Elden Ring belongs to female players – and anyone can see this if they just look

Caroline Fuller Caroline Fuller Reading time 5 minutes

Elden Ring and other FromSoftware titles have a large community of fans who battle through the dangerous worlds and monstrous creatures in the games. In particular, one group can find that the games offer more than just the typical “get good”. They contain many themes that can appeal to female fans. Even MeinMMO editor Caro can agree with this.

The titles from FromSoftware like Dark Souls or Bloodborne and Elden Ring are mainly known for their dark worlds and the tough yet rewarding combat that players must face in the games. The games are often accompanied by a dark, almost melancholic atmosphere, marked by decay and corruption, but also by the unexpected beauty that they harbor.

Due to the challenging gameplay that allows players to continually test their skills, much of the community has focused on becoming particularly skilled, understanding opponents, and overcoming the toughest battles purely through skill.

This may be intimidating for curious players (who have not yet dared to try FromSoftware due to the prevalent notion that this type of gameplay does not fall within the realm of the stereotypically “more feminine” games). It is common for female players to be devalued if they prefer more relaxing games, or to be labeled as “fake” if they do enjoy these “atypical” games. Terms like “women’s games” and “men’s games” are thrown around, which only serves to make new experiences less appealing to people.

FromSoftware games are neither one nor the other but rather magnificent RPG experiences that female players should definitely give a chance.

The atmosphere and themes from FromSoftware titles are omnipresent if you look closely. And these prove: FromSoftware games should definitely be discovered by more female players.

Who is writing here? MeinMMO editor Caro loves various genres of games, whether fantasy, cozy, RPG, or tabletop. She has spent many hours in FromSoftware games, primarily Elden Ring and currently also a lot of Nightreign. In games, she appreciates not only the fun and gameplay but also the subtext, storytelling, and has a preference for creative game design and the artistic aspects of game development. This love and knowledge was solidified during her studies in Game Art & Animation.
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FromSoftware is not only brutal but also has a lot of depth

In addition to the gameplay, which players quickly understand at the beginning, FromSoftware titles offer subtle yet omnipresent storytelling that transformed them from a monster-fighting simulator into the masterpieces they are known as today. 

This storytelling surprisingly includes many themes that can be understood universally regardless of gender, but especially resonate with female players as they are often confronted with these themes simply due to their existence: oppressive power structures, the significance of femininity and gender, and the escape from a predetermined fate. All this serves not as a means to an end but is treated with importance and provides a basis that determines the entire worlds of the games.

This is evident not only through the world-building but also through the characters that inhabit these worlds.

Femininity in FromSoftware games is unvarnished and at the same time empowering

Bloodborne can be interpreted in many ways regarding the theme of (lacking) female autonomy, whether concerning their will or their own body. The game, as well as the femininity of many women, is not always beautiful, but brutal, dirty, angry, and tragic.

Maternity and the emotional and physical component play a significant role in Bloodborne. It deals with unwanted pregnancies featuring divine offspring, the loss of one’s child, and the horrors that arise from these intense feelings.

It is an unpleasant but honest engagement with the darker sides of femininity that prompts reflection.

Bloodborne Pthumerian Queen
Just the design of this boss from Bloodborne, the Pthumerian Queen, illustrates the themes of the game.

But there are also themes in Elden Ring that particularly occupy female players. Ranni the Witch is a central character in Elden Ring, whose story is not only crucial to the events of the game but also a sign of rebellion against a power structure that controlled her and her fate.

Ranni despised the idea of becoming part of the ruling Golden Order, as it was meant for her. And thus, she decided to take her fate into her own hands. To escape her role as the greater will, she was willing to tragically sacrifice herself but simultaneously drag another demigod to death, thus nullifying the will of the Golden Order.

Her still-living soul found a home in her famous blue doll body, with which she wanders through the Lands Between as a simple witch and made a magic tower her stronghold.

Ranni die Hexe
Ranni the Witch no longer submits to the greater will and initiates her own time at her end.

The female characters from FromSoftware titles are never sexualized, even though they encompass deeply physical themes. One example is Malenia, known as one of the most famous and challenging bosses in gaming.

Her body is completely naked in the second phase of her boss fight, except for the golden prosthetics. And yet, it is not a provocative image but rather a nearly painterly beauty that is particularly intimidating due to her combat skills. Elden Ring manages to make even a completely naked woman appear less sexualized than many dressed characters in other games.

Elden Ring Malenia
Malenia in her second phase – an image that fans of Elden Ring still vividly remember.

Melancholy instead of hardness

Another argument is simple yet effective – the games are incredibly aesthetic. Yes, they are dark, but they contain many passages that invite players to stop and linger due to their environments, architecture, and vistas.

These moments encourage players to take the games slowly and truly absorb them, rather than just rushing from boss to boss. Moreover, in these moments of calm, it becomes clear how the brutality in FromSoftware games is expressed not only through violence and combat but also through decay and loss. 

Cutscenes often start very quietly, slowly, and are almost poetic. And when some bosses are finally defeated – of course, it’s euphoric when you finally succeed after the 40th attempt – it is still almost a release. 

The darkness and gloom in FromSoftware games are multi-faceted and fans of gothic and fantasy stories, quiet heroines, and the struggle against the rest of the world will resonate with this greatly.

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If you are female gamers yourselves but have not yet dared to try FromSoftware titles like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, or Elden Ring, we would like to sincerely recommend giving these games a chance. They are considered absolute masterpieces and will surely surprise you. If you want to learn more about getting started in Elden Ring, we have summarized all our guides for you here on MeinMMO that will help you: Elden Ring: All guides, builds, and beginner tips in overview

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

Combat experts shoot each other with arrows to test a rule from Dungeons & Dragons

Caroline Fuller Caroline Fuller Reading time 3 minutes

A group of combat experts from the D&D team “Min-Maxed” aims to find the truly best method of redirecting an arrow through their own expertise. They present the result in a video that proves that the rules of the TTRPG are not chosen arbitrarily.

How does the group plan to test the rule? Some members of the D&D group “Min-Maxed” want to find out which class of the role-playing game would really be capable of redirecting an arrow to avoid damage. For this, archer Blumineck, the two weapon experts from Sellsword Arts, martial artist Instructor Bensei, and D&D content creator Tater the Bard put their own skills to the test.

According to the rules from 2024, the ability “redirect attacks” is a pure class feature of the monk, which he receives at level 3. Whether this should solely be possible for monks is what the motivated group tests in a practical trial.

They attempt to stop an arrow fired at the martial artists with short and long swords, a rope dart (also known as Shéng Biāo), another bow, or with bare hands. Blumineck emphasizes that these are safe arrows shot with a light bow so that no one gets hurt… or at least not more than necessary.

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Stopping a fired arrow is hard – but not impossible

What was the result of their test? The test turned out to be more about constantly taking hits than a professional defense. Neither the short sword nor the long sword, the rope dart, nor the bow could effectively fend off an arrow. Although points were given for quick dodging, the experts did not want to count that as a defense.

No matter how professionally the content creators handled their weapons, no one could stop the projectile, let alone redirect it… except for one.

Ironically, the dungeon master of the group, Tater the Bard, who has no weapon expertise to show for, managed to catch an arrow with his hand. Although it is questionable whether he would have survived this in a fight, he only managed to catch the arrow on his third attempt and rather awkwardly: “I’m dead, but I’m holding an arrow!”

Blumineck was also able to fend off an arrow with his bow, but that was more due to the fact that it wouldn’t have hit its target anyway.

Here you can see the video evidence of the group on TikTok:

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So, is the rulebook correct? The test impressively shows that it is not so easy to fend off an arrow in real life. The creators probably thought that only monks should be able to redirect such an attack as described by the class feature.

With a reaction, they can not only redirect arrows but also other attacks that would deal slashing, piercing, or bludgeoning damage, thus reducing the damage.

However, the community of Dungeons & Dragons has a much simpler method to provide this advantage to other classes as well:

“One should create a large, round or square piece of wood or iron to hold in front of oneself to create a kind of wall,” explains henryted98 in the comments of the video on Instagram, and also dtsavage101 writes, but with slightly less sarcasm: “The correct answer is, and always has been, the good old shield.”

As preparation for their campaign, in which the members of Mix-Max want to play themselves regarding their expertise, the individual players tested further questions that remain open. The two sword fighting experts from Sellsword Arts first wanted to know if they would even be good enough in real life to pass as a level 1 fighter: Sword fighting experts on YouTube test if they could reach level 1 of a fighter in D&D

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

Night City is never safe, but you definitely don’t want to live in these places from Cyberpunk 2077

Caroline Fuller Caroline Fuller Reading time 6 minutes

Night City from Cyberpunk 2077 is not considered an optimal place to live if you want to lead a peaceful and, above all, safe life. V has already written off that kind of life anyway. But which places in the city are the most dangerous if you are just an ordinary resident?

The various places in Night City differ not only by their inhabitants and their layout. Depending on where you are in the so-called “City of Dreams”, regular life can look very different. 

You can never really talk about safety in Cyberpunk 2077 anyway. Nevertheless, there are districts that are even more dangerous than others – and even the “most comfortable” place is no guarantee for a long, fulfilling life.

Start video
Cyberpunk 2077: The Ultimate Edition trailer shows a ‘City of Dreams’

In this list, we will address all the places in Night City and present them in a ranking. This way, we work our way from the (if you can really call it that) “safest” place to the depths of the city where you really don’t want to end up.

Let’s start with the place in Night City where you can count yourself lucky to live:

Corpo Plaza City Center

Rank 6 – City Center

  • Lower districts: Corporate Center, Downtown

City Center in Night City is regarded by pretty much everyone who doesn’t challenge megacorporations and has enough money as the safest place in Night City. Here live the rich and powerful, who can feel safe thanks to all the nearby services.

Especially at Corpo Plaza, the streets look so shiny and chrome that it seems you could dine from the ground. Militech drones and the NCPD are heavily present here, which might simulate safety for the regular citizen, but is more of a thorn in the side for someone like V and other Edgerunners.

