Exclusive For New Registered Users!

Sign Up and Verify Email for Coupon
Select Equipment Parts and Affixes:

Country / Region:

United States

Currency:

USD

USD

EUR

GBP

CAD

AUD

RUB

DKK

CHF

NOK

SGD

PLN

SEK

CNY

HKD

MXN

AED

IDR

BRL

CLP

COP

PEN

ARS

MYR

PHP

KRW

THB

JPY

SAR

ZAR

RON

KWD

HUF

UYU

VEF

BHD

ILS

QAR

INR

TRY

Cart
Total items

Subtotal:

Discount: -

Your cart is empty !

Continue shopping
Surplus Stock:

Reviews

EZG Blog

View More
Blog: GTA 6 Netflix May Have Accidentally Leaked GTA 6's Extended Look - And It Could Be Over an Hour Long
Netflix May Have Accidentally Leaked GTA 6's Extended Look - And It Could Be Over an Hour Long

GTA 6 has been making headlines lately, and Rockstar's Extended Look for the game may be much richer than we previously anticipated. A recently deleted trailer from Netflix sparked excitement among fans, hinting that the extended trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 might not be a single trailer, but rather a three-episode series.

Although the information has since been removed, it hasn't dampened fans' enthusiasm. This article will analyze the details of  GTA 6 Extended Look. Let's take a look.

Episode Runtimes and Total Length

According to leaks, the extended trailer for GTA 6 isn't a single trailer, but a three-episode series. The episode lengths are as follows:

  • Episode 1: 23 minutes 37 seconds
  • Episode 2: 24 minutes 41 seconds
  • Episode 3: 18 minutes 29 seconds

The total runtime of the three episodes exceeds 66 minutes, meaning we'll see over an hour of GTA 6 gameplay. No release window was provided for Episodes 2 and 3. The page only displays the release schedule for the first episode.

While this format is quite different from traditional game trailers - more like a Netflix miniseries than a standard gameplay demo - it sounds incredibly appealing.

What does This Mean?

This episode-based structure represents an unconventional breakthrough, opening up some interesting possibilities for gamers. Let's take a closer look:

Release Method

Rockstar and Netflix might release all three episodes at once on August 27th, allowing viewers to binge-watch like a miniseries. Alternatively, they could release them in batches over the weeks leading up to the official November 19th release to maintain player anticipation.

I think the most likely arrangement is for the first episode to launch on August 27th, followed by the next two in September and October respectively. This way, Rockstar can maintain public attention until the official release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in November.

Each Episode Focuses On

Each episode focuses on a different aspect of the extended GTA 6 trailer, allowing players to delve into various facets of the game - story and characters, game mechanics, and the open world of Leonidas. This approach provides fans with a comprehensive and systematic understanding of Rockstar's development.

Future Development

This format aligns with comments from Take-Two's CEO, who described the trailer as an appetizer, hinting at more substantial content to come.

Credibility

The related page list has been removed, and the relevant Reddit post has been deleted, potentially indicating an accidental leak or simply a placeholder or website error.

While this news hasn't been officially confirmed, I believe this multi-episode format makes logical sense, and it's highly probable. Let me analyze it for you.

Consider what Rockstar aims to achieve with this Extended Look: satisfying veteran players' expectations, attracting new players, and generating more revenue. While a single 20-minute video can cover a considerable amount of content, it can't cover everything.

Earlier leaks suggested the game would feature an extremely detailed open-world map and AI-driven NPC behavior. Grand Theft Auto 6 has been highly anticipated by players for years, and Rockstar certainly wants to showcase the game mechanics, storyline, the world of Leonidas, and possibly even some GTA Online content before release.

Breaking this content into three episodes, each about 20 minutes long, allows them to comfortably present all the key points without feeling overwhelmed by information. Most importantly, this would be a major innovation for GTA trailers, undoubtedly attracting more attention.

Furthermore, Take-Two's CEO described this collaboration with Netflix as groundbreaking. He also mentioned that the content will be simultaneously released on Rockstar Games' official YouTube channel approximately six hours after its Netflix premiere, resulting in a very short exclusivity period.

Using a multi-episode format allows Netflix premiere window to be spread across multiple time slots, rather than releasing all content in a single day.

