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  • magic the gathering – Quietus Spike and Scytheclaw equipped to same creature

    magic the gathering – Quietus Spike and Scytheclaw equipped to same creature


    As the Gatherer rulings on Quietus Spikes say:

    (10/1/2008)
    If multiple Quietus Spikes trigger at the same time, that player loses half their life when the first ability resolves, then loses half of the remainder when the next ability resolves, and so on. The player does not lose the same amount each time.

    It’s identical in your situation; both are triggered abilities, they will be separate events on the stack, so they’ll resolve independently. In this case, two halves make three quarters, not a whole.

    Note that because of the ’rounded up’ in the card text, if their life total is 3 or less after combat damage is dealt, that’ll be enough to put their life total to zero anyway (3 → 1 → 0, 2 → 1 → 0, 1 → 0).


    Incidentally, in very special cases, the last sentence of the Oracle text is incorrect, namely when the affected player has life total 0 (or lower), but is still in the game due to something like a Platinum Angel. In that case, they’ll lose an equal amount of life, namely 0, both times.



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  • Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader fixes Yrliet romance and other, less important stuff

    Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader fixes Yrliet romance and other, less important stuff


    When players hear the words ‘Owlcat RPG,’ many immediately think of one word: romance. In fact, developers have told me in the past that no game they produced would be a true Owlcat RPG if romance wasn’t involved. Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader is no different. Despite the inability to romance our mechadendrite-endowed friend Pasqal, players have thrown themselves at nearly every other companion possible. However, there was a pretty major bug with Yrliet’s romance, and thankfully it’s now been squashed. Beware, as major spoilers for romancing the Aeldari ranger follow.

    Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader patch 1.4.1.229 fixes plenty of bugs, softlocks, and other issues with the game, as well as expanding the Overseer with 20 new talents. There are a couple of new dialogue options and exploits are no longer consumed by dodged, parried, or blocked attacks. However, the biggest change is the fix to Yrliet’s romance, a story arc that is very popular within the community. This is your last chance to turn back if you don’t want spoilers. I mean it.

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    Despite being one of the best Warhammer 40k games in recent memory, Rogue Trader has had its fair share of issues. Before now, players were encountering a “widely reported bug” with Yrliet’s romance. As you near the consummation of your relationship with the xenos sniper—non-traditional though that consummation may be—she offers to share her mind with you. It’s an incredibly intimate offer from the standoffish warrior, and your Rogue Trader needs to have held back their impulses on numerous occasions in order to get there.

    However, the bug in question teleported you to the maze that is Quetza Temer instead of into Yrliet’s mind. This area is annoying enough simply exploring it, but when you were reaching the climax of your relationship with Yrliet? It’s nothing short of infuriating.

    warrior tanking a chaos marine in rogue trader

    The good news is that should be fixed now, so all players can mind-meld with Yrliet should they, and she, so wish. In other romance news, there’s a new dialogue option when continuing the romance with new companion Solomorne, which feels less like an order.

    There are also plenty of other minor updates to pieces of dialogue, including heretical options. Plenty of pet-based inconsistencies have been fixed, including the ability to select and control other players’ pets in multiplayer.

    Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader Patch 1.4.1.229 is available now on Steam, and will arrive on console within the next 24-48 hours. You can see the full patch notes here.

    This is the perfect excuse to jump back in for another run, so long as you have the best Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader Officer build to go the distance. I also suggest steering clear of heresy if you want to experience Yrliet’s romance. If you want a different flavour of Imperial doctrine, why not check out our list of the best Warhammer games?

    You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We’ve also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.



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  • magic the gathering – How do The Mindskinner and Frenzied Baloth influence each other?

    magic the gathering – How do The Mindskinner and Frenzied Baloth influence each other?


    With that combination, any combat damage causes the regular damage and the milling.

    Rule 615.12 says

    Some effects state that damage “can’t be prevented.” If unpreventable damage would be dealt, any applicable prevention effects are still applied to it. Those effects won’t prevent any damage, but any additional effects they have will take place. Existing damage prevention shields won’t be reduced by damage that can’t be prevented.



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  • Strongest decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket Wisdom of Sea and Sky

    Strongest decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket Wisdom of Sea and Sky


    Figuring out which decks to play in Pokémon TCG Pocket is a lot harder than it used to be. When the game originally dropped and had just one expansion set, you had roughly five viable decks to choose from – but nowadays, there’s a mountain of meta decks on offer.

    Wisdom added plenty of powerful cards into the Pocket scene, giving competitive players even more tools to use during their matches. Here’s a rundown of the best Wisdom of Sea and Sky Pocket decks right now, not listed in any particular order.