It can be said that this place may be the safest, but for a large part of the population, it is never accessible. It is a luxury that not everyone can or wants to avail themselves of. Therefore, they turn to other places in the city, which will follow in the next pages of this list.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
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Sauercrowd streamer reaches level 60, using technology used in hospitals

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

With the right power supply, one can achieve level 60 in WoW Classic Hardcore – eventually, the stars aligned for a Twitch streamer.

In World of Warcraft Classic Hardcore, the path to level 60 is arduous and particularly time-consuming. It takes over 100 hours, and a single mistake can cost all progress. However, hundreds of German-speaking streamers from the Sauercrowd Guild are attempting just that, delivering amusing events along the way.

Start video
WoW Classic: The Hardcore Servers Are Here!

After several setbacks, Saltydayn has finally reached level 60. It turned out that the biggest problems were not (only) the enemies in the game, but also disconnects and a stable power supply.

What were Saltydayn’s problems? After minor initial difficulties, such as “slipping” from a large night elf tree on Teldrassil or the tragic (and too greedy) death in a fight against some trolls, Saltydayn gritted his teeth once more. However, it was external circumstances that continually thwarted his plans:

  • Disconnects caused several shock moments, necessitating the purchase of a new router.
  • Power outages followed, leading him to ultimately acquire an UPS device to ensure a constant power supply.

UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply and is used to ensure seamless power supply in case of an outage. This technology is particularly employed where any interruption can have fatal consequences, such as in hospitals. An UPS device can bridge the time until the power supply is restored or an emergency generator kicks in.

Equipped with these “tools”, the goal for the streamer was finally within reach, and his character Insanedayn reached level 60.

WoW Sauercrowd Saltydayn Level 60 Twitter

Finally level 60, but not as planned

Saltydayn actually wanted to gather the last experience points for level 60 from an old acquaintance – the troll lady who had previously ruined his path to max level. So he traveled back to the Hinterlands to face his old nemesis once more and receive the final XP for level 60 from her.

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However, this time it didn’t happen either, because already on the way to the troll temple, a level-up occurred when Saltydayn uncovered a new area on the map. This grants a small amount of exploration XP in WoW, and that was already enough to reach level 60. Thus, the finale was a bit less spectacular than originally thought, but it provided some laughs in voice chat and, of course, the usual congratulations in guild chat.

We asked the streamer how he felt about the big moment, and one thing dominated: relief.

“I was mainly relieved that it finally worked out and a great mental burden was lifted from me. Hardcore settings are extremely frustrating when you lose due to things beyond your control, but I was clear from the beginning that I would see it through. I am all the more grateful for the support of my community and guild, who gave me enormous support.”

Now Saltydayn just needs to “hold out” and equip himself until Sauercrowd finally raids Molten Core, which is the guild’s big goal. Because even though one has reached level 60, that doesn’t mean one is safe – a whole group of level 60 characters recently lost their heroes due to a small error.

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

I played a knight game on Steam for more than 50 hours, and that was only in the short demo

Ody Ody Reading time 2 minutes

MeinMMO author Ody has spent more than 50 hours dueling with knights in a game on Steam (though, getting beaten up is a more accurate description). And that was just the demo! The actual game has only just been released.

When I downloaded the tech demo for Half Sword on Steam in June 2025, I had no idea what I was getting into: I didn’t know that it was being played extensively by streamers like Maximilian “HandOfBlood” Knabe, nor that it was landing at number 10 on Steam’s most wished-for games (according to steamdb.info, as of January 30, 2026, at 2:13 PM)

Before I knew it, I had already put over 10 hours into the demo – and that number has now grown to over 50. We’re still talking about a tech demo that is quite limited in content. However, that is about to change. 

On January 30, 2026, just over two years after the demo’s release, Half Sword actually launched – albeit only in early access for now. Even this promises a lot of new content and improvements compared to the demo in the trailer.

You can watch the trailer for the early access launch of Half Sword here:

Start video
Half Sword: The knight game comes to early access as a demo after over 2 years

Three game modes, now with even more variety

In Half Sword, you face your opponents in the arena, where it’s a bloody battle with historically accurate weapons and armor from 15th century Europe. Compared to the tech demo, there are now significantly more different scenarios for these fights.

In the demo, you drew cards before each round in two of the three game modes, the Gauntlet and the Free Mode. These determined the type of the next contest, such as a one-on-one fight, a 3vs3, or “every man for himself” with four fighters.

With the early access come new maps like “First Blood” (whoever bleeds first, loses) or “Traps”. The latter sends you into a room full of dangerous traps. New weapons, armor, and maps are also available.

The fighters (affectionately called “Willys” by the community) are no longer clones: They now have different faces, some of them even have hair! The early access release also adds significant visual improvements.

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The core gameplay captivated even as a tech demo

What captivated me about Half Sword is the actual gameplay: The physics-based fights, where you influence the exact hand movements of your character yourself, offer a high replay value. No fight plays exactly the same, and more often than not, how skillfully I use my weapon is more crucial than the weapon itself.

At the beginning, I flailed my hands wildly just to hit anything, but over time, I learned more and more – and it feels great every time to end fights with a quick slash of the longsword.

HandOfBlood himself is a big fan of the game and has streamed a lot even as a demo. Currently, he is part of the Sauercrowd event, spending a lot of time back in WoW Classic. You can see the biggest winners of this event (of which he is one) here: 10 big winners of Sauercrowd – these Twitch streamers have already benefited from their adventure in WoW Classic Hardcore

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

Pokémon GO: Guide to the Community Day with Vulpix – How to Make the Most of the Event

Paul Kutzner Paul Kutzner Reading time 3 minutes

Vulpix awaits you in 2 forms during the Community Day in February 2026 in Pokémon GO. MeinMMO shows you how to make the most of the event.

The month of February kicks off with the next Community Day. This time, Vulpix, the Pokémon from Generation 1 that can evolve into Ninetales, is waiting for you. Not only the regular form of the Pokémon will be available at the event, but also the Alolan variant of the Pokémon.

We will show you how to best prepare for the event and make the most of it.

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Community Day in February 2026 with Vulpix – Start & Event Bonuses

What? Community Day with Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix
When? Sunday, February 1, 2026 – From 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Exclusive Move: Charged Move Energy Ball for Ninetales and Charged Move Cold Snap for Alolan Ninetales when you evolve the Pokémon during the event or up to 4 hours afterwards
Bonuses:
– Increased shiny chance for Vulpix in regular and Alolan form
– Triple catch experience points
– Double catch candy
– Double chance for XL candy when catching Pokémon from level 31
– Lures last 3 hours (not the daily adventure incense)
– Lures last 1 hour and can attract (Alolan) Vulpix
– Snapshot surprises with (Alolan) Vulpix
– Field research with both Vulpix variants

Bonuses 9:00 PM:
– Lures attract (Alolan) Vulpix with increased shiny chance, which may also have a special background
– An additional special trade
– 50% less stardust cost when trading

Additional Content of the Community Day: If you have a Community Ambassador event nearby and check in there during the Community Day, you will receive a free, limited-time research. This will give you encounters with both Vulpix forms that may have a special background, as well as premium items.

For $1.99 (approximately €2), you can also purchase a special research. Here you will receive 2 encounters with regular Vulpix with a special background, one Alolan Vulpix with a special background, a premium battle pass, one special XL candy, and additional encounters with both Vulpix forms.

Who is the Community Day with Vulpix for?

For Collectors: If you have not yet been able to catch Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix as shiny, you should take advantage of the event to fill these gaps in your Pokédex.

For Fighters: Both forms and their evolutions are not among the best attackers in Pokémon GO. They can be found in the middle of the Super and Ultra League but ideally should not be used as there are definitely better alternatives.

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The Perfect Preparation for the Community Day in February 2026

Pokémon Box: Make space in your box so that you can catch as many Pokémon as possible during the event. If you need to get rid of Pokémon during the Community Day, a trick to quickly sort Pokémon can help you.

Items: You will need some items to catch as many Pokémon as possible. Take care of balls to actually catch Pokémon. Incense and lures will help you attract more Pokémon. And by using Nanab berries, you will receive more candies when you catch a Pokémon.

Which Mega Pokémon are worth it for the event? If you have a Mega Evolution active during the event, you can receive additional experience points and candies for each catch. Since the regular Vulpix is a Fire type, the following Mega Evolutions are suitable:

  • Mega Charizard X
  • Mega Charizard Y
  • Mega Houndoom
  • Mega Blaziken
  • Primal Groudon

If you want to enjoy the bonuses when catching Alolan Vulpix, you will need to rely on one of the following Ice-type Mega Evolutions:

  • Mega Articuno
  • Mega Glalie

The Community Day with Vulpix marks the start of the events in the month of February. At the end of the month, the big GO Tour 2026 will be waiting. To warm up, there’s the opportunity in the week before the event to catch a whopping 15 legendary Pokémon in 5 days in Pokémon GO.

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

Is there really hope for New World? Rust developers are apparently in talks with Amazon Games

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 5 minutes

It’s time for our MeinMMO format “MMORPG News in 5 Minutes.” We summarize the most important news surrounding the best genre in the world. You can expect lots of WoW, Sauercrowd, the rescue of New World (?), and the return of an MMO classic.

