Why Diablo 4 Season 11 Achieved Unusually High Player Retention Despite Controversy | Paladin Power, Better Loot, Faster Pace
Diablo 4 Season 11 was met with considerable controversy on player forums even before its official launch. Some players appreciated the freshness of the new content, while others were dissatisfied with the adjustments made by the developers.
Dissatisfied players felt that D4 made too many content changes each season, meaning they had to relearn new game mechanics, while the tasks and storylines remained largely the same each season. This superficial change left them feeling bored.
However, in the months since its launch, Diablo 4 Season 11 has achieved something that previous seasons struggled with: maintaining player engagement for a longer period. This means that in this season, players weren’t just limited to completing tasks, but truly enjoyed the game.
Game Status
To date, Season 11 still maintains a player retention rate of approximately 50%-60% on Steam, and this data only includes Steam players. If we include players on Battle.net and console platforms, the actual number might be even higher. This is quite impressive for an ARPG game.
It’s worth noting that most ARPG seasons experience rapid player attrition. Even successful games like Path of Exile struggle to maintain player retention rates as impressive as Diablo 4 Season 11. So how did Diablo 4 achieve such a breakthrough?
What Changed the Game Experience?
There are several reasons. First, of course, the developers thoroughly refined the game system, both in form and content.
Unlike many modern ARPGs that are increasingly leaning towards abstract and systematic designs, Diablo 4 S11 not only continued the previous dark fantasy setting, elevating the overall aesthetic style, but also further deepened the storyline, making it stand out among ARPGs released during the same period.
Secondly, the early inclusion of Paladin class also revitalized the game. This powerful class was one of the main reasons many veteran players returned to the game this season, and it was even enough for players to forgive the developers’ commercial strategies for the new DLC.
Paladin certainly lived up to expectations, quickly becoming one of the best classes in the eyes of many players thanks to its outstanding performance in the game. The developers incorporated many ingenious and impactful skill designs into this classic class. For example, simply by wielding a Shield and casting Blessed Hammer, players can sweep through hordes of monsters, a level of overwhelming power unprecedented in previous seasons.
Furthermore, a new loot customization system called Sanctification, introduced in Diablo 4 Season 11, is another significant improvement for players.
It greatly enhances the power of Diablo 4 items; even if you collect some items or equipment of lower quality, you can simply use this system to strengthen them and obtain affixes that will significantly boost your character’s power.
Instead of directly giving powerful weapons to players, the developers allow players to strengthen their equipment through this system, giving them the motivation to continue farming for gear even after their build is complete, and allowing them to enjoy the process of gradually becoming stronger.
In addition to the in-depth updates to game content, the overall pace of Season 11 has also become faster and more streamlined. Players don’t need to grind through all the content to complete the season levels, nor do they feel like they’re just completing a checklist of tasks; instead, they can truly immerse themselves in the game.
Future Outlook
Although Diablo 4 Season 11 has done quite well in terms of game pace, monster-slaying experience, and new content direction, there are still many shortcomings.
Issues such as cluttered inventory and insufficient storage space remain common complaints among players. In this season, players also have to repeatedly farm four classic bosses between different tasks, which, even with revamped combat scenarios, can feel repetitive and tedious.
In addition, the combat mechanism of stacking skill points for every class and build in the game makes players feel that everything is the same. When players develop their characters to the point where skill cooldowns are negligible, even exploring high-difficulty tasks like The Pit and receiving rewards feels uninteresting.
Therefore, it seems that D4S11 is currently more suitable for players to explore various new characters and enjoy the process of constantly upgrading equipment. However, because the Paladin class is too powerful, the developers need to consider how to maintain Paladin’s unique charm while ensuring the competitiveness of other classes.
Although Diablo 4 Season 11 still has many shortcomings that confuse players, the existing adjustments, including the smooth action experience, the highly customizable system, the satisfying loot drops, and the well-balanced reward mechanism, allow players to forgive the current flaws. Because compared to minor flaws, players are more concerned about whether the core gameplay of the entire game is satisfying.
