Madden 25: Learn To Use New Mechanism Custom Route Stems To Attack Better In Game

With FC 27 about to launch on September 25th, EA recently rolled out Legacy Recap to FC 26 players, giving Ultimate Team players the opportunity to view their match data from World Tour Seasons. Currently, it displays data such as matches played, wins, win rate, shots on goal, and assists.

The significance of Legacy Recap goes beyond simply displaying a few numbers; it allows players to more intuitively understand how many matches they've played in FUT 26. However, some issues have arisen since its launch.

Which matches this recap tracks, which game modes it covers, and whether EA will continue to expand the statistical scope are currently topics of considerable interest in the community. Next, EZG will provide a detailed introduction to the function, access, and current statistical issues of FC 26 Legacy Recap.

Function

FC 26 Legacy Recap is not the only game developer to offer this personal data review feature. Similar designs are common in other games. For example, Valorant has Valorant Flashback, which organizes a player's match and hero usage data over a period.

Steam has Steam Replay, which records a player's playtime, frequently played games, and other activity data throughout the year. Fortnite also launched Fortnite Recap, allowing players to review their performance in a specific season.

While these features have different names, their core idea is essentially the same: to reorganize a player's generated game data into an easily viewable and shareable personal summary. Compared to Steam Replay, which provides annual statistics covering the entire gaming platform, FUT 26 Legacy Recap has a more focused scope, currently primarily revolving around World Tour Seasons 1-9.

Legacy Recap centralizes data that was originally scattered across different competitions and seasons. The number of matches played and wins achieved in the past ultimately becomes a reviewable FC 26 game record. It's more like a periodic FUT report card, allowing you to quickly understand your performance during that time and easily compare and share data with other players.

Entry Point

EA has placed Legacy Recap within FC Companion App. You can view your data through companion app. If you can't find Legacy Recap in Companion App, you can try EA's official Player Stats page, which also displays FC 26 player data.

However, some players have reported that Legacy Recap is not loading correctly. If you don't see Recap, it doesn't necessarily mean your account lacks the relevant data; there might be a problem with FIFA 26 page access or the function display itself. You can refresh the page and wait a while before trying again.

Issues

Furthermore, players in EA FC 26 community have discovered that Legacy Recap statistics don't necessarily perfectly match the actual game records. Some friendly matches may be counted in matches played, but the related goals and assists are not synchronized, so the numbers in recap are not a complete historical record.

This has raised questions among players regarding the statistical data: which FUT 26 matches will be included, which data will be calculated, and whether the same statistical rules apply to different modes - none of these are currently clearly defined. It would be more important for the developers to clarify the statistical scope and calculation rules before further expanding the functionality.

Statistical dimensions are also an area where Legacy Recap still has room for improvement. Current Legacy Recap data mainly focuses on basic metrics such as Matches Played, Wins, Win Rate, Shots on Goal, and Assists, lacking sufficient coverage of performance across original positions.

More granular data, such as successful tackles and blocks for defense, saves for goalkeepers, and passing and dribbling success rates, could be added. This would not only showcase FIFA 26 match results but also more intuitively reflect players' actual performance on both offense and defense.

The breakdown of Legacy Recap's statistical modes is also worth noting. If data from Squad Battles, Friendlies, Rivals, and Champions are all merged, the cumulative figures only indicate overall participation but cannot determine performance differences across different modes. 

If FIFA 26 could record matches played, wins, goals, assists, etc., separately for each game mode, the recap would more closely resemble a complete season report card and facilitate cross-game comparisons.

Meanwhile, some players hope EA will extend similar data statistics to Ultimate Team player cards. Compared to simply displaying basic attributes, recording actual usage data like Matches Played and Goals for a card would more clearly reflect its convincing performance, making it more valuable to continuously track and record players acquired with FC 26 Coins and used long-term.

From this perspective, Legacy Recap exposes not just a limitation in data statistics, but also the long-standing problem of FC 26 lacking complete match records. Third-party statistical websites can provide more detailed data, but require additional searching and processing.

If EA could provide unified, accurate, and mode-categorized Lifetime Stats directly within FIFA 26, we wouldn't need to rely on external tools to track our long-term performance.

