Lineage 2M Review: Is It Worth Playing In 2025?

Moon Studios has confirmed that No Rest for the Wicked 1.0 will not be released as originally planned in October 2026; the new release date has been moved to March 2027.

For a game that has been in Early Access for over two years, this five-month delay is more than just a change in release date. 

Moon Studios explicitly stated in its announcement that the team still hopes to use this extra time to continue improving performance, adjusting Class System, and completing more polishing before the official release.

This also raises a more pressing question: after several major updates, why does NRFTW still need to postpone 1.0 to next year?

1.0 Delayed to March 2027

Moon Studios had previously set October 2026 as the specific target for 1.0; now, the release date has been moved to March 2027.

In its announcement, Moon Studios stated that because of the limited team size, it hoped to use the extra development time to improve performance, further refine the class system, and complete overall polishing before the official release.

Moon Studios also apologized to players for the delay.

The team's stance was clear: 1.0 was a crucial milestone marking the end of the game's long Early Access phase, and therefore they wanted the final release to meet their expected standards, rather than compressing development time to secure an October release date.

This change also means that PC and PS5 players will have to wait a few more months.

As for Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2, both platforms are still in the works, but neither has been confirmed for March 2027 launch window.

Why is More Development Time Needed?

Performance remains one of the most pressing issues for NRFTW to address.

The game underwent intensive bug fixes when it entered Early Access in 2024, with Moon Studios releasing a series of hotfixes to address GPU usage, collision issues, progression issues, and various performance problems. Subsequent major updates have also been accompanied by continuous optimization work.

Now, on the eve of 1.0, performance is still listed separately as a reason for delays, indicating that the final release will have significantly higher requirements for stability, frame rate performance, and experience under different hardware conditions.

For an action RPG that emphasizes real-time combat, dodging, and precise controls, performance issues directly affect the combat feel, making them difficult to treat as minor issues that can simply be addressed after release.

Furthermore, Moon Studios mentioned in its announcement that it hopes to further adjust the class system.

Character progression in the game has always revolved around equipment, attributes, weapons, build combinations, and how players use No Rest for the Wicked Gold, rather than fully adopting the traditional ARPG design of a locked class at the start.

Therefore, the adjustments to the class system currently mentioned by the developers may involve different build roles, progression paths, and gameplay distinctions.

At this stage, the official details regarding the changes haven't been released, and it's best not to prematurely interpret them as a complete class rework. However, since this item, along with performance, is cited as a reason for delay, it's clearly on the list of important adjustments before 1.0.

Furthermore, the announcement also emphasizes broader overall polish. This could include bug fixes, UI improvements, control feedback, combat balance, system interactions, and various other details.

After nearly three years of Early Access, Moon Studios is facing more than just the question of "how much content to add"; they also need to truly integrate the numerous systems accumulated over long periods of iteration into a cohesive whole suitable for a 1.0 release.

Nearly Three Years of Early Access

No Rest for the Wicked was first officially announced at The Game Awards in 2023 and launched on PC Early Access on April 18, 2024.

Since then, Moon Studios has adopted a continuous update development approach, releasing The Crucible, The Breach, and The Breach Refined, while continuing to advance co-op modes, character progression, equipment, NRFTW gold economy, and other system adjustments.

Originally targeting October 2026 for 1.0 already meant that the game would have spent more than two years in Early Access. Now, with the release date further delayed to March 2027, the gap between the official release and the initial Early Access launch will be nearly three years.

For players who have been waiting for the full release, an additional five months will undoubtedly be disappointing, especially since October 2026 had previously been a relatively clear target.

Judging from the update pacing of the past two years, this delay also fits Moon Studios' existing development approach. 

Major updates tend to arrive after longer development cycles, while existing character builds, equipment, and other systems continue to be reworked before 1.0.

A Public Beta in December

The delay does not mean complete silence from now until next March. Moon Studios has confirmed that more Closed Beta tests will be held in the coming months, with an Open Beta planned for December 2026.

Since NRFTW team has clearly prioritized performance, the class system, and overall polish, the public beta in December is likely to be players' first opportunity to get a more complete picture of 1.0.

The performance improvements, build structure, and overall system completion should be much closer to the final release than they are now.

Player feedback will continue to be used in the final stages of adjustments. At least some of the development time added from October to March will be used for actual testing and feedback loops, rather than simply being an internal delay.

Founder's Pack Deadline Extended

Because of the delay of NRFTW 1.0, the deadline for obtaining Founder's Pack has also been adjusted. The original deadline for PC was July 10, 2026, but it has now been extended to January 1, 2027. Players who joined Early Access after July 10 will also be included retroactively.

PS5 pre-orders will begin in January 2027, giving pre-order customers a chance to receive Founder's Pack. PTR access is particularly valuable, as the developers plan to extend this testing access beyond 1.0 release. 

