General News

Is Grinding Gear Games preparing to reveal more character content for Path of Exile 2 before its full release? A reported preview invitation circulating on Reddit has sparked speculation after mentioning hands-on access to Act 5, “new classes,” and an interview with game director Jonathan Rogers.

The timing is interesting. Path of Exile 2 is scheduled to leave Early Access on December 11, 2026, and ExileCon 2026 is coming up on November 7–8 in Auckland, New Zealand. GGG has already confirmed that the Duelist will arrive with version 1.0, but the class’s Ascendancies remain a major point of interest for players.

There is one important distinction, though: the invitation shared by the community has not been independently authenticated. Its wording is not proof that another base class is coming, nor does it confirm a new announcement schedule.

Here is what the reported invitation says, what GGG has already confirmed, and why the distinction between new classes and Ascendancies matters.

What Does the Reported PoE 2 Preview Invitation Say?

The invitation shared on Reddit describes a preview of the full release, including a presentation about version 1.0, an opportunity to play Act 5, access to “new classes,” and a 20-minute interview with Jonathan Rogers. It also mentions covered flights and accommodation.

If genuine, the invitation could offer selected attendees an early look at content planned for the full release. However, the publicly shared wording does not identify the event's date or location, name any additional class, or explain exactly what “new classes” means.

The key details are:

• Full-release presentation: A session focused on the planned version 1.0 release.

• Act 5 hands-on access: A potential opportunity to experience more of the campaign.

• “New classes”: The wording driving speculation, without any specific class names.

• Jonathan Rogers interview: A reported 20-minute interview with the game director.

The most interesting part is not simply that a preview may be happening. It is the combination of campaign content and character-related wording shortly before the full release.

Still, the invitation should be treated as a community-reported lead until its origin and details can be verified. It does not establish that GGG has officially announced a preview tour or confirmed an additional playable class.

Does “New Classes” Mean More Playable Classes in PoE 2?

Not necessarily. The wording leaves room for several interpretations, and players should distinguish between a new base class and a new Ascendancy before drawing conclusions.

GGG officially revealed the Duelist at Gamescom in August 2026. The class is scheduled to become playable when Path of Exile 2 reaches version 1.0 on December 11. It also introduces swords, a weapon type players have been waiting to see in the game.

That makes the Duelist the confirmed new base class for the full release. It does not mean that another base class has been announced.

There is a more immediate reason for players to watch for character-related news: the Duelist's Ascendancies have yet to be fully revealed. GGG has indicated that more information about the class's Ascendancies will be shown at ExileCon 2026.

This is where the invitation's wording becomes difficult to interpret. Some players may read “new classes” as a reference to additional base classes, while others may wonder whether it refers to Ascendancy options or other character content.

Those possibilities are not equivalent.

A base class determines a character's starting position on the passive skill tree and the Ascendancy options available to that character. An Ascendancy provides a more specialized progression path, allowing a character to develop around particular mechanics, damage approaches, or defensive strengths.

For build planning, the distinction matters. A new base class could introduce a new starting archetype, while a new Ascendancy could substantially change how an existing class is played.

At present, the reported invitation does not tell us which interpretation is correct. The confirmed Duelist reveal and the upcoming ExileCon presentation provide useful context, but neither should be used to turn an ambiguous phrase into a confirmed announcement.

Why Act 5 Is Worth Watching Before the Full Release

The invitation's reference to Act 5 is also relevant because GGG has confirmed that version 1.0 will complete more of the campaign.

For players currently working through Early Access, additional Acts mean more than new areas and enemies. The campaign determines how characters progress, acquire equipment, unlock skills, and prepare for endgame content. Changes to the later stages can also affect how players approach their first character after launch.

A hands-on preview could answer practical questions that a short trailer cannot. How does the additional campaign content fit into the existing progression? What kinds of encounters will players face? How does character development feel as the campaign moves toward its conclusion?

Those are useful questions for players preparing to start a new character in December.

However, the invitation does not provide verified details about Act 5's bosses, quests, rewards, difficulty, or specific mechanics. It would be premature to describe any of those as newly revealed features without reliable gameplay footage or reporting from someone who has actually played the preview build.

The confirmed takeaway is narrower: the full release is planned to include the remaining campaign content, and Act 5 is specifically mentioned in the reported invitation.

PoE 2 1.0 Release Date: What Is Already Confirmed?

GGG has officially announced that Path of Exile 2 will leave Early Access on December 11, 2026, Pacific time, and launch as a free-to-play action RPG. The Duelist is confirmed for that release.

ExileCon 2026 is scheduled for November 7–8 in Auckland, New Zealand. With the convention taking place about a month before launch, it is an important date for players hoping to learn more about the final version of the game.

These milestones are confirmed independently of the Reddit invitation.

For players following the class discussion, ExileCon is particularly relevant because GGG has indicated that it will show more about the Duelist's Ascendancies there.

That gives the community a concrete upcoming milestone to watch without needing to assume that the reported preview will reveal another class.

What Could the Duelist Reveal Mean for Build Planning?

The Duelist's arrival is significant because swords add another weapon option to the game's combat and build possibilities. But the weapon itself is only part of the picture.

Players will need to understand the class's skills, stance mechanics, support-gem interactions, and Ascendancy options before deciding how it compares with existing character choices. The strongest build will also depend on balance changes and how the full-release version plays in practice.

This is why Ascendancy information could be more useful than an unconfirmed class name. Knowing a class exists tells players relatively little about how it will perform. Understanding its specialization options provides a better foundation for evaluating damage potential, survivability, skill combinations, and equipment priorities.

The same caution applies to the in-game economy. Players may want to prepare their equipment or Path of Exile 2 Currency for a new character, but the reported invitation provides no evidence of specific currency changes, item-price movements, or a new economic meta.

Until GGG shares more details about the class and the final balance changes, build forecasts should remain provisional. Players can follow the confirmed release schedule and wait for the actual mechanics before making major decisions based on speculation.

What Should Players Look for at ExileCon 2026?

For anyone following the new-classes discussion, three questions are worth keeping in mind.

Will GGG reveal the Duelist's Ascendancies?

This is the most concrete character-related question on the calendar. GGG has indicated that the Ascendancies will be shown at ExileCon, making the event a more reliable source of information than an ambiguous phrase in an unverified invitation.

Will another base class be announced for version 1.0?

The Duelist is the confirmed new base class for launch. The reported invitation does not establish that another one is coming. Any additional class announcement needs direct confirmation from GGG.

What will the final campaign and balance changes look like?

The full release is planned to include the remaining campaign Acts and a broader set of launch changes. More details about campaign progression, class balance, and endgame systems would help players make informed decisions about their first post-Early Access characters.

These are distinct questions, and the answers may arrive through different announcements. Treating them separately makes it easier to distinguish a genuine reveal from community speculation.

