One of the most important eSports teams in the USA is 100 Thieves. They even surprisingly became champions in the LCS in 2021 in League of Legends. But now they are stuck in a PR nightmare after one of their managers spoke a bit too casually about the team’s future in LoL.
This is the situation: The league for LoL is being restructured in the USA. The US league LCS will no longer exist in 2025, and a new league is being formed that will also include teams from South America.
The 100 Thieves have a special role in this league: they will participate in 2025, but only have a “provisional guest spot.”
This is all very vague, but in a statement from Riot, it sounded like 100 Thieves would only be in the league for one more year and then exit the LoL eSports scene. The slot is probably already sold back to Riot, and the 100 Thieves are just borrowing the spot for 2025.
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LoL abolishes the LCS!
Manager talks himself into trouble
This statement has now brought them trouble: The whole situation was poorly communicated, 100 Thieves is silent on the subject, only the statement from Riot Games was in the air. The fans of the team wanted clear answers now. In the subreddit of the team, the Vice President of eSports, Maelk, spoke with the fans in a Q&A session to clarify things, and it could hardly have gone worse:
I think if you focus on LoL, and only on LoL, and your priority lies in dedicating your time and energy as a fan to a team that has the highest probability of being connected to League of Legends for a lifetime, then I would recommend you put your trust in C9 and Team Liquid.
We are so much more as a brand than just a single title, and I believe most fans are missing out when they only rally behind one game.
How is this being commented on?? Essentially, a LoL team is telling LoL fans that 100 Thieves is much bigger than LoL itself. And fans should see what cool things the team is doing beyond that.
This is roughly akin to FC Bayern saying they are now exiting football, but they still offer ice hockey and basketball. Football fans could also check that out, otherwise they would miss something.
Those really into this football thing could become fans of Dortmund or Leverkusen.
This was the reaction: Angry comments popped up on Twitter and Reddit, expressing outrage over the lack of “commitment to eSports” and frustration over the statement.
A mega fan of 100 Thieves thanked for the biggest “fuck you” in the face (via x).
What happened next? Maelk has since apologized for his response. He said he had been wearing blinders. He grew up with football in Europe, takes fan culture very seriously, and would never push a fan aside like that.
Other managers from the leadership team of 100 Thieves rushed to add that nothing is decided yet. They could also envision continuing to play in League of Legends in 2026. They hope to find a long-term solution with Riot Games.
Today, on November 7, 2024, is the official release of the PS5 Pro. MeinMMO explains what you need to know at the launch of the new console.
What is the PS5 Pro?
The PS5 is on paper an upgrade of the normal PS5 console. The appearance is more or less identical, but you get more performance. Especially the graphics chip (GPU) is significantly faster.
The PS5 Pro is a purely digital console at release, like the PS5 Digital Edition: This means there is no drive built in. You have to buy that separately.
When does the PS5 Pro come out?
The PS5 Pro officially releases on November 7, 2024.
How much does the PS5 Pro cost?
The PS5 Pro costs 799.99 euros at release, including taxes. If you want a stand or a drive, you have to pay extra.
Can you already buy the PS5 Pro?
Yes, you can pre-order and buy the PS5 Pro in several shops already. Today, on release day, the console will be delivered to you at best. In retail, you can buy the console today and take it with you immediately at best.
Which accessories are compatible?
The stand and the drive of the Slim series are compatible with the PS5 Pro. Also PSVR2 and other accessories like official PS5 series headsets. Not compatible are the colored side panels that you could purchase for the PS5 Slim series. This is simply because the PS5 Pro looks different, and therefore the side plates do not fit.
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Sony releases the official reveal trailer for the PS5 Pro
PS5 Pro or PS5, which console is better for me?
Which games can I use on the PS5 Pro? Basically, you can use all PS4 and PS5 games that you were able to play on the normal PS5. About 60 games carry the title “PS5 Pro Enhanced”, meaning these games benefit from the advantages of the PS5 Pro. All other titles are playable but do not look better.
If you are already equipped with a 4K or 8K setup and want to make the most out of your setup and your PS5, then you might consider upgrading to the PS5 Pro.
If money is no object for you and the PS5 is your main platform, then the PS5 Pro is also the best choice for you.
If stable 60 FPS is an absolute must for you and you do not want to game with less.
The PS5 Pro has these disadvantages:
If you only want to play current titles and are fine with 30 FPS or occasionally 60 FPS, then the normal PS5 or PS5 Slim is completely sufficient. Because its performance is still enough for all titles that are released for the PS5.
If you just want to play, do not want to worry about settings and do not want to upgrade for the next four or five years, then the normal PS5 is still the best choice.
If you are looking for a straightforward and accessible gaming experience, then the PS5 is still a very good console.
The PS5 Pro has been officially introduced, but the price is causing a lot of discussion. Is it worth buying the PS5 Pro at all if it costs 800 euros? MeinMMO presents the differences and similarities in detail and explains which device might be worth it for which player: PS5 Pro or gaming PC: What should you buy for 800 euros?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Little species poses such a great threat to the world of Warhammer 40,000 as the Orks – at least that is what scholars claim. MeinMMO explains where these strange beings actually come from and why they are so dangerous.
That the world still exists is partly due to the fact that the powers are fighting among themselves. However, scholars of the Imperium of Man agree on one species: If they united, they would have large parts of the galaxy under control.
The Orks pose an enormous threat to humans, Aeldari, and pretty much everything else in the universe. The only reason they haven’t already waged war across the entire world is that they are too busy brawling with each other.
However, behind these brutal green skins lies much more than just bloodthirsty monsters who want to chop everything and everyone to pieces. Orks have quite an interesting history.
In Warhammer 40.000: Speed Freeks orks fight each other with armed vehicles
Half beast, half fungus, full pound to the mouth
The biggest difference from all other species in Warhammer 40,000 is that Orks (or more precisely: Orkoids) are not actual individuals. Orks consist of an animal part and a fungus, both of which exist in a symbiosis with each other:
The animal part of the Orks accounts for their behavior. They hunt in packs, are aggressive, and have a natural drive to expand. However, this part also ensures that they are trapped in a rather primitive culture.