Despite constant complaints from the player community, it must be acknowledged that most players have given Season 11 high praise, and the high retention rate of this season has set a higher standard for future seasons of Diablo 4.
If the developers can retain the interesting game mechanics and systems from Season 11, and even optimize them further in Lord of Hatred, I believe that Diablo 4’s player retention rate will not stop there.
The new expansion pack, Lord of Hatred, will be released on April 28th. Let’s look forward to the arrival of this DLC.
ARC Raiders PvE Weapon Tier List: Best Guns to Fight ARC Enemies
In ARC Raiders, players will face various threats during raids. Among them, the most familiar to players are ARC enemies that randomly appear on different maps. They will present players with challenges of varying difficulty, and only by overcoming these challenges can players safely return with their loot.
Choosing the right weapon to fight these ARCs is key to victory in the battle. There are a variety of weapons to choose from in the game, but there are differences between them. Some weapons perform significantly better than other firearms when dealing with mechanical enemies.
Therefore, to help you choose the right weapon for PvE battles, I've ranked each weapon in ARC Raiders from S to D tier based on their attributes and effectiveness against ARC enemies.
Let's take a look at ARC Raiders PvE weapon strength ranking below, so you can clearly know which weapons to bring for your next raid!
S-Tier
These weapons are the top choice for easily clearing ARC. If you want to maximize damage output and efficiency, these guns should be your first choice.
Hullcracker (Pump-Action Grenade Launcher)
It is the undisputed king of PvE. Hullcracker's high damage output, blast radius, and armor penetration make it an essential weapon against ARC, especially against powerful enemies like Queen or Matriarch.
You can obtain Hullcracker blueprint by completing specific missions, or you can buy it from Traders, making it one of the more easily obtainable weapons in the game.
Bettina (Heavy Ammo Assault Rifle)
Bettina has extremely high single-shot damage, making it ideal for attacking enemies with obvious weaknesses and those powerful ARC enemies. Although its rate of fire is relatively slow and requires some getting used to, its high damage more than compensates for this.
It is very suitable for dealing with ARC enemies such as Hornets, Fireballs, and Shredders. Although its ammo management can be tricky, it is definitely worth the challenge.
Anvil (Heavy Ammo Revolver)
Anvil is renowned for its powerful damage, accuracy, and decent rate of fire, making it a reliable primary weapon. It's ideal for eliminating ARC enemies like Hornets or Wasps.
Anvil's excellent accuracy and range make it one of the best all-around weapons for daily raids, and most players can obtain it in the game.
Renegade (Lever-Action Rifle)
Renegade boasts an extremely fast rate of fire and reliable range, making it a versatile weapon for dealing with small to medium-sized ARC enemies. It uses medium ammo, resulting in extremely high ammo efficiency; you'll only need a few rounds to complete a raid.
If you're looking for a weapon with good kill efficiency and strong practicality, Renegade is an excellent choice.
Ferro (Single-Shot Pistol)
Ferro is the most cost-effective weapon in S-tier, especially suitable for novice players. Despite being a single-shot weapon, its damage output is considerable, making it suitable for mid- to long-range combat.
The only drawback might be its long reload speed, meaning it's less suitable for dealing with groups of enemies or stronger ARC enemies. However, Ferro's ease of use allows us to overlook this drawback, making it an ideal choice for early-game raids.
Jupiter (Legendary Rifle)
Even in its base damage, Jupiter is one of the most powerful weapons in the game, capable of destroying any enemy in its path. As a top-tier weapon, its armor-piercing ability is unparalleled if you want to eliminate large targets like Leapers or Bastions.
Its high acquisition difficulty is perhaps its only drawback, as Jupiter's blueprint requires completing Harvester puzzle, and even finding it during regular raids is extremely rare.
A-Tier
These weapons offer excellent flexibility in PvE, combining damage, accuracy, and ammo efficiency. While they may not be as powerful as S-tier weapons, they still perform admirably against most ARC enemies.
