Best Wizard build | Baldur’s Gate 3: What’s the max level cap? | Best Baldur’s Gate 3 classes tier list | How to revive characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 | Can you multiclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 | Baldur’s Gate 3 Soul Coins: How to get them & what they are | Baldur’s Gate 3: Fastest ways to get XP & level up | Baldur’s Gate 3: How to respec your character | Baldur’s Gate 3 Karmic Dice: What are they?

Baldur’s Gate 3 release date, PS5 launch and gameplay revealed in new trailer Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 had a new trailer premiere during Sony’s State of Play event, the trailer revealing the release date of the game, as well as sharing some more information about its PlayStation 5 launch. The latest CRPG from Belgian developer Larian Studios has released new information regarding the game’s launch date. In a recent trailer released for Sony’s State of Play event, we received a new look into gameplay, character customization, locations and the newest antagonist to the series. Baldur’s Gate 3 release date & more confirmed The trailer revealed that the game will be released on August 31, 2023. We also received confirmation that the game would launch on PS5 the exact same day it launches on PC. There has yet to be an announcement for the Xbox release as of yet, however it’s unlikely the title will be exclusive to PlayStation. Baldur’s Gate also highlighted several features useful for console players with the PlayStation trailer. The trailer revealed that split-screen co-op is available for the game, allowing for couch co-op/ local multiplayer for up to two players. PlayStation users can also play online with up to 3 other players, similar to PC. Alongside this, the trailer revealed controller support will be available for all users, as the early access on Steam does not yet have it. The game will contain full controller support upon launch, and the trailer has given a brief insight into what that might look like come August 2023. The trailer also offering up a first look at one of the antagonists for the story, showcasing General Ketheric Thorm as a necromancer threatening the city of Baldur’s Gate. The character will be voiced by American actor J.K Simmons, who has had extensive experience with roles in Whiplash and Spiderman. Baldur’s Gate Game Editions We also received more information about the various editions of the game that are being released. With a Deluxe and Collector’s edition available. Both of these editions will be priced separately from the base game but will offer players various goodies depending on the edition they purchased. The Deluxe edition will grant players various in-game loot, such as a new dice skin and items inspired by their previous title Divinity 2. All players who have purchased early access to the game on Steam will also have their game upgraded to the Deluxe edition upon the game’s release. The Collector’s Edition will contain physical goodies such as art books and maps, whilst also receiving all items in the Deluxe edition.

Baldur’s Gate 3 proficiency explained Larian StudiosFor those new to Dungeons and Dragons, the proficiency system in Baldur’s Gate 3 might seem daunting. Let us simplify it for you, explaining how proficiency impacts your gameplay. Baldur’s Gate 3 extends a vast playground for players, teeming with opportunities for character creation and companion recruitment. A core feature of the game that mixes things up is proficiency, which is a stat you’ll need to keep an eye on as you’re exploring the world and battling monsters. It’s particularly beneficial in combat situations so having a good understanding of it is extremely important. If you want to brush up on exactly what proficiency is in Baldur’s Gate 3, we’ve got you covered. How proficiency works in Baldur’s Gate 3 Proficiency is a bonus that can increase the number added to the dice roll when a character rolls the skill that your BG3 character specializes in. As an example, if a player is proficient at Stealth then any proficiency bonus that the player has in accordance with their level will automatically increase the player’s Stealth roll numbers. Meaning, if the character is proficient in stealth, then their original +2 stat will also factor in their player level – giving a greater proficiency bonus. For example, if they’re level 7, this will add a +3 bonus to their roll, giving the player a +5 stat for stealth. How to increase proficiency in Baldur’s Gate 3 If you want to increase their proficiency in Baldur’s Gate 3, they simply need to level up. Progressing through the game, completing missions, and completing any activities that earn XP will contribute toward the player’s next level. Be warned though, proficiencies can be tied to certain classes, so make sure you know which areas you want to specialize in as you start your adventure. To help you out even further, here’s a more detailed look at proficiency bonuses and what levels you need to reach to increase them: Player Level 1-4: +2 proficiency – Player Level 5-8: +3 proficiency – Player Level 9-12: +4 proficiency – Player Level 13-16: +5 proficiency – Player Level 17-20: +6 proficiency – Now you know how proficiency works in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can check out how Illithid powers work which is a hidden skill tree in Baldur’s Gate 3.You can also take a look at the Baldur’s Gate 3 companion tier list to see who the best companions are.

Baldur’s Gate 3 pre-release bonuses & edition differences Larian StudiosThere are various editions of Baldur’s Gate 3 for players to pick up. It can be a difficult choice, but just like all the classes in the game, picking one will stand you in good stead. Dungeons & Dragons players far and wide come together en masse. Baldur’s Gate 3 is here, and Larian Studios have marked the occasion by allowing players to purchase a handful of cool editions of the new RPG game. As with many AAA releases, BG3 makes it so that every type of fan is catered for. If you’re a newbie who just wants the copy on its own then that’s fine. If you’re a die-hard BG fan who craves the most boisterous and memorabilia-filled package then sure! Every type of need is catered for, so let’s give you a full rundown of the Baldur’s Gate 3 editions, including all the pre-order bonuses. Contents Baldur’s Gate 3 pre-release bonuses If you pre-order Baldur’s Gate 3 before it releases, then you’ll be allowed to experience the early-access version of the game, which comes with plenty of classes, races, and stories to experience. On top of this, all those who have the early-access version of Baldur’s Gate 3 will be upgraded to the Digital Deluxe Edition for free. Baldur’s Gate 3 Digital Deluxe Edition rewards If you grab the Digital Deluxe Edition of Baldur’s Gate 3, whether that’s by grabbing the early-access version or purchasing it directly, you’ll be entitled to these in-game rewards: Digital copy of Baldur’s Gate 3 – 72-hours early access to act one – PC or PS5 Dice Skin (One unique dice exclusive to each platform) – Divinity Bard Song Pack – Paintings from Rivellon – Adventurer’s Pouch (supplies to help players on their journeys) – Digital Artbook – Original Soundtrack – Digital Character Sheets – Mask of the Shapeshifter (allowed change race and appearance at any time) – Cape of the Red Prince – Lute of the Merryweather Bard – Needle of the Outlaw Rogue – Bicorne of the Sea Beast – Baldur’s Gate 3 Collector’s Edition rewards If you prefer to grab something physical for the game, then the Collector’s Edition is for you. It comes with a variety of exciting content perfect for any MTG fan or D&D player: Digital copy of Baldur’s Gate 3 – Digital Content: PC or PS5 Dice Skin (One unique dice exclusive to each platform) – Divinity Bard Song Pack – Mask of the Shapeshifter – Cape of the Red Prince – Lute of the Merryweather Bard – Needle of the Outlaw Rogue – Bicorne of the Sea Beast – Paintings from Rivellon – Adventurer’s Pouch – Digital Artbook – Original Soundtrack, Artbook, and Character Sheets – – 160-page Hardcover Art Book (220 x 282 mm) – Cloth Map of Faerûn – Baldur’s Gate 3 sticker sheet (32 stickers) – Tadpole Keyring – Battle Diorama of Mind Flayer vs Drow Drizzt (25cm height figure) – Magic: The Gathering Battle of Baldur’s Gate Booster Pack – Oversized Engraved Metal D20 – Collector’s Edition Box – Official Certificate of Authenticity – So, there you have it, those are all the different editions and bonuses you can get for Baldur’s Gate 3. While choosing which one you want to pick, take a look at some of our other handy Baldur’s Gate 3 guides and content: Does Baldur’s Gate 3 have crossplay & cross-platform progression? | Can you play Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam Deck? | Baldur’s Gate 3 voice actors for all characters | Baldur’s Gate 3 pre-release bonuses & edition differences | Is Baldur’s Gate 3 coming to Xbox? | Is Baldur’s Gate 3 single-player? | Baldur’s Gate 3: All playable races & their abilities | Baldur’s Gate 3 Mind Flayers explained: Who are the Illithids? | Baldur’s Gate 3 proficiency explained If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players want character creation change for one big reason Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 players want a key change made to character creation so that their version of Tav better reflects their choices. Baldur’s Gate 3 players must walk a tightrope when selecting gear, as there is a delicate balance between equipment that’s effective and looks cool in cutscenes. This is because Baldur’s Gate 3 badly needs a transmog system to give players the best of both worlds. It doesn’t help that Baldur’s Gate 3 backloads all the cool-looking gear, with the best items saved for Act III. The players in Act I have to pick function over form, leading to some less-than-appealing fashion choices while dungeon crawling. Worst of all, a player only has limited clothing options during character creation. This is surprising, considering Baldur’s Gate 3’s staggering number of races, classes, and aesthetic choices, yet the custom character is stuck with the clothing of their starting class. Baldur’s Gate 3 players want Background clothing choice One key aspect of character creation that’s often ignored is Background, which explains what the protagonist did before the story’s events. A user on the Baldur’s Gate 3 Reddit named Shellywo has argued that Background choice should be reflected in starting gear. “I would love it if they had different sets of clothing for different backgrounds and not all of them had to be unique either,” said the commenter. “Some of the backgrounds could definitely wear the same thing.” “That sounds like a great idea. I’ve only played an elf bard (entertainer background) so far cause it’s the same oc, and I think the clothes fit the kind of character just by those three traits,” another user replied. “But for a barbarian elf with a urchin background… that’s one out of three that fits the clothes.” A character’s Background determining their starting clothes is something that exists in D&D 5E. Some Backgrounds just give common clothes, while others, like the Noble, provide fine clothing to reflect the character’s status before they become an adventurer. Baldur’s Gate 3 players want more options for the clothing they wear in camp, as there aren’t many choices in Act I. Many important character moments happen when the party is chatting in the evening, so it’s understandable why players would want to look their best during these moments. The desire for camp QoL features in Baldur’s Gate 3 might seem like a low priority, but character creation choices are important. Baldur’s Gate 3 players want their Tav’s exterior to match the choices they made, and clothing is a big part of that, especially early on in the game when they can’t run to a shop and buy some.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players stunned by immersive class-specific dialogue option Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 players were left stunned by an incredibly immersive class-specific dialogue option for Paladin, letting them fully take on their character. Baldur’s Gate 3 has been one of the most successful games to hit the scene in 2023. The CRPG developed by Larian Studios has taken the internet by storm and quickly surged to a strong contender for being one of the best games of the year. Players fell in love with the game’s characters, immersive world, and storytelling. Inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, Baldur’s Gate 3 asks players to create an origin for themselves, including class and race. These will change what options are available to your character and will dictate how they go about approaching various situations that you’ll come across in the game. For example, some races are able to access other areas of the map that would normally be impossible, or certain classes have dialogue that may change the outcome of a conversation. Some of the class-specific dialogue for Paladin has impressed players, allowing them to be even more immersed in the story. Baldur’s Gate 3 players wowed by dialogue options Baldur’s Gate 3 players were dazzled by some of the “badass” dialogue options offered to Paladins in the game. “So simple but so good! 3.5 playthroughs in and this is def one of the best I’ve come across… The setting, background and moment in the story make this even more badass,” the post read. Other users chimed in agreeance, claiming that both Paladins and Warlocks have fantastic dialogue options. “Paladin and Warlock have some of the best class-specific dialogues in this game. Even better if you multiclass it” they explained. “Paladins are just so badass in this game.” another agreed. With Baldur’s Gate 3 still receiving patches there could be a chance we see more of these dialogue options being added in the future, but it seems for now players are more than impressed with the title.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players simply don’t trust the Emperor after “nightmare fuel” interaction Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 players are once again confused about the ethics of the Emperor after a particularly harrowing Act 3 experience with Raphael. The Emperor has always been one of the more morally grey characters in Baldur’s Gate 3. Sure, he seems honorable, and he protects you from being corrupted by the cult of the Absolute, but the way he goes about doing this is questionable at best. We also can’t forget that he catfishes you as the awesome dream guardian that you spent hours creating at the beginning of the game. That’s not something we can forgive easily. When Act 3 gets going, players are presented with a wide variety of ways to approach the ending of the game, one of which involves betraying the Emperor and throwing your lot in with Raphael, who’s after the Netherite crown being worn by the Elder Brain. Act 3 interaction has players seeing the Emperor in a different light However, the impact of this interaction on your relationship with the Emperor has made some players much warier of the illithid, with one even branding it as “nightmare fuel”. After speaking to Raphael about his plans to take the crown, the Emperor almost immediately demands to know why he wasn’t able to read your thoughts during the conversation, prompting one player to ask: “Did anyone else have the impulse to straight up murder The Emperor after meeting Raphael again in Baldur’s Gate, when you discover The Emperor was listening to your thoughts for the entire game? “I guess it didn’t really dawn on me that the dream visitor in the Astral Prism being an illithid meant that this illithid was listening to my thoughts this entire time, until he straight up admitted it. “Goddamn, the body horror in this game, from tadpoles in the eyeballs to having psionic motherfuckers just touching all up in your mind space. Nightmare fuel.”

