In Path of Exile, balance changes have once again shaken the game's defensive landscape. Among the biggest shifts was a widespread nerf to "Physical Damage Taken As" modifiers, reducing their accessibility and overall power POE currency . This was accompanied by a redesign of the once-ubiquitous Watcher's Eye purity modifiers, which no longer convert physical hit damage into elemental, but instead convert elemental damage between types.

While these changes weakened popular defensive setups that relied on mass conversion of physical damage into elements, they also opened the door to entirely new mechanics. One of the most exciting additions is a new unique jewel introduced in Secrets of the Atlas: Bound by Destiny. This rare jewel-dropped from any of the three new pinnacle bosses-offers three random modifiers, each conditional on wearing a number of influenced items, and it has already started reshaping defensive strategies.

A New Age of Defense: Elemental to Chaos Conversion

Let's zero in on one of the strongest modifiers Bound by Destiny can roll:

"5-10% of Elemental Damage Taken as Chaos Damage if you have 4 Hunter Items equipped."

At first glance, this might not seem like a game-changer. But just like the revamped Watcher's Eye mods, this one doesn't apply only to hits. It applies to all elemental damage, including damage over time (DoTs) - which makes it incredibly potent in a meta full of degens, ignite builds, and spell-based DoT bosses.

And yes, this is a strict upgrade from earlier setups in some ways. There's a clear difference from Divine Flesh, which causes all damage taken to bypass Energy Shield. The Bound by Destiny mod does not do that. This means you can use it with Chaos Inoculation (CI)-the keystone that makes you immune to chaos damage while reducing your life to 1. When you combine Bound by Destiny with CI, any elemental damage taken as chaos is effectively deleted.

Core Interactions and Scaling Options

1. Chaos Inoculation + Bound by Destiny

This is the simplest and most obvious synergy. Because you are immune to chaos, the 10% of elemental damage that gets converted is effectively removed from the calculation before mitigation even occurs.

Want to push this concept further?

 Add Incandescent Heart: This classic unique causes 25% of elemental hit damage to be taken as chaos. Pair it with a max-roll Bound by Destiny (10%), and suddenly 35% of all incoming elemental hit damage never hits your energy shield.

 Not only does this let you trivialize elemental damage, but it also lets you stack ES regen, recharge, and recovery for added survivability.

2. Divine Flesh + Font of Thunder + Bound by Destiny

This interaction is more complex but extremely powerful:

 Divine Flesh converts 50% of elemental damage to chaos and increases your maximum chaos resistance by +5%.

 Font of Thunder lets you take 40% of fire and cold damage as lightning.

 Bound by Destiny adds another 10% elemental to chaos conversion.

End result?

 60% of elemental damage gets taken as chaos.

 40% of fire and cold damage is taken as lightning.

 With high chaos resistance (like 85% or more), and Lightning Resistance capped, you mitigate nearly all incoming elemental damage before it hits your armor or ES.

 Bonus: This setup is resistant to elemental penetration, since most of the damage is either chaos (which isn't affected by ele pen) or rerouted to lightning (avoiding fire/cold pen).

Other Notable Defensive Setups Enabled

Flawed Refuge Shield + Bound by Destiny

Instead of Font of Thunder, consider Flawed Refuge, a shield that causes 40% of elemental hit damage to be taken as physical. This is another layer of redirection, allowing you to bypass elemental penetration entirely. Combine it with:

 High armor (Juggernaut excels here)

 Bound by Destiny for 10% elemental to chaos

 CI or high chaos res

You'll mitigate nearly all elemental hits via physical or chaos resistance, both of which can be scaled without worrying about elemental res stacking. The downside? This setup is hit-only-elemental DoTs will still deal full damage unless mitigated elsewhere.

