The hardcore shooter Escape from Tarkov (PC) suddenly became popular in early 2020. We introduce you to the game and explain what has changed recently.
What is Escape from Tarkov? The online shooter from Russian developer Battlestate Games targets players who enjoy a hardcore gaming experience characterized by a high degree of realism. This means: bullets fired are calculated correctly based on physics, and even a grazing shot can kill you.
In Escape from Tarkov, you find yourself in the fictional Russian city of Tarkov. This city is sealed off due to a conflict.
In the city, the private army BEAR, mercenaries from USEC, and the Scavs fight for dominance.
It is essential to survive in the zones of the city and look for better equipment.
Currently, there are seven maps. You are dropped on a map, search for loot, and try to survive.
It is possible to improve weapons with many mods.
In addition, you can improve your character using a skill system.
You have a hideout that you use as a storage place and retreat.
PvP takes center stage.
In the current version, Escape from Tarkov offers a gaming experience reminiscent of a battle royale, but it has some significant differences. Once you arrive on one of the maps, the goal is survival.
It is important to search for the best loot as quickly as possible and fight your way to the extraction point.
If you succeed, you are saved. If you are eliminated beforehand, you lose all your gear. Therefore, you always have to think tactically about which weapons and items to take with you. You hope not only to survive during the round but also to find better items.
Hardcore Appeal
What is special about Escape from Tarkov? The online shooter relies on hardcore elements. It is not for casual players. You must learn to handle each weapon, which can also be changed through mods. Moreover, it doesn’t help to run around shooting blindly. You must proceed carefully and tactically, as every hit can mean your end.
Escape from Tarkov offers an exciting and intense gaming experience because it is possible to lose everything you’ve found so far due to your virtual demise. This is what attracts many players.
What is the current state of the game? Escape from Tarkov is currently in closed beta and regularly receives updates. In October, the shooter received a major patch that introduced many new features, including the long-awaited hideout, new weapon parts, technical improvements, and much more.
The developers take their time working on the game and want to avoid rushing things. Therefore, the open beta is still yet to come. However, the game has developed so strongly, that it is worth a look.
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Why is the shooter currently so popular? Escape from Tarkov made significant progress in 2019. Even though the shooter is still in closed beta, it has made great strides forward. This is particularly evident from the update that was released at the end of October.
This is due not only to the updates but also to the increasing interest shown by various well-known streamers. Dr. Disrespect, for instance, plays Escape from Tarkov and stated:
It is not the fastest game. We don’t jump out of vehicles with our hair blowing in the wind and get struck by lightning while we’re ak-ing someone. I know it’s not that intense and fast, but there’s a certain intensity, and it builds up nicely.
DrDisrespect
Escape from Tarkov is different from currently popular shooters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Fortnite. It is more tactical, harsher. This seems to be something that more and more players find interesting. It is a breath of fresh air in the shooter sector and is currently developing very well in a direction that finds approval from the community.
In Diablo 3 the event “The Darkening of Tristram” 2020 is approaching, celebrated in-game for the anniversary of the franchise. We will show you what the cultists are up to in the game and how you can receive the rewards.
What is this event? Around the anniversary of Diablo, a special event is celebrated in Diablo 3. This will also run in 2020 under the name The Darkening of Tristram. With this event, players are reminded of the beginnings of Blizzard’s hack and slash.
When does Darkening of Tristram start? The event takes place regularly in January. The cultists have already appeared in Diablo 3 and lurk in the dark levels. The event fully starts at midnight on January 3rd to January 4th.
On February 1st at 01:00 the event is expected to end.
Special Dungeon, Butcher Pet – The Rewards
The Event: Mysterious cultists can be found after the event starts in Adventure Mode. You can collect their clues to learn how to find a portal to Tristram’s past.
Upon entering this portal, Diablo 3 changes its appearance to retro vision. A filter is applied that visually takes you back to the beginnings of Diablo. Within the dungeon that opens after entering the portal, you will encounter familiar enemies and iconic items again.
At the end, the Lord of Terror awaits you.
The Rewards: Playing the event provides you with more than just nostalgic feelings. Transmogs, achievements, portraits, companions, and more await you.
What else is happening in Diablo 3? If you start the game again after a long time, quickly jump into Season 19. It has been running for a few weeks now and brought new sets for monks and crusaders with Patch 2.6.7. If you like those classes, you now have more to try out.
The Overwatch League is losing its face and voice before the start of the 2020 season. One of the main casters, Christopher “MonteCristo” Mykles, is leaving the league – his partner might also leave. These are likely the aftermaths of the internal changes at Blizzard.
Who is leaving? Christopher “MonteCristo” Mykles (33) has been a caster since the start of the Overwatch League. For many, he was “the face” of Overwatch.
MonteCristo has been a well-known figure in US eSports for many years. He made a name for himself with Warcraft 3 and later was active in LoL. His work as a caster, together with his partners, was considered top-notch in the Overwatch League.
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Why is he leaving? It is related to the departure of Nate Nanzer, the head of the league. He switched to Epic Games in May 2019. Nanzer was apparently the central figure of the Overwatch League in the early years.
MonteCristo now says: Nate Nanzer’s departure from the OWL led to irreconcilable creative and philosophical differences between himself and the leadership of the Overwatch League.
Therefore, it is now better for everyone that he is leaving.
Overwatch League head, Nate Nanzer, left Blizzard in May 2019.
Hardly anyone wants to see content related to the Overwatch League
MonteCristo sees this critically: On his Twitter account, MonteCristo also stated that Overwatch and the Overwatch League are struggling with their additional content:
The viewer numbers for Overwatch content have even gone down since the start of the Overwatch League.
He himself would get more views if he reported on the Korean APEX tournament than on the Overwatch League.
Content about the league would reach a maximum of 25,000 people, regardless of who makes it.
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What is he doing now? MonteCristo has already secured his new engagement. He has founded the company “Theorycraft” with partners to provide eSports consulting.
He states that companies had previously hired “eSports producers” who had no idea about the audience or the medium.
Now the power would fall back to the “old kings of eSports” – veterans like him. The “people with money” would now hand him and his colleagues the “keys to the kingdom” for many projects.
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Who else is leaving? After MonteCristo’s departure, his casting partner expressed himself: Erik “DoA” Lonnquist is also unsure whether he will continue in 2020.
He says his contract is ending. He has given everything in Overwatch since 2016 but now shares MonteCristo’s concerns about the Overwatch League. (via Dotesports)
The caster: Erik “DoA” Lonnquist. Photo credit: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment
DoA still believes in the concept and still loves Overwatch. So it is still uncertain whether he will return.
The freelance host, Chris Puckett, has announced his resignation from the Overwatch League.
What is going on? The idea of the Overwatch League was to link teams with cities. In 2016, the Overwatch League looked like the “next big thing”. Activision Blizzard praised the possibilities of the league.
However, there are now doubts whether Blizzard can really establish Overwatch as an eSports title alongside CS:GO, LoL, or Dota 2. With the departure of Nanzer, the rise of Epic Games and Fortnite and the restructuring within Blizzard, many things seem to have changed that looked different in 2016.
We provide you with an overview of all possible tasks and their rewards. We also show which Shinies you can encounter here.
All new field researches and quests in January 2020
All quests have been compiled and confirmed by players at TheSilphRoad. Should any further field researches be added, we will update this over the next few days.
What is generally noticeable: There are not many new field researches in January 2020. Most of the Pokémon from the Christmas event can now be found in the new quests.
It seems that Niantic is giving players the chance to continue hunting the event Pokémon even after the event has ended.
All Pokémon marked with an asterisk (*) can also be caught as Shiny from field research.