The fungus in the Ork, on the other hand, makes the creature significantly more resilient. The lung is overgrown with a mycelium that takes over breathing, and bones are filled with spongy fungal tissue instead of marrow.
In any case, the fungus takes on many important tasks that would be performed by organs in a human and exists in parts as sponge or liquid in the Ork. This allows Orks to survive even severe injuries – for example, you can quite easily cut off their head and attach it to another body.
As fungi, Orks spread through spores that an adult Ork emits and that sometimes lie on the ground for a long time before growing into an Ork. A world that once had Orks remains infested by them for centuries. And yes: Orks can perform photosynthesis.
Cultivating fungi to kill bots
Where exactly Orks come from is not clearly documented. However, there is a very secure theory that the species of the “Old Ones” bred a warrior race to combat the aggressive Necrons (or back then still Necrontyr).
They are essentially genetically modified, bred beings – which explains why Orks don’t need to learn anything. Depending on which animal part the fungi connect with, a different “type” of Orkoid is created – such as a Grot, Snotling, or simply an Ork.
Everything an Ork needs to be able to do is already encoded in its genes. A mechanic (or “Mekboy”) does not need to go through training. The older he gets, the more he understands simply from his genetic knowledge about technology.
In the belief of the Orks themselves, they evolved from the “Brainboyz,” a proto-species of Orks composed of super-intelligent individuals. They are said to have bred warriors and servants from which the Orks ultimately evolved.
Can you actually eat Orks? In the community, there has been a disturbingly lengthy discussion about whether Orks are suitable for human consumption. After all, they are essentially fungi. There isn’t a clear answer, as is often the case with Warhammer. However, the general consensus among fans is: probably, if you cook the Ork long enough to possibly kill off any dangerous spores.
Among the Orks, there is a simple rule: The stronger has the say. Accordingly, Orks follow the one boy who is bigger and stronger or smarter than all the others. Normally, however, this is only enough to gather in clans and occasionally wage smaller wars.
However, Orks are inherently psychic beings who continuously emit psychic power: the “Gestalt” field, or simply the “Waaagh!” If there is now an Ork strong enough (a “Warboss”) to gather enough other Orks around him, he can lead a Waaagh!
This gigantic war is essentially a continuous battle that, through its psychic energy, attracts more and more Orks until the Warboss dies, there are no more enemies left, or – what is unlikely – the Orks are annihilated.
The more battles an Ork wins and the more Orks join him, the bigger he gets. Accordingly, he also attracts even more Orks. The largest known Warboss was “The Beast,” who reached nearly 10 meters in height, almost the size of an Imperial Knight.
This is exactly what makes Orks so dangerous as fighters: They live to fight, and the more they fight, the stronger they become. If a Warboss were to succeed in uniting all Orks under him, he could possibly destroy the galaxy.
Games Workshop, by the way, never tires of emphasizing how absurd the Orks are:
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If you just believe hard enough, it will work – And indeed
However, the Waaagh! energy is not just a loose concept that acts on Orks like a lure. It can be directed by the Ork wizards, the “Weirdboyz,” to cast destructive spells.
This energy is said to possess the power to make ork technology possible at all. Specifically, this means: The more Orks believe that something works, the more likely it is to actually work. If you stick two bolters together, they logically become twice as strong, right?
This theory is, however, controversial and has already been partly disproven. What is often observed, however, is that the belief of the Orks in the power of certain colors actually works:
Red is a fast color, so red-painted vehicles are correspondingly faster
Blue brings luck
Yellow results in larger explosions
Green is naturally the best color
and Purple is of course the camouflage color – or have you ever seen a purple Ork?
Especially the last point is unconfirmed, but would fit well into the absurd psychology of the Orks.
Many fans of Monster Hunter have been loyal to the series for years. Some players are now using the beta of Monster Hunter Wilds as an opportunity to share the developments of their characters.
What is the occasion? With Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment in the Monster Hunter franchise will be released on February 28, 2025. The recent beta already attracted over 360,000 players in just 20 minutes, and MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski believes that this could be the game of the year 2025.
What is being shared? Players have already been sharing their hunter designs on various social media platforms since the beginning of the beta. They praise especially the possibilities of the character editor and how incredibly good the new hunters look. Some are also using it to not only recreate their characters from previous titles but to weave their stories further and let them age.
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Monster Hunter Wilds in the atmospheric 5th trailer
From Young Hunter to Veteran
The story(ies) of Monster Hunter: By now, the Monster Hunter series has numerous titles under its belt. With nearly 27 games over a span of almost 25 years, the franchise itself has a remarkable history.
It’s no wonder that players also bring their own stories about their loyal hunters and love to share them with other fans. It turns out that many fans have not only been accompanying their characters for a very long time but have also developed them further with each title.
For example, Reddit user GlarthirLover33 shares the entire development of their hunter since Monster Hunter Freedom 2 and not only receives a lot of praise but also finds like-minded individuals.
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Under his post, many players share similar experiences and contribute their own stories, such as:
TheVermillionJacket via Reddit: “I’ve been playing since MH1, have aged my character up to World, then made a son for him for Rise, and now he’s an adult here in Wilds.”
Requiem_draws via Reddit: “I’m glad I’m not the only one who ages their character with each game. I’ve been playing it since it was first released on the PS2, so it’s nothing but wrinkles and gray all day!”
Some players have also invented entire family histories or use the opportunity to recreate their own cats in the form of Palicos. Others recount how their hunter lost an eye in battle between two games or gained new scars.
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More about Monster Hunter Wild: Do you want to dive straight into the game right at release on February 28, 2025? In the following list, we outline all known monsters and explain to you on MeinMMO what you need to know about the enemies: Monster Hunter Wilds: All the currently known monsters listed
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Apex Legends, Season 23 is currently starting, bringing new changes to the shooter. This time, a classic mode returns that takes players back to the year 2019.
What is currently happening with Apex Legends? The big shooter from EA has been struggling with various issues for a while. The mood in the community is not good, and there’s constant criticism due to decisions and missteps by the developers.