Compared to mere cosmetic or identity markers, this reward means Founders players may still have early access to some test content after the official release.

No Rest for the Wicked has already experienced a long Early Access period, and a further five-month delay is certainly not good news.

This announcement at least provides a more concrete development direction and schedules an Open Beta in December.

If these core systems are still undergoing significant changes by the end of the year, then whether the five-month extension is merely for final polishing or signifies that NRFTW 1.0 structure is not yet fully stable will become a more pressing issue.

Helldivers 2 is confirmed to release Update 7.1 this September, bringing a brand new Warbond and two new rewards.

Following Helldivers 2's consistent update pattern, Update 7.1 will undoubtedly introduce more weapons and equipment to adapt to the new battlefield changes.

This has sparked heated discussions within the player community, with players expressing their expectations and suggestions for the upcoming content.

The Released Roadmap

While Arrowhead hasn't released all the details of Helldivers 2 Update 7.1, the studio has revealed some upcoming content. Update 7.2 is planned to bring more substantial content, including new biomes, enemies, missions, and new content for Galactic War.

This gives players a clearer understanding of the developers' future update strategy. They won't introduce entirely new game systems with every update, but will focus on Warbonds, weapons, equipment, balance adjustments, and some minor gameplay improvements, while major updates will expand the overall Galactic War experience.

Regarding Update 7.1, the main known information includes a confirmed September release window, new War Bonds, and two new rewards. No other weapon, strategy, equipment changes, or balance adjustments have been officially announced.

Nevertheless, current community suggestions reflect the high expectations many players have for the next update to Helldivers 2.

A wider variety of weapons, more practical strategies and support equipment, stronger defensive measures, and some minor improvements to enhance the gameplay experience would all make Update 7.1 more meaningful.

Weapon Changes

Weapons are arguably one of the most important pieces of equipment in Helldivers 2. In a shooter, having powerful weapons can even mean invincibility in a match.

Currently, player suggestions and changes regarding weapons mainly focus on the following:

• Increased Damage
• Weapon Characteristics
• Increased Rate of Fire
• Penetration

These changes primarily target basic performance, making some Helldivers 2 weapons that are currently underutilized due to their low strength more competitive after the update, without fundamentally changing how they function.

Currently, the strongest calls are for buffs to shotguns, with most players hoping for armor penetration increases for M90A Shotgun and SG-88 Break-Action Shotgun, providing more options against different enemy targets.

Furthermore, players have suggested increasing the explosive damage of PLAS-39 Accelerator Rifle from 100 to 125, and granting Reprimand One-Handed trait.

These suggestions reflect the player community's general desire for more weapons to be versatile across different gear configurations, rather than relying solely on a few consistently effective weapons.

Strategy and Support Gear

Besides primary weapons, players have also proposed several changes to strategy and support gear.

For example, Maxigun is reportedly allowed to fire at 60% movement speed; Arc Thrower will receive automatic charging and release, while Sterilizer's spray range will be increased; Supply Pack's replenishment mechanism will be improved, and Dog Breath's capacity will be increased from 100 to 125.

These suggestions aren't just about increasing damage, but about making certain support options easier or more practical in missions. Players already enthusiastic about these strategies will gain greater flexibility, and often overlooked H2 items may become more appealing.

Shields

Defensive gear is another area players expect from Helldivers 2 Update 7.1 that goes beyond simple numerical tweaks.

The duration of Shield Generator Relay will be increased from 40 seconds to 60 seconds. The proposal also increases the duration of another shield from 20 seconds to 30 seconds.

The idea behind these changes is simple: players want defensive gear to provide more reliable protection in encounters, rather than disappearing before it even has a chance to function.

Gameplay Improvements

One interesting player improvement is allowing Lure Mine users to switch between different detonation delays, including 5 seconds, 15 seconds, and 60 seconds. Smoke effects will also slow enemies by 10%.

The proposal also suggests providing more scope options for weapons equipped with Custom Optics, while granting melee weapons 25% melee damage resistance while in use.

Another interesting suggestion is to reward 5 Helldivers 2 super credits upon completing Tactical Objectives. Warbond Support Weapons may also appear as loot at Points of Interest.

While these ideas don't quite reach the level of new weapons or strategies, they could potentially change how players interact with quests and gear in their daily lives.

Judging from the current discussions, players don't just want Update 7.1 to simply increase weapon damage. Rather than direct buffs, they care more about weapons and gear having clearer roles and functions.

Some players believe that adjustments to details like melee weapon armor penetration, magazine capacity, ergonomics, and specific gear functions might be more meaningful than simply increasing damage.

At the same time, the community is also concerned that some overly powerful automation enhancements could create new metas.

