General News

Machine Lord is getting a rework in Torchlight Infinite SS13 Afterlight - changing from elemental damage to massive amounts of additional summon damage, with the benefits increasing dramatically with the number of damage barrels. As a representative of Self-Destruct Protocol summoning build, can Charge Calling Moto fully capitalize on this change in SS13?

The answer is definitely yes, and we'll walk you through the entire progression from early game to endgame, helping you better utilize the buffs and play Charge Calling Moto effectively in the new season.

Core Mechanism Changes

The core change to Charge Calling Moto build in SS13 comes from the mechanics of Machine Lord helmet.

Previously, this helmet converted physical damage into Fire, Cold, and Lightning elemental damage, while increasing the maximum number of Synthetic Troops (from two to three). In the new season, it's changed to directly provide a large amount of additional Minion damage.

It's worth noting that regardless of whether the helmet has Corroded affix, its base stat is fixed at 1, and Corroded version only provides an additional 10% bonus to Minion damage.

Therefore, if you're focused on significantly increasing Charge Calling Moto's damage output, prioritize Machine Lord helmet with Double Corroded affix.

Additionally, players should understand Torchlight Infinite's damage mechanics, as a key principle applies: the more damage sources you have, the higher the multiplicative benefit.

For example, suppose your character now has four different sources of damage in Torchlight Infinite, each providing you with 100% bonus damage. The final damage you receive is the result of their multiplicative summation, which will be far greater than the 400% bonus damage from a single source.

Therefore, when choosing gear and talents, prioritize multiple types of damage-boosting affixes, such as extra damage from Minions under specific conditions, extra Fire damage, or extra Cold damage. These different dimensions of damage amplification multiply, significantly improving Charge Calling Moto's overall damage output.

Early Game Phase

First, we need to know that you need to switch to Grim Phantoms playstyle as early as possible during Torchlight Infinite SS13 progression phase.

The most obvious benefit of Grim Phantoms for you is that it eliminates your tedious operations and makes things smoother, because it has an automatic summoning mechanism, and the active skill Summon Grim Phantom is also very efficient at clearing maps.

In terms of skill synergy, to enhance Grim Phantoms' survivability and area-of-effect damage, we need to utilize Mechanical Modification, Manual Army, Increased Area, and Servant Life.

Furthermore, Swiftness Dew is a key skill for increasing Charge Calling Moto's map traversal speed; prioritize equipping and using it to accelerate SS13 early game progression.

If you encounter a boss fight, you can make a small adjustment to the skill configuration above: use Machine Army and Vulnerability, and pair them with the two passive skills Fearless and Swiftness to ensure Charge Calling Moto's output and mobility.

Throughout the story, simply picking up usable equipment dropped on the ground is enough to easily complete the game.

Key survival equipment includes Born in Fire ring and Interlocking Soul Hammer, which are not only inexpensive but also provide Charge Calling Moto with sufficient protection.

Mid-Game Transition

By the mid-game of SS13, our goal is to gradually replace Charge Calling Moto's gear with Tier 2 quality. The priority for each piece of gear is as follows:

• Helmet: Prioritize Minion Damage, Energy Shield, or Life (if going for a Life build), and the necessary Resistance.
• Chestplate: Also prioritize Energy Shield or Life, combined with Minion Attack and Cast Speed, directly affecting the trigger frequency of your Minion Self-Destruct Protocol.
• Gloves: Vow's Grasp is extremely cost-effective in the early season, providing 120 points each of Strength and Intelligence.
• Belt: Cry of Divinity can be used initially, later upgrading to a belt with +1 Minion skill level.
• Shoes: Focus on movement speed, Energy Shield or Life, and Minion damage.
• Rings: Focus on Minion damage, maximum Energy Shield or Life, and Resistance.

Advanced Stage

When your damage in Torchlight Infinite SS13 reaches around 90 million, you should have a full set of Tier 2 gear and begin gradually introducing some Tier 1 affixes.

At this stage, you can consider replacing your previous Machine Army with Rising Edge and try to get Precise Skills to further improve the output efficiency of Charge Calling Moto.

The core skill Self-Destruct Protocol tag contains multiple keywords such as Melee, Physical, and Attack. Therefore, we need to pay special attention to Hero Memories and Divinity Slate, which can provide benefits to these tags.

High-Tier Gear

Once your Charge Calling Moto damage reaches around 4 billion, you can efficiently farm Tier 8 maps in Torchlight Infinite SS13.

At this stage of the game, Machine Lord is a key piece of equipment that you absolutely must obtain. Don't worry about its affixes; just try to get it directly, because it will still have a powerful damage-boosting effect on your character in the new season.

Resonance of the Stars is a core item with extremely high cost-effectiveness in the early game. It replicates the effects of all peripheral minor nodes, including affixes like Command, Max Life, and Energy Shield, but not Minion Skill Level.

This means you can obtain a significant amount of extra attributes at a relatively low cost, achievable in the early stages of SS13 with approximately 100 Torchlight Infinite Flame Elementium, much cheaper than unlocking multiple high-tier Divinity Slates.

Because Torchlight Infinite SS13 Afterlight introduces a completely new Skill Tree and several mechanic adjustments, remember to adjust the configurations in this guide flexibly. Hopefully, this complete roadmap for Charge Calling Moto, from beginner to advanced, will help you get off to a smooth start in SS13!

On July 16th, MLB The Show 26 officially released its latest Roster Update for the season. This update includes 716 player rating adjustments (343 upgrades, 207 downgrades), 54 position adjustments, and 15 new Live Series cards.

For Diamond Dynasty players, each Roster Update signifies a reshuffling of the market landscape. Upgrading a player's rating not only changes their performance in games but can also directly drive up the market price of Live Series cards; conversely, downgrading players may face a rapid price drop.

This article will provide a quick overview of the key points of this update and analyze market trends to prepare you for the next round of investment.

Six Players Promoted to Diamond

The biggest highlight of this update is undoubtedly the promotion of six players to Diamond rank. Many of these players are 2026 MLB All-Stars, and their recent consistent performance has finally received official recognition.

Players promoted to Diamond rank this time include:

1. Chase Burns
2. Willson Contreras
3. Jhoan Duran
4. Dylan Cease
5. Logan Gilbert
6. Dylan Lee

Jhoan Duran's stats have seen a particularly significant boost: Pitching Clutch +8, H/9 vs R +6 and K/9 vs R +9.