Highlights of the week:

What else has happened? Turbulent years lie behind Cryptic Studios and the demotion from developer of genre-defining MMORPGs to mere administrators. A new owner and the return of studio co-founder Jack Emmert should bring about the turnaround. MeinMMO spoke with the industry veteran: “I have a new MMO coming” – The failed game for Warhammer brings genre veteran Jack Emmert back to Cryptic

Start video
WoW: Housing-Cinematic in WildStar style

Sauercrowd continues to dominate German Twitch

What happened with the major MMORPGs:

WoW: Roadmap 2026
Roadmap 2026 for WoW

What happened with the minor MMORPGs:

  • Even during the early access phase, a small but fine MMORPG could earn very good ratings on Steam for many months. Now the final release is on the agenda. Next week, the game is supposed to receive a brand new server shard for those who want to be part of a completely new community.
  • A often requested improvement for Lord of the Rings Online went live this week with Patch 46.1. Many players are already announcing that they will return to the MMORPG after a long break just because of this.
  • The comedy sitcom The Big Bang Theory once raised the question of whether the theft of in-game content is really theft. A British court has now provided the answer based on Old School RuneScape.
  • According to an interview from forbes.com, Guild Wars Reforged is said to have been an enormous success. The number of players is said to have increased by five times, and revenue from Guild Wars has even risen by 16,000 percent.
  • With Hope Burns Bright, the 4th chapter of Light and Rain from DC Universe Online has been released. Information about the new content can be found in the patch notes at dcuniverseonline.com.
  • Tibia has received a new update through which you will now learn new spells automatically and free of charge. You can find the patch notes at tibia.com.
  • In a new post on playpaxdei.com, the developers of the sandbox MMORPG have given an outlook on upcoming improvements for crafting progression. The goal: progress should feel better and more rewarding.
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What happened with MMORPGs in development:

  • Lord of the Mysteries is an “anime” from China that started in Germany last year. Now a complete MMORPG based on the series is being created.
  • The MMORPG Blade & Soul 2 will never come to the West, as the developers have now announced not just the service, but also the entire end of the MMORPG.
  • The developers of Scars of Honor are heavily orienting themselves on World of Warcraft with their MMORPG, but the proposed monetization works quite differently than in the template.
  • The team from Ashes of Creation addressed the community on the official website to announce a shift in the next stream and to highlight current issues. Among the main issues currently are real money trading, bots, and cheating, as well as the PvP and corruption system, and the insufficient performance and stability.
  • The developers of Chrono Odyssey released a fourth, once again very extensive blog post on X, discussing already implemented or planned improvements for the MMORPG. The focus is on control, combat experience, and consumables.
  • The free-to-play MMORPG Eterspire has received a new update for its early access version. The combat system has been greatly refined, and there is a new Ironman mode. You can find the patch notes on Steam.
  • Fractured Conquest, formerly Fractured Online, is getting a new weapon type with the greatsword. A video on YouTube showcases the new feature.
  • The developers of Camelot Unchained have released a new video on YouTube to introduce the Silvermine area. But see for yourself:
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With this, we have summarized the most important things that have recently happened in the world of MMORPGs.

What were you happy about this week? What irritated you? Let us know in the comments. If you’re looking for a comprehensive overview of the history of online role-playing games, you’ll find it in this extensive special: The history of MMORPGs – From Habitat to Throne and Liberty, and everything that happened in between

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

Diablo 4 rewards you with season 12 if you defeat enough enemies in a short time

Nicole Wakulczyk Nicole Wakulczyk Reading time 3 minutes

In Season 12 of Diablo 4, the bloodthirsty slaughter is literally at the center of attention. The more monsters you defeat in a short time, the more rewards you earn. To enhance this experience, Blizzard offers new items on top. You can test the fresh features as early as next week.

What rewards do I get in Season 12? With Season 12, Blizzard introduces a so-called killstreak system into the ARPG, which resembles the system from Diablo 3. Specifically, this means: If you slaughter a lot of monsters within a short time frame, a killstreak counter starts. While the timer runs, you collect points with each kill. If the timer completely runs out, the killstreak ends.

At the end of your killstreak, you gain experience points and seasonal reputation. The exact amount depends on how many enemies you have defeated during this time. Additionally, you receive bonuses based on which killstreak level you have reached. If you die, the killstreak is immediately over, and you receive no rewards.

The following killstreak levels exist based on the total points:

  • Killstreak
  • Slaughter
  • Devastation
  • Bloodbath
  • Massacre

To make the slaughter even more effective, new bloodstained items are coming into play, with which you can further enhance your killstreaks. Additionally, bloodstained seals increase the difficulty of endgame activities.

Currently, Season 11 is still ongoing in Diablo 4:

Start video
Diablo 4 showcases its new features from Season 11 in the gameplay trailer

Bloodstained items amplify your killstreaks

These are the bloodstained items: Bloodstained items are a new item quality associated with the killstreak system. Their affixes scale with your current killstreak level, resulting in stronger effects the more monsters you slay. In principle, any item drop can be bloodstained. The items can be both enchanted and bloodstained.

Bloodstained affixes are divided into three categories: Frenzy, Feast, and Hunger.

Examples of bloodstained affixes (Source: Blizzard):

  • Frenzy:
    • Power increase based on the current killstreak level
    • Applied to armor
    • Example: Killstreak: 7 %[+] movement speed per current killstreak level
  • Feast:
    • Combat bonuses based on the total number of kills in your current killstreak
    • Applied to weapons
    • Example: Every 40 kills in your killstreak reset a random cooldown
    • These bonuses are constant and not tied to the killstreak level
  • Hunger:
    • Adapts rewards that scale based on killstreak level
    • Example: Defeated elite enemies drop runes more frequently
    • Applied to jewelry
Examples of bloodstained items.
This is what a bloodstained seal might look like.

You defeat the Butcher – and he comes right back

These are bloodstained seals: Bloodstained seals increase the difficulty of Nightmare Dungeons, Hell Waves, and Hideout bosses by about one torment level. They are available starting from torment level 1 and guarantee you bloodstained items as rewards upon successful completion.

Each bloodstained seal carries the affix “Relentless Butcher.” This means: The Butcher relentlessly hunts you down. Even if you defeat him, he returns immediately. In some cases, you may even have to fight against two Butchers at once.

The Diablo community is currently discussing which Butcher is the most frightening. Which one is your favorite? Feel free to participate in our poll:

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von Nicole Wakulczyk

When can I test the content from Season 12? Blizzard has introduced the new content, including patch notes for Season 12 in a blog post. The PTR along with patch 2.6.0 is just around the corner. You can test the upcoming changes on the Public Test Realm (PTR) from February 3, 2026, starting from 7:00 PM CET, until February 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM CET, via Battle.net. There is no seasonal reputation for killstreaks on the PTR.

According to Reliquiar, there are currently still about 40 days left for Season 11. Therefore, Season 12 is expected to start on March 10, 2026. You’ll find out which content will come into play and which new uniques await you in our overview: Diablo 4 Season 12 – all about start, release date, and the PTR

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

In Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy, the Emperor has given me his hardest battle: to think for myself

Benedict Grothaus Benedict Grothaus Reading time 6 minutes

With Dark Heresy, a new role-playing game set in Warhammer 40,000 is in the works, which you can already play in Alpha on Steam. MeinMMO editor and Warhammer expert Benedict Grothaus has looked at the currently available content. Most of the playtime was spent on perhaps the biggest challenge: thinking.

Since the announcement, I have been looking forward to Dark Heresy, and the more I hear about the game, the more excited I become. Together with the boss, I have already dove into the deepest nerd topics and absorb every piece of news about the upcoming role-playing game like dry cornstarch soaking up a drop of clean water.

Owlcat, the creators of Dark Heresy, have already delivered one of the best games ever with Rogue Trader, if you want to get into the world of Warhammer. Such dedication to detail and the Warhammer lore is rarely seen. With Dark Heresy, the developers wanted to do even better and address the last criticisms.

The Alpha of the new role-playing game has been running on Steam since December 2025, and I actually wanted to hold back because I know: once I start, I want to continue, and for that, I need the whole game!

Nevertheless, I have now sunk the first 12 hours into the Alpha and am glad about it. Now I not only think that Dark Heresy will be my next highlight, I know it.

Small spoiler warning: I will try to reveal as little as possible of the story I know so far. However, if you want to know nothing in advance, you should at least skip the next two sections. Here goes to the last section.

Start video
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy in the Announcement Trailer

Rogue Trader was really good, Dark Heresy is even better

To quickly catch you up: Rogue Trader and Dark Heresy are cRPGs, isometric and story-driven role-playing games with turn-based combat – similar to Baldur’s Gate 3. The games tell a story that you influence with your choices.

An important feature is the various companions with their own backgrounds and personalities. Rogue Trader set a good precedent here, especially with the first DLC Void Shadows, which made the entire ship of the Rogue Trader available. Anyone interested in the backgrounds of Warhammer 40,000 should definitely take a look.

Criticism at the time mainly concerned fights and levels or character development, which I actually found very positive. There are simply too many skills with complicated descriptions, while in the end, it turned out that a straightforward brawler build with a heavy bolter carried the whole game.

Dark Heresy takes a different approach here. Instead of a huge selection of different skills, there are archetype-fitting options when leveling up, so there is more “class identity”. I have experienced how that affects gameplay… painfully, I must add.

warhammer 40k dark heresy screenshot character sheet
The character sheet still has a lot of details.
warhammer 40k dark heresy screenshot levelup 2
The talents fit the archetype.
warhammer 40k dark heresy screenshot levelup 1
At level 4, there were 3 active skills to choose from.

Thinking instead of shooting doesn’t seem to be my strength

The Alpha currently offers about 15 hours of content with several areas to explore. Different fights await here at the locations, one of which is relatively easy, while another almost wiped out my entire team.

In the fight against some Kroot, which many of you may know as auxiliary units of the Tau, my entire team almost went down. Only Crogg, the simple but loyal Ogryn companion, was left with half his health and no morale.

Admittedly, had SOMEONE (the Psyker cough) not decided that a Daemonette would spice up the fight, it would have probably been easier…

The Kroot smell trouble. And swamp.
warhammer 40k dark heresy screenshot Boss
The boss runs away with low morale! Looks good. For now.
warhammer 40k dark heresy screenshot last crogg standing
Crogg is in the end my last survivor. A real hero!

Dark Heresy, however, places more emphasis on tactical gameplay. Instead of simply barging in with a heavy bolter and mowing down enemies, I need to use cover and hit vital spots to prevent enemies from acting or moving.

At times, I had to tactically attack my own units with flamers or magic and accept the damage to take out multiple enemies that would have otherwise taken me down – while I was playing on the “easy” mode like most testers.

I never had such situations in Rogue Trader, but they fit perfectly with Dark Heresy. Because something I noticed after the first hours is: I have to think much more; fights are not that important. What matters is how well I can create a complete picture out of fragments.