These are just incidents from this year. Things are not going well for EA’s big shooter. However, the new season could introduce a mode that might appease some players.
Here you can watch a trailer for Apex Legends:
Start video
Apex Legends Gameplay Trailer
Back to the Roots
What kind of new mode is this? The developers of Apex Legends have seemingly taken inspiration from the success of the “Fortnite Classic” mode and are now bringing back the original version of Apex Legends into the game with the mode “Original Royale.”
The new mode is supposed to be almost exactly as the shooter was released in 2019. Only the characters available at the launch of Apex Legends will be featured. Only the weapons that existed back then will be available, and all ammunition types used will match what was used back then.
The maps will also take a proper old-school approach. Only the original King’s Canyon map with the locations from that time will be available. The damage dealt by the zone to characters will also be exactly as it was in 2019.
What other changes does the season bring? The new classic mode “Original Royale” is not the only change in Season 23. Apex Legends is also introducing a significant change for Lifeline. The support character has been reworked and can now be played more aggressively.
Her passive ability now allows Lifeline to glide in the air. The support character’s healing drone can now be sent with allied characters to heal them. Her ultimate ability now places a shield around her, protecting the team from all sides. However, one remains vulnerable from above.
Other support classes have also been reworked and are supposed to offer more advantages now. All characters in the support category have been reworked as part of this. You can find the full patch notes on EA.com.
Because a player was nice to a 72-year-old gamer dad, he is now enjoying his Mythic Uniques in Diablo 4, which he can brag about to his son.
Diablo 4 has quickly earned the reputation of being the ideal game for fathers with little time – the so-called “gamer dads.” One of them was lucky enough to have a player lend him a hand. As a result, he was able to unlock one of the new torment levels. And at the difficulty level he has reached, he is apparently now collecting one rare Mythic after another.
In a post on Reddit, Grimm_LLL shows a screenshot of a chat. He writes: “Thanks to the kind stranger who carried my 72-year-old father on T4 [presumably torment level 4]. Now I get text messages at 3 a.m…” This is probably the late revenge for all the nights in Diablo 1 when he was a child, he notes. During those nights, he apparently kept his father awake himself.
Diablo 4 shows the new level system and difficulty levels in the video
What is the father bragging about? In the message, the father tells the Reddit user that he just received his third Mythic Unique. He completed the pit at level 80 in four and a half minutes. “I love this game,” writes the gamer dad. The pit is endgame content that becomes increasingly difficult with rising levels.
Individual users discuss in the comments about the few mythical drops they have received in Season 6 – if any at all. SpiderByt3s notes that he collected over 250 Paragon levels before he got his first Mythic. kanrad also did not drop a single one in the first weeks of the season.
Aside from that, users react with enthusiasm for the gamer dad and seem to be happy for him about the items. Others share their own gaming experiences with family members.
“At 72, he deserves every Mythic he wants”
What do other players say about it? In the comments of the post, various people write that they also played Diablo with their parents as children. InterestingLayer4367 shares that he played Diablo 1 with his father – over LAN and 56k modem. His father has since passed away. “Enjoy the messages at 3 a.m. and have fun gaming,” he comments.
And SeanAthairII reports that he played the very first Diablo with his little daughter. “Now we play across borders, and her own four-year-old daughter sits on her lap,” he writes.
Others joke that the gamer dad should add them to play Diablo 4 together, so he can send more joyful messages to his son at 3 a.m. Icy_Kingpin comments: “At 72, he deserves every Mythic he wants.” And BarbarianBlaze19 finds the story “super sweet” – he can’t wait to be a gamer grandpa himself, he writes.
It seems the 72-year-old can also get excited about the pit. The higher the level, the tougher it gets – and level 80, which he has reached, is already quite challenging. Since Season 6, you can also level up your glyphs in the pit and unlock new difficulty levels. The content seems to be well received by many players now. Another activity seems to be especially suitable for busy gamer dads who want to farm in Diablo 4’s endgame for a few relaxed hours, in the meantime.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The games from Rockstar Games are full of small details. What to note and discover has been revealed by a developer of Red Dead Redemption 2.
Which developer is it about? Ben Hinchliffe worked for a long time at Rockstar Games as a game designer. Specifically between 2009 and 2022. During that time, he contributed to major titles like GTA 5 or Red Dead Redemption 2. He was also involved in the upcoming GTA 6 before leaving the company.
Recently, he revealed in an interview with the podcast GTAVIoclock, how detailed Red Dead Redemption 2 really is – and that there are contents that only a few players ever get to see.
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Red Dead Redemption 2: Official Trailer
Do you play strictly by the instructions?
What does Ben Hinchliffe say? Red Dead Redemption 2 is full of secrets that gradually come to light. Missions that can be approached in different ways. However, this is not always immediately apparent. The developer referred to a specific scene from the western epic that holds a secret ending.
The mission states to ambush a wagon belonging to the bootleggers. The game tells you that this should happen in a strategically good position, right in the middle of a bridge. Most players follow this instruction.
According to Hinchliffe, you can leave the revolver in the holster for a while and simply follow the wagon instead of robbing it right away. This way, you eventually move from the bridge to a bandit camp.
Here you encounter a whole group of hostile thugs. They all have their own routines and animations. Those who drove the wagon dismount and go into their tent.
Behind this initially insignificant scene lies a thought that is very important to Rockstar, which Hinchliffe summarizes as follows:
99% of people have never seen this because they ambushed the wagon on the bridge where they were told to. But it went again to the question: Where is it going, what is the story behind it, why is it going from here to there? So it was always this additional narrative that had to be integrated.
Rockstar could have simply developed the mission up to the point where players are supposed to strike on the bridge. But since unlikely decisions are always taken into account, they chose to incorporate this hidden ending.
Ben Hinchliffe believes that it is these details that make Rockstar’s games so good. They exist for people who “just want to play a little differently”. Do you belong to that group, or do you obediently follow the instructions? Hinchliffe also has an assessment regarding the development of GTA 6, the most eagerly awaited game at the moment: Former developer of GTA 6 explains what phase the game is currently in
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
A new card in Hearthstone pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Because those who want to play it have to be quite tricky.
