Cheaters frustrate many players of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and rob them of their enjoyment, but for part of the community, it will get better in Season 2.
What is the problem? In November 2024, the ranked mode started in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, but since then, the game has been flooded with countless cheaters – this frustrates many players. While Activision was able to ban thousands of accounts, that is not enough for the community.
Since the euphorically celebrated release Black Ops 6 has lost a large part of the players it had previously gained. Many professionals and content creators also made it clear that cheaters rob them of enjoyment.
Shortly before the start of Season 2, Activision has now commented again on the problem and the anti-cheat system and has indicated that at least some of you will no longer have to play against cheaters.
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CoD Black Ops 6: Prestige explained – Is it worth it?
Activision saves console players
How does Activision plan to save you? Activision has made several promises regarding the RICOCHET anti-cheat system, including new detection systems and updated models for detecting aim-botting (via X).
The most important info from the post is:
Console players can disable crossplay in Season 2.
So if you’re playing on PlayStation or Xbox, you will no longer have to play with PC players. In Season 1, you could not turn off crossplay between consoles and PC in ranked mode. This was only possible in unranked matches outside the mode.
On consoles, you are generally protected from cheaters when you deactivate crossplay with PC. Many players have therefore wished for the option in ranked mode as well.
Why is Activision sacrificing the welfare of PC players? On PC, you cannot protect yourself from cheaters by disabling crossplay. You will continue to encounter cheaters.
It is likely that it will be even more unpleasant for PC players now that console players are missing from the lobbies. On the one hand, you may have to deal with longer queue times, as there are fewer players eligible for your matches.
On the other hand, the total number of players you can encounter in a lobby is now lower. With a constant number of cheaters, this would mean that the percentage of cheaters is higher than before. So you will encounter the spoilsports even more often in the worst-case scenario.
So that console players among you do not have to search long for the option to turn off crossplay at the start of Season 2, you can remind yourselves on MeinMMO where to find the setting: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6: Disable crossplay – Here’s how
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The former Blizzard developer Jason “Thor” Hall (37) has had a great year on YouTube and Twitch as Pirate Software. His growth has been massive: he presented the wise and relaxed world-explainer who has a sovereign answer to everything. But that image is currently going down the drain, revealing another side in MMORPGs like WoW Classic and Ashes of Creation.
This is how Pirate Software presents himself: The 37-year-old Jason “Thor” Hall has had a successful year. On YouTube, he has 2.7 million subscribers as Pirate Software, while on Twitch an average of 17,250 people watch him.
In his videos, he appears as a relaxed and experienced man who provides his viewers with answers to the questions of life or career that plague them. For every complicated question, Pirate Software has a coherent answer which he delivers in a calm voice while drawing a diagram on the screen:
This is how monetization in video games works
This is how you provide yourself with cheap groceries
This is how video game companies fight against the ubiquitous bots. He knows everything.
As a man in his mid-30s, Pirate Software, with his sonorous voice and composed manner, is the voice of reason among the young, hyperactive influencers around. Moreover, he is a die-hard gamer and an insider – after all, he has worked for Blizzard, as he always emphasizes.
Jason Thor Hall is the son of the man who inspired the “nerd” in South Park:
Start video
17 years after the legendary WoW episode, we finally know who the MMORPG nerd from South Park is
A bad pull in WoW is the beginning of the crisis
What is the problem? At the beginning of 2025, this casual image of the experienced player who knows everything and always remains calm is going down the drain.
We have reported on MeinMMO about his performance in WoW Classic, where he abandoned his group as a magician during a pull and fled, apparently out of fear for his character. In the action, 2 of his teammates permanently lost their characters.
threatens an opposing guild to “sweep them off the server”
behaves like a schoolyard bully
makes megalomaniac statements like “Do you even know who I am? I will get you banned!”
The video comes from the opposing guild “The Federation” and paints a picture that completely contradicts the image that Pirate Software has built. He does not seem at all like the calm, composed dude who has an answer to everything.
Comments say:
“You can immediately see that he worked for Blizzard. He takes 0 feedback from the community.”
“It’s really fun to watch a streamer ruin his career live instead of experiencing it years later in retrospect.”
“He is such a vengeful person who disguises himself as a nice guy. I love it.”
The New Zealander Quin69 is visibly enjoying making fun of Pirate Software. The video currently has 165,000 views.
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Another pull in Ashes of Creation goes horribly wrong
This is the current incident: After he was already accused in WoW of talking big and setting high standards that he then fails to meet in the game, it seems that something similar is happening to him in Ashes of Creation (via reddit).
A video is currently circulating showing him wiping his raid due to a failed pull and simultaneously blaming someone else for the mistake he himself made (via azure.io).
When it is then proven to him that he made the mistake he criticized, he again denies responsibility for the wipe.
This is also a feast for those who are currently keeping an eye on him.
What’s going on: One should not take all of this too seriously. Of course, Pirate Software has an ego. He is a “typical MMORPG player” who is currently expressing dark sides of his character in PvP – that somehow belongs to it.
Many had already been keeping an eye on Pirate Software because he was so omnipresent through YouTube Shorts and seemed so confident. The failed pull in WoW was the chink in the armor that those people had been waiting for to take a closer look at him. And now they are pouncing on him.
Pirate Software is showing nerves in this unfamiliar situation and reacts defensively. He doesn’t want to take anything lying down, reacts domineeringly, threatens to ban people, and plays up his power and contacts – all of this doesn’t sit well with his opponents.
Probably the best thing would be for him to take a few weeks off to let the fuss about him die down.
It is noticeable that there is a lot of mockery and schadenfreude directed at him because he is currently being violently dragged from the high moral horse he has elevated himself onto through his behavior.
With Monster Hunter Wilds, the franchise around dangerous beasts and brave hunters will receive a new installment on February 28, 2025. While the new title closely follows its successful predecessor Monster Hunter World, it also aims to improve and change several aspects.
What is the ambition of the developers of Monster Hunter Wilds? To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Monster Hunter games, they wanted to create something truly special. An experience that brings out the best of what the series has to offer, allowing as many people as possible to enjoy it.
For this, they wanted to orient themselves towards the most successful title in the series, Monster Hunter World, while also thinking beyond it. In addition to improvements to existing features, the developers wanted to create something new. A fresh experience that would make Monster Hunter Wilds unique.
To achieve this, they introduced a range of brand-new features that are designed to do just that. We took a look at what will be different in Monster Hunter Wilds compared to the previous entries and present to you the best and biggest innovations.
Feel free to let us know in the comments if you have other features in mind that you are particularly excited about or have been waiting for a long time.
[toc]
Who is writing here? MeinMMO editor Alexander Schürlein has accumulated over 1,000 hours as a monster hunter. Over the years, he has played countless titles on various consoles and prefers to hunt with dual blades.