The boss compares his detective system to a meme, and he is completely correct

The core of Dark Heresy is the investigation system. Instead of a Rogue Trader like in Rogue Trader or a super soldier like in Space Marine, in Dark Heresy, you play a member of the Inquisition with the goal of solving various cases in a macro-pole and preventing possible heresies.

Anatoly Shestov, the Executive Producer, explained to me in several conversations that one can best imagine this system like the meme with the guy who stands in front of a wall of clues and connects everything with red threads. And he is right:

warhammer 40k dark heresy screenshot case research
Researching clues gives… more clues.
warhammer 40k dark heresy screenshot case conclusion contradiction
Contradictions are discovered by the game itself.
Warhammer 40k dark heresy case wand
So if A, then B, but then cannot be C, and however, D…

In every conversation, there may be a hidden clue, items in the world – some of which are REALLY well hidden – and even just random pipes can create further “clues” that progress the case. Sometimes just a tiny detail is needed to completely dismantle a seemingly plausible hypothesis.

At times, I sat for almost an hour in front of this wall of notes, reading through the clues, gathering input from my companions, and contemplating who killed whom and what was stolen – and why. In the end, I never came to a conclusion and, somewhat contrite, searched for further clues.

Who stole the coconut – and who has to die for it?

The Inquisition is the most dangerous organization of the Imperium for good reason: If they suspect that someone is dealing with the powers of Chaos or has been corrupted involuntarily, Inquisitors quickly take decisive action with their pistol.

Thanks to Dark Heresy, I understand why they do this. When I consider how incredibly much effort I put into searching for missing workers and thus realize that maybe an unholy cult is lurking in the Underhive…

At the latest, after I found clues about an involvement of the dangerously notorious Night Lords, it was clear to me that in the 41st millennium, it is simply the safer way to shoot first and ask questions later. Because while I search for the one guilty party, corruption continues to spread.

And if this happens to catch one (or a few dozen) innocent folks… well. According to the Inquisition, there is no such thing as innocence anyway, only varying degrees of guilt.

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Dark Heresy is not quite what I expected – different, but even better than hoped, at least in the first 12 hours. There is still a while until the release, and important content like character creation is still missing; currently, you play a pre-made character. Nevertheless, this brief insight has made me even more eager for the role-playing game. The highlight would be if I could someday press the button: Exterminatus is the most terrible weapon in Warhammer 40,000 and even the mad Imperium uses it only very rarely

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

Diablo 4 Season 12 – everything about the start, release date, and the PTR

Nicole Wakulczyk Nicole Wakulczyk Reading time 3 minutes

Season 12 starts in March in Diablo 4 and brings fresh content and new mechanics to the ARPG. You can find out what new features await you here on MeinMMO.

In a blog post about the PTR for Season 12, the developers of Diablo 4 revealed first details about the contents of the new season. We summarize all the important information for you and will update the article regularly as new developments arise.

Season 12: Start, PTR and Patch Notes

When does Season 12 start? According to the remaining days in the Battle Pass or the Reliquary, Season 12 in Diablo 4 is expected to start on March 10, 2026. We will provide the exact start time and the size of the update as soon as Blizzard releases information.

When does Season 12 end? Season 12 is intentionally shorter according to Blizzard. It serves as a kind of transition season until the new DLC Lord of Hatred, which will be released on April 28, 2026. Overall, Season 12 will last about 7 weeks, which is just under two months.

Is there a PTR for Season 12? The PTR (Public Test Realm) for Season 12 runs from February 3, 2026, at 19:00 CET, until February 10, 2026, at 19:00 CET. There you can try out the new content on PC via Battle.net, including the new killstreak system and the blood-soaked items.

Are there patch notes for Season 12? In the official blog post from Blizzard about Season 12, you can find the patch notes for the PTR (Patch 2.6.0). As soon as the final patch notes for Season 12 are released, you will find them with us as well.

Season 12 is basically the bridge to Lord of Hatred, the second DLC for Diablo 4:

Start video
Diablo 4 shows content from the second DLC Lord of Hatred in the gameplay trailer

Season 12: Theme and New Features

What is the theme of Season 12? Blizzard has not yet announced a specific season theme. Content-wise, it literally revolves around bloodthirsty slaughter. You will receive new, blood-stained equipment that boosts your killstreaks. Additionally, new seals will be introduced that make endgame activities more difficult.

What’s included in Season 12:

  • Killstreaks: With Season 12, Blizzard introduces a killstreak system reminiscent of Diablo 3. If you defeat a lot of monsters in a short time, a killstreak counter starts. Within that timeframe, you collect points by slaying many monsters. When the timer runs out, the killstreak ends. At the end, you will receive experience points and seasonal fame. Killstreaks are divided into five tiers based on total score: Killstreak, Slaughter, Devastation, Bloodbath, and Massacre.
  • Blood-stained Items: Blood-stained items are a new item quality associated with the killstreak system. Their affixes scale with your current killstreak level and become stronger the longer you defeat monsters consecutively. Any item drop can be blood-stained. Items can be both imprinted and blood-stained. The affixes are categorized into three types: Frenzy, Feast, and Hunger.
  • Blood-stained Seals: Blood-stained seals increase the difficulty of Nightmare Dungeons, Hell Hordes, and Hideout bosses by approximately one torment level. They are available from torment level 1 and guarantee blood-stained items as rewards for completing an activity. Blood-stained seals carry the affix “Ruthless Butcher.” Meaning: The Butcher hunts you – and even if you defeat him, he returns immediately. In some cases, you will even fight against two Butchers at the same time.
  • New Uniques: With Season 12, five new uniques will be introduced. Three of them can be used by all classes. New Mythic Uniques are currently not planned.
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Season 12: Best Classes and Builds

Which class is the best class in Season 12? Which classes and builds will dominate the meta in Season 12 is still open. The PTR should provide some initial clues. At the latest after the start of the season, it will become clear which builds will lead the tier lists. You can find the strongest endgame builds from the current Season 11, including explanations and links to recreate them here: Diablo 4 Season 11: Tier List with the best builds for all classes

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

Borderlands 4: Roadmap – All upcoming content and DLCs

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

The release of Borderlands 4 is just the beginning for the loot shooter. With free content and premium DLCs, the game is set to expand even after launch. MeinMMO shows you all upcoming content from the roadmap.

What does the roadmap for Borderlands 4 look like? Gearbox Software has already announced several contents that players can look forward to in the future for Borderlands 4.

In addition to paid DLCs, which you may already have included in one of the editions, there will also be free content. We will list the items chronologically.

Update, January 30, 2026: The article has been updated with new information about upcoming content in the first quarter of 2026 and beyond.

[toc]

Borderlands 4 Roadmap: Content and DLCs expected in 2025

  • Horror of Kairos (Free seasonal mini-event)
    • Exact release date: October 23, 2025 to November 6, 2025
    • New weapons (Tediore assault rifle, grenade)
    • New cosmetic content (Pumpkin heads for hunters and the Hexappeal skin)
    • New weather effects (Blood rain)
  • Bounty Pack 1 How Rush saved Mercenary Day (Free-DLC for all Players)
    • Exact release: November 20
    • New missions and bosses
    • New legendary gear
    • Vault cards with 24 cosmetic items and gear that can be re-rolled.
    • 1 Echo-4 Skin
    • 1 vehicle
  • Unbeatable Bosses 1 (free content)
    • Exact release: December
    • Strong raid boss (Bloomreaper)
    • New legendary weapons
    • Additional ranks for the Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode

After the video, you will see the planned content for the first quarter of 2026.

Start video
Boss in Borderlands 4 droppt starken Loot und lässt sich schnell farmen

Borderlands 4 Roadmap: Content and DLCs expected in the first quarter of 2026

  • Bounty Pack 2: Legend of the Stone Demon (paid DLC included in the Deluxe and Super Deluxe Edition)
    • Exact release: February 2026
    • New missions and bosses
    • New legendary gear,
    • Vault cards with 24 cosmetic items and gear that can be re-rolled.
    • 1 player skin
    • 1 Echo-4 Skin
    • 1 vehicle
  • Pearlescent Gear (free content)
    • New extremely rare gear rarity with new items that have appeared in previous editions
  • Story Pack 1: Mad Ellie and the Wailing Chamber (paid DLC included in the Super Deluxe Edition)
    • Exact release date: 1st quarter of 2026
    • The new class and vault hunter C4SH
    • New main missions
    • New map zones
    • New side missions
    • New legendary gear
    • New cosmetic items

Borderlands 4 Roadmap: Content and DLCs expected after the first quarter of 2026

  • New invincible raid boss (free content)
    • Exact release date: 2nd quarter of 2026
  • Takedowns as endgame content (free content)
    • Exact release date: 2nd quarter of 2026
  • Bounty Pack 3 (paid DLC included in the Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions)
    • Exact release date: 2nd quarter of 2026
  • Bounty Packs 4 and 5 (paid DLC included in the Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions)
    • Exact release date: 3rd quarter of 2026
  • Story Pack 2 (paid DLC included in the Super Deluxe Edition)
    • Exact release date: 3rd quarter of 2026

Additionally, new boss fights will rotate weekly, and Wildcard missions will appear every week. Also, Maurice’s black market machine will change weekly.

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There are still many contents coming for the vault hunters of Borderlands 4 in the future. First, most players need to complete the game. If you need tips and guides for that, feel free to stop by here: Borderlands 4: All guides, tips, and lists in overview

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. borderlands.2k.com

After over 4 years, New World is coming to an end, but how could this happen?

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

Although New World had a pretty good start in 2021, the sad news came in January 2026: New World will be shut down in 2027. In a new video on the MeinMMO channel on YouTube, we explain how this could even happen.

What do we clarify in the video? In our new video on YouTube, we focus on the development of the Amazon MMORPG New World. The MMORPG launched in 2021 and had a pretty good start. However, the initial hype could not be maintained, and as announced on January 16, 2026, New World will be shut down on January 31, 2027.