Overall, players are hoping for more usable options, not for all gear to become overpowered.

What Can We Expect?

For Update 7.1, players are currently more concerned about what Warbond will bring.

After all, the new Warbond is already a relatively familiar part of Helldivers 2 update cycle. Recent community discussions have even seen some players jokingly calling the new Warbond part of expected, routine content and hoping that Arrowhead will deliver some truly exciting changes.

Therefore, if Update 7.1 includes weapon balance adjustments or gear tweaks in addition to the new Warbond and two rewards, it might be more meaningful for many players than simply adding a few new items.

Especially regarding weapons, player suggestions don't necessarily mean they want all gear to be overpowered. More often, they simply want different weapons to have more defined use cases.

Of course, these are currently just community suggestions and haven't been confirmed by Arrowhead. The most reasonable expectation for Helldivers 2 Update 7.1 is probably a solid content update.

If the developers decide to adjust weapon balance or gear performance at the same time as Warbond release in September, then community suggestions might help them understand what players care about most.

Money has always been important in GTA series, but in the past it was mostly a reward for completing missions. In GTA 5's single-player mode, players can earn money through races, side jobs, and some assets, but the real big profits mainly come from story missions and large-scale heists.

The problem is that money earned through free exploration has little to do with plot progression. Later in the story, after completing Union Depository, the character has tens of millions of dollars, but there are few truly worthwhile places to spend it, and the importance of the economic system diminishes.

GTA 6 appears to be changing this. Current previews connect heists, stolen goods, cash, fences, and story requirements more closely, allowing money-making activities to influence both open-world decisions and story progression.

Funds and Heist System

Current Grand Theft Auto 6 previews describe three different forms of money and loot.

The first category is funds in BuckMe bank account, which is relatively safe.

The second category is cash the player carries, which needs to be deposited into the account via ATM. If the character dies, the money on their person may be lost.

The third category is duffel bag loot, representing the value of stolen goods currently being carried.

This means that after stealing something, the player doesn't immediately have usable GTA 6 money.

Jewelry, drugs, and other stolen goods obtained from stores, outposts, or other targets need to be handed over to the corresponding fence, i.e., black market dealers, to be sold before they can be converted into cash.

These stolen goods come from robbery targets of varying sizes.

The most basic are ordinary street shops like convenience stores and mobile phone repair shops, with potential profits of only a few thousand dollars. These locations may not even appear on the map as dedicated Money-Making Opportunities. Players can attempt a robbery after entering a store.

Higher-value targets can include jewelry stores, banks, and other businesses offering larger potential takes.

Criminal gangs and compounds are also high-value targets, potentially containing cash, drugs, and other sellable loot. There are quite a few of these compounds in the world. Vans appearing on the map seem to function more like smaller, random robbery opportunities.

The trailers and screenshots have also shown what appear to be large Heist scenarios, such as Jason and Lucia entering a large Vault.

However, current information suggests that this type of content is more of a story mission; whether these heists can be repeated freely outside story missions remains unconfirmed.

Money-Making Opportunities

Grand Theft Auto 6's handling of heist targets differs significantly from the traditional open-world map filled with icons.

Some high-value targets can appear directly on the map, while other opportunities may gradually emerge through story characters, NPC tips, fence messages, or exploration.

Criminal hideouts may not be marked in advance; sometimes they may simply be discovered by chance in the world.

Players can rob stores they enter, not just those explicitly marked on the map, requiring them to consider various world information to determine where to strike.

Heist Process

Once a target is found, the actual execution becomes more complex.

Some stores have back doors and hidden rooms, potentially containing safes. The passwords sometimes need to be found by the player, or obtained from other characters; in the demo, a fence even directly sent the safe combination.

The environment also influences the process. Stores may have security cameras, and employees, security guards, and ordinary customers may resist. If the player makes a mistake, NPCs may even actively try to stop the robbery.

Different entrances, security setups, NPC reactions, and safe information will make store robberies more varied, moving beyond the fixed process of pointing a gun, taking the money, and escaping.

Fences Complete The Robbery Loop

In GTA 6, different types of stolen goods must be handed over to corresponding fences. Current information mentions Drug fence, Jewelry fence, and Car fence, with other categories potentially appearing later.

These contacts won't all be available from the start; players will need to get to know them gradually as the story progresses and exploration unfolds.

This will also influence the player's choice of heist targets. Even if a high-value location is discovered, without a corresponding way to sell the stolen goods, the loot may not be immediately convertible into cash.

Whether a high-yield target is worth pursuing also depends on the contacts the player currently has.

Therefore, a heist isn't just about successfully leaving the scene. Escaping the robbery is only part of the process, since stolen goods still need to reach the right fence before they become usable cash.