The final form of Extended Look will be revealed after Netflix and Rockstar take action. While this event is both plausible and intriguing, nothing is certain until then, and everything awaits Rockstar's confirmation or decision.

Current Release Overview

Rockstar is currently maintaining a very tight control over the pre-release promotional pace for GTA 6. Netflix Extended Look is expected to be released later this month, and this will be the most significant official content update since Trailer 2. Whether it's presented as a single video or a three-part series, the scale of the reveal will be significantly different.

Current data shows that GTA 6 has sold 4.3 million copies on Xbox and PS5 platforms, generating $421 million in revenue. This is truly a record high and could very well allow Rockstar to recoup its costs before release.


I can already feel the incredibly high level of anticipation from players for this game. If you want more details or need some useful resources to help you prepare, follow EZG GTA 6 Store; you'll find everything you need there.

This concludes our analysis of information regarding Grand Theft Auto 6 Extended Look. Finally, I must remind you that the above information is for reference only; while it sounds enticing, the details are incomplete.

To be honest, it does align with past leaks, but we cannot confirm the truth until Netflix trailer is released or the game is officially launched. Therefore, players need to wait patiently. We will actively follow up on the latest news about GTA 6, and we believe the official response will be satisfactory. Let's wait and see.

Blog: Helldivers 2 Helldivers 2 Update 7.0.0: Why Wretches and Crushers Feel Harder Than They Actually Are?
Helldivers 2 Update 7.0.0: Why Wretches and Crushers Feel Harder Than They Actually Are?

Since the addition of Vote Snatchers in Update 7.0.0, the combat pressure in Helldivers 2 has significantly increased.

When facing regular enemies, players can usually rely on fixed weapon configurations and familiar combat methods to resolve battles. However, Wretches and Crushers force players to adjust their strategies.

The key to dealing with these two types of enemies is not simply increasing damage, but rather choosing appropriate weapons and combat methods based on their characteristics. Understanding their attack patterns allows players to handle combat more consistently.

Wretches

Wretches' Weaknesses

Many players, upon first encountering Wretches after Devoid of Liberty, instinctively aim for the head. While headshots are generally effective against regular enemies in Helldivers 2, the head is not a priority target for Wretches.

Even if a headshot is landed, Wretches may continue moving and close in on the player. Without confirming they are incapacitated, they are easily vulnerable to close-range attacks while reloading or repositioning.

When facing Wretches, prioritizing attacks on their limbs is better. Damaging their limbs effectively restricts their movement and is more effective in dealing with multiple targets approaching simultaneously than simply aiming for headshots.

Especially when a group of Wretches charges, reducing their movement speed is more important than precisely eliminating a single target.

The difficulty with Wretches lies primarily in their frequent appearance in groups during high-difficulty missions. If players remain stationary while attacking, they are easily surrounded at close range.

Wretches are Immune to Stun

Many players prioritize weapons or equipment with stun effects to create space when facing melee enemies. However, this method is less effective against Wretches.

Wretches are unaffected by stun effects, and even Helldivers 2 Items, which rely on stun control, are ineffective in preventing them from closing in.

Therefore, dealing with Wretches requires choosing weapons that allow for sustained damage. High-rate-of-fire weapons, area-of-effect weapons, and incendiary equipment are all effective in limiting their approach.

And because Wretches move relatively quickly, the timing of weapon attacks is equally important.

Weapons with long reload times and limited handling can easily put players at a disadvantage when facing large numbers of Wretches. Often, the problem isn't insufficient damage, but the inability to deal with approaching enemies in time.

Stalwart

M-105 Stalwart is a relatively reliable choice for clearing Wretches.

Fighting Wretches requires constant repositioning, as players need to keep moving while maintaining their fire output instead of staying in one spot for too long. Stalwart, with its low recoil and good handling, allows players to maintain firepower while retreating and repositioning.

Crushers

Characteristics of Crusher

Among the enemies introduced in Update 7.0.0, Crusher are more like frontal suppression enemies compared to Wretches. They are large, slow-moving, but have a very long attack range, often causing Helldivers 2 players to underestimate their threat distance upon first encounter.

Maintaining a safe distance is crucial when facing Crusher. Even if they don't appear close, their attacks can still cover a considerable area. Entering melee range recklessly can easily render you combat incapacitated with a single mistake.