100% Conversion Without Sublime Vision

Sublime Vision, the aura-locking jewel that enables 100% cold/lightning → fire conversion with Purity of Fire, is rare and expensive. But now you can replicate that effect in a more budget-friendly way:

 Tempered by War: 50% of cold and lightning taken as fire

 Dawnbreaker (max roll): 40% of cold and lightning taken as fire

 Bound by Destiny: 10% of elemental taken as chaos

 That's 100% of cold and lightning damage rerouted, with 10% being chaos, and 90% fire.Perks of this setup:

 No aura lockout (unlike Sublime Vision)

 If you're using CI, 10% of that damage disappears

 The rest is taken as fire, which you can easily overcap to 90%

 It's a cheaper and more flexible alternative with similar tankiness.

Min-Maxing Chaos Mitigation

Once you're routing damage into chaos, your next step is to mitigate that chaos damage effectively. Here's how:

Key Items:

 Doppelganger Guise: 25% less chaos and physical damage taken while in Delirium (insane synergy with Divine Flesh)

 The Fourth Vow: Applies the armor formula to chaos damage taken from hits

 Born of Chaos Clusters: Adds +max chaos resistance

 Soul of Shakari Pantheon: 5% reduced chaos damage taken

Keystone Support:

 Unbreakable (Juggernaut): Applies 15% of your armor to chaos damage

 Energy Shield Mastery: "10% less physical damage taken while on full Energy Shield" - works with Divine Flesh since all damage bypasses ES

 Eldritch Battery: If you're not CI and want to put ES to use for casting

Practical Tips for Building with Bound by Destiny

How to Equip Four Hunter Items:

 Use Awakener's Orbs to apply multiple influences to a rare item.

 Target core unique drops with influence bases and Omen of Fortune for guaranteed success.

 Trade or farm divination cards that reward influenced uniques.

Just make sure you're wearing four pieces of Hunter-influenced gear. Gloves, helmet, boots, body armor-choose what fits best with your build.

Ideal Builds for This Tech:

 CI Occultists with strong ES regen and recharge

 Juggernauts scaling massive armor and Unbreakable

 Pathfinders or Tricksters scaling both evasion and chaos resistance

 Any build that uses Incandescent Heart or Divine Flesh

Final Thoughts: A Jewel That Changes the Meta

The Bound by Destiny jewel may have flown under the radar for many, but it's quickly becoming a cornerstone of high-end defensive theorycrafting in PoE 3.26. It enables:

 Chaos Inoculation builds that delete incoming damage

 Divine Flesh tanks with obscene chaos resistance

 Budget alternatives to expensive endgame setups

 Immunity to elemental penetration

With just a bit of investment into Hunter-influenced gear and creative use of legacy or modern uniques, players can unlock truly absurd tankiness POE orbs , all while bypassing many of the common downsides associated with old-school mitigation stacking.

Whether you're grinding Dynasty mode, dominating in Ultimate Team, or making your mark in Road to Glory, College Football 26 offers a deep and flexible experience for players who want full control over their gameplay CFB 26 Coins . But for many players, there's one frustrating thing holding them back: inconsistent passing. Overthrows, underthrows, misfires-you name it.

The good news? These problems aren't just about your stick skills. Much of it comes down to your in-game settings, and once you dial those in correctly, your entire gameplay experience can change. In this guide, we're breaking down the best passing settings in College Football 26, how to fine-tune them for your comfort, and how to practice to hit those coveted blue throws every time.

Why Settings Matter More Than You Think

Passing in College Football 26 is heavily influenced by your placement and accuracy settings, reticle speed, slowdown options, and even things like vibration or visual assists. These aren't cosmetic changes-they fundamentally change how your quarterback delivers the ball.

Before we dive in, whether you're competing in Ultimate Team, Dynasty, or Road to Glory, these settings are universal and will work across all game modes.

Step-By-Step: The Best Passing Settings to Use

To access your settings, back out to the main menu and head to the Game Settings section. From here, you'll make adjustments in multiple areas.