A few days ago, the new expansion “The Great Dark Expanse” launched in Hearthstone. As the name suggests, it is about the cosmos, spaceships, and all the possible horrors that hide in the depths of space. One of the highlights is a card that is more expensive than any other in the game. Because anyone who wants to play it must raise a whopping 100 mana – at least if they don’t reduce the cost beforehand.
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Hearthstone: The Infinite Expanse costs 100 Mana – Here’s how to reduce the costs
What kind of card is this? The neutral, legendary card is named “The Infinite Expanse.” It costs a whopping 100 mana crystals to play and comes with the battle cry: “Destroy all other minions.” It is therefore a “board clear” and cleans up quite thoroughly.
However, there are multiple mechanics to reduce the card’s costs before playing it, as the card text reveals further:
“Costs (1) less for each card drawn, played, or destroyed.”
This effect counts for both your own and your opponent’s cards. So, if you destroy 7 enemy minions, the cost of “The Infinite Expanse” decreases by 7 mana.
Thus, the card’s costs can be reduced multiple times each turn, making it eventually playable after a few turns. If you can also reduce the costs of cards in your deck or in your hand in other ways, the benefit increases further.
Why is this special? Usually, both opponents in Hearthstone can only have a maximum of 10 mana. While there are some cards that can increase this limit – to 11, 13, or even 20, it usually ends there. Playing a card that costs 100 mana is therefore practically impossible. This is only possible if the costs of the card are massively reduced beforehand.
If you manage to do that, then “The Infinite Expanse” is quite devastating. Not only does it completely clear the battlefield, but its powerful body of 15 / 15 also ensures that the minion can win the game within two turns – at least if it is not removed or weakened in some way.
What else is in the expansion? Besides a lot of “crazier” cards, there are also some innovations in “The Great Dark Expanse.” For example, Draenei are now their own type of minion (“Tribe”) and can therefore benefit from synergy effects. Additionally, the expansion allows characters to build a spaceship from several individual parts and then launch it – thus creating an extremely powerful minion according to their wishes.
In Throne and Liberty, Queen Bellandir is an Archboss, appearing only once a week in the game, making this boss particularly strong. MeinMMO shows you how to take her down.
Where can you find the Archboss Queen Bellandir and what can the boss do? Queen Bellandir is a level 50 Archboss that currently appears only once a week in Throne and Liberty, specifically every Saturday at 7 PM server time. The event alternates between PvP and PvE. You can identify a peaceful event by the blue dove.
You can find Queen Bellandir near the Sandworm Cave. The Archboss appears at the Queen’s Trap. Prepare well for the boss, as she is not easy to defeat. Additionally, there is sometimes a conflict zone during the boss event, so you will need to defend yourself against other players as well.
If there is a PvP zone during the Archboss encounter, the loot distribution rules are different compared to a PvE event. Make sure to have your guild with you in the conflict zones and be careful not to die, as this increases your chances of loot. Also, stock up on a neutralizer for the Queen’s poison at the guild merchant before you rush into battle.
Once you are well equipped and your guild is gathered, you can get started. MeinMMO reveals what to watch out for with Queen Bellandir and how her attacks and mechanics work, so you can defeat the Archboss.
[toc]
Guilds are particularly important when it comes to PvP bosses, and what else they are good for can be found here:
Start video
Throne and Liberty: Deshalb ist eine große und aktive Gilde so wichtig
Throne and Liberty Queen Bellandir – Archboss Mechanics
If you face Queen Bellandir in the desert, make sure to equip yourself with at least twenty to forty neutralizers for her poison, which you can buy from the guild merchant in Castle Rock Watch with guild coins. The Archboss poisons all players in the arena with a poison DoT, which can deal significant damage over time.
If there is a PvP event with Queen Bellandir, there are several ways to easily take out other players. Team up with your guild. The more contribution each guild member makes in battle, the higher the chance of receiving loot. If you are defeated, you lose 70 percent of your contributed participation. Eliminating other players significantly increases your chance of loot.
Watch for the following situations where other players become easy prey for you:
When the Archboss appears at the start of the fight, Queen Bellandir stuns all players with an area attack. If you keep your distance at the beginning, you can take out players who cannot defend themselves.
If Queen Bellandir unleashes a sandstorm, some players may not be able to escape the whirlwind. They will be forced to transform into morphs, which leaves them defenseless against you.
If a worm attaches to you, you can use its area damage to launch other players nearby into the air.
To execute these strategic maneuvers, you should know Queen Bellandir’s mechanics. We will reveal how they work.
Queen Bellandir Appears
Right at the start, when the Archboss Queen Bellandir appears, all players in her vicinity will be stunned for a few seconds. Therefore, do not stay in the location where the Archboss is going to appear at the beginning to avoid the stun.
Sandstorm
Once Queen Bellandir buries her head in the sand and murmurs some words, a powerful sandstorm erupts that nearly engulfs the entire arena. Players in the middle will be mercilessly caught and sucked in by the sandstorm. Run away as fast as possible when the Archboss buries her head to avoid being caught. When the attack ends, all those stuck in the storm will be ruthlessly wiped out.
Larvae
Similar to the Cave of Destruction, during the fight, larvae appear that latch onto random players. You will not be able to get rid of them, and they will explode after a while. If you have one of the larvae, you should distance yourself from your guild members so they are not affected by the area damage.
Final Jump
When the Archboss Queen Bellandir has only 10 percent of her health left, the worm will rise into the air and then crash back down. This attack deals massive damage to all who are nearby. Quickly get away from her when you see her prepare for the jump.
Whirlwind Attack
Queen Bellandir also has a whirlwind attack that can launch players into the air and deal significant damage. The Archboss executes this attack twice in a row, and melee fighters are particularly affected. Make sure to have enough stamina to block the attack.
For a perfect block, wait until the large purple circle gets smaller and touches the inner purple circle. Then press the button to block. If you achieve the perfect block, you can even follow up with an extra ability on the same button to attack.