Therefore, when dealing with Crushers, avoid rushing in to attack. Prioritize using terrain and movement to create distance, then look for safe opportunities to strike. Avoiding close-range engagements significantly reduces the difficulty of the fight.

Optimal Choice

Crusher's biggest weakness is its head, but it's protected by a heavy helmet, making it difficult for ordinary weapons to inflict effective damage. Therefore, prioritizing helmet removal is a more reliable approach when facing this type of enemy.

P-40K Bolt Pistol can be used to weaken Crusher's head armor. After successfully destroying the helmet, Helldivers 2 players can directly attack the exposed weak point, increasing subsequent damage output.

However, this method requires high aiming skills. Crusher's head is a small target, and it constantly moves during combat, requiring players to wait for the right moment to fire.

If you want to reduce the difficulty, 40-K Meltagun is a more stable choice. It's more efficient at breaking head armor and is easier to hit during combat.

Once the helmet is removed, Crusher's threat level drops significantly. Using high-penetration weapons or focusing on weak points will allow you to defeat him more quickly.

Suboptimal Solution

If you don't want to spend time removing the helmet in Helldivers 2 matches, you can try attacking Crusher's legs.

Focusing on the knees or thighs can disrupt his movement. With his legs damaged, Crusher's mobility will decrease significantly, making it easier for players to create distance and maintain sustained damage.

However, this approach requires higher accuracy and sustained damage output. In chaotic combat environments, prioritizing helmet removal remains a more reliable option.

Maintain Damage Output

Crusher has a unique mechanic that requires attention: he can recover some damage taken. Therefore, once you decide to attack Crusher, try to maintain continuous damage output and prioritize defeating him. Otherwise, you'll not only waste ammo but may also need to deal with an enemy with full health again.

Thermite

If you want to quickly eliminate Crusher, G-123 Thermite is a good choice. Thermite poses a significant threat to heavy targets, rapidly reducing Crusher's health upon impact. However, because of the limited number carried, it's better suited for dealing with critical targets rather than being used indiscriminately.

Once you truly familiarize yourself with these enemies in Devoid of Liberty, you'll find they aren't as insurmountable as you initially thought. The most dangerous situation on the battlefield is often not the enemy's strength, but Helldivers 2 players lingering in the wrong positions for too long.

Maintaining movement, choosing the right targets, and focusing resources on worthwhile enemies is the most consistent strategy against Vote Snatchers.

Blog: Diablo 4 Diablo 4 Season 14: Do You Still Listen to the Music After 100 Hours of Grinding?
Diablo 4 Season 14: Do You Still Listen to the Music After 100 Hours of Grinding?

Diablo 4 Season 14 endgame is perhaps the stage where players most easily lose track of time. Prepare your keys in advance, enter the target area, complete the event, collect the loot, and then move on to the next round. For players who grind the endgame extensively, this process can often be repeated dozens or even hundreds of times.

When you first enter Season 14, you might stop to listen to the music; after dozens of hours of grinding, you might find the sounds tedious. When Diablo 4 has transformed from an adventure into a daily grind loop, will you still turn on the game music?

How to make the music both enhance immersion and not become a burden after long hours of grinding has always been a problem that Diablo 4 team has been constantly trying to optimize, even tracing back to the series' nearly 30 years of musical development.

Sound Debate

Diablo 4 endgame is built on a constantly repeating farming loop. When you first enter an area, you might pay attention to the background music and environmental sound effects. However, after repeating the same activity dozens or even hundreds of times, your attention often dwindles to only the route, monsters, Diablo 4 Items, and efficiency.

The music, originally intended to create atmosphere, becomes noise for some players. This is especially true during long runs, where the same build will repeatedly perform skill animations, and character shouts, attack sound effects, and health point sounds will be constant.

As the repetition increases, these sounds can gradually tire players, leading some to eventually turn off game audio altogether.

However, some players say they never turn off Diablo 4's music, and even enjoy lingering in Kyovashad because of it. Many players believe Diablo 4's soundtrack is excellent, and even after playing multiple characters, they're willing to listen to it continuously. For them, music isn't just background noise, but an integral part of Diablo world.