Making Money Important Again

One of the most noticeable changes to GTA 6 economic system is that money in Grand Theft Auto 6 directly affects the main storyline.

Preview reports indicate that certain story missions require players to reach a specified Cash Goal before progressing. According to preview reports, these requirements are designed not to keep story-focused players grinding for too long.

Compared to Grand Theft Auto 5, the biggest difference in this design is the greater freedom in raising money. GTA 5 often features a specific heist, such as Michael's involvement in Jewel Store Heist because of debt.

Grand Theft Auto 6, on the other hand, requires players to prepare a sum of money at certain stages, allowing them to decide how to earn it. Ordinary stores, banks, compound locations, and other high-value targets can all become sources of funds.

GTA money earned also has more defined uses. Currently confirmed spending options include clothing, makeup, hairstyles, headphones, vehicle modifications, and garages.

Players can also register stolen vehicles as Personal Vehicles, although high-end vehicles cannot be registered directly at the beginning of the game; these abilities unlock as the game progresses.

Player-owned housing appears to be more limited than in some previous Grand Theft Auto games. Preview reports suggest Jason and Lucia's fugitive status affects how safehouses work, although Rockstar has not yet detailed a traditional property-buying system.

The situation with businesses is less clear. The original video suggests that story mode may not retain the traditional business ownership system, but this has not been confirmed.

Rockstar developers have reportedly acknowledged an economic imbalance in the later stages of GTA 5: characters had over $30 million, but not enough content worth continuing to invest in. As for how Grand Theft Auto 6 will address this issue, the official details are currently limited.

Based on current previews, money appears set to remain relevant for much longer than it did in GTA 5's story mode. Compared to the situation in GTA 5 where there was too much money but nowhere to spend it, earning money in this game will be more meaningful.

With the official launch of Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2, and Tarnished Pack also available on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam, the official reason for Tarnished's return to Lands Between is yet another.

The newly announced Elden Ring Community Quests transform familiar daily gameplay into shared goals, allowing players across different platforms to collaborate on community milestones and unlock commemorative rewards.

What Are Community Quests?

Unlike traditional side quests, Community Quests don't require individual Tarnished players to complete a series of objectives; instead, all players work together towards a common goal.

This time, Elden Ring Community Quests consist of four Questlines:

1. Path of the Tarnished
2. Path of the Cardinal Sin
3. Path of the Elden Lord
4. Path of Shadows

Each Questline has a different start time, content, and rewards. Most importantly, players can participate in Questlines by playing Elden Ring on their preferred platform during the event period, without platform or method restrictions.

Questline 1: Path of the Tarnished

The first questline consists of four community milestone quests, running from September 1st to September 28th. Upon completion of all objectives, each player will receive a Commemorative Artwork by Shimhaq and a Twitch Chat Badge featuring Sorcerer Rogier by Carsondrewit.

1. Summon Sorcerer Rogier 300,000 Times

Rogier is an NPC in Elden Ring whose summon sign can be used in relevant battles. For new or returning players, this challenge can be seamlessly integrated into daily gameplay rather than being a separate grinding activity.

How to Complete It?

Use Sorcerer Rogier's summon sign when it becomes available before engaging in the relevant boss fight. Players can encounter Rogier early in their journey after creating a new character and use his summon sign as normal.

Note that the community quest counts the total number of summons by community members, so players do not need to summon Rogier hundreds of times individually. Only one valid contribution is needed to count towards the common goal.

2. Obtain 2,000,000 Stonesword Keys

Stonesword Keys in Elden Ring are primarily used to break seals created by Imp Statues, unlocking previously locked areas, items, and encounters. Players can find Stonesword Keys throughout Lands Between and obtain them from specific Merchants.

How to Complete It?

This is arguably one of the easiest challenges to achieve in daily gameplay, as Stonesword Keys are valuable exploration items in themselves. If you are exploring new areas, checking hidden corners, ruins, and Merchants will gradually increase your contribution without deviating from your usual route.

3. Obtain 1,500,000 Cookbooks

Cookbooks are very important because they expand the crafting recipes available to your character. They are scattered throughout Elden Ring game world and can be obtained through exploration, NPC Merchants, and other discoveries.

How to Complete It?

The easiest way is to collect Cookbooks whenever you encounter them during your exploration. It's also worth checking Merchants, as some sell specific Cookbooks.

For players starting a new game, this goal aligns perfectly with regular exploration. Instead of rushing straight for the main boss, spend time investigating city-states, camps, and Merchants; this will reveal additional crafting resources and allow you to contribute to the community.

4. Obtain 1,000,000 Sacred Tears

Sacred Tears are valuable upgrade items used to enhance your character in Elden Ring, primarily found in churches throughout Lands Between.

How to Complete It?