General Gameplay Settings

 Quarter Length: 5 minutes-A good balance between realism and pacing.

 Accelerated Clock: On-Set to 10 seconds for solo challenges or chewing clock efficiently.

 First Choice: Kick-This means you'll receive the ball at the half, a common strategic edge.

Controller Settings and Passing Setup

This is where most of the magic happens.

Passing Type

 Placement and Accuracy: The gold standard. This is what top players use and it gives you full control over the ball's trajectory.

 Passing Slowdown

 Off: Keeps the game flowing and prevents gameplay from feeling sluggish or awkward.

Pass Lead Sensitivity

 Off or Small: "Small" can sometimes cause overthrows. Most top players prefer "Off" to eliminate the risk.

Reticle Speed

 Recommended: 3 or 7

 3 = Slower, more deliberate aiming

 7 = Snappier movement for quick adjustments

 Anything higher than 7 is typically too fast to control accurately.

Pro Tip: Reticle speed is key if you use LT (left trigger) pass leading. It controls how quickly you can guide the throw to an open window.

Reticle Visibility

 User Only: Keeps the field clean and removes unnecessary clutter.

Defensive Settings

Even though this guide is focused on offense, these defensive settings can help you make quick reads when you turn the ball over or switch sides:

 Ball Hawk: On

 Heat Seeker Assist: Off-Gives you manual control without AI interference.

 Switch Stick Delay: None-You don't want any lag when you're toggling defenders.

 Defensive Switch Assist: On-Can help for zone transitions or CPU coverage support.

Vibration and Accessibility Settings

 Controller Vibration: Off-Reduces distractions, especially in competitive games.

 Motion Blur: Off-Sharper visuals help you read the field and icons faster.

 Enlarge On-Field Graphics: On-If you're playing on a smaller screen or need bigger button icons for quick recognition.

Visual Feedback and HUD Settings

 Dynamic Play Call: Off-Keeps your screen cleaner and avoids distractions.

 Previous Play Information: On-Shows what your opponent is running.

 Defensive and Receiver Visual Assists: Off-You'll want a clean, minimal interface for better field awareness.

 Coaching Tips: Off (unless you're just starting out)

 Pre-Snap Menu: On-Gives access to audibles and hot routes.

Practice Makes Perfect: Open Practice Mode

Once your settings are locked in, it's time to test and tweak them in Open Practice. This lets you run your plays repeatedly and monitor the results. Your goal? Start seeing more "blue" passes, which indicate perfect throws in this year's game engine.

"Blue passes are the best passes in the game. If you're consistently throwing blue, you're really good. Green is fine, but blue is elite."

Here's how to test:

1.Enter Open Practice with any team.

2.Run your favorite offensive scheme.

3.Pay attention to throw quality indicators (Blue = Elite, Green = Accurate, Yellow/Red = Inaccurate).

4.Adjust settings like reticle speed mid-session if you're not hitting blues.

5.Example: If you try reticle speed 7 but find it hard to guide passes, drop to 3. Then throw a few drag routes, slants, and corner routes to re-test.Final Tips: Customization & Comfort First

Everyone's playstyle is different, and while these recommended settings are a great starting point, don't hesitate to tweak them based on your feel. The best QB in the world still needs a grip that feels natural.

Here are a few final things to consider:

 If you consistently throw green but want more blues, slow down your reticle speed and experiment with pass lead.

 If you struggle seeing buttons, use the enlarged on-field graphics setting.

 If you're getting stuck switching defenders, revisit switch stick delay and defensive assist options.

Final Thoughts: Elite Passing Starts With Elite Preparation

The difference between a mid-tier passer and a top-tier quarterback in College Football 26 often comes down to preparation-and that starts with your settings. Once you get these dialed in, everything becomes easier: better reads, more accurate passes College Football 26 Coins , and greater control over your offense.

Practice until the blue throws become second nature, and don't hesitate to tweak until everything feels smooth. This game rewards attention to detail, and now you've got the tools to shine.

