All tips and guides about Valheim in overview

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 5 minutes

Are you looking for helpful tips and guides for Valheim? In our overview, you will find everything you need to start and survive in the new survival game.

What are these guides? We have compiled all the guides we have written here on MeinMMO since the release of Valheim for you.

The guides are primarily aimed at new players who want to learn Valheim and beginners to the genre. However, you will also find useful information on specific topics you want to read about, and even veterans can learn something. For the overview, they are categorized.

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We will continuously update this list with guides as more guides are published. This article serves as a constant overview of everything you need to know about Valheim.

General Beginner Tips

What will I find here? In this category, we mainly focus on getting started with Valheim or survival games in general.

Who are the tips aimed at? If you are new to the game or the genre and do not want to start completely clueless, you can prepare yourself with these guides. They help you gain an overview of the essential mechanics and make the entry easier.

Building Tips

What will I find here? In this section, we have summarized everything you need to know about the building system in Valheim. A base is crucial for securing your survival, and the building system is a significant part of the game.

Who are the tips aimed at? You will find tips here for players who want to build their own or larger bases – whether solo or in a team. The tips are for beginners and advanced players.

Valheim Stormwind Harbor 2
Want to see what you can do with the building system? A player even rebuilt the entire harbor of Stormwind in Valheim.

Crafting Tips

What will I find here? You can craft components and equipment through crafting. We primarily address how to obtain resources and create everyday items. For information on weapons and armor, jump to the “Combat and Bosses” section.

Who are the tips aimed at? Beginners and advanced players will find tips here for their first recipes for food, mead, and where to obtain resources. For experts, they serve as a useful reference, so you don’t have to memorize all the recipes.

Exploration and World Tips

What will I find here? Here we have listed guides for you that will help you better explore the vast world of Valheim and tips that will help you find your way better. Exploration is one of the most important features in Valheim as it allows you to make progress in the game.

More on the topic
The map of Valheim is so huge that after 50 hours I have only seen 5%
von Benedict Grothaus

Who are the tips aimed at? Primarily explorers can navigate the world more easily with these tips, allowing them to explore it. However, players who want to play as efficiently as possible will also find useful tips here, especially when searching for specific bosses or the trader. The tips are mainly suitable for advanced players and experts.

Tips for Combat and Bosses

What will I find here? Combat is another pillar of Valheim, and here you will find tips on how to fight better, equip yourself better, or defeat the tricky bosses of the game. After all, you should prove yourself in Valheim as the strongest Vikings of the afterlife.

Who are the tips aimed at? Since you must be ready to fight or at least combat-ready at any time in Valheim, beginners, advanced players, and experts can use these tips.

Valheim Swamp Boss Bonebag 2
Having trouble with the nasty slime bag Bonebag? With our guides, you will defeat him in no time.

Tips for Technology, Security, Cheats, and More

What will I find here? Valheim offers several settings, tricks, and techniques to make the game look better, harder, or simply to enhance gameplay fluidity. You will find these tips here.

Who are the tips aimed at? Players who want to make Valheim prettier or otherwise modify it will find their way here. It deals less with game mechanics and more with the technology behind the game itself. Therefore, these tips are interesting for all players.

Whether with or without guides, Valheim already offers enough content to excite and engage millions of players. Some spend a lot of time in the new survival game – and still can’t get enough of it.

We spoke with one of those players: Frequent player interview – How Valheim is still fun after 267 hours

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Ashes of Creation shows why the classic Alpha in MMORPGs no longer exists

Alexander Leitsch Alexander Leitsch Reading time 5 minutes

The MMORPG Ashes of Creation is delaying the launch of Alpha 1 by nearly two months. However, they are not doing this for the testers, but for the viewers on Twitch and YouTube. This is partly due to the hype that the developers have built, but also due to the changed expectations of the players.

What happened? Initially, the Alpha 1 for Ashes of Creation was supposed to officially start on April 6 and at the same time the NDA that applies to current tests was to be lifted. Through previews, YouTube, and Twitch, basically everyone would have had the opportunity to take a look at the Alpha.

But now the developers of Intrepid Studios have announced that the Alpha has been postponed by about 2 months. The new start date is now June 1, 2021.

Why was the delay necessary? In a statement, Game Director Steven Sharif said that “additional polishing is necessary to ensure a smooth Alpha 1 testing phase.” 

Interestingly, all those who will play Alpha 1 in the future have already been able to play the MMORPG. Since the end of 2020, there have been ongoing tests that players could participate in if they had pledged at least 500 dollars during the Kickstarter period. For them, the game does not need to be postponed; they already know the bugs.

Only external viewers are newly added, no new players.

The new plan for the Alpha of Ashes of Creation.

What does this mean? The postponement of the Alpha shows the dilemma that many of the new crowdfunding MMORPGs like Crowfall or Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen currently face. 

Because an Alpha is no longer just about testing game content, but in a way it is also an early access or demo, through which viewers and testers can form an initial opinion.

This can have both positive and negative consequences.

What is the difference between Alpha, Beta, and Demo?
– In Pre-Alpha, only the developers and close persons actually test a program or game.
– Alpha was originally referred to as the first test that was not conducted by the developers themselves.
– Beta is released for testing purposes and is intended to be accessible to a larger number of users. All essential functions are included, but various bugs and problems can still occur.
– A demo, on the other hand, is usually a free presentation of the game. Here only selected content is shown.

Many players see Alpha as early access

What has changed in general about Alpha? Previously, an Alpha was primarily intended for a small circle of testers. They were supposed to test new features and content that were often incomplete or needed polishing. An Alpha was like a testing environment and usually took place behind closed doors.

For example, for Guild Wars 1, ArenaNet acted this way. The Alpha was completely under NDA and was only conducted with a very small group of players. Only years later were videos presented from the Alpha, in which the game looked quite different.

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Today, however, many MMORPGs in development allow participation in these Alphas. But depending on the game, this has a very different meaning:

  • Some MMORPGs actually still use Alpha to test, and that for many years. Camelot Unchained, for example, warns buyers of access that many contents are unfinished and broken. They only want buyers who are willing to test passionately and provide feedback.
  • For other MMORPGs, the Alpha access is more like early starter kits or early access. This is particularly noticeable in Crowfall, where players can still keep progress made years ago. So one could simply play earlier than others.

This blending of Alpha and early access, however, creates a new set of expectations.

What are the expectations of an Alpha? Today, anyone playing the Alpha of an MMORPG expects a certain level of content. Players want permanent access, ideally already a complete character editor, a selection of classes, and content that occupies them for many hours.

In the best case, one can play directly to the end game and get a taste of what awaits there.

More about MMORPGs on MeinMMO:

Why is this problematic? When one then enters a world that is still unfinished and completely buggy, this can be a disappointment, especially when one has paid hundreds of euros for it. Indie MMORPGs often also face server and performance problems whenever a larger number of players gain access.

In today’s time, however, this disappointment is not only discussed among oneself and friends, but with the entire internet. Through reviews, Twitch, and YouTube, opinions spread rapidly. 

If the tenor is negative, an Alpha can become a PR disaster for the developer.

Games lose their mystery: With the start of the Alpha, the perception of the game also changes, regardless of positive or negative aspects. As long as a game exists only on paper, players can change it in their imagination and envision their dream MMORPG.

Exactly these ideas and dreams are often a reason why players spend money in advance. They invest more in an idea than in a finished game. And this is exactly what is lost with the start of the Alpha. 

More on the topic of crowdfunding MMORPGs can be found in our podcast:

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Ashes of Creation is guilty of high expectations

Ashes of Creation is experiencing a huge hype: Additionally, Ashes is seen as the hopeful candidate for MMORPGs. With some innovative ideas like the Node system or the combination of 64 classes, it particularly appeals to frustrated fans looking for a new, long-term game.

This hype is constantly fueled by the developers with new gameplay and promises. Not everything has been good for the MMORPG.

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You can get an insight into the current state of Ashes of Creation in this video.

What mistakes did Ashes make? In 2018, the developers announced grandly the Alpha and the release of Ashes of Creation for 2019. But as the postponement shows, everything has been significantly delayed.

With the PvP standalone Apocalypse, they also attracted several skeptics. It was a standalone battle royale that came out in 2018/2019 that was primarily intended to test the combat system and the servers. But the game flopped and received criticism for aggressive monetization.

The hype from new information and gameplay also led players to slowly but surely feel that Ashes of Creation was approaching a finished state:

The postponement has now put a damper on this feeling.

