General News

For the past two to three years, one topic has been a constant point of discussion across the gaming industry: what will the final cost of GTA 6 be? Recently, it seems a key clue regarding this discussion has finally emerged.

This clue comes from an interview with the chief executive of GTA 6's parent company. While they did not address the matter directly, we can infer that the projected figure is likely $70 or $80.

The Interview

The reporter's question revolved around the game's business model, raising a practical issue: in the mobile gaming space, embedded advertising has become a significant revenue stream for developers. For PC and console games made with massive investments, such as GTA 6, might they consider introducing advertisements?

Strauss Zelnick, the chief executive of GTA 6's parent company, responded that for free-to-play titles, embedded advertising is a viable model. However, for games that players acquire for $70 or $80, such an approach would not be taken.

He added that in sports titles like NBA 2K, there is a limited presence of advertising because it aligns with the authenticity of the game's setting, though it does not serve as a major source of revenue.

It was this reference to "$70 or $80" that led players to believe he might have inadvertently hinted at GTA 6's cost. This suggests that the standard edition of GTA 6 will fall within the $70 to $80 range, perhaps leaning closer to $80.

Why $70-$80?

Although many assumed the development team could push GTA 6's cost to new heights given its unparalleled anticipation, opting to stay within the existing range is undoubtedly the wiser commercial decision.

On one hand, this relates to public relations, brand loyalty, and player trust. The company understands that even without raising the base cost, the game itself and the subsequent GTA 6 Online will generate enormous revenue.

The $70–$80 range falls within an acceptable bracket for most console and PC players, helping to avoid excluding potential audiences due to an excessively high entry threshold. Within the gaming industry, there is no successful precedent for significantly elevating the base cost of a major title to $90 or $100; making such a leap would carry commercial risks.

On the other hand, from a business strategy perspective, even if the base edition is set at $80, the company can still achieve greater earnings by offering various editions - such as deluxe, collector's, or even online-specific versions - along with services tied to the online mode. Thus, there is little need to take risks with the base edition's cost.

Significance of GTA 6's Cost

GTA 6 has become one of the most eagerly awaited games among players and can be seen as a benchmark for future game releases. Its cost could influence the pricing of future AAA titles.

As the title with the strongest justification in the market to raise its cost, if GTA 6 instead reverts to $60, it would directly challenge the current trend of ever-increasing costs for AAA games.

Consumers would then use it as a benchmark, questioning whether other $70 games truly offer comparable value. This could pressure subsequent AAA titles to lower their costs and might lead players to be more lenient in their reviews.

If set at $70, it would maintain the existing anchor price, but GTA 6's very presence would serve as a comparative benchmark for other titles. Players would naturally wonder: if GTA 6 is available for $70, what justifies this other game also being $70? This might result in players holding other games at that price point to stricter scrutiny.

If GTA 6 were set at $80, while it might sacrifice a minimal number of sales due to the higher cost, its unmatched audience base would ensure total revenue still increases substantially. However, this would also raise the upper limit for other AAA titles.

Interstitial Advertising

The term "interstitial advertising," mentioned by Zelnick, has also sparked discussion. Some games have employed this strategy in the past, but reception has generally been unfavorable.

Several sports franchises under GTA 6's parent company, such as NBA 2K and WWE 2K, have been used as testing grounds for incorporating in-game advertisements and microtransactions. These attempts have frequently drawn criticism from players, who feel that forcibly inserting ads into games they have already acquired at full cost - and which already contain microtransactions - oversteps acceptable boundaries.

For GTA 6, incorporating such advertisements would not only disrupt players' immersion but also undermine the series' core identity of satire and parody. GTA series has built a distinctive fictional world where its billboards, radio stations, and brands are rooted in satirical mimicry of reality. Introducing real-world advertisements would completely shatter this carefully crafted atmosphere.

A more refined approach to brand collaborations might be feasible instead - such as incorporating real clothing brands or featuring collaborations with real artists on in-game radio stations. GTA 5, for instance, included a radio station curated by Frank Ocean.

Such an approach could deliver commercial value without compromising the authenticity of the game world. Given the developer's reputation and influence, they are well-positioned to make their stance clear to the parent company, choosing a business model that respects both players and the integrity of the game.

Zelnick's remarks may not have been specifically about any single title but rather a general reference to all premium paid games priced between $70 and $80. Therefore, it might be premature to interpret his comments as a definitive conclusion on GTA 6's cost. Still, it remains something worth anticipating.

While acquiring more powerful players is important in MLB The Show 26, the most effective way to boost your team's overall strength is, more often than not, by enhancing the cards you already own.

To achieve this, farming Parallel XP is key. This specialized type of XP allows you to boost a player's all-around stats, up to five times.

Building upon this foundation, and to ensure Parallel mechanic functions even more effectively, MLB 26 introduces the brand-new Parallel Mod system. So, how does it work? We're here to walk you through it.

What is Parallel XP?

Some newcomers might confuse Parallel XP (PXP) with standard XP. Although the sources for farming them are largely the same, they are, in fact, two distinct mechanics within MLB 26.

Standard XP serves to advance your progress along Season XP Reward Path, thereby unlocking additional MLB 26 stubs or premium player cards and packs.

Parallel XP, on the other hand, is utilized specifically to boost the stats of the player cards you currently own. Generally, we recommend reserving this for the core players in your starting lineup.

Whenever you accumulate enough PXP to cross a specific threshold and complete a level-up, you earn a +1 boost to all of that player's stats, up to a maximum of +5:

• Parallel I - 500 PXP
• Parallel II - 1,500 PXP
• Parallel III - 3,000 PXP
• Parallel IV - 6,000 PXP
• Parallel V - 10,000 PXP

It is important to note that these stat boosts only take effect when you are playing in Diamond Dynasty mode, and they apply specifically to the individual player cards currently active in your lineup.

How to farm PXP?

Almost every mode in MLB The Show 26 offers both PXP and standard XP. However, the amount of PXP you earn varies depending on the specific in-game actions performed, the difficulty level selected, and the game mode played.

More specifically, performing more complex actions and playing on higher difficulty settings yield greater amounts of PXP; additionally, online modes typically provide a 1.5x bonus multiplier for Parallel XP earnings.