The Bottom Line

A reported Path of Exile 2 preview invitation has prompted questions about Act 5, new classes, and a possible interview with Jonathan Rogers. Its timing is notable, with ExileCon scheduled for November and the full release set for December 11, 2026.

But the invitation's wording does not confirm another base class. GGG has confirmed the Duelist for version 1.0 and indicated that more information about its Ascendancies will be shown at ExileCon. That is the clearest confirmed lead for players interested in upcoming character options.

Until the invitation is authenticated and GGG provides more details, the safest conclusion is that additional class news remains possible, not confirmed. Players looking for reliable answers should prioritize official announcements and verified preview coverage as the 1.0 launch approaches.

With the release of VAMPIR drawing ever closer, what steps should you take at the start to get ahead of other players? Foremost, you cannot overlook the importance of prioritizing various quests - and there are several key points to keep in mind as you level up.

Where should you start?

If you want to accelerate your progress in VAMPIR and unlock its mechanics, make sure to prioritize the yellow main story quests as soon as you start the game.

Some tasks require you to defeat a large number of monsters; attempting this solo can be slow and risky, so you can choose to Create a Party and invite friends to join you in completing them.

Other Mission Types

Side Missions

Once you have unlocked side missions, be sure not to leave them sitting idle for too long.

These side missions (marked in blue) are often located in the same areas as your main objectives. You can easily complete them while progressing through the main storyline, then seamlessly return to your primary tasks.

Green Missions

Green missions should also be a priority. They provide essential early-game resources - such as materials for enchanting and weapon upgrades - along with experience points.

By interspersing green missions while working on your main objectives, you can minimize the time and energy wasted on backtracking across the map.

Daily Missions

To obtain core resources like Artifacts and Trinity as quickly as possible, be sure to complete your daily missions every day; doing so also gives you a chance to earn chests that can contain epic-quality items.

Memory Missions

Once you unlock memory missions at certain stages, be sure to prioritize completing them, as they help unlock exclusive chapters and essential features.

You can think of both Memory Missions and Daily Missions as routine tasks that should be completed regularly - this will help you build a solid resource foundation for the early stages of VAMPIR.

Upgrade Gear with Caution

In the early stages of VAMPIR, players have limited resources; therefore, you should avoid wasting them on upgrading unnecessary equipment.

Focus on upgrading gear that is explicitly required by quests, as well as rare items worth keeping. Since common (white-tier) gear is replaced very quickly, investing resources into such items too early will probably result in a waste of resources.

Just like gear enhancement, your daily resource acquisitions require careful planning. You don't need to be stingy with your Gold at Gold Shop early on; the upgrade materials, Class Portrait Kit Chests, and other items available there are highly beneficial for your start, so exchange for them whenever they appear.

Notably, the chests containing portraits can also boost your base stats; this is a detail that players in VAMPIR often overlook, leading to a loss of long-term gains.

Leveling Drives Progression

Players are likely aware of how important character level is in VAMPIR - it determines both the rewards you can earn and the unlocking of various game systems.

Given this, you should focus your efforts on steadily progressing through main quests, side quests, and daily tasks to level up as efficiently as possible.

Achievements offer rewards such as rare mounts, avatars, and pets - some of which can even be of legendary quality - making them highly valuable resources for you.

Staying ahead in levels during the early stages of VAMPIR will grant you greater growth potential compared to other players.

Balancing Collection and Black Market

During the initial phase of VAMPIR's launch, the choice between Collection and Black Market is also quite important.

Prioritizing Collection is essential; within codex, you should focus first on stats such as Evasion, Precision, Basic Defense, Skill Damage, Basic Attack, Flat Attack, and various types of damage resistances.

However, before registering a piece of gear into your Collection, consider its potential value in Black Market. Some items can be exchanged for Black Market coins - though keep in mind that there is a server-wide limit on such exchanges.

This is important because Black Market coins can be used to acquire summoning resources, Evolution Stone Pouches, potions, or even Epic-tier gear - all of which are especially valuable for free-to-play players.

By considering both Collection and Black Market in tandem, you can ensure that your pursuit of codex progress doesn't come at the expense of essential character-growth resources needed during the early stages of VAMPIR.

Notes on Discipline System

Although you can unlock Discipline system in the game after reaching level 31, you must be very careful when re-rolling attributes.

Since you cannot lock all slots simultaneously when re-rolling, rashly attempting to re-roll stats could easily cause you to lose excellent existing affixes - a situation made even worse if your currency reserves are already limited.

When resources run low, you can buy VAMPIR diamonds to give yourself the confidence to re-roll multiple times, allowing you to gradually fine-tune your stats until they're exactly what you want.

Content Beyond Level 32

The final milestone I'd like to point out is level 32, as the pace of the game accelerates significantly from that point on.

You can start running dungeons, but you should incorporate them into your routine alongside the main story quests and daily quests mentioned earlier.

By effectively managing these priorities and navigating these transitional phases, you will be able to accumulate resources and level up more efficiently, allowing you to progress through the game faster than others during the initial launch of VAMPIR.

The release of VAMPIR is just around the corner - get ready!

With WoW Forever nearing its official launch, the development team is making another round of adjustments to racial abilities and passive traits based on player feedback.

Some players felt that the new racial traits were too generic, while others worried that certain races would be objectively stronger than others. The official response has focused primarily on adjusting numerical values. A total of five races have received changes.

Design Principles

The developers want to prioritize racial identity in the final round of adjustments in WoW Classic+. This means certain races will naturally excel in particular combat roles, while others will have clear advantages in specific situations, such as gathering or crafting.

The developers also stated that some class-specific racial traits that were previously replaced with generic effects would be restored. However, weapon specialization is an exception.

For example, Humans might gain an additional advantage when using swords, while Orcs might perform better with axes.

If the strongest melee weapon in a particular version happens to be a sword, Humans could become the preferred race for melee DPS simply because of their sword specialization.

This change is intended to prevent racial choices from affecting gear distribution in raids and dungeons, or even making certain races the optimal choice.

Specific Changes

Human

• Ruthless: Critical strike chance reduced from 2% to 1%.
• Human Spirit: Spirit bonus increased from 5% to 10%.

A flat 2% critical strike chance for Humans was undeniably too powerful, so reducing it to 1% is a fair adjustment. Critical strike chance now affects both spells and weapon attacks or abilities, whereas spell critical strikes and regular critical strikes were treated separately in the past.

Meanwhile, increasing Human Spirit from 5% to 10% is a substantial buff. Spirit primarily affects mana regeneration and health regeneration.

A 5% Spirit bonus is not particularly attractive to many classes, but 10% Spirit is valuable for leveling and for any class with a mana pool.