What will happen next with AoC? With the launch of Alpha 1 in June, everything seems to suggest that the release is being pushed back much further.

In addition to Alpha 2, several beta tests are also planned before the release. The release for 2021 seems to be already ruled out, and even 2022 currently seems unlikely. However, there has been no precise statement regarding the release date recently.

However, not everything is bad about Ashes of Creation. I personally see huge potential and have summarized that in my own article: If Ashes of Creation gets these 4 things right, it will become a great MMORPG.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Twitch bans streamer twice in 24 hours – and no one understands it

Noah Struthoff Noah Struthoff Reading time 3 minutes

Most recently, Fortnite streamer Clix was also affected. He received a permanent ban due to an inappropriate image, which was lifted after much criticism and just one day later. The story can be found here:

Twitch permanently bans young Fortnite pro – apparently due to inappropriate image

The streamer and YouTuber GeorgeNotFound was banned on Twitch. The curious thing: there were two bans within 24 hours due to his username. Shortly after, the bans were lifted, leaving confused fans behind.

This is what happened: The streamer George “GeorgeNotFound” Davidson informed his viewers on Twitter that his second channel named “ThisIsNotGeorgeNotFound” was banned by Twitch. The streaming platform cited an “inappropriate username” as the reason.

Not even 24 hours later, the streamer received another notification from Twitch. He was banned again. This time, the reason given was “harassment in the username.”

Both bans were issued indefinitely – essentially permanent. So, GeorgeNotFound received a kind of permanent ban twice in just a few hours for a username that at first glance appears neither inappropriate nor harassing.

Ultimately, however, both bans were lifted. The Twitch channel of GeorgeNotFound is currently accessible normally again.

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Here, GeorgeNotFound shares his first Twitch ban on Twitter

Ban from Twitch confuses streamer and fans

So here is the current status: No real reason for the two bans and the later backtracking has been provided – at least the streamer himself seems to still be confused on Twitter.

On Twitter, GeorgeNotFound wrote just 20 hours ago: “I’m unbanned hahahahaha”

Generally, there is a lot of laughter on Twitter about the bans and their lifting. Well-known Minecraft YouTubers like dream or TommyInnit also join the discussions in the comments. For example, dream jokingly writes about the second ban: “This is great”

Why did the bans occur? This is somewhat questionable. The second ban of the streamer could be a clue. It was said that the channel name “ThisIsNotGeorgeNotFound” would insult another user.

It may well be that Twitch classified this name as insulting to the main channel named “GeorgeNotFound.” Perhaps the Twitch staff initially did not know of the connection between the two channels. When they later discovered the connection, the ban was quickly reversed.

However, this is just a theory from fans. There is not yet a precise reason publicly available.

Who is GeorgeNotFound anyway? The streamer is especially known among Minecraft fans. On YouTube, his videos average several million views. On Twitch, GeorgeNotFound is somewhat less active, but streams on his main channel always in front of over 100,000 simultaneous viewers. He streamed only four times on his second Twitch channel in the last 90 days.

Much criticism over unjustified bans

Here’s the situation with bans on Twitch: The streaming platform has recently come under fire for its lack of transparency in banning policies. Many viewers accuse the platform of having an imbalance in its bans. Some streamers get banned for things that other streamers only receive a warning for.

Our author Schuhmann wrote about this: Twitch’s banning policy is becoming increasingly ridiculous.

The case of GeorgeNotFound is indeed curious and funny rather than scandalous, yet it shows once again that some bans on Twitch are executed suddenly and seemingly thoughtlessly.

More on Twitch bans:

Have there been similar cases? GeorgeNotFound was not the first streamer to return after a permanent ban. A prominent case was the Swedish streamer forsen. He opened links from viewers, unknowingly showing an image with sodomy. Twitch punished this with a permanent ban.

After much backlash from the community, this ban was lifted after a few weeks.

Most recently, Fortnite streamer Clix was also affected. He received a permanent ban due to an inappropriate image, which was lifted after much criticism and just one day later. The story can be found here:

Twitch permanently bans young Fortnite pro – apparently due to inappropriate image

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Dexerto
  2. Gamerant

Steam MMO makes 300,000 dollars more than planned – Reveals now how it continues

Andreas Bertits Andreas Bertits Reading time 2 minutes

Skyclimbers is a very interesting MMO in development that was extremely successful on Kickstarter. The developers have now announced a roadmap with the launch of the Alpha, Beta, and Early Access phases.

What can you expect with Skyclimbers? The sandbox MMO places you on a distant planet. You explore it as a Paladin, Mage, and Ranger, and you can even establish your own settlements, which you can expand to a kingdom.

While you encounter monsters in the wilderness and fight against them, player-driven kingdoms also go to war with each other.

The PvP operates similarly to a strategy game. Once you own a kingdom, you build barracks and train soldiers there. You then send them to war and can issue commands in battles. However, you also wander alone across the world and encounter hostile players whom you actively fight against. Because of the open-PvP, you always have to be on your guard.

A special feature is that you can tame wild creatures and then further develop them. This allows you to acquire mounts or helpers that assist you in battles.

Additionally, it is possible to set up your own servers like in Valheim where your own rules apply.

The trailer shows you what you can expect:

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A very successful Kickstarter campaign

How did the Kickstarter campaign go? The team behind Skyclimbers aimed to raise $25,000 through Kickstarter. In the end, however, they raised a total of $340,721. Thus, the goal was exceeded by 1,362%.

Especially the mix of city-building strategy, survival, and action RPG with some aspects of Pokémon was very well received by the players. Building your own kingdom and waging war against other players similarly to a strategy game sounds exciting.

What comes next? After the crowdfunding campaign concluded so successfully, the developers published a roadmap for the upcoming period via a Trello board. This indicates when the Alpha starts, how the Beta proceeds, and when the Early Access phase is planned.

  • The Pre-Alpha is set to enter its second phase later this month and will then extend throughout the entire second quarter
  • At the beginning of the 3rd quarter, the Alpha will begin, which will transition at the end of the year into the Early Access phase of the PC version on Steam
  • The Beta will start in the second quarter of 2022, and the Early Access release of the console version will take place. Initially planned is a version for PlayStation and Xbox.
  • In the 3rd quarter, the Early Access phase for Switch and mobile devices will follow.
  • In the 4th quarter of 2022, a Linux and macOS version will be released.
  • The full release of the game is not scheduled before 2023.

How to participate in the Pre-Alpha: If you want to be part of the next Pre-Alpha that is set to start this month, you can sign up on the official website. With a bit of luck, you will be selected.

Currently, Pre-Alpha testers are still under an NDA. They are not allowed to talk about their experiences from the testing phase and may not post any videos from it. This will change later. However, it is unclear whether this will happen by the Alpha or the Early Access start.

Other online games have also been funded via crowdfunding. We present to you the 7 largest crowdfunding MMOs.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. MMORPG.com

More FPS in Valheim – How to use Vulkan and what it brings you

Benedikt Schlotmann Benedikt Schlotmann Reading time 4 minutes

Players can use both DirectX and Vulkan in the survival game Valheim . MeinMMO explains how to use Vulkan and what benefits it brings.

Valheim is currently a popular title. With a simple trick, you can extract even more performance from the survival game. All you need to do is use Vulkan.

What is Vulkan, anyway? Vulkan is an API like DirectX. These are necessary for commands to be sent from your game to the graphics card’s software, for example. Vulkan originated from a development by AMD (AMD Mantle).

Which graphics card supports Vulkan? You do not need to download a program or software. Any reasonably current graphics card supports the Vulkan interface. AMD’s oldest graphics card that offers Vulkan is the Radeon 7000 series. Nvidia supports graphics cards up to the GeForce 600 and 700 series.

Valheim – how to enable Vulkan in the game

There are currently two different ways to activate the Vulkan interface for Valheim. We will introduce both methods:

This is the first method: When you start Valheim from your Steam library, you often get a popup menu. Here you can choose between “Play Valheim” and “Play Valheim using Vulkan”.

If you want to use Vulkan, select the second option. You will need to make this selection every time you start the game.

This is the second method: The second method consists of changing the game’s launch options. This is especially useful if you do not receive a popup menu from Steam. The procedure is also quite simple:

  • Right-click on Valheim in your library and select “Properties”
  • In the “General” tab, you then type the line “-force-vulcan” in the Launch Options area. This forces Vulkan to run in the game.
  • However, note that Valheim will always start with Vulkan. If you do not want this, you need to remove the text again.

Valheim with Vulkan offers stability and FPS

The Vulkan interface brings you not only a higher frame rate in the game but also noticeably improved stability. At this point, we want to present you with two videos where you can see the differences for yourself.