With Diablo 4's Season 9 looming on the horizon, the game is heading into perhaps its most transformative patch to date. Blizzard has taken a bold step forward, overhauling build power scaling, revamping endgame systems, and shaking up class balance across the board. The result? A fresh and surprisingly diverse meta where almost every class has a new top-tier build-and longtime favorites are being challenged by rising contenders Diablo 4 Items .

In this article, we're diving deep into the Season 9 tier list, unpacking the most powerful builds for endgame and Pit pushing, explaining why certain classes have risen (or fallen), and offering insight into what these changes mean for casual and hardcore players alike. Whether you're gunning for Torment IV boss clears, high-tier Pit farming, or just want the smoothest leveling experience, there's something for you in this season's lineup.

The Power Scaling Paradigm Shift

Let's address the big change up front: Pit scaling has been reworked. Previously, monster health would scale aggressively, making high-tier Pits a slog. In Season 9, that scaling has been softened-about 20% per tier-and Blizzard also mentioned further adjustments to monster HP in the patch notes. What does this mean?

Even with nerfs on paper, many builds will effectively feel stronger in practice. Whether through better survivability or faster clears, the lowered enemy health scaling gives players more breathing room. This opens the door for previously "mid" builds to now thrive, especially with optimized gear.

S-Tier Powerhouses: Spiritborn, Hydra, and Shadowblight

Let's start at the top. Season 9's S-tier is dominated by Spiritborn builds, enabled by the new Balazan's Maxal Pants. These pants are not just a strong item-they've created an entire archetype.

There are three standout Spiritborn builds:

 Poison Thorns Hybrid: A master of double-dipping damage scaling thanks to bugs (more on that later).

 Jaguar Main Hall Variant: Leverages the Jaguar Hall rune to stack multipliers.

 Mystic Circle Hybrid: A build that's hard to execute but rewards skilled players with absurd damage potential.

Alongside Spiritborn is the Hydra Sorcerer, a build that's both easy to play and incredibly efficient. Often dubbed the "minion Sorc," this setup drops Hydras in a room, teleports onward, and lets the fiery friends clean house. Hydra builds are chill, effective, and scale well even without BiS gear. Expect them to be the most popular Sorcerer build this season.

The Shadowblight Necro has also emerged as a major player. Thanks to buffs to passive scaling and corpse explosion mechanics, this build now sits comfortably in S-tier. That said, other Necro setups like Blood Wave and Bone Spear have been hit with nerfs or clunkiness, pushing them down the list.

Rogue's Rise: Penshot and Poison Reign

After several seasons of Death Trap domination, Rogues finally have fresh builds to explore:

 Penshot: Built around the Azaraf unique, this is a sleek, high-speed, high-damage setup that plays well in both endgame and Torment IV.

 Poison Twisting Blades: Still strong, but now competing with more viable options.

Azaraf-based Rogues: Builds focused on proccing effects from Azaraf are spreading across classes, from Sorcs to Barbs. Expect this weapon to define many loadouts, particularly for those with high attack speed.

Druid Developments: Finally Out of the Basement

Druids have had a rough few seasons, but Season 9 brings new hope. Notably:

 Flesher Druid (a.k.a. Singer Druid): Once a meme, now a monster. Using Bulwark to trigger AoE damage procs, this is Druid's best endgame option right now.

 Polarize: A decent new entrant empowered by Rotting Lightbringer, a two-handed unique mace.

 Companion Builds: Solid, though not outstanding, offering a relaxed playstyle and moderate performance.

 While Druids don't dominate S-tier, they now have respectable endgame builds that can push high Pits and survive elite content.

Barbarians: The Balanced (but Boring?) Class

Let's be blunt: Barbarians are in a weird spot. Nearly every Barb build has landed in B-tier, creating what some players are calling the "Barb Tier." This includes:

 Earthquake: Now brought in line with other Barb builds-nothing broken, nothing flashy.