Baldur’s Gate 3 player’s Honor Mode run ends in “most embarrassing way” Larian StudiosOne Baldur’s Gate 3 player’s Honor Mode run has ended in the “most embarrassing way possible.” Baldur’s Gate 3 Honor Mode has arrived, and with it, so have many hilarious stories from the community. The “brutal” game mode forces players to play at the hardest difficulty level and introduces the concept of permadeath in the game. If your party dies, you can’t simply go back and load up a previous save. Instead, it’s game over, and your playthrough has come to an end. It’s a high-stakes but high-reward game mode in which players are already having a “blast.” One fan, in particular, has taken to Reddit’s Baldur’s Gate 3 community to share news of how their own playthrough actually ended with a “blast.” Like many, this keen Baldur’s Gate 3 fan meticulously planned their approach before playing the new game mode by carefully considering their team composition and planning the order of each and every encounter. The player’s planning seemed to be paying off early as they reported clearing out most of the Goblin Camp in Act 1, but everything unraveled due to a simple “embarrassing” mistake at Grymforge. There are many secrets hidden within the world of Baldur’s Gate 3, and one such out-of-the-way encounter takes place in Grymforge when players meet Philomeen, a Deep Gnome who has the potential to become a key figure on any playthrough. Philomeen can be seen hoarding potent Runepowder that has the potential to blow up the cave. Players can carefully negotiate with Philomeen to take one of the Runepowder Vials. However, an unsuccessful negotiation could spell a quick and brutal end to any Honor Mode playthrough. Rather than trying to converse with Philomeen and gain access to Runepowder by fair exchange, this player instead opted to steal the Runepowder and it didn’t work out quite how they wanted. “I accidentally lost stealth while trying to steal the runepowder barrel in Grymforge (my fault), and it blew up my entire party,” the player shared. Of course, on any regular playthrough, a player would simply just restart and try again from the most recent save point, but considering this player’s journey was on Honor Mode, they’re headed back to square one.

Baldur’s Gate 3 player’s “hilarious” Lae’zel run spirals into epic disaster Larian StudiosOne Baldur’s Gate 3 player’s decision to role-play as Lae’zel turned out to be a “hilarious” but ultimately disastrous gameplay experience. The world of Baldur’s Gate 3 encourages players to dive deep into their characters’ personalities, making choices that align with their backgrounds and traits. For example, a player who opts to role-play as an Origin character like Lae’zel, a Githyanki warrior known for her fierce and unyielding nature, means adopting her harsh and direct approach from the very start of the game. Although Baldur’s Gate 3 is regarded as one of the best role-playing games of all time, it doesn’t mean that every role-playing experience within the game is as enjoyable as the rest — as one player learned. One Baldur’s Gate 3 fan took to Reddit to share their role-playing experience as Origin Lae’zel playthrough in what they described as a “complete s**tshow.” Following Lae’zel’s desires ended up being hilariously chaotic for the player, who noted several scenarios that spiraled out of control. The player highlighted examples of how Lae’zel’s strong conviction would lead to a swift and certain death, such as how being upfront with Voss near the Mountain Pass resulted in the severely under-leveled group being “completely trounced.” But if you somehow manage to survive that would-be massacre, Laezel’s overwhelming desire to press on to the Githyanki creche would lead to another dire situation involving the Inquisitor and another far-too-difficult battle with the Githyanki. Again, in the unlikely scenario that the group isn’t slain then and there, the best options for a potential cure are now dead or inaccessible. And after all of this, the player notes, “You are now being hunted by the Githyanki, still infected (and likely lobotomized by the Zaith’isk), your best bet at a cure is either a hag or a literal devil. You are likely still underleveled.” As another Baldur’s Gate 3 fan pointed out in the comments section, “Shows how much Lae’zel needed Tav and the other companions. Whenever she runs off on her own, she mucks things up. I love her to death, but wow did she need friends.”