The first video shows: YouTuber TroubleChute has shown in his video what advantages using Vulkan brings. The differences are remarkable:

  • The maximum FPS increased from 88.1 FPS without Vulkan to 201.8 FPS with Vulkan enabled.
  • The average FPS increased from 66.4 FPS to 69.1 FPS.
  • The minimum frame rate also increased from 9.7 to 17.9.

The complete video is embedded here for you:

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The second video shows: YouTuber Frozn Hood also demonstrated how differently DirectX and Vulkan affect Valheim. In his video, he tests the game with an RTX 3080 and Ryzen 5 5600X.

  • The FPS rate increases the most in Full HD and WQHD resolutions.
  • In 4K, the differences are the smallest with 4-6 FPS.

The complete video is embedded here for you:

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Some players report issues with Vulkan

Valheim does not run perfectly with Vulkan on all systems. Some players report immediate crashes or graphical errors (via reddit.com). For example, Robabankwithabagel writes on reddit:

We will all have different results, just as we all have different performance issues. Until the game is optimized for more PCs and hardware combinations, it’s a “try and see” thing.

As for me, I get an immediate crash, probably due to the mods I have.

Even in our editorial team, we experienced significantly improved performance at times, but also severe graphical bugs in the game. Other players have no issues with the same graphics card.

Some graphical glitches can be viewed in this YouTube video, for example:

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Things you should note: If you want to play with Vulkan, you should keep a few things in mind:

  • Check if your graphics card software is up to date. You can get this either from AMD or from Nvidia, or you can perform an automatic update.
  • If you experience severe graphical bugs or issues, turn off modifications and other changes for testing.
  • Turn off vertical synchronization (V-Sync) for testing. This has also been mentioned as a source of problems.

Vulkan offers advantages for players

This is the advantage of Vulkan: Vulkan is open-source and, unlike DirectX, also runs on Linux. Since January 2021, Vulkan has also been officially available for Macintosh (via heise.de) and the Unity engine also supports Vulkan.

For players, the biggest advantage is that Vulkan was developed for multi-core and multi-thread platforms. Games with Vulkan can perform more tasks simultaneously compared to the open-source alternative OpenGL (via viscircle.de). This also reduces the load on the installed processor, as more cores are utilized.

More about Valheim on MeinMMO:

What is the disadvantage of Vulkan? The biggest disadvantage is the limited compatibility with older hardware. If you have a very old graphics card or processor in your computer, Vulkan may not be supported. Many games often offer Vulkan as an optional feature.

More tips for better performance: Are you looking for more ways to improve Valheim’s performance? Then check out this article. Here, MeinMMO presents you with a simple trick to significantly increase FPS in Valheim.

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The 10 most popular weapons of CoD Warzone in March – With the players’ setups

Maik Schneider Maik Schneider Reading time 7 minutes

With Season 2 came a few exciting changes to the weapon balance in Call of Duty: Warzone, which also affected the overall weapon selection. MeinMMO shows you the weapon charts in March with the players’ favorite setups.

In the Battle Royale Call of Duty: Warzone, strong weapons are often defined by an appealing mix of strength and stability. However, the developers frequently adjust the weapon balancing, add new firearms or change the old ones. To keep you updated on what is currently happening weapon-wise in the Warzone, you can find here on MeinMMO the currently most popular weapons of the players in March 2021.

Where do the data come from? The ranking listed here comes from the data tool “WZ Ranked”. On this site, you will find detailed datasets for your matches as well as large rankings for the most popular weapons and their setups. The 10 weapons listed here were used in the week from March 8 to 14.

However, there are limitations. The CoD developers closed a data interface (API) some time ago and players now have to manually open it on “CallOfDuty.com” to be part of the datasets. Previously, this interface was open by default. “WZ Ranked” states that they can currently analyze between 2 to 6% of the global loadout datasets, thus providing a good cross-section of the weapons used.

The 10 most popular weapons in Warzone – March 2021

  1. FFAR 1 – Assault Rifle from Cold War
  2. Kar 98k – Sniper from CoD MW
  3. MAC-10 – SMG from Cold War
  4. AUG – Tactical Rifle from Cold War
  5. CR-56 AMAX – Assault Rifle from CoD MW
  6. Kilo 141 – Assault Rifle from CoD MW
  7. Grau 5.56 – Assault Rifle from CoD MW
  8. M4A1 – Assault Rifle from CoD MW
  9. MP5 – SMG from CoD MW
  10. M13 – Assault Rifle from CoD MW

[toc]

Compared to the weapon charts in February, there were significant shifts at the top and even a complete newcomer – the tactical rifle AUG.

The FFAR 1 has particularly benefited, currently regarded as the best all-round option alongside a sniper or one of the “Cold War” tactical rifles. Accordingly, the top weapon in the last ranking has suffered – the MAC-10 drops to 3rd place.

The AUG has made its way into the list as a newcomer, displacing the large sniper rifle HDR. It now stands just behind the M13 in 11th place.

You can find the MeinMMO list of the best weapons and setup suggestions here:

More on the topic
CoD Warzone: The best weapons with setups – Meta in Mid-Season 5 / October 2022
von Maik Schneider

On page 2, you’ll find the most used setups for the top 10 weapons

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Source(s):
  1. WZ Ranked
Pages: 1 2

Elemental sources are new in Destiny 2 – What is behind it and is it worth it?

Philipp Hansen Philipp Hansen Reading time 4 minutes

In Destiny 2, Warmind Cells and Charged with Light now have competition. How do the new mods from Season 13 work, and should you rethink your loadouts?

What’s new: Destiny 2 introduced a new mechanic with the launch of Season 13: Elemental Sources. This system allows you to craft new builds that make your Guardian a better killing machine. Elemental Sources work via mods, similar to the two known mechanics:

  • Warmind Cells: Mini nuclear bombs that you can detonate or collect for bonuses
  • Charged with Light: Overloads you and lets you spend energy for powerful buffs

MeinMMO looks at what mods are currently available and whether the new system can keep up with the two powerful mechanics.

What are Elemental Sources: You know Orbs of Power (formerly Orbs of Light)? Very good, because you should imagine Elemental Sources similarly.

  • They appear on the ground after certain actions
  • Waiting to be picked up and available to the whole fireteam
  • Picking them up gives you energy or activates bonuses

Elemental Sources can either possess Void, Solar, Arc, or the Stasis element. Accordingly, they also glow in the appropriate colors:

Elemental Sources Stasis Super Season 13 Destiny 2
2 Elemental Sources from the Stasis element.

Elemental Source Mods and how it works in Destiny 2

This is how the mechanic works: To generate an Elemental Source, you must have one of 6 suitable mods installed in your armor. The modifications go into the 4th slot (combat style slot).

Then, depending on the mods, there are several ways to produce them, such as kills with abilities or elemental weapons. After that, you walk over the source and the bonuses activate – which can also vary depending on the mod.

Importantly, these Elemental Source mods can only be used on armor from Beyond Light, Season 12, and the current Season 13. An older armor set won’t even show you the mods.

These 6 mods are available in Season 13:

  • Elemental Charge: Defeating enemies with grenades generates an Elemental Source with your focus element (costs 3 energy)
  • Elemental Light: Kills with your Super generate an Elemental Source with your focus element (costs 1 energy)
  • Elemental Armament: Kills with weapons matching your focus element have an increasing chance of generating Elemental Sources (costs 2 energy)
  • Source of Power: Picking up Elemental Sources with the matching focus increases weapon damage when the weapon has the same element (costs 4 energy)
  • Source of Wisdom: Picking up Elemental Sources with the matching focus briefly increases intellect and makes the Super charge faster (costs 4 energy)
  • Elemental Charge: Picking up an Elemental Charge charges you with Light. If the source matches your focus element, you receive 2 Light Charges (costs 2 energy)

Additionally, each of the 6 mods has the property that when you pick up an Elemental Source

  • It charges the ability with the least energy
  • If the Elemental Source matches the focus, all abilities charge
  • Abilities include the Warlock Rift, Titan Barricade, Hunter Jump, grenade, and melee
Elemental Source Mods in Destiny 2
Only armor from Beyond Light and newer has access to Elemental Source mods.

How to get Elemental Source mods: So far, you can only buy the mods at the War Table in the H.E.L.M. headquarters. With each weekly reset, the offerings rotate, so make sure to check back regularly. All mods cost you 3 mod components to purchase.

How strong are Elemental Sources in Season 13?