    The Escapist recaps

    • Pokémon TCG Pocket Wisdom of Sea and Sky introduced 241 new cards into the game, shaking up the competitive meta and adding new decks into the mix
    • While it’s not been as disruptive as previous sets, this release did present a variety of new decks to experiment with and a handful of crucial tools for competitive players
    • Crobat ex stands out as one of the best decks in the game right now with the addition of Sylveon ex. The Intertwining Pokémon also pairs perfectly with the new Espeon ex as well
    • Other viable decks to consider include Silvally-Pichu, Ho-Oh ex and Lugia ex, and Donphan ex, along with older decks like Dragonite ex, with new cards added in

    Crobat-Sylveon

    Two Pokémon cards: Sylveon EX and Crobat EX. Sylveon is pastel with ribbons and sparkles
    Crobat ex has had people talking since the expansion launched. Image credit: The Pokémon Company

    If you saw my rundown of the strongest ex cards in Wisdom of Sea and Sky, you’ll know that Crobat ex has been one of the most hyped cards of the expansion.

    It’s not pulling in the tournament numbers that I would’ve expected initially at the time of writing – although I believe in the bat, I think it’ll come out on top over the coming weeks. It’s still a powerhouse, though, especially when paired with Sylveon ex.

    Crobat ex provides simple, consistent damage for just one Energy, adding Poison into the mix for chip damage. Sylveon ex also provides a decent chunk of damage, but is mainly played here for the draw power.

    When building this list, make sure to use the Wisdom of Sea and Sky Eevee for additional draw power, alongside Supporters like Silver and Lyra to stay ahead of the competition. Choosing the Zubat and Golbat with Poison attacks is also worthwhile.

    Some players run a variant of this with Darkrai ex included, capitalizing on the Nightmare Aura ability and stacking up extra damage over time. 

    Sylveon-Espeon

    Two Pokémon cards on a purple background show Espeon and Sylveon, each with swirling colorful backgrounds
    These two adorable Eeveelutions pack a punch. Image credit: The Pokémon Company

    If you like fast-paced decks in Pocket, this is what you need to be playing during this season. It’s quick to get going, with a tasty self-heal and plenty of draw power. 

    Sylveon ex allows you to set up quickly and get your Espeon ex into position via the Happy Ribbon ability, dealing a decent 70 damage as needed. Espeon ex acts as the main hitter, healing up whenever needed with Psychic Healing and whittling away with Super Psy Bolt.

    To ensure that Espeon ex is as hard to kill as possible, I’d suggest running at least one copy of Giant Cape to get an extra sliver of HP on there.

    Other crucial cards to have at your disposal here include Sabrina and Cyrus for control, the A4 Eevee for additional draw power, and Eevee ex for speedy evolutions. I could also see Mew ex helping to fill in the damage output gaps with Genome Hacking.

    Silvally-Pichu

    Two Pokémon cards on a purple background. Left: Silvally, a silver creature with swirling energy. Right: Pichu, a small, yellow Pokémon in foliage
    This surprising duo is a lot of fun to play. Image credit: The Pokémon Company

    Acting as a riff on Silvally-Oricorio, this deck features plenty of Supporter cards and two copies of the Lightning-type Oricorio to help mitigate any ex threats in battle.

    Silvally is the main source of damage thanks to the Brave Buddies attack, putting out 100 damage for just 2 Energy when a Supporter is used. Pichu acts as a crucial source of Energy movement, using Crackly Toss to spread Lightning Energy Tokens around.

    Gladion and Silver are vital Supporters to include here, alongside Cyrus and Sabrina for control, Giovanni for a simple damage buff, and Lyra for easy movement. 

    Ho-Oh ex and Lugia ex

    Two Pokémon cards: Ho-Oh ex, left, with vibrant red and yellow hues; Lugia ex, right, in sleek white and blue
    The pack Legendaries are a mighty combination. Image credit: The Pokémon Company

    The two-pack Legendaries are decent on their own, but when they’re paired together, they can put out brutal levels of damage.

    Ho-Oh ex provides the exact Energy Tokens that Lugia ex needs to use the obscenely powerful Elemental Blast, which deals 180 damage in return for a total Energy discard. Cards like Elemental Switch and Dawn can help to keep the Energy moving quickly.

    It’s worth having at least one copy of Pichu if you’re running this deck, along with a couple of Zeraora cards to keep Lugia ex ready. 

    Donphan ex

    A holographic Donphan EX Pokémon card on a purple background
    With the right list, Donphan ex is a beast. Image credit: The Pokémon Company

    I wasn’t overly impressed with Donphan ex when I saw it for the first time, but the tournament results that are rolling out post-expansion launch have changed my mind. With the right list, this Fighting-type can do some serious damage.

    On its own, Donphan ex can deal 50 damage for one Energy Token, spiking to 110 damage if there are at least two extra Energy Tokens attached. Adding two copies of Lucario into the mix helps this attack hit even harder.

    Alongside Donphan ex and Lucario, it’s important to have Marshadow for re-balancing, Lyra for easy movement, and Red for extra damage boosts against ex-foes.

    Some players run Donphan ex with the Rampardos line instead of Lucario and Marshadow, so it’s worth experimenting with this setup as well. 