This difference isn't contradictory. As playtime increases, the relationship between the player and the music will also change. Diablo's music was never just for aesthetics; it served to build the world, shape the atmosphere of each area, and accompany players through long periods of repetitive gameplay.

Therefore, players' different feelings about the music may not simply be a matter of the music itself, but a result of how the long-term gameplay of Grinding ARPGs has altered the player's auditory experience. Looking at the nearly 30-year evolution of Diablo's music, we can see that the developers have consistently tried to optimize this experience.

Musical Evolution

Diablo series has been with players for nearly 30 years. From the original Diablo to Diablo 4 S14, this classic dark fantasy series has not only expanded in gameplay, graphics, and world-building, but its music has also undergone a long and significant evolution.

In the late 1990s, when players first entered the world of Diablo, they had to delve into 16 randomly generated dungeons to help the town of Tristram fight against the terror king Diablo. Whether players chose the powerful Warrior, the agile Rogue, or Sorcerer who wielded mysterious powers, each descent into the dungeons meant a brush with death.

Throughout this adventure, Matt Uelmen's classic Tristram Theme runs throughout. The original Diablo soundtrack consisted of only six guitar-centric tracks, but its simple, oppressive, and eerie atmosphere became one of the most iconic musical memories of the entire series.

The realistic electric guitar, unique percussion, and unsettling sounds collectively shaped Diablo's auditory style, setting it apart from traditional horror games. Music director Derek Duke stated that with each new Diablo title, the team aimed to take the series to new heights, and music was a crucial component of that.

With the releases of Diablo 2, Diablo 3, and Diablo 4, the series' musical scale and style continued to expand. Diablo 4 Season of Death Awakening boasts a three-hour soundtrack, blending delicate folk, metal, and eerie orchestral sounds.

And the changes in Diablo 4 Season 14 go beyond simply increasing the number of tracks; the music in this demonic saga still has enormous potential for development.

Unique Style

Diablo 4 development team wanted different areas to have completely distinct sonic personalities, allowing players to experience the environment, culture, and story of Sanctuary through sound. Their music composition didn't confine itself to traditional fantasy soundtracks.

Lead composer Ted Reedy referenced many classic works in his music production, including Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard's immersive and atmospheric film score for Batman Begins.

To ensure the music truly served the story, Reedy and Blizzard composer Leo Kaliski dedicated time during development to watching all 56 cinematic cutscenes in Diablo 4. These scenes encompass war, death, betrayal, and Lilith's struggle for Sanctuary, and the music needed to blend naturally with these plot points, allowing players to delve deeper into this dark world.

The minimalist style of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt influenced the music for Fractured Peaks, while Scosglen heavily referenced Scandinavian folk music. Upon reaching the treacherous swamps of Hawezar, the team even utilized the unique sounds produced by the experimental drone choir NXY.

With the addition of Skovos, inspired by ancient Greek and Roman cultures, to the game, the music team began searching for traditional instruments befitting the region's context, including lyre. They also drew inspiration from Lisa Gerrard's iconic vocal work for Gladiator, creating a unique fictional language for Skovos.

This language was ultimately used in songs to represent the two core rulers of Skovos, Oracle Queen and Amazon Queen, thus making the music itself an integral part of the world's lore.

Despite the increasingly powerful digital music production technology available in modern games, the soundtrack in Season 14 still heavily emphasizes live-action performances. The realistic sounds of guitars, woodwinds, and bagpipes became crucial tools for the music team in shaping the world of Diablo 4.

Leo Kaliski believes that real instruments can produce sounds that keyboards cannot fully replicate, and this limitation forms a valuable creative constraint, allowing composers to create even more unique music. This also allows Diablo 4's soundtrack to retain a very distinctly human feel.

Many game series today attract a new generation of players through reboots or remakes, and Diablo 4 faces the same challenge. The development team believes that the music of the original Diablo has become an unsurpassable classic for the series. Rather than directly recreating the past, they decided to draw inspiration from classic works to create a completely new sound experience for the next generation of players.

Therefore, Diablo 4's music has been constantly developing, but what has changed is the mode of expression, not the core essence of the series. Regardless of upgrades in technology, style, and scale, darkness, loneliness, mystery, and the fear of the unknown remain the most important sonic memories of Diablo music.