This substantial improvement has caused his Live Series card value to rise rapidly.

If you already owned these players' Live Series cards before the update, now is a crucial time to assess whether to cash in. Due to the higher Quick Sell floor price for Diamond cards and increased market demand, prices typically surge in the short term.

Eight Players Promoted to Gold

In addition to Diamond, eight other players were promoted from Silver to Gold this time.

Notable upgrades include:

• Bryan Baker (Rays, 79→83)
• Troy Melton (Tigers, 79→82)
• Jesús Luzardo (Phillies, 79→82)
• Steven Okert (Astros, 78→82)

Several pitchers saw significant improvements in their H/9 and K/9 stats.

The only fielder promoted to Gold is Jordan Walker (Cardinals, 78→81), whose abilities have seen a remarkable boost: Contact vs. Left +11, Clutch +12.

This change significantly enhances his overall utility, making him one of the most cost-effective Gold players currently available.

For investment players, the Quick Sell floor price increases whenever a player is promoted from Silver to Gold, often causing the card price to double or even triple in a short period.

If you already own these players, now is the ideal time to cash in your profits; if you plan to continue holding, it's advisable to closely monitor market volume. Prices could quickly drop if a large number of players sell off their holdings.

For players looking to strengthen their roster during this round of adjustments, now is also the best time to buy MLB The Show 26 stubs at IGGM.com and quickly expand your inventory. Whether you're snapping up new Diamonds, investing in potential Live Series players, or completing collection rewards, ample stubs will help you seize market opportunities faster.

Several Top Player Ratings Adjusted

In addition to the addition of Diamond and Gold ratings, several star players have received OVR adjustments.

The most significant increases include:

• Yordan Alvarez: 91 → 93, tied for the second-highest rating in the Live Series with Aaron Judge.
• Jacob Misiorowski: 85 → 89
• Pete CrowArmstrong: 85 → 89

Meanwhile, some star players have been relegated due to recent declines in performance, such as Cal Raleigh and Francisco Lindor.

For long-term investors, it's equally important to pay attention to star players whose performance has begun to decline. If their performance continues to be poor in real-world games, they are likely to be further nerfed in the next Roster Update. Cutting losses early is often more prudent than waiting.

Defensive Attributes Undergo Comprehensive Reassessment

The Roster Update after the All-Star Game is consistently one of the largest updates of the season (another one usually occurs after the playoffs).

In addition to Overall Rating, this update also includes a major overhaul of Fielding, a significant tradition of previous All-Star updates.

Players with excellent defensive abilities, such as JJ Wetherholt, have the opportunity to receive additional buffs; while players whose defensive stats have declined may suffer a double nerf to both Overall and defensive attributes.

For Diamond Dynasty players, the importance of these adjustments is no less than that of OVR. In high-intensity online games like Ranked Seasons, outfielders' reactions and fielding directly impact catch success rate, while infielders' defensive range and passing ability often determine the outcome of a game.

Therefore, when building a roster, it's crucial to consider not only player OVR but also any changes in defensive attributes.

The decreased update frequency has sparked heated discussions among players.Compared to the numerous rating adjustments this time, the most discussed topic in the community is actually the change in the frequency of Rooster Updates.

Many veteran players believe that the pace of rating updates in MLB The Show 26 has significantly slowed down. Previously, the official Rooster Update was typically released every two weeks, but now there may only be three to four rating adjustments throughout the entire season. The longer update cycle also limits investment opportunities.

Meanwhile, the unique Diamond Dynasty market restriction in MLB 26 - 20 Card Caps - is increasingly infuriating to players due to the low frequency of Roster Updates. This rule limits players to a maximum of 20 copies of each Live Series card.

In the past, many investors would buy large numbers of potential players before a Roster Update, holding hundreds of copies of the same card. Once a player was promoted from Gold to Diamond, they could profit handsomely from the higher Quick Sell price.

Now, with a maximum of 20 copies of each card and the slower update speed, this large-scale card hoarding strategy has largely become obsolete. While this mechanism helps reduce market manipulation and malicious hoarding, it has disappointed many players who relied on Roster Updates for investment profits.

As the season enters its second half, player performances and market conditions will continue to change. The next Roster Update may still create new Diamond players and new investment opportunities. Staying informed about the current MLB player status and the official update schedule will be key to profiting in the future Diamond Dynasty market.

Following a week of hype-building trailers, the livestream for Path of Exile 3.29 concluded successfully yesterday, revealing comprehensive details about Curse of the Allflame league.

Faced with fresh yet complex mechanics, choosing the right league-starter build is crucial. You need a setup that allows you to master the new systems while rapidly progressing and farming early-game currency and resources.

With 3.29 league launch just a week away, we are introducing 3 Curse of the Allflame starter builds: Reliquarian Spider Poison, Eye of Winter Spellslinger Elementalist, and Dual Strike of Ambidexterity Slayer, to help you confidently tackle the upcoming underwater expedition.

1. Reliquarian Spider Poison Build

Reliquarian Ascendancy, introduced in PoE 3.28, has undergone a massive rework for 3.29 due to its unique mechanics, positioning it as a potential top-tier class for the new league.

Consequently, crafting a Reliquarian build as a 3.29 starter is a smart move. If you aren't familiar with this Ascendancy yet, Spider Poison Build is well worth trying.

The core of this build is Arakaali's Fang Fiend Dagger. Beyond granting various types of extra damage, its most important feature is a 100% chance to trigger Level 1 Raise Spiders spell upon killing an enemy.

These spiders are powerful on their own, and you can further enhance them through minion damage, poison, or critical strikes, making them your primary source of damage.

However, these spiders possess a lesser-known trait: each one grants you a 15% bonus to poison damage and a 2% bonus to attack speed.

By pairing Arakaali's Fang with Reliquarian class, you can utilize the newly added Reliquarian notable passive to trigger Level 20 Raise Spiders effect upon kill.

Adding The Dark Monarch to the setup doubles your spider count, resulting in an 80% attack speed bonus and a massive 600% poison damage bonus, figures that are otherwise extremely difficult to achieve.