How the promising MMORPG could fall so sharply in 5 years, we discuss in our new video on the MeinMMO YouTube channel. You can watch the 12-minute video here:

Recommended editorial content

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Link to the YouTube content

New World’s Development from 2016 to 2026

Which topics are the focus of our video? In the video, we discuss the development of New World in recent years. We start with the beginning of development by Amazon Game Studios in 2016. At that time, it was clear: The MMORPG aims to target a hardcore audience with an open PvP concept.

However, one problem was noticed as early as 2018. Such a concept can work, but not if you want to attract solo players or newcomers. In 2019, they backtracked and tried to head more towards a PvE MMORPG. But there was a lack of clear direction.

Instead of May 2020, the game was released in September 2021. The launch was quite good. Over 900,000 players were playing concurrently. However, there were further problems: server issues and long queues. A strong launch was marred by this.

In 2022, the technology was addressed. There were quality-of-life improvements, new weapons, and expeditions. Yet, even though the technical aspects improved, New World still lacked a cohesive approach.

Start video
Amazon wollte Big Player für Games sein – Das Ende von New World vervollständigt eine traurige Geschichte des Scheiterns

In 2023, the first expansion followed, and in 2024, the game was adjusted and realigned as New World: Aeternum. However, neither the console versions nor a new direction as an action-RPG MMO could rekindle the community’s fire.

In October 2025, it was announced that Season 10 would be the final content update. On January 16, 2026, they became more specific: On January 31, 2027, the servers will be shut down, making New World unplayable. A sad message for fans who never gave up on the MMORPG despite its many issues.

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If you want to read another analysis of the failure of New World and Amazon Games Studios in addition to our new video on YouTube, check out the analysis by our MMORPG expert Karsten Scholz: Amazon wanted to be a big player in gaming – The end of New World completes a sad story of failure

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

Pokémon GO: 4 tips and counters against Dynamax Ho-Oh – All information about the Dynamax weekend

Max Handwerk Max Handwerk Reading time 2 minutes

In Pokémon GO the Dynamax weekend with Ho-Oh is rising. How to catch the legendary giant bird, we show you here.

When does the Dynamax Combat Day run? The event around Ho-Oh starts on Saturday, January 31 at 06:00 AM. It ends on Sunday, February 1 at 21:00 PM. 

What bonuses apply? Ho-Oh appears at numerous energy sources and can also be caught as Shiny. However, the chance for it is not increased. The following bonuses apply: 

  • The limit for Dyna-Particles is increased to 1,600
  • You only need a quarter of the walking distance to receive additional Dyna-Particles
  • Energy sources provide you the eightfold amount of particles

Is Ho-Oh worth it? Ho-Oh is a legendary Pokémon from the second generation of the Fire/Flying type. Now it is also available as a Dynamax monster.

In terms of Dynamax meta, it will not stand out significantly. There are other attackers that surpass it. But: You can still take advantage of the event to catch Ho-Oh and use it in the Master League, where it is a powerful option. Ho-Oh is also usable as a raid attacker. And the candies you collect during the event can be used for Crypto-Ho-Oh, if you have it.

However, defeating Ho-Oh will not be so easy. We will show you what to consider during the event.

Start video
Pokémon GO: Over 800 Trainers fight in Gigantamax battle

Powerful attackers against Dynamax-Ho-Oh

Ho-Oh is a Flying type monster. Powerful attackers against this Pokémon are therefore, for example, Rock-, Water- or Electric-types.

A very good option just came into play this week: Dynamax-Brockoloss is currently the most powerful attacker against Dynamax-Ho-Oh. However, it may be that you do not have a good specimen yet or it is not strong enough.

Therefore, it is also worth taking a look at older Dyna-Pokémon. Good options are:

  • Dynamax-Brockoloss
  • Dynamax-Amoroso
  • Gigadynamax-Intelleon
  • Gigadynamax-Kingler
  • Gigadynamax-Riffex

Strong defenders against Dynamax-Ho-Oh

In defense, you should always pay attention to Pokémon that can take a lot of hits, but also have fast instant-attacks to fill the Dynamax bar. Once the Dynamax bar is filled, you can then switch in your attackers or healers.

Good defenders are:

  • Dynamax-Heiteira, as is usually the case
  • Dynamax-Kabutops: You are currently receiving a Kabuto in research in preparation for the event
  • Dynamax-Latias
  • Dynamax-Latios

Gather enough trainers

Ho-Oh is a legendary Dynamax Pokémon, but still not a Gigadynamax Pokémon. Your trainer limit is therefore four trainers.

Currently, it looks like you will need these four trainers. Three should also make a victory possible, if you use good counters and proceed strategically.

Coordinate exactly in advance and use bonuses

Clarify the roles in your group for the Dynamax battle. Make sure that you are not only attacking but also defending cleverly and healing your attackers.

A good option is to use Heiteira for defending and healing, to then switch in Brockoloss or one of the other attackers.

Also, keep in mind that the adventure effects of Zacian, Zamazenta, or Endynalos can provide you with additional advantages in battle – more attack, more defense, or extra Dynamax levels for your attacks. If you have these monsters with effects, you should use the effects.

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In Pokémon GO, not only Dynamax-Ho-Oh becomes a new opponent, but also there is something new to discover outside of battles: A new map in the Wayfarer program gives you a good overview of arenas and PokéStops all around the world. Read more about the new PokéStop map for Pokémon GO here.

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

In a new Pokemon-like, the monsters are the stars, let me become the wolf mother

Jasmin Beverungen Jasmin Beverungen Reading time 5 minutes

MyMMO editor Jasmin couldn’t get enough of the monsters from Aniimo. In the closed beta, she mostly just zipped around the map and interacted with the creatures.

Every monster collecting game handles its creatures differently. Sometimes, like in Pokémon, they’re your eternal companions and battle monsters, while in others, like Palworld, they are your base workers and mounts. The monsters should definitely be the stars in a monster collecting game, don’t you think?

In the past, I have tried many of these monster collecting games, even the lesser-known ones like Temtem or Nexomon. Even in Persona 5 Royal, I had the urge to collect all Personas to laugh in the face of achieving a complete collection. I just love collecting creatures and uniting them all as a happy family under one roof (or in a storage box)!

That’s why I absolutely had to play the Closed Beta of Aniimo. The monsters looked adorable and colorful in the first images. I wanted to see if there was more behind the cute façade and how the creatures are integrated into the game. After several hours, I can tell you: They are the highlight of the game!

Start video
Aniimo shows in the trailer for the closed beta how good the monster collector looks

Open World with Colorful Aesthetics

Aniimo is an open-world action RPG with gacha mechanics, reminiscent of a mix between Pokémon, Genshin Impact, and Palworld. We take on the role of an influencer from the modern world but are transported to a foreign planet by a mysterious event. This world is populated by the titular monsters.

Unlike regular humans, we have the special ability to befriend the monsters and even transform into them. The main goal is to explore the vast world, solve ancient mysteries, and figure out why we ended up there in the first place.

The gameplay feature that sets Aniimo apart from other monster collecting games is the Twining. This means we are not just beside our monsters giving them passive commands, but we become the monster ourselves.

Aniimo
With the fire wolf, I can sprint.
Aniimo
Other Aniimo take care of swimming.
Aniimo
The crab loves to dig.

We take control of a creature and gain its abilities, which we can use both in combat and to solve environmental puzzles. For example, when we play as the little fire pup, we can shoot fireballs to remove vines blocking our path or chests.

Depending on the monster, we move differently in the world. With the larger fire dog, we can sprint quickly around. The crab allows us to dig into the sand to circumvent obstacles. There are also birds that can float, Aniimos that can swim, or flying squirrels that can climb trees or other obstacles.

I spent several hours just zooming around and exploring the beautiful world. Within the open world, there are also small puzzles or chests hidden, like those in other gacha games or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. They motivate you to explore every nook and cranny of the environment.

But even so, I had so much fun exploring. There are varied areas like lavender flower fields, forests with purple trees, or sun-kissed sandy beaches.

Aniimo
The city serves as a hub.
Aniimo
The world feels alive and cohesive.

However, it should be noted that the visuals are really a matter of taste. The settings for reflections and sunlight seem to be turned up to 100%, and the visuals look a bit washed out. Those who prefer realistic and less cutesy areas might experience a colorful nightmare in Aniimo.

Monsters React to Their Own Behavior

What surprised me the most in the open world were once again the monsters themselves. They roam freely in the open world and interact with each other. Once, I stopped a chase because I felt sorry for a poor sheep being chased in circles by a nasty Aniimo.

However, the Aniimos do not just react to each other’s behavior but also to their own appearance. Depending on which creature we transform into, they greet us in different ways.

As a big fire wolf, I am, for example, avoided by the squirrels in the forest because they are afraid of me. However, when I transformed into a squirrel myself, the other squirrels observed me with curiosity.

My best moment was when, transformed into a fire wolf, I ran into a group of little fire pups and was adored by them. Suddenly, smileys with heart eyes popped up and the pups accepted me as their adoptive mother.

They circled around me and accompanied me wherever I moved. I truly felt like I had suddenly become a multiple wolf mother.

Appearance is Just as Important

Your character is just as important. I was amazed at the number of options available to customize your character. The editor resembles more advanced versions that you usually find in role-playing games. Each facial feature can be adjusted individually in size and angle.

However, the pre-made faces already hint that the style leans more towards doll-like. In the game, I also saw other characters who fully utilized the editor and created crazy faces. But most resembled more Asian MMOs.

Aniimo
The faces look doll-like.
Aniimo
More clothing is likely available through real money.

I was particularly surprised by the option to play a 3D animation within your eyes. Here you can also determine at what speed, size, and angle it is reflected in your eyes.

On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed with the options for hairstyles. It remains to be seen whether this will be the final selection for the official release or if it will be possible to acquire hairstyles and costumes with real money or in-game currency. Because Aniimo is still a gacha game.

The gacha menus totally overwhelmed me. When I wanted to show someone something on the screen, I felt like the boomer of the bunch. I took several seconds to find the right menu each time. If you are used to dealing with gacha games, you might find it faster than I did during the testing phase. But the many menus and in-game currencies left me with a big question mark on my face.