Dwarf

• Earth Fury: Removed the 2% bonus to critical strike damage and healing.
• Artisan's Precision: Added a new trait that increases spell and attack hit chance by 1%.

The original 2% bonus to critical strike damage and healing was fairly underwhelming. It only added a small amount of damage when a critical strike occurred, often amounting to just a few extra points of damage on many abilities. Its removal is therefore not surprising.

The new 1% hit chance bonus is much better. It is useful for both leveling and raids, and hit rating has a high stat weight. This bonus could allow you to replace a piece of hit gear with equipment offering more critical strike chance, spell power, or Strength.

Even so, this change does little to address the overall weakness of Dwarf racial traits. Although Find Treasure can help you discover treasure chests, it does not necessarily help you earn more WoW Forever gold, since other players may have already opened them. A gathering or crafting bonus would be a more useful alternative.

Tauren

• Plains Running: Each stack now grants 2% movement speed, up from 1%, and the maximum total bonus has increased from 30% to 60%. However, it no longer increases mounted movement speed.
• Endurance: In addition to the 5% health bonus, it no longer provides any other modifiers. The hit chance and critical strike damage modifiers have been removed.

This is a remarkable change. A 60% increase in ground movement speed is extremely powerful, effectively giving Tauren a mount from level 1. In world PvP, a Tauren with maximum stacks can easily catch up to almost any target.

However, reaching the full 60% bonus requires 2.5 minutes of uninterrupted movement. Taking any damage immediately removes all stacks, making this racial trait virtually nonexistent during combat.

During beta testing, the 1% hit chance bonus was precisely what made Tauren's racial traits most valuable at max level, as it helped ease the pressure on gear to reach the hit cap. The critical strike damage bonus was not particularly large, but it still provided an offensive benefit.

Both bonuses have now been removed, leaving Tauren with only a purely defensive 5% health increase for max-level PvE. For a race that already lacks offensive racial traits, this further weakens its competitiveness in raids.

Orc

• Savage: Removed the 1% critical strike chance bonus.
• Command: Restored, increasing pet damage by 5% for Warlocks and Hunters.

Pets belonging to Orc Warlocks and Hunters now deal 5% more damage. This directly strengthens one of Hunter's major sources of damage, while Warlock pets, which were already powerful, become even stronger.

However, Orcs playing other classes will feel the loss of 1% critical strike chance. Overall, this is great news for Orc Hunters and Warlocks, but a clear nerf for other Orc classes.

Skyborn

• Wind Bless: Haste bonus reduced from 3% to 2%.
• Skysight: Movement speed bonus increased from 10% to 15% for 15 seconds.
• Ley Line: Mana and health regeneration reduced from 100% to 50% for 15 seconds. It can no longer be used while Innervate is active, and it will be replaced by a more powerful Innervate effect.
• Using Ley Line at a ley line grants Attuned effect for 1 hour. While Attuned, Ley Line's regeneration effect increases to 100%, and the effect persists through death.

Skyborn is a dual-faction race and an elven race, and it has received several racial trait adjustments in this round. Its racial abilities also differ slightly between Alliance and Horde.

Using Skysight at an Elemental Convergence grants the Charged effect for 1 hour. While Charged, Skysight provides a 30% movement speed bonus, and the effect persists through death.

Ley Line is a regeneration ability that can be used whenever needed. Using it directly in a dungeon provides 50% mana and health regeneration. Although this is not as powerful as Innervate, its cooldown is relatively short, making it a useful emergency option for restoring mana.

Using Ley Line at a ley line location visible only to Skyborn grants Attuned for 1 hour, increasing regeneration to 100%. The effect also persists through death. This is a welcome quality-of-life improvement and a solid buff.

Skysight normally grants 15% movement speed. Using it at an Elemental Convergence instead grants Charged for 1 hour, providing 30% movement speed that persists through death.

If Skyborn players can find an Elemental Convergence every hour, they can maintain high movement speed almost continuously, making the bonus comparable to Tauren's racial advantage. After all, Tauren lose their movement speed stacks when taking damage, while Skyborn's Charged effect lasts much longer.

This round of changes makes racial traits a little more distinctive and interesting, and it is intended to be the final adjustment before launch. Hopefully, the developers will remain willing to strengthen or weaken racial abilities in response to community feedback. There is no need to worry too much about racial balance. Play the class, race, and character you enjoy, and choose the playstyle that resonates with you most.

Aion 2 features a well-structured and content-rich dungeon system, which serves as your primary source for various types of loot. Notably, two dungeons have recently received new hard modes, leading many players to wonder whether they are worth the challenge.

These two dungeons, Krao Cave (accessible at level 20) and Draupnir (accessible at level 45), are part of Expedition Dungeons category. Below, we analyze the value of tackling their hard modes, focusing on loot drops and difficulty.

Loot drop comparison

In terms of drops, the most significant addition in Aion 2's new Hard-mode dungeons is the introduction of Paintings, an item type that appears to be exclusive to the global server. These paintings can be used to boost various character attributes.

As for Unique-grade gear and crafting materials, the drop rates remain identical to those found in the standard difficulty of these dungeons.

The only notable change in loot drop rates in Hard-mode dungeons concerns Kina, the game's core currency. A single clear on Hard difficulty yields approximately 1 million Aion 2 Kinah, compared to about 800,000 Kinah on Normal difficulty.

However, if you are capable of handling Hard-mode dungeons, earning Kinah is likely not your primary concern; you are probably more interested in Ariel Fragments and Philosopher's Stones.

While these items remain extremely rare even in Hard-mode dungeons, and running them a few times certainly won't provide enough materials to craft a full set of gear, there is a new mechanic for Ariel Fragments.

Upon clearing a dungeon, you are guaranteed to receive 60-90 Ariel Fragments. Collecting 100 of these allows you to exchange them for a stat point that boosts PvE damage.

This system is designed entirely for PvE; it helps increase your dungeon-clearing speed, which will prove highly beneficial when taking on the latest challenge, Abyssal Forge Ludra.

Furthermore, Aion 2 introduces new encounters in the hard difficulty of Kraos Cave and Draupnir. Completing these dungeons on Hard difficulty grants you unique cosmetic skins for your accessories or weapons.

These cosmetic items serve as more than just a display of your status and skill; adding them to your collection also provides a minor boost to your damage output.

Combat mechanics comparison

Regarding combat, the primary difference between Normal and Hard difficulty dungeons in Aion 2, aside from significantly higher damage output from mini-bosses, is a much lower margin for error. You will need to activate defensive skills at specific, critical moments.

Kraos Cave

For instance, in Kraos Cave, one boss features a phase where it pulls your entire party toward itself. You must immediately activate defensive skills; otherwise, the party will take massive damage, potentially resulting in the instant death of players in ranged classes.