 Lunging Strike & Leapquake: Fun mobility-based options for speed farming, but not meta-defining.

Still, thanks to the adjusted pit scaling, Barbs are more playable than they look on paper, especially with solid gear. Also, builds like Razor Wings, recently buffed, offer some exciting niche opportunities for creative players.Speed Farming & Leveling: Teleport Rules All

When it comes to speed farming, Sorcerers with Teleport and cooldown reduction reign supreme. With items like Shako, they blink across the screen nonstop, making them unmatched in low-Pit XP runs and material farming.

Other strong speed builds:

 Evade Rogue: The best leveling build and a top-tier choice for early Paragon grinding. It just works from level 1.

 Hydra Sorc: Again, wins for reliability and AoE power.

 Cataclysm Druid: Surprisingly effective even after nerfs, thanks to massive screen-wide AoEs.

Notably, Necromancer struggles in the speed meta. Despite high power for pushing and bossing, clunky minion AI and setup times make them slow farmers.

Bossing Tier List: Big DPS, Big Expectations

The bossing tier list largely mirrors the endgame list, as it prioritizes raw DPS. Top picks include:

 Spiritborn builds (again)

 Shadowblight Necro

 Hydra Sorc

If you're looking to farm Lurell Vile or other Torment IV bosses, these are your go-to builds. Just be cautious with melee or setup-heavy builds, as boss mechanics-especially invisible damage zones-can still ruin your run if you're not careful.

Leveling: Get to 60, Fast

For those diving into Season 9 fresh, the best leveling builds are:

1.Evade Rogue-Fast, safe, and scales with early gear.

2.Spiritborn Druid-When supported with the right gear, offers smooth progress.

3.Hydra Sorc & Shocking Impact Familiar Sorc-Both offer strong AoE and ease of use.

4.Basic Necro-Solid by default, with few weaknesses.

Most classes have at least one great option to go from 1-60 in just a few hours, especially if you're familiar with efficient pathing and early gear farming.

Final Thoughts: Season 9 Is a Meta Reboot

For the first time in multiple seasons, Diablo 4 feels new again. The dominance of stale builds like Death Trap Rogue and Bone Spear Necro has been broken Buy Diablo 4 materials , and in their place rise unexpected contenders-from Spiritborn hybrids to Bulwark Druids and Hydra Sorcs.

Yes, some builds rely on unfixed bugs or overperforming uniques. But in a game that's constantly evolving, that's part of the fun. You'll find new ways to break the meta-or simply enjoy builds that "just work" in a variety of content.

And remember, this is only the beginning. Expect hotfixes, buffs, nerfs, and wild discoveries as Season 9 progresses.

Diablo 4's Season 9 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons yet, especially for fans of the Sorcerer class. One build Diablo 4 Items , in particular, is generating a ton of buzz-the Hydra Sorcerer. This build is poised for an enormous power boost thanks to massive buffs, new gear, and some game-changing mechanics. Whether you're a veteran player or new to the Sorcerer, the upcoming season's Hydra playstyle promises incredible burst damage, stunning visual effects, and a fresh way to tackle endgame content.

Let's dive deep into what makes this build so thrilling and why you should be gearing up to try it.

The Current State of the Hydra Sorcerer

Before we get into the upcoming changes, it's worth noting just how effective the Hydra Sorcerer already is in Season 8. Even now, players rocking hydras with about eight heads can clear difficult content like Uber bosses and the notorious Pit at level 102 with relative ease. These hydras, summoned around the battlefield, deal continuous burning damage and overwhelm enemies by sheer numbers.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. While the current setup is powerful, players have been limited to fewer hydra heads and less damage multiplier. This season, those limits will be shattered.