Throws
Land 5 great curveball throws in a row
Reward: Encounter with a Pandir #7*
Land 5 good throws
Reward: Encounter with a Voltobal
Land 3 great throws
Reward: Encounter with a Nebulak*, Anorith* or Liliep*
Land 3 great throws in a row
Reward: Encounter with an Onix*
Land 3 excellent throws in a row
Reward: Encounter with a Larvitar*
Catching
Catch 3 different Ice-type Pokémon
Reward: 3 Rare Candies
Catch 3 Normal, Water, or Ice-type Pokémon
Reward: Encounter with a Jugong
Catch 5 Fire-type Pokémon
Reward: Encounter with a Schneppke*
Catch one Dragon-type Pokémon
Reward: Encounter with a Dratini*
Catch 5 Pokémon with weather boost
Reward: Encounter with a Quapsel* or Vulpix
Catch 10 Pokémon
Reward: Encounter with a Karpador*
Battles
Defeat a Team GO Rocket Grunt
Reward: Encounter with a Sniebel*
Battle 3 times against another Trainer
Reward: Encounter with a Muschas*
Battle in a Raid
Reward: Encounter with a Quiekel*
Win a Level 3 Raid or higher
Reward: Encounter with an Amonitas* or Kabuto*
Win 5 Raids
Reward: Encounter with an Aerodactyl*
Win an Arena battle
Reward: Encounter with a Bisasam*, Glumanda* or Schiggy*
Battle in an Arena
Reward: Encounter with a Menki*
Battle 5 times in an Arena
Reward: Encounter with a Machollo*
Use 7 very effective Charged Attacks in Arena battles
Reward: Encounter with an Elektek
Hatching Eggs
Hatch one egg
Reward: Encounter with a Owei
Hatch 3 eggs
Reward: Encounter with a Magmar
Hatch 5 eggs
Reward: Encounter with a Chaneira
Hatch 7 eggs
Reward: Encounter with an Alolan Vulpix*
Further Field Researches
Send 3 Pokémon
Reward: Encounter with a Loturzel*
Send 10 gifts to friends
Reward: Encounter with a Perlu*
Trade one Pokémon
Reward: Encounter with a Firnontor
Evolve one Pokémon
Reward: Encounter with an Evoli* or Petznief
Use 5 Power Ups on Pokémon
Reward: Encounter with a Bisasam*, Glumanda* or Schiggy*
Take a snapshot of your buddy
Reward: Encounter with a Shnebedeck*
Earn 5 hearts with your buddy
Reward: Encounter with a Damhirplex*
Shiny Pandir Number 7
This new Shiny is available: Players report that you can now encounter Pandir with the number 7 as Shiny. Pandir #7 has been available in the past, but it had not been encounterable as Shiny until now.
This is what the new Pandir looks like as Shiny. Source: reddit
To potentially get the Shiny, you must complete the quests “Land 5 great curveball throws in a row”.
Giovanni also has something new for you in January:
Some WoW puzzles are harder to crack than others. Even after half a year, these puzzles are still not solved …
In recent years, the developers of World of Warcraft have repeatedly hidden smaller and larger secrets in Azeroth. With “Legion” and “Battle for Azeroth”, these puzzles have even become more extensive and harder to find. Just think back to the Belt of Timegold, the Swarm Consciousness or the creepy pet Baa’l. In recent months, puzzle-solving has somewhat stagnated, as players simply cannot find a solution.
What puzzles are we talking about? The two still unsolved puzzles were implemented with Patch 8.2 and Patch 8.2.5 in World of Warcraft – one of them being over six months ago. Yet, players have not managed to find a solution.
On the hunt for Jenafur – little cat treats are supposed to be a hint.
The undead cat Jenafur: The first puzzle deals with the cat Jenafur. This is a Battle-Pet that is presumably waiting at the end of a long riddle. The first steps have already been discovered by the community and involve a dead night elf and a lot of different food items that are scattered throughout Karazhan. However, after the first two to three steps, the hints also end. Even months of contemplation and experimentation by hundreds of players have not yielded a solution or even revealed the next step.
In comparison: With other puzzles, the community often solved such mammoth tasks in just a few minutes or hours, even when the requirements seemed nearly impossible on paper.
Will players manage to solve the riddle of Jenafur in 2020?
A toy pearl from Nazjatar: The second puzzle is the toy “Pearl of the Abyss”, which presumably is linked to Nazjatar. However, the community has no hint yet on how to acquire the pearl. In the meantime, the hints on the “Secret Finding” Discord have also run dry – people are at a loss.
Are the puzzles even solvable? Yes, at least that is what Blizzard claims. Both Jenafur and the Pearl of the Abyss are supposedly obtainable. It is up to the players to find the solution to the riddle to finally obtain Jenafur and the pearl.
In the meantime, the real reward is likely to finally solving the puzzles. Will that happen before the release of Shadowlands?
Do you enjoy puzzling with such hidden content? Or are you waiting for the first guides to be published because it otherwise requires too much effort?
Everyone knows some major MMORPGs. But which games, besides the usual top 5, had the highest search volume on Google in Germany just before 2020? We have picked out 11 underdogs for you, where the search interest on Google was the highest.
Using an online tool called Google Trends, we can find out which games German players show the most interest in. This can be analyzed based on search volume.
After a pre-selection of the largest MMORPGs according to Google, we excluded these. We focused on the 11 games away from these gaming giants. The 6th place in the top list of the largest MMORPGs before 2020 is our starting point. There you will also find the top 5:
We had 33 MMORPGs compete against each other in Google Trends. This allows us to see which 11 of the smaller titles are the largest. We chose the last 12 months as the timeframe, that is, the year 2019. The ranking we set during this is what we would like to present to you in this list. Additionally, we will reveal the terms that were searched for the most.
Are these statistics for player numbers? With Google Trends, we can find out the relative interest in a game. Relative means one game compared to another. This search volume does not reflect the player numbers 1 to 1. However, for an MMORPG with many searches on Google, you can assume that correspondingly many players are active.
10. Albion Online and Star Trek Online (STO)
The sandbox MMORPG Albion Online was almost on par with Star Trek Online in average Google interest in Germany in 2019. The Free2Play launch in April 2019 contributed to a surge in Google interest for Albion Online. Therefore, two games share the 10th place in this list.
What kind of game is Albion Online? Albion Online (PC) offers you three areas where you can let loose in the fantasy world. In PvE, you fight against monsters as usual, which provide you with the necessary resources.
In PvP against other players, you will also enjoy plenty of action. In the game’s unique GvG battles, you can additionally conquer your own realm. Here, you can build villages and defend them against opponents.
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What were players searching for the most? The focus of interest over Google for Albion Online lies primarily on the builds. However, the search for the promised mobile full version is also highly sought after, as well as enduring options like the game’s forum or Reddit.
What kind of game is Star Trek Online? The MMORPG Star Trek Online (PC, PS4, Xbox One) catapults you right into the Star Trek universe. It was released in 2010.
You enter the 25th century. There, you can choose to act as the captain of a federation ship. Or you make a name for yourself as a Klingon warlord. The possibilities are diverse. You can engage in battles on land or in space.
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What were players searching for the most? In Star Trek Online, the search is primarily focused on exploration and ships. Additionally, the PS4 version is often googled.
What kind of game is Blade & Soul?Blade & Soul (PC) is a Korean MMORPG with martial arts elements. The story revolves around the wondrous world.
Due to the martial arts component, the fights are particularly spectacular. Besides fighting enemies in the game world, you can also let loose in PvP against other players.
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What were players searching for the most? Regarding Blade & Soul, players were especially interested in the game’s subreddit. However, the long-awaited console version remains high on the list. A development for Blade & Soul for PS4 and Xbox One was already hinted at in 2017.
What kind of game is Runescape? Runescape (PC) is one of the oldest MMORPGs still being played and launched in 2001. You embark on a fascinating fantasy world with your own hero.
There is no specific game goal or overarching storyline. The game is told through many individual stories. The focus is on your own story that you write through quests and dungeons. Additionally, the economic system, which you as a player influence, plays a significant role in the community.
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What were players searching for the most? In Runescape, Google users were particularly interested in the “Old-School version” of the game. There, you can play the original version of the MMORPG. Additionally, Reddit and the Wiki are highly sought after.
What kind of game is AION? The MMORPG AION (PC) started in 2008. The story revolves around a significant conflict that leads you through quests.
This role-playing game became known for its ability to fly. You achieve this with the wings you gain throughout the storyline, allowing you to discover unknown places.
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What were players searching for the most? Particularly, the mobile game AION: Legions of War captured the interest of Google users in 2019. Moreover, players often searched for the game’s forum and the status of the servers.
What kind of game is Neverwinter? The MMORPG Neverwinter (PC, PS4, Xbox One) from 2013 is based on the rules of the pen & paper game Dungeons & Dragons. You need to save the city of Neverwinter with your character. Your opponents are orcs and other dark powers.
The special aspect of Neverwinter is its closeness to D&D. Here, group play is the focus, and PvP is also necessary in special zones.