Alternatively, you can capitalize on the game's periodic Double PXP Days events, during which PXP earned from completing any match is doubled.

As for standard XP, there is a daily cap on the total amount you can earn, set at a maximum of 30,000. However, if you do not play on a given day, any unused portion of that daily limit will roll over and be added to your XP cap for the following day.

Additionally, the game allows you to earn extra standard XP by completing specific Programs or by engaging in special game modes such as Conquest or Mini Seasons.

What is Parallel Mod?

Introduced as a new mechanic in MLB 26, Parallel Mod builds upon the existing PXP system to provide you with additional ways to enhance your players' stats.

This system features three rarity tiers: Silver, Gold, and Diamond, ranging from lowest to highest, each offering stat boosts of varying potency.

To unlock each Mod tier, you must not only meet specific Parallel Level or PXP requirements but also complete certain in-game objectives, such as securing a specific number of wins or recording a certain number of hits.

Notably, both the gold and diamond mods can offer two distinct types of boosts: those targeting a single stat, and those targeting a combination of two stats.

How to utilize Parallel Mod?

Given the demanding nature of the unlock conditions, you must formulate a clear plan for unlocking and upgrading right from the start; this ensures you maximize the value of Parallel Mod within your limited time and effort. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Prioritize adding mods

Although there are three tiers of Parallel Mods available, we recommend prioritizing the unlocking of gold mods for the majority of your players.

You can then select your core starters to pursue diamond mods; this strategy allows you to boost your team's overall strength much more rapidly.

However, once a player card reaches Parallel Level 1, you can use just 500 PXP to unlock their exclusive silver mod. While the resulting stat boosts may not be particularly significant, they serve as a helpful aid if you are not yet in a position to unlock the higher-tier mods.

Identify the stats you wish to enhance

As previously mentioned, the gold and diamond tiers offer you a choice between two types of stat boosts: single-stat boosts and dual-stat (mixed) boosts.

Single-stat boosts provide higher numerical increases to a specific stat, whereas dual-stat boosts offer broader coverage across multiple areas of a player's performance.

Therefore, before making a decision, you must thoroughly analyze and consider the existing stats of the player you intend to enhance.

For instance, if a specific dual-stat Mod boosts both stat A and stat B, but the player in question already possesses a very high rating in one of those stats, then applying that dual-stat mod would effectively be a waste of resources.

Single-player modes are the best way to unlock mods

To accelerate your progress toward meeting PXP requirements for Parallel Mods, you might be tempted to prioritize farming in online modes, as they offer a 1.5x PXP bonus.

However, online modes are characterized by high difficulty and inherent unpredictability. You could end up making repeated attempts without ever achieving your objectives, thereby wasting valuable time rather than making efficient progress.

Therefore, we highly recommend that you farm in single-player modes such as Hall of Fame or Legends. Not only is this approach more consistent, but you can also earn more PXP by unlocking higher difficulty levels more quickly.

That covers everything you need to know about the new Parallel Mod feature in MLB 26. We hope this guide proves helpful as you play the game!

In WoW TBC Classic Anniversary, many players flock to well-known farming spots, often overlooking some exceptional locations hidden throughout Outland. These areas not only provide a steady flow of gold but also come with far less competition.

Before the arrival of Phase 2, popular farming sites are always overcrowded. If you're looking to avoid the competition, these concealed gold farms are well worth considering. Some of these spots can be visited before reaching level 70, and if you have a profession such as Skinning, your earnings can be even higher.

Arakkoa Feathers in Terokkar Forest

The first hidden farm lies in Terokkar Forest. Scattered across this zone are several Arakkoa camps, and all you need to do is rotate between them, taking down Skithian mobs.

Your main target here is Arakkoa Feather. This item holds strong value on the auction house because an NPC named Malukaz in Lower City of Shattrath offers a repeatable quest called “More Arakkoa Feathers.”

By turning in 30 feathers, players earn reputation with Lower City faction. Since many individuals require substantial amounts of Lower City reputation to reach Revered or higher, Arakkoa Feathers consistently enjoy stable market demand.

In addition, these Arakkoa mobs drop cloth, silver, and the occasional uncommon-quality piece of gear, making Arakkoa camps in Terokkar Forest a very reliable early-Outland gold farm.

Cobra Scales in Nagrand

The next farming location is in Nagrand, specifically at Twilight Ridge within the zone.

Here, you will find Twilight Serpents. These snakes can be skinned to obtain Cobra Scales, one of the more valuable leatherworking materials in TBC Anniversary.

Cobra Scales are essential for several high-level crafting recipes, so they tend to command a strong value on the auction house. A quick glance at auction house rates will show that this material maintains robust demand on most realms.

If you possess Skinning skill, this farm becomes especially profitable. Each serpent you defeat can be skinned for additional Knothide Leather and Cobra Scales, making it a highly rewarding spot for those with advanced Skinning proficiency.

Primal Air in Shadowmoon Valley

The third hidden farm is located in Shadowmoon Valley, where the focus is on Enraged Spirits of Air.

These elementals have a chance to drop Mote of Air. Gathering ten of these allows you to create Primal Air, one of the most valuable primal materials in WoW TBC Anniversary. Primal Air is widely used in high-end crafting recipes and engineering items, ensuring steady demand and strong value.

Notably, in the same area you will also encounter Shadow Serpents. If you have Skinning, these can be skinned after being defeated, providing Knothide Leather and Cobra Scales as well. If you can take advantage of both types of creatures here, the efficiency of earning WoW TBC Classic Anniversary gold in this spot becomes quite impressive.

Primal Mana in Blade's Edge Mountains

The fourth farm takes you to Blade's Edge Mountains, where you will seek out and defeat Aether Rays. These flying creatures have a chance to drop Mote of Mana, which can be combined into Primal Mana. Primal Mana is a key material for several professions, and due to its broad demand, it maintains steady value on the auction house across most realms.

An additional advantage of this farm is that Aether Rays can also be skinned. This means you can gather motes while also collecting extra materials such as Knothide Leather, making it an efficient and multifaceted farming spot.

Mote of Fire in Blade's Edge Mountains

Also within Blade's Edge Mountains lies another excellent elemental farm. This time, you are after Searing Elementals.

