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Best Support Gems in Path of Exile 2 It is the Support Gem that makes the Skill in Path of Exile 2, and there is quite a huge variety to choose from. The sheer volume available may be intimidating (and for good reason), but there are some Support Gems that you should absolutely not ignore. Strongest Support Gems in Path of Exile 2 Support Gems are the backbone of your Skills, and the best ones can turn a good build into an amazing one. Here are the most potent; the ones that ultimately define or unleash a Skill's potential. Screenshot by Destructoid Controlled Destruction With Controlled Destruction equipped on any Spell, it gains 30% increased damage at the cost of causing it to be unable to hit critically. If you're building raw damage, this Support Gem is one of the most powerful thanks to its multiplicative nature. It is best used on Spells with high base damage, but it will still be very strong on any of your main spell-based Skills. Just remember that it's only for Spells. Attacks cannot make use of this one. Martial Tempo Any build that uses a Martial Skill/weapon (a Skill/weapon swung or used physically) can make use of Martial Tempo. This powerful Support Gem provides any Skill that it is attached to with a free 25% Attack Speed , which is huge in terms of stats. This means that your slowest Skills can become quite fast when it's equipped. Attack Speed is a major DPS factor, so this Support Gem is a must-have staple in many builds. Unleash Unleash can be a game-changing Support Gem for any spell it is linked to thanks to its incredibly potent effect. Without getting into the mud of things, it effectively lets you cast a spell twice with a single cast, with the second spell suffering a large 50% damage decrease. Even so, Unleash is a flat DPS increase as the mana cost for said spell does not change despite it being cast a second time, effectively for free. That all said, Unleash should be on one of main DPS spells, as the damage increase is especially immense in burst-based scenarios. Considered Casting If Controlled Destruction wasn't enough Damage for your Spell, then consider Considered Casting instead. Considered Casting provides your Spell a monstrous 40% Damage Boost at the significant cost of 15% Cast Speed . The penalty here is huge and is something you should try to account for before using this Support Gem. If you can find a way to dampen the negative though, then this gem is absolutely insane for your damage. Screenshot by Destructoid Inevitable Critical There are numerous factors that critically hitting a target can trigger, but without enough Critical Hit Chance, you won't be seeing them activate. Enter Inevitable Critical, a Support Gem that grants you 25% Base Critical Strike Chance per second for the Skill it is equipped to, up to a max of 100% Crit . This effectively means that every four seconds , your Skill is guaranteed to land a Crit, which can be incredibly useful on a main DPS ability. Alternatively, you can also use this Support Gem on a Skill that you don't use unless the Critical Strike is stacked to 100%. Impetus If your build relies heavily on Energy generation for Meta Skills like Cast on Ignite or Cast on Shock, Impetus is a highly useful Support Gem to consider. Impetus can only be equipped on Meta Skills , as it provides an unconditional 40% increase to its Energy gain. Primal Armament Your DPS (Damage per Second) is very important to increase, especially when playing the endgame, and Primal Armament is one of the best in class Support Gems to use for this purpose. When equipped on an Attack-based Skill, it provides an unconditional 25% Damage boost at all times, no strings attached. There are also no negatives associated with Primal Armament, making it one of the most impactful Support Gems for any of your main damage Skills. Cannibalism Cannibalism is a potent Support Gem that allows you to recover 4% of your Maximum Life every time you score a kill . This is fantastic for sustain-based playstyles that rely on scoring kills, which is something you'll need to be doing a lot of to survive the endgame. It can only be slotted into Buff-based Skills and has a Spirit Cost associated with using it, so you may have to plan a bit in advance. However, if you can, Cannibalism is an incredible Support Gem to use. Screenshot by Destructoid Deadly Poison For any build making use of Poison-based damage, Deadly Poison is an irreplaceable Support Gem to slot. Equipping it to a Skill dramatically boosts the potency of the Poison in inflicts ( 75% Magitude ) at the cost of 2 5% less damage with direct hits . This negative is painful, but if your goal is to dish out damage using Poison DoT (Damage over Time), then Deadly Poison is a defining aspect of your build. Make use of it. Searing Flame At the cost of 25% of the Supported Skill's damage, Searing Flame compensates with a massive Ignite Magnitude increase of 75% , making