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What were players searching for the most? In Neverwinter, the search primarily focuses on mods, i.e., the expansions of the game. Particularly Mod 16 “Undermountain” and Mod 17 “Uprising” were especially sought after.
What kind of game is LotRO? The MMORPG Lord of the Rings Online (PC) was released in 2007. There, you enter the universe written by J.R.R. Tolkien, known from books and films.
Your journey takes you through the fantasy world until you finally arrive in Mordor. Unlike in the film, your adventures continue after the destruction of the ring.
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What were players searching for the most? Regarding LotRO, the wiki and the database “The Resistance” are primarily in focus. Here, players can read almost everything there is to know about the game. However, the latest update “Minas Morgul” is also highly sought after.
What kind of game is ArcheAge? The MMORPG ArcheAge (PC) came to Europe back in 2014 and competes with TERA for 3rd place on our list. In 2019, it returned as ArcheAge Unchained. As the name suggests, according to the developers, limits were broken for this. Expensive item shop items were removed, allowing players to experience the full range of ArcheAge.
The game is characterized by its enormous variety. You can choose between countless classes and professions. In addition to the regular combat system, you can also engage in naval battles here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwk-C_mh13U
What was searched the most? In ArcheAge, the search for ArcheAge Unchained leads the list. Especially around the release in October 2019, the graph skyrocketed. Terms such as the subreddit, the release, or the download were included. The release of Unchained is what brought ArcheAge into this list. In our 15 largest MMORPGs of the summer, the game does not appear.
What kind of game is TERA? You can enter the world of the Asian MMORPG TERA (PC, PS4) since 2011. The search volume here is almost identical to that of ArcheAge. In TERA, everything revolves around a story about the war of several races in a fantasy world.
In addition to the usual special skills from your bar, you can deal damage yourself and also need to dodge. The combat system of the MMORPG is therefore significantly more active than in other games of the genre.
https://youtu.be/aeMA2o2rpKc
What were players searching for the most? Regarding TERA, players search primarily for the PS4 version and the PC download. However, an unusual query stands out. The “Scroll of Destiny” is also ranked high. With this item, you could previously identify and equip items. Nowadays, a right-click is sufficient for that. However, the scroll is still mentioned in the description of some equipment parts.
What kind of game is EVE Online? In the MMORPG EVE Online (PC), the world operates differently. Here, players manage the sandbox. They mine resources and craft items. Trading these ensures a continuous economy and a diverse game world.
In the universe of EVE Online, you can go far or lose everything you have built. This is mainly due to the massive space battles you are exposed to in this MMORPG.
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What were players searching for the most? In the MMORPG EVE Online, trading plays a significant role. Accordingly, there is much searching for the market and co. Additionally, ships are of interest to players. With them, you can win your space battles.
A player in EVE Online even made it into the Guinness Book of Records. However, it was a rocky road.
What kind of game is SWTOR? In the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC), you enter the Star Wars universe. The game started in 2011 from the hands of Bioware and Electronic Arts. The story takes place several thousand years before the movies. The Sith Empire and the Old Republic are at war, and you must choose a side.
In SWTOR, you will encounter unique stories with fully voiced quests. The latest expansions, such as the latest addon “Onslaught”, focus on “single-player story” and have been praised for their epic staging.
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What were players searching for the most? Players showed the most interest in the search term “Onslaught” in 2019. Based on the new expansion, this is not surprising. However, enduring searches like the download, the specific subreddit, and SWTOR companions are also high on the list.
Interestingly, the search for a movie about “Star Wars: The Old Republic” has recently increased. The events surrounding the Old Republic are highly anticipated as a next movie saga.
This is what the graphs look like: We show you here the interest in 11 of the MMORPGs from 01.01.2019 to 30.12.2019 in Germany. As explained above, Albion Online and Star Trek Online are on par. Since Google Trends can only compare 5 games at a time, we prepared two graphs for you.
The year 2020 has begun, and in January we would like to present to you 6 MMOs and online games again. In all of them, something exciting awaits you in the coming 31 days.
In this article, you will find 6 games that should particularly fun you in January 2020. They are either very fresh titles or are releasing something completely new this month.
On the last page, you will also find a small preview of other highlights and games that will be released at the end of January.
The first of our highlights is a surprising hit on Twitch.
[toc]
Escape from Tarkov – A Hit on Twitch
Genre: Shooter | Developer: Battlestate Games | Platform: PC | Release Date: 2020, currently in Early Access | Model: Buy2Play
What is Escape from Tarkov? Escape from Tarkov is an online shooter for PC that aims to impress with many tactical elements and heavy gameplay.
You start around the eponymous city of Tarkov and gather weapons and equipment. It’s all about life and death. Whoever dies loses all their gear.
Escape from Tarkov went into Early Access in 2018 and enjoys great popularity both there and on Twitch.
Highlights of Escape from Tarkov
The game is described as a realistic first-person simulator with some MMO features for hardcore players. Survival and PvE elements are also integrated.
The mix and realism are the highlights of the shooter. A major patch in October 2019 introduced several new features, including:
A hidden stash
New traders
New boss opponents
Many technical improvements and server stability
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Why should you play Escape from Tarkov in January?
Due to the patch in October, the shooter now feels more complete and offers players many new contents. Its current popularity on Twitch shows that the technical side of Escape from Tarkov, a major criticism in the past, has also improved.
If you are fans of tactical shooters with survival elements, it is definitely worth taking a look at Escape from Tarkov in January.
In FIFA 20, the Team of the Week continues in the new year, and TOTW 16 is now known. We will tell you which players have made it into the new Team of the Week.
This is the Team of the Week: EA Sports releases the Team of the Week in FIFA 20 Ultimate Team every Wednesday. This team consists of 23 players who have shown excellent performances in real football.
In addition to a spot in the TOTW, these players receive improved Inform cards in FIFA 20 Ultimate Team.
This week is different: As most major leagues in Europe are currently in their winter break, this TOTW mainly features players from the Premier League.
The best cards in TOTW 16: This week, Harry Kane has the strongest card in the current Team of the Week with a rating of 93. Also strong are the new Inform cards of Kante (90), Aguero (90), Eriksen (89), Alexander-Arnold (86), and Martial (85).
The third Inform card of Kane: This week, Harry Kane receives his third Inform card in FUT 20.
And with that, the new TOTW card gets a significant upgrade compared to its last Inform card (91). Especially the speed has been greatly improved:
Speed: 73 -> 80
Passing: 83 -> 86
Dribbling: 84 ->87
This is the Team of the Week 16
All cards in TOTW 16
TOTW 16 – Starting XI
TOTW 16 – Substitutes
When the TOTW 16 is released: From today, January 1, 2020 at 19:00, the new Inform cards are available in packs.
Bronze or Silver Inform cards can be found in the corresponding Bronze and Silver packs.
On the transfer market: To specifically obtain TOTW cards, you should use the FUT transfer market. There you can compare prices and try to buy your desired card for as few coins as possible.
But wait a few days, as prices for new Inform cards usually drop a bit.
Earning coins with the TOTW: You can also use the new Inform cards to earn some coins in Ultimate Team. What you need to do for that, we will tell you here:
The Season of Dawn in Destiny 2 has brought some really strong weapons. We present to you 6 highlights and reveal how to get your hands on them..
With each new season, Guardians receive new reasons to spend countless hours in Destiny 2. The hunt for new weapons is always a big carrot dangled in front of players.
Which of the firearms stand out in particular? We will go into that, among other things, in this article. Besides the relevant sources, we will also tell you which rolls you should keep an eye out for.
This list does not include new ritual weapons or currently unreleased exotics.
Timeless weapons through Sundial and Obelisks
Through the new PvE activity Sundial (eng. Sundial), you can earn some absolute top weapons. No wonder, the mode is the centerpiece of Season 9. Additionally, through the levelable obelisks, you can very specifically farm for the strongest rolls.
Steelfeather Repeater – Auto Rifle
With a high fire rate of 720, you can literally unleash a hail of bullets on your enemies with this kinetic auto rifle. Steelfeather Repeater (eng. Steelfeather Repeater) impresses with a large magazine and good reload speed.
As a weapon of the rifle class, Steelfeather Repeater benefits significantly from the seasonal artifact. Even faster reloading, reduced flinch, and overcharged rounds against champions serve you well in many activities.