Building on this foundation, selecting Scion Perfect Agony keystone boosts your critical strike chance; furthermore, landing a critical strike with a dagger automatically inflicts poison. Perfect Agony even allows your poison damage-over-time multiplier to match your critical strike multiplier.

In other words, you can stack an extremely high critical strike multiplier, convert it into a poison damage multiplier, and combine this with the 600% poison damage bonus inherent to Arakaali's Fang to achieve massive damage output.

However, whether you are playing Spider Poison build or another Reliquarian setup, the class's mechanics, which tie skill effects closely to unique items, mean that the quality of your gear directly dictates the strength of the build and your character's overall power.

Therefore, if you want to be well-prepared as a Reliquarian, even for endgame content, it's best to buy cheap IGGM PoE currency in advance. This allows you to craft gear whenever needed and optimize synergies.

2. Eye of Winter Spellslinger Elementalist Build

As the name suggests, this starter build centers on the cold spell Eye of Winter. It fires a massive projectile that deals no damage itself but releases numerous damaging secondary projectiles during its flight and upon expiration.

The goal when crafting this build is to leverage various Path of Exile mechanics to ensure as many secondary projectiles as possible strike the same target.

To achieve this, you need to know that the primary projectile releases 10 secondary projectiles at the end of its flight.

If an enemy is positioned at the center of the spell's area of effect, all these projectiles can hit the same target, creating a concentrated, shotgun-like impact.

You can further enhance the build by incorporating Tornado skill and placing it along the path of Eye of Winter projectile. This causes the projectiles to ricochet off the tornado toward the target, thereby increasing the number of hits.

When playing this build, you must maintain an appropriate distance from your target to ensure Eye of Winter's major explosion connects. Incorrect positioning results in significantly lower damage, particularly against enemies that teleport or move rapidly.

However, this build offers an added advantage: it remains functional even early on when finding reliable gear is difficult, though, of course, this is only a temporary solution. To achieve the build's full potential, you will certainly need to upgrade your gear in the endgame.

3. Dual Strike of Ambidexterity Slayer Build

Path of Exile 3.29 introduces two new Transfigured skills. While you can experiment with these directly, they might also inspire you to explore new possibilities using existing Transfigured skills in the new league.

Take Dual Strike of Ambidexterity Slayer as an example; a key element of this build is combining the standard Dual Strike skill with its Transfigured counterpart, Dual Strike of Ambidexterity.

Dual Strike of Ambidexterity requires you to equip two different types of melee weapons simultaneously: it deals damage based on your main-hand weapon while utilizing the attack speed of your off-hand weapon.

This allows you to equip a slow, high-damage weapon in your main hand and a fast, low-damage weapon in your off-hand. Because such items often come with inherent drawbacks, they are usually easy to acquire, making this build an excellent choice for league starters.

For instance, Mark of the Doubting Knight serves as a great main-hand weapon, offering massive physical damage and critical strike chance, all while boasting a high drop rate.

Slayer Ascendancy is chosen for this build due to its exceptional synergy with frenzy charges. Thanks to Masterful Form notable, your maximum endurance charges are set equal to your maximum frenzy charges, allowing you to gain many endurance charges and achieve significant damage mitigation.

Additionally, you can utilize Spell Suppression to further boost survivability, making the build and your character much more durable. Pairing Impact notable with Melee Splash Support gem also drastically increases your attack coverage.

These are three builds that promise a great league-starting experience when Path of Exile 3.29 launches. You can choose the one that best suits your preferences or use them as a springboard to brainstorm and craft your own unique playstyles!

Players, the 2026 World Cup final lineup has been announced. EA FC 26 has been closely following the tournament and will soon launch a Summer Stars event featuring players who shone brightly in this summer's World Cup.

Based on their performance and impact in the World Cup, it's safe to assume that FC 26 will include Messi, Haaland, and players who nearly reached the final, Mbappe and Bellingham, in Summer Stars. But what other outstanding players might be included? What other information do we need to know about Summer Stars?

Summer Stars Overview and Timing

Summer Stars shouldn't be unfamiliar to long-time FIFA or EA Sports FC players, as it has been a key component of summer football celebrations in previous versions - FC 24 and even earlier, FIFA 22.

It's back as scheduled this year, officially launching on Friday, July 17th (10:00 AM Pacific Time). FC 26's Ultimate Team will receive a wave of high-quality player card updates based on their World Cup performances, with the event's pace roughly synchronized with the ongoing World Cup.

Player Selection Logic

Players who have performed exceptionally well in this World Cup may be included in this Summer Stars event, similar to Team of the Tournament in previous Champions League tournaments, both recognizing the most outstanding and influential players throughout the competition.

Judging from the official Summer Stars cover and promotional materials already released, the four featured players are Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi, all of whom had outstanding performances in this World Cup.

While Haaland didn't reach the semi-finals, he led Norway to a historic quarter-final appearance and personally scored seven goals.

However, since this is a collection of the best performers of the World Cup, the selected lineup naturally includes far more than just these four top stars. Many more players who left a deep impression on the tournament will also receive exclusive cards.

FIFA 26 will assign corresponding OVR, position, and PlayStyles based on their contributions to the World Cup, striving to more realistically recreate the players' highlights this summer in the game.

Confirmed Player Card Data

The currently known player cards almost all have OVRs concentrated in the top range of 97 to 98, which is enough to prove the strength of these Summer Stars in EA FC 26.

Kylian Mbappé

Mbappé's card has an OVR of 98, positioned as a ST.

In terms of specific stats, he also boasts 99 speed, 98 shooting, 91 passing, 99 dribbling, and 84 physicality. Aside from his slightly weaker physicality, he's a perfect combination of speed and finishing ability.

Jude Bellingham

Like Mbappé, Bellingham has a 98OVR, but plays as a CM. His stats include 97 speed, 98 shooting, 97 passing, 98 dribbling, 94 defense, and 96 physicality.

It's clear that FC 26 has crafted a well-rounded stat set for Bellingham, balancing offensive and defensive capabilities, which aligns perfectly with his performance in this World Cup, where he scored six goals and provided numerous assists.

Harry Kane

Harry Kane, also from England national team like Jude Bellingham, was also selected for this year's Summer Stars. He plays as a 98OVR ST, with stats of 93 speed, 99 shooting, 95 passing, 97 dribbling, and 95 physicality.