If you defeat Queen Bellandir, you will receive the Boss Chest of the Conquest Reward as a guaranteed reward with the chance for good prizes. However, if you are particularly lucky, you can obtain one of the following items:
Queen Bellandir’s Venomous Spear
Queen Bellandir’s Exhausting Blade
Queen Bellandir’s Swarm Staff
Robes of Whirling Essence
Hood of the Ascended Guardian
Phantom Wolf Gloves
Band of Universal Might
Morrigan’s Raven
High-Quality Rubric
Rare Rubric
High-Quality Weapon Growth Stone
Rare Weapon Growth Stone
High-Quality Emeret
Rare Emeret
High-Quality Accessory Growth Stone
Rare Accessory Growth Stone
Rare Polished Crystal
Noble Polished Crystal
Queen Bellandir’s Soul Fragment
Now you should be prepared for the battle with Queen Bellandir to be able to defeat her. If you have any other issues with other bosses or general questions about Throne and Liberty, check out our overview. We have listed all the guides for the new MMORPG there: Throne and Liberty: All guides for starting the new MMORPG.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Valve showed a map in a trailer for Counter-Strike 2 about 20 months ago, which could soon finally come to the game.
Which map is it? In Counter-Strike 2, the release of the map “Train” could be imminent.
The map, whose defining features are the eponymous trains, has already appeared in older Counter-Strike installments, such as CS:GO. You could also play Train in Counter-Strike and Counter-Strike: Source.
An updated version of the map was already shown about 20 months ago in one of the first trailers for Counter-Strike 2 on YouTube. In the video titled “Leveling Up The World,” Valve announced the overhaul of CS:GO maps for CS2 and explained what they would change about the maps. They also showed some images of various maps, including Train.
Start video
Counter-Strike 2: Valve once again impresses with the launch trailer
Data miners say Train is coming to CS2
Why could Train soon come to CS? On October 3, 2024, a well-known data miner disseminated information on social networks like X.com (formerly Twitter) that Valve is supposedly working on an updated version of Train.
Now Valve has also changed the profile banner of the official CS2 account on X.com. They often do this when an announcement is imminent. However, the banner only shows a paved area.
This mysterious banner, which only shows asphalt, is according to a data miner an indication of the map’s appearance (via X.com). However, since this is not confirmed information, you should regard the statements of the data miner with skepticism.
Some users do not necessarily see a hint towards Train in the asphalt on the banner. Generally, it is difficult to make a well-founded guess based on the image. Nonetheless, some users believe this could also be a hint towards the map “Cache,” which was also playable in CS:GO.
If Train is really added to Counter-Strike 2 soon, we will probably only find out in the respective patch notes – Valve is not known for having a lively exchange with the community. A Valve developer is regularly pressured on X.com by players, as he occasionally succumbs to a post: One Valve developer speaks publicly about Counter-Strike 2 – players rush to him
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The characters from One Piece are so popular that they even have a small cameo appearance in other series. Even in The Walking Dead, a Straw Hat pirate appears for a few seconds.
What kind of appearance is that? At first glance, One Piece and The Walking Dead don’t have much in common. One is an anime from Japan where pirates chase their dreams. The other is set in a post-apocalyptic scenario where humans must protect themselves from zombies.
Nevertheless, a viewer of The Walking Dead has now discovered a scene where one of the Straw Hat pirates from Luffy’s crew can be seen. He shares the scene on Reddit where Daryl and Carol ride past a building on a motorcycle:
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If you look closely, you can spot an image of Usopp as graffiti on the wall. Usopp is only visible for a few seconds, but many users in the comments are excited to see one of the Straw Hat pirates in The Walking Dead.
Unfortunately, our own research could not determine from which episode the clip is exactly taken. It is possible that Usopp’s appearance does not happen in the main series but in the spin-off The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
Here you can find a trailer for The Walking Dead:
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The Walking Dead – English Trailer for Season 11
Usopp’s appearance in The Walking Dead fits with an arc from One Piece
What do fans say about this? There are several comments connecting One Piece and The Walking Dead. The outbreak of the zombie virus in the series is said to have occurred in 2010. At the same time, there was a time jump in the One Piece manga. Thus, the graffiti would have been created shortly before the apocalypse.
Additionally, many commenters joke that the Thriller Bark arc and The Walking Dead are also related. This arc is the only section in One Piece where zombies appear.
User ConsistentSearch7995 even suggests that the Thriller Bark arc is actually the basis for the story of The Walking Dead. We can be glad that Luffy and his crew made it off the island safely and not like many characters from The Walking Dead who fall victim to the virus.
Pokémon TCG Pocket (in English: Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket) is just under a week old and there’s already a theory on how players can get better cards. Supposedly, one must pay attention to the appearance of the booster packs to draw rare cards.
What is Pokémon TCG Pocket? Pokémon TCG Pocket is a mobile game where players can collect digital Pokémon trading cards. It is similar to Pokémon TCG Live but represents a lighter version and focuses on the collecting aspect.
The game itself is free; two booster packs containing five cards each can be opened per day. Trainers can also spend real money for more openings.
With our video, you will gain deeper insight into the new mobile game:
Start video
Pokémon TCG Pocket scores with pure nostalgia
A crease in the booster packs may be the key
How can players identify better booster packs? When players open booster packs, they have the choice between several packs arranged in a circle. The packs all have the same design (Pikachu, Mewtwo, or Charizard) but all show slightly different creases and folds.
It is supposedly these creases and folds that provide hints about what cards are inside. A crease or fold is said to imply that there is at least one rare card in the pack.
This theory is supported at least by the Japanese player Jedis_tm on X. However, he himself was cautious, as the method does not work every time.
How are players reacting? Players of Pokémon TCG Pocket are divided. Some claim that it has increased their chances of rare cards, while others say exactly the opposite.
Even the X user SoulSurVGC initially mocked the theory and dismissed it as a “playground rumor.” However, shortly after, he posted that the theory would hold true, at least for him:
Furthermore, players are arguing about what exactly to pay attention to. According to one group, it should be the creases at the top edge, while others suggest that the packs that look slightly thicker are the better ones.
