Torchlight Infinite SS13 Afterlight Endgame Issues | Weak Season Rewards and Unbalanced Progression

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• Torchlight Infinite SS13 High-Yield Options for Swapping Dream Pets: How to Avoid Wasting Your Past Pactspirits?

  Since the launch of Torchlight Infinite Season 13, have you utilized pets to assist with your early-season farming and leveling? After all, depending on specific mechanics or builds, pets can sometimes provide unexpected advantages.

  With that in mind, if you don't plan to engage heavily with Dream mechanic this season, be sure to refund or swap out your Dream Pactspirits for different seasonal or core pets. This maximizes your returns while preventing your previous investments from going to waste.

  So, which Pactspirits should you swap your existing Dream pets for to gain the greatest combat advantage in Afterlight season? We offer some suggestions below.

  

  Farming value of mechanics in SS13

  Most Torchlight Infinite pets come with high-yield bonuses linked to specific seasonal mechanics. To maximize your SS13 returns using Dream pet conversion feature, you first need to identify which mechanics are worth exploiting this season.

  To begin with, the new Afterlight mechanic and Lunatic mechanic carried over from the previous season, remain key gameplay elements. Beyond these, Black Sail is another mechanic you should prioritize in Season 13.

  Stages with Black Sail affix offer extremely high returns early in the season, though their value gradually declines as the season progresses. In contrast, the value of Black Sail invitations, used to challenge bosses, tends to rise as the season moves forward.

  It is also worth noting that Black Sail loot pool in Afterlight Season now includes an item called Tide of the Styx, which is ideal for Life Stacker builds.

  Another consistently important mechanic is Cube. Slates, Wedges, and Starlights farmed through this mechanic are crucial for game progression.

  While their value may gradually decrease as the season advances, they are indispensable during the initial progression phase. Additionally, high-value loot can still drop in the mid-to-late season, though the odds are akin to gambling.

  Notably, Afterlight mechanic is closely linked to Slate system, which may keep Slates highly valuable to farm throughout the season. Therefore, farming Cube in SS13 is an effective way to accumulate more Torchlight Infinite Flame Elementium.

  Starfish Chanter - Black Sail

  As a legendary Pactspirit for Black Sail mech, Starfish Chanter is highly reliable even at C1, at least during the early stages of Season 13. C6 version offers roughly 30% greater effectiveness.

  At the start of the new season, you can generate solid returns by farming threads and memory scraps. Additionally, C1 Starfish Chanter excels at farming invitations.

  In contrast, C6 Starfish Chanter is better suited for farming memory-related items, such as specific Hero Memories, thanks to the significant boost it provides to drop quantities.

  Rainbowpaint - Frozen Canvas

  You will probably need this Pactspirit at C6 to make it truly effective; at that level, it helps you acquire more Snow Paper, a crucial resource for Frozen Canvas mechanic. You can sell these for extra Flame Elementium or use them to delve deeper into Canvas gameplay.

  However, be aware that farming Canvas mechanic places significant pressure on survivability, with dangerous debuffs scattered across the ground. If you haven't played this mode much before, it is best to research it thoroughly to avoid common pitfalls.

  Jestress - Arcana

  This Pactspirit reliably boosts the rewards from Arcana mechanic, specifically by increasing the drop rate of Destiny Chests, which helps you acquire Flame Elementium faster.

  For Jestress, however, we still recommend C6 version, as Arcana mechanic relies heavily on Compasses.

  While Jestress helps you secure abundant loot while mitigating some survival risks, it is still advisable to craft a tanky build when engaging with Arcana mechanic, just to be safe.

  Note that this is an out-of-map mechanic; if you plan to switch to it in Torchlight Infinite Season 13, make sure you actually enjoy this style of gameplay.

  

  Moonshadow Guide - Sandlord

  Moonshadow Guide offers solid returns on laborers right from the start, and C6 version is exceptional, as it significantly increases the chance of doubling your loot.

  Honestly, this is useful at any stage, especially when farming belt-crafting materials and raw resources. Belt-crafting materials are essential for creating endgame gear, and the resulting belts are incredibly helpful for early-game progression.