Influence Beyond Games

Diablo 4's musical influence extends beyond the gaming industry. Musicians including Halsey, Architects, Bury Tomorrow, Lacuna Coil, and Cradle of Filth have publicly expressed their love for Diablo series.

In April 2026, nu-metal band KoRn collaborated with Blizzard Entertainment to release the song Reward The Scars for Lord of Hatred, further connecting the game world with real-world music culture.

KoRn's lead singer, Jonathan Davis, stated that having played Diablo for many years, it felt natural to enter this world as a creator. The themes of darkness, fear, and confronting one's inner self in Diablo have always resonated with KoRn's musical expression.

Looking for more Diablo 4 content? Follow EZG Facebook via the top navigation bar to catch our latest guides, updates, and community content. We also have occasional giveaways, so don't miss your chance to join!

Therefore, what might truly make the music tiresome isn't the soundtrack of Diablo 4 Season 14, but the player's game state; exploring Sanctuary and the repetitive endgame loop offer unique experiences.

For a series that has been with players for nearly 30 years, the true value of the music may not lie in keeping it fresh forever, but in leaving players with their own sonic memories when they first step into Sanctuary and when they complete Endgame hundreds of times.

Blog: MLB The Show 26 MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty Guide: Are Field of Dreams Players, Stan Musial 99 OVR and Roster Update #19 Worth It?
MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty Guide: Are Field of Dreams Players, Stan Musial 99 OVR and Roster Update #19 Worth It?

The past two days of MLB The Show 26 have been quite eventful. Not only did MLB at Field of Dreams Recap Program launch on the 13th, bringing players six powerful Legend players, but Chase Pack 22 was also released on the 14th, with Stan Musial, a top-tier player with a 99 OVR, as a guaranteed reward.

Following this was Roster Update #19, which upgraded six players to Diamond rank.

However, for Diamond Dynasty players, the real question isn't how many new cards arrived, but whether these additions can actually replace existing lineup options.

Therefore, understanding their attributes and whether unlocking them is worthwhile is crucial for the upcoming events in MLB The Show 26.

Field of Dreams Players Cards

The biggest highlight of MLB 26 Field of Dreams Recap Program was the simultaneous addition of six high-overall-rating Legend players.

However, in the current Diamond Dynasty environment, a high OVR is only a basic requirement. Ultimately, the value of a player card depends on whether its attribute combination is suitable for the current game environment.

Players with an overall rating of 99 typically possess advantages in multiple core attributes:

1. Roy Halladay (SP)

Roy Halladay boasts extremely high Control and Stamina, top-tier Cutter and Sinker, effectively creating weak hits in the game. His only weakness is a relatively low ability to limit left-handed hitters, potentially making him struggle against powerful left-handed batters.

2. Torii Hunter (CF)

Torii Hunter is a versatile player, possessing excellent strength, defense, and speed. His power performance against right-handed pitchers is particularly solid, making him one of the most reliable outfield options in your MLB 26 Diamond Dynasty lineup.

3. Ryne Sandberg (2B)

A top choice for players seeking extra-base power hits. Ryne Sandberg possesses rare high contact and powerful hitting attributes for a second baseman, along with excellent defensive quality and speed sufficient to handle various game situations.

4. Barry Larkin (SS)

Barry Larkin's core strengths lie in his extremely high contact rating, Vision, and excellent defensive speed. While his power against right-handed pitchers isn't top-tier, it's sufficient for consistent performance in high-level games.

5. Harmon Killebrew (3B)

A pure power hitter. Arguably one of the strongest hitters in Field of Dreams Recap Program, he poses a significant extra-base threat to both left and right pitchers, but his defensive and contact attributes are relatively mediocre.

6. Kyle Schwarber (C/LF/RF)

As the final reward obtained by completing 5 Moments challenge, Kyle Schwarber boasts high power against both left and right pitchers and excels in clutch situations, making him arguably one of the most threatening cards in Catcher position in MLB The Show 26.

Is It Worth Getting?

This is currently the most pressing question for players. As MLB 26 season progresses, more and more 99OVR player cards are being added to the game, intensifying competition among players for their rosters. 

For players who already have their endgame roster, some players in Field of Dreams are more valuable for collection, adding depth to their roster, and use in specific modes. However, for players still building their roster, these legendary players can directly boost their lineup's strength.