Baldur’s Gate 3 players divided over the Emperor’s morality Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 players are divided over the morality of the Emperor, one of the most significant characters in the game. The cast in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the most developed gaming has seen recently, so it’s no surprise that the community has formed strong opinions on most of them. We’ve already seen how popular the main party members can get, and several NPCs have also become fan favorites. However, when it comes to the Emperor, a lot of players don’t know what to think. Instinctively, he’s easy to hate. He’s a Mind Flayer, which a lot of players will have visceral reactions to, most of the companions don’t trust him, and he catfishes you as the guardian. Despite this, some players are warming to him now that the dust has settled after the game’s release, leading many to wonder if the Emperor was all that bad. Baldur’s Gate 3 player defends the Emperor’s actions In a post on the official Baldur’s Gate subreddit, one player claimed that they trusted the Emperor from the start, even after the guardian disguise was revealed. They said: “I actually didn’t feel manipulated or suspected his intentions even after learning all sorts of stuff about him in Act 3. I’m sure he’s not the white knight he claimed he is, he definitely prioritizes his own objective, but is it a bad one though? “In the end, it’s true that the elder brain is a threat to all living things, and if I didn’t miss anything he just wants to remove that threat as much for Orpheus or any of our companions.” For many players, the fact that the Emperor wasn’t actually the guardian they designed at the beginning of the game was something they couldn’t get past. As one player put it: “As soon as I found out he wasn’t really a blonde high elf babe, I was mad at him for the rest of the game.” For more news and updates about Baldur’s Gate 3, check out what the devs have planned for their next big game.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players discover you can skip the Gauntlet of Shar with neat trick Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 players have discovered you can entirely skip the Gauntlet of Shar using a neat spell trick and a bit of creativity. Larian Studio’s Baldur’s Gate 3 has been one of the most successful and beloved games released in the modern era. The RPG amassed both social and critical acclaim, even taking home the Game of the Year award in its release year. Players fell in love with the game’s in-depth world, character, and general freedom that it granted them, allowing them to truly play the way they wanted. Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t short either, with the story taking just under 75 hours to fully complete in its multiple acts. The game will have you exploring the Forgotten Realms, slaying foes, and romancing companions, all in a neat little RPG ribbon. Act 2 sees players take on the Gauntlet of Shar, a key location that is held near and dear to party member Shadowheart. Normally players have to undergo various trials to obtain gems to progress, but one player discovered you could completely ignore this, using a simple spell. BG3 player discovers new way to skip the Gauntlet of Shar Reddit user Loher413 discovered that instead of using the Umbral gems on the door at the end of the Gauntlet, they could shove them all into the elevator. For some reason, this consumes the gem, which could potentially lead to some major problems for your party. They were immediately confronted with the looming door at the end. Worrying they had soft-locked the game, someone in Loher’s Honor mode run decided to cast Knock on it, providing a quick and easy solution to an otherwise terrifying situation. Knock is a Spell that allows you to unlock any object with a mundane lock, which fortunately just so happened to be the door. This allowed Loher and their crew to continue on their perilous journey through their Honor mode run.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players discover “real heroes” of game in Act 3 Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 is an extremely dense game and the concept of a hero does not exist in the ideal sense. However, players seem to have discovered certain characters who can be regarded as the “real heroes” of the game. Baldur’s Gate 3 has a multitude of characters that you will come across during your journey. Most of these are companions, who will join you in your quest to put an end to the crisis that plagues the world. However, there are also characters who might not be fighting in the frontline but have been doing their part silently which in turn helps the player indirectly. These are the people whom players seem to be regarded as the “real heroes” of the game. Baldur’s Gate 3 players discuss about the “real heroes” in the game The discussion regarding the real heroes was started by a Reddit user named Cool_Fruitcup. This user posted a screenshot of a page from a book in the game that seems to highlight the heroics of certain characters. In order to extend their gratitude towards these characters, the Reddit user commented, “I find these very bittersweet; small stories of average citizens helping as much as they can.” They continued, “While we were fighting atop the brain, there were other acts of heroism in the city below.” This post received a lot of attention from other Reddit users as well who joined into the discussion. One such player commented, “I love how the main characters aren’t the only badass heroes in the world.” Another user chimed in, “I really loved the ending scenes focusing on the citizens of Baldur’s gate starting to rise up and fight back against the mind flayers.” One of them also mentioned, “This is actually my favorite thing throughout the entire game.” Lastly, one of the users claimed, “I love how epic the last one is by dint of its brevity.” Therefore, it is safe to say that Larian Studios has ensured that the world of Baldur’s Gate 3 is not just about the player but also the common citizens. This adds a lot of depth to the overall environment of the game and players are in love with that idea.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players crown the most reliable spell in the game Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 is stuffed full with a seemingly infinite number of spells and cantrips for players to mess around with, but has a favorite emerged? Spells and cantrips are a vital part of Baldur’s Gate, not just in combat but also in conversations and traversal. Can you imagine ever rolling a dice without Guidance boosting your chances? With so much choice and variety, you’d think it would be almost impossible for players to choose favorites from the roster. However, it looks like one spell in particular has risen above the others. The reason why? Realiablity. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game of chance more than anything else, so taking a spell that is more likely to do what it’s meant to do and not bounce off with zero damage was always going to be more popular than alternatives. Cloud of Daggers becomes fan-favorite spell in Baldur’s Gate 3 Cloud of Daggers, a Level 2 Conjuration spell, seems to be one of the most popular spells among Baldur’s Gate 3 players. It creates three pillars of spectral daggers that constantly deal damage in an area, and they’ll stick around as long as the caster maintains concentration. One player on the Baldur’s Gate 3 forums posed the question: “Am I the only one using it in every kind of situation?” The comments were filled with agreement, suggesting that many other players also found this spell useful. One player said: “My strategy is usually put a cloud down in the pathway where they have to walk through to reach me and then put grease down so there’s a chance they just become prone in the cloud.” Several other players also said that Wall of Fire, a similar area denial spell, was similarly useful. For more news and updates check out the poor companion who players reckon is the least-used character in the party.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players create functional “Bowler’s Gate” bowling minigame Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 players are once again pushing the limits of the game’s creativity to the next level by creating bespoke minigames in its engine. Baldur’s Gate 3 has been widely praised for the freedom it grants to players and the seemingly infinite number of ways its systems interact with each other. We’ve already seen some insanely creative feats being pulled off, and developer Larian Studios seems eager to engage with and encourage this kind of behavior. The frequent updates the game has received since its launch have only expanded on the game’s flexibility. However, this latest minigame might be the most creative use of the game’s mechanics yet, because players have somehow managed to make a functioning bowling minigame. Baldur’s Gate 3 players add Bowling minigame to Act 1 The minigame was posted to Twitter by the official PlayStation account as part of the celebration of Baldur’s Gate 3 coming to console. Unfortunately, it looks like neither bowling pins nor bowling balls have been invented yet, so they’ve had to make do with barrels and… goblins. Apart from that, this setup looks like it works pretty well! There’s even a bit of chance involved as it not certain how many barrels you’ll break with each throw. It should be noted that anyone with the Fire Bolt cantrip can use it to blatantly cheat and get a perfect strike. For more news and updates on Baldur’s Gate, check out the rarest ending in the game, which features a surprising amount of talking animals.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players crave Sims-like features to spice up camp life Larian Studios/Electronic ArtsBaldur’s Gate 3 players believe that the addition of a few game-changing features from EA’s ever-popular franchise The Sims could enhance the game’s camp life. Baldur’s Gate 3 has been praised as “one of the best RPGs ever made,” and it’s not hard to see why. The game offers players almost limitless gameplay options with a multitude of different pathways, romances, and environments to explore. Players can journey with a range of different companions, all with vastly different personalities and objectives. But now, many hours into the experience, some Baldur’s Gate 3 players feel like the game could do with the addition of features from another popular series they’ve enjoyed over the years – The Sims. In a highly-upvoted Reddit post, one Baldur’s Gate 3 player shared that they’ve come to the realization that many of The Sims’ features would make for an enhanced experience in Baldur’s Gate 3, particularly when it comes to time at camp. “I wished the Camp was kinda like Sims lite, where I can decorate and change the camp but most importantly, I wish I could interact with my companions,” the player shared. “I want to play chess with Gale or go hunting with Astarion. I want to dance with Wyll or spar with Lae Zel. I want make my pets take a bath or just play with them. And I want to do all of this when I want and how often I want.” Many other Baldur’s Gate 3 community members agree, calling for Larian Studios to introduce additional ways to modify the camp design and experience. “It does feel a bit odd that there’s (AFAIK) only one cosmetic decision you can make for the camp in the whole game,” another player stated. And they’ve got a point. Players were quick to point out the lack of customization options within the camp, like how the user-controlled player is without a tent of their own. Others highlighted that some of the key items players receive as a reward for completing difficult quests can’t even be nicely displayed in camp. With Larian Studios listening to community feedback and releasing heavily requested features such as the Magic Mirror, there’s certainly a chance that some of these customization and interaction improvements that players are craving could make their way into Baldur’s Gate 3.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players confused by “lore-accurate” Elder Brain Larian StudiosThe Netherbrain is the driving force in the conflict of Baldur’s Gate 3, but it doesn’t seem to be quite as smart as the lore would have us believe. The Netherbrain is the source of basically every problem in Baldur’s Gate 3. Sure, without it the Dead Three would still be running around trying to take over the Sword Coast, and the Githyanki would probably still be ruled by a fascist dictator, but these problems would be a lot simpler if you and half the country didn’t have a tadpole wriggling around in your skull. As an Elder Brain empowered even further by the crown of Karsus, the Netherbrain should, by all rights, be able to conquer the world. The game spends two whole acts describing how powerful Elder Brains are; it’s only via the powers of Orpheus and the goodwill of the Emperor that you can survive its call. Additionally, anyone who plays enough of Gale’s quest, or listens to Raphael’s deal in Act 3, will know just how powerful the crown of Karsus is. After all, it’s enough to make Gale into a god. Surely an Elder Brain with that kind of power would be unstoppable. However, this is an area where Baldur’s Gate’s lore and the need for good gameplay clash. It wouldn’t be very satisfying if the Netherbrain one-shot your entire party at the beginning of the boss fight, even though it technically should be able to. Some players on the Baldur’s Gate 3 subreddit highlighted this, saying that the Netherbrain was stupid compared to a lore-accurate version. One player summarised: “The supreme intellect of a Nether Brain is nothing compared to a story’s need for the plot to get to the end.”

Baldur’s Gate 3 players are struggling with inventory chaos after shared stash update Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3’s latest update has left players dealing with a cluttered inventory, with some claiming that the new shared stash feature is “ruining the game.“ Another Baldur’s Gate 3 patch has arrived, this time with several anticipated features and improvements, including the Magic Mirror, allowing players to change their character’s appearance, and the addition of Mac support. However, one seemingly minor change to inventory management has left many players frustrated. After Patch 3, key items from dismissed party members are now automatically transferred to the main character, leading to a cluttered and unmanageable inventory for some players. The shared stash update was intended to ensure that story items and characters in the inventory of dismissed party members would properly transfer over to another party member. However, players have been quick to speak up about their dissatisfaction with the new feature. In a Reddit post with more than 3,700 upvotes, a Baldur’s Gate 3 player expressed their frustration, claiming that the new shared stash feature “has ruined the game” for them. “My main character is not a mule to carry all of companions’ bags and pouches when they’re dismissed from the party,” the player wrote. Another player commented on the annoyance of receiving camp supplies and alchemy pouches from characters whenever they are changed out, emphasizing a preference for accessing inventories while in camp without having them in the party instead of playing “hot potato with items.” “A few players doing a bad job of keeping track of their key items should not mean that the rest of us get punished by having our organization methods disregarded with items swapped automatically any time we want to switch active party characters,” one player agreed. “It’s a bad solution to a problem a small percentage of players imposed on themselves.” On the Baldur’s Gate 3 Steam Forums, players are hopeful about the possibility of turning off the new shared stash feature, with many finding it annoying as it leads to the main character getting encumbered with all the items from other companions. “Why would I want to take on my companions’ keychains, alchemy pouches, camp supplies and various items when I swap party members around in camp? It’s terrible! Please give us an option to go back to what it was before this latest patch (stash sharing-wise),” a player wrote. The update seems to be a solution to avoid players losing track of their key items, but it has been criticized as a bad solution to a problem a small percentage of players imposed on themselves. Players suggest that a more user-friendly solution would be to allow access to the inventories of all characters while in camp, regardless of whether they are in the party or not. Or at the very least, an option to toggle the shared stash feature on or off.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players are having their IRL partners stolen by Astarion Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 players report that their IRL partners are having their hearts stolen by the Vampire Rogue Astarion. TTRPG-inspired Baldur’s Gate 3 has been nothing but an absolute hit among fans. The RPG has made waves on the internet, with massive levels of popularity and critical acclaim. Part of its success is due to its deep world and storytelling, with plenty of quests and characters to dive into if players are interested. This includes your companions who travel alongside you throughout your journey. Each of whom have a lengthy backstory and ambitions, which players can choose to explore further during their playthrough of the game. Easily one of the most popular companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, however is Astarion who has stolen the hearts of players with his sarcastic quips. In fact, players’ love for Astarion has gone so far that they’ve begun forgetting about their IRL partners. BG3 players claim IRL partners are being stolen by Astarion Baldur’s Gate 3 players have been reporting that they’ve been completely cucked by Astarion. The players have claimed that their IRL partners have completely fallen for Astarion, changing their phone background, liking TikToks, and have even begun dreaming about him. “My wife of 3 years has him as her phone background, she dreams about him nightly, she likes any tiktok about him, and she is now using a guide on her durge-resist playthrough to make sure she can maximize his approval. I’ve officially given up, I’m contacting a lawyer.” the post explains. Many Redditors came forward with helpful advice for the player, some of which included becoming Astarion. “You need to just start your own game and play AS astarion. If you can’t beat ‘em, be em.” one player advised. With Larian consistently updating BG3, there’s no telling if players’ love for Astarion will waver. Unfortunately, that might be to the detriment of a few unlucky players.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players are calling its buggy final act “a disaster” Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 has earned every bit of the near-unanimous praise it’s gotten from both the gaming industry and consumers alike. Despite that, as adventurers come to the close of this massive game, the many bugs present in Act 3 are grating on players. Baldur’s Gate 3 as a complete package is an amazing game and nobody is calling that into question. Our own review calls it “life-affirming” and “a once-in-a-decade fantasy RPG”. An overwhelmingly positive reception thanks to its freedom of choice, gameplay, and characters has made it one of the most popular PC releases of all time. Larian’s passion and dedication to the project can be felt in almost every inch of the game. We say ‘almost’ because now that players have meandered through the first two acts of the game, they’re beginning to notice some cracks. Multiple players have taken to the game’s Subreddit to vent their frustrations with the lack of polish in Act 3. u/rejian qualified at the beginning of their post that they did love Baldur’s Gate 3 but the sheer volume of game-breaking bugs makes them “afraid to play more”. They’ve allegedly been locked out of six late-game quests due to bugs preventing progression. “Some of them bugged out at the end of the quest, some of them are dead almost at the beginning,” they explained. Other players shared a similar sentiment. “Act 3 feels like early access, it’s really disappointing. Several of the quests are bugged, and it just lacks the polish of acts 1 & 2,” one user replied in the thread. Other Baldur’s Gate 3 players like u/meriamipopper claim that their negative experience in the game’s third act invalidates a lot of the praise for the game. They’ve even retroactively adjusted their own rating of the game after experiencing it. “The game has a 10/10 start but anyone claiming this is one of the best games ever made can’t have made it to Act 3 yet,” they asserted. “Games of that caliber don’t need this much work.” Developer Larian Studios did launch the first major patch for Baldur’s Gate 3 on August 25 which addressed a lot of bugs in the game. Unfortunately, these were primarily for the first and second acts of the game. Baldur’s Gate 3’s third act will almost certainly go through a number of corrections in post-release patches as well. Given the first one was so large it exceeded Steam’s text limit, Larian has certainly proven its commitment.