These mobs have a chance to drop Mote of Fire, which can be combined into Primal Fire. Primal Fire is one of the most widely used primal materials in TBC, with high demand across professions such as blacksmithing, engineering, and tailoring, so its value remains consistently strong.

A great benefit of this farm is that you can begin before reaching level 70. The elementals here are level 68, meaning players around level 66 or 67 can comfortably start farming them. If you are still progressing through Outland and want to earn some gold along the way, this is an excellent choice.

Fel Armaments in Shadowmoon Valley

The sixth farm is located in Shadowmoon Valley, specifically within the demon camps around Legion Hold.

Here, you can farm warlocks and demon mobs that have a chance to drop Fel Armaments. These items can be turned in for reputation with Aldor faction, allowing them to command a strong value on the auction house. Depending on the economy of your realm, many players require large quantities of these items while advancing their Aldor reputation, resulting in relatively steady demand.

In addition to Fel Armaments, these demons drop cloth, silver, and the occasional uncommon piece of gear, making the earnings from this spot fairly consistent. With dense mob populations and rapid respawn rates in the camp, you can move between different sections to maintain a continuous and efficient farming rhythm.

Nether Dragonscales in Netherstorm

Netherstorm offers a particularly interesting farming opportunity. Here, your primary targets are Nether Dragons.

These dragons can be defeated and skinned for a variety of valuable materials, including Knothide Leather, Knothide Leather Scraps, and Nether Dragonscales. Nether Dragonscales are used in high-end leatherworking recipes, so they typically command strong value on the auction house.

What makes this farm especially intriguing is that many players come to this area to complete quests and slay these dragons, yet most of them do not have Skinning. This means you can simply make a circuit through the zone, skinning the dragon corpses left behind by other players, turning their efforts into extra gold for yourself. You can also engage them yourself and gather leather and dragonscales from each dragon you defeat.

Many players tend to concentrate on a handful of popular spots, while these locations across Outland often go completely unnoticed. However, knowing where to go and what to look for, these farms can accumulate a substantial amount of gold for you over time.

If you want to build a truly powerful character in Diablo 2 Resurrected, you'll need to socket runes or Runewords into your gear, as they provide incredible bonuses.

Therefore, to ensure balance, the number of socketable runes/Runewords and compatible gears is limited, meaning you must find the optimal options within a limited scope.

Based on this, this article will recommend the necessity of using Enigma Runewords in Ladder Season 13 and how to obtain them.

What are Runewords?

In Diablo 2: Resurrected, Runewords refer to the runes you obtain and then socket into suitable gears in sequence.

These gears must be non-magic socketed and consistent with the type of Runeword you want to equip. Furthermore, different Runewords require different numbers of runes, and short Runewords cannot be combined.

Enigma Runeword

Based on the above concepts and classifications, D2R Enigma Runeword belongs to the armor category. Enigma can only be unlocked by acquiring Jah, Ith, and Ber runes and then inserting them into chest armor with three slots.

Once you meet the socketing requirements and your character reaches at least level 65, you can enjoy the various bonuses provided by this Runeword, specifically including:

• +2 to All Skills
• +45% Faster Run/Walk
• +1 to Teleport
• +750-775 Defense
• +0-74 To Strength
• +5% Maximum Life
• -8% Damage
• +14 Life After Each Kill
• +15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
• +1-99% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

Of all these bonuses, the one that truly makes Enigma valuable in Season 13 is the +1 to Teleport effect. This effect has no charge or class restrictions, except for the fixed Druids Werewolf or Werebear forms that cannot be teleported.

This means almost all players can use Enigma Runeword to teleport freely, reach their destination faster, maneuver more flexibly, and even skip unnecessary combat during magic-find.

Therefore, some argue that Enigma is too powerful. But honestly, since other attributes are already so mediocre, one advantage should be allowed!

How to obtain Enigma?

You need to farm Jah, Ith, and Ber runes, then insert them into gear to form Enigma. Of these three runes, only Ith is of a lower level; the other two are rare runes of level 60 and above, with a relatively low drop rate.

Ith rune

This rune starts dropping after you unlock Normal difficulty. Common sources include Act 3 on Normal or higher difficulty, and defeating Countess, Hellforge, and Secret Cows on Normal+ difficulty.

Countess is a boss in Act 1 Forgotten Tower quest, specifically located on Black Marsh on the fifth floor of Forgotten Tower. Each kill yields an average of 2-3 runes.

Act 3 consists of six missions. Completing them and defeating Act 3 bosses earns you loot or chests, including Ith rune.

Secret Cows is a dedicated farming level with the same difficulty levels as regular content. It unlocks after completing all acts at the corresponding difficulty level.

Once unlocked, you can farm Secret Cows at any time, but you must complete the following prerequisites each time:

1. Enter Stony Field in Act 1 and kill Rakinishu and his minions.
2. Travel to Tristram via the portal.
3. Find and click on Wirt's body in the northwest corner to obtain gold and Wirt's Leg.
4. Obtain a Tome of Town Portal. Combine it with Wirt's Leg in Horadric Cube to open the portal to Secret Cows.

This portal will remain open until you exit the game. Afterward, you can travel back and forth between town and Secret Cows using normal methods.

In addition to hordes of Hell Bovines that can be killed, the levels also feature Super-Unique Hell Bovines and The Cow King, as well as occasional Champion Packs of Hell Bovines and Unique Hell Bovines.

Jah and Ber rune

This rune drops from Secret Cows on Hell difficulty and above, and from Act 4. Act 4 quests include:

• The Fallen Angel
• The Hellforge
• Terror's End

As for Ber rune, its acquisition method is basically the same as Jah, except that it applies to Act 3.

Which gear is suitable for pairing with Enigma?

Theoretically, any chest armor that meets the basic requirements can be chosen, but to avoid reducing your mobility, we recommend prioritizing light armor, specifically:

• Dusk Shroud
• Wyrmhide
• Scarab Husk
• Wire Fleece
• Great Hauberk
• Archon Plate

These armors can have a maximum of 4 slots, so you'll need to consume extra time finding versions with 3 slots, or reforging a standard no-slot version in Horadric Cube before modifying it.

Is this Runeword worth having?

From a practical standpoint, aside from Druid being limited by its special form, other classes can gain a decent movement speed bonus through Enigma, and the requirement of only three rune slots means a wide range of gear options.