Start video
Monster Hunter Wilds: Daisy Ridley explains the lore
Seamless World with Camps and Expeditions
A particularly large focus was placed on creating a dynamic and as open an environment as possible. In Monster Hunter Wilds, we will first enter a vast world where the different areas can be explored almost seamlessly. There will either be very few loading times, or they will be hidden behind sequences. It is designed to feel almost like an open world, a wilderness waiting to be explored.
Unlike previous entries in Monster Hunter, there will be no fixed location where all hunters gather, forge, and accept quests. Instead, there will be smaller settlements in each area that will serve as different points of interest. Additionally, it will be possible to set up your own camps at various locations, functioning similarly to your own space in previous villages.
There, you will have your equipment and item chest, and you can customize your camp as you wish. They also serve as fast travel and return points, and quests can be initiated from them. Unfortunately, just as quickly as you set them up, they can also be destroyed by monsters, so it’s wise to carefully consider where to place them.
Additionally, this new concept enables expeditions, where you can pursue a series of objectives. Furthermore, within the areas, you can start the appropriate quest at any time by attacking a roaming monster. During expeditions, you will be accompanied by your field expert and your Palico.
In addition to the almost seamless world, a new weather system will also be introduced, which both monsters and the environment will dynamically adapt to. With the “Scarcity” and “Abundance,” there will be two seasons for the first time that will change the areas not only visually but also substantively.
Between seasons, there will be what are known as weather events, during which a specific apex predator will be prowling in each environment, waiting to be hunted. Depending on the prevailing situation, both monsters and locals will behave differently, and different opponents may be encountered.
The journey continues on page 2 with the Saikrii, the dual-wielding system, and the focus mode.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
You have probably tried to print a document in black and white and encountered the message that your printer is out of color – while you actually wanted to print in black and white. There is a secret behind this in your printer that probably very few people know.
Disclaimer: The title image is a symbolic image and shows a random printer.
How does your printer work for the government? Many color laser printers or copiers add a so-called Machine Identification Code to your printed pages. This is a type of marking that allows your color printer to be identified.
The Machine Identification Code is printed onto the paper during the printing process using yellow ink. The color printer marking appears as small yellow dots that are about a tenth of a millimeter in size and almost invisible to the naked eye.
The system was developed in the 1980s in the USA to prevent the printing of counterfeit money, but it became known to the public only in 2004.
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If the code is read, various information can be obtained, such as the serial number of the device or the date and time of the printing process. This can help law enforcement agencies track the origin of leaked confidential documents.
In 2017, for example, whistleblower Reality Leigh Winner was caught by the FBI through the color printer marking while leaking confidential documents (via nytimes).
So if your printer struggles when printing a black-and-white document because it supposedly has too little color, it may be due to the Machine Identification Code. It is quite possible that your yellow ink has been used up by the small dots.
Does this have any consequences for you? Not really. Of course, the serial number of your printer and the date of printing can be determined from the color printer marking, but unless you are leaking confidential documents, this information probably has little relevance to your life.
However, critics raise concerns that the color printing marking intrudes into the user’s privacy since it can determine the owner of a printer and the date of printing.
Can you protect yourself from the marking? If you place a high value on your privacy and want to protect it while printing, there are various ways to do so. For example, you could print the entire page in yellow, but that would consume a lot of toner. Alternatively, there is software that anonymizes your printer by means of additional yellow dots.
In Path of Exile 2 players can build their character in any way they want, but one type known from MMORPGs is left out.
Who feels disadvantaged? In Path of Exile 2, creativity in building one’s character is largely unrestricted. Players can combine the skills of different classes and create a character according to their own ideas. The stronger they become, the more their fantasy of a powerful character is fulfilled.
However, those who want to play a tank like in MMORPGs or Souls-likes quickly hit their limits in PoE2.
Here you can watch the gameplay trailer for Path of Exile 2:
Start video
Path of Exile 2 shows new gameplay trailer for early access
Glass Cannons > Tanks
What’s the situation with tanks? Being a tank in Path of Exile 2 is possible. There are many different skills and uniques that provide defensive values and also shields that allow for blocking. This way, normal enemies and elite foes can hardly harm the characters.
However, it becomes problematic with the bosses in the game. They have certain abilities that can wipe out even the best tank in the ARPG in one hit. Moreover, a tank’s abilities are rather limited compared to characters that focus purely on offense and not on defense, so-called glass cannons.
Players who play a tank feel disadvantaged. On Reddit, they express their views. Initiating this is 0re0n, who wrote the post titled “Why is ‘breaking the game’ acceptable when done offensively, but not defensively?”
In it, he describes that there are builds that can take down bosses instantly, for which the developers actually designed fights to last 1 to 3 minutes. This bothers him because there is no tank in Path of Exile 2 that all bosses could simply not harm at all.
This destroys the fantasy of a steel warrior for him and he sees himself at a disadvantage regarding the possibilities of OP builds for tanks.
What does the community think? In the community, there are also many tanks who feel left alone. One of them is Ok-Basis-7274, who writes on Reddit: “This is a dream of mine. To build a warrior who is so tanky and so spiky that he moves slower through the maps but is much safer. Getting hit by a bullet as an overpowered sorc is fine, glass cannon is super fun. Being shot as a super tank is unplayable.”
Enevorah also voices their opinion on Reddit: “I think there just aren’t enough options right now. Defensive options are pretty damn limited at the moment compared to POE1. Armor is practically worthless. Blocking can be good if you invest a lot. Evasion is quite good, but you’re basically playing Russian roulette if it’s your only defensive layer. Then there’s energy shield, which is simply the obviously best choice right now. I would rather see them buff the weaker options than nerf the best ones, but they never do it that way, lol.”
Spendinit shares a similar view on Reddit: “I completely agree. My first ARPG was Diablo 3. In that game, I never dodged. I played it for years, came back a dozen times, etc. When I came to PoE and saw the boss fights, it was a rude awakening years ago. […]”
So far, not all classes and skills of Path of Exile 2 have been released, and further balance patches have already been announced. So it is quite possible that new features will arrive that improve tanking in the game. However, whether this will suffice for OP builds that no longer take damage remains uncertain. You can find a good build here: Path of Exile 2: Beginner build lets you freeze the battlefield as a sorcerer
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Destiny 2 there is currently a lull, but that is set to change in February. Bungie is working on new content for its latest episode, which will bring a new dungeon. Fans have already started to form some theories about the release.
What does Bungie have planned? In the latest blog post from Bungie, the developers provided new insights into the upcoming dungeon of Episode: Heresy. The dungeon is called Sundered Doctrine and is set to be released on February 7, bringing fans back to Rhulk’s pyramid ship, the pupil of the Witness.