Currently, it is still unclear when Aniimo will even be released. Who knows, there might even be another beta before the release. If you don’t want to miss the announcement, you should save and keep an eye on the following article on MyMMO: Aniimo – All important information about release, platforms, and beta

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

Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair: Release, Trailer and Cast – All information about the comedy sequel

Niko Hernes Niko Hernes Reading time 2 minutes

Malcolm in the Middle returns in 2026. In the new reboot, you’ll see many familiar characters from the series after years. You can find all the information on MeinMMO.

What is this reboot about? Originally, the comedy series Malcolm in the Middle consisted of seven seasons that aired from 2000 to 2006. It focused on Malcolm’s family, their interpersonal relationships, and the great chaos that arises from it.

In 2026, it continues with a reboot titled Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair. Many characters and actors are returning.

When is the reboot of Malcolm in the Middle being released? The new episodes are set to premiere on Disney+ on April 10, 2026, with all four episodes releasing on the same day.

Is there a trailer for the Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair? Yes. A short teaser was released for the reboot titled Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, promising quite a lot of chaos:

Start video
The reboot of Malcolm in the Middle promises quite a bit of chaos, even 19 years later

Malcolm in the Middle Reboot: Cast, Stream, and Episodes

Who is in the cast? Many old actors are returning for Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair. Almost everyone from the main family is back, except for Dewey, who is not played by Erik Per Sullivan but by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark. Jamie, who was a baby in the original series, is now played by Anthony Timpano. Otherwise, here are the following actors:

  • Frankie Muniz as Malcolm
  • Jane Kaczmarek as Lois
  • Bryan Cranston as Hal
  • Christopher Masterson as Francis
  • Emy Coligado as Piama
  • Justin Berfield as Reese
  • Caleb Ellsworth-Clark as Dewey
  • Anthony Timpano as Jamie
  • Craig Lamar Traylor as Stevie Kenarbin
  • Todd Giebenhain as Richie
  • Kiana Madeira as Tristan
  • Meagen Fay as Gretchen Mannkusser
  • Vaughan Murrae as Kelly
  • Keeley Karsten as Leah
  • John Marshall Jones as Brian
  • Jett Klyne as Jason
  • Erik Gow as Glenn

Where can I stream the Malcolm in the Middle reboot? The reboot will be available on Disney+ in Germany.

How many episodes will there be? The reboot is conceived as a miniseries and will have a total of 4 episodes, all releasing simultaneously on April 10, 2026.

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Malcolm in the Middle is not the only comedy series continuing in 2026. You can also revisit your favorite hospital, Sacred Heart, this year. With the revival, J.D. and his colleagues are back: Scrubs-Revival: Trailer, Cast, Release – All info about the continuation of the cult series

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. IMDb
  2. Titelbildquelle: Hulu auf YouTube

Dune: Awakening – The 8 best items that make you overwhelmingly strong early on

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 4 minutes

In Dune: Awakening, you can earn unique recipes for powerful items fairly early on, which can significantly ease your gaming experience. MeinMMO presents 8 of these overpowered equipment pieces to you.

In Dune: Awakening, it holds true: The better your equipment, weapons, and tools, the easier the fight for survival on Arrakis will be. Items that you can craft through unique recipes grant you a particularly noticeable power advantage. These can be found throughout the game world.

We will introduce you to 8 particularly powerful items that you can acquire early on. Please note that when you craft the respective item, you consume the associated recipe. If you want to craft the item again, for sale or for guild friends, you will need to farm the recipe again.

Update January 30, 2026: With the upcoming release of Chapter 3 on February 3, we have re-checked our guide and updated it where necessary.

The launch trailer for Dune Awakening:

Start video
Das neue Survival-MMO Dune: Awakening im Launch-Trailer

Hajra Literjon Mk1

Water is a rare and essential resource on Arrakis, which not only secures your survival but also plays a crucial role in the production and processing of materials. One of the most important items for the mobile storage of water is the so-called Literjons. However, the standard version only holds 1,000 units.

Therefore, visit the merchant at the Griffin’s Reach trading post in the Hagga Basin South to stock up on recipes for the better “Hajra Literjon Mk1” (1,500 units). They cost only 500 Solari per recipe. This is a sensible investment to noticeably increase your water storage efficiency early on.

Mohandis Sandbike Engine Mk1

This unique engine provides you with a speed of 93 km/h. For comparison: Sandbike, Engine Mk2, the standard part of the second generation, only reaches 78 km/h, and the Sandbike, Engine Mk3 is worse, at 85 km/h. You will be able to utilize the Mohandis engine for a long time profitably.

You can find the component in the south of the Hagga Basin South, near the starting point, at the enemy base Keyhole Rock. On the second floor of the fortress, you will find a large loot crate, where you may find the Mohandis Sandbike, Engine Mk1 with some luck.

Night Rider Sandbike, Boost Mk2

Perfectly complementing the Mohandis Sandbike, Engine Mk1 is this booster, which lets you speed through the dunes with enormous velocity. You can find this in the second region, Eastern Vermillius Gap, a bit north of the trading post “The Anvil”. Specifically: in the Ghanima Cavern. This item is also not a guaranteed drop.

Dune Awakening - Ghanima Cave
Location of the Ghanima Cave

Strong Starter Weapon for Ranged Combat: Aren’s Vengeance

Also near the starting point in the Hagga Basin South, you can already acquire the recipe for a strong ranged weapon. To do so, visit the “Broken Stone Station” in the southern central mountain formation.

In the loot crate found there, there is a good chance that the rifle Aren’s Vengeance will be present, which features reliable precision and firepower even at great distances and can serve you well for many level-ups.

Strong Starter Weapon for Blood Farming: Kaleff’s Drinker

This blade is significantly stronger than your starting dagger, with 10.9 damage, and has a special feature: hits drain blood from the victim, which lands directly in your blood pouch. After the opponent’s death, you can extract the red life elixir from them again using the blood extractor. This makes blood farming particularly efficient.

You can find the blade in the Hagga Basin South, at the wreck of the Alcyon. Fight your way through the wreck until you reach the loot crate there.

Shock Sword

The Shock Sword packs significantly more punch than Kaleff’s Drinker. The blade shines not only with 38.4 damage per second but also with a stamina boost on successful parries. Awesome!

However, to obtain the weapon, you must already venture through Jabal Eifrit Al-janub and visit the test station 76 in the northwest. Fight your way to the last chamber, where you will find the appropriate loot crate.

Dune: Awakening - Shock Sword
The Shock Sword delivers high damage and stamina.

Wings of the Emperor Mk1

This unique suspension belt can be activated by a double jump, allowing you to hover upwards. Additionally, the hover state lasts significantly longer than with normal belts.

In combination with the Shigadraht claw of the trooper class, you gain a noticeable increase to your mobility: simply propel yourself forward or upward with the claw, then use the belt to leverage the momentum. This allows you to cross larger chasms as well.

You will find the belt at the end of your visit to the Imperial Test Station 2 in the Hagga Basin South.

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Taking Down Shields Made Easy: Legion Tatoo

Lastly, we have a tip for you that is quite significant. This will lead you into the Western Vermillius Gap, specifically to the wreck of the Pallas. The special feature of this region is that PvP is active. Therefore, it can happen that you encounter trigger-happy players who disrupt your loot plan.

But why is the visit worth it? Well, in the large loot crate of the area, there is the recipe for the Disruptor weapon Legion Tatoo, which allows you to efficiently and easily remove the protective shields of your enemies from a distance. If you’re not keen on close combat, you need this blast! What else you need to know about the new survival MMO from Funcom, you can find out here: Everything about the release on PS5, Xbox, and PC of Dune: Awakening.

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

Leading Audi employee wants to do away with large screens and revive a lost feature

jan hartmayer jan hartmayer Reading time 2 minutes

The CCO of Audi proposes an unusual direction with his design of the Concept C. Upcoming cars should, according to him, be clear, technical, intelligent and consequently emotional. 

What did the employee say? The Chief Creative Officer of the car manufacturer Audi, Massimo Frascella, stated in an interview with the British magazine TopGear that he wants to move away from huge screens and simplify the design of new vehicles.

According to his own statements, it should return to the origins of the company, when cars were designed in a structured way. The design of the new Concept C is supposed to be inspired by vehicles like the 1997 A6 and use its appearance as a reference. 

In addition, it should combine analog and digital concepts and bring back physical buttons with tactile feedback as a feature.

If you are instead looking for a truck with an electric motor, check out the presentation of Slate’s new vehicle in the following video:

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Slate Auto presents new truck with electric motor

Bigger is not always better 

Where does the turnaround come from? According to Frascella, “large screens are not the best experience” and are “technology for the sake of technology.” Therefore, he wants to move away from the current design strategy and bring back the “premium feel” in cars. 

According to his statements, technology should be used at Audi when it is necessary, and not when it appears unnecessary. Thus, technology should be offered functionally and in the best possible usability to customers. However, modern technology can also lead to significant damage if misused, as another driver had to find out.

It is also important that the tactile feedback of physical buttons in new Audi models is perceived as a quality feature and that plastic is replaced with loving materials like metal. 

How is he implementing the concept? In Audi’s new Concept C, you can already see the design philosophy of the Creative Officer:

According to a post on the manufacturer’s website, the vehicle’s interior increasingly focuses on analog buttons and intentionally does without a large screen in the center of the dashboard. It looks more minimalist and geometric shapes are supposed to emphasize function. 

The simple and clear outer shape of the car should also radiate “athletic minimalism” as well as “power and precision.” This is to be achieved through a uniform shape that looks as if it were made from a single piece of metal. 

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He is also supposed to orient himself towards a more vertical design that was already used in older models like the Audi A6 from 2004. But it is not only Audi that is changing its strategy regarding quality; an entire country is introducing a regulation for this purpose: China has had enough of the bad reputation of its cars and now wants to ban the export of vehicles of poor quality or without spare parts.

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

Dune: Awakening – 10 Tips for Beginners to Significantly Ease Your Start

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 7 minutes

Dune: Awakening is a survival MMO with many mechanics, systems, and pitfalls. MeinMMO summarizes useful tips and tricks that will noticeably ease your entry into the game.