You should aim for this roll for PvE:
Barrel: Arrowhead Brake (Recoil Control) or Extended Barrel – provides some recoil control and additional range
Magazine: Extended Mag
Perk 1: Feeding Frenzy (faster reload) or Outlaw – after a kill, your magazine fills back up on its own piece by piece. That reserves are reduced doesn’t matter so much for auto rifles, as they inherently have larger reserves.
Perk 2: Multikill Clip (up to 50% extra damage)
Steelfeather Repeater can be obtained from time-lost bounty quests or as a Sundial reward through the obelisk in the Tangled Shore.
The single-shot explosive weapon is carried in the secondary slot and deals solar damage. Like other grenade launchers, you need special ammo, but something distinguishes this model from the competition.
Vengeance of the Martyr intrinsically has the waveform capability. Therefore, after impact, an area is set ablaze. This way, you deal AoE damage for a period of time. No other weapon belongs to this archetype so far.
Symmetry deals Arc damage and is held in the energy weapon slot. The Exotic belongs to the very rapidly firing scout rifles. Like its prominent counterpart Randy’s Throwing Knife, the scout requires primary ammo.
The rapid-fire scout also has a decent magazine size of 20 rounds and above-average stability. As is usual with exotics, you have predefined perks. The unique exo abilities of Symmetry are:
Revolution – The weapon is fired automatically and can switch to an Arc seeker mode. Hold reload to do so. The Arc seekers have tracking and follow targeted enemies.
Dynamic Charge – Precision hits build Dynamic Charge. The Arc seekers grow stronger through charges and the magazine is partially reloaded.
This is how to get the weapon and the catalyst: The weapon is awarded as a reward from the Season Pass. Owners of the current season immediately receive the weapon at rank 1. But everyone else can also enjoy the Exotic. At rank 35, the weapon is available in the “free track” of the pass.
You receive the masterwork catalyst through a quest from Banshee-44. What Symmetry can do after upgrading, we have explored in this article.
We recommend every Guardian to take the new exo scout for a spin. Whether you are fighting against the Cabal on Mercury or want to show other players in PvP where they stand: Symmetry is worth checking out.
What do you think of our selection of new top weapons – are these also your favorites of the current season or are you missing a certain item?
This enables a playstyle that allows you to block passages or control an area filled with enemies. You can compare the damage field to, for example, the Thermite Grenade.
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Barrel: Quick Launch – this increases the already large blast radius to an impressive 70/100
Magazine: High-Velocity Rounds
Perk 1: Auto-loading Holster (automatically reloads stored weapons) or Prepared
Perk 2: Gold-tinted Rounds – the new perk provides you with special ammo whenever you pick up heavy ammo
If you’re aiming for the special grenade launcher, head to the Mars Obelisk. Here you can obtain the time-lost bounty or link the Sundial.
Breaklight – Hand Cannon
We already published a dedicated article about the new kinetic weapon Breaklight. The burst weapon deals excellent damage up to medium range. With the latest update, the usability of all pistols has also improved.
You should aim for this roll for PvE:
Barrel: Hammer-forged Rifling (Range) or Corkscrew Rifling – for a handful of stat boosts
Magazine: Flared Magwell (Reload Speed) or Tactical Mag
Perk 1: Outlaw for very fast reloads. Alternatively, Demolitionist returns a lot of grenade energy on kills and reloads the weapon after you throw a grenade.
Perk 2: Multikill Clip
To have Breaklight available in the loot pool of the Sundial, you need to connect the Obelisk from the Tangled Shore. There you also get the corresponding time-lost bounty.
Pistols, in general, are experiencing a renaissance in the current season of Dawn. Breaklight exemplifies the hype around sidearms. Other strong representatives include the returner Last Hope.
Magazine: Ricochet Rounds (more range and stability)
Perk 1: Firmly Planted or Tracker Sights (more zoom and range)
Perk 2: Snapshot – for pistols, the stability improvement occurs with every single pull of the trigger
With this combination, Last Hope becomes really dangerous in the Crucible. Even shotgun pushes should watch out.
Perfect Paradox – Shotgun
The close-range weapon is carried in the primary slot, deals kinetic damage, and requires special ammo. With a fire rate of 140, Perfect Paradox is a rapidly firing shotgun.
By default, you have a seven-shot magazine and fire automatically. The reload speed is also excellent (68/100). This allows you to either mow down add hordes or pump full lead into individual, stronger enemies with sustained fire.
You should aim for this roll for PvE:
Barrel: Corkscrew Rifling
Magazine: Tactical Mag – grants bonuses to magazine size, reload speed, and stability
Perk 1: Danger Zone, Danger Banned (as you are mostly surrounded) or Prepared – improves reload and ammo reserves when crouched
Perk 2: It’s difficult to choose a single perk here, as almost all options are very strong. With Rampage, Rifled Barrel, as well as Wrath and Double-Punch, you can’t go wrong.
You can farm Perfect Paradox through the Tower Obelisk. Select the time-lost bounty there.
The shotgun is not only extremely strong but also has an interesting story. Perfect Paradox is the weapon of the legendary Titan Saint-14. He has been back among the living since Season 9.
You can also obtain strong firearms in the Season of Dawn from sources other than the Sundial. Those who take a look at the current Season Pass will find weapons alongside resources and cosmetics.
Trophy Hunter – Sniper Rifle
The sniper is equipped in your Guardian’s energy slot. It deals Void damage and requires special ammo. With a damage of 90/100, Trophy Hunter (eng. Trophy Hunter) belongs to the hard-hitting sniper rifles.
However, it has a rather slow rate of fire (72). This is comparable to the Exotic Whisper of the Worm. Besides its unique appearance, Trophy Hunter has strong perks up its sleeve. Players who aren’t constantly running in a group should take a look at this sniper.
You should aim for this roll for PvE:
Barrel: Corkscrew Rifling
Magazine: Extended Mag or Enhanced Magazine
Perk 1: Triple Tap – after three precise hits, you receive one round in the magazine
Perk 2: Vorpal Weapon (increases damage against bosses, vehicles, and supers)
With this combination, you can achieve seven shots in the magazine. By using Triple Tap, you stretch that to nine shots without reloading. Additionally, thanks to Vorpal Weapon, you receive 15% bonus damage against bosses. You won’t find a better legendary sniper unless you have a sniper with the Marksman perk and two friendly Guardians beside you.
All Destiny 2 players unlock Trophy Hunter through the Season Pass. At rank 45 in the “free track”, you can first receive the sniper. Afterwards, you can farm random rolls through the Tower Obelisks.
You should aim for this roll for PvP:
Barrel: Hammer-forged Rifling (Range)
Magazine: Refined Rounds (Range)
Pulse Monitor
Snapshot Sights
With this selection, you have achieved the maximum possible range of 100. The aim assist important for snipers is related to range. Additionally, you can quickly target with the Snapshot Sights.
Symmetry deals Arc damage and is held in the energy weapon slot. The Exotic belongs to the very rapidly firing scout rifles. Like its prominent counterpart Randy’s Throwing Knife, the scout requires primary ammo.
The rapid-fire scout also has a decent magazine size of 20 rounds and above-average stability. As is usual with exotics, you have predefined perks. The unique exo abilities of Symmetry are:
Revolution – The weapon is fired automatically and can switch to an Arc seeker mode. Hold reload to do so. The Arc seekers have tracking and follow targeted enemies.
Dynamic Charge – Precision hits build Dynamic Charge. The Arc seekers grow stronger through charges and the magazine is partially reloaded.
This is how to get the weapon and the catalyst: The weapon is awarded as a reward from the Season Pass. Owners of the current season immediately receive the weapon at rank 1. But everyone else can also enjoy the Exotic. At rank 35, the weapon is available in the “free track” of the pass.
You receive the masterwork catalyst through a quest from Banshee-44. What Symmetry can do after upgrading, we have explored in this article.
We recommend every Guardian to take the new exo scout for a spin. Whether you are fighting against the Cabal on Mercury or want to show other players in PvP where they stand: Symmetry is worth checking out.
What do you think of our selection of new top weapons – are these also your favorites of the current season or are you missing a certain item?
With the start of the year, there is now a new special research “The Takeover Continues” about Giovanni in Pokémon GO. In the end, Crypto-Lavados awaits you.
This month’s research is called “The Takeover Continues” and basically includes the same tasks as in previous months, but the tasks have been made slightly easier.