As the final objective of Path of the Tarnished, players simply need to find churches and collect any remaining Sacred Tears whenever they arrive in a new area. This process is especially beneficial for new players, as it allows them to improve their strength while contributing to the community quest.

Questline 2: Path of the Cardinal Sin

The second questline also includes four community milestone quests, running from October 1st to October 28th. Upon completion of all objectives, each player will receive an unreleased Commemorative Artwork and a Twitch Chat Badge featuring Festering Bloody Finger by Carsondrewit.

1. Commit 50,000 Cardinal Sins

Cardinal Sin is a key game event in Elden Ring related to the burning of Erdtree. According to the game's storyline, Tarnished's act of igniting Erdtree with fire at Forge of the Giants is Cardinal Sin.

How to Complete It?

Players must advance through the main storyline to reach Mountaintops of the Giants, finish the required events at Forge of the Giants, and set Erdtree ablaze.

2. Summon 3,000,000 White Phantoms

White Phantoms refer to cooperative summoning players in Elden Ring multiplayer games. When a player summons other Tarnished players into their world via the multiplayer system, the summoned players will appear as White Phantoms.

How to Complete It?

The most direct way to speed up this task is to participate in co-op multiplayer. Use Tarnished's Furled Finger to create a summoning marker, or use Small Golden Effigy to send the summoning marker to nearby Summoning Pools.

3. Obtain 1,000,000 Festering Bloody Fingers

Festering Bloody Fingers are intrusion items in Elden Ring, primarily used to attempt to enter other players' worlds for PvP.

How to Complete It?

Generally, players can obtain Festering Bloody Fingers through Merchant quests and related missions in the game.

A relatively easy source is White-Faced Varre questline. Players will obtain Festering Bloody Fingers as they progress through his quests.

4. Obtain 3,000,000 Golden Seeds

Golden Seeds are a crucial upgrade resource in Elden Ring, typically found near Golden Saplings on the map.

How to Complete It?

When exploring new areas, keep an eye out for small golden trees near roads. Golden Seeds are usually located next to these small golden trees; simply approach to collect them.

Questline 3: Path of the Elden Lord

The third questline, Path of the Elden Lord, will run from November 2nd to November 28th. Completing four community milestone quests will reward you with the corresponding Commemorative Artwork and Warrior Jar Alexander by Carsondrewit Twitch Chat Badge.

1. Summon 50,000 Warrior Jar Alexander

Warrior Jar Alexander is a highly representative NPC character in Elden Ring, appearing throughout multiple regions and story phases.

How to Complete It?

If Alexander's summon sign is available in the relevant boss fight, players can find his summon sign and summon him before entering the boss room.

For veteran players who have completed Alexander's questline, replaying his story in a new playthrough is a good option; new players can proceed with Alexander's questline normally and use the summon sign in boss fights where he can be summoned.

2. Obtain 3,000,000 Rune Arcs

Rune Arcs are primarily used to activate Great Rune effect in Elden Ring items. Players can obtain Rune Arcs through multiplayer, exploration, and other in-game activities.

How to Complete It?

Helping other players defeat bosses earns Rune Arcs. Therefore, participating in Co-op during Path of the Elden Lord not only helps the community complete White Phantom-type objectives but also contributes to your own Rune Arc reserves.

3. Obtain 500,000 Legendary Armaments

Unlike Golden Seeds or Rune Arcs, Legendary Armaments are not ordinary repeatable resources, but a special set of weapons in Elden Ring.

How to Complete It?

These weapons are scattered across different areas. Some require defeating specific enemies, while others require exploring hidden locations or progressing through related quests. Therefore, this objective is better achieved through normal exploration and weapon collection than by finding so-called fast-farming routes.

Even experienced players who already possess most of Legendary Armaments can collect them again during this process, or focus on other resource objectives, such as Elden Ring runes.

4. Upgrade 100,000 Standard Spirit Ashes to +8

It's important to note that Standard Spirit Ashes are upgraded using Grave Gloveworts, while Standard Spirit Ashes are upgraded using Ghost Gloveworts. Furthermore, Spirit Ashes upgrades are provided by Roderika at Roundtable Hold.

How to Complete It?

First, you need to unlock Roderika's Spirit Tuning feature, then collect enough Grave Gloveworts to upgrade Standard Spirit Ashes.

If your character already has multiple un-upgraded Standard Spirit Ashes, this Community Quest is perfect for integrating into character progression.

Questline 4: Path of Shadows

The third questline, Path of Shadows, runs from December 1st to December 28th. Unlike the previous four questlines, as the final community quest, it features five milestone quests. The reward remains a Commemorative Artwork and a St. Trina by Carsondrewit Twitch Chat Badge.

