Diablo 4 Season 14 has brought players numerous significant system changes so far, including new season content, adjustments to Mythic Uniques, and class balance updates.

Among all class builds, while Thorns builds remain one of the most distinctive playstyles in the game, since the start of the season, a large number of players have felt that the mechanics still lack the depth to compete with other mainstream builds.

The most requested feature from the community is Splintering Damage build within Thorns, which has been eagerly awaited.

Current Status of Thorns in Season 14

Thorns has always been one of the most unique mechanics in Diablo 4. Unlike traditional pure damage builds that rely on spellcasting skills or maximizing critical strike chance, Thorns builds allow players to convert enemy attacks into counterattacks.

This unique mechanic, combining offense and defense, makes Thorns builds highly attractive to players who enjoy different combat rhythms.

Thorns players no longer need to constantly chase enemies and strictly manage skill usage resources as before. Instead, they can focus more on providing effective survival tools when enemies attack, while punishing those who try to attack them.

However, with Diablo 4 introducing a more robust progression system and more complex build interactions, many players feel that Thorns build in Season of Death Awakening is starting to feel outdated.

Diablo 4 Season 14 has continuously adjusted the energy sources related to Thorns. For example, previous balance adjustments increased several Thorn values, including Paragon node adjustments and Spiritborn-related bonuses, indicating that the developers are still actively monitoring this mechanic.

But for players who love Thorns, simply increasing damage numbers is not enough. A more important question is whether Thorns' mechanic should transcend being a passive reaction to enemy attacks?

The Biggest Problem

The traditional Thorns build has a fatal weakness: players cannot fully control the timing of damage triggers.

Unlike Whirlwind, Bone Spear, or Lightning Storm, Thorns require an enemy to attack the player first to trigger. This causes several problems:

1. Limited Player Control

Typical damage-dealing builds in Diablo 4 Season of Death Awakening allow players to decide when to attack enemies, which enemies to attack, and how to maximize their damage output window.

However, Thorn's build works differently. Players must wait for enemies to attack first, meaning that this build's damage output depends partly on the monster's attack, rather than your Diablo 4 Items and skills.

While this mechanic increases your counterattack damage against a large number of high-difficulty enemies, your damage rhythm becomes very weak against bosses or slower-moving enemies.

2. Weak Growth Potential

Currently, the strongest builds in Diablo 4 Season 14 typically possess the following interaction mechanics:

• Damage Multipliers
• Status Effects
• Crowd Control
• Resource Management
• Skill Rotation

The traditional Thorns build lacks these interaction mechanics. This deficiency makes it feel more like an independent system than a complete combat system, meaning it lacks a growth system.

This is why some players believe Thorns builds need a redesign, rather than simply a numerical increase.

Thorns Splintering Damage

Thorns Splintering Damage is not an official mechanic in Diablo 4 Season 14, but an innovative gameplay element developed by the player community based on Thorns mechanic, aiming to improve the future development of Thorns builds.

The core design principle of this gameplay is that Thorns should inflict continuous effects on enemies, not just instant counterattack damage. In this new damage system, when enemies are attacked by Thorns, they gain a new Splinter effect.

This fundamentally changes the mechanics of Thorns. Previously, Thorns only damaged enemies when they attacked you. Splintering Damage, however, causes enemies to suffer increasingly severe damage penalties over time when they attack you.

How Splintering Damage Could Improve Thorns?

1. Converting Thorns Damage into Damage Over Time

In Splintering Damage system, Thorns damage doesn't disappear immediately after dealing counterattack damage. Instead, it leaves behind splinters after each trigger, continuously dealing damage to enemies.

2. Crowd Control

Another advantage of Splintering Damage is that it grants Thorns stronger battlefield control capabilities.

The more Thorns stacked, the better the control effect on enemies. It not only slows down enemy movement speed but also reduces their attack speed, creating more offensive opportunities for the player.

For Thorns-focused builds, Thorns will no longer be a passive defensive mechanism but rather a complete playstyle.

3. Expanding Damage Range

One of the biggest challenges facing Thorns build is its difficulty in efficiently clearing large groups of monsters.Splintering Damage addresses this by allowing Thorns effects to spread. For example, if an enemy accumulates too many shards, Thorns' effect will erupt or spread, dealing additional damage to nearby enemies.

This mechanism gives Thorns builds an advantage in some of the densely packed monster dungeons in Diablo 4 Season 14.