Apart from the location and the new emblem awarded after completing the dungeon, not much is known about the upcoming activity, but fans still have ideas about what to expect.
Start video
Act III of Destiny 2: Revenant in the Trailer
Hive and the Return of Mercury?
What theories have been proposed? Bungie creates new emblems to correspond with new activities such as raids or dungeons, which are awarded upon completion of these activities. The developers have released this new emblem, and fans on Reddit have taken a closer look at the badge. Here it is again for quick reference:
This is what the emblem looks like
According to players, the dungeon will revolve around the Hive. The symbol on the left is supposed to represent a Hive worm, which Guardians often squeezed out of the aliens. However, what is also interesting is the background. It shows the Black Fleet with a giant pyramid ship in the foreground.
Fans have researched and found that this might be the ship on Mercury that corrupted the location during the Season of Arrival.
As of today, Guardians know nothing about the fate of Mercury, only that the planet was consumed by Darkness three years ago. Here’s a comparison so you can verify for yourself:
The covered sun, as well as the circular plains on the surface of Mercury match up
The similarity is astounding and leaves little doubt that Bungie might have used this location for part of the dungeon. Perhaps Guardians will start in Rhulk’s pyramid ship but can then use portals to reach other ships, including the one at Mercury.
Furthermore, Guardians believe that the Hive worm is trapped in some kind of amber, similar to the mosquito from Jurassic Park. Possibly Xivu Arath, the sister of Oryx and Savathun, is trying to get her hands on this because she is still on the run and being hunted by the Vanguard.
Another reason cannot be explained. Moreover, it is questionable what the Hive has to do on Mercury. During the collapse, the Vex converted the entire planet into a machine, thus claiming it for themselves. The Hive had never shown up there, and if they did, they would likely have fallen victim to the Vex in numbers. There must be a valid reason for them venturing into this territory.
The movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe like to hide details from the history of the comic label in the form of small Easter eggs. This has been the case since the first films. In the first part of Captain America, you can discover the first Marvel hero in history.
Who can be seen in Captain America: The First Avenger? In 2011, Captain America: The First Avenger was the 5th film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it was the first film featuring the titular hero.
For the first time, we see the past and the origin story of Steve Rogers. At the beginning of the film, before his transformation into a super-soldier, Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers are attending a show by Howard Stark, the future father of Tony.
Alongside a lot of new technology, you can discover the first superhero from the Marvel comics in a display case: Human Torch.
You can see a trailer for the film here:
Start video
German trailer for Captain America – The First Avenger (2011)
Not the Human Torch that we know today
What can you see in the display case? If you pause the film at about minute 11:30 (the Disney+ version), you can see a red suit in a display case. Above the case, the title reads The Synthetic Man. This suit is a reference to Human Torch, but not to Johnny Storm, whom you know from the Fantastic Four films.
This Human Torch, however, is Jim Hammond. He was an android developed by scientist Phineas T. Horton in the 616 universe. Like Captain America, he fought in World War II and helped the Allies. Hammond has the same abilities as Johnny Storm. He can ignite himself, create fire, and is immune to it.
Nowadays, Johnny Storm is the character that most people know as Human Torch. This is also due to the old TV series and especially the Fox films. In various comic stories, he had occasional appearances. For instance, he was one of the inspirations from which Ultron built Vision.
Chris Evans knows about Human Torch. An amusing coincidence (or possibly intentional) is that the Easter egg with the Human Torch appears in a Captain America film. Chris Evans played Johnny Storm in the first two Fantastic Four films by Fox before taking on the role of Steve Rogers. This also led to a funny joke in Deadpool and Wolverine, which only exists in the German version: Deadpool & Wolverine has a brilliant joke that only exists in the German version
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
It’s time for our MeinMMO format “MMORPG news in two minutes.” We summarize the most important news about the best genre in the world. Look forward toa modernized version of Blade and Soul, a lot of WoW, Aion Classic, ESO, and much more.
The Plunderstorm mode is making a comeback in WoW:
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WoW: Plunderstorm – this is how the battle royale mode works
Preview of ESO: “Fallen Banners” and Update 45
This happened in the major MMORPGs:
For the dungeon DLC “Fallen Banners” and Update 45 of The Elder Scrolls Online, the developers have released a first preview (via elderscrollsonline.com). If you want to check out the new content, you can do so on the public test server since a few days ago. In the official forum, studio head Matt Firor made it clear that the DLC will also be available for crowns (elderscrollsonline.com).
Once again ESO: The “Celebrations across Tamriel” will begin on Thursday, January 23, at 4 PM CET and run until Tuesday, February 4, at 4 PM CET. As part of the 10th-anniversary celebration of The Elder Scrolls Online, this game event allows you to earn a selection of bonus rewards while adventuring in Tamriel (via elderscrollsonline.com).
Thanks to the solo queue for rated battlegrounds, it has become easier for some players of World of Warcraft to achieve certain PvP successes. Others, however, are stuck in certain rating areas because randomly assigned teammates drag the team down.
On January 21, 2025, the first season of New World Aeternum will start. This week, the developers revealed details about the features. However, these were not well received in the community. Additionally, there was a deep dive into the new artifacts (via newworld.com) and a FAQ about the battle pass of the season of conquerors (via newworld.com).
Lost Ark will receive a new content patch next week, which will include the Kazeros raid “Brelshaza” Act 2, new karma and frontier systems, class 4 bracelets, and the start of the 3rd anniversary event (via playlostark.com).
On January 14, 2025, the Tibia Token was officially introduced in Tibia (via tibia.com).
With Blade & Soul Neo, a modernized version of the MMORPG from NCSoft will soon launch. You can pre-register for it or secure one of the pre-order versions on bladeandsoul.com. When exactly the Neo version will go live is still unclear.
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The MMORPG expert Raph Koster made a name for himself with Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies. His team has been working on the new project Stars Reach since 2019. Now there’s an exciting update on the development: A Kickstarter campaign for the game will start soon.
From now on, there will be a patch for the Early Access version of Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen once a week (via mmorpg.com). The first update is already live (via Steam).
With that, we have summarized the most important things that have recently happened in the world of MMORPGs.
Sony has halted the development of two service games for the PS5. According to industry insider Jason Schreier, one of the two projects was even based on a very popular brand.
Which brand is it? As Jason Schreier reveals in a post on Bluesky Social, one of the two titles was said to be a game with the “God of War” license.
However, the game was not being developed at Santa Monica Studios, which has been responsible for the “God of War” series so far, but at Bluepoint. This studio recently developed the remake of Demon’s Souls for the PS5.