this Support Gem a go-to for Ignite-based builds. Magnitude increases for Ailments are not exactly the easiest to come by, so to have such a large increase on a Support Gem makes this one, one you should not ignore. Elemental Focus Elemental Focus is another Support Gem that does nothing but increase the damage of the Skill you slot it into. It boosts damage by a sizable 25% and can be stacked with other similar Support Gems like Primal Armament for even greater effect. The only notable downside to using Elemental Focus is that it prevents the Skill it is attached to from inflicting Ailments, which can be problematic if that's your goal. Mastery Supports Every single damage type in Path of Exile 2 has a Support Gem dedicated to improving the overall level of the Skill it is attached to by one . If you're unaware, level boosts on Skills provide more benefit than most other mechanics in the game (including other Support Gems), making these Gems extremely important to slot on the Skills most integral to your build/gameplay style. There are no downsides associated with using them, so make sure to do so. Screenshot by Destructoid Immolate Immolate is one of the absolute most potent damage Support Gems in the game. It provides the slotted Skill with 30% Extra Fire Damage against Ignite enemies, which is ridiculous for a Support Gem. That 'Extra' part is especially important because it means that the damage this Gem provides comes after all other damage calculations are completed as a stand-alone modifier to your other damage. In simple terms: it boosts your damage much more than other Support Gems are capable of. 'Extra' damage, in general, is incredibly hard to come by, so for this gem to provide it so easily is insane. If you want to see a significant damage boost, make use of Immolate. Elemental Exposure Supports All the elemental forces in Path of Exile 2 have access to an Exposure Support gem that inflicts a debuff on an enemy struck by the skill it is attached to. The debuff reduces the resistance of said type by a considerable amount, allowing you to deal more damage with that elemental against that target. This is highly valuable for stripping the high elemental Resistances common on endgame enemies, letting you deal with them much more easily. What's more, Exposure debuffs stack with Curse debuffs, allowing you to further strip Resistances with ease. Bloodlust If you're making use of the Bleed Ailment, then you should consider using Bloodlust Support Gem on your main damaging Skill. Bloodlust provides the Skill it is attached to with a significant 30% Damage boost , at the cost of the ability being unable to inflict the Bleed status. More damage is always a good thing, so use this one if Bleed is your thing. Vitality Self-sustainability is more important in Path of Exile 2 when compared to its predecessor thanks to the incredibly punishing endgame. After all, you can't dish out damage when your health pool is at zero. There are many ways to improve your survivability, and vitality is a near-free easy way to do so. It lets you regenerate one percent of your Maximum Health per second. While this will obviously not save you from high amounts of burst damage, it is fantastic for keeping yourself healthy over extended periods. The only real limitation to it is its high Spirit Cost , which can make it difficult to slot in if you're unprepared to do so. Screenshot by Destructoid Arcane Tempo Arcane Tempo functions identically to Martial Tempo in functionality, only it's for Spells instead of Weapon-based Skills. It provides the slotted Spell with 25% increased Cast Speed , making it a considerable DPS increase to use overall Support Gems for your main damage ability. Like Martial Tempo, it comes with no downsides to speak of, making it one of the best Support Gems you can use to boost your overall DPS. Mobility Mobility is a strong option as a Support Gem because it allows you to more safely position yourself in combat, without suffering most of the negatives associated with attacking from range in the first place. While the entire movement penalty is not negated with this Support Gem, most of it is, and it is very noticeable against Path of Exile 2's most difficult content. The post Best Support Gems in Path of Exile 2 appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 31