Future Development

The problems with Thorns can be traced back to Diablo 4 Season of Death Awakening and even Season 13, but the official patch notes, such as Patch 3.2.0 PTR, have not yet revealed any adjustments to Thorns system or gameplay diversity.

Even so, judging from the frequent adjustments and changes made by the official team this season, Diablo 4's seasonal updates are increasingly focused on expanding build options through new item systems, balance adjustments, and class adjustments.

In response to the growing calls from the player community regarding Thorns mechanics and Splintering Damage, the most likely improvements in Diablo 4 will be the addition of new Diablo 4 Unique Items, new Legendary Aspects, and Paragon improvements.

EZG will also be monitoring these changes and updates. Furthermore, to facilitate smoother build construction and map clearing for players, we've provided quick access to a free resource giveaway at the top of the homepage navigation bar.

Click to access the giveaway and follow EZG Facebook to participate in discussions about Thorns gameplay and receive occasional free Diablo 4 resources.

In short, the adjustments aim not only to address the fatal weaknesses of Thorns' mechanic but also to create more reasons for players to actively build around it. Thorns will no longer simply reflect enemy damage but will evolve into a system based on stacking effects, sustained pressure, and battlefield control.

The proposals for Thorns and Splintering Damage represent the expectations of many players for future updates to Diablo 4, and there is still much room for improvement in the official team's efforts to diversify the build mechanics.

FC 27 will be released on September 25, 2026, with Early Access starting on September 18. The game's release is fast approaching, and you can start thinking about what kind of starting team you want to build.

Building a successful starting team hinges on smart investment, tactical discipline, and an understanding of the current meta. Prioritize speed on wingers, physical attributes and defensive solidity for central players, and ensure excellent player chemistry.

This article will recommend a highly cost-effective starting lineup in FUT 27, balancing balance, chemistry, and budget efficiency. Let's take a look!

Strategic Foundation

I believe the key to successfully building a starting lineup in FUT 27 is prioritizing chemistry and tactical stability over high OVR. The market is volatile in the early game, and high-rated cards are often overpriced, so average players should focus on players with high cost-performance ratios.

In the early game, speed is the most crucial attribute, especially in attack and at full-back positions. Players should keep this in mind when selecting players.

My recommended starting formation is 4-2-3-1. It provides defensive solidity with two defensive midfielders (CDM), crucial for survival against the high-pressing tactics common in the early stages of Division Rivals, while also offering fluid attacking options through wingers and central attacking midfielders (CAMs).

Player Recommendations

To ensure high chemistry without spending a fortune, the most effective approach is a mixed strategy, focusing on core leagues and supplementing with high-value players from other leagues.

Goalkeeper (GK)

Spending a large amount of FC 27 Coins to acquire a top-tier goalkeeper early in the game is a trap. Any goalkeeper with an OVR of 83 or higher and good reflexes will suffice. There are many strong and inexpensive options on the market; prioritize goalkeepers who can integrate well with the defense.

Left Back & Right Back (LB/RB)

You need players with high speed and explosiveness in this position. Look for full-backs with a speed of 90 or higher and Quick Step or Rapid PlayStyles. These players are crucial for wingers who can quickly track back.

Players like Jeremie Frimpong perfectly fit this requirement; he's fast and cost-effective. To maximize synergy, consider pairing him with players from the same league or country.

Center Backs (CB)

You should invest more in this position, selecting players over 1.83 meters tall with a sprint speed and defensive ability of 80 or higher, primarily to counter speedy forwards. Players like Jonathan Tah or Ronald Araujo are excellent defensive midfielders in the early game.

Center Defensive Midfielders (CDM)

Players in this position need good passing and dribbling skills to transition the ball from defense to attack. I think Ismael Saibari is a good choice; he has an overall rating of 83 in FIFA 27, balanced attributes, and a physicality of 82. He can participate in attacks and drop back to help defend, making him very cost-effective.

Central Attacking Midfielder (CAM)

This position emphasizes dribbling, vision, and short passing ability. While high-rated players like Bruno Fernandes might seem daunting, players with four-star skills and good balance can still meet your needs.

I believe Rayan Cherki is an excellent value option for this position. He possesses excellent dribbling and ball control, along with impressive skillful maneuvers, making him perfect for players who enjoy creating opportunities through individual skill.

Left Mid & Right Mid (LM/RM)

You need players with speed above 90 and good shooting/dribbling abilities. Having Rapid or Quick Step PlayStyles would be even better. I recommend Lamine Yamal or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia; both are top-tier players in their respective positions and can help you quickly control the game. Of course, for a more cost-effective option, consider Erling Haaland.