How good are the bonuses: First, let’s look at the effect all mods provide, the energy charge. The ability charge doesn’t really increase significantly – you only reduce your cooldowns by a few seconds (about one tier level). Additionally, the effect of “Source of Wisdom” doesn’t seem to go beyond Tier 10 intellect and lasts for about 30 seconds.

The increased damage from “Source of Power” is 10% and lasts for about 5 seconds. You cannot continuously generate Elemental Sources; the game only allows you to generate a source every 3 to 4 seconds.

Also interesting:

Is it worth it right now?

Elemental Sources are currently clearly overshadowed by Warmind Cells and Charged with Light. Builds utilizing the two mechanics can wipe entire rooms in one go or provide significantly higher damage buffs (such as 35% extra damage for swords through the “Radiant Blade” mod).

Don’t forget: all 3 mechanics compete for the same mod slot.

It currently seems that Elemental Sources were intended as a replacement, especially since Warmind Cell weapons should soon be retired. The new system was expected to function similarly but might not be as strong. However, sunsetting has now been removed, so the more powerful options remain.

Nonetheless, Elemental Sources have their justification:

  • If you play with an Elemental primary weapon and use your abilities constantly – Warlocks with the Crown of Storms should feel addressed, this significantly supports your playstyle.
  • It’s practical that the whole team can create Elemental Sources for each other. If everyone plays the same focus element, you can spam abilities fairly often and unleash effects.
The new exotic Mantle of Harmony inherently offers almost all effects of the Elemental Sources without wasting a mod slot.

It remains to be seen whether Bungie will introduce more mods of this type season after season. So far, the selection with 4 charge mods and 2 effect mods is still quite sparse. However, if you enjoy crafting builds, you will certainly appreciate the variety, and who knows, perhaps Elemental Source mods will feature in the next OP setup.

Have you tried Elemental Sources so far, or didn’t you know that a 3rd mechanic of this kind exists in Destiny 2? Do you enjoy dealing with such builds and feel that this gives the MMO shooter much more RPG character? Let us know in the comments.

If you’re looking for the currently most popular weapon combinations, you can find them here: 3 loadouts from the pro that will sweep you through Season 13 of Destiny 2

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Datto auf YouTube
  2. Ehroar auf YouTube
  3. Paul Tassi auf YouTube

Free2Play MMORPG Astellia Royal starts on Steam and is completely torn apart

Andreas Bertits Andreas Bertits Reading time 3 minutes

Astellia Royal has launched on Steam as the Free2Play version of the MMORPG Astellia. However, the reviews have been extremely negative. We will look into why this is the case.

What is Astellia Online? Astellia Online launched in 2019 as a Buy2Play MMORPG. The Steam launch took place in January 2020. The special feature of the game is the so-called Astels. These are companions that you can collect and train. They support you in battles when summoned.

  • You create your hero from 5 classes that belong to the Holy Trinity.
  • There are many quests and a linear story
  • The battles take place via tab-targeting
  • You explore dungeons, engage in PvP fights in arenas, and try to collect the perfect equipment

From Buy2Play to Free2Play

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The video gives you an insight into the changes that Astellia Royal brings.

How does Astellia Royal differ from it? You can naturally play the Free2Play version for free via Steam. The new version brings a number of changes. These include:

  • More grind because you level up more slowly
  • Open-world PvP
  • Dungeon tickets take longer to regenerate. These tickets are necessary to explore dungeons.
  • Items can break due to failed enchantments
  • You can purchase equipment and Astels for money
  • The auction house works with purchased currency

More about MMORPGs on MeinMMO:

How is the new version received? The Steam launch took place on March 11. The reviews currently stand at only 33% (as of March 15 at 10:30 AM with 234 reviews).

Players primarily criticize the pay-to-win aspect. They do not like that Astels and equipment can be bought for money. Also, the ability to purchase dungeon tickets to execute more dungeon runs is not well received. Additionally, there are several technical problems, such as failed logins when certain software is installed on the PC.

We summarize some voices for you:

  • Dixxx comments on Steam: “174% Pay2Win! You can simply buy top-tier equipment, top-tier Astels, and everything you need. Bonus packs give new players a head start.”
  • Kareno explains (via Steam): “In the shop, you can buy Astels, of course randomly, like in a gacha system. Additionally, there are boosters and plenty of game conveniences in the shop. But you can also spend a lot of money to buy crystals and scrolls to enhance your character. In theory, you can boost a level-1 character to level 50 with 1,000 euros.”
  • [A.] KSib can’t even play properly (via Steam): “It doesn’t even run unless you uninstall your Logitech/Steelseries/Corsair mouse/keyboard software. Apparently, it is also pay-to-win. I’m opting out.”
  • BREADSTICK writes on Steam: “The developers clearly want to squeeze a bit more out of the game with this release.”

The reason for this assumption of “squeezing” is that the player numbers of the MMORPG have steadily declined since the release. From 1,124 concurrent players at peak to now only 258 according to Steamcharts. With the release of a free-to-play version, the team hopes that new players will return and spend money in the in-game shop – this is at least what some players accuse the developers of.

However, some also find the game good:

  • Sanedor writes on Steam: “It’s fun and summoning the Astels is also amusing. I had no issues with logging in, unlike many others.”
  • HankTruck thinks (via Steam): “It’s a good MMORPG with good graphics, good gameplay, interesting maps, and monsters. I hope they don’t let it die because it has a lot of potential.”

Whether the developers will change anything in response to the criticisms is currently unknown.

Have you had the opportunity to check out Astellia Royal? What do you think of the free-to-play version and can you understand the criticism currently aimed at the MMORPG?

In 2019, Astellia Online was even among the best MMORPGs released in that year.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. reddit
  2. Steam

Pokémon GO shows loading screen with 4 new monsters – which are they?

Patrick Freese Patrick Freese Reading time 3 minutes

In the new loading screen in March 2021 for Pokémon GO, monsters from the 6th generation are shown. This includes a new evolution of Eevee. We show you the findings.

What’s new? Pokémon GO regularly changes its loading screen. This is the graphic that you see while Pokémon GO is starting. Often, you can already recognize monsters and content that will be released in the near future.

For this reason, the new loading screen is already being hotly discussed among trainers. At least 4 new Pokémon can be found there. We show you which ones they are.

Loading screen with Xerneas and Feelinara

What can be seen: On reddit, user martychochrane shares the graphic. He is part of the PokéMiners team. These are dataminers who regularly check the code of Pokémon GO for news and then provide their findings to the community. Martycochrane writes that the new loading screen is supposed to be activated around midnight on March 16th.

We embed the found graphic from reddit here in the article. This way, you can take a look at it before it is activated in the game.

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Which Pokémon can be seen? Some of the Pokémon can be seen right away, while others require closer inspection.

  • In the foreground, a Pam-Pam climbs on a tree trunk, resembling a panda.
  • On the right side of the tree trunk that Pam-Pam is climbing, you can find a Parfinesse in purple.
  • Above, to the left of the beginning of the waterfall, you can find a Xerneas. A legendary Pokémon from the 6th generation.
  • At the bottom of the waterfall, on a trunk, you can see the outlines of a Pokémon. Players suspect that this is Feelinara. An evolution of Eevee.
When will the Pokémon be added to the game?
That is still completely unclear. It is quite possible that Niantic only wants to provide a preview of what will happen “someday” with the new loading screen. It is also possible that some Pokémon will already be released in the coming weeks. However, a new loading screen is no guarantee that a change will be implemented immediately in the game.

You need to know about the Pokémon

We briefly present the found Pokémon here and explain what makes them special.

Pam-Pam: The Pokémon Pam-Pam is of the Fighting type and has an evolution stage: Pandagro. So far, nothing is known about its moves or stats, making it difficult to assess how important Pam-Pam and Pandagro will be for you.

Parfinesse: This Fairy-type Pokémon is the final evolution of Parfi. As a Fairy attacker, it could play an important role in Pokémon GO and broaden the lineup of strong Fairy attackers.

Xerneas Pokemon GO
Here you see the magnificent Xerneas.

Xerneas: The most important Pokémon that can be recognized on the loading screen. It belongs to the Fairy type and is legendary. This actually suggests that it could be one of the best Fairy attackers. However, the moveset is still unclear. If it has strong attacks, it could replace current Fairy attackers like Togekiss or Gardevoir.