However, the disadvantage of this Runeword is that two of the three runes it requires are relatively difficult to obtain and are also materials needed for other popular Runewords in crafting. Therefore, if you don't have enough runes, you must make trade-offs.

In short, Enigma is best acquired when your build is relatively mature or you prioritize increasing mobility. Otherwise, other runes that increase damage output or defense should be your priority.

That concludes our introduction to D2R Enigma Runeword. If it's the boost you need, start farming it following our guide!

Diablo 4 Season 12 recently received a new patch, introducing a host of changes across several aspects, including experience gain, boss difficulty, and the loot system.

Additionally, two limited-time events are currently running simultaneously in the game: Mother's Bless and Gift of the Tree. These events may help address the current scarcity of materials players are facing. Let's take a look at how you can make the most of them.

March 24 Patch

Paragon Points

Players had previously reported inconsistencies in Paragon Point allocation, and this issue has not been fully resolved, as some players continued to report it after the update.

Difficulty

Blood Stained Sigil and Blood Soaked Sigils in Diablo 4 Season 12 affect the game's difficulty. Previously, after clearing The Pit Tier 100, Blood Soaked Sigils obtained by players featured excessively high monster health and damage values, leading to a sharp difficulty spike. The development team has since adjusted this, bringing the challenge to a more reasonable level.

Compared to Blood Stained Sigil, dungeons using Blood Soaked Sigils offer more generous rewards, including higher-quality gear and additional materials. In boss encounters, bosses under Blood Soaked Sigils have noticeably more health, but the drops upon defeat are significantly better than those from Blood Stained Sigil version.

If your character is strong enough, even if clearing takes a bit longer, Blood Soaked Sigils are the better choice due to the higher returns. However, be sure you have enough survivability to handle the boss's mechanics, which deal increased damage.

Gift of the Tree

After defeating bosses, players can now obtain Gift of the Tree caches. These caches sometimes contain additional caches inside, giving you the chance to acquire more Diablo 4 items.

Fresh Meat and Stash

In The Broiler, the developers have added a Fresh Meat Vendor and a stash. Players can now use Fresh Meat directly here for gambling and immediately manage the gear they obtain, eliminating the need to travel back and forth to towns.

Mother's Bless

The two ongoing events have different durations. Mother's Bless lasts for two weeks, ending on April 7. It grants players a 35% bonus to experience from monster kills and 50% extra gold. Note that this bonus only applies to monster kills themselves and does not include rewards from completing The Pit or quests.

These bonuses are multiplicative. For players who have not yet reached Paragon level 300, this is an excellent opportunity to quickly increase their level.

How to Maximize This Event?

During the event, take advantage of other sources:

• Forgotten Wisdom dungeon: Completing it grants a 15% experience bonus for one hour.
• Elixir: Using any elixir provides a 5% experience bonus.
• Incense: Using any incense grants a 5% experience bonus (using multiple incenses simultaneously offers additional stat boosts, but the experience bonus applies only once).

Helltide

If your goal is to farm experience, the core objective in Helltide isn't to kill all monsters, but rather to eliminate 4 Butchers per wave of enemies, as Butchers provide the highest experience yield. It is recommended to set Blood Stained Sigil version that you can consistently clear as your Favorite.

If you inadvertently upgrade all your sigils to a difficulty you can no longer handle, you can create a second character, quickly level them to 60 using Whisper Caches, equip your main character's gear, return to Torment 4 difficulty to obtain a Blood Stained Sigil, and then resume farming XP.

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Gift of the Tree Event

Gift of the Tree event lasts for only one week and will conclude on March 31. Players seeking more gear should be sure not to miss this week. The core of this event is to quickly complete Whispers and turn them in to receive double rewards. Here is the optimal strategy.

PvP Zones

PvP Zones are the most efficient locations for completing Whisper tasks, with no mandatory PvP involvement.

Each PvP zone contains a boss called Seething Abomination. Defeating it immediately grants 5 Grim Favors. You only need to land a single hit on it, and if other players are already engaging it, you will still receive the reward. Simply completing this in both PvP zones yields 10 Grim Favors.

Additionally, after collecting Seeds of Hatred in PvP zones, you can spend about 40 seconds depositing them at Altar of Extraction to earn an additional 3 Grim Favors.

Once you have completed Whisper tasks, you don't need to return to Tree of Whispers itself. Numerous Ravens of the Tree are scattered across the map, allowing you to turn in tasks and claim event rewards directly.

Other Efficient Methods

• Helltide: Defeating Blood Maiden immediately grants 10 Grim Favors.
• Nightmare Dungeons: Nightmare dungeons marked with a special icon on the map reward 5 Grim Favors upon completion.
• Bosses and World Events: World bosses, Legion events, and similar activities are also great choices for obtaining Grim Favors and materials.

These are the highlights of March 24 update. It allows casual players to catch up more quickly, but keep in mind that the two events have different durations, so try to participate in them now, or you might miss out on one. As for March of the Goblins event that players are anticipating, it will probably go live in the coming week.

Path of Exile 3.28 league is fast approaching its one-month mark, and its performance across all aspects has largely stabilized, barring any future in-game events or patches designed to address specific glaring flaws.

Consequently, it is high time to conduct a provisional assessment of the game's current state, with a particular focus on the ever-shifting meta landscape that has been in flux since 3.24 league.

This review will not only assist players who have yet to dive deep into Mirage league in deciding whether to continue playing, but also provide strategies for those looking to further optimize and empower their characters in the endgame. Let's get started.

The diminishing importance of Energy Shield

Since the introduction of T17 maps in 3.24 league, the prevailing meta, driven by the need to tackle high-difficulty content for lucrative rewards, has compelled the majority of players to adopt an Energy Shield (ES)-centric playstyle.

This trend emerged primarily because T17 maps ramp up difficulty through specific affixes; Energy Shield offered the most flexible and effective means of mitigating the threats posed by these particularly dangerous modifiers.

Subsequently, 3.25 league introduced new tiers of high-end base items, specifically those capable of converting defensive attributes into offensive power.

These items allowed players to stack colossal amounts of Energy Shield, thereby further entrenching and reinforcing the meta dominance of this specific playstyle.