Special Research “The Takeover Continues” – How to complete it
How to access the special research: To complete the tasks, you need to finish the three previous special researches “An Alarming Situation“, “A Long Shadow“, and “A Growing Challenge“. If you haven’t completed one or even both of the special researches, you cannot access the new research.
These are the tasks: The task requirements have not changed. You again have to battle grunts, rescue Pokémon, and spin stops. However, the number required per task has been reduced.
So far, two stages are known. You will again have to spin PokéStops on multiple days in a row, which is why the following stages are not yet known.
Here the tasks have remained the same. This stage was not difficult so far and should be completed quickly.
Stage 2
Spin a PokéStop on 3 consecutive days
Reward: 750 XP
Rescue 5 Crypto Pokémon
Reward: 750 XP
Win 5 Raids
Reward: 750 XP
Reward: 1000 Stardust, 3 Hyper Potions, 3 revives
The tasks have been slightly adjusted here. Instead of spinning a PokéStop on 5 consecutive days, you now only need to spin one on 3 consecutive days.
The number of Crypto Pokémon you need to rescue has been reduced from 15 to 5. So you can save a lot of Stardust.
What happens next in the task? This will become clear in a maximum of 2 days. The first players should have spun the PokéStops needed for the task by then.
So far, you had to defeat grunts afterwards, battle in the Great League and in Gyms, and defeat the three Rocket bosses.
It remains to be seen whether they have also adjusted these tasks a bit.
If you still have trouble with the Rocket bosses, take a look at our guides:
What you need to know about Giovanni: So far, there was always a Super Rocket Radar on Stage 4, that is, after battling the Rocket bosses. With it, you could search for and battle Giovanni.
The battle against Giovanni will proceed normally again. In the end, Giovanni will use a Crypto-Lavados and not a Zapdos anymore.
How to catch Crypto-Lavados: Once you have defeated Giovanni, you can catch the Lavados as a reward. However, throw carefully, because if you run out of Poké Balls, Lavados will flee.
In January, there is also a new research breakthrough:
For the Winterfest event in Fortnite , you should launch frosty fireworks on the beaches of Sweaty Sands, Craggy Cliffs, and Dirty Docks. We will show you the locations.
What is the challenge? For this task, you must launch a frosty firework at one of the beaches at the mentioned locations. Visit Sweaty Sands, Craggy Cliffs, or Dirty Docks.
This is one of the easier tasks. Visit one of the mentioned beaches to find rockets. Head to them and interact with them. The task will be completed.
In the following image, we have marked the sought-after beaches for you.
Along the red lines, you should find rockets stuck in the sand. They look like the rocket in the image.
What is the reward? If you complete the task, you will receive a glider with the inscription 2020.
Video tutorial: To give you a better idea of the rockets and their locations, we are embedding a video from Everyday Fortnite here. Even before the actual release, creators were able to capture where you can find the fireworks on day 15 of the Winterfest.
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What other challenges are there? For Winterfest, Fortnite has released several tasks for you in recent days. Just follow our guides if you haven’t completed the challenges yet.
Rewards for returners: If you have taken a break from Fortnite in recent days and missed the spectacle around Christmas, it is still worth logging in now. Because for several days, Epic Games is gifting you with presents in Fortnite. Every day a new gift will be added, which can be opened.
2019 was not a good year for the MMORPG Guild Wars 2. However, 2020 could be better. Our author Alexander Leitsch writes his personal wish list to the developer ArenaNet.
Why is there this post? I love Guild Wars 2. Despite all the ups and downs since the release, this MMORPG has always captivated and convinced me.
Since 2006, I have been actively following the “Guild Wars” franchise and regularly playing either the first or the second part. For me, Guild Wars 2 still counts as one of the best MMORPGs on the market.
However, my love was put to the test in 2019. There were layoffs, content droughts, a monetization of build templates, and many little things that just didn’t fit.
What are the problems of the open world? With each new episode of the Living World, Guild Wars 2 introduces a new area. This is great and greatly expands the game world. The downside is when there is little to do in these areas.
To this day, I prefer to spend time in the meta events, whether world bosses in the base game or map-wide events in Heart of Thorns. That’s why I was so excited in May, when the events in Path of Fire were adjusted.
However, the new maps have become quite deserted after just a few days or weeks. Usually, this is because there are just no tasks on the maps.
What do I wish for? I wish for maps where the events matter and where I am kept busy for a long time. The map Dragonfall was a big step. Now something even bigger needs to come.
The easiest way to entice people is with rewards and shared tasks. This worked well back in the Silverwaste.
But it seems that ArenaNet is already partially responding to this wish. With Episode 2, no new map is coming in January, but the Bjora Marshes will be expanded. There, Drakkar is also expected to be waiting, a new world boss. Hopefully, this will be a real challenge!
For the current Icebrood Saga, ArenaNet announced new content that would otherwise be saved for an expansion.
Both promises have not yet been fulfilled, which I and other players hold against the developers. Because so far, it doesn’t look like any implementation will happen at all.
What do I wish for? I wish for class expansions like the elite specializations in the expansions Heart of Thorns and Path of Fire. I wish for a mastery system that has an impact on my character, just like gliding or mounts.
Even though I don’t play WvW myself, I hope that alliances will come soon. After all, many players are waiting for it. It would also be important for the community if such a promise were finally fulfilled.
What is the problem with instances? ArenaNet has not released any new instances apart from the strike missions for a long time. However, these rather serve as an introduction to complex mechanics instead of really challenging veterans.
ArenaNet is going in the opposite direction here. First, they brought the raids, then the preparation for the raids, because they realized that players had issues with the increasing difficulty.
This approach, however, has left raid fans in the dry for a long time. The last raid, the Key of Ahdashim, appeared in June 2019 and was also far too easy. Raiders have been waiting for a real challenge since the Hall of Chains. This was released on November 28, 2017.
What do I wish for? As beautiful as strike missions are, a little challenge would be important for everyone. Guild Wars 2 has some hardcore players who have been bored for a while. However, they also provided guides for bosses, the meta, and fun live streams.
An exciting race for the World Firsts, as we had at the end of 2017, garnered attention even outside the GW2 bubble. The “Elitist Raiding Party”, a community raid event, continually generates a lot of enthusiasm.
I hope that a raid is actually being worked on and I really wish that it becomes extremely hard.
Competitive players also need love
Why do competitive players feel unloved? Guild Wars 2 made the same mistake they are currently making with raids and strike missions: in PvP.
We had an eSports scene in GW2 from 2014 to 2016, where over $100,000 was played for. The viewer numbers were okay but not outstanding. This was also due to the poor PvP system.
For solo players, there were no real content, no good ranking system, and no rewards. For newcomers, there wasn’t even a tutorial. All that came only in 2017 when the competitive scene was already crumbling. This was also due to ArenaNet, as they stopped the expensive prize money.
What do I wish for? The days of eSports are long gone and won’t return. But there is still hope for a successful PvP.
To achieve this, however, ArenaNet would have to consistently ban botters and flamers, better balance the game, and create new incentives that make PvP worthwhile.
And with “World vs. World”, Guild Wars 2 actually has a system that could also be further promoted and made more competitive. Don’t forget about players of the modes, ArenaNet!
Keep communicating with us
My last wish is personally the most important to me: Talk to us! For years, you have had a strong community that has gone through thick and thin with you, that continuously sends you cakes and organizes beautiful events.
Even though there is often destructive criticism and you are seen as the absolute evil by some. For a large part of the community, you are heroes who created a world they love more than anything. And they wish for nothing more than to know where they stand.
If you are no longer developing raids or fractals, if there are problems or employees are missing, talk to us. So that we know what to expect in 2020 and what we can look forward to!
It is already known what the new free “PS Plus” games for January 2020 will be: They are Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Goat Simulator. We look at what these PlayStation Plus games are, when you can download them, and how the initial reactions turn out.
Apparently, the video went live a few hours too early – a classic leak. The video has since been deleted.
These are the two free titles:
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection – it was released on October 7, 2015
Goat Simulator – it was released on August 1, 2015
Uncharted Nathan Drake Collection PS4
What is it about? These are 3 older games from the Uncharted series, which were released as remastered for the PS4 in 2015. Originally, they are action-adventures for the PS3:
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
The Uncharted series follows Nathan Drake on his adventures in third-person perspective. He climbs and fights his way through the world. Additionally, he has to solve puzzles.