Feelinara: As the name suggests, Feelinara is also a Fairy-type Pokémon. The special thing is that it is an evolution of Eevee. Here you can see how to evolve Eevee in Pokémon GO into its 7 possible forms. How to evolve Eevee into Feelinara is still unclear. There may be a special evolution item, or it might work like with Espeon and Umbreon, where you first have to walk 10 kilometers and then fulfill another requirement.

What’s happening now in Pokémon GO?

Which of the new Pokémon on the loading screen are you most looking forward to and why? Share your thoughts with us here on MeinMMO in the comments.

To keep things interesting for you in the coming weeks, Niantic is providing plenty of variety in the game. All events in March 2021 in Pokémon GO are shown here.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

WoW: After telephone interrogation, Blizzard expels 16 guilds from the Hall of Fame

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Blizzard has banned a total of 16 guilds from the Hall of Fame of World of Warcraft . All of them were found to have cheated their way into their positions.

A spot in the Hall of Fame of World of Warcraft is highly sought after by many players. Therefore, some players have paid for their spot there instead of earning it themselves. Blizzard has now cleaned house and removed 16 Chinese guilds from the Hall of Fame.

What is the Hall of Fame? In World of Warcraft, the first 100 guilds of both factions that complete the current raid on the hardest difficulty (mythic) are especially honored. They are then listed in the Hall of Fame with their names, effectively becoming a part of WoW history. Being on this list is considered a special honor.

However, the Hall of Fame also serves a purpose for other players, even if they don’t manage to secure a spot. Once the hall is filled, Blizzard loosens the restrictions for mythic raids. From then on, these raids can also be tackled with “cross-server” groups. Previously, all players in the group had to come from the same realm.

What happened? The Hall of Fame for Castle Nathria filled up quite quickly, mostly with Chinese guilds. There were early suspicions that some Chinese professional players were “selling” spots in the Hall of Fame, allowing guilds to climb into the Hall. This was quickly confirmed and became a hot topic on WoW Reddit and various forums.

WoW China Bots title 1140x445
Some Chinese guilds are losing their spots in the Hall of Fame.

NetEase conducted phone interrogations: Even beforehand, it was clear that Blizzard and the Chinese company NetEase, Blizzard’s partner in China, wanted to address the allegations. There were reports from Chinese players who suddenly received a call and were questioned about very specific mechanics of the last boss fight. If they couldn’t answer the questions correctly, they received a temporary ban. Now, the proven guilds have apparently also been removed from the Hall of Fame.

More news about WoW: Shadowlands can be found here:

How did the Chinese sellers operate? Basically, the approach is quite simple. Those who wanted their guild’s name in the Hall of Fame only had to pay the professionals from other Chinese guilds. They then joined the buyer-guilds and helped them succeed.

New guilds are moving up: Thanks to the removal of the cheating guilds, other guilds can now take their place and fill the Hall of Fame again.

Do you think Blizzard’s actions are reasonable and fair? Or is it excessive since the players did actually defeat the bosses – albeit with a lot of help?

But in “China-WoW,” things are indeed strange – some characters look odd.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. wowhead.com

Pokémon GO starts today an extraordinary raid hour with Voltolos – Is it worth it?

Noah Struthoff Noah Struthoff Reading time 2 minutes

In Pokémon GO today, on March 15, an unscheduled raid hour with Voltolos starts. MeinMMO shows you which counters you should use and whether the hour is worth it.

What is a raid hour? This event normally takes place every Wednesday in Pokémon GO. During this time, legendary raids appear at almost all gyms in the game for an hour.

This week, however, there are 2 raid hours. The first hour will already take place today, on Monday, focusing on the Incarnate Form of Voltolos.

All info and counters for the raid hour with Voltolos

When does the raid hour start? It starts at 6:00 PM local time. A few minutes before that, black eggs will appear on the gyms, hatching right at 6:00 PM. By 7:00 PM, most legendary raids will be gone.

These are the best counters: Voltolos is of the Electric and Flying types. Therefore, monsters with Ice and Rock type moves are effective.

The best counters against Voltolos include:

PokémonMoveset
RameidonCatapult and Rock Slide
RihorniorCatapult and Rock Throw
Galar-FlampivianIce Fang and Avalanche
MamutelPowder Snow and Avalanche
TerrakiumCatapult and Rock Slide

Are you looking for more info for the fight against Voltolos? Then check our detailed counter guide for this legendary Pokémon:

Pokémon GO: Voltolos Counters – The best attackers for the raid

How many players are needed? Voltolos can already be defeated with two people, but you need top counters at least level 40 for that. We recommend a team of at least 5 trainers for the raid hour.

Keep in mind that you can also invite players via remote raid. This way, you can easily adhere to the current distance rules and still fight with enough players.

Why is there a raid hour today? This is due to the short time in which the Incarnate Form of Voltolos is available in raids. It will disappear tomorrow, so it won’t have a raid hour on Wednesday. To ensure you can still take advantage of a raid hour with this form of Voltolos, there are two such events this week.

Is the raid hour with Voltolos worth it?

Should you participate in the raid hour? Absolutely! Voltolos can first be caught as a shiny since last week. The raid hour is now the best opportunity to complete many raids in a row and catch a shiny.

Otherwise, you could already start collecting candies for the Therian Form of Voltolos. This form will appear after the current Incarnate Form. Starting March 16, you will find the Therian Form in the raids.

The new form of Voltolos is significantly stronger, and you can already collect candies for it now. If you catch a Voltolos in the Therian Form with good IVs, you can invest the candies you have collected so far immediately.

More exciting articles about Pokémon GO

What’s next? Not only the change of raid bosses is important this month. You will also experience numerous events and bonus hours. You can find all important events happening this month here:

Pokémon GO: All events in March 2021 – Which ones are worth it?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

19 Settings in ESO that you must activate

Andreas Bertits Andreas Bertits Reading time 5 minutes

In the MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), there are many options to configure. We have compiled 19 tips from MeinMMO author Andreas Bertits and ESO YouTuber Alex0s.

The MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online can be played well with the standard settings, of course. However, efficiency plays an important role in MMORPGs these days. That’s why we show you settings that will enhance your gaming experience.

You can access the settings by pressing the ESC key in the PC version of ESO (on PlayStation, it’s the Options button, and on Xbox, it’s the Menu button) and then selecting “Settings.” Here, you’ll find various sub-options that we will now go through.

Key Mapping

This is where you should make settings that will allow you to play better. Remap your keys here in a way that feels more comfortable for your gameplay.

Dodge Roll: This function is extremely important, so you should assign it to an easily accessible key. Dodging is essential in ESO to avoid attacks. If the key is placed in a location that is difficult to reach, it can have serious consequences for your character’s health.

ESO Key Mapping User Interface
Set your key mapping in ESO to what feels comfortable for you.

Video

Custom Scaling: With this setting, it is possible to adjust the interface size. If you want to see more of the game world, turn the slider down. This takes up less space for the displays.

If you want the displays to be more prominent, turn the slider up.

Anti-Aliasing: An option that is not really important in general. If you enable anti-aliasing, it will noticeably cost you performance. Depending on the setting, you can lose a quarter of your performance or even more. Whether the smoothed edges in the game are worth it to you is something you must decide for yourself.

Combat

Ultimate Ability (Value): If you set this option, you will receive notifications about when your ultimate ability is available again. This helps you plan better and act more tactically. It is a very useful feature, especially in tougher fights.

These very useful settings come from the well-known ESO YouTuber Alex0s, who also presents the options in his video:

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Social

Word Filter: Here you can censor certain words. Insults, for example, will no longer be displayed. However, this can make it more difficult to follow chats. If you don’t mind curse words, set the option to “Off.” This makes the chat much easier to read.

Video Settings

Fullscreen Mode: Set the fullscreen mode in the graphics options, as this leads to a more stable frame rate. This can vary in windowed mode, resulting in a choppy image.

Reflection Quality: Disable this setting in the video options under graphics. ESO calculates reflections even when none are visible. This will cost you some performance without providing any real visual benefit because no reflections are displayed anyway. This can bring an additional 10 to 15 FPS in performance.

Particle Systems and Particle Distance: Set the system to at least 1024 and the distance to 50. This way, performance is not significantly impaired, but you can still see particles in the distance, which helps provide better situational awareness. This way, you can quickly recognize when, for example, a spell attack is aimed at you.

Viewing Distance: Never set this below 37, as it will be difficult for ranged fighters to recognize their opponents from a distance otherwise. However, a value above 100 can negatively affect performance, especially in cities.

Additional Effects from Allies: You can disable these, as the most important graphical effects remain visible. Healing or buffs that are beneficial to you will still be shown. Effects that are not relevant to you will not be displayed, which improves performance.