While this approach yielded significant combat advantages in the short term, over the long run, it led to a stagnation of the game's combat dynamics, a phenomenon that explains why the leagues immediately following it felt somewhat lackluster and stagnant.

Fortunately, the fervor surrounding ES Stacking began to subside in 3.27 league. 3.28 Mirage league has further accelerated this trend of de-emphasizing Energy Shield through a comprehensive restructuring of T17 maps.

In addition to reducing the loot bonuses associated with these maps, the developers removed several of the most contentious map affixes, thereby breaking the stranglehold these modifiers had previously exerted on the survivability of various character builds.

Building upon these changes, 3.28 league also implemented a more direct nerf to Energy Shield by reducing the amount of ES gained per point of intelligence, the primary attribute used for scaling Energy Shield.

The changing landscape of dominant classes

Undoubtedly, the seismic shifts in Energy Shield meta are poised to trigger a transformative overhaul of Path of Exile's overall landscape, and the relative rankings of the various character classes are the first to feel the impact.

For the past four leagues, Trickster has consistently held the top spot among Ascendancy classes, largely thanks to its core passive, One Step Ahead.

However, starting in League 3.27, the game subjected this passive to a drastic nerf, completely removing its former offensive bonuses.

Building upon this, the introduction of Bloodline classes now allows players to utilize additional synergies to resist or mitigate action speed reduction effects, a feat that, in the past (without the aid of specific gear), was achievable only by Trickster and Juggernaut.

In light of these changes, the dominant Ascendancy class in the current 3.28 league has shifted to Hierophant. A further contributing factor is that the game's most popular build, Kinetic Fusilade Totems build, also originates from this class.

This archetype is not only viable for both league-start progression and endgame content, but it also offers a seamless transition into Kinetic Blast of Clustering build, a powerhouse strategy from previous leagues.

Furthermore, when the inherent set-and-forget nature of Totem builds is combined with Hierophant's popular Conviction of Power passive, players can effectively blend defensive and block mechanics to achieve significantly greater survivability.

Another standout Ascendancy class in League 3.28 is Necromancer. It, too, boasts a rich and diverse array of viable builds, with Kinetic Blast of Clustering remaining the most popular choice.

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For Necromancer, this specific build allows for full utilization of the attack speed bonuses against corpse clusters, thereby leveraging the class's minion-centric identity to maximum effect.

Changes to melee builds

Since receiving substantial buffs in League 3.25, the strongest melee builds in Path of Exile have been typified by Slam skills, particularly during the initial league-start phase.

However, Mirage league introduced nerfs to this archetype, including targeted adjustments specifically aimed at the core skill, Earthshatter.

Consequently, while Slam builds can still deliver respectable performance during the league-start phase when played as a Slayer or Berserker, the era in which they held an overwhelming advantage over all other melee options has come to a definitive end.

In light of this shift, the melee build currently garnering the most attention is Elemental Hit. Its damage output is derived directly from the skill gem itself, a characteristic that aligns perfectly with the demands of the league-start phase, where immediately acquiring gear with exceptional stats is typically a difficult challenge.

Furthermore, Elemental Hit allows you to fully leverage Slayer's defensive strengths, providing you with enhanced life recovery capabilities.

Chaos Inoculation is no longer in its prime

Previously, aside from Energy Shield, Chaos Inoculation (CI) was a core keystone passive considered a mandatory choice for many players crafting their builds.

However, starting with 3.27 league, the introduction of a series of new gear pieces designed to bolster life stacking began to overshadow CI.

In 3.28 league, CI's standing has declined even further. This shift is primarily due to a moderate reduction in the overall difficulty of endgame content, which has opened the door for a wider variety of diverse builds to thrive.

In other words, sources of lucrative rewards are no longer strictly locked to the select few specific map modifiers; this gives you far more flexibility and options when farming for loot.

Conclusion

The introduction of new mechanics and gear starting in 3.27 league, combined with the further optimizations introduced in 3.28 league, have collectively shaped the current Path of Exile meta-game into one that prioritizes both stability and diversity.

So, whether you are a newcomer to the game or a veteran player weighing whether to dive back in, now is the absolute best time to experience Path of Exile! Have fun!

In Diablo 2 Resurrected Season 13, Warlock stands as arguably the strongest class currently available, surpassing others in both playstyle and overall effectiveness. Presented here is a build that remains exceptionally potent in the endgame: Abyss Warlock.

This build excels in the later stages of the game due to the fact that magic-immune monsters are almost nonexistent throughout the entire game, with only a handful of exceptions. Let's go over the attribute allocation, skill setup, and gear choices you'll need.

Attribute Allocation

The principle for attribute allocation is simple: invest only as needed. Your goal is to bolster your survivability, relying on gear and charms to cover your resistances.

Points in Strength and Dexterity should only be allocated to meet the requirements of your equipment. Since some gear will grant additional attributes, the actual number of points you need to invest is relatively low. All remaining points should be poured into Vitality to significantly boost your health pool.

Abyss Warlock Skills

Chaos Skill Tree

This is the core damage source for this playstyle, with skill points primarily invested in the right-hand branch of the tree.

• Miasma Bolt: Primarily used for single targets, though its usage frequency is relatively low.
• Miasma Chain: One of the primary skills for clearing areas. In the current version, this skill benefits from a damage bonus bug, causing it to deal far more damage than intended, making it a skill you'll want to use frequently.
• Abyss: Another core damage skill, used in conjunction with Miasma Chain.
• Enhanced Entropy: A passive boost that increases overall damage.
• Sigil: Lethargy: Used when facing bosses to effectively slow their movements.
• Sigil: Death: When a monster's health drops below 13%, this triggers an explosion that deals AoE damage split evenly between physical and fire, swiftly clearing out any remaining foes.
• Sigil: Rancor: An infrequently used skill that can enrage monsters.

Demon Skill Tree

Point allocation in this branch is not fixed and should be adjusted based on your gear. You'll rely on "+skill level" bonuses from equipment to reach key thresholds where skills undergo significant improvements.

• Demonic Mastery: At level 20, this allows you to summon three demons simultaneously.
• Summon Defiler: At level 20, this maximizes the number of Bound Souls.
• Binding Demon: At level 20, this grants your demons access to their full range of affixes, along with an aura.