Aside from this, the encounter remains largely the same as in normal mode: simply focus on dodging AoE damage and beam attacks, and try to prevent too many minions from clustering around the boss.

Another significant detail is that bosses in hard mode dungeons almost never trigger parry mechanics.

This means your critical hit rate and the effectiveness of your powerful hits remain unhindered, allowing you to maintain a consistent DPS output against the boss.

However, because the bosses possess higher attack power and larger health pools, the overall difficulty is undeniably greater.

As for the final boss, nearly all of its attacks are capable of one-shotting your character. You must remain hyper-vigilant at all times, especially when the boss initiates its spinning melee attack.

A key mechanical change occurs when the boss moves to the center of the arena: while normal mode provides four pillars for protection, hard mode offers only one.

You do not need to hide directly behind the pillar; simply entering the surrounding green zone will cause your character to glow with a yellow light, the same effect seen on the pillar, indicating that you have gained a buff that protects you from the boss's attacks.

By timing your movements correctly, you can return to the boss and resume the fight more quickly. Keep in mind, however, that the duration of this buff is very short, so timing is crucial.

Draupnir

With the overall increase in HP and attack power, the first boss of this Aion 2 dungeon, Predator Saraswati, remains the most troublesome, especially for melee players.

Every time the boss leaps toward you, it leaves an electrified zone at the landing spot, making it difficult to get close. To counter this, you must kite the boss to shift its position and utilize the stagger mechanic to keep it under control.

In contrast, the second boss, Phantasmal Lakshmi, is actually much easier to handle here than in normal mode; the damage reflected by its shield remains the same as it is in the standard difficulty.

However, if the boss summons adds, you must eliminate them immediately, as they will disrupt your ranged teammates. Once the adds are cleared, simply return your full focus to damaging the boss.

As for the final boss, the only significant difference compared to normal mode is the massive increase in damage output, getting hit even once is almost certainly fatal.

The stagger mechanic functions exactly as it does in normal mode, with one key difference: tornadoes typically begin to appear starting from the first stagger phase. Consequently, your team must reach the boss's location as quickly as possible.

Summary

Based on the two Aion 2 hard mode dungeons currently available, the difficulty has increased, but the mechanics haven't become significantly more complex.

As long as you and your teammates actively work to improve your damage output and defensive capabilities, you should be able to handle them.

While the loot might not be as abundant as you'd expect, these dungeons offer better farming value than the normal difficulty. If you are capable of managing the bosses, they are definitely worth running.

As you progress further into the game, Aion 2 will likely introduce hard modes for additional dungeons. To ensure you don't miss out on experiencing new content, we highly recommend clearing the existing hard mode dungeons as soon as you can!

Diablo 4 Season 16 3.3.0 PTR is set to launch soon. While this season may not feature as much brand-new playable content as Season 15, it introduces some noteworthy adjustments to existing mechanics.

Perhaps the most compelling addition is the introduction of Horadric Items. Their mechanics effectively render Mythic Seal redundant, signaling a major overhaul for the entire Horadric & Mythic item system.

In this guide, we will explain how these mechanics function and explore the best strategies for utilizing them in Season 16.

New bonuses introduced by Horadric Items

Currently, known Horadric Items in Diablo 4 include jewelry, armor, and weapons, all of which offer interconnected bonuses.

Specifically, Horadric jewelry provides a +1 bonus to your Talisman set. This means that equipping just one such piece grants you the equivalent of a 2-piece set bonus.

Horadric armor and weapons provide additional benefits, such as increased damage or enhanced defensive capabilities, but these effects only activate once you have already secured at least a 2-piece set bonus.

While the effects on Horadric armor and weapons serve as supplementary bonuses, Horadric jewelry mechanic is particularly powerful: with just two rings and one amulet, you can gain a +3 bonus toward your set.

This allows you to trigger a full set bonus using only two charms instead of five, freeing up valuable slots for further experimentation with different gear combinations.

While the exact method for obtaining these Horadric Items remains unclear, it is likely tied to new seasonal quests and gameplay activities. Alternatively, if you are more focused on reaching the endgame, you can also acquire them through Diablo 4 items for sale.

Speculation on new charm bonus effects

Let's begin by looking at Paladin class as an example. To obtain the 5-piece set bonus now, you only need to equip two pieces from Cathan's Dauntless Faith set, along with two rings and an amulet.

By doing this, you not only gain a 200% damage bonus, but you also benefit from an additional 3x multiplier to the 25% damage bonus, a result of the set itself having been empowered. Furthermore, you still have four open slots available for standard Horadric Seals.

In these slots, you could add a Diablo 4 unique charm that provides further damage bonuses, or incorporate another set, activating its 3-piece bonus, to gain both damage reduction and increased damage output.

Alternatively, you could activate two other sets simultaneously: for instance, using Cathan's Iron Conviction set to boost aura effectiveness, combined with Righteous Will set to apply persistent fear and immobilize effects.

If you were to apply this strategy to a Warlock, you could start by utilizing Flesh of Abbadon set, which leverages demonic power to empower your Hellfire skill.

Moreover, even without any Mythic Seals, you can still trigger the 5-piece set bonus by equipping Blood Mat Idol amulet, pieces from Ritual of the Nameless set, and two rings.

It is worth noting that although Diablo 4 has patched the exploit where Hellfire Torch allowed three unique charms to be active at once, if Hellfire Torch remains in the game during Season 16, you could pair it with Seal of the Golden Epiphany to equip three unique charms simultaneously.

Even then, you would still have one slot left to customize, for example, by swapping out one of the unique charms for a piece from another set, you could activate a 2-piece set bonus from that second set while still maintaining your original 5-piece set bonus!

Horadric Cube and gear customization

Beyond the two Diablo 4 class examples mentioned above, if you are playing as a Sorcerer and utilizing Breath of Frozen Sea set, it is possible for every single piece of gear to carry a set bonus.

The real challenge, however, lies in finding the right gear. For instance, suppose you need a pair of gloves; they must not only feature a Greater Affix for vulnerable damage but also include the cooldown reduction stat required for your chosen set.

While it remains uncertain whether Season 16 will introduce a mechanism to reset these bonuses, you can always use Horadric Cube to modify your gear.

If you happen to find a pair of gloves that are otherwise useless, but serve as a suitable base item, you can place them into Horadric Cube to perform Chaotic Reroll.

If possible, it is also advisable to include an Aggressive Tuning Prism, which converts defensive stats on the gear into offensive ones.

By further incorporating Protector's Tuning Prism, you might even be able to transform that stat into Attack Speed.

That said, the most noteworthy items are the rings that increase your set count, as these have the potential to fundamentally transform your gameplay.

In Diablo 4 3.3.0 PTR, Horadric Items are defined as a category of Legendary items whose primary value lies in establishing a direct link between your equipped gear and your talisman set. Notably, however, the descriptions make no mention of Unique items.