The second canceled project was in the works at Bend Studio. This studio was behind the long-standing PS4 exclusive game Days Gone. What kind of setting the canceled game was supposed to have is not revealed in Schreier’s report for Bloomberg. What is certain, however, is that it was also supposed to become a service game.
Start video
God of War: Ragnarök – Ein Meisterwerk für PS4 und PS5 erscheint endlich auf Steam
No Studio Closures According to Sony
What does Sony say about this? A spokesperson for Sony has confirmed the cancellation of the projects according to Bloomberg. This decision was made “following a recent review.” Neither Bend nor Bluepoint are currently reported to be closing, and there has also been no mention of layoffs.
Bend and Bluepoint are extremely successful teams and valued members of the PlayStation Studios family. We work closely with each studio to determine what the next projects are.
How did the project stop come about? In recent years, Sony has increasingly focused on service games: that is, games that are continuously fed with new content to monetize them over an extended period. The plan has worked very well with Helldivers 2, but not at all with Concord.
While Helldivers 2 has managed to build a large and passionate community, Concord was taken offline just a few days after release. After this flop, Sony canceled several other projects that were already in development.
After the success of games like GTA Online and Destiny 2, it was actually Sony’s declared strategy to develop several high-profile live-service games. To this end, they even acquired Bungie. However, this strategy is now being critically questioned after Concord.
There are two credible reports that Corinne Busche is leaving BioWare. She was the Game Director for the role-playing game Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Further rumors that EA plans to close the BioWare Edmonton studio, however, seem to be unfounded.
Where does the rumor come from? The rumor comes from an “anti-woke” YouTube channel. In this particular subscene of gaming, Dragon Age: The Veilguard has already become a symbol of everything bad before its release.
The YouTube channel reports that Corinne Busche is leaving BioWare and that EA plans to announce the closure of the studio at the next investor conference in February.
How credible is the rumor? Renowned journalist Jeff Grubb reports, citing sources (via X):
Corinne Busche is indeed leaving BioWare
He does not believe that EA will close the studio – he was told that there is no truth to that part of the rumor
The site Eurogamer has also confirmed that Busche is leaving BioWare next week. It is also stated here that this is the only change at BioWare Edmonton. The studio will remain unchanged, contrary to other rumors.
Start video
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Unleashes the Dragon in Official Launch Trailer
Who is Corinne Busche? Busche has been leading the development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard since 2022 together with the Creative Director.
Before her work on the role-playing game, she was a designer at EA for 18 years and worked on games such as The Sims 3 and 4.
More woke than you think
Why is there such an uproar about The Veilguard? Dragon Age: The Veilguard has become part of the culture wars in the USA for various reasons.
Even before the release, in September 2024, influencers were outraged that there was an option in character creation to display surgical scars on the chest. This allowed players to signal that their character underwent gender reassignment surgery and had breasts removed.
It was criticized that such “real-life ideas” have no place in a fantasy world. Surely, everything could be done with magic.
When Dragon Age: The Veilguard was released, “overly woke” dialogues were criticized.
Apart from legitimate criticism of the game, especially from disappointed fans of earlier parts of the series, Dragon Age: The Veilguard came under constant fire from exactly those influencers who are now joyfully celebrating the new rumor. For them, Corinne Busche’s departure and the alleged closure of BioWare Edmonton is a cause for celebration. But apparently, only the first part of the news is true.
Apple has long gone against the tide in the tech market and has relied on its proprietary Lightning cables for years, while the competition primarily relied on Micro-USB and later USB-C. Now an expert has discovered that Apple’s USB-C cables pose a security risk.
Disclaimer: The cover image is a symbolic image
What is the problem with the cables? Security researcher Thomas Roth presented at the Chaos Communications Congress in Hamburg that it is possible to hack the USB-C controller of the iPhone 15 and 16.
The Chaos Communications Congress is a multi-day meeting of the “hacker scene” that takes place annually.
Roth demonstrated that he successfully managed to extract the firmware of the iPhones via Apple’s USB-C controller. While this alone does not enable cyber attacks, it lays the groundwork for analyzing the code, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and exploiting them through malware.
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What does this mean for you? Initially, Roth told Forbes that his findings have no real impact on Android smartphones.
Furthermore, there are currently no threats to iPhones or other Apple devices arising from Roth’s recent findings. So, no additional protective measures are currently required.
If you still want to protect yourself from threats in the future, you should avoid using unknown charging stations, for example, at airports or train stations.
What does Apple say about Roth’s findings? According to Forbes, Roth reported his findings to Apple. The company then told him that they recognize the complexity of his attack and therefore do not see it as a threat.
The fresh Anniversary servers in WoW Classic recently received their first battlegrounds with Warsong Gulch and Alterac Valley. When players signed up for it, a bug allowed them to gain an unfair advantage.
What was that bug? When players on the Anniversary servers signed up for the battleground “Alterac Valley,” they were mistakenly matched with players from the SoD servers. As a result, they found themselves in a completely different version of WoW Classic.
In the battleground, players from the Anniversary servers could purchase the useful item “Chrono-Boost Transmuter” (via wowhead.com) for just 20 silver, while the item costs 10 gold in their actual version. Some players promptly exploited this and bought massive amounts of it (via Reddit).
With this item, players can store extremely powerful world buffs and deploy them at a later, suitable time. This approach is particularly favored by raiders, as the buffs also work in raids, making things much easier.
Start video
3 absurde Bugs, die in WoW passiert sind
An unfair advantage
Why is this a problem? The bug brought two problems: on one hand, Anniversary players could acquire unfair world buffs from the SoD servers. Because on the season servers, there are items that distribute certain world buffs to all players in the raid.
This way, players from the Anniversary servers could store the world buffs in their Chrono-Boost Transmuters if they had someone from a SoD server in their group who utilized one of these items. This allowed raiders on the fresh servers to gain advantages in raids that should not have been available yet (via Reddit).
On the other hand, the enhancers are not soulbound. This means that whoever sells them for 20 silver can resell them in the auction house with a large profit margin. Because the item actually costs 10 gold on the Anniversary servers.
Players fear that the items purchased in bulk due to the bug would lead to disruptions in the economy on the Anniversary servers (via Reddit). Some players could easily turn 20 silver into 5 gold.
In the meantime, Blizzard has intervened and removed the bug (via WoW forums). In the meantime, the battlegrounds on the Anniversary servers were temporarily disabled. The items purchased through the bug have also been deactivated so that players can no longer use them.
The last season of 7 vs. Wild was filmed in secret, and now the series founder Fritz Meinecke is disappearing for 4 weeks on vacation, raising speculation.
What kind of vacation is this? The “7 vs. Wild” founding father Fritz Meinecke recently mentioned in his stream on Twitch that he still needs to plan his trip to Hawaii. He wants to explore the tropical island by bicycle for four weeks without making videos.