1. Collect 1,000,000 Scadutree Fragments

Scadutree Fragments are a crucial enhancement resource in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. They can be used at Sites of Grace to upgrade Scadutree Blessing, thereby enhancing your character's combat capabilities in Realm of Shadow.

How to Complete It?

When exploring Realm of Shadow, players should focus on finding Scadutree Fragments near Miquella's Crosses, some churches, and other hidden locations.

2. Reach the Abyssal Woods 15,000 Times

Abyssal Woods is a highly hidden area within Shadow of the Erdtree and cannot be reached directly by following the main route after entering Realm of Shadow.

How to Complete It?

First, you need to enter Shadow Keep, find the hidden passage, and then go through the sarcophagus behind the hidden wall to reach Castle Watering Hole.

Then explore downstream along Recluses' River to enter Darklight Catacombs. After defeating Jori, Elder Inquisitor, at the end of the dungeon, you can enter Abyssal Woods.

3. Drink from St. Trina's Nectar 10,000 Times

This quest is arguably the most unique in Path of Shadows.

St. Trina's Nectar is tied to St. Trina's storyline. Players need to find St. Trina in Garden of Deep Purple, interact with her, and then choose to drink Nectar.

How to Complete It?

First, travel to Garden of Deep Purple via Stone Coffin Fissure and advance the relevant route.

Once you find St. Trina, interact with her to see the option to drink Nectar.

4. Obtain 70,000 Larval Tears

Larval Tears are an important character progression resource in Elden Ring, used for Rebirth at Rennala, which involves redistributing character attributes.

How to Complete It?

Larval Tears are primarily obtained through exploration, with some hidden among special enemies or in specific locations.

If you're already planning to rework your build, you can collect Larval Tears at the center of the blue-glowing tombstones at night.

5. Obtain 500,000 Revered Spirit Ashes

Like Scadutree Fragments, Revered Spirit Ashes are also a unique enhancement resource specific to Shadow of the Erdtree.

How to Complete It?

Players can find Revered Spirit Ashes during exploration of Realm of Shadow. They are scattered throughout the area, usually in remote locations, and can be found at key points.

This goal is especially suitable for players who already own Shadow of the Erdtree and are planning to re-enter Realm of Shadow in December.

Significance

The timing of Elden Ring Community Quests is crucial. The official announcement came immediately after the release of Elden Ring Tarnished Edition and Tarnished Pack.

On one hand, Community Quests provide returning players with a reason to return.

Players who have completed the base game or Shadow of the Erdtree DLC may not be looking for another traditional progression system. Still, pursuing a shared objective with the community can provide a unique source of motivation, as each player's efforts can make a meaningful contribution to the overall result.

Most importantly, the event provides Elden Ring community with a common goal without fundamentally changing the gameplay.

Players don't need to abandon their existing character builds, learn new event systems, or follow separate seasonal progression paths. They can contribute to Community Quests simply by playing Elden Ring.

For players, Elden Ring Community Quests are less of a traditional limited-time event and more of an invitation.

Players return to Lands Between and play in their familiar way, but this time they will not only receive rewards for completing the game, but also a huge collective honor.

Following the restructuring of ZeniMax Online Studios in July, Elder Scrolls Online development team has adjusted some development and release plans to better accomplish its goals.

The class rework and combat system update, originally planned for 2026, has been postponed to 2027, with Update 52 launching that same month. This move prioritizes game quality over rushing to meet previous deadlines.

This article will analyze the progress of Elder Scrolls Online Warden refresh and future update developments.

Warden Refresh

Despite the adjusted development schedule, Warden's update work is progressing steadily. The team remains committed to preserving the class's core elements - nature magic, animal companions, ice abilities, and its identity as a guardian of the natural world. This update aims to solidify these foundations, rather than completely overhaul them.

Current Issues

Lack of a Unified Visual Identity

Warden's current skills lack a unified visual theme.

Overly Role-Based Skill Lines

Warden's skill lines are overly role-based, reducing player efficiency when using all skills across different characters. As one veteran ESO player pointed out, the class has long felt like three different classes awkwardly pieced together.

Lack of Unique Class Mechanics

Warden lacks a defining class-wide mechanic that all of its builds can interact with, unlike Arcanist's Crux system or Necromancer's corpse-based mechanics.

Solutions

ESO development team has identified specific areas for improvement and set clear goals:

Visual and Thematic Evolution

The class was previously released alongside Morrowind Chapter, and its theme is closely related to it. This rework will no longer be limited to Morrowind's visual theme; the new skill visuals will reflect the unity of the natural landscapes across Tamriel, creating a more universal and timeless aesthetic.

Gameplay Diversity

The developers will ensure that class skills reflect all gameplay styles and cover all skill lines, resulting in richer character builds. To provide players with a more engaging gameplay loop and enhance the mechanics of each class.