Baldur’s Gate 3 player uncovers hilarious glitch in Goblin Camp scenario Larian StudiosOne Baldur’s Gate 3 player baffled goblins with a unique tactic, showcasing the game’s near-limitless possibilities for unique gameplay choices. Baldur’s Gate 3 offers players an expansive and immersive world filled with intricate storylines, complex characters, and a plethora of choices that significantly impact the game’s outcome. The game has been praised for its depth and the countless possibilities it offers to players, allowing for a unique and personalized gaming experience. Players have shared stories of completing acts without key items, finding disturbing ways to heal characters, and witnessing hilarious interactions between companions. However, in one incredible turn of events, one Baldur’s Gate 3 player’s unique strategy has resulted in a hilarious glitch, leaving goblins yelling at an empty rack. A user on Reddit shared a story of their wife’s gameplay in a post titled: “So Larian thought of everything, except…” While attempting to rescue a character from the goblin camp, she failed all checks to take over the interrogation or convince the goblins to leave him with her. In a moment of ingenuity, she switched to Lae’zel — a powerful Githyanki warrior — and smashed the rack that the imprisoned character was tied to, freeing him and leaving the goblins yelling at an empty rack. The unusual approach shows that there are a multitude of ways to handle in-game scenarios, and is an example of the freedom that Baldur’s Gate 3 offers its players. The game usually rewards creative solutions in a much more satisfying way, however, unlike this unexpected outcome. Players within the Baldur’s Gate 3 community were quick to defend the response of the goblins, writing, “Maybe they were just scared. I mean would you want to confront Lae’zel after that? Or tell Minthara what happened?” Another simply wrote, “Have you seen Lae’zel? I would have pretended that nothing happened, too!” And one player addressed the idea of Larian not considering this particular option, writing, “Larian thought of a lot of things, but not of everything. It’s impossible to predict every action every player ever would take. What really grinds my gears however is how tightly the fate of the tieflings is tied to the druids in the grove. They are two parties, yet somehow the game treats them as one, mechanic-wise.” Regardless of the outcome, it’s no wonder how the game’s expansive world and the freedom it offers have led some players to claim that Baldur’s Gate 3 has “ruined gaming” for them, as no other title seems to measure up to the experience it provides.

Baldur’s Gate 3 player hilariously misinterprets Monk class for 100 hours Larian StudiosOne Baldur’s Gate 3 player has been left feeling a little silly after learning that they had been playing the Monk class wrong for more than 100 hours. Baldur’s Gate 3 has seen its fair share of extraordinary character builds and unexpected achievements. But the Monk class, in particular, has stood out as a particularly fascinating option for players who are seeking to push boundaries in the game. From dealing a staggering 168-320 damage per turn to traversing entire game zones in a single action, the Monk class has proven its potential for greatness. However, not every player’s journey is smooth sailing, as one individual discovered after a whopping 100 hours of gameplay. In a Reddit post, a player shared their tale of misunderstanding, admitting to feeling “stupid” after realizing they had been playing the Monk class all wrong. “Throughout my 100 hours of gameplay… I assumed that unarmed attack meant the ‘unarmed strike’ bonus action instead of unarmed attacks LITERALLY BEING UNARMED in the weapon slot,” they wrote. This misconception led the player to wonder why their damage output was significantly lower than what others described, especially when wielding the Ice Staff from the Underdark. “This whole time I’ve been playing Fist Monk wrong… I didn’t even know Monk could surpass 48 damage, let alone 80,” they added. Rather than pouring criticism on the player for their blunder, the Baldur’s Gate 3 community instead rallied around the player, providing tips and advice. One user recommended, “Damage scaling doesn’t start like that, but once you’ve gotten past level six and gotten your hands on some decent monk gear, it’s time to lose the weapon entirely.” Another chimed in, suggesting the Open Palm subclass for its additional damage capabilities. The Monk class was once perceived as underrated but has emerged as one of the most creative and enjoyable build options in the game. Players have discovered the power of stealth builds, particularly with the Way of the Shadow, utilizing dexterity, constitution, and the power of darkness to effortlessly take down formidable foes. For the player with this “stupid” 100-hour blunder, at least now they can finally start unleashing their unarmed potential in the game.

Baldur’s Gate 3 player discovers game-changing light cantrip trick after 600 hours Larian StudiosOne Baldur’s Gate 3 player has unveiled a game-changing trick with the Light cantrip that strangely involves the character’s underwear. Since its release, Baldur’s Gate 3 players have uncovered all kinds of neat tricks, from using classic tactics to one-shot difficult bosses to turning gold into a powerful weapon. One player, however, has recently shared a game-changing tip that took them a staggering 600 hours of gameplay to realize, showcasing just how deep the rabbit hole goes in Baldur’s Gate 3. The trick revolves around the Light cantrip, a spell in the game typically used to illuminate dark areas by making an object generate bright light. While most players would cast it on a weapon or piece of clothing, this player discovered a hilarious and tactically advantageous alternative: casting it on their character’s underwear. The process is simple but ingenious. Players must drop their character’s underwear on the ground, cast the Light cantrip on it, and then put it back on. This approach allows players to benefit from the bright light without the usual drawbacks of having a shiny weapon or piece of clothing, providing a unique advantage in dark environments. This trick proves particularly beneficial in Act 2 of the game, where having a reliable light source becomes crucial. The environments become more treacherous, and visibility is key to navigating and surviving the challenges that lie ahead. While casting Light on weapons comes with the drawback of losing the light source when switching between ranged and melee weapons, casting Light on armor or, in this case, underwear ensures that the source of light remains constant, regardless of how they choose to engage in combat. The Baldur’s Gate 3 community jumped at the chance to joke about the hilarious tip with comments such as, “In an effort to outshine the sun, the brightest celestial body is now Uranus?” Another added, “I’ve heard of putting stuff ‘where the sun don’t shine,’ but that seems a bit excessive.” Baldur’s Gate 3 players continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the game, and this innovative Light cantrip trick is yet another example.

Baldur’s Gate 3 patch makes life much easier for Karlach enjoyers Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 has released its latest patch, and while it’s brought a whole host of new features, including the ability to change your appearance in camp, it’s also made life much easier for one companion in particular. Like each party member in Baldur’s Gate, Karlach has a personal quest that you can pursue as you progress through the game, and hers relies on another tiefling called Dammon to fix her infernal engine. However, previous versions of the game led to situations where Dammon could be permanently unavailable in Act 2, locking you out of Karlach’s quest entirely. Luckily, that’s now fixed in these latest patch notes. Baldur’s Gate 3 patch notes fix Karlach’s quest and romance issues Depending on choices in Act 2 at the Last Light Inn, there used to be a chance that Dammon could be involved in a difficult combat situation, and if he dies during this encounter, there’s no bringing him back. He won’t even respawn in Act 3. Luckily, that’s now been removed. That’s not the only issue that’s fixed with regards to Karlach. If you want to romance her, a bug where the game thinks you’re actually romancing Gale has been removed, and some glitches that appear on a date with her have also been patched out. Similarly, her interactions with Wyll, who was hunting her at the beginning of the game, have been tuned to be a bit more realistic. Karlach has remained a fan-favorite companion since the game released, and players have been enamored with her, even when she realized she was in a video game the whole time. For more news and updates on Baldur’s Gate 3, check out this important feature that players still think is missing from the game, and for a complete run down of everything included in the latest patch notes, you can read about them all here.