    Honorable mentions

    I’d strongly encourage you to build the five decks listed above as they’ve got the highest potential out of the newer lists from Wisdom of Sea and Sky

    If you’re looking to enhance an older deck, though, these are the lists you should look into improving with fresh cards:

    • Dragonite ex. This deck can be taken to a new level by adding in Pichu and Elemental Switch, allowing for easy Energy movement to power up Dragonite ex
    • Eevee ex. Since Eevee Grove, there have been heaps of iterations on Eevee ex decks. Using Flareon ex, Leafeon ex, Sylveon ex, and the new Eevee alongside Eevee ex might seem unbalanced, but it works a treat
    • Darkrai-Giratina. This deck was powerful before Wisdom of Sea and Sky dropped, but with the addition of Silver and potentially Lyra, it’s now an absolute demon. It also works nicely to counteract Sylveon-Espeon players

    Out of these, I’d urge you to try out Darkrai-Giratina, as this deck is putting on an incredible performance in the tournament scene right now. With Wisdom Supporters in the list, it’s a punchy deck to play. 

    Pokémon TCG Pocket Wisdom of Sea and Sky has plenty of powerful decks to pick from, with Crobat-Sylveon, Espeon-Sylveon, Donphan, Silvally-Pichu, and the pack’s Legendary duo standing out as the best options. Older decks like Dragonite ex can also be enhanced with cards from the new set.

    Ask The Escapist

    When did Pokémon TCG Pocket Wisdom of Sea and Sky come out?

    Wisdom of Sea and Sky was released on July 30, 2025, making it the fourth main expansion set for Pokémon TCG Pocket.

    Which are the strongest ex cards in Wisdom of Sea and Sky?

    On their own, Crobat ex and Umbreon ex stand out as the strongest ex cards in Wisdom of Sea and Sky. Make sure you’re opening Ho-Oh packs to get these two gems.

    What are the best Supporters in Wisdom of Sea and Sky?

    Silver, Lyra, and Will stand out as the most competitively viable Supporter cards in Wisdom of Sea and Sky, and they all feature in prominent decks that are currently swarming the tournament scene.


    The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy



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  • Most expensive Pokémon TCG Black Bolt and White Flare cards

    Most expensive Pokémon TCG Black Bolt and White Flare cards


    Pokémon TCG Black Bolt and White Flare both dropped on July 18, 2025, introducing a plethora of beautiful new cards for collectors to sink their teeth into. Featuring a brand new rarity and artwork by legendary Pokémon artists, it’s a dual set worth watching.

    To help you plan which chase cards to go after, I’ve hunted down the most expensive cards in Pokémon TCG Black Bolt and White Flare, using data from a multitude of sites to pick out the most valuable pieces at the time of writing. 


    The Escapist recaps

    • Pokémon TCG Black Bolt and White Flare released as a dual special set on July 18, 2025, with 172 and 173 cards apiece.
    • A new rarity was introduced with this release, called a BWR, or Black White Rare.
    • Due to the popularity of the Unova Pokémon and the beautiful artwork, the prices for this set have been high since launch day, although some are settling down.
    • The most expensive cards in Black Bolt and White Flare include all three of the Black White Rares, as well as the Special Illustration Rares for the box Legendaries.

    Seismitoad (BLK 105)

    A Pokémon card featuring Seismitoad with 170 HP, showcasing attacks "Round" and "Hyper Voice," with colorful artwork
    Shinji Kanda has an utterly iconic art style. Image credit: The Pokémon Company
    Card Seismitoad
    Card Number 105/086
    Set Black Bolt
    Card Type Illustration Rare
    Selling For $70-$200

    Is anyone surprised to see this card on the list? I honestly thought it’d be higher up – Shinji Kanda is an absolute icon in the Pokémon TCG community, with a following of dedicated fans that adore his mind-melting art style.

    Seismitoad isn’t a hugely popular Pokémon by any means, but it looks powerful and otherworldly thanks to the psychedelic artwork on this card.

    I spotted auction prices ranging from $70 all the way to $200 while digging around for data on this card, so if you’re keen on getting it, I’d suggest watching the prices and seeing if they settle down in the coming weeks. 

    Reshiram ex (WHT 166)

    A Pokémon card featuring Reshiram-EX with 230 HP, showcasing attacks "Slash" and "Blazing Burst," with vibrant artwork
    This piece accurately captures the strength of Reshiram in the lore. Image credit: The Pokémon Company
    Card Reshiram ex 
    Card Number 166/086
    Set White Flare
    Card Type Special Illustration Rare
    Selling For $120-$215

    This card manages to make Reshiram look poised and powerful, which pairs with the Pokémon perfectly. It’s an elegant yet destructive Special Illustration Rare, with spectacular artwork by kawayoo.

    It’s one of the most expensive Special Illustration Rare cards in the White Flare list, giving fan-favorites Keldeo and Hydreigon a run for their money.

    While researching, I found that the majority of the auction prices for this card sat in the range of $120 to $190, with a few higher prices based on quality. Graded copies, particularly PSA 10 slabs, went for even larger sums. 

    Zekrom ex (BLK 166) 

    A Pokémon card featuring Zekrom-EX with 230 HP, showcasing attacks "Slash" and "Voltage Burst," with striking lightning artwork
    This card has an electrifying aesthetic. Image credit: The Pokémon Company
    Card Zekrom ex 
    Card Number 166/086
    Set Black Bolt
    Card Type Special Illustration Rare
    Selling For $100-$220

    While it’s not selling for quite as much as its Black White Rare counterpart, this iteration of Zekrom ex is still a worthy chase card to pick up for your collection.

