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Should you build for Armour or Evasion in Path of Exile 2? There are numerous defensive options available to you in Path of Exile 2, with two of the best to focus on being Armour and Evasion. Both stats are competitive, but which one actually edges out between the two? Is Armour or Evasion better in Path of Exile 2? While it would be very easy to give you a direct answer to this question, the truth is: Path of Exile 2 is a complex game, and there is no clear-cut answer thanks to the sheer volume of options available to you. There are countless scenarios where Armour is better than Evasion, and Evasion is better than Armour, so rather than directly comparing these two defensive stats, I'll explain their use cases along with their strengths and weaknesses, for your information. Armour The value of building for Armour on a character in Path of Eixle 2 is pretty straightforward, though the weaknesses of doing so may not be. Armour is a damage mitigation stat, meaning it directly interfaces and interacts with all other forms of damage mitigation . These refer to additional stats like resistances and physical damage reduction. With higher amounts of Armour, physical damage reduction increases, though it is a separate modifier to your actual damage reduction. Confusing I know, but hear me out without all the mathematical jargon. When stacking Armour, you value significantly reducing damage taken (specifically burst damage), allowing you to stay in the thick of battle without concern for your own safety. A character with high Armour shrugs off even the most powerful physical blows and can take quite a beating before being put down. Armour is at its highest value when built with high resistance and health, making you extremely tanky and consistent with health loss in a fight. The downside to building Armour is that it is purely a damage reduction stat, and not an avoidance one. Ideally, you'd flat out never want to take any damage, as no damage taken means no health loss. Characters that focus on Armour, however, sacrifice this aspect to make sure the damage they do take is manageable. They do not care about avoiding it, and this can be a big downside when the damage being dished out is so high that Armour is not enough. Evasion In contrast to Armour, Evasion is a very powerful Avoidance stat meant to prevent you from taking damage outright. A character with Evasion built as the focus avoids almost all damage taken by simply dodging it. The more Evasion is stacked, the more powerful the stat becomes, as every point reduces the odds of suffering a blow. If you're not taking damage, you're not using your limited flasks, which is highly beneficial in the endgame of Path of Exile 2. In terms of power, Evasion is stronger than Armour, but with a much larger drawback when compared to it. Screenshot by Destructoid Evasion's greatest weakness is the accuracy of your enemies. Even with capped-out Evasion, you can never build a character with so much of the stat that you become untouchable entirely. This is because enemies have an Accuracy stat that is rolled against your Evasion stat in the background; if the enemy's Accuracy wins, you'll suffer a blow, and because you aren't built with Armour, the blow will hurt a lot. While stacking Evasion, you won't get hit often, but when you do, you'll need to immediately hit your potion button, especially during the endgame. Speaking of which, suffering a blow from an Atlas map enemy could kill you outright without allowing you to recover, so keep this in mind when stacking Evasion. So, while Evasion is technically better as it prevents damage, this is only the case in a situation where you cannot be hit, which is impossible to achieve. Meanwhile, Armour is the consistent, constant option that you cannot go wrong with. The post Should you build for Armour or Evasion in Path of Exile 2? appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 17

Best Early Game Witch Spells in Path of Exile 2 Starting off Path of Exile 2 with a Witch can be a rewarding experience assuming you're using the most useful early-game spells. The best ones allow you to rip the life from your foes while your undead engage the enemy head-on. Strongest Early Game Witch Spells in Path of Exile 2 Despite all classes sharing access to the same passive tree, each one starts at a different location that typically favors their standard playstyle. By choosing the Witch, an Intellect class, you'll begin life around Minion Damage and Mana-related nodes, and using skills that reflect these nodes is ideal. Skeletal Warrior Screenshot by Destructoid Skeletal Warrior is one of the first skills a Witch will have access to, and its usefulness in the early game cannot be understated. Skeletal Warriors have high health pools and can block attacks, making extremely valuable tanks for you while you cast from the backline. What's more, Skeletal Warriors have a naturally higher threat, meaning enemies will more often than not ignore you in favor of your undead minion. You'll need to make use of the Spirit resource to summon Skeletal Warriors, but even having one out near the beginning can be enough for you to get your casts off, uninterrupted. Essence Drain Screenshot by Destructoid Early-game witches are all about undead minions and Chaos Magic, and Essence Drain fits the Chaos department. As a spell, Essence Drain launches a small chaos bolt at whatever you're aiming at. If the bolt connects with an enemy, it will begin to drain life from them, dealing massive Chaos AoE (Area of Effect) damage while it is active. Essence Drain has no inherent cooldown, so it is the perfect go-to spell for any situation where you need to cast offensive magic against the enemy. Unearth Screenshot by Destructoid Despite Witches being all about using minions in the early game, you really don't have enough Spirit to create that undead legion you're probably wondering about. Skeletal minions require significant amounts, and in the early game, you'll only be able to summon one or two. That's where Unearth comes in. This spell lets you summon a hoard of undead scorpions from the corpses of foes it hits. It launches in a cone in front of you, summoning the beasts all at once if several corpses are hit at the same time. While these creatures are quite weak, you can have a hoard of summoned at any given time, making it perfect for supporting you while you cast. Skeletal Arsonist Screenshot by Destructoid In terms of raw DPS, the