Since June 5, 2025, buyers of the Deluxe or Ultimate Editions can already play Dune: Awakening. From June 10, 2025, all owners of the base version can also wreak havoc on the desert planet Arrakis.

You can expect a survival battle against heat and thirst, aggressive bandits, gigantic sandworms, and much more. Depending on how and where you die, you can lose all your possessions. To help you get started and avoid some mistakes we made, we present you with a variety of useful tips for entering the world of Dune: Awakening.

Update January 30, 2026: With the upcoming release of Chapter 3 on February 3, we have re-checked our guide and updated it where necessary.

[toc]

The launch trailer for Dune Awakening:

Start video
Das neue Survival-MMO Dune: Awakening im Launch-Trailer

Tip 1: Listen to the Game

Similar to Conan Exiles, Dune: Awakening also takes you by the hand with a kind of travel function to introduce you to the game. So, tip number 1 is quite simple: Follow the instructions and objectives of the journey to learn the key mechanics of the game.

Later, the game opens up significantly, but you can still let yourself be guided through the game by the many side quests from NPCs or bulletin boards. Through these, you will gain experience points, units of in-game currency, and many other rewards.

During character creation, you can also decide to keep the research menu closed (which the game recommends) or to open it. Listen to the developers’ advice and keep the menu closed. This will make your entry into the game significantly easier.

Tip 2: Make Use of the Class System

While you must choose a class at the beginning of the game, during your adventure you will have the opportunity to unlock the talent trees of the initially overlooked archetypes. How? By finding the corresponding class teachers and completing a quest line for them.

As colleague Cedric explained in his class ranking, you should not choose the Trooper initially. You will meet the Trooper trainer very early on, at Griffin’s Reach Trading Post in the first region, Southern Hagga Basin.

Also in the first region, you can unlock another class tree: the Planologist. You will find the corresponding trainer above the Imperial Test Station 2, at Chinaras’ camp. Caution: The quest from the trainer leads you into the Imperial Test Station 2; if you don’t want to go in multiple times, take the class quest first.

Dune Awakening: Class trainer for Planologists
Here you find the class trainer for the Planologist.

Anyone who initially chose Mentat, Swordmaster, or Bene Gesserit can thus switch to the second region with three unlocked talent trees.

Why is this important? At the beginning, you can only put one point into each of the talents, and you only have access to two active abilities at first. If you focus on the trees of one class, you will quickly hit a limit, although there would still be many skill points to distribute.

Instead, having access to 9 talent trees (3 per class) allows you to draw from a wealth of options and also secure many strong passive talents.

Tip 3: The First Base is Scrap

Early in the game, you are tasked with building your first shelter to protect yourself from sandstorms and the sun when necessary. However, do not invest too much time and energy into this first construction project; just do the minimum that is required of you.

Once you leave the first region for a quest, you will be moving – and by registering the new building site, you will destroy your old property. This means, of course, that you should not leave anything in the first base that you would like to continue using. Therefore, take everything important with you as soon as the game sends you to the second region.

Extra Tip: Build your second base best near a peaceful hub (for nearby traders or quest givers). If there are also various types of stones, plants for water access, or bandit camps nearby, you will minimize your travel distances.

Dune Awakening: Location for a base
Don’t build such a nice base right away. You will regret it.

Tip 4: Use Survey Probes

When you enter a new region, look for an elevated place (at least 45 meters high) and deploy a survey probe from there. You will unlock the corresponding tool, the Survey Probe Launcher, relatively early in your journey.

This way, you unlock all the important locations in the respective region at once. These include smaller camps, but also larger fortresses with important information, shipwrecks, and test labs with great loot. And of course, important places for the main story, safe paths through the sand, or nearby NPC hubs.

With this information, you can plan the optimal location for your new base and upcoming trips into the desert.

Tip 5: Start Your Next Journey Well Prepared

Before you head out, make sure to pack enough ammunition, water, and healing items. Blood bags and some tools should also be in your inventory. Additionally, check if all your equipment parts have enough durability to avoid falling apart in the upcoming adventure.

Equally important is that you do not carry all your wealth around all the time. If a sandworm or sandstorm catches you, everything in your inventory will be lost. Those who have money and spare equipment left at the base will be glad.

And then you should also plan your route carefully. The shortest route often leads over wide sand areas and is therefore almost certain to be deadly. It’s better to move from rock formation to rock formation to avoid long travels over sand. Pay attention to the red circles on the map, marking quicksand or places where you can easily attract sandworms.

Tip 6: Maximum Mobility

With the Trooper’s Shigadraht Claw and the Emperor’s Wing item, you gain significant mobility early in the game, allowing you to easily reach high altitudes, glide safely to the ground, or overcome deep chasms.

You will find the recipe for the unique Suspension Belt at the end of the Imperial Test Station 2 in the Southern Hagga Basin. Remember: with the recipe, you can only craft the belt once. If you want more, you need to visit the test station multiple times.

With this combination, it is then possible to launch yourself into the air with the claw and hover long distances with the suspension belt. Be sure to try it out!

Dune Awakening: Vehicles
The sandbike is just one of several means of transportation, but especially valuable at the start.

Tip 7: Don’t Underestimate the Vehicle Replacement Tool

While the sandbike is great for getting from A to B in Arrakis, you often have to leave it behind when things get tough. At the end of your journey, the return to the vehicle can sometimes be quite long. Save yourself the trouble and pack a vehicle replacement tool!

With it, you can easily pack up your sandbike and take it with you on your adventure. When you’re finished, simply unpack the vehicle at the location. This way, you won’t have to worry about sandstorms anymore.

Also important: The individual parts of the sandbike lose durability over time. To repair them, you need a welder and sufficient welding wire. Additionally, you should always pack some fuel for the bike.

Believe us: you don’t want your bike to break down somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Tip 8: The Search for the AQL Trials

To advance your main quest concerning the search for the Fremen, you must undergo several AQL trials. However, the quest tracking helps you only to a limited extent, as it simply states: Find the next trial. If you follow our Tip 3, you can significantly ease your search.

The locations of the trials have a unique icon on the map, a light purple-colored cave entrance. Here is the entrance for Trial Number 2:

Dune Awakening: AQL Trial
The location of the 2nd AQL trial.

Tip 9: Save Yourself the Searching in Containers

A small but fine tip that can save you a lot of time: Use the “Quick Deposit” feature of the containers to automatically pack items from your inventory into the respective box that are already present there, without having to manually open and search through each container first.

This only works if you have already sorted the countless types of resources, equipment parts, tools, and so on into the containers.

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Tip 10: Ensure Enough Energy in Your Base

To keep your base protected from sandstorms and to ensure all workstations there are functioning, you must always have sufficient energy. This means that you will need to provide more energy stations as more devices land in your own four walls that require energy.

Moreover, you should supply the energy stations with enough resources so that they can function until your next login. Otherwise, you might come back to a destroyed base.

The good news: Those who empower the initially available energy storage do not have to worry about protecting their base for almost 2 weeks. Those planning longer breaks should save their base with a base reconstruction tool and stash as many possession turrets in the bank as possible.

This way you can quickly and without losses start again after the break. How important it is to build your base in the right position in the survival MMO from Funcom is also demonstrated by this story from the community: A player from Dune: Awakening blocks the thoroughfare with his house, finds a perfect solution without having to move

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

Dune: Awakening Classes – Everything about Skills, Techniques, Strengths and Learning Talents

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 6 minutes

In both the beta and the launch, you must choose between 5 classes in Dune: Awakening. MeinMMO summarizes the most important information about the archetypes, their skills, and techniques.

What classes are there in Dune: Awakening? In the character creation of the survival MMO, you choose from the following 5 archetypes:

  • Bene Gesserit: A shady order of women with a deliberately nebulous agenda. Adepts of the sisterhood are valued by the nobility and feared by the rest of the Empire.
  • Trooper: All Great Houses of the Landsraad maintain a standing army or a house guard. The backbone of these formations is made up of professional soldiers known as troopers.
  • Mentat: The mysterious and withdrawn order of Mentats conditions its followers to store and analyze vast amounts of data with superhuman speed.
  • Sword Master: The highly respected sword masters of the fallen Ginaz school are still the best fighters in the known universe.

Not available during character creation – at least in the beta:

  • Planetologist: Planetologists are researchers and explorers who have learned to survive in hostile environments in order to terraform them. Their training is very intensive, as they are the first to enter any newly discovered planet.
Update vom 30. Januar 2026: Mit Blick auf den anstehenden Release von Chapter 3 am 3. Februar haben wir unseren Guide für euch noch einmal gecheckt und bei Bedarf aktualisiert.

Here is some gameplay from Dune Awakening:

Start video
Dune Trailer Shows Gameplay – From Survivor to Spice Hunter

Dune: Awakening – The Class Differences

How do the classes differ in gameplay? When you start Dune: Awakening, you can defend yourself equally with melee or ranged weapons, regardless of the class, as soon as you find or craft a suitable weapon – you can make your first knife at the very beginning.

Nevertheless, the choice of class has consequences, as it determines your starting skill and gives you access to the three skill trees of the respective archetype.

Important: The choice of class does not lock you into a rigid framework of skills and talents that you cannot escape from. Instead, in Dune: Awakening, you can find masters of other classes and learn the skills of other classes through their quest lines. In the end, it is only the available skill points that limit you in the choice of skills and talents.

Let’s take a closer look at the five classes with their respective advantages and disadvantages. Here is the table of contents from which you can directly jump to your desired class:

[toc]

Bene Gesserit

Playstyle

  • Physical and mental mastery, dagger specialization, and manipulation through the “Voice”

Possible Starting Skill

  • Voice “Coercion”: Use the Voice to compel someone from a distance to come to your position.
Dune: Awakening - Bene Gesserit
Everyone starts with a knife, the Bene Gesserit master the short blades.

Talent Trees

  • Strange Path: Improvements to dagger fighting and access to mobility skills
  • The Voice: Enhancements for manipulating opponents, for example, to call them to you or temporarily take them out of action
  • Body Control: Access to group buff “Litany Against Fear”, improved self-healing, increased protection against poisons and heat

Suitable for: Players who enjoy manipulating other NPCs and providing a useful group buff.