    With artwork by danciao, Zekrom feels as if it’s ripping out of the card, shredding the sky apart with lightning bolts. It’s a visually stunning piece, so I wasn’t surprised to see prices ranging from $100 to $220, with even higher prices popping up for graded copies. 

    Reshiram ex (WHT 173)

    A Pokémon card featuring Reshiram-EX with 230 HP, showcasing attacks "Slash" and "Blazing Burst," with minimalistic white artwork
    Much like the next card in the list, Reshiram ex is strong. Image credit: The Pokémon Company
    Card Reshiram ex
    Card Number 173/086
    Set White Flare
    Card Type Black White Rare
    Selling For $310-$440

    Reshiram ex is a magnificent card, topping the charts as one of the most expensive pieces in White Flare. It’s the most affordable Black White Rare currently on the market, but that’s not saying too much as the prices are still decently hefty.

    Most auctions that I found for the BWR copy of Reshiram ex placed it between $300 and $380, with a few exceptional prices at either end of that spectrum. There were a few copies up for auction on eBay in the realm of $180, but I can’t see that lasting too long as it’s an immensely popular card right now.

    As with any high-value Pokémon card, it’s crucial to make sure that you buy from verified sellers and always do a price check before making a purchase. Despite the set dropping a few weeks ago at the time of writing, prices are still likely to change somewhat. 

    Zekrom ex (BLK 172)

    A Pokémon card featuring Zekrom-EX with 230 HP, showcasing attacks "Slash" and "Voltage Burst," with sleek black artwork
    This card has some competitive potential. Image credit: The Pokémon Company
    Card Zekrom ex
    Card Number 172/086
    Set Black Bolt
    Card Type Black White Rare
    Selling For $300-$450

    There isn’t much of a difference between the BWR cards for Zekrom ex and Reshiram ex, but the Black Bolt card comes out ever-so-slightly on top.

    In my opinion, it’s the best looking card out of the bunch – it’s dynamic and polished, with the lighting on Zekrom still managing to make the creature pop despite the overall aesthetic theme being incredibly dark.

    The majority of the prices I found while digging into this card ranged from $300 to $400, with a few higher-quality pieces taking the auction price well over the $400 mark.

    Graded copies are selling for higher prices, so if you pull this and don’t want to keep it, it could be worth getting it graded before choosing a platform to sell it on. 

    Victini (BLK 171/WHT 172)

    A Pokémon card featuring Victini with 80 HP, showcasing the attack "V-Force," with bold red artwork
    It’s not a powerful card, but it’s exceptionally valuable. Image credit: The Pokémon Company
    Card Victini
    Card Number BLK 171/086 or WHT 172/086
    Set Black Bolt/White Flare
    Card Type Black White Rare
    Selling For $300-$600

    At the time of writing, Victini is one of the most expensive cards you can pick up from both Black Bolt and White Flare. Unlike most of the cards in this list, it pops up in both sets, featuring slightly different card numbers. 

    While searching for live auction data, I found prices in the range of $300 to $600 for good quality copies of the card, but also spotted some PSA 10 copies that were starting to creep into the thousands. It’s a card that’s got the community talking and the current prices reflect this. 

    Victini is one of the first Black White Rare cards in existence and it has a striking aesthetic, with a vivid red color theme and dynamic design.

    I’m predicting that the hype for some cards from Black Bolt and White Flare will start to die down, but I think Victini will continue to be a hugely popular card in the collector’s scene, at least for the next few months. 

    Pokémon TCG Black Bolt and White Flare both have an impressive roster of cards up for grabs, and they’re worth picking up if you’re a collector looking to stock up on valuable pieces. The prices in this list are sure to fluctuate after publication, so always double check prices on other sites before making a purchase, especially for higher value cards. 

    Ask The Escapist

    Does Black Bolt or White Flare have the most valuable Pokémon cards?

    While they both offer plenty of artistic and monetary value, Black Bolt stands out as a slightly better option for avid Pokémon TCG collectors who are looking to invest in top-tier cards.

    Where do you find out how valuable a Pokémon card is?

    I’d recommend shopping around and using a range of sources – for example, I referenced Cardmarket, Price Charting, TCGPlayer, Collectr, and eBay for this article. If you’re investing in an expensive card, research is crucial. 

    What’s the difference between Pokémon Black Bolt and White Flare?

    Despite being part of the same release, it’s best to think of Pokémon TCGBlack Bolt and White Flare as separate special sets. They have individual card lists and rare hits, with a variety of art styles contained in each pack.


    The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy



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  • Battlefield 6 beta guide and how to play early

    Battlefield 6 beta guide and how to play early


    When is the Battlefield 6 beta? As well as unveiling some explosive multiplayer gameplay, the Battlefield 6 beta dates have also been revealed by EA. Before it launches later this year, everyone will get a couple of opportunities to give Battlefield 6 a spin, and there’s some early access on offer for some players as well.