Striker (ST)

You need a reliable finisher. If you don't want to spend a fortune, I recommend a fast, four-star weak-footed striker with excellent positional awareness. Lineth Beerensteyn is an excellent value choice.

Although her OVR has slightly decreased in FUT 27, her 90 speed and 82 shooting ability make her an efficient finisher. Most importantly, she's very affordable, saving you coin for other players.

Preparation Recommendations

At the start of FIFA 27, choose your starter pack based on your strategy. Players like Beerensteyn or Frimpong are recommended. Immediately complete the starter basic objectives to unlock your free basic players - a reliable way to strengthen your team for free.

Remember, your initial resources are limited. You can sell any tradable items you don't need to accumulate coins, but be careful not to waste low-rated players, as they may be valuable for early Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) or evolution missions.

Finally, focus on upgrading core positions - defenders and forwards - as upgrading these positions will have the most direct impact on your performance in EA FC 27.

This concludes our initial player lineup recommendations for FUT 27 Ultimate Team. Remember, your journey won't end with this starting lineup. Use early matches to discover and refine your tactical system, identifying its strengths and weaknesses.

Don't be discouraged by initial setbacks. The early game can be chaotic, as each player learns new mechanics, playing styles, and AI actions. All you need to do is trust your players and strategies, believing that they will eventually pay off. Good luck!

Sony has announced its September 2026 PlayStation Plus game lineup, and for baseball fans, the most anticipated title this month is undoubtedly MLB The Show 26. The game will be available on PS+ on September 1st, and PS5 members can claim it immediately.

If you've been wanting to try MLB The Show 26 but haven't quite jumped in yet, this is a great opportunity. This installment not only enhances the series' signature realistic gameplay experience but also focuses more on career progression and roster development.

More importantly, PS+ members get more than just the base game. Sony is also providing a special Jump Start Bundle, offering initial resources for Road To The Show and Diamond Dynasty. For first-time MLB 26 players, starting from scratch after September 1st will be significantly easier.

Enhanced Immersion

MLB 26 doesn't drastically change the core gameplay; the focus is on refining the existing elements.

The newly added stadium effects allow the stadium to accommodate adjustments and functional expansions across multiple modes, further resembling realistic MLB matches in terms of field conditions, environment, and overall presentation.

For players familiar with previous installments, these changes may not provide the same immediate sense of novelty, but they certainly make the entire game feel more complete.

After all, what truly makes MLB The Show series so engaging for long-term play isn't just hitting, pitching, and base running. Player abilities, game strategies, stadium environments, combined with career progression and lineup building, ultimately create a complete baseball experience.

MLB 26 clearly continues in this direction. Players who enjoy single-player progression can continue to dive into Road To The Show, while those who prefer collecting players and adjusting lineups will still primarily choose Diamond Dynasty.

Road To The Show Expansion

Road To The Show remains the most suitable mode in MLB 26 for experiencing player development, and this time, more content has been added to the early career phase.

Players still need to start by creating a player and progress step-by-step towards MLB, but this year there are several more clearly defined growth milestones before officially entering the professional league.

Besides competing for an MLB Draft Combine spot, the game adds 11 new college teams, making the college stage more prominent throughout the professional career.

Players' performance during this stage will influence team and scout evaluations, and also affect their draft prospects. Compared to the past, which focused more on "when to enter MLB," this year's Road To The Show dedicates more time to the pre-draft development process.

This makes the entire path from college games, Draft Combine, to finally entering the professional league more seamless. For players who prefer solo development, this part is also more worthwhile to experience at a leisurely pace.

For players with a fixed roster, this change will also lead to more frequent adjustments later on.

Positions that were previously sufficient may be reshuffled because of a new Red Diamond, while some collections that were previously low priority may become worthwhile to upgrade because of the final reward.

New Red Diamonds

Diamond Dynasty has added new Red Diamond player cards. These cards have appeared multiple times before and will be available in several series, including World Baseball Classic, 2026 All-Star Game, and Pipeline Series.

For long-time Diamond Dynasty players, Red Diamonds will naturally become a new collection goal. Especially after a team is largely established, subsequent activities like farming events, completing collections, or further strengthening the team will revolve around these new cards.

Diamond Dynasty already allows players to assemble MLB players from different eras, gradually building their dream team.

With the addition of these new Red Diamonds, whether a new card is worth pursuing, whether it fills a position in the team, and whether it suits your playing style will all influence the order in which players collect cards and strengthen their teams, as well as how to spend MLB The Show 26 Stubs most efficiently.