If you're interested in more FC 26 guides, updates, and community news, follow EZG Facebook via the top navigation bar. We also offer occasional giveaways, giving you even more reasons to stay with EZG!

Currently, Legacy Recap primarily serves as a periodic review of World Tour Seasons 1-9. As FC 26 continues to release new seasonal content, players will be watching to see if EA will continue to update Recap and incorporate new season data.

If this feature can be retained long-term and its statistical scope gradually expands, Legacy Recap could evolve from a onetime World Tour data summary into a personal data archive spanning one's entire FC career. 

For FUT 26 players who value data comparison and results sharing, while it won't directly change the gameplay, it will truly preserve and solidify long-term accumulated match records.

Every year in Madden NFL series, there are hidden features that EA Sports doesn't explain, and Madden 27 is no exception. This year's version hides some game-changing features that can completely revolutionize your offense, defense, and tactical choices.

These hidden features are difficult for the average player to discover on their own. Therefore, this article introduces four hidden features in Madden NFL 27 that can change the game's dynamics. Once you know them, they will become your winning weapons. Let's take a look.

Formation Shifting

The most useful hidden feature in Madden 27 is called Formation Shifting, which changes the entire formation the instant the ball is thrown - without consuming any tactical commands.

How to Use?

Before the throw, move the right stick left or right. A Shift indicator will appear in the lower right corner of the screen. Next, as you scroll the screen, the game will display all available formations with the same personnel configuration.

Then select the formation you want to use and issue a tactical command. The on-field play will appear to match your current formation, but when you kick off, your team will switch to the formation you selected and execute your play instructions.

Effect

Imagine if you maintain an advantage in the first half with a Trips Tight formation. Wouldn't your opponent adjust accordingly, strengthening their defense and closely monitoring your offensive habits? In such a situation, wouldn't your advantage be significantly reduced later on?

In such circumstances, you can use formation shifting. Start with Pistol Bunch Tight, but set the formation shifting to Trips Tight, keeping the play unchanged. When the defense is caught off guard and loses their defensive advantage, your running back can find an opening that wasn't there before.

Chip and Release

EA never mentioned this feature in the pre-release promotional materials for MUT 27, but for pass-oriented players, Chip and Release may be the most useful new feature.

How to Use?

Select a passing play, then have your running back or tight end quickly run down any route. Once he's on your desired run, hold down Y or Triangle button, select his icon, and then press X button on Xbox or Square button on PlayStation. You'll see Chip and Release displayed.

His run will now be a purple/blue line, delaying his advance and keeping him in the screen position for a slightly later release - this short step is crucial.

Effect

Against Zone Coverage

This extra half-second allows linebackers and safety to move further into the defensive zone, creating a larger opening below. A delayed flat run can translate into a 15-yard advance simply because the defender's attention shifts elsewhere.

Against User-Controlled Defenders

Most players will see your running back standing still and immediately ignore him. By the time the opponent realizes something's wrong, it's too late.

Countering Raids

If the defense applies extra pressure, your running back or tight end will intercept before getting past the raider, buying the quarterback valuable passing time. This acts as a built-in safety valve.

ID the Mic and Untarget Defenders

The next hidden feature I'll introduce is incredibly useful in running offense. If you don't know about it, you're missing out! In MUT 27, you can identify microphones and untarget defensive players during running offense.

Why use ID the Mic in running offense? Because it truly helps you complete longer runs. Here's how:

Press A button on your Xbox or X button on your PlayStation. A small M icon will appear, which you can move using the left analog stick.

If you want to run to the right outside, you might need to identify a cornerback defender further out. Simply press A button on your Xbox or X button on your PlayStation to select him. You'll find your advance significantly improved, your blocking more effective, and you lose fewer yards due to tackles.

In addition, you can untarget players. Typically, you can use this feature when playing against real players in Madden 27. For example, if you're passing the ball and the opposing team is trying to exploit a gap in your defense, you can unlock the opposing player, allowing your offensive line and teammates to ignore them. Here's how:

Hold down the left trigger button + press Y button (Xbox) or the triangle button (PlayStation). A flame icon will appear on the screen. Move it to the defender you want your teammates to ignore and confirm.

Play Call Substitutions

This feature sounds simple, but its power is far greater than you might imagine. In previous Madden NFL games, you could substitute players in and out of specific formations, but these changes were temporary and limited to those formations.