He doesn’t want to completely disappear from the public eye during his vacation and will occasionally post Instagram stories. In the stream, he says he still needs to plan details like accommodations and transfers between the islands. While this may sound like a normal vacation to some, it raises suspicions among the fans of 7 vs. Wild.
Over the years, Jens “Knossi” Knossalla has become the favorite of the “7 vs. Wild” viewers; you can learn more about him here:
Start video
From the Witness Stand with Barbara Salesch to the King of Twitch – Career and Life of Knossi
Vacation or filming of 7 vs. Wild?
What does this have to do with 7 vs. Wild? Last year, the creators of the series filmed season 7 vs. Wild in secret, away from the public eye. It wasn’t until the participants simultaneously logged off for several weeks that viewers became skeptical.
Fans find it strange that Fritz Meinecke, as a content creator, would go on vacation to Hawaii for four weeks just to ride a bicycle.
Since there are expected to be no videos made during the four weeks, and Meinecke plans to only occasionally post on Instagram, viewers on Reddit conclude that this could already be the filming of season 5 of 7 vs. Wild.
What could the season look like? Season 2 of 7 vs. Wild already brought the contestants to a deserted island where they had to endure for 7 days. The tropical island of Hawaii consists not only of the main island Oahu, which is also home to the capital Honolulu, but also of the surrounding islands, some of which are still relatively untouched.
A shipwreck scenario like in Robinson Crusoe or being dropped in the woods or jungle of one of the islands could be plausible. For the second scenario, there is a specific example with the case of the yoga teacher Amanda Eller.
The U.S. expatriate went off the trail during a hike on the island of Maui, got lost, and was only found alive 17 days later. The rescue was made possible because her family chartered a helicopter to search for her.
In season 4 of 7 vs. Wild, there was already a predetermined scenario in the form of a plane crash that was inspired by true events. That Fritz Meinecke wants to occasionally check in could again indicate a role as an organizational member.
How realistic is all this? That season 5 of 7 vs. Wild will be filmed soon in Hawaii is conceivable but probably unrealistic. Series founder Fritz Meinecke would hardly drop such hints about the shooting location in a stream if it were really happening there.
Getting filming permits on the famous Hawaiian islands and ensuring that no tourist wanders into the filming area does not sound easy either. Ensuring a rescue chain on the islands also seems challenging.
In EA FC 25, a major Title Update has been released. The changes could lead to significantly more goals, especially in offense. A well-known streamer from the USA also experienced this. On MeinMMO, you can learn about his first impressions and read about the most important innovations.
What kind of update is this? The latest update has been dubbed “Gameplay Refresh” by EA. The developer company refers to this update as the most comprehensive gameplay overhaul ever made mid-season.
The changes primarily affect 5 aspects:
Core elements of gameplay such as passing, shooting, defending, and goalkeeping have been improved.
Smoother offensive play with easier ball control.
Issue resolved where strikers were too often caught up by slower defenders.
Tacklebacks (bouncebacks) and AI defense have been weakened.
The player search for Rush has been revised.
When does the update come out? The patch is now available for download. On the PlayStation 5, it has a size of 1.39 GB. You can expect a similar size on all other platforms.
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Start video
EA FC 25 trailer shows new features for Ultimate Team
Streamer shows strong shots on goal and fast strikers
What are the key changes? The decisive innovations can be found in offense.
First, shots on goal from inside the penalty area have been significantly improved. In promising positions, your strikers, provided they have strong shooting stats, are very reliable in their finishes. It doesn’t matter what type of shots you choose when finishing.
Second, players with high acceleration and speed values can finally showcase their strength again. Too often, attackers who had much more speed than the defender were caught up by the defenders.
This is now over. Players who can gain an advantage through their higher speed will now be caught up by defenders much more slowly.
Which streamer tested the update? The American streamer and content creator “nickrtfm” assured himself of the promises made by the Gameplay Refresh update. At the launch of FC 25, he was very critical of the gameplay mechanics.
Now, after the patch, he clearly had more fun with the gameplay in Division Rivals and in the qualification for the Weekend League, even mentioning a feeling that he was suddenly playing a different EA FC part after the patch.
In line with this, he titled his test video of the new patch “Bye Bye FC 25, Hello FC 25.5”. In the video, you can get an impression of the offensive changes from the new update based on the numerous goals scored by the streamer:
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As it is a very extensive update, we will summarize the most important changes for you below. You can find all the new details in this Trello for the Gameplay Refresh Update from EA Sports.
Gameplay
Improved positioning and support of AI teammates during attacks
Better timing for runs near the offside line.
Effectiveness of player roles (particularly Target Man and Center Forward) increased.
Better teamwork and smarter coordination among individual offensive players.
The occurrence of tacklebacks (successful tackles where the striker still retained ball possession) has been reduced
Especially for players with the Defensive PlayStyle Anticipation.
The quality of tackles from defenders has generally been increased.
Goalkeeper saves on shots from sharp angles (at the near post) have been improved.
The speed and accuracy of ground passes have been increased.
The effectiveness of through balls with semi-assistance has been greatly increased.
The effectiveness of directly laid high through balls has been greatly reduced.
The accuracy of header passes in contested situations has been reduced.
Various issues with passes regarding pass power and recipients have been revised.
AI defense weakened
AI defenders maintain more distance when covering players and shots.
AI defenders intercept fewer balls.
Counter-protection after corners has been increased.
Defensive awareness for the player role Wing/Balance has been increased.
Full-backs in the Falseback role return to their position faster.
Searching for player items is now adapted to the corresponding requirements for Rush bonus points, meaning that when requiring players from a league or nation, you will receive 5 suitable options from your club.
Ultimate Team
Navigation errors (control only possible to the left) in the club and in SBCs have been fixed.
Career Mode
Bug where the AI goalkeeper sent the ball out of play has been resolved.
Errors in the implementation of certain tactics and player roles have been addressed.
Display errors in Manager Career have been fixed.
Clubs
Bug where the player received restrictions due to height has been fixed.
Now you have a glance at the most important changes in the latest update. It seems that players can look forward to many goal-rich matches for Team of the Year. You can also read all the information about the start and duration of the TOTY in EA FC 25 on MeinMMO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
GameStar editor and Twitch streamer Maurice Weber has already been able to extensively test Sid Meier’s Civilization 7. In a video on YouTube, he reveals his insights after 20 hours.
Disclaimer: Maurice is part of the Webedia network, which also includes MeinMMO, GameStar, and GamePro.