Skeletal Arsonist is difficult to compete with for an early-game Witch. This minion requires even more Spirit than the Skeletal Warrior, but if you can summon it, you'll get a pet that will dish out high AoE fire damage at a constant rate, allowing for better wave clear. The true power of the Skeletal Arsonist lies in its special ability to detonate other undead minions under your command. This ability hits extremely hard, and it is a potent tool for a young up-and-coming Witch looking to dish out some death and destruction. Flame Wall Just because you're playing a Witch doesn't mean you have to stick to casting Occult spells all the time. Enter Flame Wall, one of the best spells in Path of Exile 2, and it's available early on as well. Flame Wall dishes out significant Fire damage while also applying a guaranteed Ignite to any targets that are foolish enough to walk through it. Even better, if you, or your minions, are using projectiles of any kind, if they pass through your Flame Wall, they'll be buffed up with additional Fire damage. I'm an end-game Witch, and I'm still using Flame Wall as one of my main abilities, so don't underestimate it. Spark Screenshot by Destructoid In terms of raw damage, Spark pretty much outclasses every other early-game spell due to its sheer natural AoE power. Its damage is no joke, and its tiny mana cost makes Spark an incredibly valuable option for any Witch. The Witch's greatest weakness is AoE at the start, so take Spark to make sure that weakness is properly covered. Contagion Screenshot by Destructoid Returning to the Occult spell set, Contagion functions similarly to Essence Drain in that it is a potent DoT (Damage over Time) spell that rots away the enemy. However, unlike Essence Drain, Contagion does much less damage to a single target, but when that target dies, it spreads to all enemies nearby. Every time it spreads, Contagion gets a big damage boost, spreading endlessly until everything in the vicinity is dead or dying. It is a great AoE primer spell for setting up wave clear for the Witch and functions well when combined with Spark. The post Best Early Game Witch Spells in Path of Exile 2 appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 16

Ranked: The five best Castlevania games Castlevania is a very personal series for me. I grew up with the franchise from the very first game's wondrous release, through my utter confusion with Simon's Quest , all the way full circle to the newest iteration of the franchise, Lords of Shadow -- Mirror of Fate . Symphony of the Night was there for me during one of the toughest times of my childhood. My wife and I bonded over the original Castlevania , and it was one of the first games we ever beat together. I have a million of these stories, and for good reason. The art of Castlevania is always beautiful, the music is practically unparalleled, and the series itself moved the entire industry forward on a number of occasions. To celebrate this amazing franchise, here are the five best games that it has to offer. As a side note, I have been playing Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate as of yesterday. Reviews are all over the place , and personally, I find it to be a serviceable 2D platformer. No, it's not the classic Castlevania you know and love, but just like Lords of Shadow , it manages to strike a decent compromise and acclimate itself to the genre to the point where most people would have fun with it. There are exploration elements, but they feel limited -- and as a warning, yes, there are some QTEs. I wouldn't consider it even close to worthy of this list, but then again, these are some of the best games of all time on offer here. As usual, the following list is in no particular order. Super Castlevania IV ( Super Nintendo - 1991, Virtual Console - 2006) What Castlevania list would be complete without Super Castlevania ? A revolution at the time, Super brought Castlevania into the new era of 16-bit, with a mind-blowing array of graphical prowess, and an incredible soundtrack to boot. Protagonist Simon Belmont could now whip in eight directions, hold out his whip to utilize a new attack and grapple select hooks. You could also (gasp!) control your character while jumping, and crouch walk. As a result, players had more control over Simon's actions, creating a more action-oriented feel. In short, it sought to keep the franchise from being antiquated, and it succeeded. If you haven't played it yet, definitely make time soon to do so -- it still holds up, even if Egoraptor thinks that all of these new freedoms of control result in a less complex game overall. Castlevania: Curse of Darkness ( PlayStation 2, Xbox - 2005) I love the art direction for Curse of Darkness , to the point where visually, it's probably my favorite in the franchise. Although the level designs weren't always up to par in the first portion of the game, the art and character designs are so beautiful, that they ended up spawning a two volume manga spinoff. Another reason why I enjoy Curse of Darkness is how original it is, and how Konami managed to keep the game fresh, yet distinctly Castlevania . Instead of yet another Belmont, this game features Hector, a former Devil Forgemaster for Dracula. Hector's quarrel deals with his former friend, Isaac, who murdered his wife. There's a ton of content here, including a fully explorable castle, tons of items to collect, a complex level system involving familiars, and a fully playable Trevor Belmont. It plays like a mix of Lament of Innocence and Symphony of the Night, which is incredibly unique from a gameplay perspective. Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (PC Engine - 1993, Wii Virtual Console - 2010, SNES [remake] - 1995, PSP [remake] - 2007) The release schedule of Rondo of Blood is a confusing riddle that took me years to decipher. Originally, it was released in 1993 as a Japan-only title for the PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16). It had multiple paths, a super ability that lets you go berserk with sub-weapons, some of the best level design in any Castlevania game, and the ability to play as both Richter Belmont and Maria, his lover's sister. In short, it was hectic, and one of the better games from a pure action standpoint. Not content with keeping the game in Japan, Konami remade the game on the SNES into the version most Americans are familiar with today -- Dracula X . When Dracula X was released, critics were divided, some calling it a serviceable remake, and others calling it an inferior port. Years later having played the original Rondo of Blood , I tend to agree with the latter sentiment, but Dracula X is still a very playable game if you haven't tackled it already. Even still, Konami wasn't done with Rondo . Years later, they released Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles [pictured], a 2.5D PSP remake that also included the sequel, Symphony of the Night in one package. Chronicles as a port is closer to the original, and it's a better experience than Dracula X . Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (Game Boy Advance - 2003) Choosing a favorite portable Castlevania game is torture. They're pretty much all good in their own way, but one in particular stuck out: Aria of Sorrow . As weird as it sounds, Soma Cruz is one of my favorite protagonists in the franchise, mostly because of how crazy he is conceptually. I mean, a teenage reincarnation of Dracula? How much wackier can you get? Gameplay-wise, it plays out pretty much like Symphony of the Night . There's a fully explorable open world, an experience system -- the whole shebang. Hell, even the life meter looks 1:1 like Symphony of the Night . But it's the tactical soul system that sets it apart. Soma is one of the more unique heroes in that he can absorb the souls of his fallen foes to gain new abilities (think Blue Mages in Final Fantasy ). You could trade these souls through a Game Boy Advance link cable, and collecting them was as addicting as Pokémon. Also, an optional New Game+ Mode is never a bad thing, nor is an additional Hard Mode, Boss Rush, or a mode in which you can play as Julius Belmont . As a spiritual successor to Symphony of the Night , Aria of Sorrow delivers. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ( PlayStation - 1997, PSN - 2007, Sega Saturn - 1998, Xbox Live Arcade - 2007) I know I said this wasn't in any particular order, but I can't resist making the following statement: Symphony of the Night is easily my favorite Castlevania game ever. Full stop. It has one of the best soundtracks of all time , incredible level design, and one of the most classic twists in all of gaming. Alucard is also one of the most enjoyable videogame protagonists I've ever had the pleasure of playing with. He's incredibly versatile, fun to play, and an all-around badass. From start to finish, Symphony of the Night reminded me why I even like playing games in the first place. Everything wasn't painfully obvious and the difficulty was at just the right setting, to the point where it took actual effort to persevere. When everything was said and done, you felt like you actually accomplished something, rather than feel like the developer held your hand through the entire experience. To have such an Earth-shattering revelation as an entire second castle that's different enough, yet familiar, after you obtained a secret ending that essentially doubled your game length, was mind-blowing. I've been enamored by a lot of 2D platformers over the years, but it's distinctly possible that none of them have captured my attention as well as Symphony of the Night . It's that good. Best Castlevania Games Honourable Mentions There were so many Castlevania games over the years that coming up with 5 was pretty difficult. For that reason, I do want to show a little love to some of the games that didn't make the list but were somehow still crucial in this franchise's journey. Castlevania Bloodlines (SEGA Genesis - 1994) I remember when the Sega Genesis reached our shores. Everyone in my neighborhood thought it was the next best thing, and every kid begged to have their NES replaced stat. And while a large part of that was because of Sonic's exploits, Bloodlines is what sold it for me. Castlevania (Famicom - 1986; NES - 1987) If this one didn't exist, this list wouldn't exist, so it really does deserve a spot somewhere . The original Castlevania was great when it launched, playing into the popular platformer genre of the time. It's not all that playable these days unless you're after some simple nostalgia. So while it's no longer "good enough" to make a top-five list, it still stands as the grandfather of this entire franchise. Castlevania III Dracula's Curse (NES - 1989) Where are the days when we could get a brand new entry to a franchise every year? On second thought, maybe those days are better left in the past. While Castlevania II Simon's Quest began to change the way platformers were viewed, it wasn't until Castlevania III that the non-linearity started to click into place. Being able to branch off and "follow your own path" made this an interesting title at the time. It had its flaws, for sure, but it was the innovation in those early years that earns it an honorable mention. The post Ranked: The five best Castlevania games appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 16

How to use Cast On Gems in Path of Exile 2 Using Cast On Gems successfully in Path of Exile 2 can be a very confusing task due to sure complexity of the systems surrounding them. Still, if you want to use them like a pro for some devastating effects, here's everything you need to know about them. What are Cast On Gems in Path of Exile 2? Cast On Gems are Meta Gems that allow you to utilize a Cause and Effect clause to cast spells without needing to use them on your skill bar. When used well, they are extremely powerful, allowing for some absolutely insane combinations that will no doubt be a power spike. To actually use them though, you need to be aware of two additional mechanics that use them: Energy and Spirit. Screenshot by Destructoid Energy Energy is a Meta-gem only resource that exists to be the sole mitigator of Cast On spellcasting. The way it works is directly tied to these gems. Most Cast On skills require Energy to actually trigger. Energy is built up by making use of the Cast On Gem's mechanic you're trying to use. To make use of Cast on Ignite , for example, you must first Ignite enemies enough times to reach the Energy cap. Once done, the next Ignite will trigger the spells attached to Cast On Ignite. More on this later. Spirit Spirit is primarily a resource for summons and buffs, and while Cast On gems are not your standard buff, they do count, and thus, make use of this resource. Like all buffs in Path of Exile 2 , Cast On require a certain amount of Spirit and must be toggled on to function. When done so successfully, you will see a buff icon of the Cast On effect at the top left corner of your screen. If you don't