Baldur’s Gate 3 NPC “plays you for a fool” when romanced Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 has a wide range of romance options, but romancing this NPC in particular may leave you brokenhearted. A part of Baldur’s Gate 3 charm is letting you make your own choices throughout the game, and that includes choosing the character you’d like to romance. Remember the Guardian you could customize at the beginning of your game? The one who would give you advice and suggest you eat tadpoles? Well, there’s an option to romance this NPC as well later in the game, but it’s not going to be as smooth as you think, as one player had found out. Sharing their experience in a Reddit thread, the player claimed when they got to the second Emperor cutscene in Act 3, they chose a dialogue option they wouldn’t usually choose. Thanks to that, they discovered that when you ask the Emperor if he’s flirting with you, if you choose to say, “I’d rather stick to business,” he would quickly agree and move on. However, what really stood out to the player was how the cutscene ended afterwards. According to them, the narrator would mention that you were disappointed with “how fast the Emperor was willing to move on, without even the slightest amount of regret.” They explained: “It makes it seem like no matter if you romanced the Emperor in this scene or not, everything he does is disingenuous and solely for personal pleasure/companionship.” Ultimately, the player wrote: “In other words, he doesn’t truly love you that way, just gaslighting you into becoming closer to him for the mission. Fascinating interaction I’ve never seen!” Regarding the OP’s experience with the Emperor, other players also shared their thoughts in the comments. One user claimed he’s “clearly embarrassed” and “doesn’t want to bring it up.” They added, “He didn’t fool me. I’m gonna kiss that toxic calamari next go around.” Another user mentioned that he’s an Illithid; hence, he doesn’t “love in the way humans understand.” Meanwhile, a different user brought up that he “just moves on like an adult.” Either way, whatever your choice is when romancing this NPC, there’s always a way to go back if you’d like to change the outcome — just don’t do it too far.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is proof games need early access Larian StudiosFrom the deeply beloved Lethal Company to the disastrous A Day Before, early access defined 2023, proving just how imperative it can be to a game’s release, and Baldur’s Gate 3 has demonstrated that more titles could do with some early access treatment. When a game enters early access, it forms a sort of agreement with its playerbase. In return for an early glimpse into the game, the community promises to take into account the notion that the game’s far from finished — often helping to provide feedback and bugs to the developers. As such, features like early access and betas are extremely popular. Not only do they give an insight into the success and needs of a title, but they also provide players with a great way to satiate their hunger for its upcoming release. However, it can also contribute to a game’s success, which was the case for Baldur’s Gate 3 — proving the inherent need for other titles to begin following suit. Baldur’s Gate 3’s primary reason for success was its early access Baldur’s Gate 3 was in early access for three years before being fully released, and it’s hard to argue that the game wasn’t so much better for it. Sure, Larian offered a ton of content during that period, with over 25 hours of content and a plethora of races, classes, and multiplayer capabilities, but this provided the perfect space for players to feel like they had a say in how Baldur’s Gate 3 was developed. One key example of this is through the character creation — arguably one of the best elements of BG3, while also being one of the biggest overhauls between EA and the full release. The original design was a distinct homage to Dungeons & Dragons character creation. Each race gave certain bonuses to the character, meaning you needed to choose wisely if you were looking for power and balance. Then, you were given a fair few options for skin color, eye color, hair, and more. However, the primary frustration amongst players was its basic nature, with many wanting more variety, and the ability to avoid scrolling through hundreds of hairstyles. After early access, Larian listened and created the vast and inclusive character creation we see today. If it wasn’t for early access, this would have never been rectified. Ultimately, early access allowed Larian Studios to polish Baldur’s Gate 3 to perfection, carefully crafting the player feedback into the game and producing an RPG shockingly close to faultless. Naturally, plenty of Baldur’s Gate 3’s success lent itself to the talent of those who created the game, and that’s correct. However, the team wasn’t able to spot key bugs, glitches, or certain companion loves without that early access. Making it as extensive as this posed a key strength for BG3, even if it was able to bounce off the success of the original Baldur’s Gate games, and the growing love of Dungeons & Dragons. The case for Starfield The case can be made that, just because Baldur’s Gate 3 was an unrivaled success thanks to its early access, it doesn’t mean other games will benefit from implementing the same feature. However, we’ve seen fantastic early access or beta success in the last few years, with games like The Finals, Multiversus, and more thriving before fully released. On the other hand, some titles could have likely benefitted from this feature, like Starfield. The case for Starfield’s early access addition is a tricky one, as it’s all about discussing what could have been, which is great with the help of hindsight. That being said, it’s entirely likely that if the majority of players knew about the lack of exploration or the “tedious” puzzles before the game came out, then Bethesda would have time to either address those issues or reevaluate how those issues can be solved. It’s not always ideal While those Starfield issues could have been solved before the game’s full release, you can’t ignore the amount of effort, time, and skill it takes to make a change as large as some of the key complaints in Starfield — as such, early access may not have been the best choice for a larger game like it. Ultimately, with such a wide variety of genres, styles, sizes, and communities to consider, simply stating that every game could benefit from early access feels a little overstated. Sure, it’ll help the community feel involved in the creation process, bring in extra funding before the full release, and allow the title to essentially get a dummy run before the fact, but it’s just not suited to every title. Games like Redfall would have greatly suffered under an early access period, especially given the dramatic differences between our preview experience and the final release. Early access isn’t a direct factor in a title’s success, but it’s impossible to ignore the aid of the community. Early access is mostly perfect Whether it’s proven or not, it’s hard to argue that one of the key contributing factors to Baldur’s Gate 3’s success was its long early access period. Those three years allowed Larian to shape the game around its players, while still providing a thrilling expansion past the original Act One. It also invited thousands of dedicated players to the experience, and as they fell in love with the story and characters, they quickly rushed back when it was fully released. Sure, some games have and will continue to thrive without the help of betas or EA, but when there’s so much to gain and so little to lose, it begs the question: Can we expect to see more early access titles in 2024 and beyond? Only time will tell.

Baldur’s Gate 3: How to get the Toll House key Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 features tons of secrets to find, and the Toll House holds a lot of them but you’ll need to get hold of the key first. So, here’s how you can get the Toll House key in the game. Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 is a massive RPG packed full of exciting secrets for players to find. You’ll likely spend a lot of time straying away from the game’s main questline due to the sheer amount of content to discover across The Forgotten Realms. The Toll House Basement is one area that’s home to quite a few secrets but before you can discover them during the Hunt the Devil quest, you’ll need to get your hands on the Toll House key first. So, here’s exactly how to get this important key in the beloved game. Where to find Toll House Basement key in Hunt The Devil quest If you’re looking for the Toll House Basement key in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll need to visit the Risen Road part of the map to acquire it. As part of the Hunt the Devil quest, you’ll meet a character called Anders in the Toll House with a bunch of Paladins as well. They are looking for a Tiefling, and this will tie into your hunt for the key. If you head slightly south of where the house is, you’ll find the Baldur’s Gate 3 Toll House key at the bottom of a cliffside. Use the highlighting function like you would for anything else and you should find it no problem. Take it back to the Toll House and you’ll be able to use it to help you get into the Toll House Basement to continue on with your adventures! If you’re looking for even more Baldur’s Gate 3 guides to help you out and make your time with the RPG even more enjoyable, we have plenty more below: Best Sorcerer build | Best Bard build | Best Rogue build | Best Ranger build | Best Wizard build | Baldur’s Gate 3: What’s the max level cap? | Best Baldur’s Gate 3 classes tier list | How to revive characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 | Can you multiclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 | Baldur’s Gate 3 Soul Coins: How to get them & what they are | Baldur’s Gate 3: Fastest ways to get XP & level up | Baldur’s Gate 3: How to respec your character | Baldur’s Gate 3 Karmic Dice: What are they?

Baldur’s Gate 3 and D&D’s 50th anniversary collide as Astarion voices Vecna WotCNeil Newbon, the voice actor of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Astarion, gives voice to the legendary D&D villain Vecna in this trailer for 5e’s latest adventure module. D&D’s 50th-anniversary celebrations are gearing up, and a large part of those celebrations is Vecna: Eve of Ruin. This epic, high-level adventure serves as the culmination of D&D 5e, before 2024’s major rules update once again changes the bedrock of the game that players have been falling in love with for 50 years. Vecna is one of D&D’s most iconic villains, a Lich wielding dark magic and all-but-forgotten knowledge in an attempt to secure absolute power and life beyond death. Such a legendary, imposing villain deserves a performance to match, and Wizards of the Coast has struck gold in that regard. Neil Newbon, voice of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Astarion, is lending his talents to the undead tyrant in a brand-new trailer. In this trailer for the Eve of Ruin adventure module, Newbon gives voice to Vecna’s dastardly plans for multiversal conquest. Anyone who has had hours of their life devoured by Baldur’s Gate 3 will know that Newbon has plenty of practice playing an undead being seeking power and ascension, making this casting a slam-dunk. This adventure module is set to be a whirlwind tour of 5E’s multiverse, as high-level characters race through beloved settings like Ravenloft and Sigil in an attempt to gather the Rod of Seven Parts and put an end to Vecna’s dreams of remaking all worlds in his ghastly image. BG3 fans will be delighted to see Newbon’s collaboration with Wizards of the Coast continue, and D&D players have a lot to be excited about in advance of this climactic 5e adventure. Vecna: Eve of Ruin is set to launch on May 21st.

Will Baldur’s Gate 3 have DLC? Developers weigh in Larian StudiosBaldur’s Gate 3 might just be one of the most well-loved games of all time. It sold beyond Larian’s wildest expectations and fans of the title have been clamoring for more since launch. So, will Baldur’s Gate 3 get any DLC? Baldur’s Gate 3 had an explosive launch gaining widespread acclaim. It shattered records on Steam for concurrent player counts backing up the hype with more tangible numbers. After becoming a critical, audience, and industry darling, Baldur’s Gate 3 became 2023’s Game of the Year. With accolades like that, extending its lifecycle and expanding the game seems like a no-brainer. Right? Here is what we know about possible DLC for Baldur’s Gate 3. Is Baldur’s Gate 3 DLC in the works? Baldur’s Gate 3 will not be getting any dedicated DLC or expansions. Despite the game’s success and the industry’s tendency to milk anything that could generate a hint of profit, Larian has made the decision to move on. IGN reported that Baldur’s Gate 3 director Swen Vincke announced the decision at the 2024 Games Developers Conference (GDC). While there’s no official quote from Vincke, IGN stated “The developer isn’t planning to release any expansions or DLC for Baldur’s Gate 3”. The reveal came as a bit of a shock because while Larian hadn’t previously confirmed whether or not DLC was coming, there were hints at the possibility. Senior Product Manager Tom Butler told IGN at Gamescom 2023 “We genuinely have discussions [about DLC]. We want to do more. We don’t know what yet.” Plans have obviously changed since and while it’s a bit of a shame, what Baldur’s Gate 3 offers in its base game and the various free content updates Larian has produced since launch is enough to tide most players over. You can also look into some of our other guides at Dexerto. Is Baldur’s Gate 3 coming to Nintendo Switch? | Does Baldur’s Gate 3 have crossplay & cross-platform progression? | Can you play Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam Deck? | Baldur’s Gate 3 PC requirements | Baldur’s gate 3 voice actors for all characters | How long is Baldur’s Gate 3? | Baldur’s Gate 3 pre-release bonuses & edition differences | Is Baldur’s Gate 3 coming to Xbox? | Is Baldur’s Gate 3 single-player? | Baldur’s Gate 3: All playable races & their abilities | Baldur’s Gate 3 Mind Flayers explained: Who are the Illithids? | Baldur’s Gate 3 proficiency explained

Baldur’s Gate 3 devs secretly backed one of the best indie games of the decade Larian StudiosLarian Studios quietly supported the creators behind Blasphemous, one of the standout indie game releases of 2019, with massive donations, according to one dev. Blasphemous was one of the big success stories of the indie dev scene in 2019, being met with great reviews and higher attention than many other titles. In particular, its blend of traditional Metroidvania gameplay with an innovative 2D interpretation of souls-like combat and storytelling received a lot of praise, enabling developers The Game Kitchen to release a sequel. Like many aspiring indie titles, Blasphemous launched with the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign. Initially looking to raise $50,000, the team raised north of $300,000, allowing them to deliver on a compelling premise. Now, a dev who worked on Blasphemous has highlighted the role of Larian Studios, the team behind 2023’s Baldur’s Gate 3, in supporting the project from the start. “Not many people know this, but Larian Studios was one of the biggest contributors during the Kickstarter campaign,” Enrique Colinet wrote on Twitter. “They dropped a 4-figure sum, never asked for their rewards and just kept making one of the best games ever done in recent years.” Depending on your definition of an indie game, you could read this as one indie dev team supporting another. However, Larian Studios has access to more manpower and resources than most other developers in the scene.