Venator (Assault Rifle)
Venator's strength lies in its perfect combination of high rate of fire, accuracy, and moderate damage. It's a reliable weapon against medium-level ARC enemies. Furthermore, it performs well in both PvE and PvP scenarios, making it a favorite among many players.
While not the first choice against the most powerful ARC enemies, Venator's mobility makes it very effective against groups of Wasps or Hornets.
Equalizer (Legendary Mini-Gun)
This high-DPS mini-gun is a powerful weapon against most ARC enemies. Its rapid-fire capability can quickly tear apart enemies, especially larger ones. Its design is somewhat similar to Jupiter.
The only drawback is Equalizer's incredibly high ammo consumption rate, especially against boss enemies, so if you plan to carry this gun on the battlefield, remember to allow ample backpack space.
Tempest (Assault Rifle)
Tempest boasts reliable armor penetration and an extremely high rate of fire, making it ideal for dealing with mid-level ARC enemies. As an assault rifle, it allows for easy movement between different targets, quickly eliminating groups of enemies.
However, you should carefully consider whether to carry it when facing large and heavily armored ARC enemies.
Aphelion (Legendary Rifle)
Aphelion has extremely high single-shot damage, but due to its significant recoil and slow rate of fire, it requires a certain level of skill to master. Once mastered, it can sweep through ARC with astonishing power.
Furthermore, Aphelion is one of the relatively easy-to-obtain legendary blueprints, readily available on Stella Montis map.
B-Tier
- Decent, But Not Outstanding
These weapons are all capable of completing the mission, but they also have some noticeable drawbacks, potentially performing less well in more challenging combat.
Torrente (Light Machine Gun)
Torrente is a spray-and-pray light machine gun, excelling in close-quarters combat but weak at long range. At close range, it can eliminate most ordinary ARCs in a short time.
It's fun to use in confined spaces, but its low accuracy and short range make it less effective in open areas like Spaceport.
Kettle (Semi-Automatic Rifle)
Kettle performs well against ordinary ARC enemies with specific weaknesses, but its low damage output means it struggles against stronger enemies.
It's okay for emergency situations, but there are better options for dealing with stronger enemies.
Burletta (Semi-Automatic Rifle)
Burletta is a more agile weapon with similar strengths and weaknesses to Kettle. It's better suited for dealing with basic ARC enemies and is almost useless against stronger ARC robots.
Its bullet armor penetration is extremely low, making it only suitable for dealing with small ARCs like Fireballs, Pops, and Ticks.
Arpeggio (Burst-Fire Rifle)
Arpeggio is a semi-automatic weapon, easier to control, but its firepower is inferior to higher-tier weapons. Its performance in ARC Raiders PvE is only average.
It works well against small, weaker ARC groups like Snitches and Hornets, but struggles against larger, stronger enemies.
Osprey (Sniper Rifle)
As the only gun in ARC Raiders that can be aimed, it's excellent for long-range combat, allowing you to easily eliminate all ARC enemies in your path.
If you're dealing with long-range enemies, Osprey is a good choice, but its slow rate of fire and long reload time make it less effective in fast-paced battles.
C-Tier
These weapons are either ineffective or have limited applicability in most PvE scenarios. While they can be useful in certain situations, they are generally not recommended for use in most combat.
Rattler (Submachine Gun)
Rattler has a small magazine capacity and long reload time, making it a poor choice in most PvE combat. A single shot might not even kill an enemy like Hornet; its damage is really weak.
However, it's somewhat usable if you have the upgraded version. The base Rattler is almost useless except for its customizable configuration.
Vulcano & Il Toro (Shotguns)
These two guns perform very similarly, so they're discussed together. Shotguns can deal significant damage at close range, but are ineffective against flying or long-range ARCs.
While they perform reasonably well on some maps, such as Stella Montis, their limited range and bullet spread make them inefficient in PvE.
Bobcat (Submachine Gun)
Bobcat is a high-rate-of-fire weapon with a small magazine capacity, making it ineffective in most PvE scenarios. Unless you're within five meters of your target, its accuracy is low, and it's unlikely to kill.