have enough Spirit, you cannot use a Cast On skill. How to cast a Cast On Skill in Path of Exile 2 With the fundamentals out of the way, it's time to actually make use of them. Before we start, the first thing you're going to want to do is choose which Cast On you're going to use . There are numerous types of Cast On gems you can incorporate into your build, so make sure you're picking one that meshes well. Cast on Ignite is a solid choice if you're playing a Fire Sorcerer, as an example. Once you've selected a Cast On to use, drag it to an open slot in your Skill Page . It can be placed in any open Skill slot like any other skill. Screenshot by Destructoid Next, select a spell you wish to be triggered from the Cast On. Not every spell works on Cast On gems, but many do, so you have a ton of choices. You can input as many spells as you wish into the Cast On, so long as you have the space. However, this does come with a big caveat. Slotting spells into a Cast On gem does not mean the spell is free. It will still cost the exact cost of the spell, whether you're casting it directly or it's being triggered by a Cast on effect. Because of this, you'll want to be careful which spells you want to be triggered. Throwing in a costly spell like Comet may run you dry quicker than you'd think since you have no direct control over it once it is in a Cast On. Screenshot by Destructoid What's more, you won't be able to use your Cast On skill if the slots on it are not full . I'm not sure why this is the case; there is a very real chance this will change. Even, so, if you have multiple spells slotted, all of them will retain their normal cost , including Spirit, so using them all together in a Cast On may not be feasible. Much of this depends on your build, but keep this in mind. You also need to be aware of how much Cast Time your slotted spells have collectively. The amount of energy required to invoke a Cast On effect depends on this Cast Time, with longer casts making the Cast On require more Energy to cap. It also depends on the enemies you're attacking, as enemies have 'Enemy Levels' that determine Energy Build-up for Cast Ons. Screenshot by Destructoid Not all Cast On gems build Energy in the same way, and this is especially true for abstract ones such as Cast on Dodge (which basically requires you to Dodge Roll a lot to trigger effects). The final step is to build the Energy necessary for your Cast On. If you're using Cast On Shock, then you need to Shock enemies enough to trigger it. The same can be said about Cast On Ignite and so forth. Once you have enough Energy, trigger the Cast On criteria once more to invoke the spells attached to it. The post How to use Cast On Gems in Path of Exile 2 appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 12

How to get more Ascendancy Points in Path of Exile 2 Your Ascendancy defines your build and playstyle more than your starting class does in Path of Exile 2. You can only get eight points toward it, with the first four coming just from completing both trials, but how can you get more beyond that? How to earn more Ascendancy Skill Points in Path of Exile 2 To earn your first four Ascendancy Points, all you needed to do was complete one full round of the Trial of Sekhamas and the Trial of Chaos. This was likely done during the first playthrough of your campaign, and each one rewarded you with two points, giving you a solid foothold in your Ascendancy progression. The final four points, however, are a bit more elusive and demand a greater level of effort to get. They’re not handed out easily, but with some persistence, a bit of strategy, and a lot of determination, you’ll be able to unlock your full potential and take your power to the next level. Here's how you can earn them. How to get your fifth and sixth Ascendancy Skill Points To get your fifth and sixth points, you'll need to complete a much more difficult version of the Trial of Sekhama s, specifically one started using a level 65 or higher Djinn Coin . This is where the luck part of the equation begins because to get one of these coins, you must kill enemies within level 65 or higher areas. This can be any area in the game, so long as it is level 65. The coin is a fairly rare drop, so you'll need to get farming to get one within a reasonable amount of time. Screenshot by Destructoid Once you've got a coin, you've reached the hard part. You need to complete three entire rounds of the Trial of Sekhamas to earn your next two points. This means braving the Honour system through waves of enemies, traps, and bosses. Your only salvation is that there will be constant Honour refills along the way, but make no mistake that this is difficult. I highly recommend you run this solo because it is much harder to finish with a party. If you manage to pull this feat off, when you reach the end, interact with the Ascendancy statue to receive your points. How to get your Seventh and Eighth Ascendancy Skill Points For the last two points in your Ascendancy, you will need to the Trialmaster in the Trial of Chaos . To enter this trial, you will need to obtain a level 75 or higher Inscribed Ultimatum from a level 75 area. Like the previous trial coin, Inscribed Ultimatums are a random drop with an average drop rate, but you're going to need it to undertake this trial. Screenshot by Destructoid Reaching the Trialmaster means enduring some of the brutal debuffs in the game because you will need to go through 10 areas within the trial. Then, you have to defeat him on that same run. Let me tell you: the Trialmaster is far from an easy boss, and like before, I highly advise soloing him due to the effects of group scaling. The coins for both trials are finite . You get one chance per coin toward completion of these trials, and if you fail, you will need to farm up another. This is likely the biggest pain point, so before you enter a trial and use up a coin, be certain you're prepared for the long haul. The post How to get more Ascendancy Points in Path of Exile 2 appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 12