  In the early stages of Torchlight Infinite Season 13, you can frequently send small shipments to the islands, while in the late game, you should send large shipments to Utopia. Additionally, gliders can generate a substantial income of Flame Elementium and detectors.

  Note that belt crafting appears to have level thresholds: Level 90 yields belts of item levels 82-85, whereas Level 95+ yields item level 86 belts. Therefore, it is best to avoid dedicated farming for this until you reach these levels.

  Furthermore, this playstyle is not well-suited for ZHP builds; monsters may drop in and begin channeling attacks against you while you are unable to retaliate, which will almost certainly result in your death.

  Prof. SOURCE - Carjack

  This combination of Pactspirit and endgame mechanic is only worth pursuing at C6 level. Carjack affix is essential for crafting endgame weapons, and this farming strategy can yield excellent gear or Flame Elementium.

  With Prof. SOURCE, you gain an 18-22% chance to recode and duplicate rewards obtained from Carjack or Tower Co. Central Vaults.

  If you have fully invested in the relevant talent tree nodes, farming Carjack at Tier 8 difficulty yields great results. Even without using any compasses, you can achieve an income of approximately 1,000 FE per hour.

  However, if possible, it is best to pair Carjack mechanic with an Orange Compass. If you unlock Profound affix early and use an Orange Compass to farm Priceless tier gear, the final returns can be massive.

  These are the recommended Pactspirit options for Torchlight Infinite Season 13. You can convert Dream Pactspirits you don't intend to use into new ones, or simply try them all out to see which suits your Season 13 playstyle best!

• Torchlight Infinite SS13 Afterlight Early-Farming Strategies Tier List | Best Seasonal Mechanics Ranked by Profitability

  Torchlight Infinite SS13 Afterlight has begun, and with it comes yet another farming option. As the core mechanic of this season, Afterlight naturally ranks among the most efficient for loot acquisition, but we should not overlook the other seasonal systems either.

  Many mechanics remain highly competitive during the early phase of the season, though their returns tend to taper off later. If you have already entered the endgame and are looking for direction in your farming routine, the following ranking of seasonal mechanics by profitability should serve as a useful reference.

  

  Tier S

  Afterlight

  Afterlight mechanic essentially revolves around escort missions. Your charge moves at a fairly brisk pace, and along the way, waves of enemies continuously assault your protected target.

  The more foes you eliminate, the faster the cart advances. Hence, as long as you can keep the area around the cart clear of monsters, it will maintain a high travel speed.

  Loot drops intermittently during the journey, and you may also head straight to the endpoint and wait for the final reward distribution. Various random events will trigger throughout the process to boost your gains.

  This mechanic favours builds that deal high damage and possess wide aoe capabilities; insufficient clear speed will cause a noticeable drop in efficiency.

  Lunaria

  Lunaria has also been incorporated into the core game, and the official team has accelerated and simplified its systems to make it more accessible for crafting.

  Legendary Lunar Strings will now drop from the very beginning, and each is guaranteed to carry at least one orange affix. You can directly trade for Lunar Strings you need, and any extras can be sold to other players.

  Lunaria also features its own independent talent tree, allowing you to focus on enhancing the drop rates of Memories tied to specific heroes.

  Since Lunaria essentially functions as a mechanic that increases monster density within maps, it is very likely to become one of the most popular farming choices in SS13 once again.

  Cube

  Cube is an exceptionally strong early-season strategy. Once you enter a map, you will encounter various Desire Incarnations, and killing them drops Desire Crystals. At the end of the map, you can spend these crystals at Cube to draw rewards.

  If you feel lucky, you may also opt for Greed mode, which offers a 50/50 gamble: either your reward doubles or you lose everything.

  The effectiveness of Cube strategies heavily relies on Pactspirits; only high-level, Cube-exclusive Pactspirits can keep this mechanic competitive into the mid-to-late game. That said, it remains perfectly viable without them during the early stages.

  Blacksail

  Blacksail is a very fast-paced mechanic that demands almost no investment in map costs or talent points, so it is often paired with other content. Due to its brisk rhythm, it is most frequently combined with Nightmare.