It performs reasonably well at close range, but becomes difficult to control beyond a certain distance, and its effectiveness diminishes against stronger enemies.
D-Tier
These weapons generally perform poorly in PvE and should be avoided if you want to maximize your game efficiency.
Stitcher (Light Ammo Pistol)
Stitcher is well-suited for dealing with smaller, weaker enemies, but struggles against stronger ARCs or flying enemies. Ultimately, it's better suited for dealing with raiders than robots.
Hairpin (Pistol)
Hairpin is one of the most common weapons in ARC Raiders, and also the most easily overlooked by players. You rarely think of it, no matter what you're planning to do in the game. Its extremely low damage output makes it virtually useless in any PvE mode.
That concludes the weapon rankings and information for ARC Raiders PvE mode. Choose the right weapon and bravely face the cold, hard ARC enemies in the game!
Path of Exile 2 Abyss Farming is Insane after Patch 0.4.0 | Players Are Printing Currency
Since Abyss became permanent content in Path of Exile 2 after the release of patch 0.4.0, the developers have finally received praise from players, mainly because the content is not only fun but also an important source of farming currency and certain valuable Abyssal items such as Omen of Light and Abyssal Echoes.
This method of increasing the quality and quantity of dropped items by improving the rarity of Precursor tablets inserted in the map is much easier than painstakingly building a Vaal Temple with extremely high exploration risks and farming it in the current league.
However, some strategies are still needed to maximize the farming efficiency of running Abyss maps. Therefore, this guide will provide you with some strategies and corresponding precautions for farming operations in Abyss mechanic of Path of Exile 2, based on the existing game content.
Operating Principle
The main principle behind this mechanism for efficient PoE 2 currency and loot farming is to focus on killing monsters in maps containing Abyss Pits to trigger the appearance of rarer and more powerful Abyss bosses, whose valuable drops are your final goal.
In addition, the underground Abyssal troves are another way to obtain key rewards, containing chests rich in higher-level raw currencies. However, due to their unknown appearance rate, they should only be considered a secondary option. Next comes the main event of this guide: the ultimate strategy for farming Abyss.
1. Activate Specific Abyss Passive Skill Nodes
Since Abyss has become a permanent feature in the game, you can find many nodes related to the map’s mechanics in Atlas passive skill tree. Among them, the ones you should prioritize activating are those with affixes that increase the number of encounters and the strength of monsters.
These nodes are obtained by completing tasks and acquiring four Lightless Books of Knowledge, giving you a total of eight skill points. Normally, we only need to use the first six, which are easier to obtain, because there are more worthwhile nodes to activate in main Atlas passive tree.
For example, nodes with affixes such as item rarity, monster pack size, and item quantity bonus, although the percentages of these affixes are not as high as those in Abyss tree, can work perfectly synergistically with the remaining strategies.
2. Upgrade Abyss Precursor Tablets
Anyone who has played the endgame content in Path of Exile 2 Early Access will know that using Abyss Precursor Tablets ensures that the map you’re playing contains Abyss encounters. However, our current goal is to farm as much as possible, so this map should also contain as many of these encounters as possible.
Some players might use nodes in Atlas tree that increase the chance of encountering the enemy, but this would prevent them from focusing on attack or defense strength in their character build. It is recommended to use the rarer Abyss Precursor Tablets instead.
These rarer PoE 2 item options can be obtained by visiting the currency NPC in the hideout and trading with them, but this process is too costly. Therefore, the best and simplest method is to kill Arbiter of Ash in Burning Monolith on any difficulty to obtain regular Tablets, and then use Orb of Alchemy or Regal Orb to upgrade their rarity.
During this process, each Tablet should contain some new affixes. Among them, affixes such as increased rare monster quantity, increased item rarity, increased monster pack quantity, and increased difficulty and rewards after the pit is closed are worth your special attention.