As England's captain, Kane played a crucial pivot role for the team in this World Cup, earning full recognition from FC 26.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi's Summer Stars card is positioned as a CF, with the same 98OVR.

Undoubtedly, Messi boasts 97 passing, 98 dribbling, and 83 physicality, creating a highly recognizable playing style. Everyone knows how terrifying his dribbling and passing abilities are on the field, and his performance in this World Cup was equally stunning.

Vinícius Jr.

Vinícius Jr., with 98OVR, is positioned as a LW, boasting an astonishing 99 speed and 98 dribbling, perfectly replicating the explosiveness of Brazilian captain displayed leading Samba Army before the knockout stages.

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah secured his place in FC 26 Summer Stars with his outstanding performance before the match against Argentina. His role as a 98OVR ST is clearly demonstrated by his near-98 speed and dribbling ability, highlighting his crucial role in Egypt's attacking system.

Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland's card continues his signature aggressive style. A 98OVR ST, coupled with 99 shooting, 96 physicality, and 98 speed, makes this card's finishing ability a perfect match for his terrifying output of seven goals in this World Cup.

Ousmane Dembélé

Although somewhat overshadowed by his teammate Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé still made a strong showing in FC 26 Summer Stars with a 98OVR, RW role. Dembélé's four goals and assists are impressive statistics.

Aymeric Laporte

Spanish player Aymeric Laporte has been selected for this Summer Stars event with a 97OVR CB rating, along with 98 defense and 97 physicality.

Pau Cubarsí

Also boasting a 97OVR CB rating, Pau Cubarsí is undoubtedly a member of FC 26 Summer Stars. The performances of these two Spanish center-backs in this World Cup are perfectly represented by FC 26's card data.

How to Obtain Cards

So how do we obtain these top-tier player cards with high OVR in Summer Stars?

First, players can use coins to unlock exclusive Summer Stars card packs to directly draw the aforementioned top players. This is also available through SBCs.

Furthermore, there are FC 26 Summer Stars giveaways on IGGM Discord right now. You can try participating to share 10M coins and stock up on resources for opening packs!

FUT 26 is expected to gradually release multiple sets of World Cup-themed challenge missions. Players may be able to exchange these player cards or other high-value rewards by completing the missions as required.

In addition, Evolutions system will receive a Summer Stars-themed update. Eligible player cards can receive stat boosts or new PlayStyles by completing specific evolution paths, providing players with more customization options for their existing lineups.

Overall, whether considering its strength or nostalgia, FC 26 Summer Stars is well worth your time and effort.

How has your College Football 27 experience been after the first week? Are you racking up wins, or are you constantly plagued by defeat? If it's the latter, you need to take action immediately, as this will hinder your progress and rewards in the game.

To help you overcome winning anxiety, we are providing comprehensive tips for victory based on various on-field actions, such as defense, offense, and more.

Passing techs

Executing advanced offensive or defensive plays requires seamless coordination with your teammates; without it, you cannot properly set up your formations. Therefore, mastering the passing game is the absolute first step toward victory.

In NCAA 27, there are two main passing methods you need to know. The first is Bullet Pass; to execute this, hold down the button corresponding to the receiver. This launches the ball quickly, ensuring a flat, powerful trajectory.

The second is Lob Pass. By tapping the receiver's corresponding button, the ball stays in the air longer and follows a high, arcing trajectory.

These methods suit different situations. Generally, you should prioritize Bullet Pass to get the ball to the target quickly. This method also allows the receiver to catch the ball in stride, maximizing the yards gained after the catch.

Lob Pass is best used when your receiver is running a deep route, has beaten the defender, and is heading toward the end zone. In this scenario, you can use Lob Pass to drop the ball into the open space ahead of them.

We also recommend familiarizing yourself with Run After Catch as an alternative option. This strategy allows your receiver to catch the ball while in motion and continue driving forward.

Keep in mind that the actual controls for these passing techniques may vary depending on the device you are using, so be sure to practice and master them before using them in competitive matches.

Running techs

On NCAA 27 fields, players must always be ready to run, whether to receive a pass from a teammate or to react to an opponent's move. Among these movements, running the ball is a crucial skill that can be challenging to master.

To execute this move successfully, the most important thing is not to accelerate the moment you get the ball; instead, you should first move into open space, allowing time for your teammates' blocks to develop before hitting the gas.

In short, never accelerate behind the line of scrimmage; wait until you break into the second level or open field, where you have a chance to shake off defenders, before speeding up. This requires patience.

Offensive strategies and formations

Whether you are a novice or a veteran, relying on playbooks is the most reliable way to organize a systematic offense or defense. However, advanced players might opt for a more aggressive style to end games quickly and earn more NCAA 27 coins in a shorter time.

If, however, you fall into the category of players with limited current ability, as mentioned earlier, it is best to stick to steady, easy-to-master strategies, such as Y-Sale play.

In this play, your main task is to assign a hot route to a wide receiver. To do this, select the receiver's icon, bring up the options menu on the right side of the screen, and choose the specific route you want him to run.

We generally recommend Drag route. It allows the player to cut across the field over a short distance, making it effective against both man-to-man and zone defenses.

When executing this route, first observe the running back's movement toward the flank, then shift your focus to the receiver running the crossing route.

If the running back is open, use Bullet Pass and RAC mentioned earlier to get him the ball and gain steady yardage, rather than attempting a risky deep ball that could easily fail.

If the running back is covered, shift your attention to the receiver in the middle of the field. If both options are blocked, you can also look to the tight end in the backfield for a breakthrough.

Building on these strategies, aim to simplify your controls while ensuring you can quickly read the defense and advance the ball.

Best defensive formations

Now that you've learned the offense, it's time to master defensive techniques in EA CFB 27! You should focus on three key defensive formations: Tampa 2, Cover 2 Man, and Cover 3.

Among these, Cover 2 Man is particularly well-suited for NCAA 27 meta game. This defensive scheme employs man-to-man coverage across the board while keeping two safeties deep to guard the backfield; it is arguably the most reliable defensive strategy available.

Your role is to key in on the opposing running back. If he runs a pass route, stick close to him and look for a chance to break up the pass; if he stays in the backfield to block, you can hold the middle of the field, ready to jump into a passing lane for an interception.