Baldur’s Gate 3 dev responds to speculation that PS5 port is in “trouble” Larian StudiosLarian Studios’ Director of Publishing pushed back on a gamer comparing preload dates for Starfield and Baldur’s Gate 3 on PlayStation 5. Baldur’s Gate 3 is set to release on PlayStation 5 on September 6, the same day Starfield finally comes to PC and Xbox Series X|S. This has led some fans to compare the games, especially Xbox players disappointed that Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t releasing on the platform anytime soon due to development issues with the Series S. One Xbox fan, who tried to use the two games’ preload dates to claim Baldur’s Gate 3 was in trouble, prompted a response from a Larian Studios executive, who provided a good reason for waiting to push out a game. Fans have to wait longer for Baldur’s Gate 3 PS5 preload date for “consumer friendly” reasons The conversation started when Twitter user astaranx pointed out that Starfield is available to preload on Xbox, while Baldur’s Gate 3’s PS5 preload date isn’t until August 31. The user drew two conclusions from this: Starfield is “more ready” for its release next month, and Baldur’s Gate 3’s PS5 port must be running into some issues. Larian Studios’ director of publishing Michael Douse disputed this with a simple explanation. Because Baldur’s Gate 3 is out on PC and already receiving updates, the developers chose to start preloads closer to the game’s early access launch to ensure PS5 players get the most up-to-date version. In the weeks since its release, Baldur’s Gate 3 has received four Hotfixes that improve the game’s performance, make balancing changes, fix issues that caused it to crash, and more. Two larger patches are in the works and are set to make more tweaks and incorporate player requests. Larian has promised patch parity between different versions of the game to ensure fans have an equal experience regardless of where they are playing. This means having to wait longer to preload Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5 is not a sign of development troubles, but a necessity to help ensure the port’s launch goes smoothly.

Baldur’s Gate 3 bug gives player an unexpected buff following frustrating encounter Larian StudiosA Baldur’s Gate 3 player has been bestowed a long-lasting buff thanks to a minor bug and an unwitting Gerringothe Thorm. Baldur’s Gate 3 has a surprising amount of bugs for a Game of the Year winner. For a large part of its player base, it’s part of the game’s charm. Some are happy occurrences like when they keep your player alive despite dropping to zero HP. Others are the stuff of nightmares like the save-wiping bugs that plagued Baldur’s Gate 3’s release on Xbox consoles. Reddit user u/Jamesbondbadil luckily experienced one of the former after Gerringothe Thorm turned a majority of their party into gold. Following the battle, the positive effects of being made an opulent statue persisted for a good portion of their run. For a bit of background, being turned to gold in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be a major annoyance as it, well, turns you into gold. This renders you immobile and essentially useless until the end of the encounter. While you are a big gold statue, there are some benefits of course. Slashing, Bludgeoning, and Piercing damage from both magical and non-magical sources is halved. Fortunately for u/Jamesbondbadi, those party members that Thorm turned to gold kept those resistances for the rest of the game’s second act. They also noted that the buffs persisted after numerous long rests. There was a hint of jealousy among other players for whom Baldur’s Gate 3’s bugs were a little less beneficial. “Meanwhile I lost the ‘permanent’ bonus from Auntie Ethel’s hair the first time I fast-travelled,” one player bemoaned. Unfortunately for u/Jamesbondbadi, the buff wore off sometime during the third act which is a bit of a shame. Resistances to a suite of damage types would have come in handy during the late game’s tougher combat encounters.

Baldur’s Gate 3 almost launched on Game Pass but devs would have lost millions Larian StudiosThe Microsoft document leak has revealed that Baldur’s Gate 3 could have been launched on Game Pass from day one, but it could have cost Larian Studios greatly. Microsoft has suffered from a significant leak stemming from unredacted documents being uploaded in the Microsoft vs FTC case. Alongside leaks of multiple upcoming games, an Xbox Series X Refresh, a new controller, and details on upcoming and previously abandoned deals. One such deal was between Microsoft and Larian, which would have seen the hit game Baldur’s Gate 3 hitting Xbox Game Pass from day one. However, along with that deal came a rather underestimated financial deal that could have cost Larian greatly, especially considering Baldur’s Gate 3’s unbridled success. Baldur’s Gate 3 could have launched on Game Pass Revealed in the Microsoft document leak, it was found that Microsoft was originally going to give Larian Studios $5m to place Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox Game Pass as soon as it came out of early access. Naturally, that would have been thrilling for Xbox fans, but it could have been devastating for Larian, especially considering the game is estimated to have sold over 5.2 Million copies in total. Ultimately, by not putting Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox Game Pass, it’s likely Larian was able to make millions more in profit, without being tied to platform exclusivity, or giving it away to Game Pass subscribers. However, that being said, there was no way for anyone either in Larian Studios, Microsoft, or elsewhere that could have predicted the success of Baldur’s Gate 3. In fact, the Director of Publishing in Larian Studios explained that “there just isn’t any existing data that could have told anyone how BG3 was going to perform” proving no one expected this game to go as well as it did. It seems Larian Studios certainly fared well when this deal didn’t end up going through, although it’s clear the studio isn’t too happy with the recent leaks.