How to get more Ascendancy Trial Coins in Path of Exile 2 Regardless of whether you prefer to run the Ascendancy Trial of Sekhemas or the Ascendancy Trial of Chaos in Path of Exile 2 , you're going to need special coins to participate in them beyond the first successful run. Here's how you can get more, and the caveats behind the process. How to get Trial Coins in Path of Exile 2 The Trial of Sekhamas (Act 2) and the Trial of Chaos (Act 3) are both trials that require their own respective coin to enter. These coins are similar to the ones you used to go through each trial for the first time. The first one was given for free, but to enter either of these trials more, you will need to get your own. Fortunately and unfortunately, getting these coins is a very simple task, but they are quite rare. Trial of Sekhamas The coin for the Trial of Sekhamas is called a Djinn and refers to the lore requirement of needing a Djinn's essence to enter the trial. Thankfully, you won't need to go through a boss fight every time you want to obtain one. However, getting your hands on a Djinn coin is difficult because it is a random world drop , meaning they won't be falling into your lap. Screenshot by Destructoid It is unclear where the best location is to farm these coins, but playing the Endgame of Path of Exile 2 tends to yield more of them in general. Trial of Chaos The coin for the Trial of Chaos is called an Inscribed Ultimatum , and it refers directly to the Vaal lore reasoning for appeasing the Trialmaster. The first one is obtained from a boss encounter near the trial location, but like with the Trial of Sekhamas, you won't need to fight one every time you want the coin. Sadly, also like the Trial of Sekhamas, Inscribed Utlimantums are a random world drop , so getting them will not be easy. Screenshot by Destructoid The Endgame of Path of Exile 2 is the best source for obtaining Inscribed Ultimatums, but if you're not quite there just yet, then you can try farming unique bosses in Act 3. There's no guarantee at all that the drop rate is higher, but unique bosses tend to have better drop tables than regular enemies, so it's worth the shot. Due to how rare both these coins are, I highly recommend you use them with a group you are familiar with. Only the group leader in a party needs to insert a coin for each respective trial, so there is a level of efficiency that can be achieved if you're playing with a team. Nevertheless, if you're more of a solo player, feel free to use them as you see fit. The post How to get more Ascendancy Trial Coins in Path of Exile 2 appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 10

How to get more Support Gem Sockets in Path of Exile 2 One of the biggest power spikes you can have in Path of Exile 2 occurs when you properly equip your skills with potent Support Gems. At the start, you're limited to only two per skill, but it is possible to get more as you play through the game. So here's how to get more Support Gem Sockets in Path of Exile 2. How to earn Support Gem Sockets in Path of Exile 2 Support Gems are special gems that can only be slotted into one of your equipped skills. They allow you to customize your skills, allowing for crazy and wacky setups that are actually quite potent when tested. You'll want to kit out your favorite skills that define your build, but access to only two slots makes that difficult. To get Support Gem Sockets, all you need to do is get lucky. Not kidding. A special currency called a Jeweler Orb can drop from any enemy you encounter. When used on a skill, it permanently unlocks an additional support socket for that skill only. You cannot undo this action , so think carefully before using one. Jeweler Orbs are not exactly common. Depending on where you are in your socket progression, you will need to use either a Lesser Jeweler Orb or a Greater Jeweler Orb. Lesser orbs are for skills stuck at two slots, while Greaters are beyond that point. You'll start seeing Jeweler Orbs drop minimally starting in Act 3, and increasing in commonality as you progress (they are never 'common', however). The post How to get more Support Gem Sockets in Path of Exile 2 appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 10

What to do with the mushrooms in Act 3 of Path of Exile 2 While exploring the later portions of Act 3 in Path of Exile 2 , you may come across a peculiar set of mushrooms with no real defined purpose. These dubious shrooms take up a bunch of space in your inventory, so here's what you can do with them. What are the mushrooms in Act 3 for in Path of Exile 2? All throughout Path of Exile 2 , picking up green-labeled items tended to yield amazing rewards if you could figure out what to do with them. Turns out, the mushrooms you pick up in Act Three are in a similar vein, only the rewards for these items are not exactly glamorous this time around. As for what to do with them, if you didn't find them within the Apex of Filth , head to that location and kill enemies for them to eventually drop. Once you do have them, you're looking for a cauldron with a Cauldron Keeper standing behind it within the Apex of Filth. This zone is massive and is also quite dangerous, so it may take you an extensive amount of time to find the cauldron and the keeper. Due to maps in Path of Exile being randomized, I cannot give you the exact location. What I can say is that no matter which map variant you get, you'll find a flight of alter-like stairs just before reaching the Cauldron. Screenshot by Destructoid The mushrooms are reagents for the witch's concoction and can be placed within the witch's cauldron. Doing this will reward you with an Uncommon (Blue) Life Flask and a Mana Flask , both with completely variable stats. Whether or not they are good for you is up to you to decide based on your character build. Additionally, the witch herself is a merchant who tends to sell gear that is beyond the standard you can find in town. I recommend visiting her on occasion for some potential high-quality gear. The post What to do with the mushrooms in Act 3 of Path of Exile 2 appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 10