Is Path of Exile 2 Really Too Difficult? When Grinding Gear Games dropped the announcement for Path of Exile 2 (PoE2), it wasn’t just about continuing the series. It was about shaking things up in a big way, making changes that fundamentally alter the way players would engage with the sequel to one of gaming's most impactful ARPGs. One of the biggest, most defining changes? The approach toward difficulty. From the slower, Souls-like campaign to the highly punishing Endgame, this topic is a firey one for the community. So, let’s talk about it: is the difficulty a bit too much, or is it exactly what the franchise needed to evolve? Path of Exile 2 - Prepare to Die Edition Screenshot by Destructoid If you’ve played the campaign in PoE2 , you’ve probably noticed it’s got some serious Souls-like vibes. It’s slower, more deliberate, and really makes you think about how you’re playing. Unlike the original Path of Exile , where you could just speed through and nuke everything in sight, PoE2 wants you to slow down, take your time, and actually strategize. Boss fights aren't just scaled-up enemies with special names anymore. They’re not just about how much damage you can pump out. You’ve got to watch, learn patterns, and adapt, or else end up a corpse. It’s a breath of fresh air for someone like me who loves a good challenge, and if you enjoy the thrill of mastering tough encounters, you’ll probably love this shift. The campaign in Path of Exile 1 wasn't exactly memorable for its story, nor was it engaging in combat encounters. The community treated it as a character progression stepping stone for reaching the 'Endgame' as fast as possible. While I do not doubt that this scenario will be a recurrence in Path of Exile 2 , at the very least, the slower pacing and more methodical combat will make you think about what you're doing; what you're up against, allowing for the potential for a more memorable experience. It is for this reason that I applaud Grinding Gear Games for taking the gameplay of PoE2 to this juncture. The High Stakes of Endgame Mapping Screenshot by Destructoid Now, let’s talk about the Endgame, where things get really… intense. Mapping in PoE2 isn’t just about clearing enemies. Every run feels like you’re gambling with your progress. You die? You’re losing the map, 10-15% of your XP, and any resources you poured into it. Ouch. Not exactly forgiving, but not totally foreign to those who played the previous title. And then there are the Waystones. These things are crucial for keeping your mapping progression going, but they’re not exactly plentiful. If you have a bad streak, you can find yourself completely out of maps at your level, which means starting over from scratch. It’s brutal, no doubt about it. Some think its far too much a tax, but I think it's fine... or at least the idea of it is. Here’s the thing, though: I think this tension is kind of the point. Knowing that every run could make or break your progress adds an edge that PoE1 just didn’t have. When you succeed, it feels amazing. But yeah, the penalties might be a little too harsh right now. Maybe dialing back the XP loss or making Waystones a bit easier to come by would help without totally removing the tension. That said, I’m on board with the direction Grinding Gear Games is taking. They’re clearly trying to make endgame progression meaningful, and I respect that. It’s better than feeling like nothing’s at stake, right? A Challenge To Be Sure Screenshot by Destructoid So, with everything out in the open, the question remains: is Path of Exile 2 honestly too hard? I don’t think so. The campaign’s slower pacing is a great change of scenery when compared to the near decade of instant-blasting screens in the game's predecessor. The high stakes in mapping also give the game's 'Endgame' a sense of weight, a sense of danger. Every move you make on the Atlas Map must be deliberate, or else you'll find yourself scrambling for Waystones to progress and not an experience point to your name. Sure, it’s not for everyone, and a few tweaks and balance changes might be needed, but overall, I’m loving the challenge. I love that I have to use my brain beyond just character-building. That said, I get why some players might feel overwhelmed. If you’re used to the speed and efficiency of Path of Exile 1 , or you're new to the franchise entirely, this new methodical pacing and the heavier penalties can feel like a punch in the gut. But here’s the thing: games like this are supposed to push us. When you overcome a brutal boss fight or finally beat a tough map, the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled, even if it doesn't feel like it initially. Screenshot by Destructoid I think the real question isn’t whether Path of Exile 2 is too hard, but whether you’re ready to embrace the challenge. For me, the tension and stakes make every victory sweeter. Could it be adjusted a little? Are things a tad overtuned (probably an understatement)? Sure. But do I think the difficulty is fundamentally a problem? Not at all. Grinding Gear Games is walking a fine line between frustrating and rewarding, and while they might need to adjust here and there, they’re really onto something great. Lightning in a Bottle. If you’re willing to lean into the difficulty and adapt your playstyle, Path of Exile 2 offers a rewarding experience that few games can match. And honestly, isn’t that the point of a game like this? To test your limits and see how far you can go? For me, the answer is clear: bring it on, putrescent warts and all. The post Is Path of Exile 2 Really Too Difficult? appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 31