In Madden 27, you can now directly modify the roster depth table in the tactics selection screen, and the changes will apply to all formations.

How to Use?

In the tactics selection screen, hold down the right trigger button (R2 on PlayStation), and simultaneously select any tactic within the formation. A substitution menu will pop up; then, find the player you want to substitute.

This is a clever time-saving feature that eliminates the hassle of manually substituting players every time you attack or switch formations, significantly impacting lineup management in competitive matches.

This concludes our analysis of the hidden features in Madden 27. EA may not have heavily promoted these features, but their existence is justified. Using them, you'll quickly realize they're not gimmicks - the cornerstones of a winning strategy manual.

Recently, MLB The Show 26 received several updates. While content of these updates wasn't massive, they were all significant.

First, on August 21st, the game updated with Pipeline player cards and made adjustments to PXP 2.0 and Parallel Mods systems. Simultaneously, the developers banned a large number of game accounts, sparking widespread discussion within community.

Are the updated player cards worth acquiring? How does the new system work? Why did the developers ban accounts? I will explain these points one by one below.

Pipeline Series Player Cards

Before the banning incident, Pipeline series update was undoubtedly the most significant content in last week's MLB 26 update.

Unlike other series that focus on established stars, Pipeline series focuses on top rookies who haven't yet reached major leagues but are ranked highly in their respective teams' minor league systems.

This update brought a large number of player cards, along with various exclusive events.

Player Cards

Let's start by introducing the player cards. This update introduces two card packs - Chase Pack and Choice Pack - from which players can obtain new player cards.

Players can obtain Chase Pack for free by completing a My Legacy mission that accumulates 250,000 PXP. Chase Pack contains one of the most anticipated cards in this Pipeline series - OVR 99 shortstop Leo De Vries.

This card excels in both offense and defense, with outstanding Contact and Power attributes, making him one of the top shortstops in game and an absolute must-have.

Meanwhile, Choice Pack contains a wealth of new cards, covering a wide range of players:

Including Seth Hernandez, the starting pitcher from 99 OVR with Outlier attributes and extremely fast pitches; Mike Sorota, a center fielder from 99 OVR with excellent defense and speed; and the powerful 99 OVR shortstop Ethan Holliday.

In addition, it includes cards such as Walker Jenkins, Ethan Salas, and Bryce Rainer.

Mode, Program, and Collection Updates

Synchronized Gameplay Updates: To complement the new card set, MLB 26 has simultaneously updated with new modes such as Diamond Quest, Mini Seasons, and Conquest.

The main rewards for these modes are Pipeline card packs. Players can earn new player cards and a large number of MLB The Show 26 Stubs by completing these modes.

Additionally, the game has launched Pipeline Program. Players can earn multiple reward cards by completing specific tasks within the program, with the ultimate reward being Eli Willits (99 OVR), an excellent shortstop card capable of playing both second and third base.

Finally, the game has also added Collection rewards for Pipeline player cards. Collecting a certain number of cards allows players to exchange them for top-tier cards:

Collect 20 player cards to obtain Kade Anderson; collect 30 to obtain Josue De Paula; collect 40 to obtain Jesus Made (99 OVR).

Game Mechanics Optimization

In addition to Pipeline series player cards, MLB 26 also adjusted in-game Parallel XP system on the same day.

In Diamond Dynasty, players earn Parallel XP (PXP) by repeatedly playing a player card. Accumulating enough PXP increases the card's Parallel Level, granting a base +1 bonus to all attributes.

Furthermore, reaching certain card levels unlocks and allows equipping a Parallel Mod, concentrating the previously evenly distributed bonus points onto a specific attribute.

Prior to this update, players generally felt that Silver and Gold Mods in Parallel Mods were too weak, far inferior to the top-tier Diamond Mod, resulting in a lack of players using them.

To encourage players to try different mods and development paths, the developers have uniformly increased the bonus values of Silver and Gold Mods.

However, a problem remains in Parallel XP system: Relief Pitcher requires the same amount of PXP experience to unlock Parallel Mod as Starter.

However, Relief Pitcher's playing time in each match is very short, making it difficult to accumulate enough experience, resulting in almost no one being able to unlock Diamond Mod. This problem was not resolved in this update.