Baldur’s Gate 3: All playable races, subraces & their abilities Larian StudiosSelecting a race for your character is a significant initial step in Baldur’s Gate 3, with many diverse options and several subraces offering unique abilities, to say nothing of your many custom appearance options. Baldur’s Gate 3 allows for deep character customization. Beyond selecting classes and subclasses, players can choose from a variety of races and subraces in the character creator, each contributing to a unique play style and experience in the game. However, the sheer number of options available in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be quite overwhelming. If you’re particularly stuck on which race to make your character, we’ve provided a breakdown of them all, including their unique abilities. So, here are all the playable races & subraces you can choose in Baldur’s Gate 3. All races available in Baldur’s Gate 3, abilities, best class, & more Drow Racial Feature: Fey Ancestry, Superior Darkvision, Proficiency in Rapier, Shortsword, and Hand Crossbow, Dancing Lights Cantrip, Proficiency in Perception, Faerie Fire spell (Level 3), Darkness (Level 5) – Subrace: Lolth-Sworn Drow, Seldarine Drow – The Drow are one of the most popular races in Dungeons & Dragons. They’re broken into two distinct groups: Lolth-Sword Drow, who traditionally live in the Underdark, and Seldarine Drow, who reside on the surface. Be careful when selecting this race, as the Drow’s reputation for wickedness precedes them. Best classes for the Drow The Rogue fits perfectly with the Drow thanks to the Perception proficiency off the bat, the extra weapon proficiencies, and the spells that you get as you level up, which are hugely beneficial to your build. Faerie Fire, especially, is a great fit, as it will ensure all of your hits are Sneak Attacks if it sticks. In a similar way to the Rogue, a Warlock would be a great fit for the Drow thanks to the extra proficiencies. Combine that with your Darkvision and Fey Ancestry to give you advantage on being Charmed and you have a pretty powerful combination. Dragonborn Racial Feature: Draconic Ancestry and Breath Attack – Subrace: Black, Blue, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Gold, Green, Red, Silver, White – Subrace Features: Black (Acid Breath and Resistance to Acid) – Subrace Features: Blue (Lightning Breath and Resistance to Lightning) – Subrace Features: Brass (Fire Breath and Resistance to Fire) – Subrace Features: Bronze (Lightning Breath and Resistance to Lightning) – Subrace Features: Copper (Acid Breath and Resistance to Acid) – Subrace Features: Gold (Fire Breath and Resistance to Fire) – Subrace Features: Green (Poison Breath and Resistance to Poison) – Subrace Features: Red (Fire Breath and Resistance to Fire) – Subrace Features: Silver (Frost Breath and Resistance to Frost) – Subrace Features: White (Frost Breath and Resistance to Frost) – A relatively new race to the Forgotten Realms, the Dragonborn may lack the wings and tails of the great wyrms of the D&D multiverse, but they still retain some of the power of Bahamut and Tiamat. Namely, their potent breath weapon, as well as a resistance to their chosen element. Best classes for Dragonborn The Sorcerer might be the best class for Dragonborn, so long as you focus on a chosen element. The natural resistance to one type is helpful if you’re going to be using it a lot, that way, it’s not as scary to use spells with an AoE in your vicinity, as you can tank some of the damage. The Cleric and Rogue are also great choices for the Dragonborn, as the Breath Attack gives them a great AoE option during low-levels of play. Playing a Brass or Red Dragonborn might be the best option here, considering how much is flammable in the Baldur’s Gate 3 world. Dwarf Racial Feature: Darkvision, Dwarven Resilience, Proficiency in Battleaxe, Handaxe, Light Hammer, and Warhammer – Subrace: Gold Dwarf, Shield Dwarf, Duergar – Subrace Feature – Gold Dwarf: Dwarven Toughness – Subrace Feature – Shield Dwarf: Light and Medium Armor Proficiency – Subrace Feature – Duergar: Superior Darkvision and Duergar Resilience – The dwarves of the Forgotten Realms are much like their Middle-earth counterparts. They reside in underground halls, where they mine gems and craft the greatest weapons and armor in the land. The main exception to this are the Duergar, who reside in the Underdark and often fight for land with the monsters that dwell in the shadows. Best classes for Dwarf As a class with a lot of physical bulk, the Dwarf is an excellent choice for the Barbarian, Fighter, Ranger, or Paladin. The extra hit points (for the Gold Dwarf) or Saving Throws (for the Duergar) are hugely beneficial to a class that’s on the front lines. Additionally, the Shield Dwarf is also an excellent Sorcerer or Wizard. This is thanks to the extra Armor Proficiency, which means you can wear better gear at low levels and won’t have to wait an eternity until the good magic robes appear. Elf Racial Feature: Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, Proficiency in Longsword, Shortsword, Longbow, and Shortbow, Proficiency in Perception, – Subrace: High-Elf, Wood-Elf – Subrace Feature – High Elf: Wizard Cantrip – Subrace Feature – Wood Elf: Proficiency in Stealth, Fleet of Foot – The long-lived elves are among the oldest races in the Forgotten Realms. Residing in massive forests and ancient cities, the fae-blooded elves are masters of magic, using their arcane arts to protect their lands from the forces of evil. Best classes for Elf For the High Elf, the best class is the Sorcerer, Wizard, or Warlock, as that extra Cantrip can be extremely useful. Giving Fire Bolt to a Ranger or Rogue is also handy, as it can be used to ignite things at the start of combat. For the Wood Elf, a Barbarian, Monk, or Rogue with Fleet Foot will easily fly across the battlefield. However, a heavily armored class, like a Paladin with the Oath of the Ancients, can also benefit from the Wood Elf’s gifts. Githyanki Racial Feature: Githyanki Psionics: Mage Hand Conjuration Cantrip, Astral Knowledge, Proficiency in Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shortsword, Longsword, and Greatsword, Enhance Leap (Level 3), Misty Step (Level 5) – The Githyanki are not native to the Forgotten Realms; they originally hail from the Astral Plane. Long ago, they were enslaved by the Mind Flayers. However, they rebelled and now hunt their former masters across the multiverse. Best classes for Githyanki The extra armor, weapon, and skill proficiencies, and bonus spells make the Githyanki an excellent choice for the Bard. They might look like frogs, but they can sure belt out a tune. Outside of the Bard, the Githyanki is also an excellent choice for the Fighter or Paladin. The movement spells as you level up can make up for the fact that you’re decked out in heavy gear. Gnome Racial Feature: Gnome Cunning – Subrace: Deep Gnome, Forest Gnome, Rock Gnome – Subrace Feature – Deep Gnome: Superior Darkvision, Stone Camouflage – Subrace Feature – Forest Gnome: Darkivision, Speak with Animals – Subrace Feature – Rock Gnome: Darkvision, Artificer’s Lore – Gnomes reside in all corners of the Forgotten Realms, where they are known for their inventiveness and love of partying. The exception to this are the Deep Gnomes, sometimes called the Svirfneblin, who live in the Underdark and have a much sourer mood, brought on by their struggles with the predators underground. Best classes for Gnome The best class for the Deep Gnome is either Ranger or Rogue. This is due to Stone Camouflage giving them Advantage on Stealth checks, which is an incredible benefit for both of those classes. The best class for Forest Gnome is either Druid or Ranger, as the extra Speak with Animals spell means you don’t have to burn other resources to use that power. The best class for the Rock Gnome is the Wizard, in order to make the best of their enhanced History skill check, brought on by their Artificer’s Lore. Halfling Racial Feature: Lucky, Brave – Subrace: Lightfoot Halfling, Strongfoot Halfling – Subrace Feature – Lightfoot Halfling: Naturally Stealthy – Subrace Feature – Stoutheart Halfling: Strongheart Resilience – This legally distinct from the Hobbits race carve out small settlements across the Forgotten Realms, where they keep to themselves and try to avoid the troubles of the larger races. That being said, some go out on adventures of their own, possibly involving magic rings, shadow riders, talking trees, and, worst of all, lawyers. Best classes for Halfling The best classes for both subraces are Bard, Ranger, or Rogue. The Advantage on Stealth checks or Poison resilience is incredibly useful to all three classes, especially as they often take on the scout role in the party. Half-Elf Racial Feature: Fey Ancestry, Darkvision, Proficiency with Spear, Pike, Halberd, Glaive, Light Armor, and Shield – Subrace: Half Drow Elf, Half Wood Elf, Half High Elf – Subrace Feature – Half Drow Elf: Dancing Lights Cantrip – Subrace Feature – Half Wood Elf: Proficiency with Stealth and Fleet of Foot – Subrace Feature – Half High Elf: Wizard Cantrip – Half-elves have been around for as long as humanity and elves have been on good terms. They’re usually welcome in both communities, though many decide to strike out on their own and become adventurers, traveling between the lands of both of their ancestries. Best classes for Half-Elf The same classes that work for the various elven races are also the best choices for their half-elf equivalent. The only difference is that you have a few additional weapon choices, most of which you probably won’t use. Human Racial Feature: Human Versatility, Proficiency with Spear, Pike, Halberd, Glaive, Light Armor, and Shield – Humankind is the most populous race in the Forgotten Realms, being found in every corner of the world. While they might among the most short-lived people in the land, their tenacity and ambition has led many to become important heroes, helping to hold back the forces of evil. Best classes for Human Humans are easily the worst race choice in Baldur’s Gate 3, with some dire abilities. It is mind-boggling why they don’t get the bonus Feat option from D&D 5E, which would have made them one of the better choices. If you really want to play a human, the best choice is probably Sorcerer of Wizard, as you can at least get some use out of the extra armor and skill proficiencies. Half-Orc Racial Feature: Darkvision, Relentless Endurance, Menacing, Savage Attacks – Orcs were at odds with pretty much every other race for the longest time in the Forgotten Realms. Relationships have cooled over the past century, leading to the creation of Orc settlements and the establishment of connections with other races. This has resulted in Half-Orcs, who retain the might of the children of Gruumsh. Best Classes for Half-Orc The best class for Half-Orc is Barbarian or the Champion subclass for the Fighter. You’re all about dealing lots of damage and making the most of your crits, which your Savage Attacks feature helps with. Relentless Endurance will also ensure that you’re harder to defeat in combat. Tiefling Racial Feature: Darkvision and Hellish Resistance – Subrace: Asmodeus Tiefling, Mephistopheles Tiefling, Zariel Tiefling – Subrace Feature – Asmodeus Tiefling: Produce Flame Cantrip, Hellish Rebuke (Level 3), Darkness (Level 5) – Subrace Feature – Mephistopheles Tiefling: Mage Hand Cantrip, Burning Hands (Level 3), Flame Blade (Level 3) – Subrace Feature – Zariel Tiefling: Thaumaturgy Cantrip, Searing Smite (Level 3), Branding Smite (Level 5) – Tieflings are the result of a coupling between humanity and fiends. While Tieflings share the blood of demons and devils, they aren’t necessarily evil. However, their fiendish appearance and supernatural powers mean it can be hard for them to fit in, which is why many choose the path of the adventurer. Best classes for Tiefling The best classes for Asmodeus Tieflings and Mephistopheles Tieflings are Bard, Cleric, Druid, or Warlock. The extra damaging and debuff spells are extremely useful for these builds, especially as you level up. For the Zariel Tiefling, the best class choices are Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, or Ranger. The smiting powers are excellent additions to your arsenal, making this one of the best melee-focused races in the game. When choosing your next character for Baldur’s Gate 3, why not consult our Baldur’s Gate 3 class tier list, find out the max level cap, or the details of multiclassing.

Best Baizhu Genshin Impact build: Artifacts, weapons, more HoYoverseBaizhu is a 5-star Dendro character in Genshin Impact who can be a great healer on your team. Here’s how to effectively build him. Baizhu appeared to players pretty early in the Genshin Impact storyline. However, he didn’t become a playable character until the version 3.6 update in May 2023. Baizhu is a 5-star Catalyst user who can provide party healing and off-field Dendro application. Despite his ability to heal and shield characters, Baizhu does have a high energy requirement. If you’re looking to pull for Baizhu during his rerun banner from May 14, 2024, to June 4, 2024, keep reading for more information. Contents Baizhu abilities in Genshin Impact – Baizhu Constellations – Best Baizhu Artifacts in Genshin Impact – Best Baizhu weapons in Genshin Impact – Baizhu Talent Level-Up and Ascension Materials – Best Baizhu team comp – Baizhu abilities in Genshin Impact Normal Attack: The Classics of Acupuncture Normal Attack: Performs up to 4 attacks that deal Dendro DMG to opponents in front of him. – Charged Attack: Consumes a certain amount of Stamina to deal AoE Dendro DMG to opponents in front of him after a short casting time. – Plunging Attack: Calling upon the might of Dendro, Baizhu plunges towards the ground from mid-air, damaging all opponents in his path. Deals AoE Dendro DMG upon impact with the ground. – Elemental Skill: Universal Diagnosis Controls a Gossamer Sprite that cruises and attacks nearby opponents, dealing Dendro DMG. After it performs 3 attacks or if there are no opponents nearby, the Sprite will return, healing all nearby party members based on Baizhu’s Max HP. Elemental Burst: Holistic Revivification Enters the Pulsing Clarity state, creating a Seamless Shield. While in this state, Baizhu will generate a new Seamless Shield every 2 seconds. The Seamless Shield will unleash a Spiritvein to heal the active character(s) based on Baizhu’s Max HP and attack opponents, dealing Dendro DMG under the following circumstances: When a character is under the protection of a Seamless Shield and a new Seamless Shield is generated. – When the Seamless Shield’s effects expire, or when it is shattered. – Baizhu Constellations in Genshin Impact Attentive Observation (C1): Universal Diagnosis gains one additional charge. – Incisive Discernment (C2): When the active character hits a nearby enemy, Baizhu will unleash a Gossamer Sprite: Splice. This will initiate one attack before returning, dealing 250% of Baizhu’s attack as Dendro damage and healing for 20% of the Gossamer Sprite’s normal healing. This is considered Elemental Skill damage, and can be triggered once every five seconds. – All Aspects Stabilized (C3): Increases the Level of Holistic Revivification by three, with a maximum upgrade level of 15. – Ancient Art of Perception (C4): Baizhu will increase all nearby party members’ Elemental Mastery by 80 for one second after Holistic Revivification is used. – The Hidden Ebb and Flow (C5): Increases the Level of Universal Diagnosis by three, with a maximum upgrade level of 15. – Elimination of Malicious Qi (C6): Increases the damage dealt by Holistic Revivification’s Spiritveins by 8% of Baizhu’s Max HP. Additionally, when a Gossamer Sprite or Gossamer Sprite: Splice hits enemies, one of Holistic Revivification’s Seamless Shields will activate. This effect can only be triggered once by each Sprite. – Best Baizhu Artifacts in Genshin Impact There are several options to choose from for Baizhu’s best Artifact set. We recommend running the 4-piece Deepwood Memories for a Dendro DMG Bonus and a decrease in opponents’ Dendro RES. This works well for Dendro application and for Baizhu to heal and shield the party. If you want Baizhu to focus on healing, you could go with the 4-piece Ocean-Hued Clam. This set grants the character a Healing Bonus and deals damage to enemies according to the amount of health healed. Lastly, the 4-piece Noblesse Oblige set works well for many characters, including Baizhu, for its Elemental Burst DMG and ATK bonus. Best Baizhu weapons in Genshin Impact The best weapon for Baizhu is his signature 5-star Jadefall’s Splendor. It is excellent at restoring energy and providing an Elemental DMG bonus after using an Elemental Burst or creating a shield. The Elemental DMG Bonus scales on every 1,000 Max HP of a character’s health, stacking up to 12%. If you weren’t lucky enough to pull Baizhu’s 5-star weapon, we recommend the 4-star Favonius Codex. After a critical hit, Baizhu has a 60% chance to regenerate six energy. This effect can only occur every 12 seconds. Lastly, we suggest running the 4-star Prototype Amber Catalyst on Baizhu. After using his Elemental Burst, Baizhu can regenerate four Energy every two seconds for six seconds. This effect also regenerates all party members’ health by 4% every two seconds. Baizhu Talent Level-Up and Ascension Materials You will need the following materials to level up Baizhu’s Talents fully: 9x Teachings of Gold – 63x Guide to Gold – 114x Philosophies of Gold – 18x Fungal Spores – 66x Luminescent Pollen – 93x Crystalline Cyst Dust – 18x Worldspan Fern – 3x Crown of Insight – Likewise, we have listed all the materials required to ascend Baizhu fully: Best Baizhu team comp in Genshin Impact Baizhu performs excellently on a team comp focused on the Hyperbloom Elemental Reaction. We recommend placing him alongside party members like Cyno, Nahida, and Yelan. This combination allows Baizhu to act as a Support while the three remaining characters dish out damage. While you can swap out characters you don’t have, we highly suggest placing a second Dendro character on your team for Elemental Resonance. Another team comp that includes three 4-star instead of all 5-star characters is Baizhu, Kaveh, Kuki Shinobu, and Xingqiu. That’s everything you need to know about building Baizhu. Check out our other Genshin Impact build guides below: Best Shenhe build | Best Yun Jin build | Best Kazuha build | Best Albedo Build | Best Hu Tao build |