Theoretically, this suggests that any class that does not rely on a specific Unique ring could become a strong contender in Diablo 4 Season 16, as they would have the opportunity to unlock additional bonuses via a triple set bonus.

All in all, Horadric Items appear to be a new category of gear with significant potential. We look forward to seeing them deliver a truly satisfying experience in the upcoming PTR and the new season!

In MapleStory Classic World, there are 208 types of scrolls divided into 52 scroll families, with four tiers in each family. However, only a small portion of them are truly useful.

Scrolls primarily enhance equipment by consuming its Upgrade Slots and permanently adding stats such as weapon attack, primary stats, accuracy, and critical rate. You can use them to strengthen your character or sell them to earn mesos.

Scroll System

Scrolls come in four tiers, each serving a different purpose. Their value is largely determined by the market, and every tier has its uses. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that an enhancement attempt will succeed.

If an enhancement fails, the scroll is consumed and the equipment loses one Upgrade Slot. However, failing with a Chaos Scroll destroys the equipment outright.

How to Obtain Scrolls

Scroll Merchants

The most straightforward source is the scroll merchants scattered throughout the world. For example, NPC El Moth is located at The Tree That Grew III on Victoria Island, near Ellinia.

El Moth sells 14 types of Lesser Scrolls for weapon or magic attack. Scrolls for two-handed weapons cost 50,000 mesos each, while those for one-handed weapons cost 25,000 mesos each.

In addition, the new Citizenship system introduces two scroll shops. Most of their stock and purchase requirements are the same, but there are a few important differences:

Henesys citizens can obtain Lesser Earring Crit. Damage Scrolls, Overall DEX Scrolls, and Overall STR Scrolls.

Kerning City citizens can obtain Earring Evasion Scrolls, Overall LUK Scrolls, and Overall INT Scrolls. As a result, Henesys offers a slightly better selection of scrolls.

Arcforge Crafting

Besides purchasing scrolls from merchants, you can craft your own through the Arcforge crafting skill. The most important options are Earring Stat Scrolls, Glove Crit Rate Scrolls, and Cape Stat Scrolls, which unlock when Arcforge reaches levels 8 to 10.

Quest Rewards

Many quests also reward useful enhancement scrolls, particularly Intermediate and Greater Scrolls. Some quests let players choose the scroll they need, while others provide a random reward.

Weapons

The level 20 quest Jane and the Mushroom randomly rewards one of 14 possible Intermediate Weapon Scrolls, giving you a 1 in 14 chance, or approximately 7.14%, of obtaining a specific scroll.

In addition, the level 48 quests Building a New House For Blackbull and Taking Out the Alligators 1 allow players to choose a Greater Weapon Scroll suited to their class. Some sources also list the level 39 quest Welcome to the Hollow as a source of Greater Weapon Scrolls, although its official release status remains disputed.

Gloves

The level 36 quest Collecting 150 Cursed Dolls randomly rewards either an Intermediate Glove Attack Scroll or an Intermediate Glove Magic Attack Scroll. The level 44 quest Jane's Final Challenge also rewards a glove scroll, which can be either Intermediate or Greater.

Capes

The level 42 quest Pia's Gift randomly rewards a Greater Cape Stat Scroll that increases STR, DEX, INT, or LUK. The level 48 quest Taking Out the Alligators 2 lets players choose one of four Intermediate Cape Stat Scrolls.

Earrings

The level 21 quest Proof of Companionship randomly rewards an Intermediate Earring Stat Scroll. The level 27 quest Regained Vitality also provides an Intermediate Earring Scroll and lets players choose the type they need. The level 43 quest The Road Back Home randomly rewards a Greater Earring Stat Scroll.

Which Scrolls Should Each Class Use?

Thief

Thieves should prioritize scrolls that improve their DPS, especially for key equipment slots such as weapons and gloves.

For weapons, You can trade Lesser Claw and Dagger Scrolls from Merchants directly as long as you have enough mesos. Of course, you can also buy MS Classic World mesos as you lack them.

For overalls, you can choose between LUK and DEX scrolls. Kerning City citizens can obtain Lesser LUK Scrolls after reaching Citizenship Level 7, while Henesys citizens can obtain DEX Scrolls under the same requirement.

One important consideration is that Sauna Robe is the only overall available to male thieves. Since it is a one-time quest reward, it can be quite costly. Female thieves can use level 35 overalls, so they do not face the same problem.

Archer

Archers can follow the same weapon enhancement strategy as thieves. Purchase Lesser Bow and Crossbow Scrolls from the merchant in Ellinia and use them on a weapon you intend to keep for a while. Save better weapon scrolls for your endgame weapon.

For overalls, you can use DEX or STR Scrolls from the same Citizenship shops. Unlike thieves, archers have access to level 50 overalls, so male archers do not have to rely on Sauna Robe.

Warrior

Warriors can purchase Lesser Scrolls suited to their weapon type and use them on a weapon they plan to keep for a while. Better scrolls should be reserved for their endgame weapon.

For overalls, warriors can choose between STR and DEX Scrolls. Both types have Lesser versions available from Henesys Citizenship shop, following the same approach as archers.

Magician

Magicians should start by enhancing their Wands or Staffs with Lesser Scrolls from the same merchant, saving better scrolls for later.

For gloves, both Citizenship shops sell Lesser Magic Attack Scrolls. Critical rate is not usually a magician's first priority, much like it is not for warriors, but either option can be viable.

For earrings, you can craft INT Scrolls or opt for critical damage scrolls. INT is the recommended choice for overalls, with Lesser Scrolls available from Kerning City Citizenship shop. INT is also recommended for capes, which can be crafted.

Overall, the scroll system in MapleStory Classic World is relatively straightforward. However, due to the random nature of enhancement, creating perfect gear is almost impossible. For now, it is best to focus primarily on Lesser or Intermediate Scrolls.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is now live, and one of its launch bundles is built around a real military hero rather than a fictional character or entertainment crossover. The $19.99 C.O.D.E. Valor Pack adds U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter to MW4, along with two Operator appearances, three weapon blueprints and a set of cosmetics inspired by his military service, recovery and personal story.

The pack is available now in MW4 Multiplayer and DMZ. Its items will become available in Call of Duty: Warzone when Season 1 launches. Activision is also donating 100% of its net proceeds from the pack to the Call of Duty Endowment, which supports veteran employment programs in the United States and United Kingdom.