Here you can watch the official class trailer for the Bene Gesserit:

Start video
Dune: Awakening – New trailer introduces the class of the Bene Gesserit

Trooper

Playstyle

  • Offensive ranged combat, also with heavy weapons and tech gadgets

Possible Starting Skill

  • Shigadraht Claw: You fire a claw attached to your wrist using a shigadraht. Due to the extreme tensile strength of the wire, you are catapulted in the direction of your shot. This way, you can also destabilize opponents.
Dune: Awakening - Trooper
The trooper has access to heavy weapons like flamethrowers.

Talent Trees

  • Shooting: Specialization in different types of weapons
  • Suspensor Training: More mobility in the air, access to gravitational field and special grenades
  • Tactical Tech: Access to grappling hooks, hunting seekers, and explosive grenades, reduction of skill cooldowns

Suitable for: Players who enjoy shooting large weapons from a distance and want to move quickly through the game world with the grappling hook.

Attention: During testing, we found the master for troopers quite early in the game, in the first friendly NPC base to which the journey automatically leads. If someone is actually considering a different class but is eager for the grappling hook, they can obtain it relatively quickly.

Here you can watch the official class trailer for the trooper:

Start video
Dune: Awakening – New trailer introduces the class of Troopers

Mentat

Playstyle

  • Reconnaissance and strategy, ranged combat with gadgets

Possible Starting Skill

  • The Guardian: Deploys a suspensor-based arrow projector that covers a shooting field via motion detection and thus detects potential targets.
Dune: Awakening - Mentat
This is what the skill tree of the Mentat looks like.

Talent Trees

  • Mental Calculation: Sharpshooter and pistol training, more efficient repair, can overload enemy shields
  • Assassination: Access to poison capsules and stun arrows for the hidden bow, as well as poison mines and poison clouds
  • Tactician: Access to shield wall (can also provide cover for allies), (anti-)gravitational mines and projections

Suitable for: More defensive natures who prefer to operate from a distance or use technical gadgets.

Start video
Dune: Awakening – New trailer introduces the class Mentat

Sword Master

Playstyle

  • Aggressive yet mobile melee fighter specializing in long swords

Possible Starting Skill

  • Knee Attack: You dive at an opponent with a brutal attack. The attack causes shock damage and significantly destabilizes the target, but costs stamina.
Dune: Awakening - Knee Attack from Sword Master
The knee attack in action.

Talent Trees

  • The Blade: Improvements for fighting with the sword
  • The Will: Access to the defensive skill “Distraction” and improvements to resistances
  • The Path: Access to “Knee Attack” and group buff “Inspiration”, improved stamina efficiency

Suitable for: Front-line soldiers who want to look their enemies directly in the eye during combat.

Planetologist

Playstyle

  • The best driver, pilot, resource collector, and scanner in the game has a nose for spice

Possible Starting Skill

  • Suspensor Field: Deploys a suspensor device that catapults you and targets into the air. Helpful for navigation and overcoming obstacles.
Dune: Awakening - Planetologist
Whether vehicle or ornithopter – the planetologist is the best class for steering.

Talent Trees

  • Scientist: More efficient extraction with the Cutteray, improving energy cells and water yield efficiency,
  • Researcher: Access to Suspensor Field, improved climbing, scanner mastery, can create maps of surveyed areas
  • Mechanic: More efficient repair or deconstruction of vehicles, saves fuel when driving and flying, and scans better from within the vehicle, can harvest spice more efficiently

Suitable for: Players who place a slightly lower focus on combat and want to focus more on collecting resources and exploring the game world.

Dune: Awakening – Learning Skills and Techniques

From the various active skills you learn throughout your survival battle, you may only use 3 skills from a skill bar. However, you can freely switch learned skills if they are currently not on cooldown.

Unlike skills, learned techniques provide passive bonuses for specific areas. There is also a bar with 3 slots, and only the techniques in these slots are activated.

You can unlock and upgrade skills and techniques in the various skill trees up to 3 levels using competence points that you earn during your adventure.

For many of the talents from the trees, you must meet certain requirements to learn or improve them, such as investing points in previous talents.

Is there a reskill option? Yes! You can perform a so-called competence recalibration, namely every 48 hours.

More about Dune Awakening:
Player loses hundreds of hours of work in Dune: Awakening because cheaters raid his base
von Cedric Holmeier
Dune: Awakening listens to its players, fixes annoying problem that eats your items
von Cedric Holmeier

Dune: Awakening will be released on June 10, 2025, with a Buy2Play model. There is no prior early access phase, rather you buy the finished full version. The survival MMO comes without a subscription and aims to offer new updates and content for free. You can find out more important information here:  All about release, prices, features, and editions of Dune: Awakening

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

Dune: Awakening – All Basic and Advanced Trainer Locations for all classes, to unlock 12 additional skill trees

Karsten Scholz Karsten Scholz Reading time 5 minutes

Dune: Awakening features a fairly open class system, allowing you to unlock and utilize the talent trees of all five archetypes. We will tell you in the guide where to find the trainers necessary for unlocking them.

How do the classes work? While you must choose a class at the beginning of Dune: Awakening, this choice is not permanent. On the contrary! Throughout your adventure, you will encounter trainers for all 5 classes, where you can unlock all talent trees through quest chains.

Additionally, there are advanced trainers who will provide you with their respective quests, allowing you to invest more points into the corresponding talents.

In the end, it’s only the available skill points that limit you in choosing skills and talents. Since reskilling is free every 48 hours, you have a lot of freedom when selecting your build. You can find an overview of all classes in this article.

Below, we will reveal where you can find the trainers for the classes Mentat, Swordmaster, Trooper, Bene Gesserit, and Planetologist, to gain access to all skills.

Update January 30, 2026: With the upcoming release of Chapter 3 on February 3, we have re-checked our guide and updated it where necessary.

[toc]

Which class is the best choice at the beginning?

Start video
Dune: Awakening – Welche Klasse ist zum Start am stärksten?

Mentat – Trainer Location and Quest

The first trainer of the Mentat class is located in Riftwatch, the large Harkonnen base in Hagga Rift.

Dune Awakening Mentat Trainer Location
Location of the Mentat trainer

You can find the advanced Mentat trainer in the city of Arrakeen (accessible via quick travel using the Ornithopter pilot, costing 2,500 Solari), specifically in the northeast where the tavern is located.

Swordmaster – Trainer Location and Quest

In the northern region of “Jabal Eifrit Al-gharb”, you will find the trading post Pinnacle Station, which not only features merchants, a job board, and a quick travel point, but also the first Swordmaster trainer.

Dune Awakening Swordmaster Trainer Location
Location of the Swordmaster trainer

The advanced Swordmaster trainer is located in the north of the base of Harko Village (accessible via quick travel using the Ornithopter pilot, costing 2,500 Solari).

Trooper – Trainer Location and Quest

You will encounter the Trooper trainer very early in your journey, at the Griffin’s Reach trading post in the first region “Southern Hagga Basin”.

Dune Awakening Trooper Trainer Location

Location of the Trooper trainer

The advanced Trooper trainer can be found again in Arrakeen (accessible via quick travel using the Ornithopter pilot, costing 2,500 Solari), specifically in the southern area of the central transition.

Bene Gesserit – Trainer Location and Quest

You will find the Bene Gesserit trainer at the Helius Gate, a base in the southeastern area of the Eastern Shield Wall. The nearest quick travel point is at Pinnacle Station. From there, you need to head south.

Dune Awakening Bene Gesserit Trainer Location
Location of the Bene Gesserit trainer

The advanced trainer will be waiting for you in Harko Village (accessible via quick travel using the Ornithopter pilot, costing 2,500 Solari), specifically west of the arms dealer, in the northeastern part of the base.

Planetologist – Trainer Location and Quest

The Planetologist Derek Chinara is the only class not available to you during character creation. Therefore, it is all the more important to know the location of the corresponding trainer. The good news: you can meet him very early.

You can find the Planetologist trainer above the Imperial Test Station 2, at Chinara’s storage.

Dune Awakening Planetologist Trainer Location
Location of the Planetologist trainer

Warning: The trainer’s quest leads you to the Imperial Test Station 2; if you don’t want to go in multiple times, first obtain the class mission.

The next quest from Derek will be at Test Station 197 in West Vermilius, leading you to a huge underground area. You are supposed to bring him buried archive pieces. Once you have completed and submitted this quest to Derek, you can invest up to 2 points in the Planetologist skills. Then, you will return to the cozy home of the Planetologist.

From there, he will send you to the bar in Arrakeen to meet Cybrian Io. However, he doesn’t want anything to do with you and sends you back to Derek. From there, you will move on to Test Station 76 in the north of Jabal Eifrit. Find the trainer in a cell. You are to rescue him (find the key) and once again locate archive material.

If you succeed, you will meet again above Test Station 2. At that point, you can invest up to 3 points into the Planetologist skills. After that, the trainer will again send you to Arrakeen to speak with Thufir Hawat. He will then send you to the Western Shield Wall, where you should reach the entrance to Sietch Tarl. There, you can interact with a tablet and discover a note.

With that, you will return to Derek, who has 4 more quests for you. Firstly, you need to find the archive material in Test Station 29, in Northern Hagga Rift. Secondly, you will go to Test Station 71 in O’odham, where you are to locate notes from Kyne for Derek. Thirdly, you will again head to Arrakeen, where you will speak with Cyprian, thereby revealing a betrayal.

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If you want to bring this info back to Derek’s home now, you will encounter an ambush from snipers. Eliminate the enemies and then read the document on the table to start the last quest. It leads you back to O’odham, where you can find Derek in Test Station 163.

At the end of the dungeon, you will find the recordings from Kyne that the trainer wants. As a reward, you will gain access to the final Planetologist skill as well as special equipment. Congratulations! To learn more about the new survival MMO from Funcom, click here: All about the release on PS5, Xbox, and PC of Dune: Awakening.

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