    The Battlefield 6 release date isn’t that far away now, with the highly anticipated shooter dropping in October. Promising a multiplayer experience stuffed with classic modes, a flexible approach to classes, and a new environmental destruction system, it could genuinely challenge this year’s new Call of Duty game, Black Ops 7. In the build-up to launch, you’ll be able to try Battlefield 6 for free thanks to two open betas, and they’re just around the corner.

    Battlefield 6 beta dates

    The first Battlefield 6 beta weekend will run between Thursday, August 7, and Sunday, 10 August. The first two days will require early access privileges, but the final two days will be completely open for all players.

    The second Battlefield 6 beta weekend starts on Thursday, August 14, and wraps up on Sunday, August 17. There is no early access period for this one – it’ll be open to all for the entire duration.

    Both beta weekends will be accessible for players on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

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    How to get Battlefield 6 beta early access

    There are two different ways to get early access for the first Battlefield 6 beta weekend – being a Battlefield Labs participant, or through Twitch Drops.

    Those who have already been testing the game through the Battlefield Labs initiative will be granted instant access to the first beta weekend. If you weren’t a playtester, your only other port of call is to watch partnered streamers on Twitch to earn early access privileges through Battlefield 6 Twitch Drops.

    How to pre-load the Battlefield 6 beta

    If you managed to snag yourself a code for the upcoming closed beta, you can pre-load the game from August 4 to save yourself any faff on the day it goes live. To pre-load the Battlefield 6 beta, you must first ensure that your account is correctly linked to your platform of choice using this link.

    Once you’re linked, search for ‘Battlefield 6 Open Beta’ in the search bar of your client (EA App, for instance). Once you have located the beta version of BF6, you should be able to download it and be 100% ready for action once the 7th rolls by.

    If you can’t wait for the beta to arrive, get a feel of how things are shaping up with our hands-on Battlefield 6 preview. Alternatively, go and play some of the older entries – they’re some of the best FPS games ever made.



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  • magic the gathering – Zimone, All-Questioning and Primo’s interactions with cards that let you draw cards based on the amount of power your creature has

    magic the gathering – Zimone, All-Questioning and Primo’s interactions with cards that let you draw cards based on the amount of power your creature has


    So before we get to the “actual” question let me just make sure everyone is on the same page with the cards in question

    Zimone, All Questioning has an effect that says

    “At the beginning of your end step, if a land entered the battlefield under your control
    this turn and you control a prime number of lands, create Primo, the
    Indivisible, a legendary 0/0 green and blue Fractal creature token,
    then put that many +1/+1 counters on it. (2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19,
    23, 29, and 31 are prime numbers.)”

    Cards like Garruk’s Uprising have an effect that says

    Whenever a creature you control with power 4 or greater enters, draw a card.

    Does Garruk’s Uprising (and other cards like it) see Primo when it is first created as a 0/0 or do they only see it after the +1/+1 counters are added to it?



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  • Ashes of Creation’s new towns make the MMORPG even bigger and more realistic

    Ashes of Creation’s new towns make the MMORPG even bigger and more realistic


    With Ashes of Creation Alpha 2 Phase 3 finally on the cusp of launch, developer Intrepid Studios has lifted the lid on arguably its most significant features, towns and crates. The highly ambitious MMORPG is about to make its settlements much bigger and more impressive, and is introducing a new in-game representation of goods transportation that will be a key part of player guilds building and managing these towns. To talk through the features, creative director Steven Sharif and director of communications Margaret Krohn are joined by director of design Bill Trost and senior game designer Chris Justo.

    As Intrepid continues to hone Ashes of Creation, the step into its next phase of alpha testing makes a major jump forward with the introduction of level-four nodes (the individual regions on each server realm). This will allow players to build full-scale towns to rival even the developer-made equivalents found in many of our best MMORPGs. The livestream starts with discussion about the ongoing improvements Sharif previously mentioned when he announced the Phase 3 delay, including the Anvils starting area, server performance, time-to-kill, and the first-time user experience. The real meat we’re here for begins at the one-hour mark, however.

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    “This is exciting because we haven’t had an update to node stages in quite some time,” Sharif remarks. The team recently cut one of its planned tiers, ‘metropolis,’ from the settlement progression, meaning that towns are now the penultimate stage before we eventually reach full-scale cities. Right from the start, towns are immediately a huge change from the current villages, as our in-game preview starts outside the towering stone walls of a place named ‘Kal Torhum’ and its imposing main gate.

    “Towns are significantly bigger,” Justo says, doubling the size from the two in-world ‘cells’ of villages up to four for towns. When factoring in static, in-node housing, that number could well double again. I’m immediately taken by the scale as the developers ride through the entryway; stone-brick buildings line the cobbled streets, and it strongly reminds me of visiting old medieval towns across the United Kingdom. Sharif has something else in mind, however, calling quick attention to the packs everyone is carrying on their backs.