After Warden rework goes live, if you're not satisfied with your build, you can spend ESO Gold to reset your skill points and skill line choices.

Exploring a Stronger Seasonal Identity

Another highly anticipated feature is the strengthened connection to the natural rhythms of the seasons - spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Elder Scrolls Online no longer treats different classes as separate experiences, but explores how to integrate them through unified gameplay mechanics.

The official vision is to create a more cohesive, thematically distinct, and rewarding Warden experience.

Community Interpretation and Speculation

Recently, the community has been discussing what seasonal characteristics mean for Warden. I believe the existing three skill lines already embody seasonal balance.

Green Balance and Animal Companions naturally correspond to spring and summer, when plants grow, animals thrive, and nature flourishes. Winter's Embrace represents autumn and winter, when nature gradually transitions from abundance to decay and dormancy.

This seasonal theme could provide Warden with a currently lacking class-wide mechanic. It would both give Warden a unique personality and integrate their three skill lines into a coherent game loop.

Furthermore, there's speculation about how the seasonal theme will affect Warden's Frost damage trait. According to current information, this damage not only won't disappear but is likely to be strengthened,

as it has been a core component of Warden from the beginning, and the development team has spent years enhancing Frost damage as Warden's primary damage source.

I think it might also be possible to provide an additional passive skill that offers a bonus when switching between different seasonal skills. For example, winter skills could provide a Frost-themed bonus, while summer skills could focus on poison and nature damage.

Concerns and Doubts

ESO team's commitment to sharing update content early has generally been praised. However, not all players have reacted positively to the shared content. Some players worry that the seasonal theme might make the classes too complex and difficult to play effectively.

I think this is indeed a problem. Seasonal rotation sounds cool, but it's really difficult to do well. This requires us to maintain our trust in ZeniMax Online Studios and believe that they can definitely deliver.

Furthermore, some players have expressed concern about the excessively long class refresh cycles. If it takes a long time to complete a major adjustment to a class, then the remaining classes may have to wait a long time to be updated.

Under this pace, if a class becomes too strong or too weak after a refresh, will the development team be able to make timely balance adjustments? Hopefully, the official team will provide answers to these questions later.

What's Next in Refresh Order?

The official announcement states that the class update order in Elder Scrolls Online will be adjusted. After Warden, the next class to be updated will be Templar. This differs from the initial plan, which placed Sorcerer second. This adjustment aims to roll out class updates faster and more efficiently, as Sorcerer pet rework is considered more complex and may prolong the update cycle.

The complete class update sequence is as follows:

• Dragonknight (Completed)
• Warden (In Progress)
• Templar (Next)
• Sorcerer (Pushed back)
• Nightblade
• Necromancer
• Arcanist

This concludes the article on Elder Scrolls Online Warden update progress. Although the update cycle has been extended, work is still progressing actively. I believe the final result will be a class that truly showcases its thematic potential - a Warden who truly protects the rhythms of the seasons, adaptable and unique.

Forward, the development team will continue to dedicate themselves to releasing more meaningful updates to enhance the player experience and ensure that the updated class meets the high expectations of the player community.

Path of Exile 2 Forbidden Rites is a brand new Event League introduced in Patch 0.5.5. You'll need to create a new character and progress from Campaign all the way to Endgame.

The most unique aspect of this Event League is its duration. Forbidden Rites will continue until Path of Exile 2 1.0 Full Release, meaning you'll have ample time to experience the new content.

PoE 2 has answered many player questions. Below, EZG has compiled these questions and, combined with currently available information, analyzed 8 Forbidden Rites Challenges that are not yet fully confirmed.

Launch Time

Forbidden Rites will officially launch on September 4th at 1 PM PDT. Before the event begins, PoE 2 servers will be shut down for Patch 0.5.5 deployment. The official team will announce separately the specific maintenance time.

Once the servers reopen, you can create new event characters by selecting Standard, SSF, or Forbidden Rites in the character creation interface. Joining is largely the same as with the previous leagues. With Forbidden Rites open, Runes of Aldur will not close; the two leagues will run in parallel until Path of Exile 2 1.0 full release.

Therefore, players still playing in Runes of Aldur can continue completing existing challenges without worrying about their progress being immediately wiped. However, both leagues have completely independent economies; characters cannot interact across leagues or trade.

Fresh Economy

For many veteran PoE2 players, the appeal of the new Event League lies in the process of starting from scratch. One of the biggest features of Forbidden Rites is its fresh economy.

Since all players will start from zero, old characters, gear, and economy cannot be transferred to the new league. New gear and Path of Exile 2 currency will re-enter the market. You will need to level up your character, accumulate gear, and determine which items are worth keeping and trading.