More about ESO on MeinMMO:

Gameplay

Custom Colors: Set a color for markers here that is easily recognizable to you. This is especially important for color-blind players, as it helps them see marked areas better.

Instant Ground Targets: Normally, you have to first select a location where the arrows should rain down, and then execute or confirm the attack, such as with a rain of arrows. If you activate the option “Instant Ground Targets,” the attack will be executed immediately after selecting the target.

This is especially useful with bad ping because sometimes commands are not transmitted correctly with a poor connection. An attack with just one input has a better chance of being executed with bad ping.

ESO Settings Gameplay
These settings should be made in the gameplay under combat (Source: Alex0s).

Camera

Field of View: Set the field of view for both the first and third person perspectives to the maximum possible value. This way, you can see more on the screen and respond more quickly to attacks, for example.

Interface

Latency: Set this to see the ping. This makes it possible to react to a poor connection and perhaps decide to conduct a fight a little later when performance is better.

Names

Show Group Members: Set this to “Always,” so you can see where your allies are based on names, especially in PvP. This makes battles much clearer.

Health Bars: Turn this option on too, so you can see how much health your group members and also your opponents have. This is also very useful in ESO PvP, so you can focus on an already wounded enemy, for example.

ESO Settings Combat
These settings in the combat menu are useful (Source: Alex0s).

Combat

Attribute Bars: You should set this option to “Always Show” so that you can constantly see which buffs are active and how much health you have – even outside of combat.

Resource Display: If you set this to “Numbers and Percentages,” exact values for health and Magicka will be displayed for you and even for the enemies. This is useful to see exactly how many health points the opponent has left.

Combat Events: If you enable this option, the exact damage numbers that you deal will be shown. In combination with the resource display, you can fight more effectively.

Bonus: Auto-Loot for ESO+

Another useful feature exists for ESO+ users. In the gameplay section, there is an option to activate “Auto Loot” for them. Then you no longer have to pick up items manually.

Are there perhaps settings that help you in ESO that are not mentioned here? Then let us know in the comments.

It is also important to know that ESO has revised the Champion System.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Youtbe/Alex0s

Blizzard is working on a new action game – Will they build their own Destiny?

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

Blizzard is working on a new game and is actively looking for people with “shooter experience.” Is a StarCraft action game finally coming?

That Blizzard is working on several games simultaneously is old news. For years, the company has planned to release more mobile games, and especially multiple titles for the Warcraft franchise are in the works. But is there still something new for PC and console players? Obviously yes. Blizzard is looking for new people – and everything points to a shooter.

What was said? On Twitter, Dan John Cox from Blizzard posted a brief message. Dan John Cox is a Senior Artist at Blizzard and explained in the tweet that they are looking for a lot of new people. More specifically, the tweet states:

My team is looking for MANY people for a REALLY REALLY cool, yet-to-be-announced project. […]

This is, without exaggeration, the best project and best team I’ve ever worked with in my career so far. […]

https://twitter.com/danjohncox/status/1370137467685273603

Is Blizzard building its own Destiny? That would at least be possible. Since Destiny is no longer part of the Battle.net app, Activision Blizzard actually lacks a game in a similar genre.

While Blizzard does have Overwatch as a shooter, it features fundamentally different gameplay compared to what Destiny offers. Here, the collection of items is absent, and especially the PvE content is missing. Blizzard hasn’t offered a “loot shooter” so far, even though it’s a lucrative genre. Games like Destiny or Borderlands have shown that this can attract and retain many players over the long term. An opportunity that Activision Blizzard probably does not want to miss.

What indicates a shooter? If you take a closer look at the job listings, there are several clues. For instance, Blizzard is looking for employees for many positions who already have “FPS experience” or have previously worked on “action games.” The term “multiplayer” also appears repeatedly in the descriptions. It is practically ruled out that it is a pure single-player title, even though they are looking for “both online and offline experience” in development.

This suggests that there will be a solo campaign, but also multiplayer aspects. Just as one would expect from many loot shooters.

In which universe does the new game take place? Again, nothing is known yet. However, it would be plausible for Blizzard to set an action game in the StarCraft universe. Among the major Blizzard universes, this one is the most suitable for a shooter. Warcraft only has relatively simple firearms, as does Diablo. Overwatch already exists as a shooter. In contrast, StarCraft takes place in a futuristic sci-fi world with numerous weapons that would be suitable for a shooter.

StarCraft Ghost Nova title 1140x445
StarCraft Ghost was supposed to feature Nova as the main character.

Moreover, Blizzard had previously attempted to create a StarCraft shooter a long time ago. StarCraft: Ghost was indeed canceled just before release, but it at least shows that Blizzard was willing to pursue this path.

Is this just Overwatch 2? That’s unlikely. Overwatch 2 has been in development for a long time and is quite far along. Additionally, Overwatch 2 is not an “unannounced project.” Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the team is working on a completely different game that will likely have little to do with Overwatch.

When will there be more info? Here, too, one can only speculate. Typically, Blizzard takes a lot of time with its games. Since many employees are currently being sought, the project is likely still in a very early state. No one should expect an announcement before the year 2023 – if at all.

What kind of game from Blizzard would you be interested in? Would you like to see a loot shooter in the StarCraft universe? Or what are your hopes?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. wowhead.com

FIFA 21 TOTW 25: The Predictions for the New Team of the Week – featuring Ronaldo

Julian Schröder Julian Schröder Reading time 2 minutes

On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, the new TOTW 25 will be released in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team. Who could be in the Team of the Week? We look at the TOTW Predictions.

What is the Team of the Week? Every week, EA assembles a new TOTW. This team consists of 23 players who performed strongly in the past football weekend.

For this, they receive a spot in the Team of the Week as well as improved Inform cards, which can be found in packs for one week.

These are the TOTW Predictions: The FUT community tries to guess which players could make it into the TOTW. The performances of the players are closely analyzed, and predictions are made.

However, it is important to note that the predictions are not a guarantee for the final TOTW 25.

They provide an excellent overview and can also be used to earn some coins in FUT 21. How that works, you can find out here:

More on the topic
FIFA 21: Trading Tips – How to earn coins quickly in FUT
von Max Handwerk

The Prediction for Team of the Week 25 in Ultimate Team

The FIFA YouTuber KieronSSF has created extensive predictions for TOTW 25 based on last week (via YouTube).

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Goalkeepers

  • GK: Ospina (Napoli)
  • GK: Soria (Getafe)

Defenders

  • RB: Goncalves (Benfica Lisbon)
  • CB: Gabriel (Arsenal)
  • LB: Tagliafico (Ajax Amsterdam)
  • CB: Trauner (LASK)

Midfielders

  • LM: Onyekuru (Galatasaray Istanbul)
  • CAM: Zhemaletdinov (Lokomotiv Moscow)
  • CM: De Bruyne (Manchester City)
  • CM: Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio Rome)
  • CAM: Pasalic (Atalanta)
  • CAM: Müller (Bayern Munich)
  • LM: Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb)
  • LM: Simon (FC Nantes)
  • CM: Oliveira (FC Porto)

Forwards

  • ST: Weghorst (VfL Wolfsburg)
  • ST: Gomis (Al Hilal)
  • ST: Dursun (Darmstadt)
  • ST: Iheanacho (Leicester City)
  • ST: Hemmings (Burton Albion)
  • CF: Benzema (Real Madrid)
  • ST: Vlahovic (AC Florence)
  • ST: Ronaldo (Juventus Turin/Piemonte Calcio)

Candidates from the Bundesliga in TOTW 25

These Bundesliga players could be seen in the new TOTW:

  • Thomas Müller did not score in the 3:1 against Werder Bremen, but he had a strong game with an outstanding passing rate and two assists. His third Inform card seems possible as a result.
This could be what Müller’s possible TOTW card looks like
  • Wout Weghorst recorded two assists and a goal in the 5:0 victory against Schalke. A performance for which he could definitely receive an Inform card. We’ll know more on Wednesday.

If you’re looking for reinforcements for your team, we have assembled strong cards under 100,000 for you.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

GTA Online: Improving Stealth – How does it work and what are the benefits?

Patrick Freese Patrick Freese Reading time 2 minutes

We will show you how to improve your stealth in GTA Online. You can level this ability and thereby increase certain bonuses that will help you in the online world.

What is this value? In GTA Online, you can increase your character values. Right at your entry into the online world, you can allocate a few points. As you continue to play, you improve your stats. The most important stats are:

In this article, we want to show you what “Stealth” brings and how you can level it up.