Furthermore, Red Diamonds won't only affect top-tier teams. As these cards gradually spread across different Series, players may need to go back and collect previously uncollected cards to complete collections or pursue specific target cards.

In this way, the new Red Diamond feels more like extending the original collection path further than simply adding a higher rarity card to the existing card pool.

PS+ Membership Bundle

PS+ members receive MLB 26 and a limited-time Jump Start Bundle, providing initial resources for Road To The Show and Diamond Dynasty. This can slightly alleviate the early-game pressure for first-time players, at least preventing them from starting with an empty inventory.

However, this type of bundle is more suitable for solving the initial startup problem. After entering Diamond Dynasty, the actual difference in team composition comes from subsequent card acquisition, Collection progress, and Stubs allocation, so it's more like a beginner's aid than directly helping players skip the entire development process.

With MLB The Show 26 arriving on PS+ and more Diamond Dynasty content still ahead, follow EZG Facebook for the latest updates and Player's Choice Giveaways, and @ your friends or followers who might want to jump in with you.

MLB 26 will officially join PlayStation Plus September 2026 lineup for PS5 platform on September 1st. Whether you want to experience Road To The Show professional career or start building your team from Diamond Dynasty, this PS+ offer is an excellent opportunity to get started.

Especially for players who had been observing the market, the cost barrier has been significantly lowered this time. Experiencing all the main modes on PS+ first, and then deciding whether they prefer to spend time on single-player progression or long-term management of Diamond Dynasty, is much easier than getting it directly and then slowly trying it out.

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 has already delivered a plethora of new game trailers, release dates, and new content for older titles. While the number of games on display this year is substantial, several announcements are particularly noteworthy for RPG, ARPG, and tactical game fans.

GGG has finally confirmed the release date for PoE 2 1.0; Square Enix showcased Final Fantasy VII Revelation again, bringing the final chapter of the remake trilogy closer to players; and Ubisoft unexpectedly revealed the turn-based Rainbow Six Tactics.

Meanwhile, CD Projekt Red has prepared two surprises for The Witcher 3 fans - an upgraded edition of The Witcher 3, released over a decade ago, and Geralt's final return as the protagonist.

If you don't have time to rewatch Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026, here's the most noteworthy information on these popular games.

Path of Exile 2 1.0 - Officially Launching on December 11th

For PoE 2 players, the biggest news from Gamescom this year was undoubtedly the confirmed release date for Patch 1.0.

GGG announced that PoE 2 will end its Early Access phase and enter Patch 1.0 on December 11, 2026. Simultaneously, Patch 1.0 will bring a more systematic adjustment to the full campaign, character progression, and Endgame.

More importantly, with Patch 1.0, PoE 2 will officially become free-to-play, adding a new sword-wielding class, Duelist, and the remaining two Acts will also be added to the game.

This means that December 11th is not just a regular seasonal update, but a true restart for PoE 2 after its Early Access phase.

In the past period, players have had extensive discussions about class balance, build depth, gear drops, and Endgame pacing. The final patch incorporates adjustments to the campaign, progression, and endgame systems all at once, making Patch 1.0 potentially one of the best points for veteran players to rebuild their builds and for new players to officially join the game.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation - Spring 2027

Square Enix presents Final Chapter of Final Fantasy VII Remake Project - Final Fantasy VII Revelation.

Gamescom's latest trailer, The Planet's Crisis, focuses on Weapons familiar to fans of the original games, including massive enemies like Ruby Weapon, Emerald Weapon, and Ultima Weapon. Meanwhile, Cloud and his companions will explore a wider world aboard Highwind airship.

If Remake rebuilt Midgar, and Rebirth truly opened up the world, then Revelation serves to conclude the entire remake trilogy.

Currently confirmed information indicates that Highwind is more than just a plot device. Players can pilot airships across the world and choose locations to land and explore; Cid and Vincent will also join as playable party members, and combat will continue the combination of real-time action and a command system.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation is planned for release in Spring 2027, and unlike the previous two installments, it is expected to launch simultaneously on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

For players who have already played Remake and Rebirth, the real question now may only be one: Will Square Enix ultimately remain faithful to the ending of the 1997 original, or will they allow this altered timeline to reach a completely different conclusion?

Rainbow Six Tactics - Rainbow Six's First Fully Turn-Based Gameplay

Ubisoft also brought a rather unexpected new title to Gamescom - Rainbow Six Tactics, expected to launch in 2027.