The strength of Tampa 2 formation lies in forcing the opponent to rely on short, piecemeal passes; once they lose patience and rashly throw into heavily defended areas, you can easily capitalize on interception opportunities.

When running this formation, focus on the hook zone on the side where the running back is positioned; this ensures you can quickly cut in and join the play if the running back attempts a run.

However, if the opponent opts to pass, you must hold your zone and be ready to cover receivers who break open later in the play.

As for Cover 3, there are actually many variations, but Cover 3 Sky and Cover 3 Cloud are generally the most dependable choices, as they allow for an all-out zone approach.

Alternatively, you could try Aggressive Zones feature introduced in College Football 27. It makes your underneath zones more aggressive, effectively countering opponents who favor a dink-and-dunk passing attack.

We hope these tips help you turn the tide and secure more victories in your future College Football 27 matches! Good luck!

About a week remains before the official team reveals real information about NBA 2K27. The daily countdown teasers released by the official team are only making players more curious and excited.

NBA 2K27 countdown teaser images are blurry, but they appear to point toward different cities. This may suggest that The City mode could receive some exciting changes.

Countdown Teaser Images

In the teaser image released 17 days before launch, you can see white stone pillars and red roof tiles behind the basketball hoop.

Based on details such as the style of the pillars, the fallen leaves scattered on the ground, the edge of the hoop, and the shape of the archway, players speculate that this could be a real-world rendering of a basketball court somewhere in Paris.

In addition, many subway-related elements appear throughout the countdown teaser images. For example, the teaser released on Day 23 shows an old New York subway scene.

The scene from the 15-day countdown image shows the exterior of a subway train. You can see a yellowish train with a red roof stripe, while the area below the windows also has red trim. This train is not actually from the United States, but rather a train from Germany.

Although some players believe these countdown images are meaningless AI-generated pictures and therefore have no real reference value, the environments shown in them are still themes that the official team intentionally selected and presented to the community.

If the environments had no meaning, they could have simply used plain backgrounds or random patterns instead, but they did not. Therefore, these visual elements themselves could be considered clues rather than random combinations.

If these countdown teaser images really hint at upcoming content, then NBA 2K27's The City mode may introduce street courts from different countries.

What Changes Could Come to The City Mode?

A More Compact Map

The City is one of the key modes promoted by the official team, evolving from the previous MyPark mode. In NBA 2K21, this mode featured a very large map. However, in NBA 2K23, the development team reduced the map size by around 25-30% to improve the overall experience. Some buildings without practical functions were removed, making the city more compact and meaningful.

Based on feedback from NBA 2K26, NBA 2K27's map design is expected to focus more on convenience and accessibility, allowing players to reach courts faster than before. All important landmarks are expected to be easier to identify, making movement more efficient. Therefore, The City is unlikely to continue expanding in size and may instead become more streamlined.

Another reason is that the development team appears to be gradually shifting resources away from this aspect. Their true focus is likely improving Builder system and player progression, which are the core elements that drive player engagement with microtransactions.

A New Transportation System

Players can currently drive vehicles around The City mode to travel between different stores and courts, but the system has often been criticized for being bulky and inefficient. NBA 2K27 may introduce a more efficient and immersive transportation system.

The evidence comes from the official countdown images, which repeatedly show subway stations and basketball court environments with different themes. The game may place multiple train stations or subway stations in the center or outskirts of the city, with each station connecting to an international-style park.

These courts may no longer exist as one unified Park within the city. Instead, each location could become an independent area with its own unique visual identity. Players may be able to choose a destination and directly enter their preferred court environment through the new transportation system, reducing unnecessary travel time.

Real-Life Courts

Players hope that some real-world basketball courts can appear in NBA 2K27. However, this possibility is relatively unlikely because bringing these locations into the game would require real-world licensing agreements.

The official team may instead create courts with similar styles to avoid licensing issues, or continue rotating original park environments created specifically for the game.

The City Gameplay

The basic functions of The City mode may only receive minor adjustments, while the overall framework is unlikely to undergo major changes. The official team already has a mature operating strategy, and as long as The City mode does not cause revenue declines, there is little reason for them to make a large-scale overhaul.

The harsh reality is that the main source of revenue is not The City mode itself, but encouraging players to repeatedly create new player Builds and engage with microtransactions.

The City mode is expected to retain leaderboards, various brand stores such as the official NBA store, Nike store, and the former 2K League memorial store.

More City Modes

Other modes, including Theater, Stage, Starter 5, and Wreck, will likely remain largely consistent with previous versions.

As for cosmetic content such as jerseys, the game will probably continue using basic and universal designs. Although these areas are frequently criticized on social media, the financial data observed by the official team suggests that they are not the main factors influencing player spending decisions.

Players remain more interested in investing in creating new player Builds rather than demanding major improvements to The City environment.

NBA 2K27's city will not remain completely unchanged. It may preserve the open-world structure while moving toward a more realistic, New York-inspired design and improve travel efficiency through a subway system.

However, major gameplay changes are unlikely, because players have not shown strong dissatisfaction with the current system, and the official team has little motivation to completely redesign it.

NBA 2K27's The City allows players to showcase their MyPLAYER skills, compete on street courts, and experience a more connected basketball world. MyTEAM fans can pre-order NBA 2K27 MT on IGGM to build stronger lineups, collect top players, and prepare for launch competition.

With Termicide 2.0 campaign on most Helldivers 2 servers nearing completion, players are eager for fresh content, and fortunately, the new Lightning Intercept campaign is just around the corner.

As a key part of the shift in game update formats for the latter half of 2026, Lightning Intercept, much like the earlier Termicide 2.0 or Census Thunder, requires you and other players to work together to advance Major Order and unlock ultimate rewards.

Below, we provide an overview of Lightning Intercept Order and offer potential strategies for making progress.

Lightning Intercept participation mechanics

Following Terminid crisis caused by Termicide 2.0, Lightning Intercept campaign introduces an Automaton threat. This faction plans to construct Death Laser to strike Super Earth.

From a narrative standpoint, you and your fellow Helldivers must engage in combat and penetrate deep into enemy territory to gather intelligence on this lethal weapon, aiming to locate and destroy it before the enemy can commit further atrocities.