What does Stealth bring?

Here’s what it’s good for: If you increase your stealth value to 100, it will help you in the online mode. Especially in deathmatches, this is beneficial as you won’t produce noise while walking or jogging. On the minimap, you’ll only be noticed once you are very close to an opponent.

In free roam mode, you won’t really benefit from the stealth value. At least not against other players, because your player indicator is always visible to the entire lobby unless you pay to temporarily disappear from the radar. In interactions with NPCs and the police, it becomes noticeable in free roam.

GTA Online Heist without hair
Surprise opponents by approaching them with full stealth value in deathmatch

Improving Stealth in GTA Online

How to increase the value: If you want to increase your stealth value, you can do so by taking out people in stealth mode from close range (takedowns) or simply by walking in stealth mode.

As gta.fandom reports, you earn a 1.5% increase on your stealth value for every 2 takedowns in stealth mode. When walking, you receive a 1% increase for every 45 yards.

Tips for leveling: For the lazy among you, the walking method seems to be the most suitable. Players report that they simply tied rubber bands around the analog stick of their controller and automatically ran forward or in circles.

Keep in mind: When you achieve a takedown, most NPCs will run away around you. It may take a while before you’ve plowed through enough passersby.

You should also know:

But even with the best stealth skills and the highest possible strength, the player experience in GTA Online foresees that your character will die at times. As you’ve probably noticed, you lose the most important thing upon your death, your money. But how much money do you lose when you die in GTA Online? We checked that for you and found: Most of you probably won’t care.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Pokémon GO: I have room for 4000 monsters, but even that is far too little

Noah Struthoff Noah Struthoff Reading time 3 minutes

In Pokémon GO, you can catch countless monsters, and MeinMMO editor Noah Struthoff would love to keep them all. Here he explains why he finds it so hard to part with them.

This is what it looks like for me: My Pokémon box currently has 4000 slots – that’s the limit and this step has already cost me a lot of money. Still, I don’t have enough space at the back and front. My big weakness in Pokémon GO: I keep every monster that could be somewhat useful. The reality is, though, that I will hardly ever use any of them.

That’s why my Pokémon box is practically overflowing, and I have to ask myself anew every time whether I can send something away.

Raupy with 98% IV – I still need this!

This is how I sort out Pokémon: I often hunt many Pokémon. I am over 300,000 catches and have been in the situation too many times where I just have no space in my box.

In general, I throw away all monsters that have a rating of less than 3 stars – exceptions are Shinys or particularly rare monsters that I can still trade.

With Pokémon that have 3 stars, things get complicated for me. I evaluate each monster with 3 stars individually. Strong or rare Pokémon I usually keep if they have an IV of 93 or 96. I keep any other Pokémon if it has 100% and in most cases also if it reaches 98% IV.

And thus, my Pokémon box accumulates a bunch of Raupy, Hornliu, or Rattfratz with an IV of 98. I will never use them in battle, but I can’t throw them away either.

On top of that, there are the numerous Shinys that I catch every time on Community Day. If I manage to last the full 6 hours, I usually get 40 Shinys or more – that’s 40 slots in my box that will never be free.

Shinys Pokemon GO
I have over 1300 Shinys – but I don’t want to send any away.

Why don’t I simply sort out more? That’s a good question. It’s probably the fear that these Pokémon might become relevant again someday. Sure, many things would have to happen for a Rattfratz with 98% IV to become relevant someday, but who knows!

There’s also the fact that I quickly become lazy when sorting out. I keep a monster with good IV and think to myself “If a better specimen comes later, you can just throw this one away!” The reality is, though, that I then just keep both specimens.

It’s similar with Shinys. For me, these Pokémon, even if they are thrown around during a Community Day, are just something special and I can’t part with them. So, I sometimes have 40 Shinys of one Pokémon and I know for sure that I will use at most 5 different specimens.

If you’re interested in more about Pokémon GO this might also appeal to you:

This is what I’m hoping for: Since I fight every day with a full Pokémon box, I hope for an increase soon, ideally for free.

You also have to see it this way: Every year, countless new Pokémon enter the game, new Shinys are implemented, and special forms are introduced. If I want to have them all, I need more space.

How do you see it? Do you also hesitate to part with any somewhat good Pokémon? Write it in the comments and explain there how you manage your Pokémon box.

Until then, I will diligently take advantage of the new events in Pokémon GO. What awaits you in March, we will show you here:

Pokémon GO: All events in March 2021 – Which are worth it?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

MMORPG Ashes of Creation postpones its open alpha again – Why this time?

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 3 minutes

Players have been waiting for the MMORPG Ashes of Creation for quite some time. Now they will have to wait a little longer: The publicly accessible alpha has been postponed again.

When will the open alpha come?

  • Originally, the alpha phase – just like the release – was planned by Ashes of Creation for 2019, but there were delays.
  • Then the alpha was supposed to start without an NDA in Fall 2020. That didn’t work out either, and the phase was postponed to April 2021.
  • Without an NDA, the alpha will finally be accessible for the first time in the week between May 14 and 21.
  • After that, it will close again – before “Alpha One” is finally released on June 1.

The postponement was announced by Creative Director Steven Sharif (via Ashes of Creation). While a test phase is ongoing, there will also be a so-called Alpha One Preview Phase for tests between March 19 and June 1 – but these will still be under NDA and cannot be shared.

NDA stands for “Non Disclosure Agreement” and translates to “confidentiality agreement”. As long as there is still an NDA on the alpha of Ashes of Creation, neither the game can be talked about nor anything from it can be shown.

Ashes of Creation Alpha
This is what the updated alpha plan looks like

“Needs some fine-tuning”

This is the reason: As Sharif explains, there were unspecified challenges during the tests in February, the handling of which has occupied the team in recent weeks. Apparently, additional issues were noticed.

While we have been addressing these challenges, my team has found that additional fine-tuning is necessary to ensure a smoother Alpha One testing phase, and yesterday I approved this NDA extension.

I know this is not what you want to hear, but my team and I are committed to the perfection of Ashes of Creation. And frankly, this is the purpose of these alphas and betas – to discover problems and fix them as early as possible.

Sharif on the postponement

The team considers these steps necessary so that everyone can fully test the features planned during “Alpha One. 

Until then, further sample tests will be conducted with previous alpha testers, for whom a lot of money had to be paid. Access to this alpha was only obtained by purchasing a pack during the ongoing Kickstarter phase. The regular founder pack had to be purchased for already 500 dollars.

First insights are still expected in March and April – the team intends to show images of the tests in live streams.

MeinMMO editor Alexander Leitsch has taken a closer look at the postponement of the alpha and analyzed it here.

What is Ashes of Creation? Ashes of Creation is a fantasy MMORPG that aims to create a lively world. Numerous contents have already been shown:

An exciting point is the “Node System”, which allows players to influence the environment. Where many players gather to fish, hunt and perform other activities, villages can develop into cities – which could in turn attract enemies.

However, since 2019 there have been several setbacks in development, which is why the game is still not available to everyone. Nevertheless, it is currently considered one of the most promising MMORPGs of 2021.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

EA reports again on the card black market in FIFA 21: „We are also furious”

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 3 minutes

As soon as there is further news, we will keep you updated here at MeinMMO. Another FIFA player has just received a lifetime ban from EA games. The reason came from a completely different direction – and is a topic in the current MeinMMO podcast.

In FIFA 21 allegations have been made that strong icon cards are being secretly sold for real money to players. EA Sports has now provided an update regarding the ongoing investigation.

What has happened: Last week, screenshots surfaced suggesting that some of the most expensive cards in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team may have been sold for real money directly to individual players.

You can find everything about the original incident regarding the icon sales in FIFA 21 here.

The FIFA community shared images of chats in which a supposed EA employee offered so-called Prime Icon Moments and TOTY cards for a lot of money, which were then loaded onto players’ accounts. Apparently, a sort of black market situation had formed for the best cards in Ultimate Team. EA subsequently announced an investigation.

What kind of cards are these? Prime Icon Moments are the best versions of legendary players in FIFA 21 with extremely high ratings. TOTY cards are players from the “Team of the Year” who also belong to the best cards available. Both types of cards are highly sought after, but normally very difficult to obtain, as the chances of getting top cards in FIFA 21 packs are very low.

EA has now commented on the situation again and provided an update on the investigations.

EA Announces Consequences

In a lengthy post, EA reiterated its response to the allegations and stated that the investigation is still ongoing. However, EA confirms: “Our initial investigation shows questionable activities affecting a very small number of accounts and posts. Although it is not a large number, this activity is unacceptable if these allegations are confirmed.”