Is the theory correct? It is difficult to say whether user Jedis_tm is right. There is at least no verifiable evidence for the trick. For some players, it works, while others experience no success.
In EA FC 25, it is time for the new TOTW 8 (Team of the Week). You can find out what the team looks like here.
Update, November 6 at 7:00 PM: The new Team of the Week 8 is now live in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team. You can see the new cards here:
Here continues with the original post.
What is the Team of the Week? Every week, EA puts together a new TOTW. This team consists of 23 players who stood out with strong performances during the past football weekend.
For this, they receive a place in the Team of the Week and improved Inform cards that can be found in packs for one week.
These are TOTW Predictions: In the TOTW Predictions, we present forecasts for the new TOTW from the FUT community. The performances of the players are closely examined and predictions are made.
However, it is important to note that the predictions are not a guarantee for the final Team of the Week 8. They provide a good overview and can also be used to earn some coins in Ultimate Team.
Start video
Tips for a Perfect Start in EA FC 25 – Ultimate Team
When will TOTW 8 be released? The Team of the Week 8 will be released on Wednesday, November 6 at 7:00 PM in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team.
The prediction for Team of the Week 8 in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team
The predictions for the next Team of the Week come from the FUT site futbin.
In a livestream, the father of US Twitch streamer Zack “Asmongold” Hoyt complained that his son never cleaned his car, a Mustang. Due to Asmongold’s careless handling of the vehicles, engine damage had apparently occurred.
What was the stream about? On November 4, 2024, Asmongold was asked during a livestream on Twitch why he no longer had his old car, a Mustang.
The fans knew the Mustang from Asmongold’s stories, where he liked to mention the Mustang as proof that, even though the streamer is a multi-millionaire, he doesn’t care for luxury and still lives just like before.
Asmongold explained that the dealership had classified the car as a total loss because one of the mirrors was broken. That was enough for the car to no longer be sellable and could only be used for salvageable parts. The broken mirror was also the reason why the premium for his car insurance increased.
He had driven the car for a total of 20 years. Additionally, engine problems had occurred; repairing them would have cost as much as buying a new car. Therefore, Asmongold ultimately gave up the beloved Mustang.
Asmongold is not the cleanest in terms of cars either: his house suffers the same fate. Now the streamer wants to clean up his house, as you can see in the video:
Start video
Twitch streamer and multimillionaire wants to clean his dirty house because visitors get sick and it ‘debuffs’ him
“It’s damn time for you to grow up”
What does his father say about it? Asmongold’s father apparently watched the livestream and did not want to leave his son’s false statements unchallenged. He quickly called him to correct the story, which was captured in a clip on Twitch.
His father reported that the Mustang was driven by Asmongold for only six years and was handed over to his son in very good condition. It had previously belonged to his father himself.
According to his father, Asmongold left out a few things in his story:
The vehicle was always full of cups and trash, and it smelled “like a damn dump.”
Furthermore, the engine damage reportedly occurred because Asmongold did not change the oil regularly.
How does Asmongold react? The Twitch streamer is visibly embarrassed. His attempts to steer the conversation in another direction did not prevent his father from publicly embarrassing him.
So the Twitch streamer asked if there were any drinks or trash in his current car, but his father only replied: “It’s damn time for you to grow up and keep your damn car clean. I used to take care of that for you.”
How does the community react? The live chat is making fun of the Twitch streamer parallel to his humiliation. Things like “Caught”, “Destroyed,” or “You just got roasted!” are being written in the live chat.
One of the founders of Rockstar, Dan Houser, made a statement in an interview in 2018 that takes on a new light as of today, November 6, 2024. The now 50-year-old said: He is grateful that GTA 6 will not be released during Donald Trump’s presidency. However, GTA 6 will now be released during such a presidency and times are even crazier than Houser feared.
What exactly did he say back then? In an interview with GQ, Dan Houser spoke in 2018 about the Western epic Red Dead Redemption 2. Back then, when Trump was president, Houser was glad that the release date of GTA 6 would not fall during Donald Trump’s term.
He was elected in 2016, but even if he had served two consecutive terms, he surely would have left office, if GTA 6 would be released.
Therefore, Dan Houser says:
It is really unclear what we would do with it, not to mention how much people would be upset about whatever we do. Both the intense liberal development and the intense conservatism are both very militant and very angry. It is frightening, but also strange, and yet both seem to occasionally tip into the absurd. For these reasons, it is difficult to parody them. Some of what you see is simply beyond satire. It would be outdated within two minutes because everything changes so quickly.
Rockstar Games shows GTA 6 for the first time in the trailer
GTA 6 as a satire on a time that is already a satire
What it’s about: GTA 6 has always been a wild satire on the current times. Red Dead Redemption 2, on the other hand, was a game about a past time period that has little to do with the present.
After Trump won the US election today, GTA 6 will be released in exactly such a world that Houser feared back then. It is a world that itself appears to be a caricatured satire:
Both the conservative and the liberal camps are at least in the USA even more militant than in 2018 and angrier
Trump tips into the absurd even more often than before (via youtube)
And much of what would have seemed exaggerated satire in 2018 has already actually happened
Who is Dan Houser? Dan Houser (50) co-founded Rockstar Games with his brother Sam Houser. He was involved in 5 GTA games; his last game was Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018.
In update 44, the MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online received a non-binary companion: Tanlorin. This leads to a discussion in the community, which is now being addressed.
What kind of character is this? Tanlorin is a new companion in The Elder Scrolls Online who is non-binary. Zenimax uses the neutral pronoun “They” for him in English. In German, Zenimax uses male pronouns.
Tanlorin came with update 44 on October 28, 2024, to the PC version. The update will appear on PlayStation and Xbox on November 13, 2024.
Already 2 months ago, when Tanlorin was introduced, the presentation sparked a discussion – and the character is still being discussed now.
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Elder Scrolls Online: Conquer the Battlegrounds – Trailer introduces the highlight of Update 44
Criticism of 28lazy design3 began 2 months ago
This was the criticism during the presentation: During the presentation 2 months ago, Tanlorin’s design was criticized on Reddit for adhering too closely to many clichés that exist about non-binary characters. This is considered lazy design. The character has short colored hair and a physical appearance that is right in the middle. According to the cliché, a non-binary character should not look male or female. Tanlorin corresponds exactly to these ideas.