Interestingly, Lightning Intercept trailer concludes by stating that negotiations will end, and further updates will be issued, once the target's location is confirmed.

But is it truly possible for Helldivers to resolve issues with Automatons or Terminids through negotiation? Perhaps there are hidden secrets at play.

Beyond Automaton-related content, the campaign briefing also announces that Super Earth has secured control of The Void, effectively curbing Illuminates' plans to expand into that region.

However, given the successive appearances of Terminids and Automatons, this may well be a teaser indicating that the next Major Order will focus on Illuminates.

For now, let's turn our attention back to Lightning Intercept. Clearly, completing this order requires mastering combat techniques against Automatons and handling potential intelligence-gathering tasks.

How to defeat Automatons?

As one of the primary enemy factions in Helldivers 2, Automatons are essentially mindless, violent robots, further divided into three specific sub-factions: Jet Brigade, Incineration Corps, and Cyborg Legion.

Unlike battles against Terminids, who rely primarily on melee combat, engagements with Automatons involve ranged projectile weapons, forcing you to fight from a distance.

Therefore, you need to not only boost your character's mobility, ensuring you can quickly reach cover and avoid exposure in open areas, but also equip ranged weapons to deal continuous damage while moving and taking cover.

There are plenty of ranged weapon options in Helldivers 2, but to ensure you complete the current Major Order on time, it is a good idea to buy Helldivers 2 Super Credits on IGGM to unlock advanced Warbonds and select the right gear.

Additionally, if you encounter formidable heavy Automatons like Devastators or Factory Striders, you should shoot their legs to trip them up before focusing your firepower on their actual weak points.

However, if the situation turns against you, do not get bogged down in the fight; break line of sight immediately to reposition or retreat.

New Reward: KDM-500 Outrider

KDM-500 Outrider is a helmet awarded for completing Lightning Intercept campaign. While its specific function isn't yet clear, its appearance suggests it will probably be part of a future armor set.

So, whether you want to secure the full set bonus later or simply prove your skills by completing Lightning Intercept campaign, this helmet is not to be missed.

Interestingly, there is speculation that recent Major Order rewards are actually components of a previously planned but unreleased Warbond, now broken up into free rewards for players. This makes the theory about an upcoming armor set quite plausible.

How does R-4 Hyena perform?

This piece of gear was a reward from the previous campaign. With Termicide 2.0 event drawing to a close, now is the perfect time for a comprehensive review of R-4 Hyena, especially since, if it proves reliable, it could be a valuable asset in completing Lightning Intercept order.

This weapon specializes in incendiary damage. Stat-wise, it boasts 220 damage, a 15-round magazine, 54 recoil, and a fire rate of 190. Compared to other marksman rifles, its standout feature is its high per-shot damage.

R-4 Hyena also offers a satisfying firing experience and supports customization, with various options available for scopes, under-barrel attachments, and more.

In actual combat, R-4 Hyena can take out small enemies in a single shot; for tougher foes, you can utilize the cumulative effect of its incendiary damage to burn them to death.

Functionally, R-4 Hyena is a status-effect weapon, so it ought to excel against elite-tier enemies. Consequently, when facing Automaton faction, it is best suited for engagements with Alpha Commanders, Devastators, and Overseers.

However, its handling is sluggish, with a stat of only 30, making it feel clunky to use. Even more problematic is that, compared to other DMRs, R-4 Hyena lacks any standout advantages or unique features.

Furthermore, regarding its incendiary capabilities, the weapon builds up the burning status too slowly; in the heat of battle, it often fails to trigger the burn effect as quickly as you might hope.

When is the next Warbond coming?

While unlocking free rewards by completing new Major Orders is great, it has been quite a while since the last Helldivers 2 Warbond was released.

You have likely been anticipating Warhammer 40K crossover Warbond ever since it was announced. It is highly probable that this will be the next one - however, repeated delays to the expected release date have left everything uncertain.

Now, all you can do in Helldivers 2 is keep pushing forward in the latest Galactic War campaigns and cooperate with other players to thwart the plots of evil forces! Good luck out there!

Dear players, it's already mid-July, and some of you may still be struggling to complete the entire MLB The Show 26 Live Series collection. This current juncture can be awkward: should you push harder or conserve your stubs to complete All-Star collection?

If you're struggling with this question, then reading the following analysis will probably help you solidify your approach to Live Series in MLB 26.

Cost Overview

Frankly, most players are aiming for the three legendary cards in Live Series - Troy Tulowitzki (99 OVR), Albert Pujols, and Felix Hernandez.

However, when completing Live Series collection, we need to be aware of the potential costs. Keep in mind that a complete set of these cards will cost close to 3 million MLB 26 stubs. To put that into perspective, it's roughly enough to unlock two or three top-tier Headliners or unlock a single 99 OVR card from the auction house.

The crucial point is that it's already mid-July. If this were a newly released game, there would be no hesitation; complete it sooner and enjoy it sooner. But several months have passed since the game's release, with new card pools and events almost weekly or monthly, and the number of top-tier cards circulating in the market is constantly increasing.

Therefore, whether it's worthwhile to complete MLB The Show 26 Live Series now cannot be judged solely by the stats of those three god-tier cards; a breakdown of various aspects is necessary.

Reasons Why it's Worth it

A common view in the community is that completing Live Series provides significant progress rewards for other collections.

It's like a key to unlocking subsequent Legends Collection stages; completing Live Series significantly lowers the difficulty of the entire Legends Collection. So, if you're also eager for Legends Collection, then Live Series is an investment you can't avoid.

Of the three god-tier cards mentioned earlier, Troy Tulowitzki receives the highest rating because his swing animation and hit feedback are incredibly satisfying against both left- and right-handed pitchers.

Albert Pujols is equally formidable; even with relatively limited defensive positions, his power is truly legendary.

Furthermore, let's not forget that Troy Tulowitzki's and Albert Pujols' influence goes far beyond the numbers on their cards. If you patiently acquire them and put these legendary players on the field, it might be more important than the card's stats alone.

Therefore, if you're more than halfway through your Live Series collection and still have some MLB 26 stubs, completing it is definitely worthwhile. Especially for players who have already completed a large portion of their team collection, giving up at this point would be a waste of all your previous efforts, and the resources already invested won't be refunded.