Where to find Mothman Eggs in Fallout 76 One of the more creepy mutants lurking around Falllout 76’s Appalachia is the Mothman, which inevitably gave rise to a loyal cult. Almost equally unsettling are the clusters of black and red Mothman Eggs that can be found near Cultist settlements. These barnacle-looking ova are hard to miss, given their distinctive color pattern and the fact that they’re always grouped in conspicuous clumps on walls and floors. Where can Mothman Eggs be found? Besides a couple of Mothman-adjacent seasonal events in Fallout 76 , the critter's eggs can be found in several Cultist encampments, meaning you’ll probably have to fight to get to them. Clancy Manor Screenshot by Destructoid Screenshot by Destructoid From Vault 76, one of the closest locations to grab Mothman Eggs is Clancy Manor, a two-story building with several Cultists prowling about. This area offers the most Mothman Eggs, which can be found in the central room on the first floor and in the dormitory upstairs. A recipe for Bloodbug Pepper Steak might be in the kitchen; you’ll find nothing on the roof except a few hostiles with guns and perhaps some useful loot. Crossroad Screenshot by Destructoid Screenshot by Destructoid Crossroad is in the northeast corner of Fallout 76's map, rather out of the way, but there are five bunches of Mothman Eggs in the main structure. Other than that, there’s not much to find here. Enclave Research Facility (Transmission Station 1AT-U03) Screenshot by Destructoid Screenshot by Destructoid This source is more trouble than it’s worth just to get some Mothman Eggs. To enter the Enclave Research Facility, you must first gain access to Transmission Station 1AT-U03, which sits on top of it. Prior to the release of the Steel Dawn update for Fallout 76 , getting inside merely required picking a 0-skill lock. Now, you must progress sufficiently in the story to complete the Enclave questline that begins with “Forging Trust” and ends with “Over and Out.” But once you’ve done all that and have delved into the depths of the Enclave Research Facility, head to holding cell Z01, where a Mothman was once held. While you’re in there, it’s worth taking the time to read the very interesting lore sprinkled around the facility. Kanawha County Cemetery Screenshot by Destructoid Screenshot by Destructoid If you’re in the area, the Kanawha County Cemetery is an easy place to grab some Mothman Eggs, though there are only three clusters. A few Cultists are also skulking about. However, if approaching from the north, the eggs can be found in the first little hut with a Mothman statue inside. There’s no need to investigate the rest of the area, though you can find Pastor’s Vestments and a Grognak the Barbarian magazine inside the church. Moth Home Screenshot by Destructoid Screenshot by Destructoid Moth-Home in Fallout 76 is located in The Mire. If it’s your first time here, you’ll get a warning about toxic fumes and the need for a gas mask. However, Moth-Home is not located in a toxic area. The Mothman Eggs can be found in several clusters on the lower floors, but venturing higher will uncover a Scout’s Life 9 magazine and Suspenders and Slacks apparel. Point Pleasant Screenshot by Destructoid Screenshot by Destructoid One of the more obvious places to begin your Mothman Egg hunt in Fallout 76 is Point Pleasant, home to the Mothman Museum. Contrary to expectations, however, they won’t be found in any of the buildings. When approaching from the east side of the town, fight your way across the bridge and then skirt around to the left along the water. You’ll find a Mothman shrine, a gaggle of Cultists, and several groupings of eggs. No need to delve further into Point Pleasant if that’s all you’re looking for, though there is some useful loot, a couple of recipes, and a Police Uniform and Hat sprinkled within. What are Mothman Eggs used for in Fallout 76? Screenshot by Destructoid Complete the daily challenge “Collect Mothman Eggs” Complete the daily challenge “Sell Mothman Egg Omelette to an NPC vendor” Sell to a vendor for 2 Caps Eat raw for A chance to proc the Carnivore mutation, which grants double the benefit from eating meat with no chance of disease, but vegetables are no longer satisfying A chance to gain the following Perks: Good with Salt -Food in your inventory will spoil 30/60/90% slow er Iron Stomach – Increased Damage Resistance based on END while not diseased Lead Belly – You take 30/60% less or no radiation from eating or drinking Slow Metabolizer – All food satisfies hunger by an additional 25/50/75% Make a Mothman Egg Omelette for +2 CHA for 30 minutes Mothman Egg x1 Wood x1 Make Brain Bombs Brain Fungus x3 Mothman Egg x2 Purified Water x2 Sugar Bombs x3 Wood x1 The post Where to find Mothman Eggs in Fallout 76 appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidDec 22

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