The faction change in the game is one of the biggest innovations, but not the only one. You can find out more from Maurice himself in detail in the video:
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What else does Civilization 7 do differently? Those who have been annoyed by constantly moving builders across the map will be relieved – the builders are completely gone. Now, as your city grows, you place the new population directly on a tile where they build a land improvement. However, the puzzle factor when placing districts does not disappear.
Additionally, new cities initially start as communities. These convert all their production into gold, but produce nothing themselves. Later, you can specialize them to supply a nearby city with food. It can definitely be worthwhile not to upgrade every community into a city.
How does progression work? Civilization 7 only has three eras: Ancient, Exploration, and Modern. Each era has its own goals that you can achieve along different paths.
At the beginning of a new era, several things are reset:
Cities become communities
You lose part of your army and your policy cards
A large portion of ancient buildings loses effectiveness
When changing eras, you also choose a new civilization. However, you cannot choose it completely freely like in Humankind, but it must match either the leader or your previous civilization – these two are separate, by the way. Alternatively, you can unlock civilizations if you possess a certain resource.
The conclusion from Maurice Weber as a Civilization fan can be found in the video. There are now plenty of alternatives – recently, two new competitors appeared: Ara: History Untold and Millenia. But both games have the problem of turning into too much work.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Baldur’s Gate 3 there is a wide selection of armor. Since we want to make your choice easier, we will show you the best armor for beginners that you can already obtain early in Act 1.
Update from 01/17/2025: We have reviewed the article and expanded it with more accurate information about the locations of the armor pieces. We also refer to a tip on how to access one of these armor pieces more easily.
This guide is intended to help you get started with the epic adventure of Baldur’s Gate 3 by introducing you to the best armor options for beginners that you can acquire early in the first act of the game.
These armor pieces will provide you with a significant advantage and are therefore a wise choice to start your journey. Some of the mentioned armor pieces can even be used all the way into Act 3.
The armor options in this game offer a wide range of properties and bonuses. Some of them even allow you to use useful tricks to expand your tactical abilities in combat.
With this, you are well-equipped for the challenges that await you in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Warning Spoiler: This article contains spoilers from Act 1.
Best Armor in the Early Game
Below we present the best armor for beginners that you can obtain early in the first act of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Gloves of Power
What can the armor do? The Gloves of Power grant the wearer +1 to Dexterity. On a melee hit, you may impose a -1d4 penalty on the opponent’s attack and saving throws.
It is best to give these gloves to a melee fighter in the group.
Where can I find the Gloves of Power? You can obtain these powerful gloves right at the beginning of Act 1. Outside the gates of the Emerald Grove, you will face a fierce battle against a group of goblins, from which you can loot the Gloves of Power.
Note: The item can only be used by you if you have the Mark of the Absolute burned onto you by Priestess Gutt in the goblin camp.
What can the armor do? When you wear the Deformed Headband of Intelligence, the wearer receives an Intelligence value of 17. Give the headband to someone who could benefit from it. If your character already has 17 Intelligence or more, the headband has no effect. And be careful, if the headband is removed, the Intelligence will return to its original value.
The headband is particularly useful if you don’t have a wizard in your group. This way you can more easily succeed in Intelligence checks.
Where can I find the Deformed Headband of Intelligence? You have two options to obtain the Deformed Headband of Intelligence: Either you fight the hidden ogre gang in the ruined village and loot the headband, or you can pay them to assist you in battle. Later, you still have the option to eliminate them. It is worn by the smartest of the three ogres.
Smuggler’s Ring
What can the armor do? This ring gives the wearer +2 to Stealth and +2 to Dexterity.
The ring is ideal for a Dexterity character like Astarion. When stealing, the Smuggler’s Ring will definitely help you.
If you want to steal something, just equip the ring. After that, you can take it off and wear a better ring for combat.
Where can I find the Smuggler’s Ring? You can find the Smuggler’s Ring east of the waypoint “Waukeen’s Rest” on Stairway Road. Just walk along the river, near the coordinates X:57, Y:514. You can then retrieve the ring from the remains of a skeleton.
Helmet of Haste
What can the armor do? The wearer gains “Haste” for three turns at the start of combat, allowing them to move 1.5 meters further. This helmet can also be well combined with the Harvester’s Ring to benefit even more from mobility in combat. We will explain where to find the ring in the course of the article.
The helmet and Harvester’s Ring are best suited for a melee fighter like Karlach, Minthara, or Lae’zel.
How do I get the Helmet of Haste? Very close to the waypoint “Ruined Village” there is a locked chest that you can open. Inside this chest, you will find the Helmet of Haste, one of the best armor pieces you can obtain early in the game.
Gloves of Archery
What can the armor do? These gloves allow the wearer to use longbows and shortbows, adding +2 additional damage to all ranged attacks – which is quite powerful.
These gloves are perfect for rangers or a ranged rogue.
Where can I find the Gloves of Archery? You can obtain the gloves right at the start of the game by going to the goblin camp and speaking with the merchant Grat at the entrance. He will offer you the chance to purchase the gloves.
Harvester’s Ring
What can the armor do? The ring gives you +3 meters of movement speed, which is very practical for melee fighters and makes you more mobile in combat.
Where can I find the Harvester’s Ring? In the goblin camp, you will encounter a goblin named Harvester – right next to the waypoint. Kill the goblin so he drops his ring. However, Harvester surrenders right in the middle of the fight.
You can then kill him directly, but doing so will make part of the goblin camp hostile. Instead, you can simply follow him and take down Harvester in a quiet place.
Gloves of the Grumbling Loser
What can the armor do? The Gloves of the Grumbling Loser are among the best early armor pieces for melee fighters. They grant the wearer +1 to Strength saving throws. What makes them particularly powerful is the following effect:
The wearer has an advantage on melee attack rolls when surrounded by 2 or more opponents.
If you give the gloves to a melee fighter, you can charge into the fray with advantages right away. Especially a surrounded fighter or barbarian can benefit from these advantages.
Where can I find the Gloves of the Grumbling Loser? You can also find these gloves inside the goblin camp. Pass by Dror Ragzlin, the leader (far left against the wall, up the stairs), and reach a treasure chamber. To obtain the gloves, you need to successfully pick the lock of the treasure chamber.
Here are 5 helpful tips to make your life easier in Baldur’s Gate 3:
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5 helpful tips for Baldur’s Gate 3
Amulet of Misty Step
What can the armor do? First of all: The Amulet of Misty Step is one of the best armor pieces in Baldur’s Gate 3. Misty Step is simply a super powerful and practical spell that is suitable for everyone.
With Misty Step, you can teleport to any location in sight, allowing you to gain a height advantage in combat, escape your opponents more easily, or quickly close the distance to them.
Where can I find the Amulet of Misty Step? The Amulet of Misty Step is located in the western area inside the goblin camp. To get there, you must pass through a locked door. You can either pick the lock or obtain the key from Priestess Gutt.