How to get more spirit in Path of Exile 2 Spirit is a brand new resource in Path of Exile 2 and the role it serves is valuable to all builds. It is, however, quite scarce, but you can get more if you know how. So here's how to get more Spirit in Path of Exile 2. Where to get more Spirit in Path of Exile 2 Spirit governs how many active buffs or summons you can have at any given time. At the start of Path of Exile 2 , you barely have any Spirit to work with (if any at all). This is fine because you don't really have access to persistent buffs to make use of it anyhow. However, as you play, you'll quickly find out that the minuscule Spirit you're given to work with normally is not enough. So how can you get more? There are a few ways of note. Defeat Act Side Bosses Screenshot by Destructoid All three Acts of Path of Exile 2 have numerous bosses that are either off the beaten path or completely optional. This means they are skippable, but you absolutely should not skip them as some bosses will drop an item that rewards 30 Spirit . There are a total of three Spirit-giving items you can earn, with one being available in every act. I recommend you kill all the bosses in every act to ensure you're not missing Spirit. You can determine which bosses you have not killed by looking for the lit Skulls on the world map. Lit Skulls mean that you have not yet slain the boss present there, while dim skulls mean you have. Find Spirit on Gear Screenshot by Destructoid Beyond the obtainable Spirit-giving items, you can also find Spirit on gear drops you find as you go through the game. I am on Cruel Difficulty and have only seen Spirit appear on Chest items, so I'm not completely certain it can be found on anything else. Spirit has a chance to be on any Rare (Yellow) Chest you find or craft using Orb items. Use a Sceptre Screenshot by Destructoid The fastest way to get a massive amount of Spirit at any given moment is to use a Sceptre. Scepters are weapons that are designed for heavy Spirit usage, with them giving you an additional 100 Spirit at the minimum. This is before counting any additional modifier a Sceptre may have, so it can actually give you quite a bit more if you're lucky with rolls. The downside to using a Sceptre is that they cannot cause any sort of damage, making them far from ideal if you intend to dish out damage without using pets. The good news is that Sceptres are one-handed weapons and can be dual-wielded with anything else that can deal decent damage. You cannot dual-wield two Sceptres at the same time, but they can be equipped in either your main hand or off-hand. The post How to get more spirit in Path of Exile 2 appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 9

Top 20 essential Warframe mods in 2024 An assortment of Mods make up any build in Warframe , but there are several essential Mods that you must never go without having in your inventory. Don't all need to be equipped at once, but just having them available makes formulating builds that much easier. Best 20 Essential Mods in Warframe Below, you will find a list of the most important Mods to get in Warframe. Whether you're a new player, or a veteran trying to round out your mod collection, the following mods are must-haves and should be acquired as soon as possible. Best 20 Essential Mods in Warframe Adaptation Core Damage Mods Flow Continuity Streamline Intensify Stretch Multishot Mods Elemental Mods Rolling Guard Growing Power Handspring Power Drift Blind Rage Overextended Transient Fortitude Galvanized Aptitude Mobilize Condition Overload Narrow Minded Adaptation Screenshot by Destructoid Many Warframes have a built-in defensive system that allows them to survive in high-level content, but equally, many are lacking in the survivability department. Adaptation is a must-have Mod for this reason, as it solves this crucial problem in all but the most fringe situations. Why? Adaptation provides any equipped Warframe with a ridiculous stacking damage reduction to any attack type that lands. The damage reduction increases by 10% for each hit (at max rank) for a max reduction of 90% . This makes your Warframe nearly immune to damage at low-level gameplay and makes high-level gameplay much comfier. Adaptation is one of the game's best defense-oriented mods, and I cannot overstate this enough. How to Obtain: Adaptation - Arbitration Runs, Trading Core Damage Mods Screenshot by Destructoid Every weapon category ( Primaries , Secondaries , Melee, Archguns , Incarnons included) in Warframe has access to Core Damage Mods that will buff up a weapon's raw damage, and making use of these is extremely important in making your weapon viable for pretty much all of Warframe's content. These Mods may not fit into every weapon build, but they’re versatile and reliable, making them long staples in the Warframe community for years. While there are upgraded versions of many, their essential purpose remains unchanged, making them invaluable for both new and seasoned players. If you haven’t added these to your arsenal yet, now’s the perfect time to start playing and hunting them down to elevate your loadout. How to Obtain: Serration (Primary) - Random Drops from most enemies in the game Point Blank (Primary) - Random Drops from most enemies in the game Hornet Strike (Secondary) - Random Drops from most enemies in the game Pressure Point (Melee) - Random Drops from most enemies in the game Primed Point Blank (Primary) - Bought from Baro Ki'teer (Ducats) Amalgam Serration (Primary) - Orb Vallis Fractures (Venus) Flow Screenshot by Destructoid Every Warframe , regardless of which type you're using, requires Energy to make use of their unique abilities. As such, a large Energy Capacity is necessary, which is why Flow is yet another must-have Mod for any Warframe player. Flow is a Mod that boosts a Warframe's max Energy, doubling the amount at max rank (5), allowing for many more casts of a frame's abilities. Like many Mods on this list, it is a staple Mod for many builds so it is highly valuable. Thankfully, it is very common, so it isn't difficult to obtain if you don't already have it. Primed Flow is this mod's evolved version, boosting a Warframe's max Energy Capacity by a staggering 185% at max rank. It is much harder to obtain, however, as it cannot be farmed and is only purchased for Ducats from Baro Ki'teer. How to Obtain: Flow - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Primed Flow - Bought from Baro Ki'teer (Ducats) Continuity vvvvvScreenshot by Destructoid While not a Mod to be used with every Warframe build, Continuity increases the duration of time-based Warframe effects, letting them persist longer before ending. For many Warframes, it is a core Mod for making use of long-lasting buffs, indirectly reducing Energy usage, and allowing for powerful mechanics to persist over very long periods of time. Like Flow, it is not difficult to obtain. However, also like Flow, there exists an evolved version of Continuity called Primed Continuity . This enhanced version further boosts the duration of Warframe-based effects, allowing for even more crazy builds that make use of long-term buffs. The Warframe, Wisp, for example, adores this Mod thanks to her Mote buffs. How to Obtain: Continuity - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Primed Continuity - Bought from