Therefore, if a Field of Dreams player card can significantly improve your roster, it's worth acquiring, and vice versa.

Chase Pack 22 Stan Musial

As the guaranteed reward of Chase Pack 22, Stan Musial is undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights of this update.

Stan Musial boasts rich real-world game experience and a illustrious baseball history. His greatest advantage lies in his versatility, balancing hitting ability and offensive attributes, adapting to multiple offensive environments, and possessing a longer lifespan without over-reliance on any single attribute.

How to Obtain?

1. Shop Pack Opening

To obtain Stan Musial, players can acquire Chase Pack 22 vouchers through regular card packs in MLB The Show 26 shop, or directly obtain a specific large pack containing this Chase Pack.

2. Market Trading

As a newly released top-tier 99 OVR card, its price on Marketplace is estimated to fluctuate between 391,500 and 415,000 Stubs based on the latest market data.

Therefore, players need to consider the cost before acquiring it. If you already have multiple 99 OVR options for your outfield position, Stan Musial might be more of a card to raise your roster ceiling than a player you absolutely need to replace.

If you really need this card but your budget is limited, you can also buy MLB The Show 26 Stubs from EZG.com. Ordering now not only offers a 6% discount with code STUB, but every option with over 50,000 stubs comes with a bonus of 25-1,000!

Investments After Roster Update #19

Besides the aforementioned legendary card, MLB 26 Roster Update #19 also significantly impacted many players' choices.

After each Roster Update, players focus not only on player rating changes, but more importantly, on whether these players are worth acquiring. A rating upgrade to Diamond typically signifies an increase in a player's market value.

For investment-oriented players, identifying potential players early and purchasing them before upgrades is a crucial way to maximize Stubs profits.

However, after the update roster is released, players who didn't stockpile in advance often hesitate. Besides price spikes, not all Diamond-upgraded players will make it into their starting lineup.

Value Embodiment

The key factors determining their true value now are:

  • Position competition;
  • Attribute growth potential;
  • Current Meta environment;
  • Whether they possess unique advantages;

For players who have already completed their core roster at MLB The Show 26 Endgame, the biggest significance of Roster Update #19 might be perfecting their collection, increasing market investment opportunities to acquire more Stubs, and waiting for future event demands, rather than immediately adjusting their roster.

If you're also one of these players, follow EZG Facebook, join our group to participate in discussions about the next roster update, and until then, participate in the free Stubs giveaway we've prepared for players in the homepage navigation bar.

Summary

The arrival of Field of Dreams Program, Chase Pack 22, and Roster Update #19 highlights a clear trend: Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 26 is entering a period where elite, high-rated cards are being introduced at an accelerated pace.

For players who have reached the late stages of the game, building a competitive Diamond Dynasty roster is no longer simply about chasing the highest OVR ratings. Instead, the focus has shifted toward evaluating how individual attributes work together and whether a player can deliver a meaningful impact in actual gameplay.

Before the next major content release, rationally assessing the actual value of each card is key to maintaining competitiveness.

Blog: Path Of Exile 1 Path of Exile Patch 3.29.3: Cursed Ducats Are Great, But Essence of Desolation Fix Sparks Controversy
Path of Exile Patch 3.29.3: Cursed Ducats Are Great, But Essence of Desolation Fix Sparks Controversy

To optimize the experience at the end of Patch 3.29, Path of Exile released Patch 3.29.3, fixing numerous bugs.

However, this small patch sparked discussion among some players. Some felt the patch actively addressed inconsistencies in the game, while others believed it changed things that shouldn't have been changed - such as Essence of Desolation.

So, are the changes in this patch good or bad?

Positive Changes: Cursed Ducats

First, most players expressed approval of the new Cursed Ducats added in POE Patch 3.29.3.

Cursed Ducats are new collectible items introduced in this update, with six types in total, used to enhance Voyages and Charts gameplay.

Players can find Valerie on The Sovereign and claim their first Cursed Ducat after defeating Velka for the first time. Subsequent Cursed Ducats are obtained randomly by defeating specific monsters in Voyages or Charts while the current Cursed Ducat is already socketed.