When equipped with top-tier, endgame gear, you should carefully control the points invested so that the three skills mentioned above each reach exactly level 20 with the bonuses from your equipment.

If your gear is less optimized, prioritize reaching level 20 in Demonic Mastery to secure the third demon. Next, focus on Binding Demon to unlock the aura benefit. Finally, allocate points to Summon Defiler. If points are limited, you can afford to invest less in the latter two skills.

All remaining skill points should be directed into Consume. This skill not only increases run/walk speed but also, when used to consume a Defiler, provides you with a temporary bonus to magic damage and reduces enemies' magic resistance, leading to a substantial damage increase.

Endgame Gear

The equipment listed below is highly valuable. To fully unlock its potential, you will also require Diablo 2 Resurrected Runes. If you're unable to acquire these rare items, alternative options are also suggested.

Weapon: Void Kris

This provides +2 to all skills, high Faster Cast Rate (FCR), magic skill damage, and a direct bonus to Abyss, making it the perfect weapon for this build. An alternative would be a high Faster Cast Rate weapon like Heart of the Oak.

Off-hand: Ars Dul'Mephistos Occult Tome

This grants Warlock skills, Faster Cast Rate, Faster Hit Recovery (FHR), and a substantial -22% to enemy magic resistance, significantly boosting your damage output. A Spirit runeword shield can serve as an alternative.

Helm: Harlequin Crest

Beyond the helm itself, you'll want to socket it with a jewel that reduces enemy magic resistance and increases skill damage. Harlequin Crest also provides a large amount of life, mana, and Magic Find (MF). An alternative helm could be Hellwarden's Will Death Mask, which offers skills, Faster Cast Rate, and resistance reduction.

Armor: Enigma

Enigma provides the unparalleled Teleport skill, vastly improving your mobility and farming efficiency. Chains of Honor is a viable alternative.

Gloves: Trang-Oul's Claws

Trang-Oul's Claws offer Faster Cast Rate and cold resistance. Magefist is another solid choice.

Rings: Sling Ring

Sling Ring provides excellent attributes such as reduced enemy magic resistance, Faster Cast Rate, and Magic Find. There are many other excellent ring options available, such as The Stone of Jordan, Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band, or Opalvein Ring.

Belt: Arachnid Mesh

Arachnid Mesh is the best choice, offering +1 to all skill levels and Faster Cast Rate. While options like Goldwrap or a Caster Crafted Belt are decent, the lack of +1 to all skill levels is a significant drawback.

Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope

Mara's Kaleidoscope provides +2 to all skills and resistance to all elements, helping to compensate for any resistance deficiencies from other gear. A well-rolled Caster Crafted Amulet is an equally excellent option and can potentially provide even greater damage if its affixes are optimal.

Boots: Wraithstep Mirrored Boots

Wraithstep Mirrored Boots offer a high amount of Strength and Dexterity, helping you meet the requirements for equipping other gear. Horazon's Legacy Mirrored Boots are similar, though they provide slightly fewer attributes.

Charms: Caster Crafted Amulet 

Prioritize charms that grant levels to Chaos skills. Additionally, aim for charms that provide life or help fill any gaps in your resistances.

This build demonstrates remarkable strength in the endgame, proving highly efficient both for clearing groups of monsters and defeating bosses. It is an experience well worth pursuing for any Warlock player.

Almost all WoW TBC Classic Anniversary content that requires a group requires a team composition that includes all roles: DPS, healers, and tanks.

Even without explicit rules, you'll find that a complete role setup maximizes everyone's potential and increases the chances of winning dungeons or raids.

However, recently, with the upcoming new raids from Phase 2, you'll find it difficult to find tank players when randomly forming groups, sometimes waiting for over half an hour to form a complete team!

So what are the reasons for this phenomenon, and is it possible for it to change? We'll analyze it for you.

What is the role of a tank?

In a complete TBC Classic Anniversary raid team, DPS's responsibility is to deal damage, the healer's is to provide timely healing or special buffs to teammates, and the tank, which newcomers might simply understand as the team's shield.

The tank's primary responsibility is indeed to absorb damage and protect teammates from attacks. However, beyond this, tank players also need to master the optimal timing for defense and threat absorption, as well as techniques for quick clears.

Therefore, most of the time you'll find the tank as the leader and commander of the team. While other specializations can sometimes temporarily fill in as tanks, if the team doesn't have enough tanks, especially a main tank, victory is almost impossible.

Tank shortage is not a new problem

In fact, the tank shortage problem exists not only in WoW TBC Classic Anniversary but also in other new and old WoW servers, and in many MMORPGs, and it has become increasingly serious in recent years.

Excessive pressure

As we mentioned in the tank overview, because of the role-playing mechanics, tank players often bear the responsibility of commanding the entire team.

This requires you to be sufficiently familiar with dungeon or raid mechanics, have a deep understanding of specific combat points, and even some knowledge about other classes in order to better command your teammates.

This not only leads to excessive pressure in terms of knowledge reserves but also forces you to shoulder too much responsibility. Most people play games primarily to relax, not to change their work experience in a virtual world!

Unfriendly social interaction

Even if you love playing tank in TBC Classic Anniversary to the point of being tireless, you might still experience a lot of frustration and even quit the game due to annoying teammates.

Normally, if you're a tank leader, as long as you take your job seriously, failure isn't a big deal - it's just a game, after all.

But frustratingly, there are those who refuse to take responsibility for leadership but shamelessly criticize others' mistakes.

Furthermore, if you ask these teammates for help with certain mechanics, their response won't be friendly explanations but rather sarcastic remarks.

Unless you have a wide network of in-game contacts who can easily find new, reliable teammates, you'll have to endure this terrible team atmosphere at least until the current battle ends.

Perhaps there are hardcore gamers who don't care about others' opinions and only strive for their own goals. But most ordinary players would find it difficult to complete raids under such circumstances.

In fact, this was an occasional phenomenon a decade or so ago, but as more and younger players joined the game, the social atmosphere within the game noticeably worsened.

If you're playing a newer MMORPG, you might already be used to it, because it's always been this way. But for veteran players of established games like World of Warcraft, harsh teammates are like a new kind of virus.

Lack of inclusivity

You can see this factor as an extension of the poor social dynamics. It's not just the leaders; some self-proclaimed expert players also consistently lack patience and tolerance towards newcomers.