The Uncharted series is considered a style-defining and formative action-adventure series for PlayStation for over a decade.
How was it received on Metacritic in 2015? The Nathan Drake Collection stands at 86% on Metacritic.
Critics spoke of a technically successful implementation: These are 3 of the best PlayStation games of all time. However, some point out critically that the games have not aged well.
For whom is the download worth it? For anyone who has not played Uncharted yet and has a penchant for action-adventure or games that are presented like a movie.
This is the regular price of the collection in the PS Store: Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is listed in the PS Store for €19.99.
Goat Simulator PS4
What kind of game is this? In Goat Simulator you control a goat in third-person perspective.
The game is a sort of satire on open-world games because you can do all sorts of nonsense in the world without following any real purpose, but you can earn absurd achievements.
How was it received on Metacritic? Goat Simulator has a mere 58% on Metacritic for the PS4 version.
Critics call it a “crazy, funny party game,” but Goat Simulator gives players nothing meaningful to do, apart from the absurd gag of controlling a goat.
For whom is the download worth it? For the curious who enjoy causing nonsense in an absurd game and want to pass the time for a short while.
This is the regular price of Goat Simulator in the PS Store: Goat Simulator costs €8.99 in the PS Store.
PlayStation Plus January 2020 is viewed somewhat critically
What is the initial reaction to the two free games? For the two free PS4 games in January 2020, there is mostly criticism. The video stands at 197 likes and 381 dislikes.
Especially Goat Simulator is criticized – early comments consider it a joke.
The Uncharted trilogy is held in high regard by many PS4 players. However, the titles are among those that many PS4 gamers have already played. However, it is also said that especially parts 1 and 2 have “not aged well,” yet players are advised to play the trilogy if they haven’t done so yet.
When will the games be available? Starting January 7, 2020, PS Plus owners will be able to download the two games for free on PS4.
What are the PS Plus games for December 2019? For a few more days, you can download the strong shooter Titanfall 2 and the motorcycle game “Monster Energy Supercross” for free if you have a PS Plus subscription.
Cheaters are a real problem in multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, but not every bizarre death is caused by an brazen cheater. In a new clip, the player initially thought a nasty cheater had gotten him. Instead, it was a knife on an apparently deadly mission.
Although the focus of fast-paced first-person shooters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is usually on firearms, knives are among the deadliest weapons in MW.
Whether as a melee weapon or thrown variation, knives reliably take out opponents with a single hit, and throwing knives can sometimes exhibit a disastrous life of their own.
A new clip now shows how a player became a victim of such a “magical knife.” Initially, he thought a cheater had taken him out, but the kill cam reveals the true culprit – a pesky flying knife.
The knife clip showcases the incredible abilities of throwing knives
What kind of clip is this? On Reddit, “Brightwing9” shared the clip, which has already garnered over 12,000 upvotes. (January 1, 2020, at around 12:30 PM)
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What is there to see? After “Brightwing9” is taken out by an opponent with a tactical shield using a throwing knife, he skips the kill cam to respawn immediately. He takes a few steps forward and is already down on the ground again.
At first, he thought he was taken out by a cheater. Currently, nasty glitchers are roaming, sneaking behind walls or even under the map’s ground to take out opponents safely.
But a glance at the kill cam made it clear, it was a throwing knife kill of a special kind. He was indeed taken out by the same guy again with a throwing knife, but the knife took a truly unusual path around several corners.
Players with tactical shields like to carry knives.
How does that work? Throwing knives have the ability to bounce off surfaces, causing them to fly wildly around.
If you throw a knife straight at a wall, the blade usually sticks where you threw it. However, if you throw the knife at a sharp angle onto a surface, the throwing weapon bounces off and flies a bit further.
You can still relatively control the first bounce. What happens afterwards is mostly pure luck.
So it’s pure luck? In this case, yes. The player with the tactical shield intended to take out another opponent with the second knife and sent the freshly sharpened blade on its murderous journey.
The knife bounces off 4 surfaces before landing back with poor “Brightwing9,” who has no idea what just happened. Such a move is hardly controllable, but truly nice to watch.
What else can you do with knives? With a bit of practice, the one-shot weapons become helpful gadgets in the fight against angry opponents.
Have you ever been taken out by a knife in such a nasty way or has one of your throwing knives ever acted autonomously? There are many crazy ways to die in CoD:
A new bug in World of Warcraft has players scratching their heads. Suddenly, the PvP season has ended. What is going on?
Those wanting to engage in rated PvP in World of Warcraft might be scratching their heads in confusion. It seems that without any prior notice, the current PvP season in WoW has come to an end. What’s happening?
What happened? To the surprise of PvP fans in World of Warcraft, the game’s interface suddenly announced that the PvP season has ended. We are now in the “Off-Season,” which is the time between two seasons.
The transition to the Off-Season typically occurs with the release of a major patch, but it is usually announced beforehand. Therefore, the PvP rankings for arenas and battlegrounds can no longer be affected.
Blizzard is already on the case: The developers at Blizzard are aware of the bug and have mentioned in a post that they are working on it.
The bug will be fixed as soon as possible and will likely be resolved with a hotfix. However, it is still unknown how long it will take to resolve this issue. This could prove to be difficult, as a large part of the development team is currently on vacation with their families and will not return to work for a few days.
Why is this frustrating? In the Off-Season, the calculations for PvP rewards have already been completed. Anyone still hoping to achieve a high rating for the end-of-season rewards will be out of luck. This is particularly frustrating for a rank of the PvP essence for the Heart of Azeroth, namely “Conflict and Strife.” Some players may now be denied this because of the premature end of the season.
This theory has players speculating: Many players do not believe this error was a coincidence and suspect a different reason.
What were my first steps in League of Legends? Is the community really as toxic as it is generally said? Read here about the experiences a noob had in LoL and why I can only recommend it to everyone.
Why League of Legends? Why did I choose a game that was released in 2009? Exactly, LoL is now 10 years old in the virtual world. Anyone who has been around in the gaming market for that long and claims to be relevant will inevitably make headlines.
I have occasionally heard about MOBAs like Dota, HotS, and LoL. The genre seems to be a phenomenon and has large tournaments with astronomical prize money. But isn’t that just in the Far East? Wrong thought.
The only LoL player I knew as an outsider: Faker. He must be some kind of demigod and the measure of all things (LoL). He is a good example of an athlete who is known far beyond the sport. Someone like Tiger Woods or Mike Tyson, you know them even without any knowledge of golf or boxing.
I read here on Mein-MMO.de that the World Championship took place in Europe. In the finals, there was even a team with European players. The guys from Denmark, Croatia, Poland, and Slovenia even made it to the finals – but in the end, it was only enough for the silver medal.
I was hooked, so I wanted to know why the wave had apparently arrived here a long time ago. Why does LoL still excite even after a full decade? Read in this post how my ruthless self-experiment went.
Every beginning is hard
Do I have prior experience with MOBAs? I am a complete beginner when it comes to League of Legends. I don’t even spend much time on the PC. My gaming home is the console. Most of the time, the rule is: The computer is my workhorse. The mouse clicks in text documents, and the keyboard does not unleash abilities via hotkeys, but rather turns letters into words.
When I was younger, I gained experience with Age of Empires 2 on the PC, but other than that? Okay, I’ll be honest, in school, I played a couple, maybe three rounds of Dota with friends. I at least know the principle of ‘last hitting’ and know: you storm a base together with minions.
But that was at least a decade ago and was limited to a weekend (playing was never done during the school week). So I checked out some beginner guides to LoL. Now I know the basics and at least know that it is currently pre-season. This is supposedly a good time to start in LoL.
Here’s how my first steps in-game looked: As a beginner, I looked for the tutorial. Fortunately, there is such a mode in LoL. I bravely completed the handful of missions. Here, the fundamental game principles against bots (AI-controlled opponents) are actually taught.
I now know how to push one of three paths (eng. Lanes) and that on the way to the enemy base, nasty turrets can make life difficult. If you have managed to establish yourself on your lane against all odds, it is time to tear apart the opposing nexus, the heart of the base.
All no problem at all. Left click here, right click there, and my character cuts everything in its path down. I was even told that I can buy powerful items in my own base. Equipped with that, my tutorial opponent quickly threw in the towel.