Baro Ki'teer (Ducats) Streamline Screenshot by Destructoid Many of the best Warframe builds make use of Streamline to reduce the Energy cost of their often expensive abilities. When used with Mods like Flow, Streamline makes using your abilities a matter of your choice rather than one influenced by how much Energy you have at any given time. Even without Flow though, Streamline is yet another staple Mod in the Warframe community, and you should have it ready to use at any given moment. Fortunately, it's not hard to get your hands on. How to Obtain: Streamline - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Intensify Screenshot by Destructoid Intensify is a Mod that is commonly used in various Warframe builds that focus on empowering a Warframe's abilities, strengthening their buffs, and improving offensive potency. Depending on which Warframe it is used on, Intensify can offer significant buffs with no downsides other than a meager Mod Capacity cost (5). As with the other Utility-based Mods on this list, you should always have a max rank Intensify on standby, just in case you need to use it. However, if you're looking to get even more power out of your frame, you can instead opt for Archon Intensify , which offers a large 30% boost when restoring health with abilities on top of its normal effects. Warframes like Wisp can take full advantage of this. How to Obtain: Intensify - Alad V, Angels of the Zariman, Captain Vor, Stalker, Cetus Bounties (Earth) Archon Intensify - Garrison (New War) Stretch Screenshot by Destructoid In the early days of Warframe, the Stretch Mod was one of the strongest Mods in the entire game thanks to the meta focus of deleting entirely rooms of enemies with wide-spread abilities. The mod allowed you to extend the maximum range of any Warframe abilities that had a Range stat. These days, large, widespread AOEs are still extremely strong and sought after, even if they aren't nearly as oppressive, thus Stretch remains a hot commodity in the community for builds. How to Obtain: Stretch - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Multishot Mods Screenshot by Destructoid Multishot Mods work with Core Damage Mods to greatly enhance the effective raw damage of any weapons they are attached to by allowing the weapon to fire extra bullets per normal standard bullets. These additional 'shots' receive all of the bonuses and benefits standard bullets do, thus making Multishot a multiplicative mod in terms of damage boost calculations. Without going to those, just know that Multshot Mods are must-have mods, and you should go pick them up immediately especially if you want to boost your weapon damage dramatically. How to Obtain: Split Chamber (Primary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game. Hell's Chamber (Primary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game. Galvanized Chamber (Primary) - Arbitration Runs Barrel Diffusion (Secondary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game. Galvanized Diffusion (Secondary) - Arbitration Runs Amalgam Barrel Diffusion (Secondary) - Orb Vallis Fractures (Venus) Elemental Mods Screenshot by Destructoid When you combine Core Damage and Multishot Mods with Elemental Mods on a weapon, you get yourself a viable build that allows you to take that weapon into Warframe's endgame. Thanks to Warframe's robust Elemental System, the Elemental Mods you use on your weapon will greatly determine their effectiveness against enemies. Thus, it is important to get as many of these Mods in your inventory as possible so that you can mix and match them on different weapons for powerful results. How to Obtain: Electricity Charged Shell (Primary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Primed Charge Shell (Primary) - Bought from Baro Ki'teer (Ducats) Stormbringer (Primary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game High Voltage (Primary) - Tethra's Doom and Eris: Naeglar Sabotage Runs Shell Shock (Primary) - Tethra's Doom and Eris: Naeglar Sabotage Runs Convulsion (Secondary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Jolt (Secondary) - Tethra's Doom Shocking Touch (Melee) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Voltaic Strike (Melee) - Tethra's Doom Fire Hellfire (Primary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Incendiary Coat (Primary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Wildfire (Primary) - Nightmare Runs Blaze (Primary) - Nightmare Runs Thermite Rounds (Primary) - Neptune: Nereid, Kuva Fortress: Pago, Sedna: Kelpie Heated Charge (Secondary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Primed Heated Charge (Secondary) - Bought from Baro Ki'teer (Ducats) Scorch (Secondary) - Neptune: Nereid, Kuva Fortress: Pago, Sedna: Kelpie Molten Impact (Melee) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Volcanic Edge (Melee) - Earth: Cambria, Mars: Arval, Venus: Unda, Mercury: Suisei Cold Cryo Rounds (Primary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Primed Cryo Rounds (Primary) - Bought from Baro Ki'teer (Ducats) Chilling Grasp (Primary) - Corpus Enemies Primed Chilling Grasp (Primary) - Bought from Baro Ki'teer (Ducats) Frigid Blast (Primary) - Neptune: Nereid, Kuva Fortress: Pago, Sedna: Kelpie Rime Rounds (Primary) - Cryotic Front, Saturn: Dione, Ceries: Bode, Lua: Pavlov, Europa Deep Freeze (Secondary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Ice Storm (Secondary) - Nightmare Runs Frostbite (Secondary) - Cryotic Front, Saturn: Dione, Ceries: Bode, Lua: Pavlov, Europa Northwind (Melee) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Vicious Frost (Melee) - Cryotic Front, Saturn: Dione, Ceries: Bode, Lua: Pavlov, Europa Toxin Infected Clip (Primary) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Contagious Spread (Primary) - Electric Crawlers, Scavenger Drones, Eris: Naeglar Runs Malignant Force (Primary) - Corrupted Vor Toxic Barrage (Primary) - Corrupted Vor Pistol Pestilence (Secondary) - Corrupted Vor Pathogen Rounds (Secondary) - Corpus Enemies, Eris Naeglar Runs Fever Strike (Melee) - Random Drop from most enemies in the game, The Duviri Circuit Primed Fever Strike (Melee) - Bought from Baro Ki'teer (Ducats) Virulent Scourge (Melee) - Corrupted Vor Radiation Radiated Reload (Primary) - Albrecht's Laboratories, Deimos Atomic Fallout (Primary) - Albrecht's Laboratories, Deimos Accelerated Isotope (Secondary) - Albrecht's Laboratories, Deimos Focus Radon (Melee) - Albrecht's Laboratories, Deimos Rolling Guard Screenshot by Destructoid If you