If you successfully pick the lock, you will encounter an ogre lady that must be defeated. Afterwards, you can loot the amulet from a treasure chest.
Gloves of Thievery
What can the armor do? The Gloves of Thievery give the wearer an advantage on Dexterity rolls, which is quite handy. So if you want to steal something or pick a lock, you can simply put on the gloves – you then receive an advantage on your roll.
Where can I find the Gloves of Thievery? You can purchase the Gloves of Thievery at the Zhentarim hideout from the merchant after successfully completing the quest “Find the Lost Delivery”.
To do this, you must return the lost delivery unopened to the Zhentarim hideout, which can also earn you a powerful crossbow. Afterwards, you will have access to better items at the merchant, including the Gloves of Thievery.
Ring of Protection
What can the armor do? The Ring of Protection is very strong and is one of your best armor options for the beginning of the game. You receive +1 to your Armor Class and +1 to saving throws from the ring.
How do I get the Ring of Protection? To obtain the Ring of Protection, you need to steal the Idol of Sylvanus, which is located at coordinates X: 252, Y: 517 in the Emerald Grove – specifically in the sacred basin of the Emerald Grove.
However, note that the druids will be hostile towards you and behave aggressively towards tieflings if you steal the idol without precautions.
A trick you can use: Place a crate next to the idol, so that the crate can still be opened. Then use the spell “Fog Cloud” on the idol.
This way, you can place the idol unnoticed into the crate, pick up the crate, and teleport to your camp. It is advisable to save before attempting (F5), so that you can reload in case it doesn’t work on the first try.
Bracers of Defense
What can the armor do? With the Bracers of Defense, the wearer receives a +2 bonus to Armor Class, as long as they are not wearing armor or wielding a shield.
These bracers are suitable for barbarians, monks, mages, sorcerers, and warlocks. In short: All classes that wear clothing (no armor) and do not have a shield equipped benefit from this bonus.
How do I get the Bracers of Defense? Go to the second building on the left side in the ruined village – the apothecary house. On a counter, there is a book with the quest “Search the Basement”.
Behind this counter, you will discover a basement hatch that leads you to an underground adventure. Once in the basement, you will find the rusty key in a corner of the westernmost room of the lab, behind three wooden crates. After a keen look (Perception check), you will discover a lever that leads you to the next secret room.
Engage in a conversation with the talking magical mirror and try to outsmart it. In another article about the necromancer book of Thay, which is also behind the mirror, we explain what words the mirror wants to hear from you. Then use the rusty key to open the locked gate.
Be careful! Then disable the numerous traps. Finally, grab the Bracers of Defense from a chest. In this room, you will also find the aforementioned necromancer book.
Best Armor for Beginners – Outlook: These items form a solid foundation to successfully start your adventure in Baldur’s Gate 3.
The choice of suitable armor heavily depends on your character and preferred playstyle. It is worthwhile to try out different items to find out which fits your heroes best.
Later in Act 1, you will encounter even more powerful items. However, these armor options are a good choice to support you at the beginning.
In an interview with Shuhei Yoshida, a former head of PlayStation Studios, the topic of remakes and remasters for next-gen consoles and PC comes up. Yoshida explains why the relevance of these remakes causes such a big misunderstanding.
What does Yoshida say about PS5 remasters? In a YouTube interview published by Kinda Funny Games with industry veteran Shuhei Yoshida, the question arises about the biggest misunderstandings players (both fans and critics) have regarding game development.
Yoshida mentions that the biggest criticism is likely the development of too many remasters instead of tackling new projects. He understands the point but simultaneously provides an answer that explains players’ criticism more as a misunderstanding.
Astro Bot from Sony is not a remake but features familiar characters from various PlayStation games:
Start video
The new trailer for Astro Bot shows many old acquaintances from PlayStation in a crazy platformer
Remasters as a financial means to an end
What is the misunderstanding? Yoshida explains that players probably assume that remakes are wasted resources that are consequently lacking in the development of new games. This is, however, not the case, as the former head explains:
Remakes and remasters are often taken over by completely new teams. Especially when it comes to revisions for PC versions, new experts are needed. Thus, no resources of the original team are sacrificed.
Why are there so many remasters? Developing large single-player blockbusters is expensive, as Yoshida notes. He adds that remasters are significantly cheaper to develop than new games. They create new revenue streams to finance these big projects.
Especially with the inclusion of PC players, a potentially massive amount of new players is brought in, thus providing another source of income.
For this reason, remasters and remakes are a prerequisite if fans want new PS5 single-player games. These said fans react on social media.
Your own group is an important part of the feeling in Baldur’s Gate 3. One of the first companions you can meet is Shadowheart, whom you can play as a cleric. This guide explains which spells are best for the cleric.
Update, January 17, 2025: The article has been reviewed and is up to date.
Who is Shadowheart? Shadowheart is a half-elf and cleric. At the beginning of the game, you will find her on the illithid ship. You can see how to free her right at the start in our colleagues’ article at GameStar.
Clerics are not only good healers; they can also be good tanks, support, or deal a decent amount of damage. Overall, they are a true all-round talent and are worth having in any group.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Reset Character and Choose New Class
Best Support Cleric Build – Subclass: Domain of Life
The Domain of Life is a good fit for Shadowheart if you need a strong healing force by your side. For this, you need to reskill Shadowheart, who starts in the Trickery Domain, at Lazarus (Withers). As a cleric of the Domain of Life, you can heal and support your group like no other class in Baldur’s Gate 3, which is why this build focuses on that.
Wisdom is your most important attribute. This is how you allocate your attribute points:
The good thing is: As a cleric, you can swap your spells before every fight. This means you don’t have a fixed loadout but can adjust your spells flexibly depending on the situation. You can always change your spells and try out what works best for you.
Healing Word, Inflict Wounds, Guiding Bolt, Shield of Faith, Bane
This is a good mix of healing and defensive abilities that are already established. With Guiding Bolt and Inflict Wounds, Shadowheart also has options to deal damage.
Loadout at Level 2
You swap out Shield of Faith for Command
Command is quite strong, as it allows you to force an enemy to drop their weapons. With this, you can even grab the weapon yourself. You can also make enemies flee, for example – giving you tactical options. One of the best swords in Act 1 can be obtained by using Command.
Loadout at Level 3
Here you simply add Spiritual Weapon to your previous loadout, also Prayer of Healing, Hold Person, or Warding Bond can be useful depending on the situation
With Spiritual Weapon, you can conjure a floating weapon (as a bonus action) that assists you in combat. You can choose from various weapons. All weapons deal force damage, and each has its own special attack.