Mass Banning

Finally, let me briefly summarize the recent highly controversial event in the player community - the large-scale banning of MLB 26.

Specifically, coinciding with the above update, the game developers conducted a large-scale account banning operation, reportedly affecting hundreds to thousands of accounts, including many accounts of well-known content creators.

The main reason for banning these accounts is that these players purchased in-game currency, Stubs, through third-party websites, indirectly causing inflation in some player cards.

Most importantly, since MLB 26's main revenue stream is Stubs, this behavior directly harmed the official revenue. This is the reason why this ban has caused such widespread controversy.

Players generally believe that the game suffers from numerous bugs that negatively impact the player experience - such as abnormally small PCI values and animation bugs for certain players. Some of these bugs persisted for months or even a year and a half before being fixed, while others remain unresolved.

When it comes to Stubs trading issue, which affects the developer's revenue, their reaction is extremely swift. This overly opportunistic approach, while justifiable, appears rather unethical to players.

However, this controversy was merely a minor incident following August 21st update. The banned players quietly created new accounts, and overall impact was minimal. Most players remain focused on other updates.

Based on past practice, MLB 26 is likely to release other new player cards or events this week or next. You can follow EZG Facebook to stay updated on the latest game information. You can also participate in our giveaway event by @friends and commenting.

In short, if you happen to lack strong players or enjoy collecting player cards from various series, don't miss Pipeline series player cards.

In ARC Raiders, being suddenly killed by another player from a corner is often one of the most frustrating situations. Especially after looting a high-value area and preparing to head to key room, hatch, or extraction, you never know if someone else has already positioned themselves nearby.

Rats typically don't actively seek out direct combat; instead, they hide in corners and wait for you to lower your guard before suddenly opening fire. However, these players aren't entirely untouchable. With proper gear and attention to sound and positional changes on the map, you can significantly improve your chances of survival even when encountering rats.

With the release of the new ARC Raiders Frozen Trail map on October 8th, these techniques will become even more crucial. The new map is larger, with more complex exploration routes and hiding spots, and there will be more rat players, requiring even greater vigilance.

Tagging Grenade

Tagging Grenades aren't the most frequently used piece of gear in ARC Raiders, but it's actually very effective if your goal is to deal with rats who like to hide. Tagging Grenade, once it hits an enemy, will ping their location for a short period.

This is especially important when entering high-value loot areas, key rooms, or approaching hatches and extractions. Many rat players will hide in a corner of a room beforehand, waiting for you to enter before attacking. If you rush in directly, you may not have enough time to react.

The effect is even more pronounced when Smoke Grenade and Tagging Grenade are used together. For example, near some underground extractions in ARC Raiders Buried City, the environment is relatively dark, and there are many small corners where people can hide.

Before entering, you can throw a smoke grenade first, then throw a tagging grenade towards the possible hiding place. If you successfully mark an enemy, even if they are hiding in the smoke, you will know their location, while they will have difficulty seeing your movements, allowing you to kill them directly through the smoke.

Traps

rat players love using traps to gain an advantage, with Jolt Mine being a favorite. Stepping on a Jolt Mine briefly stuns you, rendering you unable to move or fire, and these few seconds are usually enough for a nearby rat to finish you off.

Audio is crucial for ARC Raiders in this situation. If you hear the sound of a Jolt Mine when approaching a room or narrow passage, don't proceed. Blaze Grenades can be used to deal with various traps, so clear any traps you find with them first.

More importantly, traps themselves can be cues. If you've just discovered and destroyed a Jolt Mine, you should realize that someone has likely set it up beforehand, especially if the location of an ARC Raiders room is ideal for an ambush.

After clearing a trap, be extra careful of nearby corners. rat players often combine multiple traps, first stunning you, then inflicting explosive damage, and finally eliminating you from a safe position.

Key Room

Many ambushes occur in key rooms. You know there's high-value loot inside, and rat knows this too. Opening the door and rushing in easily gives the opponent an opening. While Noisemaker isn't the strongest piece of gear in ARC Raiders, it still has its value in this situation.