    This is the crate system in action, a fundamental new part of Ashes of Creation that’s a more grounded overhaul of cargo. These boxes range from personal crates to store your own gear to construction crates filled with building materials, and commodity crates that can be taken to ports, other nodes, or into lawless zones as requested to earn rewards. Crates are designed “to make more and more things feel like they are happening in a real world,” Trost explains, although adds that this comes with the caveat of “always favoring gameplay over reality.”

    Ashes of Creation towns - The developers ride through the streets of a town, carrying large backpacks.

    Crates represent resources being physically moved around Verra, and come in various sizes. You’ll be able to transport them on your back as you travel, or put them onto ships or caravans. They’re visible in game, meaning other players can see what you’re carrying, although killing someone to steal their supplies is considered a hostile PvP action and will inflict the same corruption mechanics as any regular instance of troublemaking in Ashes of Creation.

    The team are carrying construction crates today, and Justo leads them over to a laboratory in town wrapped in scaffolding and tarps. It’s close to completion of an expansion, and a menu shows that just three crates are required to finish the project. In total, it looks like three different resource types have been delivered already – 100 crates of one, 33 of another, and 64 of the 67 needed from the variant being submitted now. Once everything’s turned in, there’s a short period while the upgrade finishes.

    Sharif then opens the node menu and looks through Kal Torhum’s bulletin board, where he can inspect all of the building plots individually. Here you can see the required weekly maintenance costs, along with big upgrade trees for each structure that let you choose how you want to specialize. “We’re going to need a lot more crates,” Trost jokes. You’ll also see smaller ‘node XP’ construction projects that appear automatically around the town, which will provide a bump of experience to the overall node when completed.

    Ashes of Creation towns - The upgrade tree for a Laboratory building.

    Next, we look at a commodity crate, more specifically a ‘Crate of Succulent Fruit.’ This, the tooltip explains, can be delivered to the market commodity vendor in a given node to sell it for gold. With a click, Sharif pulls up a pricing comparison, showing how far away each node is and what it’s currently prepared to pay for the goods in question.

    The towns are certainly impressive, offering a level of player-led creativity that outstrips anything seen in the new World of Warcraft housing or FF14’s Island Sanctuary. I’m most reminded of my time building a guild stronghold in Neverwinter, but on an even bigger and bolder scale. There’s still a long, long way to go before Ashes of Creation reaches its full release, but what’s already here makes me eager to see if Intrepid can pull it off.

    Ashes of Creation Alpha 2 Phase 3 launches on Tuesday August 26. Taking part in the ongoing alpha requires a key starting at $100, which also includes future beta access, a month of game time, and $15 worth of Ashes of Creation’s in-game marketplace currency, Embers.

    In the meantime, the best building games will let you put those construction skills into practice. Want to make sure you’re able to do all that scale justice? Perhaps it’s time to grab the best graphics card for your budget in 2025.

    You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We’ve also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.



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  • How to use the new feature to test DPS and builds

    How to use the new feature to test DPS and builds


    Destiny 2 players have been begging for a shooting range to test their builds ever since the Tribute Hall was removed back in Shadowkeep. Bungie has finally delivered in The Edge of Fate. It doesn’t disappoint either, offering everything you could want from such a feature, allowing you to damage test with your various builds to get just the right damage and rotations. 

    While impressive, the Shooting Range can be a little overwhelming at first. There’s a lot to it, and learning how to make the most of it all is essential to ensure you’re optimising all the information you can glean from it. However, if you can master it, it will make you an infinitely better player, so it’s well worth understanding. Here’s everything you need to know.


    The Escapist recaps

    • Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate was released on July 15th, 2025.
    • The expansion kicks off a new saga for the Destiny narrative, called ‘the Fate Saga’.
    • In Destiny, big damage numbers are what every self-respecting Guardian wants, and the Shooting Range lets you hone that process.
    • This new feature is excellent for trying new ideas and putting your new builds to the test
    • The Shooting Range is full of great options, but it can be overwhelming to get your head around all of it.

    Rally Flag

    Rally Flag station in Shooting Range
    This work just as you’d imagine any rally flag might. Image credit: Bungie

    The first thing you’ll want to do is rally at the flag found on the right side of the Shooting Range. Doing so will refresh your abilities and give you max ammo for all of your weapons. Using this does not consume any Raid Banners, so feel free to rally as many times as you want.

    Prismatic Wellspring

    Prismatic Wellspring glowing with light particles in Destiny 2
    This is your one-stop to activate transcendence. Image credit: Bungie

    While rallying resupplies almost everything, it won’t give you Transcendence. For that, you’ll need to stand in the Prismatic Wellspring on the left of the entrance to build up both Darkness and Light energy.

    This can be utilized on both Prismatic builds and other subclasses, but the energy will decay rapidly unless you are using Prismatic. After entering Transcendence, you deal 5% more damage, take 20% less damage, gain access to a class-specific grenade, and have significantly increased ability regen.

    Self-damaging Laser

    Self-damaging laser station in Destiny 2 Shooting Range
    In some instances, being low health can activate perks, so using this, you can test those numbers out. Image credit: Bungie

    Directly opposite the Flag Rally, you’ll find a self-damaging laser that can be used to lower your health quickly. This is useful for testing the effects of perks or Exotics that are only relevant when you have reduced health, like Heal Clip and Mechaneer’s Tricksleeves.