The weapon acts independently of the cleric. It has its own movement rate, action, and bonus action. The weapon supports you for a full 10 turns after you summon it. This is not a concentration spell.
The spell Warding Bond grants resistances, +1 to AC and saving throws. You bond with an ally. But at the same time, Shadowheart takes the same damage as the bonded target. You should keep an eye on this; in combat, it can happen that you quickly lose track, and suddenly Shadowheart dies.
Loadout at Level 4
If you haven’t equipped Hold Person yet, you can do it here; otherwise, Silence is worth it
With the talent Ability Score Increase, you increase your Wisdom by +2
Hold Person works very well in combination with melee characters in your party. The target must be humanoid. If the spell succeeds, the target cannot move, take actions, or reactions. The best part is: All melee attacks always critically hit the restrained target, allowing you to deal immense damage.
Loadout at Level 5
Silence or Hold Person
Loadout at Level 6
At this level, we recommend Spirit Guardians as the next spell; also Break Curse and Mass Healing Word can be worthwhile
Spirit Guardians is a concentration spell. You summon spirits that protect you in the form of an aura. Enemies who stay nearby take radiant or necrotic damage per round, depending on which type of damage you choose. Additionally, their movement rate is halved within the aura. As a cleric, you can essentially run into your opponents and deal significant damage.
Loadout at Level 7
Banishment is the best new spell here
The opposing target is banished. This means they cannot do anything for two turns, but you cannot deal damage to them either. This is very useful against strong opponents, as you can cast other spells or buffs for the team during that time.
Loadout at Level 8
Freedom of Movement
With the talent Ability Score Increase, you increase your Wisdom by +2
This spell gives you the ability to allow the target to move across difficult terrain and similar obstacles. If an ally is paralyzed, Freedom of Movement can free them from that effect. Additionally, the target cannot be magically paralyzed or restrained.
Loadout at Level 9
Insect Plague and Flame Strike
Swarm of locusts attacks everyone in a certain area. There is a disadvantage on perception checks in the area. Flame Strike is a powerful fire spell.
Loadout at Level 10
At Level 10, Planar Binding is worth it
Planar Binding can be cast on a creature that is to fight for you on the battlefield. However, the target must be a celestial, fey, elemental, or fiend.
Loadout at Level 11
Healing and Planar Ally are also worth it
With Healing, you can heal someone, remove blindness, and alleviate any disease. With Planar Ally, you can summon an otherworldly being to assist you until the next long rest. You can even summon a Deva.
Loadout at Level 12
Add Hero’s Feast or Blade Barrier to your loadout
As a talent, choose Resilient for Constitution
With Hero’s Feast, you gain strong buffs. You can no longer be sick, frightened, or poisoned. Life is increased, and you have advantage on Wisdom checks. With Blade Barrier, you create a barrier that deals damage to anyone who approaches.
You don’t have to follow this build to make Shadowheart a good companion. If you don’t like certain spells or if other spells fit better in the team, change them and try new things. Baldur’s Gate 3 offers countless possibilities for development. If you need help with other aspects of Baldur’s Gate 3, check our list: Baldur’s Gate 3: All guides, builds, and tips for the role-playing game
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Path of Exile 2 is now known what is really in Update 0.1.1. The exact patch notes result in over 350 changes to the game. Here you get an overview.
Update: We have updated this article on January 17, 2025, at 12:05 PM and exchanged the English patch notes against the official German patch notes.
When is the patch coming? The update 0.1.1 for Path of Exile 2 goes live on January 16, 2025, around 10:00 PM. On PC, it is approximately 9.7 GB. The servers will restart during this period, which is expected to take about 15 minutes (via pathofexile.com). You must update PoE2 before the changes take effect.
The maintenance for Path of Exile 2 usually does not last long. This time, the patch notes are again very extensive.
Currently, only the English patch notes are available on the official site. If the German version becomes available, we will update the list.
[toc]
Here you can see the intro of Path of Exile 2:
Start video
Path of Exile 2: The Cinematic Intro of the Greatest Diablo Competitor
However, the patch notes now provide insight into the extent to which the changes will affect the game. Especially the endgame of the game is strongly affected this time. There are several new tower maps, and the already existing tower map has been fundamentally revised.
With the boss “Arbiter of Ash,” or in English “Arbiter of Ash,” you will have six attempts in the boss fight from the patch instead of just one. This is also expected to affect other bosses of the same strength later. The boss itself will also undergo some changes.
Furthermore, the maps of Path of Exile 2 have been changed to make them more unique. For example, one map is supposed to be paved with strongboxes, while another has none but offers many more monsters than usual.
The league mechanics have been adjusted with the patch so that the loot from all game modes should be roughly equal. Previously, many players primarily played the Breach league mechanics because it provided the most loot, as also demonstrated by a player on PS5.
The superheroes from the anime My Hero Academia have individual talents, also known as quirks. A little girl has now discovered one of the characters and found a big commonality with him.
What do the girl and the character have in common? In a store, a little girl discovers a plush toy from the anime My Hero Academia. The stuffed toy of the character Shoto Todoroki particularly appeals to her, as he has a mark on his face just like the girl.
The little one, who can be seen in the TikTok video of her mother lastflashqueen, has had a rather large birthmark over the right side of her face since birth. That’s why she is happy that there is someone else who shares this external characteristic with her.
However, what one should better not tell the little girl: Shoto’s facial mark was not present at birth. It is a burn scar that his own mother inflicted on him when she poured hot water on his face.
But either way, it is sweet how the little girl is happy to have finally found someone who is “like she is”.
Check out a trailer for the anime movie here:
Start video
My Hero Academia: You’re Next – The Official Trailer for the Anime Movie
Mangaka and voice actors take notice of the girl
What do the mangaka and the voice actor have to do with it? Yuki Kaji, the Japanese voice actor of Shoto, responds on X to the video of the little girl. He writes that Kohei Horikoshi, the mangaka of My Hero Academia, showed him the video of the girl.
He writes from the character’s perspective and says that he has had a difficult past. However, this past still has the potential to save someone. There is a type of hero that can only be Shoto.
With this, he means that Shoto’s sad story can make life easier for others and cheer them up. With the smiling emoji at the end of his message, he shows how happy he is for the girl.
Why is Shoto’s past so sad? Shoto was only given the burn scar because his mother was angry with his father Enji. Shoto was born with two hair colors that split in two halves. One half resembles his father, the other his mother.
However, since the father was so intent on training Shoto to be the strongest hero, he and his mother often argued. This led to violent confrontations with the mother, who suffered mental damage because of it.
This led her to hate Enji so much that she burned Shoto’s side. The boy had to go through a lot in his past, but it is precisely his scar that can bring the little girl much joy.