As players progress to endgame, market prices and demand will constantly change. The earlier you discover high-value base items or gear, the easier it will be to gain an advantage during the early stages of the game.

The official announcement also confirms that new Item Filter information will be released before Forbidden Rites launch. Players planning to rush to Endgame at launch can adjust their filters in advance to reduce interference from useless drops and find worthwhile gear and PoE2 currency more quickly.

Trial of Chaos

The content brought by Forbidden Rites needs to be distinguished from the changes in Patch 0.5.5 itself. PoE 2 official team has confirmed that the changes and other improvements in Trial of Chaos are not limited to Forbidden Rites but will apply to the entire Path of Exile 2.

Therefore, even if you continue using existing characters from Runes of Aldur or Standard, you will still be able to experience Trial of Chaos adjustments. Additionally, Runes of Aldur will be integrated into Core Game after Patch 0.5.5, and related content will later be accessible in Standard.

Private League

Forbidden Rites also supports Private League, which is convenient for fixed teams or players who prefer unique rules and gameplay. However, POE 2 Private League content is not available in advance. You can create a private league now, but you still need to wait until the event starts on September 4th to join.

Challenges

Forbidden Rites introduces new Challenges, which reward exclusive Cosmetic Rewards upon completion. Currently, the official POE2 rewards include Locust Footprints Effect, Locust Swarm Finisher Effect, Wildwood Guardian Pet, Wildwood Affliction Level-up Effect, and Hideout Statue.

These rewards are related to the progress of Forbidden Rites challenges. Currently, it's confirmed that the officially mentioned challenge directions for the eight challenges include completing Campaign Ritual, defeating specific Rare Monsters, and reaching Level 90.

While the exact names and completion conditions haven't been fully confirmed by the official POE 2 team, we can speculate based on currently available preview information and community materials.

The Riteseeker

The Riteseeker may require completing 11 Rituals within a Campaign. During Forbidden Rites event, Rituals will appear in PoE 2 Campaign area. The easiest way to complete them is to complete them whenever you see a ritual while leveling up, rather than waiting until endgame to finish them all.

The Hunter

The Hunter will probably require you to kill specific Campaign Bosses in Path of Exile 2. These may include The Crowbell, Constrictor Queen Kabala, Blackjaw the Remnant, The Great White One, Akthi the Final Sting and Anundr the Sandworm.

Not all of these are mandatory bosses in PoE2 main storyline. Don't skip optional bosses during progression to speed up the main quest; otherwise, you'll need to rerun Campaign map after Endgame.

The Ascendant

The goal of The Ascendant is to obtain all 8 Ascendancy Points, requiring completion of the character's corresponding Ascendancy Trial. This challenge does not require a specific Path of Exile 2 class or Ascendancy; simply unlocking all of your character's Ascendancy progress is sufficient.

The Master

The goal of The Master is to reach Level 90 for your character, and this may be the most time-consuming part of the challenge. After completing Campaign, leveling up is primarily done through Atlas maps. When entering higher-level PoE2 maps, be extra careful not to die to avoid significant experience loss. It's best to choose relatively easy maps that you can reliably complete.

The Reliquarian

The Reliquarian may require identifying 50 unique items. This is calculated based on the number of identified items. Unique items are continuously gained during Campaign and Endgame, so normal gameplay should be sufficient to complete it.

The Nameless

The Nameless refers to a mysterious entity related to Ritual within Forbidden Rites and is a key element of this Event League content. As you progress through Ritual content, you'll gradually encounter events and endgame content related to The Nameless.

Currently leaked information suggests that The Nameless requires completing 18 related objectives. Specific requirements will be available on the in-game Challenge panel after the official release of Path of Exile 2 Forbidden Rites.

The Cartographer

The Cartographer requires fully allocating the main Atlas Passive Tree. After entering POE2 Endgame, you need to continuously advance Atlas, unlocking more maps and Atlas Passive Points, and then allocate all the points you acquire.

You need to continuously explore new map areas and advance Atlas, earning Atlas Passive Points, and finally fully allocate the main Atlas Passive Tree to complete the challenge.

The Vanquisher

The Vanquisher is the final challenge, requiring you to defeat a specific Path of Exile 2 Endgame Pinnacle Boss, which may include the fully-powered Vessel of Kulemak, The Bodach, and Tangmazu.

These three bosses demand higher levels of gear, damage output, and survivability from your character. Therefore, it's best to wait until you've completed Atlas progression and leveled your characters significantly before focusing on this challenge.

Path of Exile 2 Forbidden Rites has confirmed the new league's launch date and answered our questions. Regarding the eight Challenges, some names and specific requirements still need to be confirmed upon official release, but based on current information, most objectives can be achieved gradually as you progress through the game.