Others say: If you introduce such a character, you should put in some effort. It looks like you are just pandering to one part of the community.
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Criticism: The character is discriminated against, but for a different reason
What is the criticism of how the character appears in the game? In the ESO forum, a thread was created on November 3, 2024, criticizing the quest for Tanlorin. The “Summer Isles” were portrayed as very progressive, with many LGBTQ+ characters. Therefore, there should be no reason for Tanlorin to be treated so harshly.
In the quest for Tanlorin, an artificial conflict is created where Tanlorin is discriminated against, but not really for being non-binary, rather for being “different”.
The thread creator criticizes: ESO wants to address a “hot” topic from the real world, but would cheat in the storytelling. The Elder Scrolls Online explains Tanlorin as a member of an undesirable caste of “broken children” rejected by society for being different:
It took a long time, but I finally understood it. Actually, the text is bad. Very, very bad. It uses language that evokes the feeling of “society excluded me for being LGBTQIA+”, but actually… Tanlorin is a Hulkynd. The author made no effort to use this term anywhere, as it might dilute the intentional mixing of fantasy and modern politics, but yes… nothing in this whole quest line has ANYTHING to do with Gender Studies or identities or any of the hot topics of our time, except that Tanlorin is made into a They.
Criticism: The character feels like a modern college student in a fantasy world
As others add, the conflict feels foreign and as if it doesn’t belong to the world of Tamriel. Instead, it would depict a real-world issue in Tamriel, but in fantasy form. There has been a desperate attempt to cram gender oppression into the game and it has completely destroyed the character.
Another says: He really wanted to like Tanlorin, but the character feels like a college student from the real world planted into a fantasy world. All other LGBTQ+ representations in ESO are much better executed. This one is not.
What is a Hulkynd? The High Elves in the world of Tamriel strive for perfection. A “Hulkynd” is a child who does not meet these standards and is therefore cast out.
Zenimax emphasizes that they worked closely with non-binary people
What do the developers say? In a statement to The Gamer, narrative director Bill Slavicsek addresses the criticism that Tanlorin doesn’t fit into the world:
We have mixed marriages and gay and lesbian characters in abundance in the game. It just makes sense to us that all possibilities exist in Tamriel. We treat it as a real and living world. You might just not notice it because we don’t shout it from the rooftops or put up signs everywhere proclaiming it. And do you know why? Because the world in Tamriel simply is the way it is.
No character in the world bats an eye or finds it unusual to encounter the baker and his husband, the maid and her wife, or to let Naryu and Jakarn flirt with you, regardless of your character’s gender. Not to mention the alchemy, the three living gods of the Tribunal, or the Daedric princes that can appear as any gender! That is part of the world and therefore not a big deal.
They made sure to hire a non-binary actor to voice the role in order to create the character with great care. They have a group of queer community voices working with the team, and the content’s author identifies as non-binary as well.
The Elder Scrolls Online has been praised in the past for its successful handling of LGBTQ+ characters, but with the new character, it seems that, despite collaboration with members of the queer community, it hasn’t been fully successful: ESO handles LGBTQ+ like the real world should
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Nintendo shut down an online network for old consoles. Yet one player bravely held the line. But now the last player had to go offline as well because his console crashed.
What was that network? On April 9, 2024, Nintendo shut down the Nintendo Network. This was an online service that started in 2012. Thanks to the network, players could use an online mode in certain games on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.
With the shutdown, all games on the old consoles lost their online functionality. However, one player was still online until recently until a crash spoiled his plans.
Start video
All known features of the PS5 in the official trailer from Sony
Player stays online for another 200 days thanks to patch until his console crashes
The English site TomsHardware.com reports that a player was still online until recently despite the shutdown. After all, it was more than 200 days after the official shutdown of the servers by Nintendo.
What was the trick behind it? The trick was an unofficial patch that the user Fishguy6564 implemented on his device. This patch prevented the game lobby from closing automatically. By using bots that endlessly raced against each other, continuous activity in the lobby was simulated. This technical solution allowed the server connection to be maintained well beyond the official end.
In an interview with GamesRadar, he said at the beginning of his testing that he never believed it would even work. He stated:
I didn’t think we would survive the official shutdown at all. From that moment on it was just a test to see how long we could hold out.
What caused the end? The user’s Nintendo 3DS crashed because the device apparently could no longer handle continuous operation. And thus ended the online match of the lonely user.
The T1 team dominated the international scene of League of Legends for the last 3 years with exactly the same lineup of 5 players: Faker, Zeus, Oner, Gumayusi and Keria. The CEO, Joe Marsh, raves: This is the best lineup in LoL history. But in 12 days, 4 of the contracts expire. Fans wonder: Will the team stay together?
This is the situation: Since 2022, the current lineup of T1 has been playing together in this form:
Faker (28) is the only experienced player on the team. The midlaner had already won 3 world championship titles for T1 at an early age.
Keria, the supporter, was already regarded as a star at 17 and made his debut in 2020 for the Korean team DRX. He was so strong that T1 brought him on board in 2021 to replace the then-struggling supporter Effort.
Oner, Zeus, and Gumayusi all came from T1’s own youth program. ADC Gumayusi was already promoted to the main team in 2021, with Teddy making way for him. Top-laner Zeus and jungler Oner were promoted in 2022. None of the three have ever played for any other team than T1.
Start video
LoL – Hall of Legends: Faker Trailer
In 3 years, the team became world champions twice and reached 3 World Championship finals
This is how strong the team is: Since the 5 players have been playing together in this form, they have primarily impressed internationally. Over the last three years, they have reached the finals of the World Championship each year and won two World titles.
Such success is an exception in LoL. Most teams fail to deliver such consistent performances. The world champion from the previous year often faces problems in the next year.
World champion teams from years like FunPlusPhoenix (2019), Edward Gaming (2021), or DRX (2022) no longer played any significant role in 2024. Even DAMWON Gaming, who looked like the team for the next five years in 2020, have since fallen apart and didn’t even make it to the quarter-finals of Worlds in 2024.