As a result, since tanks are more difficult to master than other roles, novice tanks are often forced to quit the game or switch roles before they even have a chance to develop their skills due to the unfriendly environment. Over time, this naturally leads to a decrease in the number of tanks.

How to change this problem?

From the above analysis, it's clear that the core issue causing the tank shortage isn't the game itself, but rather the player community. While individual efforts are limited, it's still possible to find ways to improve one's raid experience.

Join a strong guild

You might not want to join a guild due to time or energy constraints to meet the internal requirements, but it's truly the best way to quickly form teams and ensure reliable teammates.

Stronger guilds have more members and more comprehensive rules, quickly weeding out disruptive and unserious members. They also allow top players to mentor newcomers.

Even if you're not initially qualified for a guild's regular team, established guilds will have plenty of mentors. They'll not only teach you but also introduce you to other skilled guild members.

Alternatively, if you meet a good player in the game, and one of them isn't in a guild, you can invite them to join your own. This not only expands your network but also makes playing together easier in the future.

Switch teammates is possible

If you're already a skilled tank leader and happen to encounter the kind of mean players we mentioned, don't hesitate to kick them out of the team immediately!

Long queue times are due to a tank shortage, but you are the one in control! If you're skilled enough, in today's increasingly fast-paced game, finding a new DPS or healer can solve the problem in minutes.

We hope that before the new TBC Anniversary phases go live, more players will realize the tank shortage issue and its underlying causes, and work together to make changes and create a better gaming environment!

While you might currently be looking forward to the second Diablo 4 expansion, which set to launch in a month, the first expansion, Vessel of Hatred, introduced many new mechanics that remain highly valuable and relevant today.

Chief among these are the rune and Runeword systems. By socketing these into your weapons and armor, you can gain exclusive buffs and benefits that are simply unobtainable through any other game mechanic!

However, the amount of gear you can equip and the number of runes or Runewords you can socket into that gear is limited. Consequently, you might be unsure which runes are the most worthwhile choices for Season 12.

With this in mind, we will focus this guide on recommending Bac and Ohm runes, detailing their specific effects and explaining how to farm them.

Rune system overview

This feature was introduced alongside the launch of Vessel of Hatred DLC and Season 6; therefore, if you wish to utilize runes today, you must first own this DLC.

All runes fall into one of three rarity tiers and belong to one of two categories: Runes of Ritual or Runes of Invocation. The former features a yellow icon, while the latter features a purple one; combining one of each type allows you to form a Runeword.

It is important to note that individual runes are inert on their own; they only become active and trigger their synergistic effects when combined in pairs and socketed into a piece of gear that possesses two sockets.

In essence, runes only become functional once they have been assembled into a Runeword.

More specifically, a Rune of Ritual generates offerings during combat. These offerings serve to empower the corresponding Rune of Invocation and trigger the combined effect of the Runewords. Your objective is simply to fulfill the specific requirements needed to generate these offerings.

What is Bac rune?

In Diablo 4, Bac rune is classified as a yellow Rune of Ritual. It generates 50 offerings, and its activation condition requires you to move a distance of 5 meters from your current location.

The most common application for this rune is to pair it with a Rune of Invocation, such as Ohm or Vex, to leverage their combined synergy and significantly boost your character's mobility.

Additionally, Diablo 4 Bac rune is one of the essential crafting materials required to create Mythic item known as Shroud of False Death.

How to craft Shroud of False Death?

Once you have unlocked Torment I difficulty or higher, you can acquire Mythic items by farming lair bosses or participating in other endgame events within the game; however, the specific rewards obtained through these methods are entirely random.

Therefore, if you wish to specifically obtain Shroud of False Death, crafting is your best option. To do so, you will need to gather the following materials:

• 2 Resplendent Sparks
• 6 Bac runes
• 6 Kry runes
• 6 Moni runes

We will cover the general methods for acquiring runes shortly; however, since Resplendent Spark is a rare item, its primary acquisition methods are as follows:

• Salvaging unwanted or duplicate Mythic items
• Progressing through Seasonal Journey and Reputation tracks to earn rewards
• Defeating Echo of Lilith (drops one upon defeat - one time only)

What is Ohm rune?

As a rune designed exclusively for Barbarian players, Diablo 4 Ohm rune requires its paired Rune of Ritual to provide 600 offerings to activate; it has a cooldown of two seconds.

The rune's sole bonus effect is to evoke Barbarian's War Cry, thereby boosting your damage output by 15% for 6 seconds.

Much like Bac rune, Ohm rune is also one of the materials required to craft Mythic Ring of Starless Skies:

• 2 Resplendent Sparks
• 6 Ohm runes
• 6 Tzic runes
• 6 Cem runes

It is worth noting that the crafting recipe for all Mythic items follows this same pattern: 2 Resplendent Sparks, plus six runes each of legendary, rare, and magic rarity.

How to farm runes?

Broadly speaking, there are two methods for obtaining runes in Diablo 4: farming and crafting. Neither method allows you to specifically target and acquire a particular rune; however, crafting does allow you to influence the rarity of the rune you ultimately receive.

Clearing Kurast Undercity

This dungeon was added to the game via VoH expansion. To unlock it, you must first complete the campaign quest Reunion within this DLC and ensure your character has reached at least level 15.

Afterward, a new quest chain titled The Kurast Undercity will guide you through the dungeon step-by-step until you are fully familiar with the area.

The unique feature of Kurast Undercity is its time-limited mechanic: you must defeat enemies within a specific time limit. However, defeating higher-level Afflicted Monsters will restore a greater amount of your remaining event time.

Defeating enemies does not grant immediate rewards; instead, you earn Attunement Points. Once the dungeon run concludes, your final rewards will be calculated based on the total points you accumulated.

Additionally, you may encounter special beacons within the dungeon. Activating these beacons triggers optional events for you to complete, providing you with extra Attunement Points and combat buffs.

If you wish to engage in more targeted farming within Kurast Undercity, you can first collect Tributes by completing other world events. Submitting these Tributes prior to your run will grant you specific bonuses based on the type of Tribute submitted.

Among these, Tribute of Harmony is the one relevant to runes. If you submit this Tribute before clearing Kurast Undercity, the total number of runes you obtain at the end will be doubled.