intend to run the hardest content Warframe has to offer, then you should consider obtaining Rolling Guard . When this Mod is equipped to your Warframe, rolling not only removes all DoT effects afflicting you but also makes you invulnerable for a few seconds. This is incredibly valuable in situations where dying is a real problem. The only downside to this Mod is that it should be used near max rank, which is rather expensive (12). However, if you can fit it on your build, it will be an incredibly strong safety net in the worst situations. How to Obtain: Arbitration Runs Trading Growing Power Screenshot by Destructoid The first essential Aura Mod to make this list, Growing Power offer you and your entire squad a near-permanent 25% increase in Ability Strength with no downside and little mod power investment (7). Naturally, this effect stacks with all other increases in Ability Strength, making it one of the best Aura mods in the entire game. Everyone should have this mod, as it is nothing but net positive for everyone when equipped. How to Obtain: Growing Power - Knave Specter Handspring Screenshot by Destructoid Getting knocked down in Warframe can quickly lead to death, especially in endgame missions where enemies hit hard and fast. It’s a common and serious issue for many players. Enter the Handspring mod: a game-changer that significantly reduces Knockdown recovery time. With this mod equipped, you’ll bounce back almost instantly, keeping you mobile and ready to tackle even the most intense battles without missing a beat. How to Obtain: Handspring - Random Drop from most enemies in the game Power Drift Screenshot by Destructoid In a similar vein to Handspring, Power Drift aims to counter the effects of Knockdown by preventing them altogether. The Mod gives you a 30% chance to resist a Knockdown, which is rather substantial. As a bonus, Power Drift also grants you a nice 15% Ability Strength bonus on top. Finally, to tie everything together with this must-have mod, it can be equipped in the Exilus Mod slot on any Warframe, so it doesn't even take up precious space. How to Obtain: Power Drift - Orokin Moon Halls (Puzzle Room) Blind Rage Screenshot by Destructoid Blind Rage functions similarly to Intensify, as both Mods provide you with increased Ability Strength. Where Blind Rage differs, however, is that it offers significantly more Ability Strength at the severe cost of Ability Efficiency, which makes your Warframe's ability cost more Energy to use. Certain Warframes suffer this downside more than others. Even so, with a properly measured build, you can easily mitigate this downside and make of this must-have mod. How to Obtain: Blind Rage - Orokin Vaults Overextended Screenshot by Destructoid Overextended is like Blind Rage in that is provides a massive boost to Warframe Ability Range, at a significant cost of Ability Strength. Depending on which Warframe and build you're using, this negative could have little to no consequence, making Overextended an absurdly powerful Mod in the right circumstances. For builds, Overextended is a must-get mod, as you can do some incredible things with it, if you know what you're doing. How to Obtain: Overextended - Orokin Vaults Transient Fortitude Screenshot by Destructoid When you decide to use Transient Fortitude , you are willing to surrender a massive amount of Ability Duration for an equally significant amount of Ability Strength. Much like the other combination Mods already mentioned on this list, this Mod is exceptionally strong when paired with a build and Warframe that makes sense with it. While it is not used on every single frame, I highly recommend you pick this one up as well, as it is too potent to ignore. How to Obtain: Transient Fortitude - Orokin Vaults Galvanized Aptitude Screenshot by Destructoid One of the most potent damage mods in all of Warframe when used properly, Galvanized Aptitude is an endgame mod that provides your weapon with a significant increase in Status chance, while also granting it a stacking damage bonus when killing an enemy with Status effects. The number of stacks gained on a kill is based on how many Status Effects the target had before death. This means you want to apply numerous Status effects to your target before killing them to gain the full benefit. This effect stacks up twice, nearly doubling your weapon's damage in the process , and lasts for 20 seconds. Get this one. How to Obtain: Galvanized Aptitude - Arbitration Runs Mobilize Screenshot by Destructoid In Warframe , movement is everything. Whether you're trying to survive an onslaught or free farming other loot, you want to be able to move as quickly as possible through any given level. Mobilize is a relatively cheap Mod (5) that boosts your Parkour Velocity, allowing you to move faster while already in motion. Along with its cheap cost, it can also be placed in the Exilus slot, thus not taking up necessary Mod space. These factors together make Mobilize a must-use Mod. How to Obtain: Mobilize - Drekar Grineer, Uranus: Desdemona Condition Overload Screenshot by Destructoid At Max Rank, Condition Overload boosts your melee weapon’s damage by 80% per Status effect on the target. To be clear, this is an absolutely game-changing Mod for any melee build. Why is it a must-have? Simply put, it’s one of the most powerful melee Mods in Warframe. What makes it so devastating is how it synergizes with other damage bonuses like Combo Multiplier, buffs, and more, all while stacking its insane effect. The result? Massive damage potential that can obliterate even the toughest enemies. If you don’t already have Condition Overload in your arsenal, make it a top priority to acquire, especially if you're a melee player. It’s a true powerhouse. How to Obtain: Condition Overload - Deimos Infested Narrow Minded Screenshot by Destructoid For certain Warframes and builds, Ability Range isn’t a top priority and can be traded off for more valuable stats. That’s where Narrow Minded shines, significantly boosting Ability Duration at the cost of Ability Range. This Mod is incredibly powerful for Warframes that rely on long-lasting abilities rather than wide-reaching ones. If your build benefits more from extended duration than range, or just flat-out want more duration by any means necessary, Narrow Minded is an essential addition to maximize your Warframe's potential. How to Obtain: Narrow Minded - Orokin Vaults The post Top 20 essential Warframe mods in 2024 appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 5