This is the nexus; when it falls, it’s game over
Which champion should it be? In League of Legends, you choose a champion before each round. That’s the one you control and fight alongside four allies against five enemy heroes. At this point (15.12.19), there are nearly 150 of these champions.
So I scrolled through the enormous list of 146 unique champions. It can’t be that hard; after all, I know all 151 original Pokémon. And as always, the one that looks the coolest is also the coolest for me.
Azir looks like how I imagined the god Horus as a child.
But my decision took a hit. The chosen champion Azir is classified as ‘hard to play’ in-game. Additionally, he also costs some blue resources. As a newcomer, I am of course chronically broke and need to earn that stuff first.
So I first stuck with my free hero: Master Yi. He is a swordsman and resembles a traditional Chinese warrior. The only fact that he wears seven headlamps confuses me. But I’m sure there’s a backstory to that.
But with this guy, I eventually took the whole tutorial apart. I was very confident, and my journey continued.
Can also slice you up in the dark: Master Yi
Now it gets serious – The 1st real match
This is how my first match went: It was time. Now it’s finally getting serious and in League of Legends, that’s called: Summoner’s Rift. This refers to the mode and the map in 5vs5. There are other modes, and recently also the summer phenomenon Teamfight Tactics, but I want to experience the heart of LoL.
Quickly, a game against real opponents was found. In the chat during the character selection, mysterious words like jungler or AD carry were mentioned. Whatever, I wished everyone a good game. Little did those poor souls know that they would soon be sliced up by Master Yi.
A small correction to my previous sentence: Master Yi was sliced up. No matter who I attacked, I constantly got hit. Either I was ganked or was smashed into the ground in a fair duel with just one attack. In Destiny, my aggressive playstyle works quite well, but not really in LoL.
The game just didn’t want to go as it did in the tutorial. Although I played much more cautiously after the first setbacks. In the end, my KD/A, my kills, deaths, and assists, was still not so impressive.
What did my teammates say about it? I want to keep the text youth-friendly, so I will tone it down a bit. But the calls to uninstall the game or jump out the window did gnaw at my self-confidence.
I tried to make the gentlemen understand to be lenient with me. After all, it was my first match. Unfortunately, that excuse didn’t hold. The fact that I still responded kindly seemed to only fuel the fire of anger.
Fortunately, they didn’t insult me but directed their hate solely towards Master Yi. “This Y is a [censored]” or “why do I always get such [censored] mates like Yi”.
When I reported my experience in the editorial office, I caused involuntary laughter. My colleague Schuhmann jokingly suggested that I should practice against bots first. But the game didn’t reveal such secrets on its own.
Legend Faker probably doesn’t scold his team
This is what is said about the LoL community: Even beyond the boundaries of League of Legends and the MOBA sector, the game is colloquially considered toxic. Over the years, there have always been such reports:
But Riot, the developers behind LoL and also other renowned gaming giants like Blizzard, have joined forces against toxic players. There is to be a more pleasant climate.
Even in the editorial office of Mein-MMO.de, the tenor is of a reformed community. I probably just had bad luck and encountered the stereotype in my first match.
Left pro Faker and streamer Tyler1 now have a friendly relationship
Is it fun?
You never stop learning: I have continued to play. For a week, I logged in every evening and worked on loot runs. And during that time, I actually didn’t experience such a toxic game anymore. No matter how bad I or a teammate was.
Of course, there was still flaming and cursing in the chat. However, the toxicity level was in an acceptable range. Some players even left a “nice” or “gg” behind.
Although I have not yet reached my goal of Azir. I want to get familiar with all the basics first. But the relatively beginner-friendly champ Garen has given me some cool plays. Additionally, I now also know the basics of all roles and lanes, as well as techniques like ‘wave management’ – knowing does not mean mastered.
Garen can take a lot and can also deal damage well
My conclusion about starting LoL: I now partially understand the fascination with League of Legends and can say from my side: Yes, it’s a lot of fun. The game is incredibly multifaceted and complex.
Although it’s not as beginner-friendly as, for example, Overwatch, the pull is enormous. Hardly a game plays out the same way; again and again, you are challenged in new or different ways. Furthermore, developer Riot is constantly working on their success game.
Sure, you have to be willing to invest time. But if even a MOBA noob like me had fun, why wouldn’t you? My main game will surely not become League of Legends. A few rounds in between when there’s a content drought in Destiny 2 are definitely possible.
And even if there are actually other things to do, taking a look at LoL doesn’t hurt. Oh what the hell, I’ll just start a game now. See you on Summoner’s Rift.
What were your first steps like? Have you perhaps not yet ventured into a MOBA? Are the rumors about the LoL community true?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Pokémon GO the Raid Hour with Virizion starts this evening, on January 1, 2020. We provide you with an overview of counters, the start time, and the process.
What is a Raid Hour? This event takes place regularly on Wednesday evenings. Then, a legendary raid appears for one hour at every free gym.
Information about the Raid Hour with Virizion – Start time and counters
When does the Raid Hour start? The event starts at 6 PM local time. Then, a Virizion raid will appear at all gyms that do not have any raids at that time. If other gyms become free by 7 PM, a Virizion raid will also appear there.
Gyms that have just distributed EX Raid invitations are excluded from this.
The best counters against Virizion: The legendary Pokémon is vulnerable to the types Fire, Ice, Poison, Psychic, Fairy, and Flying. It has a double weakness against Flying type. Therefore, Flying Pokémon are the best counters. These include Moltres, Rayquaza, and Chatot.
How many players are needed? Virizion can already be defeated well by two players. However, you will need the top counters for this. Alternatively, you can easily take it down with a team of 4-5 players.
Are Virizion raids worth it? The legendary Pokémon is not useful in the Pokémon meta. However, the raid rewards are more worthwhile. You can never have too many rare candies.
2019 was a rather quiet year for Elite Dangerous. However, that could change next year. There are many reasons to believe that 2020 could become really exciting around the space simulation.
What 2019 brought for Elite Dangerous: There were no major surprises in Elite Dangerous in 2019. Extensive fresh content or groundbreaking new features were also in short supply.
The developers at Frontier Developments focused more on smaller updates with numerous “Quality of Life” improvements. Here are the highlights of 2019:
Among other things, new assistance systems, revised menus and tutorials, an improved character creation, a special zone for new players, and a useful pilot handbook – a kind of in-game encyclopedia for all important aspects of the game – were introduced.
Interstellar initiatives were introduced – a series of community events, comparable to a kind of enhanced community goals.
The web-based Frontier store was integrated into the game itself.
A new currency called ARX was introduced, which can be purchased with real money and earned in-game. It is finally possible to buy all kinds of cosmetic items in the shop without (as before) spending real money.
However, it seems that 2020 could be much more exciting in Elite Dangerous. Many fans and pilots are already looking to the future.
That’s why Elite Dangerous could become really interesting in 2020
“The Next Era,” as it is tentatively called, is not only supposed to be a comprehensive update but a large paid expansion (included in the lifetime pass). This update or expansion is said to have the greatest impact on the game to date, according to the developers. However, there were no further details, at least not from official sources.
On the other hand, a leak has already provided some first information about the potential contents. These sound quite exciting and could, if true, actually elevate Elite Dangerous to a whole new level.
What is the leak all about? The leak originally comes from the platform 4chan, which is generally not considered the most reliable source for such information. Therefore, it was initially laughed off by most. However, many now see this leak in a different light.
This came from an anonymous user who claimed to have spoken with a friend who works as a Technical Artist at Frontier Developments.
The anonymous source claims to have learned a roadmap for numerous projects from Frontier for the next few years – including Elite Dangerous.
What makes the leak so interesting? The interesting part about the leak is not even the details about Elite Dangerous itself, but rather the other games – especially their development after the leak.
For instance, there were discussions about upcoming content for Planet Coaster, upcoming DLCs for Jurassic World Evolution, and other (at that time) new projects like Planet Zoo.
And all the unconfirmed “claims” about these aspects have since proven to be true. The source was essentially correct about everything that can be verified to this date.
This also makes the part regarding Elite Dangerous itself interesting. It speaks, like the official sources, of extensive content for the end of 2020 (long before the official information was released) and of a rather quiet phase until then.
A meeting with the Thargoids
With the quiet phase and a big content drop at the end of 2020, the leak has so far also been correct. Therefore, the chances are good that the remaining information about Elite Dangerous will also prove to be true. And they are significant.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that these are not officially confirmed information. So enjoy it with the appropriate portion of caution.