3. Farm Cleansed Maps
Once you have your skill tree and Precursor Tablets ready, you can start farming some cleansed maps, which can appear after you complete Corrupted Nexus and contain the ability to generate up to 30 additional cleansed monsters, along with related affixes. If your character build allows for easy speed farming, running all maps is best.
However, if it’s slightly less efficient, you can focus on specific map affixes. For example, affixes that grant you Mounting Greed skill increase the rarity of items you acquire, up to a maximum of 100%; and affixes that spawn The Immured Fury boss in your exploration areas can bring you incredibly rich loot rewards, such as POE 2 Fracturing Orbs, which are guaranteed.
4. Increase Rarity of Gear and Waystones
Finally, before venturing into maps featuring Abyss encounters, ensure you’re using a high-rarity gear. This will not only give you a significant advantage in completing all combat missions but also increase your chances of obtaining higher-tier loot from these maps.
Waystones used to unlock the map also need to be of high rarity and must contain affixes that increase item rarity. If Waystones you already possess do not meet these requirements, you can craft them by using Omen of Chaotic Rarity. While this investment is significant, it is well worth it.
5. Learn to Invest Wisely
In preparing for and utilizing Abyss farming rewards, you will always need to invest some currency or consumables to craft items for your builds and exploration materials. Therefore, a crucial strategy at this time is to manage your finances well and spend wisely.
Although you’ll have accumulated a considerable amount of currency by the time you reach the endgame, given the developers’ past instances of drastically reduced currency drop rates, every investment should be focused on the most worthwhile aspects, such as increasing gear rarity and rolling out specific affixes.
Of course, there is a way to avoid this concern: obtain Path of Exile 2 currency for sale directly from EZG.com, which has a wide variety and a large stock available, and you can place an order at any time and receive the orbs you need after a short wait.
These are the 5 strategies for reward farming using Abyss content in The Last of the Druids tournament. Hopefully, this guide will help you overcome every obstacle on your speed farming path and successfully achieve your ultimate goal. Enjoy the game!
WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Pre-Patch Shaman Leveling Guide: Gear, Talent Trees & Route
In WoW TBC Classic Anniversary, Shamans are a powerful class, performing exceptionally well both solo and in groups. They possess three different specs, meaning three different talent trees.
Therefore, Shaman players have multiple choices during leveling, and each decision will have different effects on your character, so careful selection is essential.
If you feel confused, don't worry. Whether you're playing Shamans for the first time or preparing to relive this classic class in TBC Anniversary Pre-Patch, this guide will help you smoothly level from 1 to 60.
The following sections will detail everything from best gear and talent specializations to leveling zones, helping you level up quickly.
Starting zone selection
After successfully creating your character, you need to decide where to begin your leveling adventure. You can choose based on your chosen party composition.
Since Draenei race will be introduced in TBC Pre-Patch, marking Alliance's first Shaman class, I highly recommend Draenei starting zone. This zone not only has Shaman trainers but also offers Totem quests.
However, this zone is expected to be extremely crowded with enthusiastic players when Pre-Patch goes live. I suggest finding a mage to open a portal to other cities or having a warlock summon you to the capital city before moving on to other areas.
Gear selection
As a Shaman, you need to acquire key gear as quickly as possible to accelerate your leveling.
Fiery can be used early on. It has a chance to trigger 40 fire damage on normal attacks, which is incredibly powerful at low levels. This is especially effective when using fast-attacking weapons. You can use Enchant Weapon until level 30, after which you should switch to Crusader for additional strength and healing.
Alternatively, you can use daggers early on due to their high attack speed. After level 40, consider upgrading to two-handed weapons until you unlock Dual Wield at level 40. Then you can focus on acquiring one-handed weapons for maximum damage output.
Talent Trees
Since Shamans have three different talent trees, you need to make the most suitable choice based on your leveling needs.
Enhancement Shaman
Enhancement Shaman is primarily a melee DPS class, making it ideal for leveling in The Burning Crusade Anniversary, providing excellent melee damage and survivability.