Reasons Why it's Not Worth it

If it's no longer worthwhile to do Live Series, the specific reasons are inseparable from Felix Hernandez.

We must admit that Felix's ball combinations and stats are indeed quite impressive, but to play MLB 26 well, we also need to consider the players' actual performance in matches.

We know that in high-difficulty games of baseball, the core requirement for pitchers is ball speed, but Felix has a hard time reaching the standard of a top starting pitcher.

In online games, if a pitcher loses his speed advantage, it will be difficult for him to win by relying solely on position and pitch trajectory. Therefore, Felix's role in online matches is awkward; he might get beaten as soon as he enters the game.

Of course, if you're playing Mini Seasons and Conquest modes, he's perfectly adequate.

As for Albert Pujols, he's indeed an excellent choice, but not a guaranteed starter. His running speed is somewhat slow, and his defensive range is limited; these weaknesses might be magnified in some matches.

In other words, of those three cards, only Troy Tulowitzki can truly be considered top-tier in MLB The Show 26.

Therefore, spending millions of MLB 26 stubs on Live Series Troy Tulowitzki might not be worthwhile. With the same investment, you could probably assemble a complete starting lineup.

How to decide?

Having understood the reasons for whether or not to participate in a Live Series now, we can consider our actual situation in the game before making a decision.

Assess progress

If you've already completed two-thirds of Live Series Collection, then grit your teeth and finish it off, because giving up now is really not worth it.

However, if you've only completed less than ten teams, it's better to stop early and use the saved stubs for All-Star Collection or wait for later card packs; the cost-effectiveness is higher.

If you're in the middle of your progress, assess whether the cards in the teams you haven't completed are expensive. If they are, stop; if not, strive to complete the entire Live Series.

Consider the Gameplay

If you primarily play Online mode, then Felix Hernandez might not be as appealing. However, if you enjoy offline mode and Mini Seasons, then Felix is ​​worth collecting and more than enough.

If only one of the three cards you receive as a final reward is slightly underwhelming, then completing the entire Live Series will be well worth it.

In short, isn't the point of playing MLB The Show 26 to bring us more fresh experiences from baseball? Don't be intimidated by the huge number of stubs; whatever you choose is worthwhile as long as you're happy.

The Monopoly Go x The Simpsons collaboration, which began in June 2026, is coming to an end. With the official release of Bonus Episode Set 4 on July 15th, this Springfield extravaganza has reached its final collectible Episode Sticker Set. The entire collaboration season will conclude on July 29th with the completion of Set 4 collection.

If you're still regretting not having collected the first three sets, or want to seize this last chance to obtain the collection rewards, then this guide to Episode Sticker Set 4 Bart The Vandal is a must-read.

Episode Set 4 Sticker Lineup

The sticker designs for Bonus Episode Set 4 Bart The Vandal revolve around Bart Simpson's pranks and the chaotic daily life of Springfield in The Simpsons. The complete set includes 9 collectible stickers:

1. Art Attack (1 star)
2. Dad Issue (1 star)
3. Tagging Mr.M (2 stars)
4. Wanted! (2 stars)
5. Train (2 stars)
6. Arrested (3 stars)
7. Who Chould It Be (3 stars)
8. Why You (3 stars)
9. Priceless (4 stars)

Collecting all 9 stickers will reward you with a huge amount of dice and Simpsons-themed decorations.

How to Efficiently Obtain Set 4 Stickers?

Unlike regular sticker packs, Episode Sticker Packs are the only way to obtain Set 4 stickers. These special packs cannot be obtained through daily loot boxes or store purchases; they must be obtained through the following activities:

Quick Wins

This is the most stable source for Episode Sticker Packs. Completing daily Quick Wins will earn you one pack, and these tasks are usually very simple, only taking a few minutes.

Limited-Time Events and Tournaments

Every time an Episode Set is released, Monopoly Go will simultaneously launch a series of themed Tournaments and collaboration events. These events typically include Episode Sticker Packs in their reward pools.

The Simpsons Run

When your dice land on a Free Parking square, Simpsons Run mini-game is triggered. Completing a specific distance or collecting items in this mini-game will earn you Episode Sticker Packs. During Set 4 Bart The Vandal, you can use multipliers and plan your route strategically to increase your chances of landing on a Free Parking square.

Flash Events

Limited-time Flash Events that appear randomly each day in Monopoly Go sometimes offer bonus Episode Sticker Packs as participation rewards. Pay close attention to in-game notifications and don't miss any opportunities to obtain them.

Stickers Trading

All stickers in Monopoly Go are tradable, so trading with friends or community members is the fastest way to complete your collection. It's worth noting that Episode Sets do not include gold stickers, which greatly reduces the difficulty of trading - provided you have enough connections and dice. However, if you're missing a sticker and no one around you has a spare, Monopoly Go Episode stickers for sale on IGGM.com might be your last resort.

Prestige Mode

Like all Episode Sets, Set 4 also supports Prestige completion. This means that after collecting all the stickers once, all stickers will reset, allowing you to collect them a second time. Completing it a second time will unlock additional dynamic avatar borders and rare dice skins, but the difficulty will naturally increase as the deadline approaches, as there may be very few stickers left to exchange in the community. Considering the time pressure, regular players are advised to complete it at least once, and if they have enough dice, they can attempt Prestige.

It's worth noting that since Set 4 is the final set of the entire collaboration event, its rewards may be more valuable than the previous three sets. All players are encouraged to give it their all and not miss this final collection opportunity.

Additionally, after Set 4 ends, all unused Episode stickers will automatically be converted into Star Points, which can be deposited into Vault to redeem regular sticker packs. However, once you redeem your Vault, you will no longer be able to obtain Episode-exclusive rewards, so please be sure to complete the collection before July 29th.

Sprint Strategy and Time Management

With only ten days left, a proper sprint strategy and time management are crucial.

First, make sure you have a sufficient number of dice. During Bonus Episode Set 4, pause other non-essential dice rolls and use all your daily free dice, dice gifted by friends, and other completed reward dice on Set 4-related activities.

Next, remember to prioritize high-reward activities - check the activity list and prioritize activities that include the Bonus Episode Pack and have low milestone requirements.