MW4 Valor Pack Price and Contents

The C.O.D.E. Valor Pack costs $19.99 USD, or the equivalent local price. The official listing includes:

• “Valor” Operator

• “Relentless” Operator Skin

• “Forged Resolve” M4 Assault Rifle Blueprint

• “Still Standing” Rezi 12 Shotgun Blueprint

• “Worth Fighting For” Combat Knife Melee Blueprint

• “Nice Try” Weapon Charm

• “Steel Talon” Weapon Sticker

• “Forged in Valor” Calling Card

• “Earned, Not Given” Emblem

• “Blood, Sweat & Sand” Loading Screen

• 1 Hour Double Level XP Token

• 1 Hour Double Weapon XP Token

The bundle is listed for $19.99 on the official Call of Duty store and Steam.

Several of the cosmetic details are directly tied to Carpenter. The “Worth Fighting For” combat knife carries his rank and full name along with the phrase that has become one of his personal mantras. The “Nice Try” grenade charm and “Don't Hide Your Scars” detail on his gear also draw from his story and outlook after his recovery.

Who Is Kyle Carpenter?

Kyle Carpenter is a retired U.S. Marine Corps corporal and Medal of Honor recipient whose real-life service is at the center of the MW4 Valor Pack.

On November 21, 2010, Carpenter was serving in Marjah, Afghanistan, alongside fellow Marine Lance Cpl. Nick Eufrazio when a grenade landed near their rooftop position. Carpenter moved toward the grenade and used his body to shield Eufrazio from the blast.

The injuries were devastating. Carpenter lost his right eye and most of his teeth and remained unconscious for five weeks. After a lengthy recovery, he was medically retired from the Marine Corps in 2013. In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded him the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan.

That history is not simply background for the Operator. It is the foundation for the Valor Pack and the accompanying Forged in Valor series, which follows Carpenter's service, recovery and resilience.

Carpenter Helped Shape the MW4 Operator

The most distinctive part of the Valor Pack is Carpenter's involvement in its development.

Activision says the pack was created in close collaboration with Carpenter, who worked with the Infinity Ward and Call of Duty Endowment teams on details drawn from his life, service and recovery. The three-part Forged in Valor series gives players a behind-the-scenes look at that process.

The collaboration also shows up in the details. Carpenter's in-game appearance draws from his time in Afghanistan, while the M4, knife, patch and other cosmetics incorporate references to his service and personal mindset. Stars and Stripes reported that Carpenter described the project as a particularly collaborative one, with his ideas, recommendations and requests taken into account during development.

That makes the Valor Pack different from a simple likeness deal. The character is still part of a fictional military shooter, but the developers built the surrounding cosmetics around details connected to the real person behind the Operator.

When Will the Valor Pack Be Available in Warzone?

For Warzone players, the timing is the main thing to know.

The Valor Pack is available at MW4 launch in Multiplayer and DMZ. The official Call of Duty store states that the pack's items will become available in Warzone when Season 1 launches.

So although the pack is already being sold as an MW4 and Warzone bundle, Warzone players should not expect the items to become available there immediately at launch.

For current MW4 players, the situation is simpler: the Kyle Carpenter Operator, weapon blueprints and other listed cosmetics are part of the launch offering.

Does the Valor Pack Affect MW4 Gameplay?

The Valor Pack is primarily a cosmetic purchase, with the two XP tokens providing an additional progression benefit.

It does not add a new game mode or special matchmaking feature. The main draw is the Kyle Carpenter Operator, the themed weapon blueprints and the personal details connected to his story.

That also means the bundle does not provide a special competitive advantage. Players researching MW4 Bot Lobbies or other ways to practice weapons should treat those as separate topics rather than something included with the Valor Pack.

If you're judging the bundle purely by gameplay value, there is little reason to buy it for performance alone. Its appeal is the character, the cosmetics and the real-world story behind them.

Where Does the Money From the Valor Pack Go?

The other major reason the Valor Pack stands out is its connection to the Call of Duty Endowment.

Activision says 100% of its net proceeds from the pack will be donated to the Endowment, which supports programs that help veterans in the U.S. and U.K. find meaningful employment after military service.

The wording is important: the commitment covers Activision's net proceeds rather than the entire $19.99 purchase price. Steam's listing also notes that VAT or sales tax is excluded from the amount donated.

The Endowment was established in 2009 and focuses on helping unemployed and underemployed veterans transition into high-quality civilian jobs. The latest MW4 launch information says the organization has helped place more than 180,000 veterans into jobs.

Is the MW4 Valor Pack Worth It?

If you're looking for a bundle that changes how MW4 plays, the Valor Pack is not that.

Its value is much more straightforward. You get the Kyle Carpenter Operator, a second Operator skin, three weapon blueprints, themed cosmetics and two XP tokens. More importantly, the bundle is tied directly to Carpenter's story and supports the Call of Duty Endowment's veteran employment mission.

At $19.99, it makes the most sense for players who like the Operator, collect Call of Duty cosmetics or want to support the Endowment through a purchase they were already considering.

For everyone else, there is no gameplay requirement to own it. The pack is ultimately a premium cosmetic bundle with a real-world purpose behind it.

For MW4 players checking the Valor Pack after launch, the essentials are simple: it costs $19.99, includes two Operator appearances and three weapon blueprints, is available now in MW4 Multiplayer and DMZ, and is scheduled to reach Warzone with Season 1. Activision's net proceeds from the pack go to the Call of Duty Endowment.

The nerf to Judgment alters the damage potential of the summoner class in Torchlight: Infinite SS14 Tartarus, but Commander Moto 2 hasn't lost its value.

By switching to dual-wielding hammers, allowing players to actively apply Frostbite, and optimizing Slate bonuses, this build offers an alternative approach that balances damage output, gear cost, and map clearing efficiency.

How should the minion build be adjusted after Judgment nerf?

In SS13, Judgment provided nearly double the buff to minions, and combined with Command-related attack speed and cast speed stats, it significantly extended the minion's burst damage window.

However, upon entering SS14, Judgment's buff was reduced to approximately 40%, and its own brand debuff was also adjusted, further narrowing its actual effectiveness. For older builds that relied on Judgment to amplify damage, this meant that the original output ceiling was difficult to maintain.

But the nerf to Judgment doesn't mean that the minion build in Torchlight Infinite has lost its competitiveness. This Commander Moto 2 build shifts its damage focus to the dual-wielding hammer's affix duplication mechanism and the status ailment synergy provided by Frostbite, thus compensating for the loss caused by the reduced Judgment buff.

According to test data, the current configuration deals approximately 5 trillion to 6 trillion damage, with actual performance depending on the triggering of double damage. Nevertheless, as a relatively inexpensive transitional build, this damage performance is still sufficient for most map clearing scenarios.

Damage Base: Frostbite must be applied by the player

The core status ailment of this build is Frostbite. According to the mechanics, Frostbite has a chance to be applied when hit by cold damage. Each point of Frostbite rating increases the cold damage received by the target, triggering Freeze when it accumulates to 100 points.