Level 20: When you reach level 20, Shamans can transform into werewolves. At this point, you can allocate 2 talent points to the first talent - Improved Ghost Wolf. This allows for easier movement between different monsters or free exploration in the open world.
Level 30: Now you switch to two-handed weapons, and you should focus on talents that improve overall damage and mobility, such as Flurry and Unleashed Rage.
Level 40: At this stage, you unlock Dual Wield. After that, you only need to focus on improving Stormstrike for additional burst damage.
Elemental Shaman
While Elemental talent tree offers decent ranged damage, its high mana cost and relatively low damage, especially in the early game, make it unsuitable for solo leveling.
If you prefer ranged combat, Elemental Shaman is an option, but you'll need to prioritize mana regeneration nodes in the talent tree.
Restoration Shaman
Restoration Shaman is Shaman's healing specialization and the slowest to level. It's best suited for group healers. If you plan to participate in group content or dungeons, consider Restoration talent tree.
In short, I still recommend choosing Enhancement talent tree for faster and more efficient solo leveling.
Leveling path
In the early stages, when you're only a few levels, simply stay in the starting area and slowly complete quests, focusing on totem quests. These quests will unlock new abilities; unlock Fire Totem and Water Totem as quickly as possible. After obtaining the totem, you can stay in Bloodmyst Isle doing quests until you reach level 20. Here, you can obtain a large amount of green upgrade gear, thus accelerating your leveling process.
Afterward, you can travel to different areas to do quests and level up.
Below is a recommended Shaman leveling route:
- Levels 1-20: Azuremyst Isle, Bloodmyst Isle;
- Levels 20-30: Westfall, Redridge Mountains, Duskwood;
- Levels 30-40: Strangthorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace;
- Levels 40-50: Tanaris, Feralas, Hinterlands;
- Levels 50-60: Searing Gorge, Blasted Lands, Western Plaguelands, Eastern Plaguelands.
When you reach level 58, you can prepare to enter Outland. The quests here are relatively more difficult, but your gear, XP, and farming efficiency will undergo a significant transformation.
This will prepare you thoroughly for the official integration of WoW TBC Anniversary later.
Efficient leveling tips
- Kite Enemies: If you encounter powerful enemies that are difficult to deal with while leveling, use Searing Totems and Earthbind Totems for crowd control, allowing you to attack while dodging damage.
- Utilize Explosive Rockets: When you are at a low level, in areas with dense enemy populations, you can use Explosive Rockets to deal area damage to multiple enemies, helping you clear monsters more efficiently.
- Focus on Quests: Try to complete multiple quests in the same area to reduce travel time. Avoid wasting time on quests that are not worthwhile or have poor rewards.
- Auction House: Don't forget to check Auction House from time to time. There are items there that can speed up quest completion. A little WoW TBC Classic Anniversary gold can save you effort and time, which is worthwhile.
That's all the information on how to upgrade Shaman. With XP boost provided during TBC Classic Anniversary Pre-Patch, you'll have 2-4 weeks to level your class from 1 to 60, so you'll have a fully capable character for raids on launch day.
EA Sports FC 26 Patch v1.4.0 Breakdown: AI Defense Nerfs, Gameplay Tweaks, and Career Mode Improvements Explained
The first patch for EA Sports FC 26 in 2026, version 1.4.0, has finally arrived, and this update has sparked heated discussions within the player community.
In this update, you’ll see fewer AI defenders in the game, and more breathing room on the field. The overall gameplay will be more natural and fluid in terms of responsiveness and pace.
This article will detail the changes in this EA FC 26 patch and their impact on the gameplay experience.
Artificial Intelligence Changes
The focus of this update is on adjusting AI defensive mechanisms. The reaction time of AI-controlled defenders when marking the ball carrier will be shortened, making offensive play less restricted for players.
This change means that players can find those fleeting gaps between defensive transitions to attack, instead of facing an impenetrable wall of AI defenders.
This is good news for players who prefer creative passing and movement rather than relying on fixed offensive patterns. Many passes will now be successful instead of being intercepted by those incredibly fast AI players as before.