  Its primary rewards revolve around Hero Memory-related resources, such as Memory Threads and hero Memories themselves. The ceiling for returns is not exceptionally high, but the income is quite stable. It performs remarkably well during the first week of each season, though its profitability gradually declines after one or two weeks.

  Once your build slightly outscales the bosses, the mechanic becomes smooth and enjoyable, offering a low-intensity, relaxing experience. Blacksail Pactspirits are certainly beneficial, but they are by no means essential for turning a profit.

  Sandlord

  Sandlord is highly profitable in the early season because its main reward is Sandalwood Incense. Early on, individual incense items can sell for hundreds or even thousands of Torchlight Infinite Flame Elementium, generating significant income.

  Sandlord will not deliver top-tier endgame returns, yet it carries virtually no upfront cost, and the vast majority of its rewards are easily obtainable. Even without the exclusive drop-related Pactspirit, your earnings remain largely unaffected, so you can attach this strategy to almost any mapping routine.

  Mistville

  Mistville is a highly distinctive mechanic with a touch of rogue-like elements. Each run essentially plays out like a board game, where you must progress and complete small stage objectives to move forward.

  You possess a Sanity meter that depletes each turn, and throughout the run you will acquire various items that influence your Sanity and the direction of your turns. The drop pet for this mechanic is not especially critical; going without it does not significantly reduce your returns.

  Rewards include Activation Mediums, which enable skill automation. These are extremely valuable early in the season, and certain pieces with good rolls maintain high worth throughout the entire season.

  Tier A

  Frozen Canvas

  Frozen Canvas primarily rewards alternative support gems for skills, and you need to roll favourable support gems to realise a profit.

  However, if you run this strategy frequently enough, it is nearly impossible not to turn a profit, because the investment cost is minimal and the margin is extremely high. What it truly demands is your time.

  Outlaw

  Outlaw spawns a massive number of monsters, and these monsters come with substantial bonuses to rarity and quantity.

  Thanks to the sheer volume of foes, its loot output is astonishing. It can easily fill your entire screen with Flame Elementium, exclusive drops, and even extremely rare Memories.

  Outlaw mechanic requires a fairly high clear speed to operate efficiently, and pets also play a critical role in endgame performance. If you can access Time Arcade relatively early in the season, it also serves as a decent early-season strategy.

  Vorax

  Vorax resembles Outlaw in terms of rewards: you use cards to customise the number of monsters and the bonuses they grant. The combination of cards determines your payout, so this mechanic has a bit of complexity, but the returns are absolutely impressive.

  The exclusive legendary Pactspirit for Vorax is important for ensuring consistent profitability. Yet even without it, you can still generate good income, because items related to Vorax crafting are likely to remain in constant demand among high-end players.

  Tier B

  Arcana

  Arcana requires you to collect cards, each of which triggers a specific event within the map. After gathering eight cards, you enter an arcane mini-game and ultimately fight a battle for rewards.

  Arcana is not an easy mechanic to pick up; you need to study its workings carefully. If your build falls short, it can be quite dangerous, and the mechanic is also fairly dependent on Pactspirits.

  Overwhelm

  Overwhelm, in simple terms, tasks you with killing as many monsters as possible within a timed map. After completing one layer, you have the chance to proceed to the next layer for more rewards, stacking up to four layers.

  Overwhelm offers not only exclusive rewards like Ethereal Prism but also a large quantity of high-value currency, such as Torchlight Infinite Flame Elementium and Memories.

  This strategy exhibits considerable volatility, especially when you underinvest. At the same time, it relies heavily on Key of Overrealm; you almost must have it to make the strategy significantly effective, making it a late-game endeavour.

  Dark Surge

  Dark Surge is completely unviable until you pour in a very high level of investment; it is by no means a free-to-play-friendly strategy. Nevertheless, if you are interested in it and do not mind the cost of acquiring the relevant pets, its output can be substantial.

  Dark Surge is not a good early-season choice; it leans more toward the mid-to-late game and is typically run in Profane Time or Deep Space.