While it is still unclear who is responsible in what way, the reported incidents are unacceptable:

“This practice contradicts the competitive integrity of the game, is a violation of the EA User Agreement, and will not be tolerated by us. We do not allow the exchange or sale of items outside of the game for many reasons, including that it would create unequal competitive conditions for our community.”

EA Sports (via Pitch Notes)

Since the launch of Ultimate Team, it has always been made clear that content cannot be traded outside of the game and that it is protected from manipulation.

Therefore, the occurrences have led to even more frustration: “We also know how extremely frustrating it is that this practice could come from EA. We are also angry. We know that the trust of our communities has been hard-earned and is based on the principles of fair play. These illegal activities undermine this trust.”

Cards in FIFA 21 can normally be obtained via in-game currency coins on the transfer market or through packs from the shop. The latter can also be acquired for the real money currency FIFA Points, but one does not know exactly what they will receive. This mechanic regularly leads to criticism of the pack principle.

This is how the investigation is proceeding: According to the statement, EA Sports is currently investigating how these occurrences came about and which accounts received content through this method.

At the same time, the basic allocation of individual contents has been temporarily stopped. Therefore, scenarios affected include:

  • Pro cards for real football players
  • Restoration of lost contents
  • Items unlocked for testing

Once the investigation is concluded, there will be consequences: “When our investigation is completed, we will take action against any employee who has been involved in these activities. All items awarded through these illegal activities will be removed from the FUT ecosystem, and EA will permanently ban any player known to have acquired content in this manner.”

As soon as there is further news, we will keep you updated here at MeinMMO. Another FIFA player has just received a lifetime ban from EA games. The reason came from a completely different direction – and is a topic in the current MeinMMO podcast.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. EA Sports / Pitch Notes

Read the most important MMORPG news of the week in under 2 minutes

Alexander Leitsch Alexander Leitsch Reading time 3 minutes

In the week from March 8 to March 14, a lot has happened in the MMORPGs. In this post, we would like to briefly summarize everything important.

The highlight of the week: On March 8, the new update 29 was released in The Elder Scrolls Online. This included two new dungeons and a major overhaul of the Champion Points. The latter makes the game particularly more interesting for newcomers and is also intended to strengthen performance.

You can find all details about the update in ESO in our preview report.

The controversy of the week: After the publisher Gamigo already announced last week the shutdown of several MMOs, it has now been revealed that developers of the game RIFT were laid off.

However, a shutdown of the game is not planned for now. You can find out more about the layoffs here.

The MMORPG discussion of the week: In a special, we discussed the future of MMORPGs this week. We put forward the thesis that a new hit must not be like WoW.

Below the article, there are more than 90 comments where your opinion still has room. What do you think about the topic? Feel free to comment.

New updates for WoW and GW2

This week’s happenings with the big 5:

What’s happening with the smaller MMORPGs?

MeinMMO Podcast FIFA dumbest action title image

This Week’s News in the Podcast

We summarize the news in the podcast that has moved MeinMMO. Find out how an 18-year-old was banned for life for the dumbest action of all time at EA. It’s also about the MMO Oldschool RuneScape and why it’s so popular on Steam.

To the podcast on Spotify

Early Access Launch and New MMORPG with Castle Battles

What’s new with the indie MMORPGs?

That was our overview of the most important MMORPG news of the week. Did we miss any other interesting updates? Then let us know in the comments. We would also appreciate feedback on the article itself.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

WoW: 7 Players Who Have Received Their Own Items

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 5 minutes

Many players have been immortalized in World of Warcraft items. MeinMMO shows you 7 of them that you might not have known about yet.

In World of Warcraft, there are thousands of different items. Many of them have memorable names that players will never forget. For instance, everyone knows what “Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker” is. However, there are also many items in the game that have rather peculiar names and seem to be references to real-world individuals. We show you 7 items that are a clear reference to players or important community members.

1. Perculia’s Peculiar Signet

What kind of item is this? Perculia’s Peculiar Signet is a ring for agility classes (rogues, hunters, monks) during the Mists of Pandaria expansion. The item was a random drop and was quite popular at the start of the expansion.

Who does this refer to? Perculia is quite well-known internationally. Behind the name is Alexis Kusy (link to her Twitter account). She is one of the driving forces behind the website wowhead, which is visited by practically all WoW players at some point. It is one of the largest WoW databases and so comprehensive that Blizzard often recommends checking wowhead first when players have issues before contacting support.

2. Dem’s Fistos

What kind of item is this? Dem’s Fistos are a so-called “random drop” in Shadowlands and can thus be dropped by any mob randomly. The gloves are suitable for all plate wearers as they adapt to the wearer and provide either intelligence or strength, as well as a solid amount of haste and mastery.

Who does this refer to? To the warrior player DesMephisto. Although “warrior player” is actually an understatement here. The streamer not only plays one warrior but several dozen. He has created a warrior for each race and both genders and leveled them to max level during Battle for Azeroth.

DesMephisto is also known for his crazy leveling records and organizes charitable events regularly. It’s easy to see why Blizzard honored him after years with his own item.

3. Kamui’s Crystal Staff of Sorcery

What kind of item is this? Kamui’s Crystal Staff of Sorcery can be obtained in Warlords of Draenor, in the dungeon Auchindoun. This visually impressive staff for spellcasters fits well with the aesthetics of the Draenei.

Who does this refer to? The name is a reference to the cosplayer Svetlana Quindt, known primarily as Kamui – both in the cosplay field (link to the website) and as the name of her druid. For many years, she has created impressive cosplays for World of Warcraft and other Blizzard universes. In 2013, she won the costume contest at BlizzCon and received this item in the game as part of her prize.

4. Pamela’s Muuscat Wrap

What kind of item is this? Pamela’s Muuscat Wrap is a leather robe from Mists of Pandaria that can drop from Ordos, the fire boss on the Time-Lost Isle. The boss was only accessible if players had the legendary cloak of Furion – making this loot unreachable for some.

Who does this refer to? Although there are several “Pamelas” in WoW, this is a clear reference to Pamela Horton (link to Twitter), who became “Miss October” in Playboy in 2012. It also came to light that she had been a genuine gamer long before her career. Her druid, with which she once achieved one of the rare “Realm First” achievements for herbalism, was named “Moosecat” – hence the “Muuscat” in the item name.

5. Phaelia’s Vestments of the Sprouting Seed

What kind of item is this? Phaelia’s Vestments of the Sprouting Seed can still be obtained in Ulduar today. They drop from the Council of the Iron Dwarves and were quite a good leather robe for druids.

Who does this refer to? Phaelia was a druid player who ran a well-known blog called “Resto4Life”, which, as the name suggests, was about the everyday life of a healing druid. She decided to step back from World of Warcraft when she became a mother. The item is an honor to her and also hints at her (at that time) upcoming role as a mother – that is the “sprouting seed” in the name of the item.

6. Venruki’s Venerable Sash

What kind of item is this? Venruki’s Venerable Sash is also an item that players could obtain from Ordos. It was a quite solid cloth belt that increased critical strike rating and mastery for spell classes.

Who does this refer to? The belt refers to the player and streamer Venruki. He has repeatedly earned the Gladiator title in the game and won the Battle.net World Championship in 2012 with his team, for which he was honored.

Venruki has largely remained loyal to WoW over the years. Since 2013, he has been a full-time streamer and still enchants thousands on Twitch with his PvP videos, showcasing what can be done with the mage class.

7. Ritssyn’s Wand of Bad Mojo

What kind of item is this? Ritssyn’s Wand of Bad Mojo is a wand that players can obtain from the Stratholme dungeon, from the last boss Aurius Deathsworn.

The wand is generally usable for all caster classes, increases haste and crit, and was thus a good choice during the leveling phase.

Who does this refer to? Ritssyn is an anagram for the player Nisstyr. He was the guild leader of the guild Nurfed back in the day.

The guild “Nurfed” was known for having many WoW developers within it and they also tested many of the bosses internally for Blizzard. It’s no surprise that some of the members have been immortalized in the game.

There are 5 items alone named after Ritssyn (or Nisstyr) and he has even made it to a story character in the game. He is mentioned in the questline to unlock the green fire for warlocks.

More about World of Warcraft can be found here:

Are these all? No. World of Warcraft has many thousands of different items and there are many of them that have a special name. Whenever a striking name is attached to an item, you can assume it references a player, an important community member, or a developer in some way.

Do you know of any other items where you recognized the reference?

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.