Baizhi in Wuthering Waves: Element, weapon, more Kuro GamesBaizhi is one of the 4-star units you will get to play with in Wuthering Waves. Here are all the details regarding her element, weapon, and more. Wuthering Waves will be officially released on May 22, 2024, and the game will introduce several characters to play with. There are 5-star units like Jiyan, Calcharo, and Yinlin and 4-star units like Baizhi, Taoqi, and Aalto. Among them, one of the characters that players have their eyes on is Baizhi. She is a 4-star healer and will come in handy while facing some of the most challenging combat the game has to offer. Here is what we know about Baizhi so far in Wuthering Waves. Contents Does Baizhi have a release date in Wuthering Waves? Baizhi is one of the core 4-star units who will be available on release. Therefore, you can get her on May 22, once the game launches. Who is Baizhi in Wuthering Waves? Baizhi is a diligent and sincere researcher in Remnant Ecoacoustics at Huaxu Academy.. She is quite an aloof character and is attracted to those always searching for knowledge. Her goal is to heal the wounded and help those who are suffering. Additionally, she also works hard to revitalize those who are on their deathbeds. Baizhi Element in Wuthering Waves Baizhi is a Glacio Mutant Resonator in Wuthering Waves. She is a healer and will function as a support unit in the game. She can also deal decent damage and can perform as a sub-DPS support. Baizhi weapon in Wuthering Waves Baizhi uses a Rectifier in Wuthering Waves, similar to Yinlin and Jianxin. Baizhi Wuthering Waves gameplay If you’re interested in checking out Baizhi’s gameplay ahead of her release, you can watch the video below:

Backyard Sports is back from the grave and fans are ecstatic Playground ProductionsPlayground Productions gave fans a shot of nostalgia by announcing a relaunch of the iconic Backyard Sports franchise, including film, television, and merchandise. In 1997, Backyard Baseball became a hit sensation and captured the hearts of children who were first getting into video games. The series later expanded to basketball, skateboarding, hockey, and soccer. Fans feared Backyard Sports Basketball would be the last installment in 2015, but Playground Productions pleasantly surprised everyone by announcing a revival. In an interview with Variety, Backyard Sports creator and Playground Productions founder and CEO Lindsay Barnett said, “Backyard Sports’ is more than just a game; it’s a cherished part of childhood for millions of people.” Playground Productions chief product officer Chris Waters added that the development team plans to preserve the look and feel of the original games while giving them a modern facelift. Fans celebrated the announcement and welcomed whatever is in store with welcomed arms. The trailer shows a cast of familiar characters and a preview of commentary from Sunny Day, who voiced most series entries. Playground Productions did not confirm if the original voice cast is back, but the visuals and feel brought up old memories for many. “I just got a flashback to my seven-year-old childhood,” one fan responded. “Perfect timing, now my son gets to enjoy the series just like I did,” a second series veteran said. The announcement brought up several questions such as if the game will have online play, if there will be a mix of kids and MLB pros, and which Backyard Sports titles are coming back. To commemorate the announcement, Playground Productions launched the Backyard Sports website. On the website, fans can listen to the original soundtrack, rewatch the trailer, or sign up for the newsletter to receive updates on any new information. We will provide an update when Playground Productions shares an update on the series revival.

Backfirewall_ Preview: Never updating my phone again Naraven GamesFrom Naraven Games comes the comedic first-person narrative puzzler, Backfirewall_, which takes players on a journey through the inner workings of our smartphones. Naraven Games is a female-led game development studio based in Switzerland whose first project, Answer Knot, was released in 2019. Teaming up with publisher All In! Games, the two studios have now announced their new title: Backfirewall_. Slated to release later this year, Backfirewall_ puts players in the shoes of a program tasked with updating a mobile device’s operating system. But when the operating system goes rogue, and the player’s life is threatened to be terminated, the two must band together to survive – for better or for worse. In addition to playing a demo of Backfirewall_, Dexerto talked with Naraven Games’ lead designer Lucie Robert to take a closer look at the digital world inside out mobile devices. A narrative deeper than you’d think Backfirewall_ may be a comedic adventure filled with rib-tickling dialogue and amusing characters, but its narrative extends beyond humor. Players will be faced with a choice that looms over them for the duration of the experience. In its simplest form, Backfirewall_ is a tale of survival. The player can choose at any time to update the mobile device making the life of the phone’s user and the programs thereof much easier. However, this effectively kills the player and OS9, the rogue operating system you befriend at the start of the game. There are also several characters and factions you will meet along the way that either side with OS9 or utterly despise him. “There are lots of little choices the player can make, even if they don’t realize it’s a choice at the moment, ” stated Robert. “At the end, you will see if a character ended up like this or like that. You’ll see if a character survived, but it’s only if you performed an action before or after certain events.” These choices will be something players struggle to make throughout the game, but the biggest choice is whether to update the device or selfishly make the lives of others harder so you can continue to live. While the game takes place inside of the phone, the phone’s user has an impact on the story and the player’s decisions. What can easily be seen as a villainous update program at first can later look like an option for the greater good. Robert described OS9 as a “loveable a**hole”, and that makes him a much more endearing partner in crime. But there’s a constant struggle to determine who the real “bad guy” is when you learn more about the user. Exploring a world so familiar When asked what inspired Naraven to make a game based inside a phone, Robert responded, “The first idea was to create a concept around an object we all know but don’t think twice about.” Backfirewall_ explores what happens inside of our smart devices by personifying every aspect. Apps and programs are characters, different systems in the phone are explorable areas, and digital terms are made simple by turning them into physical objects. “We wanted to explore what could happen inside our phones when something random happens, such as an update. What kind of drama or story conflict it could bring,” Robert stated. And this conflict will introduce players to pretty much everything you would find in a smartphone. “Every level you go through are components of the phone, such as RAM and GPUs. Most of the characters are apps like social media or processes.” Shortcutting your way through the game This narrative game is also filled with puzzles, and players have a few tools they can use to navigate their way through the phone. Conveniently, all of these tools are actual keyboard shortcuts you may use on a daily basis. During the demo, players were only given the delete function allowing them to remove certain objects. But the intro sequence introduces all four tools players will get their hands on throughout the game. They are delete, color, copy, and invert. “They’re supposed to be reminiscent of shortcuts that computer users already use,” stated Robert. “The more you progress through the world the more obstacles will be in your way since you’re rogue and not supposed to be doing what you’re doing.” Players can use these shortcuts to make their own path through levels or to have a bit of fun messing with the environment. Being able to delete objects in the first area was fun enough, so adding more tools to your belt could open a world of delightful possibilities. Backfirewall_ oozes charm and personality, and it’s a game players should be looking forward to jumping into. The experience from Naraven already feels like it will fit perfectly next to similar comedic puzzlers such as The Stanley Parable and Portal. All In! Games states Bakcfirewall_ is slated to release in 2022 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

Is Back 4 Blood on Xbox Game Pass? Turtle Rock StudiosIs Back 4 Blood coming to the Xbox Game Pass? Here’s everything you need to know to play Left 4 Dead’s spiritual successor. First there was Left 4 Dead, the staple title of the zombie survival genre, and now there’s Back 4 Blood, the title’s brother in arms that’s set to unleash the Ridden all over again. Boasting enhanced graphics, a roster of unique zombie slayers, crossplay and a whole lot of gore, the game is perfect for the spooky winter months. Looking to get your own little slice of zombie pie via the Xbox Game Pass? Here’s everything you need to know. Contents Is Back 4 Blood on Xbox Game Pass? Upon release, Back 4 Blood will be available on the Xbox Game Pass. Read More: Back 4 Blood Release Time – The rotating subscription system sees a whole host of games become available to Xbox users, cutting down the price players have to pay to play all of the newest games. Back 4 Blood will retail for $60 (£50), and considering the Game Pass is $10 (£8) per month, that’s quite the saving. Back 4 Blood not on Game Pass/failed to sign in Upon release, some players have reported that the game isn’t appearing on their Game Pass, or that they’re greeted with an error message when trying to sign in. The simple fix for this is to run the game via the Microsoft Store, which is available in the “Start” menu on PCs. For consoles, you’ll want to hard restart – holding down the power button for 10 seconds – if you’re having issues. tks, resolved. Exit game, Start menu, search and open Microsoft store, click back4blood. It will Auto Update. I spent an hour looking for a solution — tian zhan (@tianzhan7) October 12, 2021 Where to buy Xbox Game Pass The Xbox Game Pass can be purchased via Xbox’s official website for both PC and Xbox consoles. Sadly, PlayStation players cannot take advantage of the deal. The pass comes in two tiers: Standard: Includes access to hundreds of games, as well as Xbox exclusive games on release. PC players can also get their first month for $1 (£1.) – – Ultimate: Everything that comes with the standard edition, but also includes Xbox Live Gold, the ability to play games on Cloud and free in-game content. – Back 4 Blood will be available on the Game Pass from release day on 12 October. So that’s everything you need to know about Back 4 Blood’s Xbox Game Pass debut! Looking to keep up with all of the latest B4B info? Check out our dedicated page.