    Enemy Factions

    Enemy Factions selection panel in Destiny 2 Shooting Range
    Want to test your build against a specific enemy action? Here’s how you choose that. Image credit: Bungie

    To the left of the Shooting Range, you’ll see a board with the symbols of eight different enemy factions. Shooting these symbols will spawn enemies from that faction, allowing you to test out your build against one of the following: Cabal, Dread, Fallen, Hive, Scorn, Taken, Vanguard Training, and Vex.

    Notably, the bottom right symbol spawns Target Frames that have infinite health. This is ideal for DPS testing, as they can never die regardless of how much damage you deal. In contrast, most other enemy types have limited health and won’t be much use for figuring out what DPS rotation works best.

    Enemy Options

    Enemy behavior options panel in Destiny 2 Shooting Range
    This is excellent for using your build against enemies who actually want to hurt you. Image credit: Bungie

    To the right of the Shooting Range, you’ll see a different board with three symbols. Activating these will trigger various effects, with the first symbol resetting your DPS Scoreboard, the second symbol activating enemy behaviour, and the third symbol clearing all combatants from the range.

    Combatant Selection

    Combatant selection terminal with holographic enemy in Destiny 2
    Choosing the right enemy for the right test is important. Image credit: Bungie

    There are five large plinths scattered throughout the Shooting Range that can be used to spawn specific types of enemies. To use these, interact with them after choosing any Enemy Faction except for Vanguard Training. For example, you could select Vex and then use these plinths to spawn in Goblins, Minotaurs, or Wyverns.

    Not only does this let you test out your build against a range of combatants, but your damage dealt also takes into account each enemy’s unique traits. For example, most bosses take around 30% less damage from weapons, which is accurately reflected in the Shooting Range.

    DPS Scoreboards

    DPS scoreboards and target enemies in Destiny 2 Shooting Range
    Knowing how much damage you’re doing is very important when it comes to finding your best builds. Image credit: Bungie

    Hanging above the Shooting Range, there is a large scoreboard that tracks damage per second (DPS) and total damage (DMG). This is one of the most important features in this area, as it allows you to test and compare the potency of different builds, weapons, and perks against one another.

    Additionally, there are six smaller boards found below the large board. These track DPS and DMG for up to six different Guardians in the Shooting Range. This is convenient for Fireteams looking to test their team damage and the specific impact of various buffs and debuffs that are more team-oriented.

    Display Distance on Target

    Aiming at Taken Goblin with distance indicator in Destiny 2
    Sometimes distance matters to your damage, so this is a great way to put it to the test. Image credit: Bungie

    This panel is found on the far left of the Shooting Range and can be toggled to show how far away an enemy is when you aim at them. The main use for this is for testing PvP weapons, as understanding damage fall-off in the Crucible is essential to becoming a better player.

    Single Combatant

    Single Combatant terminal with enemies in Destiny 2 Shooting Range
    This is the panel you’ll want to hit if you want to go against one enemy. Image credit: Bungie

    This panel is also found on the left of the Shooting Range, and activating it spawns in a single combatant of your choosing. More specifically, the enemy that spawns will always match the Enemy Faction and Combatant Selection previously set.

    Combatant Wave

    Combatant Wave terminal with multiple enemies in Destiny 2 Shooting Range
    It’s not all boss damage; at times, you’re likely going to want to see if your build can deal with many enemies. Image credit: Bungie

    Found on the right-hand side of the Shooting Range, this panel spawns in a wave of combatants of your choosing. Much like the Single Combatant panel, the enemies that spawn will match the Enemy Faction and Combatant Selection previously set.

    Champion Combatant

    Champion enemy spawned in Destiny 2 Shooting Range
    Champions are always tough, so making sure you can deal with them goes a long way. Image credit: Bungie

    This panel is located on the far right of the Shooting Range, and activating it will spawn a Champion based on whatever Enemy Faction is selected. Interacting with this panel multiple times cycles between Barrier, Overload, and Unstoppable Champions, with each faction having access to at least two of these.

    More so than anything else, this can be used to figure out exactly what stuns you have access to on a given build. It’s especially handy for figuring out if Anti-Champion artifact mods work with whatever Exotic or weapon you want to use, which isn’t always as obvious as you would think.

    Ask The Escapist

    Is the Shooting Range free for everyone?

    Yes. The Shooting Range is available to all players, whether they have paid for any content or not. It exists in the Tower and is selectable through that menu.

    Is this the first Shooting Range in Destiny 2?

    Sort of. Back in Season of Oppulance, there was the Tribute Hall, which had some use as a Shooting Range. This is a far more extensive feature now, though.

    When will the next expansion launch?

    After The Edge of Fate, the next expansion, Renegades, is expected to launch on December 2, 2025.