These contents could come to Elite Dangerous in 2020
This is already known officially about the contents in 2020: First of all, it is already known from official sources that the gigantic carriers, the Fleet Carriers, are set to appear in the second quarter of 2020.
This feature was initially supposed to arrive in December 2019, but has now been postponed to the next year. While there have been no further details regarding their features or functions, it is assumed that these capital ships can be controlled by players and used as a kind of advanced base.
But what does the leak reveal about the upcoming contents that we could expect in 2020 for Elite Dangerous?
These contents are reportedly coming to Elite Dangerous at the end of 2020: If the leak turns out to be true, fans can look forward to the following new contents and features:
Space Legs: This term refers to the ability to walk within your own spaceship or space stations, as well as to leave the spaceship or exploration vehicle and move freely in space or on planetary surfaces.
Gameplay in First-Person Shooter style. Apparently, it is planned that players can engage in combat from a first-person perspective with firearms. However, more details about this are not yet available.
Base Building: It seems there are also plans for base construction. If the leak proves true, by the end of 2020, players may not only be able to visit and enter distant worlds but also establish outposts of humanity there.
The Thargoids, the mysterious alien race from Elite Dangerous, are expected to come into focus more. According to the leak, we will not only see their ships but also the aliens themselves. They are said to closely resemble those from Starship Troopers, according to the anonymous source.
By the way: As the source noted, landings on planets with an atmosphere – a major wish of many Elite players – were unfortunately not mentioned in the plans.
What fans are waiting for: Planets with atmosphere and inhabited cities
What makes these contents so exciting? The quantity of content seems quite manageable at first glance, but each of these features would elevate the space sim to a completely new level.
Especially Space Legs, controllable carriers, and base building have been among the biggest wishes of the Elite Dangerous community for years. If these are brought to the game, it would likely please almost every Elite player and possibly bring back some lost sheep.
If these features are indeed all integrated, Elite Dangerous would gain significantly in gameplay depth and possibilities – and would also be interesting for new pilots.
After all, not only flying to alien planets but also potentially entering them and fighting against other players or aliens in a shooter manner would likely excite many a player who has different focuses in space games – for example, fans of No Man’s Sky, the X-series, Star Citizen, or possibly even sci-fi shooters.
Concept Art for Space Legs
Also the ability to walk freely around space stations, gigantic ships, and even your own spaceship would likely appeal to many. Just like carriers that could be used by players as forward bases – whether for exploration missions or attack flights.
In short: Elite Dangerous would not only provide its die-hard fans with what they have been longing for for years, but also offer a comprehensive package and new depth for all who find the pure flying and landing appealing but boring in the long run.
This would be a consistent and noticeable evolution that many have demanded for years, and would allow Elite to position itself much stronger against its direct competitors – especially on consoles, where for example the ambitious Star Citizen will not exist.
It remains to be seen whether the leak will also prove true in this aspect and how the features will actually be implemented in the game. 2020 is likely to be a very interesting year for anyone interested in Elite Dangerous or space simulations – although it seems to only be towards the end of the year.
What do you think about it? Would you be happy if Elite Dangerous actually got these new features? Would that be a reason to give the game a (new) chance?Which features would you like to see in 2020? Let us know in the comments.
On Metacritic, it received a score of 91 points and was the first Final Fantasy game in 14 years with a rating of 90+ points. The gaming press particularly praised the story and soundtrack of the game. FFXIV made it into the top 50 best games of 2019 on Metacritic.
In the Steam charts, the MMORPG recorded a strong increase in active players:
In June 2017, at the release of the Stormblood expansion, there were an average of 12,446 players, with a peak of 25,599 players
In July 2019, at the release of Shadowbringers, there were already an average of 23,105 with a peak of 38,909 players
The financial reports from Square Enix also reflected the increase in active players. The company announced in November that revenues from the MMO division have reached a record high, primarily due to the Shadowbringers add-on.
2019 was indeed a successful year for the MMORPG. What can fans expect in 2020?
What the near future brings: Players can expect the next major content update in mid-February 2020. With patch 5.2 “Echoes of a Fallen Star,” the following content will come to FFXIV:
Continuation of the story
The new dungeon “Anamnesis Anyder”
The second part of the Eden raid, focusing in part on the element Thunder
Continuation of the reconstruction of Ishgard and further crafter content
With Ruby Weapon, a new series of side quests for trial battles starts. Players hope that Emerald and Sapphire Weapons from FFVII will also be included.
Additionally, patch 5.2 will introduce the next round of “upgradable weapons and armor,” which are typically referred to as Relics in FFXIV. The questline will revolve around the Citadel of Bozja, a large city of the Hrothgar. It was reduced to rubble in the course of an experiment with the meteor Dalamud.
With patch 5.3, the main story quests of the base game, “A Realm Reborn,” will be revised. They are to be shortened to remove unnecessary running around and fetch quests. The story itself will not be changed.
Anamnesis Anyder will be the new dungeon. Starting from patch 5.2, there will only ever be one new dungeon.
The patch is roughly expected to go live at the end of spring or the beginning of summer.
What the distant future brings: Director Yoshida repeatedly emphasizes that the FFXIV team always plans about two years ahead. Therefore, fans can also look forward to several things that are still in the distant future.
This includes the next fan festivals, which will take place in 2020 and 2021 in Europe, the USA, and Japan. There, it is likely that the next expansion of FFXIV will be announced as usual.
So far, nothing is known about it, except that work on the expansion has already begun. Yoshida communicated this to the colleagues from PCGamesN.
It is still unknown when and where the upcoming fan fests will take place.
Final Fantasy XIV will finally also be playable on Xbox, as CEO Phil Spencer stated at the X019 event. However, it is still uncertain whether this will happen in 2020.
22-year-old Heo “PawN” Won-seok is considered one of the best mid laners of all time in League of Legends. In 2014, he became world champion. Now he is ending his career: An obsession is forcing him to give up. He could only play LoL for a long time because he perfectly arranged his place with a ruler – even that was no longer possible in 2019.
Who is PawN? PawN was a world-class mid laner for years:
PawN was a LoL pro for 7 years, including for KT Rolster (Korea) and EDward Gaming (China).
PawN was regarded as one of the few who could compete with the LoL superstar Faker in the mid lane. Faker and PawN were known as “The Eternal Rivals,” as reported by the Korean site Inven.
This is Faker. PawN was regarded for years as his greatest rival.
It was known that PawN had medical issues and therefore could play less League of Legends in recent years. He took longer breaks and pauses. But only with the retirement did PawN himself reveal that he suffered from an obsession.
Now he explains in an interview with Inven the extent his obsession took.
PawN was known for meticulously setting up his equipment before a match. Image source: Inven
PawN could only play with a ruler
This is how the disorder developed: PawN explains that the obsession appeared when he moved to China at the end of 2014. Here, the ruler became an important tool. PawN would measure the height of the monitor before the start of a match and then adjust his keyboard accordingly:
When I wasn’t in China, I didn’t need a ruler to prepare for matches. I think I set up my equipment like other players did.
Perhaps it was my desire to play better, but my obsession became heavier when I returned to Korea in 2017. The symptoms occurred when I set up my monitor, but it was okay when I used the ruler.
PawN
But by 2018, the problems had worsened; now he also had to adjust his chair perfectly. PawN took a break in 2018 to recover.
Afterwards, he found “different solutions” for his problem, as he says, and was able to rank up again in the solo queue of LoL. PawN attempted a fresh start with the Korean team Kingzone.
This was the breaking point: In spring 2019, the problems arose again. Then a change came, after which PawN could no longer play LoL:
The size of the tournament monitors was changed from 24 inches to 25 inches. I had found a method to set up a 24-inch monitor, but that didn’t work with the new ones.
PawN
With the new monitors, PawN had the impression that he could only play LoL as well as a “Gold” player.
Nothing worked anymore. This led to frustration and even depression.
This is how PawN is doing: The player has announced his retirement from professional LoL and has turned down all offers from new teams because he cannot play with the obsession anymore.
However, he hopes that he can get his disorder under control and make a fresh start again. Then he would play professionally in LoL again. If that doesn’t work, he wants to end his career for good.
PawN believes that his perfectionism and the unwavering will to win led to the development of the obsession.