Defeating lair bosses

Theoretically, all lair bosses in Season 12 have a chance to drop runes; however, the highest rarity boss Belial is undoubtedly the best choice for farming.

Regardless of which boss you ultimately decide to farm, you must first acquire the corresponding lair keys. These keys are required to unlock the boss's hoard after it has been defeated, allowing you to claim all the rewards contained within, including runes.

Crafting at Jeweler

Jeweler is a vendor in Diablo 4 that allows you to perform various crafting operations. To craft a new, randomized rune, you must consume three unused runes of the same rarity, along with 4,000 gold.

The type of rune produced is independent of the specific runes used as materials; however, the rarity of the resulting rune is directly determined by the materials used. The resulting probabilities are as follows:

• Three magic runes: 85% chance for 1 magic rune; 15% chance for 1 rare rune.
• Three rare runes: 85% chance for 1 rare rune; 15% chance for 1 legendary rune.
• Three legendary runes: 100% chance for 1 legendary rune.

That wraps up everything we have to share with you this time. Although Bac and Ohm are highly sought-after, as long as you combine them effectively, acquiring other runes can be just as rewarding!

The official rollout for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Season 3 has already begun, with the new season arriving soon.

The studio has revealed plenty of details, and alongside the official announcements, there's also been a fair share of leaks. Let's break down all the information.

Season 3 Release Date

Why are we talking about Season 3 update so early? Because Season 2 Reloaded cycle is unusually short - only three weeks. Based on Battle Pass countdown timer and the weekly challenge progression, Season 3 is expected to go live on April 2.

Following Call of Duty's usual promotional rhythm, the studio will likely drop a full update preview, blog post, and all the details about a week before the new season goes live - around March 26. That's when we'll get a clear look at Season 3 roadmap.

Multiplayer Maps

On the multiplayer front, one piece of content has already been officially confirmed: the classic map Plaza is making a return. Although there had been leaks about it before, the development team brought it up in the official COD POD podcast, essentially confirming that it will be part of the next major update - Season 3 - as a multiplayer map.

Plaza last appeared in Black Ops 2. Unlike many of the remade versions drawn from the larger Avalon battle royale map, this will be a full, standalone remaster.

In addition to Plaza, another map has also been mentioned in the official blog: Gridlock from Black Ops 4. It's now confirmed to be making a comeback in Season 3 as well.

Warzone Ranked Play

For Warzone players, Ranked Play is set to get a major adjustment in Season 3. The long-awaited Resurgence mode will go live alongside the new season.

Many players had previously voiced their desire to experience ranked Resurgence on Rebirth Island, and Season 3 update will make that happen. Ranked matches will rotate between Haven's Hollow and Rebirth Island.

Fortune's Keep

As far back as last year, the studio confirmed that Fortune's Keep would receive a map refresh and return to Warzone. However, no exact date for its return has been announced yet. Considering that Season 3 just introduced Avalon map and Blackout mode, and with the studio seemingly aiming to transition Avalon into the standard battle royale map, it's expected that the refreshed version of Fortune's Keep will more likely arrive in Season 4.

Blackout

Blackout mode will also continue to receive updates in Season 3. In response to player feedback regarding issues such as the lack of Solos and Duos queues, as well as concerns about respawn mechanics, loot and equipment, the user interface, and existing bugs, the studio previously stated that improvements would roll out in Season 2 Reloaded and Season 3.

One of the most significant updates could involve Operator Orders system. This system is expected to expand with subsequent updates, adding more operators, dynamic camos, and weapon blueprints. For example, in Season 3 or its mid-season Reloaded update, new orders may be introduced that allow players to complete challenges and unlock skins paying homage to classic Blackout characters.

Additionally, playlist challenges are also likely to be refreshed, offering new rewards such as charms and weapon camos. Currently, the weapon skin system has not yet been implemented in Blackout mode, meaning any weapon a player picks up only displays its default appearance. In future updates, the studio may allow players to automatically apply their equipped skins when picking up weapons. At the moment, only upgraded exotic weapons can showcase special appearances.

The studio has also confirmed that Blackout will see some immediate changes at the start of the season. They showcased an image highlighting the differences between the new map and the old one, noting that adjustments have been made to certain buildings, ground elevation, and how water flows across the map.

Leaderboard Mechanics Overhaul

The studio has confirmed that starting with Season 3, a large-scale overhaul will be made to the in-game event mechanics. They stated that they have listened to player feedback regarding leaderboard events and acknowledged that the current event format is not ideal. Since event development takes time, the revamp will roll out beginning in Season 3.

After the changes, leaderboard events may be limited to multiplayer Ranked Play and Warzone Ranked Play, rather than standard multiplayer, round-based Zombies, or Blackout Royale. Once you reach a specific rank in either version of Ranked Play, you will be placed into a group with 49 other players (whether in multiplayer or Warzone mode). Ultimately, based on your rank, finishing in the top five or even the top 25 will determine which camo rewards you can earn.

Carry Forward

Season 3 will also include updates to the carry forward content - that is, bringing remastered content originally introduced in Black Ops 6 into Black Ops 7. Following the established content release pattern, players can expect to see the last two remastered maps that have yet to appear in Black Ops 7 make their return in Season 3.

Moreover, the carry forward approach extends to Zombies mode. The studio has confirmed that a selection of classic weapons will be added to Zombies in a "unique way." Given that the studio specifically emphasized "a unique way," it's likely that obtaining these weapons won't be as simple as unlocking them directly - they may be hidden behind certain Easter eggs or specific challenges.

Modern Warfare 4

Following past patterns, the studio typically unveils the title of the next installment around March or April and kicks off the initial promotional campaign. For now, the studio is only referring to it as CoD 2026, but based on previous leaks, the new title is very likely to be Modern Warfare 4.

The studio will soon be revealing more details about Season 3. If you're eagerly anticipating new content in CoD Black Ops 7, be sure to stay tuned.

Black Ops 7 Season 3 will bring more content and Easter eggs, and ranked progress will be reset. If you need to figure out how to unlock menus or quickly complete new camouflage challenges, you can buy fast and reliable CoD Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies on IGGM for more independent and safer matches, reducing the difficulty of these challenges.