  Tier C

  Aeterna

  Aeterna plays similarly to Delve mechanic from Path of Exile, with rewards growing richer as you go deeper.

  This is a very challenging mechanic; profits remain modest before you reach the profound depths, which in turn demand a fairly high-end build. That said, Pactspirits for this strategy are not mandatory - even a level-1 pet can bring a considerable boost to your earnings.

  Clockwork Ballet

  Clockwork Ballet is the premier source of compasses. If you are willing to invest, it can be considered a top-tier strategy, but you will need substantial DPS.

  Furthermore, you require two different legendary drop-related Pactspirits to make this mechanic a particularly powerful mapping strategy, so it is not very newcomer-friendly.

  Nightmare

  Nightmare used to be an excellent early-farming choice, offering a wide variety of rewards. However, in Season 13, Dream Talking drops have been removed, so it no longer holds that advantage.

  The above concludes the profitability ranking for each mechanic in Torchlight Infinite SS13 Afterlight during the early league phase. Mechanics ranked lower do not necessarily yield poor returns; rather, they may simply require greater investment to shine.

• Torchlight Infinite SS13 Charge Calling Moto Build Guide: From Start to T8 Maps with Reworked Machine Lord Helmet

  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!

• Torchlight Infinite SS13 Early Stage Farming Strategies and Hidden Keybindings Help You Dominate Afterlight Launch

  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!

• Torchlight Infinite SS13 Afterlight Starter Build Tier List | Top Characters for Fast Leveling

  Once Torchlight Infinite SS13 begins, choosing a build that offers high efficiency and fast leveling becomes the top priority. During the early progression phase, players need a build that can carry them to around Time Mark 7 as quickly as possible.

  At this stage, the primary considerations are how rapidly the build comes online, how heavily it depends on gear, and how effectively it clears maps. Endgame strength is not the deciding factor, though it certainly counts as a welcome bonus if your build also performs well later on. Below is the tier ranking for season start builds in SS13 Afterlight.

  

  Tier S

  Selena 2: Dance of the Deep

  Selena 2 comes with a brand-new exclusive talent tree, and if we rank by novelty, she absolutely belongs in Tier S. Moreover, whenever the game introduces fresh content, the new character traditionally receives significant support, with the development team ensuring sufficient power levels.

  Combined with her custom talent tree, Selena 2 offers many distinct playstyle variants. At the same time, the game is undergoing a massive overhaul of Terra system.

  As a result, whether you plan to build her as a hit-based character or a damage-over-time specialist, you will find a suitable Terra configuration. In short, there are numerous directions to explore her potential, and she is expected to be exceptionally powerful.

  Yuga 2: Spacetime Elapse

  Yuga 2's Mind Control variant excels during the early leveling phase. Although the talent tree has removed the channel stacks for Mind Control, SS13 introduces a support skill, Channeled Depths, that directly provides two additional maximum channel stacks.

  This does occupy a valuable support slot in the later game, but it represents a huge power boost early on. Furthermore, the new Terra system may also suit him very well.

  Rayhan 2: Seething Silhouette

  Rayhan 2 has received notable buffs as well. Seething Spirit no longer suffers from a 30% attack speed penalty; instead, it gains a substantial damage bonus equal to 30% of your character's damage output, and the attack speed malus has been removed. This greatly improves his damage potential.

  In SS12, Rayhan 2 was already a popular starting choice for many players, with some speed-focused players reaching Time Mark 7 within three hours. With these enhancements, his pace may become even faster.

  Iris 1: Growing Breeze

  Thanks to adjustments to summoner-related mechanics and the addition of new bond skills, Iris 1 has received major defensive improvements without sacrificing offensive capability.

  She may not be the fastest character in the game, but she can comfortably carry you into T8 maps, allowing you to accumulate Torchlight Infinite Flame Elementium for other builds or continue progressing all the way to Profound and beyond.

  Erika 1: Wind Stalker

  Erika 1 is a relatively fragile character, yet she remains one of the swiftest in the game. Her late-game scaling is also solid, so you do not need to switch to another build after reaching the endgame.