However, for defensive-minded players, the weakening of defensive AI means that these AI players will be more disoriented on the field, potentially making the game more offense-oriented and putting them at a disadvantage. This change is not conducive to their competitive play.
Therefore, it’s clear that players’ core idea isn’t to weaken AI players, but to have developers create a new, dynamic balance between offense and defense in human-versus-AI matches, instead of simply making one side easier than the other.
However, EA has stated that to encourage more fluid offensive play, they will continue to monitor player feedback on the AI changes and make further adjustments later.
CPU AI behavior in Squad Battles has also been positively adjusted. Previously, players often complained that CPU AI frequently held the ball for extended periods in low-possession situations, making the entire game passive and significantly affecting the gameplay experience.
Now, CPU AI will no longer focus on ball possession as before, but will adopt a more proactive offensive strategy, resulting in faster-paced and more exciting matches, giving players a more realistic competitive environment.
Gameplay Adjustments
In this update, EA has changed and optimized the minimum and maximum height thresholds used to determine player running types. The minimum height requirement for long-distance running for male players is 185 cm, and 165 cm for female players, while the height requirements for other long-distance running types remain unchanged.
In addition, the developers have added more realistic scenarios to the game. For example, when two players with significantly different strength attributes engage in a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge, the player with lower strength will be more likely to stumble. Players with higher strength and aggression attributes will be better at shielding the ball.
These two changes avoid some distortions seen in previous versions, making the game closer to reality. They also enhance the differentiated experience of players, indicating that physical attributes will become an important consideration for club managers.
This means that when choosing between two players with similar attributes but different physical abilities using the same amount of FC 26 Coins, players will be more inclined to choose the one with superior physical attributes.
Besides the differentiation optimization for players, the update also adds an important feature: defenders can now perform automatic clearances when there is a clear goal-scoring opportunity on the goal line. This aims to enhance defensive reliability and make last-ditch interceptions more effective.
However, this function only applies at the last moment, when the defender can block a goal. This heavily tests players’ reaction abilities; being too sensitive might disrupt normal defensive actions, while being too conservative defeats the purpose of the feature. Whether players can react in time in the fast-paced game environment remains to be seen.
Finally, the developers have reduced the shooting accuracy of shots taken immediately after performing skill moves, reducing many unrealistic goal-scoring opportunities.
Career Mode Optimization
Career Mode has also received several structural updates. Player status information has been expanded into separate Contract and General fields, providing a clearer understanding of players’ negotiation willingness and potential, allowing players to focus more on strategic decision-making.
In Player Career, Archetype eligibility is now linked to Origin Stories, and Starting AP is replaced by Starting Skill Level, providing a more narrative-driven career experience. Meanwhile, the developers have also adjusted the job security logic for managers in unstable positions; ICONs and Heroes can now sign contracts up to 3 years, increasing the dynamism and realism of FC 26 and allowing players to be more immersed in the game.
In addition to the above, the developers have also added a New Release hub in Ultimate Team, making it easier for players to quickly view featured content and browse the latest squad challenges, objectives, and other information.
This patch is not just a series of gameplay adjustments, but also reflects a shift in EA Sports FC 26’s attitude towards players. During the transition from FIFA series to EA Sports FC series, the developers have consistently faced the challenge of how to retain the core experience while responding to criticism from the player community.
This update shows that EA FC 26 has clearly incorporated more feedback from the player community, particularly regarding adjustments to defensive AI and Squad Battles pace, directly addressing the most common criticisms on player forums and social media.
While player reactions have been mixed, these changes demonstrate the developers’ willingness to listen to player feedback, make adjustments, and improve the game. We look forward to FC 26 delivering an even better gaming experience in the next update.
WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Dungeon Team Guide | Best Pre-Patch Setups for Easy Loot and Fast Progress
Many players are eagerly awaiting the pre-patch for WoW TBC Classic Anniversary, which will be released on January 13th. It will include an easier and simpler character leveling process and significantly reduced challenge content, allowing both new players and loyal fans to enjoy a brand new experience.