However, a key limitation is that Frostbite applied by Minion itself has a rating cap, preventing it from stacking Frostbite to a sufficiently high value to cause a significant impact, unlike a player character. Therefore, triggering Frostbite must be done by the player character.

Currently, there are two methods available:

• Frost Terra allows Frostbite to be applied from a distance, suitable for output environments requiring maintaining distance.
• Ring of Blades is a channeling skill; the player simply holds down a key and moves the cursor to continuously trigger Frostbite, offering lower operational burden at the cost of sacrificing a skill slot.

It's important to note that neither of these methods itself is responsible for output; their sole function is to reliably apply Frostbite to enemies, with the subsequent damage dealt by the minions.

The Advantages of Dual-Handed Hammers

This build uses dual-wielded hammers primarily because hammers can simultaneously gain both extra melee damage and additional damage to life affixes. Bows cannot have both simultaneously; while not unusable, they lose some of the stacking damage.

What truly makes dual-wielding hammers viable is the copying mechanism within Forge system: the large slab can copy the +1 minion affix from the small slab, further amplifying the benefit of the extra minions gained while dual-wielding.

Furthermore, the attack speed/cast speed affixes on the hammers affect both Minions and the player. A 67% attack speed/cast speed affix, combined with dual-wielding and minions inheritance, nearly doubles the actual benefit, significantly increasing the Minion's attack frequency.

It's important to note that the crucial fist affix on weapons is difficult to obtain, with an appearance rate of approximately 5%; the crafting cost of the two-handed ultimate mod is also quite high.

If your in-game currency reserves are insufficient, you can choose to buy Torchlight Infinite FE to accelerate the acquisition of ideal affixes, increase the damage ceiling of your build, and avoid affecting your ability to handle high-difficulty battles due to a lack of key high-priced affixes.

Auras, Slate, and Followers

This build uses a four-aura, Glass Cannon configuration: Radical Order, Fearless, Weapon Amp, and Frigid Domain. The focus is on increasing damage and map clearing efficiency, sacrificing some defensive capabilities for faster map clearing speed.

The core of Slate configuration is to utilize the duplication mechanism to obtain an additional +1 minion affix. When configuring, carefully check the duplication target of the large slab to ensure it correctly corresponds to the affix on the smaller slab; otherwise, even if the configuration seems complete, you may not obtain the expected bonus.

In addition, it is recommended to retain at least one source of +1 Focus Blessing to synergize with the double damage trigger condition of Wind of Origin.

Regarding the new Followers added in TLI SS14, this build is currently not recommended as its buffs offer limited improvement to the Minion system.

Key Practical Points: Compensating for Survivability Weaknesses with High Burst Damage

The advantage of this Commander Moto 2 Minion build lies in its concentrated damage and high map clearing efficiency. Even with Judgment nerf, it can still maintain considerable output thanks to weapon affixes, Frostbite synergy, and Focus Blessing.

However, the four-aura configuration also means the character's survivability is relatively weak. When facing high-damage enemies or difficult mechanics in Torchlight Infinite, more attention needs to be paid to positioning and skill timing.

In actual map clearing, priority should be given to ensuring the minions can quickly eliminate enemies, and double damage probability, critical hit rate, and key high-tier affixes should be gradually added as gear is completed.

As gear continues to upgrade, this build still has room for further damage increases; if a life leech approach is adopted later, survivability can also be improved to make map clearing more stable.

Although you may have consumed the last two years fully immersed in Multiplayer modes of CoD Black Ops 6 & 7, the recently launched MW4 Multiplayer introduces significant changes. To regain your competitive edge, you will need to master a new set of skills.

In this guide, we will walk you through how to approach MW4 Multiplayer, offering practical tips to help you navigate the mode effectively.

What does MW4 Multiplayer include?

Unlike the game's Campaign or DMZ modes, MW4 Multiplayer is not a single, monolithic experience; rather, it is a collection of distinct game modes, such as Team Deathmatch, Domination, Free-for-All, and more.

Define your Multiplayer goals

Each multiplayer mode features unique rules, caters to different playstyles, and is suited to specific maps. If your time and energy are limited, it is best to decide which modes you want to focus on.

If you are a newcomer unfamiliar with most of these modes, consider choosing MW4 bot lobbies for sale, matches against AI opponents to get comfortable with the core maps, movement mechanics, and gunplay before jumping into live matches.

You might start with a fundamental mode like Team Deathmatch to get a feel for the pace and flow of real-player combat.

From there, you can move on to modes like Domination or Hardpoint to develop more advanced skills, such as controlling key areas and knowing when to push or hold your position.

Once you have mastered these basics, and identified your preferred weapon loadouts through hands-on experience, you can explore other, more challenging MW4 Multiplayer modes tailored to your personal playstyle.

Changes to movement mechanics

In a shooter like Call of Duty, victory depends not just on your aim, but on how well you integrate your movement capabilities into your gameplay. Success hinges on your mastery and application of these movement mechanics.

MW4's movement system has been refined for greater utility, stripping away some of the flashier, less practical elements found in previous entries. Consequently, you will need to relearn and adapt to these updated mechanics.

Slide mechanic upgrades

While Omnimovement, introduced in last year's Black Ops 7, was well-received, many players felt it should remain exclusive to that specific sub-series, allowing different Call of Duty titles to offer distinct movement styles.

The development team appears to agree, as MW4 removes Omnimovement. To compensate, they have implemented significant enhancements to the core slide mechanic.

Previously, sliding was only possible while moving forward. Now, by double-tapping the crouch key while sprinting, you can execute a Supine Slide, a long-distance slide that transitions your character into a supine (lying on the back) position.

As you slide, your center of gravity lowers, leaving you in a position where both your feet and your weapon are pointed toward the enemy.

This dynamic shift can disrupt an opponent's line of sight and throw off their aim, creating a tactical opening for you to turn the tide of a fight.

Furthermore, Modern Warfare 4 introduces Mantle Sliding and Slide Mantling, which allow for fluid, rapid transitions between sliding and mantling (climbing over obstacles).

Seamlessly chaining these actions improves your mobility in vertical environments and increases your chances of a successful escape, especially since enemies might overlook potential routes, such as pipes or ledges, that you can utilize.

Additionally, MW4 introduces a new technique called Mantle Canceling, a variation on the well-known slide canceling mechanic found throughout the series.

If you find yourself in a precarious situation while mantling, you can use a Mantle Cancel to abort the action and avoid danger. With enough practice, you can even use this to create unique firing angles, allowing you to catch enemies off guard.

Operator fatigue

This change is closely tied to the game's movement mechanics, specifically Tactical Sprint. In MW4 multiplayer, as your Operator continues to sprint, they will gradually become fatigued; this results in reduced movement speed and diminished combat efficiency.