It's not a new mode for Rainbow Six Siege, but a standalone single-player turn-based tactical game. Players will take on the role of Six, the commander of Rainbow forces, planning missions from headquarters, selecting operators, and then executing operations on the battlefield.

Ubisoft has confirmed that the game will include 15 operators with unique abilities, equipment, and skill trees, over 45 global operational locations, and various mission types such as hostage rescue, bomb disposal, and target elimination.

This direction is actually quite suitable for Rainbow Six. From the series' early emphasis on planning, intelligence, and teamwork, to Siege's reliance on operator skills to create tactical variations, Rainbow Six inherently possesses a strong strategy game DNA.

Now, Ubisoft has temporarily set aside shooting mechanics and placed operator combinations, mission planning, and battlefield decision-making at the core, which gives them the opportunity to revive the tactical command that the series had gradually faded in the past.

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past - Geralt Hasn't Truly Retired

If you thought CD Projekt Red(CDPR) had completely ended content updates for The Witcher 3, then this year at Gamescom, it's clear they're preparing to keep Geralt on the team for a few more years.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past is the third full-fledged expansion for The Witcher 3, developed by CD Projekt Red in collaboration with Fool's Theory, and is scheduled for release in 2027.

CDPR envisions it as much more than just adding a few quests. Songs of the Past will introduce a new area, Letten, new enemies, new abilities, and new weapons, and the official description is Geralt's final adventure.

From the perspective of the series' timeline, this also resembles an adventure before the official handover - before The Witcher 4 enters the new phase dominated by Ciri, players can embark on one last journey as Geralt.

The Witcher 3 Remastered - Free Upgrade on September 29th

While waiting for the new expansion, CDPR is also planning to have everyone reinstall The Witcher 3.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered will launch on September 29, 2026, offering upgraded graphics, performance, and gameplay compared to the original release. This includes more detailed environments, NPC and monster textures, and improvements to lighting, rendering, and ray tracing.

Players who already own The Witcher 3 on eligible platforms can upgrade to Remastered for free. Simultaneously, CDPR announced that existing players will receive Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine for free, both classic expansions, now available for additional payment.

Besides major gaming platforms, CDPR has also partnered with Blizzard Entertainment, with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered launching on Battle.net for the first time on September 29th.

This collaboration goes beyond simply porting the game to Blizzard platforms. CDPR has confirmed that The Witcher 3, along with Songs of the Past (releasing in 2027), will be available on Battle.net, and the partnership will extend to Diablo 4. Players who get Songs of the Past on Battle. net will unlock a Geralt-themed Diablo 4 skin, with more collaboration content to be revealed at BlizzCon this September.

Based on the current schedule, these Gamescom announcements will soon become playable content. First, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered on September 29th, followed by PoE 2's 1.0 release on December 11th; then, in 2027, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Rainbow Six Tactics, and Songs of the Past will follow.

Of course, there are many more games announced at Gamescom, but if you're an ARPG, RPG, or tactical game player, these few should already make next year's gaming schedule very busy.

Elden Ring will be getting its Tarnished Edition on August 28th. This is a full edition for Nintendo Switch 2 and new players, while also offering veteran players a reason to start a new game with a few new additions.

For players who already own the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree, the standalone Tarnished Pack will be even more appealing. This smaller content pack includes two new starter classes, four armor sets, new Torrent skins, and pre-order bonuses such as gestures.

Whether you're new to Elden Ring or have hundreds of hours of gameplay, this article will guide you through what's new in Tarnished Edition and which starting builds are best suited for Heavy Knight and Idus Knight classes.

What's New in Tarnished Edition?

The confirmed new content includes:

• Two new starting classes: Heavy Knight and Idus Knight
• Four new armor sets
• Three interchangeable appearances for Torrent
• Additional gestures available with pre-order

For players new to Elden Ring, starting with Tarnished Edition is the easiest option, as it covers the base game, DLC, and the new content in one go.

However, if you already own the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree, Tarnished Pack is the real focus.

Tarnished Pack

Tarnished Pack can be considered a smaller, lower-priced DLC. Its standard price is €4.99, clearly not sold as a large expansion.

It's best suited for three types of players:

The first type is veteran players looking to start over. If your Faded Knight is already hundreds of levels high and you've fought the bosses countless times, going back to play might not be exciting anymore. Reborn as a Heavy Knight or Idus Knight will be much more fun than simply replicating an old build.