In particular, the dungeons, which have undergone numerous improvements, are highly praised by players for their combat and high loot drop rates. However, some players have stated that, like other expansions, a perfect team composition is an important prerequisite for getting the best dungeon experience in TBC Classic.
Therefore, based on feedback from players who have entered PTR, this section will list the best team setup for running all dungeons in this new expansion. Although the official version will be released 2-4 weeks after the pre-patch, it’s always good to be prepared in advance.
Do not Use Druids
Before we begin introducing the best team setup, there is an important point to keep in mind: your team must include a healer who can cast Resurrection spell, which can increase your team’s survivability and allows you to tackle more challenging encounters without being forced to retreat.
Among the classes capable of fulfilling this role, Shaman, Paladin, and Priest are all solid choices, each offering unique support abilities and utility that can complement your team’s strategy.
It is important, however, to avoid substituting these classes with a Druid solely for their tanky, as your team will need to spend more time recovering and healing after each encounter. In practical terms, this means fewer opportunities to engage in combat and slower overall progress.
If you’re really worried, you can prepare some items to increase their maximum health or recovery abilities during combat, such as specific potions and armor. When the official version is released, EZG.com will provide corresponding guides for all players, so you can keep track of it then.
Based on feedback from most players, the groups that run dungeons most easily in WoW TBC Anniversary expansion are those focused on powerful melee attacks, so they will be introduced here.
1. Healer + Tank + DPSx3
While Druids cannot be healers, they can serve as tanks in this setup, especially Feral Druids, whose Leader of the Pack talent provides Warriors with a 5% critical strike chance bonus, one of the most essential attributes for DPS.
The healer recommends Shaman, not only because Windfury Totem can help teammates deal more damage to enemies, but also because its Reincarnation spell can revive the entire team, even if Shaman dies. As for DPS, you can choose any three specializations that have extremely high damage output, like Warriors.
2. Healer + Enhancement Shaman + Tank + DPSx2
This team setup is a variation of the previous one, replacing the regular Shaman with an Enhancement Shaman. This gives the team more powerful Improved Weapon Totems, further enhancing the melee effectiveness of Windfury Totem and Flametongue Totem possessed by this specialization.
Although the shaman is no longer considered a healer on this team, the damage increase buff provided by its Unleashed Rage spell will still be activated with each critical hit, so you can consider it as a secondary healer.
For both DPS characters, I still recommend Warriors; they’re unlikely to disappoint. If you’re looking to rack up some WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Gold and get loot faster in dungeons, consider swapping in a Rogue. Their sap and blind spells provide excellent crowd control and a variety of stun skills for the whole team.
3. Healer + Feral Druids + Tank + DPSx2 (One for Hunter or Paladin)
Of course, many players will enjoy seeing low- to mid-level enemies struggle under the constant barrage of control skills that their team can unleash in the early stages of the game. In such cases, this team setup becomes an excellent choice.
It combines the high strength of Feral Druids with the powerful control abilities of Hunter, allowing you to easily take control of the battle, especially with Freezing Trap Spell. If your hunter focuses on ranged attacks, even better: Trueshot Aura Talent can be activated, doubling the single-target damage of that specialization.
You can also switch Hunter to Paladin, whose Blessing of Might amplifies the damage output of this DPS class to the extreme. Furthermore, Blessing of Protection in this class provides a shield to all members, which can temporarily act as a raid healing spell.
In extremely dire combat situations, this class can use Divine Intervention to sacrifice itself in exchange for providing the healer with up to 3 minutes of protection. The remaining DPS can be selected according to the dungeon your team is going to enter, such as specializing in a particular damage type or a spell specialization that can be used as supplementary damage.
The above is a recommended team setup for easily exploring dungeons in WoW TBC Classic Anniversary expansion. Of course, these setups may change with pre-patch and official game releases, but the core principles remain the same: one tank, one healer, and three DPS; the rest can be customized. Have fun playing!