Mechanism of Operation

The operation of Cursed Ducats is straightforward: players can socket a maximum of three Cursed Ducats in their Voyage Planner simultaneously. Each Cursed Ducat provides three stackable basic buffs to monsters in Voyages and Charts:

First, Monster Toughness: This is essentially a damage reduction mechanism, not simply an increase in health.

For example, a monster with 1 million health and 600% toughness requires 7 million damage to kill, compared to a monster with 7 million health and 0% toughness. However, their effects on life steal and damage over time caps will differ.

Second, Quantity of Items Dropped: Directly increases the total amount of loot dropped.

Third, Rarity of Items Dropped: Increases the probability of dropping high-quality equipment.

If you acquire all three buffs, they can collectively provide up to 60% increased Quantity of Items Dropped and 60% increased Rarity of Items Dropped, equivalent to gaining an additional high-value Map Modifier.

Negative Modifiers

In addition, each Cursed Ducat comes with a unique negative Difficulty Modifier, which players need to carefully choose based on their character build.

For example, some Cursed Ducats increase monster damage by 50%, some increase monster elemental resistance by 10%, some increase monster critical strike chance by 500% and critical strike damage by 50%, and others increase monster attack, casting, and movement speed by 50%.

The intention behind this design is clear: to allow players to actively choose the negative effect that has the least impact on their class build, thereby finding a balance between high rewards and manageable risks.

For example, builds with low elemental resistance will avoid Cursed Ducats, which increase monster elemental resistance by 10%, while melee classes might prefer Cursed Ducats that increase monster critical strike chance.

In short, this change is widely considered one of the most useful positive changes in PoE Patch 3.29.3, and even players who don't approve of Patch 3.29.3 will acknowledge the usefulness of Cursed Ducats.

It will significantly increase the benefits players can obtain in Voyages and Charts, including Path of Exile Currency, gear, and items.

Negative Change: Essence of Desolation

Since Cursed Ducats have received so much praise, why do many players dislike Patch 3.29.3? The reason lies in its changes to Essence of Desolation.

What is Essence of Desolation?

Essence of Desolation was a powerful item introduced in PoE Patch 3.28, and its accompanying modifier combinations were extremely valuable in certain builds.

When Patch 3.29 was released, following past practice, Essence of Desolation was supposed to become Legacy Items - meaning they would be discontinued.

Bug and Fix

However, in the early stages of Patch 3.29's release, due to a bug, players could still obtain equipment with Essence modifier by using a node in Atlas Passive - Imprisoned Monsters in your Maps - which allowed them to drop an additional Rare Item with an Essence Modifier.

Some astute players exploited this bug to hoard large quantities of this equipment.

This bug was fixed in Patch 3.29.3 by completely eliminating all acquisition methods for Essence Modifier in PoE.

The crux of the problem is that existing equipment with Essence modifier, as well as equipment duplicated through Mirror of Kalandra, remains unaffected and continues to exist in the game.

Fairness Crisis

As a result, after Patch 3.29.3 took effect, existing Essence modifier equipment became truly unavailable, giving players who possessed this equipment and Mirror of Kalandra a monopolistic advantage.

They could continue to offer duplication services at exorbitant prices, with prices only increasing.

Furthermore, since equipment duplicates created through Mirror of Kalandra can no longer be duplicated, other players, regardless of their resources, can no longer craft Essence modifier equipment themselves.

Because obtaining Essence of Desolation was already extremely difficult and niche, it didn't have a devastating impact on the overall game economy.

Therefore, the developers handled this bug so casually, ultimately leaving an irreversible inequality. This has greatly angered some players.

While this doesn't directly impact the daily gameplay experience for most ordinary players, as the player community worries, will this precedent lead to more similar situations in the future?

In short, Path of Exile Patch 3.29.3 is a mixed bag. On one hand, it fixed numerous in-game bugs and increased the rewards for Voyages and Charts in Cursed Ducats system; on the other hand, the fix for Essence of Desolation bug resulted in unfairness.

Due to widespread player protests, based on past experience, the developers may further address this bug and other in-game bugs in the next patch.

If you're also concerned about bug fixes or want to stay updated on the latest game news, follow EZG Facebook for timely updates.

We also hold occasional giveaways where participants have the chance to win great prizes, such as valuable Currency. You can participate by tagging @friends and leaving a comment in the event's comment section.

Let's look forward to the developer's next patch update.

loadings