The second category is players who enjoy themed builds. For example, Heavy Knight is naturally suited to: heavy armor knight, greatsword knight, giant weapon, Strength build; while Idus Knight is clearly suited to: agility knight, light greatsword, agility/faith hybrid build.

The third category is collectors. The four new armor sets and Torrent skins won't change the build environment, but for players who enjoy collecting gear in Elden Ring, these items are valuable in themselves.

Heavy Knight

Heavy Knight is the most straightforward of the two new classes. He is a heavily armored knight wearing heavy steel armor, wielding a large scimitar, and crushing enemies head-on with Strength and Endurance.

Starting Stats

The currently displayed initial stats are:

• Level: 10
• Vigor: 14
• Mind: 8
• Endurance: 17
• Strength: 15
• Dexterity: 11
• Intelligence: 7
• Faith: 8
• Arcane: 9

The most striking stat is the high Endurance of 17. This means Heavy Knight can simultaneously handle heavy armor, wield large weapons, and meet high Endurance requirements very early on.

High Endurance is crucial in the early Elden Rings. Many Strength characters' initial problem isn't insufficient damage, but the rapid depletion of their stamina bar.

When you equip heavy gear, you easily enter a heavily burdened state, significantly slowing your rolls and affecting your invincibility frames. You either need to prioritize increasing Endurance or replace some of your overly heavy gear.

Heavy Knight starts with 17 Endurance, alleviating some of the burden and reducing the need to prioritize Endurance too early in your stat allocation. Combined with 14 Vigor, the early game margin for error is quite high, whether traversing the map or fighting bosses.

If you want to get these early stat upgrades in place faster, you can also buy Elden Ring Runes from EZG.com and put more levels into Vigor and Strength without spending as much time farming.

Therefore, if you're new to Elden Rings or simply don't want to stick to ranged kiting, Heavy Knight is a very convenient choice.

Starting Weapon

Based on current demonstrations, Heavy Knight wields a large, curved weapon, remarkably similar in appearance to the existing Dismounter.

The official announcement has explicitly mentioned four new armor sets, without specifically highlighting the new weapons. Therefore, this weapon is highly likely part of the existing weapon system, rather than a new addition specifically for Tarnished Pack.

This also makes Heavy Knight seem less novel than Idus Knight. Its biggest changes are primarily in starting attributes and equipment combinations, rather than bringing a completely different combat style.

Idus Knight

Compared to Heavy Knight, Idus Knight is significantly more interesting. He hails from a region called Idus, characterized by lightweight equipment and an emphasis on Dexterity and weapon handling.

Starting Stats

The currently announced initial stats are:

• Level: 7
• Vigor: 10
• Mind: 12
• Endurance: 11
• Strength: 13
• Dexterity: 15
• Intelligence: 8
• Faith: 11
• Arcane: 6

The most striking initial stat for Idus Knight is undoubtedly 15 Dexterity. However, his other stats are also quite good: 13 Strength, 12 Mind, and 11 Faith. This makes him less suited to a pure Dexterity build and more easily adaptable to a hybrid build.

What's even more interesting is 11 Faith. Many early-game Incantations in Elden Rings don't have high skill ceilings, and this class can use buffs early on with just a little Faith. Combined with 12 Mind, his Power Points are also significantly higher than Heavy Knight's, allowing for more comfortable use of weapon arts and prayers.

Therefore, if you prefer a melee-focused playstyle, incorporating buffs, Incantations, and Weapon Skills, Idus Knight is clearly better suited for this build.

Starting Weapon

The most appealing aspect of Idus Knight right now is its starting weapon.

From the official previews, this weapon looks very similar to Milady. Milady is a Light Greatsword added in Shadow of the Erdtree, with lighter and more agile movements than traditional Greatswords while retaining decent attack range. Its feel is noticeably different from straight swords and Greatswords.

Normally, Milady is only available after entering Shadow of the Erdtree, meaning it's impossible to build around this weapon from the start in the base game.

However, if Milady is confirmed as Idus Knight's starting weapon, its difference from other classes becomes more significant. You can start the game from Limgrave with Light Greatsword, instead of waiting until you enter Land of Shadow to finally obtain the core weapon.

This is why I'd prefer to try Idus Knight first. Heavy Knight's advantages are more straightforward and practical, while Idus Knight brings a completely new way to start the game.

For veteran players who are already very familiar with Elden Ring, Tarnished Edition may not be enough to support a whole major update. But if you were looking for a reason to start a new game anyway, it at least provides a more interesting option than simply copying the old build.