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  • Battlefield 6 release date, trailers, and latest news

    Battlefield 6 release date, trailers, and latest news


    What is the Battlefield 6 release date? When Battlefield is firing on all cylinders, it’s a thing to behold: tactical, dynamic, and immersive, there isn’t much else like it out there. Some games have tried to emulate the feel of Battlefield, admittedly with mixed results, so a brand new, numbered entry in one of the best FPS series is something to get excited about.

    The last Battlefield game that graced our screens was 2042, and it left a bitter taste for some, having eschewed some of the core principles that made the multiplayer game great. Battlefield 6 looks to learn from those mistakes, hopefully capturing some of that early magic, gathering old players and, with any luck, a new audience in the process.

    Battlefield 6 release date: a small group of soldiers patrol the interior of a building.

    Battlefield 6 release date

    The Battlefield 6 release date has been officially confirmed and will arrive on Friday, October 10, 2025. This was revealed at the end of a livestream showcasing its multiplayer gameplay.

    This is the same date that was leaked in a legal disclaimer that was spotted just after the initial reveal of Battlefield 6 reveal. The game was shown to have a pre-order promotional offer that ended on October 10.

    Andrew Wilson, CEO of EA, stated during this investors call: “We remain firmly on track for an FY ’26 release with a major global reveal later this summer.”

    The summer reveal of BF6 put the game in good stead to be released this year – we assumed they would want to avoid a late March 2026 release, with other extremely high-profile games coming out around that time.

    YouTube Thumbnail

    Battlefield 6 trailers

    We finally got a glimpse of the future of Battlefield with the BF6 reveal trailer. It starts slow, with the usual political meandering that precedes violence, but once it gets going, it really gets going. Infantry combat, vehicle combat, huge mechanized assaults on fortified locations – this is what Battlefield is about. We even get a hint at the scope of destruction coming with the next installment, with dams bursting, skyscrapers toppling, and suspension bridges being totally decimated.

    There is a Battlefield 6 multiplayer reveal planned for July 31, and the link for that can be found right here. We’ll be waiting.

    Battlefield 6 release date: a group of soldiers are pinned down by gunfire. One soldier takes cover behind a half-destroyed wall.

    Battlefield 6 gameplay

    From the looks of it, Battlefield 6 is heading back to its modern warfare roots, rather than the near-future version we got most recently. With a more grounded setting, it appears that BF6 is going for full realism, with destruction again taking center stage.

    Various leaked videos show facades of buildings crumbling with a well-placed explosive, cover being destroyed, and on the flip side, being created with the debris of fallen buildings. The area of operation looks to be a dynamic, changing thing, being worn down over the course of prolonged firefights.

    The level of destruction is being tweaked with each Battlefield Labs test, with the ultimate aim being to find a balance that offers a changing, dynamic playspace that doesn’t end up looking cluttered by the end of each match.

    Some other additions have been hinted at, including the ability to drag downed teammates before reviving them. As a medic, you’re often putting yourself in harm’s way to save the life of another, so this small addition gives us the chance to be selfless, while also keeping our heads.

    An artillery ability has also been hinted at, with the Recon class being able to call in a small barrage on a designated area. It looks like anyone caught within this area gets a warning before the bombs drop, so it’s unclear how powerful this will be if it’s implemented in the full game.

    Speaking of classes, the universally hated Specialists are, thankfully, out of the picture this time. In the game’s current iteration, classes are still more freeform than Battlefields past, but certain ‘signature gadgets’ are class-locked. Additionally, each class offers a ‘signature weapon archetype’ bonus, encouraging specific playstyles without locking you into them.

    Battlefield 6 Levelution

    A term coined during a better time, perhaps; Levelution was how Battlefield evolved destruction, taking it to another level. It took huge landmarks on a map and, well, leveled them, changing the landscape mid-match and forcing players to change their approach. It was a spectacle, and a little canned for some players’ liking, but Levelution was something that was very Battlefield, and with the official reveal trailer, it looks like it may be returning.

    While we know that there is an unprecedented amount of destruction coming with BF6, there are some structures that are surely too big to be eroded naturally by the tides of a battle. In the reveal trailer, we see a dam bursting, causing havoc for anything in the water’s path. An under-construction high-rise also comes toppling down in the same trailer. We would be extremely impressed if this were all occurring naturally, and would also still be kind of impressed if it turns out Levelution was back.

    Battlefield 6 release date: a building explodes due to a rocket strike.

    Battlefield 6 battle royale

    Taking the next step from the ill-fated Firestorm, there are rumors that Battlefield 6 will host its very own battle royale mode. Getting in fairly early to the BR scene, BF5 tried to blaze the trail with its Firestorm mode, but a clunky user interface, slow pace, and ultimately a lack of support meant that the game mode was doomed to fail.

    Many years have passed since then, and with any luck, many lessons have been learned. Warzone is going stronger than ever, showing that there is value in diversifying and offering a quality product with continued support. Nobody does scale like Battlefield, and it will be interesting to see if they can finally translate that to the battle royale genre.

    That’s everything there is to know about the Battlefield 6 release date at the moment, but rest assured, we’re scanning the horizon for any and all BF6 news. For now, take a look at the best new PC games you can play right now, and the most exciting upcoming PC games for other things you can look forward to.



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