Consequently, it is better to avoid using the sprint mechanic to traverse long distances across the map. Instead, conserve your stamina for short, explosive bursts, whether to engage enemies or to make a quick escape. Additionally, combining this with a slide maneuver can help conserve stamina.

Adapting to the removal of Weapon Bloom

Weapon Bloom, a common mechanic in many shooters, refers to the tendency for bullets to deviate from their intended trajectory (relative to the crosshair) when firing from the hip.

In games with this mechanic, you might have learned to compensate by slightly adjusting your aim based on the weapon's current bloom level. You'll need to break that habit now, as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has removed weapon bloom entirely.

However, this doesn't mean that simply placing your crosshair on an enemy guarantees a perfect headshot. Instead, you must now account for other variables, such as weapon recoil, and consider how to enhance your gear through the use of attachments.

Mastering Gunny System

CoD Modern Warfare 4 features the return of Gunsmith system, allowing you to customize your base gear. While the mechanic itself is straightforward, determining the optimal combination of attachments can be a complex undertaking.

If you prefer not to figure everything out on your own, you can leverage Gunny system's automated features: simply select your preferred playstyle, and it will generate a recommended loadout for you.

Even better, these loadouts aren't set in stone; you can further tweak them to your liking, ensuring they align perfectly with your specific multiplayer strategy.

It's also worth noting that MW4 places a greater emphasis on the unique characteristics of different weapon classes.

By enhancing the performance of each weapon type within its intended niche, and avoiding a one-size-fits-all meta, the game encourages you to develop specialized tactics tailored to various combat scenarios.

That covers everything for this guide. Of course, as you dive into MW4 multiplayer, you'll undoubtedly discover many more nuances on your own. Just remember to reflect on your experiences as you progress!

ARC Raiders Frozen Trail update introduces Amped Weapons, Level 5 Gunsmith, and Research Bench.

Each Amped Weapon Mod requires 5,000 Research Points. There are several ways to earn Research Points, including collecting books and finding random loot during raids. Some farming methods are highly efficient, often yielding 1,000 to 2,000 Research Points in a single run.

Research Point Items

Following the update, 5 items can directly grant Research Points:

• Battered Paperback: 50
• Raider Logbook: 100
• Exodus Technical Handbook: 150
• ARC Data Module: 200
• Frigate Diagnostic Node: 1,000

ARC Data Modules and Frigate Diagnostic Nodes are your primary targets, as both appear frequently across the farming methods below. Alternatively, you can save time by choosing to buy ARC Raiders items that provide Research Points.

ARC Frigate

ARC Frigate event is one of the most popular ways to farm Research Points. All you need to do is enter a raid on a map with ARC Frigate condition. Board the ship and prioritize looting breachable gray containers. Focus on finding Frigate Diagnostic Nodes and ARC Data Modules, then extract safely. You can earn a substantial amount of Research Points in a single run.

The key to farming ARC Frigates is managing your backpack space wisely. If you bring too much gear, you will have less room for loot, and you will lose everything you carry if you go down. Bring too little, however, and you may struggle to defend yourself around the containers when other Raiders or ARC enemies show up.

When Vaporizer, Rocketeer, and Hydra enemies start shooting at you, you must handle them properly or risk missing your chance to open the containers. Whoever reaches a container first gets Data Module first. Whether you enter fully geared or with minimal equipment, the fundamental challenge is still a race to the lower deck.

A recommended route is to approach from either the left or right wing and climb along the wing structure. Bring enough Adrenaline Shots to maintain your stamina while climbing. Most players head straight to the bottom to open Breachable Containers, so reaching the upper level first can often let you loot two or three containers uncontested.

Along the way, you can take advantage of the wind to sprint past Hydras. Use an Adrenaline Shot to restore your stamina, then sprint around them. Afterward, activate Photoelectric Cloak and move toward the middle section on the right, where a container is usually guaranteed to spawn on the wall.

Fallen Emperor

The second method is to hunt for ARC Data Modules inside Fallen Emperor. First, you need a key called Emperor Gateway Conduit, which requires the following materials:

• 1× ARC Insulated Coupler
• 1× ARC Conductive Coupler
• 1× ARC Plated Coupler

Most importantly, you must also have Emperor Gateway Conduit blueprint. Without it, you cannot craft the key at Workbench, even if you have collected all the required materials.

Once you have the key, enter the dungeon. Data Modules can be found throughout Fallen Emperor. They may spawn in any Breachable Container, explosive missile pod, or blue non-explosive pod, but the largest haul is consistently found in the final room.

The final room is currently the best location in the game for obtaining large quantities of ARC Data Modules. Entering it triggers enemy activity and alarms. First, take cover behind a fallen container or in a recessed area to avoid being targeted by multiple flying ARC enemies.

Next, shoot the 6 yellow nodes on the walls, with three on each side. Once all six are destroyed, the ceiling opens, potentially allowing enemies such as Wasps, Hornets, and Vaporizer units to enter.

After destroying all the nodes, loot pods will emerge from the walls. Search these pods for high-value materials and ARC Data Modules.

Pendola Pass Containers

If you do not want to take on Fallen Emperor or ARC Frigate event, you can also earn Research Points by searching containers throughout Pendola Pass.

The first priority is to loot Raider supply containers. These include Weapon Cases, Ammo Cases, Grenade Cases, Backpacks, and Medbags. When no cases are available, make sure to check Drawers as well.

These containers have a high chance of yielding ARC Raiders blueprints and Research items, with loot quality ranging from gray to purple. They also offer relatively consistent results, especially on Pendola Pass. The map features both reliable container spawns and a high concentration of loot locations, making it the preferred map for this farming method.

For primary points of interest, prioritize Commissary Supermarket, Railyard, and Cielo Sereno Observatory. If you spawn on the corresponding side of the map, focus your route around these areas. They typically contain multiple Raider container spawns and Drawers, making them excellent primary looting targets.

Secondary points of interest include Dispatch Tower, Railroad Junction, and Deep Space Telescope. These locations also have a high density of Raider containers, making them worthwhile stops along your route.

When planning your route for each raid, try to visit at least Supermarket or Railyard, as either location can yield more than 1,000 Research Points in a single run.

Snow Shelters

If you can reach Snow Shelters before other players, a single shelter may yield 500 to over 1,000 Research Points, along with other high-quality gear.

Therefore, whenever a storm hits, keep an eye out for Snow Shelters. They can significantly increase your loot haul and even turn an otherwise unsuccessful raid around.

Each of these three farming methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you are highly familiar with ARC Frigate event, you can earn around 1,500 Research Points per hour. Fallen Emperor takes time to prepare because crafting the key can be tedious, but it could be the most efficient method otherwise. Pendola Pass container farming, meanwhile, is less consistent. Ultimately, you can choose whichever method suits your playstyle best.