  That said, she is not for everyone; if your mechanical execution is less than stellar, you will find yourself dying frequently during the early stages.

  

  Tier A

  Bing 1: Blast Nova

  Since the game has removed most easy ways for characters to obtain extra projectiles, the development team has essentially redefined Bing 1's core identity, making him revolve almost entirely around attack-based projectile skills.

  After the rework, when he uses projectile attack skills, he throws multiple bombs at once. In addition, he gains extra projectiles, a host of bonuses, and excellent quality-of-life improvements that let him fully leverage this mechanic.

  In SS12, Bing 1 was only moderately strong, but based on the announced changes, this adjustment should work greatly in his favor, and he is predicted to be very formidable.

  Thea 3: Blasphemer

  Although Thea 3's Erosion damage and her signature item, Ruinous Star, have been nerfed, which may limit her late-game potential, she remains a top-tier starter during the early and mid phases by relying on Haunting Abomination or Mind Control setups.

  Gemma 2: Frostbitten Heart

  Gemma 2's Frost Terra variant has been weakened because the removal of the maximum entanglement stack cap has reduced the effectiveness of her entanglement build. Nevertheless, she still has other alternatives.

  With Terra system rework, pairing her with that system or new frost spells could become her strongest playstyle. She remains a powerful option.

  In the early stages, freeze effects help you easily navigate the pre-gear phase, providing reliable defensive control and making progression very smooth.

  Sage: Licorice Note

  Sage has received some nerfs, including reduced movement speed and fewer projectiles, while her previous 100% damage recoup has been changed to redirect damage to her summons.

  This means you lose that nearly infinite sustained recovery, but you can now shift a large portion of incoming damage to your minions through new pathways.

  She still retains solid defensive capabilities. The main drawback is slightly lower early damage, yet you can rely on your summons, so the leveling process remains quite comfortable.

  Tier B

  Rosa 1: High Court Chariot

  Rosa 1 has seen few changes and remains a reliable, time-tested build. During the early game, certain niche tactics allow Rosa 1 to lure mobs into chain explosions that quickly eliminate bosses, enabling rapid progression into Deep Space.

  However, this is a specific playstyle that demands good mechanical understanding and execution, and it is not consistently reliable.

  Gemma 1: Icefire Fusion

  Gemma 1 requires multiple interlocking components - skills, gear, and talents - to reach full effectiveness. Since these items are difficult to assemble during the early leveling phase, progressing with her will be more challenging.

  Tier C

  Rosa 2: Unsullied Blade

  Rosa 2 finds herself in a less favorable position. Her mana-stacking setup has become considerably harder to put together, because the relevant gear now drops mainly in Deep Space, especially the mana-stacking gloves. Without those gloves, her damage drops significantly.

  These gloves were already very costly in the previous season, and with their drop rate further reduced, they are now even rarer and harder to obtain. She is not suited for league starting, but if you manage to gather all the required equipment, she might be one of the strongest endgame characters.

  That concludes the tier ranking for character starters in Torchlight: Infinite SS13 Afterlight. A starter build does not necessarily have to be overwhelmingly powerful; its primary goal is to get you into the endgame quickly and allow you to farm resources efficiently, preparing gear and materials for your second character.

• Torchlight Infinite SS13 Afterlight Preview: Seasonal Mechanic, Hero Trait, and More New Content | How to Prepare for This Season?

  Although the official launch of Torchlight Infinite SS13 is still a few days away, the recent livestream and released patch notes provide a comprehensive overview of Season 13.

  To ensure you are fully prepared for Afterlight season, we present a complete preview based on all known information, covering the seasonal mechanic, the new trait for the hero Selena, and more.

  

  New seasonal mechanic

  As with previous seasons, the seasonal mechanic for Torchlight Infinite SS13 shares the season's title: Afterlight. In short, it requires you to follow a coffin, much like the funeral procession shown in the teaser.

  During the procession, you will encounter challenges marked by indicators showing one of three states: red, yellow, or green. You must maintain your pace to keep the indicator within the green zone.