If you place Noisemaker in an excellent position, it will trigger a sound when other players approach, giving you a chance to anticipate their movements. Barricade Kit can also play a unique role. It's not just for simply blocking the doorway. By adjusting the position of the Barricade Kit, you can interact normally from inside the room while preventing players from directly entering from the outside.

This way, if rat wants to enter the room, they must first destroy the Barricade Kit, creating an audio cue that alerts them to someone attempting to enter. You're no longer surprised by a sudden rush; instead, you have time to prepare your weapons, find cover, and prepare for the upcoming PvP encounter.

Situational Awareness

One of rat's most common attack methods is shooting from behind. Therefore, situational awareness is crucial in ARC Raiders. If suddenly attacked from behind, your first reaction shouldn't be to just keep running forward. Observe your surroundings for cover you can quickly access; sometimes turning around and counter-attacking is a better option.

If the opponent doesn't knock you down immediately, you can spin around and retaliate. Having the right gear can make a major difference when dealing with unexpected ambushes. If you're looking to upgrade your loadout, you can buy ARC Raiders Items from EZG.com and prepare your gear before heading into dangerous areas.

When moving, you should also plan ahead where you should hide if attacked. For example, in a room, if there's a rock or wall on your right that provides cover, you can Dodge Roll there after being attacked from behind. Knowing what cover is around you beforehand, even without extensive ARC Raiders map knowledge, can buy you time to counter-attack.

Extraction

Smoke Grenades are very important in Extraction. It not only helps you enter and leave Extraction but also makes it difficult for Raiders to pinpoint your exact location. Some extractions in ARC Raiders have numerous buildings and corners suitable for ambushes, making them particularly easy hiding places for Raiders.

Some rats will wait on building rooftops for others to evacuate, while others will hide near windows. Therefore, when entering extraction, don't just throw smoke at Hatch Button. It's best to cover the area you need to traverse with smoke. This way, even if there are people nearby, you'll reduce the time you're exposed to their line of sight.

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

With ARC Raiders October Frozen Trail update approaching, rat environment you need to be aware of may change. The snowy environment will not only change visibility and movement routes in some areas, but may also make some previously less obvious ambush positions more dangerous.

Furthermore, rats don't have fixed movement patterns. You can't remember every possible ambush location, nor can you guarantee you'll spot enemies in advance every time. Therefore, mastering the methods mentioned above for dealing with rat is extremely important.

EA Sports recently released Arsenal's player ratings for FC 27, allowing Arsenal fans to plan their rosters for the upcoming Career Mode release on September 25th.

As with every FC series player rating release, this one has sparked considerable discussion among players. Some believe certain Arsenal players deserve higher or lower ratings, while others are researching which player cards might be essential for Ultimate Team.

Top-Ranked Players

Arsenal's FC 27 roster ratings showcase the team's improved strength across all positions.

At the top of the list is Gabriel, with an 89 OVR rating, boasting a 91 defensive ability and 84 physical attributes, suggesting he could be one of the most reliable defenders in FC 27, especially suitable for players who prefer physically imposing players.

Following him are three players with 88 OVR:

• David Raya
• Declan Rice
• William Saliba

David Raya's greatest strength isn't the traditional physical advantages of a goalkeeper, but rather his 88 GK Kicking.

This means he possesses exceptional backfield ball distribution ability and excellent long-pass attacking initiation skills. For FC 27 Career Mode players, he's better suited as the team's attacking initiator.

Declan Rice's attributes are well-balanced, making him a versatile midfielder capable of covering both attack and defense. His 94 stamina, in particular, means he can apply sustained pressure during matches, making him well-suited for high-intensity, long games.

William Saliba is arguably one of the most well-rounded young center-backs in FC 27, boasting a top-tier 90 defensive attribute.

Furthermore, he possesses Anticipate+ PlayStyle in the game, further enhancing his defensive capabilities in later stages, making him an ideal choice for the defensive position in Ultimate Team.

Rating Controversy

While the aforementioned high-rated players garnered significant attention upon the initial rating update, the most sustained discussion currently revolves around the differing opinions on their ratings.

Bukayo Saka - 87OVR

Bukayo Saka remains one of Arsenal's most important attacking players, but some FIFA fans believe his overall rating of 87 doesn't fully reflect his impact.