If you have trustworthy player friends in Monopoly Go or the community, forming a trading group is a wise choice. Create trading groups with as many active friends as possible to share resources. Everyone should list their extra stickers, which can significantly shorten the collection period.

Finally, remember to keep an eye on the daily free gifts. The store refreshes its free gift box daily, occasionally containing an Episode Sticker Pack. Don't forget to claim it; you might just get the one you're missing!

With the release of Bonus Episode Set 4, the entire crossover season has come to a close. This Monopoly Go and The Simpsons crossover content will be removed from the store with the closure of Set 4 Bart The Vandal. No matter how many sets you missed before, grab this last one and you'll still have plenty of Springfield memories.

Remember, completing Set 4 Bart The Vandal isn't just about the dice and decorations; it's about the dual nostalgia for both Monopoly Go and The Simpsons fans. Quickly gather your friends, roll the dice, and piece together the complete Bart The Vandal collection between Art Attack and Priceless!

There is less than a day left until the official launch of Torchlight Infinite SS13. As you face the new season, beyond understanding the various changes it brings, you need to devise a solid strategy to get off to a fast start after the reset.

Notably, the key to boosting farming efficiency early in the season lies not only in combining old and new mechanics but also in leveraging special QoL tips. If you haven't yet found a Season 13 farming strategy that suits you, this guide is here to help!

Focusing on Afterlight and Lunaria

While there are numerous mechanics for obtaining currency and other standard resources in Torchlight Infinite, we recommend focusing on Afterlight and Lunaria for Season 13, doing so offers significant advantages, especially in the early stages.

As the seasonal mechanic for SS13, Afterlight is characterized by high-intensity bursts of action, allowing you to generate substantial returns in a short amount of time.

This mechanic involves escorting a coffin as part of a funeral procession. Along the way, the procession encounters waves of vengeful spirits and monsters; you must keep moving while rapidly eliminating them until you reach the destination and claim your rewards.

It is important to note that the quantity of the final reward depends on your clearing efficiency during the escort; the game displays a real-time status bar to track this.

A green bar indicates excellent clearing speed and optimal status; the procession advances efficiently, spawning more monsters and loot.

A yellow bar signals that the monster spawn rate is exceeding your capacity to handle them; the procession slows down, and the volume of spawns decreases. If the bar turns red, the situation spirals out of control, putting you at risk of death and the loss of everything.

To ensure efficiency, you can buy IGGM Torchlight Infinite Flame Elementium before starting the escort mission to invest in crafting gear and boost your character's power. After all, successful battles will yield even greater rewards!

Additionally, special events may trigger randomly as the procession moves, including Lunaria mechanic carried over from the previous season. This allows you to farm them individually or combine the two strategies for maximum benefit.

Lunaria mechanics guide you to special maps containing harp devices and statues; interacting with them awakens monsters that can be farmed.

During combat, you can use various string effects to alter how enemies spawn or behave; achieving high combo counts further boosts the drop rates for currency and items.

Although Season 13 introduces changes to Lunaria mechanic, they are designed to maximize your rewards. So, whenever the effect triggers during the Funeral Procession phase, be sure to seize the opportunity!

Enhancing maps and gear

Beyond these special mechanics, entering Netherrealm system in Torchlight Infinite allows you to earn even greater rewards through mapping. However, this gameplay carries higher risks, making gear enhancement essential.

To this end, in SS13, you should first use currency to enhance your maps, a process commonly known as oiling or juicing. Simultaneously, utilize Embers and Flame Sand collected via Afterlight and Lunaria to craft your gear.

Once your gear setup is solid, consider investing a few points into Sandlord system to increase the chance of it appearing in your maps; this allows you to gain extra passive income through Oasis mechanic.

Later, you can shift your focus to farming Beacons or try out Cube mechanic. If you have a well-developed Cube talent tree and a Dream-related pet, but prefer not to farm Dream mechanic itself, try configuring your pet to focus on Cube instead.

If successful, this strategy allows for rapid progression in SS13 and can help you secure one or two top-tier Slates early on.

Another excellent early-season option is Black Sail. It allows you to farm Scraps, an item that typically retains high value throughout the entire season.

Notably, maps can drop Snowpaper Fragments even without Frozen Canvas mechanic active. These fragments sell very well and have a high drop rate.

Finally, if your mapping speed is slow, investing at least 16 points into God of War talent tree can help. After all, greater speed means more FE and crafting materials, enabling you to boost your character's power in SS13 as quickly as possible.

Efficient keybindings

Once you've mastered these core farming strategies, there are some unexpected details that can further boost efficiency and reduce strain, such as reconfiguring your in-game keybindings in Torchlight Infinite.

We anticipate that Season 13, like most previous seasons, will feature a mechanic requiring manual activation within the map, often with a default keybind that feels awkward to use. You should remap this to a key that feels natural to you, such as the easily accessible 1 key.

Additionally, the default key for Torchlight: Infinite's auto-pickup function is A. If you set all your skills to auto-cast, you can simply hold down A while traversing the map, allowing the system to automatically collect all loot and saving you a significant amount of time.

However, this strategy relies on having a reliable loot filter set up; otherwise, sorting through the collected items later will end up consuming even more time.

You can also hold Left Alt key to display all dropped items and temporarily disable the loot filter, allowing you to pick up items that would otherwise be hidden. Binding this function to a key that is easily accessible during map runs can greatly improve your gameplay experience.

Further keybind adjustments depend largely on the specific playstyle or mechanics you choose for mapping. For instance, if you frequently farm bosses, it is essential to set up a convenient hotkey for Town Portal.

Using the built-in Town Portal function during a boss fight teleports you to a random location, whereas your own Town Portal returns you directly to NPC, facilitating quick, repeated boss farming.

Beyond keybinds, if you don't yet have a custom, highly efficient combat setup, we recommend enabling Auto-Channeling feature found in the combat settings.

Once enabled, this feature allows certain skills to channel continuously without requiring you to hold down the key. Although you need to reactivate it upon entering a new map, it offers significant convenience overall.

It is also worth noting that Season 13 introduces an option to increase the cursor size. If you have previously found the mouse cursor too small or difficult to track, be sure to adjust this setting once the new season launches.

These are just a few strategies to help you boost your farming efficiency in Season 13. Take some notes and get ready to become a Night Watcher in Netherrealm!