  If the color shifts to yellow, it means the procession is spawning too many monsters and your clearing speed is insufficient. If it turns red, the situation has spiraled out of control; you risk imminent death, or the procession may vanish entirely.

  Additionally, special events may trigger during the procession, seemingly depending on the character inside the coffin, and there is even a chance to trigger Season 12 Lunaria gameplay mechanics.

  Whether you complete the escort or the additional events, you will earn various rewards, including Torchlight Infinite Flame Elementium. Combining these activities, provided your clearing speed is high enough, should yield even greater rewards.

  To make the most of this new seasonal mechanic, you should prioritize builds with excellent map-clearing efficiency for Torchlight Infinite SS13.

  It is also worth noting that the new seasonal mechanic introduces a special type of item known as Nether King's Divinity Slates. These come in various unique shapes and can be rolled to obtain highly distinctive and powerful affixes.

  Judging by the list of available special affixes, the potential power ceiling is extremely high, depending entirely on the specific affixes you roll. This will revolutionize the existing Divinity Slate system, offering a wider range of options for build crafting.

  While full details regarding these new Divinity Slates remain scarce, likely to be revealed gradually after the official Season 13 launch, new seasons typically bring generous rewards.

  New Hero Trait

  Season 13 introduces a second Hero Trait for Selena: Dance of the Deep. Unlike her first trait, Dance of the Deep does not lock Selena into a fixed position while casting; instead, it allows certain skills to move across the battlefield along with her.

  More importantly, this trait utilizes a brand-new branching Hero Trait system, offering a wider range of character setup options rather than limiting you to a single path.

  Naturally, the addition of a new Hero Trait brings with it new skills, gear, and Pact Spirits; if you plan to play Dance of the Deep Selena in Season 13, you will need to understand and master these elements.

  Optimizations to Lunaria mechanic

  Although the launch of Afterlight season marks the end of SS12, Lunaria gameplay introduced in that season has not only been retained but also optimized to further enrich your overall experience in the new season.

  To engage with this mechanic, you must first use harp devices found on maps to awaken, and subsequently defeat, dormant monsters.

  In SS13, all farmable harps have been standardized to Legendary quality, thereby lowering the barrier to entry for Lunaria mechanic.

  Furthermore, Torchlight: Infinite has integrated Lunaria mechanic into Void Chart, allowing you to configure the system to target and farm specific, superior affixes more precisely.

  

  Other adjustments

  Starting in Season 13, you will no longer be able to apply Dream-related affixes to your gear, as they have been removed. While the dream content itself remains in the game, the core rewards are no longer obtainable.

  Adjustments have also been made to affix configurations on Priceless gear. Gear featuring Sweet Dream type affixes will now be significantly more powerful.

  Hero Trait buffs and nerfs

  While you might be inclined to try out new Hero Traits like Dance of the Deep Selena in the new season, existing traits have also received buffs, and choosing them could offer you a distinct advantage.

  Therefore, familiarizing yourself with these Hero Trait adjustments is essential for preparing for SS13.

  Notably, Rehan 2 has received a massive buff. Previously, Fury Onslaught reduced attack speed and provided only a 48% self-damage bonus; now, it grants a 78% self-damage bonus and no longer penalizes attack speed.

  However, note that these values only apply at Level 5; while the stat scaling curve from Level 1 remains unknown, this is clearly a damage buff.

  Thea Incarnation of the Gods has also received some improvements. Possessing a Blessing now expands Divine Realm's range, stacking up to six times. Additionally, Divine Realm now prioritizes triggering on nearby enemies, and the damage bonus has been slightly increased.

  In contrast, Scent Weaver Sage trait, introduced last season, has been comprehensively nerfed. While the impact on component effects is relatively minor, the nerf to Pungent Stimulant Salt is significant, particularly because this skill dictates how elixir skills interact with empower skills.

  Erica 3 has also been nerfed. Curiously, however, this trait has never seen high usage rates, making the nerf seem rather unnecessary.

  That covers the key information you need to know about Torchlight: Infinite SS13 Afterlight. The season launches in three days; if you're interested, be sure to pick a hero trait that suits your playstyle and embark on your new adventure!