What do the players say? After winning the World Championship, the players were asked if they would stay together (via x).
Keria hesitated with his answer and then said: He doesn’t know if he would even be able to play in 2025. But if he plays, then … – He was evidently overwhelmed by his emotions and stepped back at that moment.
ADC Gumayusi took over and stated that contracts are too sensitive a topic to discuss here. He did, however, imply that he definitely wants to stay on the roster and sees a possibility that the team stays together. But ultimately, each player must decide for themselves.
Will Oner or Zeus receive an offer they can’t refuse?
What speaks against them staying together? In the discussion among fans, two main possibilities are mentioned as reasons a player might leave:
It is anticipated that a lot of salary is tied up with Faker. And it could be that an extremely strong financial offer, an offer “that you can’t refuse,” comes in for one of the other players.
Or it could be that a player leaves the team because the pressure to perform in year 4 is so great.
T1 says: They are well prepared to retain the players
What speaks for the team staying together? The owner Joe Marsh speaks highly of the players, stating that this is the best roster of all time (via x). He wants to keep the players, especially since there are no upgrades for any of the 5.
There is also a statement from T1’s COO, Josh, that there will not be an “exodus” and that they are well prepared to retain the players (via youtube). Fans shouldn’t be nervous.
Also, the statements from Keria and Gumayusi are seen as confirmation that the team could stay together.
Furthermore, T1 as a team has the possibility to pay the players more than other teams because they are calculated more favorably against the salary cap.
Empire of the Ants will be released on November 7, 2024, on Steam. In this strategy game, you control the fate of an ant colony in large battles.
What kind of game is it? Empire of the Ants is a real-time strategy game for PC and consoles. In it, you command an army of ants of different classes and fight in large battles against other small forest dwellers to expand your empire.
Empire of the Ants will be available on November 7, 2024, on the following platforms:
PC: Steam, GOG.com, and Epic Games Store
Consoles: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S
The launch trailer showcases the game in its best light:
Start video
Empire of the Ants: The launch trailer for the unusual strategy game on Steam
What does the trailer show? Empire of the Ants runs on Unreal Engine 5 and visually impresses accordingly. Detailed animations bring the various forest dwellers to life, which include not only ants but also animals like snails, various insects, and more.
Solo Campaign and Multiplayer Battles
What does the game offer? The centerpiece of Empire of the Ants is the solo campaign: According to the developers, it lasts around 20 hours on Steam and is based on the novel of the same name by French author Bernard Werber.
During the campaign, you will engage in large battles, conquer enemy territory, and thereby expand your empire. Alternatively, you can befriend other species. They will then aid you in battle, functioning as a sort of mobile support. For example, you might fly into battle on the backs of large insects.
In addition to the campaign, there is a multiplayer mode. There, you face off in battles against other players. If the ranked mode feels too stressful, you can also play against friends or the AI in a private lobby.
How is the game being received so far? Buyers of the digital deluxe edition get 3 days of early access to the game. Therefore, the first reviews are already available on Steam, even though there are only 70 of them (as of November 6, 14:23).
The reviews so far are 77% positive. The graphics and the exciting concept are particularly praised. However, opinions on the gameplay are divided, as a look at the reviews shows:
Raffneck(GER) writes on Steam: “A beautiful and unhurried game that is almost meditative. It has a fresh and great setting where you experience adventures as an ant. As far as I can tell, it’s ‘bug-free’… insane wordplay^^”
Trippy Crawl expected an RTS with more depth. His conclusion on Steam: “Pricing a glorified tech demo about ants at €40 is ridiculous. If it had been €20, I would have been less critical, but you get a lot more depth in a 10-year-old RTS game for €20 than in this game. This game just looks pretty.”
Steam user Commander is excited about the game but also criticizes somewhat repetitive gameplay. He writes on Steam: “I like something different for a change. This game really has the potential to stand out. There are many changes that can be made and areas to explore to make the game more attractive. The game runs well and without issues. My only problem is that the game becomes a bit repetitive if you play for an extended time.”
Other players have had less luck with the game’s performance. To get a better impression of the game, you might want to wait for the official release. In the following days, there should also be more reviews on the game that you can refer to.
The former professional player “Scump” is a legend in Call of Duty. However, the world champion of 2017 regrets that he did not switch to another shooter.
Who is it about? Seth “Scump” Abner (29) is a former “Call of Duty” professional. To this day, he is considered one of the best CoD players in the world and is extremely well-known among fans of the shooter.
On Twitch, Scump has 1.7 million followers and regularly streams to over 14,000 viewers.
With Call of Duty, Scump has won over 1.19 million US dollars in prize money.
In 2016, Scump received the award for “Esports Console Player of the Year”.
In 2017, Scump became world champion in CoD: Infinite Warfare with OpTic Gaming.
In January 2023, Scump ended his career as a professional CoD player. He last played for Team Envy. Today, he works as a content creator for OpTic Gaming and plays various shooters in live streams on Twitch – but still primarily Call of Duty.
On October 30, Scump was a guest on the podcast “Around The Bar” by Davis “Hitch” Edwards, who is also a content creator for OpTic Gaming (via YouTube).
Start video
In CoD: Black Ops 6, there is a mission that gives players chills
Retirement after the world championship title to play another game
What does Scump regret? Scump shares in the podcast that he regrets some decisions he made in the past. For instance, he is annoyed that he did not retire from his CoD pro career years ago and instead played and streamed Fortnite.
Scump’s conversation partner, Hitch, then asked whether he would tell his former self to retire after winning the world championship title and play Fortnite. Scump confirmed the thought: “Yes. I love competitive gaming more than anything, obviously, it was my whole life, but that is one thing I regret.”
During the great rise of Fortnite, Scump continued to play Call of Duty professionally – however, he was not able to win another world championship title.
Scump would have liked to benefit from the Fortnite hype
Why does he regret it? This regret primarily relates to Scump’s view of the hype that Fortnite had. Many streamers who made Fortnite their main game in 2017 and 2018 did financially very well.