He boasts excellent attacking attributes in his FC 27 player card, including 82 shooting, 85 passing, and 87 dribbling. However, his speed of only 79 has sparked controversy among players who rely on explosive wingers in Ultimate Team.

Nevertheless, for Career Mode players, Bukayo Saka, with his age and potential for growth, remains one of the safest long-term investments.

Declan Rice - 88OVR

While Declan Rice's overall rating received a deserved boost in this FUT 27 update, some fans believe EA still underestimates certain aspects of his attributes.

His player card in the game boasts 86 passing, 85 defense, and 84 physical attributes. The most controversial aspect among players is his mere 72 speed, a weakness that puts him at a disadvantage in Ultimate Team.

Viktor Gyökeres - 86OVR

Viktor Gyökeres is arguably one of the most promising new attacking options in FIFA 27 Ultimate Team.

With 87 shooting and physical attributes, and 81 speed, he fills the gaps in Arsenal's previous FC series, becoming a powerful striker capable of physically challenging top defenders.

While the previous two players' ratings were controversial, Viktor Gyökeres has garnered significant attention due to improvements in all attributes.

UT Player Recommendations

In F 27's Ultimate Team, player ratings don't always fully reflect a player's true ability. Some low-rated players can become extremely valuable because of their excellent in-game attributes. Below are some recommended players for your team.

Bukayo Saka

Even though his speed rating is controversial, EA has retained his core strengths - Dribbling, Passing, and Attacking creativity - making him one of Arsenal's most complete attacking players.

Secondly, one of Saka's greatest hidden values in FUT squad building is his linking ability.

He has Premier League links, England national team links, and Arsenal club links, meaning you can more easily address chemistry issues when building Premier League Meta squads, Arsenal Theme Teams, and England squads.

Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke

In FC 27 Arsenal Ratings, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke both have an 80 OVR. While their overall ratings can't compare to Bukayo Saka's, their value lies not in their rating numbers, but in their speed, dribbling ability, and wing play in Ultimate Team mode.

Especially for players with limited FC 27 Coins at the game's launch, high-speed wingers like Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke offer greater practical value and are the most useful low-cost options.

Martin Ødegaard

Martin Ødegaard has an 86 OVR in FIFA 27 Arsenal Ratings. For Ultimate Team players, his value lies in his dribbling, passing, ball control, and playmaking abilities.

If you enjoy short passing, controlling the tempo, and breaking down defenses in positional attacks, Ødegaard would be an excellent choice as a midfield maestro.

Best Career Mode XI

For Career Mode players, Arsenal is arguably one of the most exciting starting teams. Based on player ratings and squad balance, a strong 4-3-3 formation might look like this:

• Goalkeeper: David Raya
• Defenders: Calafiori - Gabriel - Saliba - Timber
• Midfielders: Declan Rice - Bruno Guimarães - Ødegaard
• Attack: Zsolis - Viktor Gyökeres - Bukayo Saka

This lineup combines Arsenal's existing stars with new signings, ensuring sufficient strength in every position.

Arsenal also excels in rotation, with players like Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, and Jurriën Timber providing excellent options, making Arsenal one of the deepest teams in FUT 27 Career Mode.

This rating reveals a wealth of young talent within Arsenal's roster. Gabriel, Saliba, Rice, and Saka form a world-class core, while the younger players have immense potential for development in the new Career Mode.

Whether players aim to build a FUT team around a speed-oriented striker or establish a long-lasting Dynasty team in Career Mode, Arsenal appears to be one of the most well-rounded teams in FC 27.

While some individual player ratings have generated controversy, one thing is undeniable: choosing Arsenal as your starting lineup in FC 27 is definitely a wise decision.

GGG has confirmed when players will get their first full look at Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5.5, with an update livestream scheduled for August 27 at 12:30 PM Pacific Time. Considering the livestream's scale and previous information, Patch 0.5.5 is likely to be more than just a routine mid-season adjustment.

Currently, several aspects of PoE 2 do require significant adjustments. Since Patch 0.5, the strength gap between different builds has become increasingly pronounced. 

Atlas designs are increasing the burden of repetitive map runs, and Tablets are creating more and more additional preparation costs because of frequent trading, filtering, and organization.

If these issues can be addressed in Patch 0.5.5, this update will be substantial.

Build Balance

The official team has mentioned character balance multiple times before, so Patch 0.5.5 will probably focus on builds, character experience, and overall balance, potentially involving adjustments to Passive Skill Tree, Ascendancy, skills, and Unique Items.

Recent patches have seen a concentration of powerful builds, with a widening gap in endgame performance between different skills. Some builds maintain consistent strength from early game to higher-level maps, while others fall significantly behind in the endgame.

It's not uncommon for strong builds to appear in patches for PoE 2, but over-concentration limits build research and customization options.

Chaos Damage and Ignite

Nerfs are inevitable, but buffs are also worth considering. Chaos Damage and Ignite are likely to be the focus of this buff.

The issues surrounding these two systems have been discussed extensively within PoE 2 community. While both are playable in the early to mid-game, they become increasingly difficult to use compared to mainstream builds in the late game.

Patch 0.5.5 is a good time to adjust Chaos, Ignite, and some long-neglected skills if it aims to reshape build choices. The same applies to low-usage Unique Items.

Rather than adding more purely stat-based gear, I'd prefer to see older Unique Items given new mechanics, providing players with a proper reason to build a new build around them.

5-mod jewels

5-mod jewels are likely to be included in Patch 0.5.5's adjustment list. Currently, some jewels can be repeatedly rerolled using PoE 2 Chaos Orb, retaining one side's prefix or suffix. This crafting method significantly lowers the barrier to entry for high-end jewels. Based on the current mechanics, Chaos Orb not properly resetting some affixes is likely to be fixed.

Whether the official stance will continue to lower the overall strength of 5-mod Jewels is currently uncertain. It's not surprising that high-end gear has a high skill ceiling; the real issue is that its acquisition threshold has been lowered too much.

When top-tier jewels become consistently obtainable, they easily transform from a rare pursuit into a standard feature of high-end builds. It wouldn't be surprising if Patch 0.5.5 adjusted both crafting methods and stats.

Atlas

In Patch 0.5.5, I hope PoE 2 will seriously address Atlas.

Currently, some Atlas nodes no longer just increase rewards but directly determine whether certain basic drops will appear. However, some rewards only enter the drop pool after the corresponding node is selected. New players who haven't researched beforehand might spend a long time farming only to realize they've been missing items.

This deviates somewhat from the original purpose of Atlas. The endgame Passive Skill Tree should allow players to decide what they want to focus on farming, but now some nodes seem mandatory; not selecting them means missing out on normal rewards.

The inability to close nodes is also a problem. Some talents increase difficulty or alter the original mechanics, making them unfriendly to certain builds. If you find something unsuitable after selecting a talent, there's no convenient way to adjust it in Patch 0.5.4.

If Patch 0.5.5 makes these nodes easier to reset or allows players to manually toggle them on and off, Atlas will be much more flexible to use. This adjustment space is especially important in hardcore mode.

Tablets

If the endgame system is indeed being changed, Tablets will be difficult to bypass.

Currently, cities already offer extra rewards and can collect four Tablets simultaneously, making them significantly more efficient than regular map areas.

High-yield areas naturally attract more players, but if everyone concentrates on cities when farming Atlas, other areas easily become transitional content. Four Tablets are therefore likely to be one target of this adjustment.

However, four Tablets are just one of the many problems with Tablets now; the user experience itself is more troublesome. Before farming, you need to organize your inventory, filter affixes, check remaining attempts, and often need to trade at other players' hideouts.

Powerful tablets are expensive, while regular tablets are difficult to process individually, easily accumulating in the inventory. This mechanism means that in PoE 2, map preparation alone consumes a significant amount of time that could be used for farming.

Making tablets closer to Scarab of PoE 1 is a common approach. If the effects can be standardized, trading and organization will be much simpler. Current tablets still retain designs from the early Tower system, but the map system has undergone multiple adjustments, resulting in some disconnect between the two.

With Patch 0.5.5 now in focus, follow EZG Facebook for more PoE 2 updates and our Player's Choice Giveaway, and tag your friends or followers to bring them in too.

The upcoming livestream will probably reveal how many issues Patch 0.5.5 will address. Character balance, Atlas, tablets, and some experience issues that have been dragging on for several patches - will these all be addressed this time? We'll soon have the answers.