The Biggest Buff: More Heads, More Damage, and More Hydras

Season 9 introduces a series of buffs that multiply the Hydra's damage exponentially. The highlight is the ability to summon hydras with up to 18 heads-up from the current maximum of 12. Each head on a hydra translates into a damage multiplier. Specifically, the build boasts a multiplier around 16x, which means a hydra with 15 heads deals 1,500% damage from heads alone!

But that's not all. The upcoming season includes a new amulet, tentatively called Oidian Iris, which turns Hydra into a core skill. This is a massive change because it allows Hydra to benefit from a host of core skill multipliers and passive bonuses that previously did not apply. For example, the amulet lets Hydra scale with the Elemental Dominance passive, which boosts damage and mana regeneration, along with other powerful glyphs that add further damage multipliers.

Alongside the amulet, there's also a new Serpentine Aspect that further boosts Hydra's damage by providing a 5% damage increase for every 1 mana spent on Hydra when wielding a two-handed weapon. Since the Sorcerer can easily have 200+ mana, this alone can add a mind-blowing 1,000% damage boost, pushing the total damage multiplier even higher-potentially reaching 200x damage output.

The Build's Mechanics and Gameplay Flow

Players can expect to summon an entire army of hydras, creating a visually stunning and highly effective battlefield presence. With the new teleport enchantment, the Sorcerer can permanently teleport around the field, laying down hydras constantly while evading enemy attacks. This mobility combined with massive damage makes the build not only powerful but also fun and dynamic to play.

Key skills in the build include:

 Devouring Blaze: A core part of the build that synergizes with the new amulet.

 Inferno and Firewall: These provide additional damage multipliers and control.

 Frost Nova, Ice Armor, and Familiar: Utility and defensive skills to keep the Sorcerer alive.

 Hydra with Teleport Enchant: The star of the build, summoning multiple hydras while allowing constant repositioning.

Challenges and Considerations

No build is without its challenges, and the Hydra Sorcerer is no exception. One notable tradeoff is the loss of some heads when activating certain multipliers. For example, when using the Serpentine Aspect, you might lose some heads to maintain mana consumption, slightly reducing the number of hydra attacks but increasing overall damage due to the multiplier.

There is also some uncertainty about how much certain gloves and gear will scale after a recent bug fix, which toned down the power of some item effects. The community will be keeping a close eye on these changes once the PTR (Public Test Realm) goes live.

Burning Damage and DOT Synergies

One of the most exciting parts of this build is the synergy with damage over time (DOT) effects, especially burning damage. Many multipliers in Season 9 target DOT mechanics, making burn-based hydras extremely deadly.

For instance, the upcoming Tyrant Bane and other seasonal affixes continuously increase DOT damage, allowing hydras to melt bosses like Lilith with billions of burning damage, as seen in recent pit runs. This burn synergy also extends to the new skill gems and runes, such as the Nago rune, which interacts well with pets like hydras to maximize damage output.Visuals and Community Reaction

The Hydra Sorcerer is not just about raw numbers-it's also a feast for the eyes. Imagine summoning multiple massive hydras that light up the battlefield with fire and brimstone, all while zipping around with teleport. Videos from Season 8 show hydras melting bosses like Lilith effortlessly, and with the new buffs, we can only expect the spectacle to get even more impressive.

Planning Your Hydra Build: What to Expect

Developers have updated the skill planner to reflect all these new changes, making it easier for players to theorycraft and optimize their setups before the season drops. The planner includes updated skill trees that maximize mana, damage multipliers, and resource management to sustain the hydra spam.

Some recommended choices in the skill tree include:

 Maxing Elemental Dominance to boost mana and damage.

 Prioritizing Devouring Blaze and Inner Flames for increased DOT and fire damage.

 Considering Flame Shield or Ice Armor depending on your defensive preference.

 Using Teleport with the enchantment for mobility and perma-evade.

 Equipping legendary gloves and gear that boost cooldown reduction and damage multipliers.

What the PTR Will Reveal

The Public Test Realm for Season 9 is scheduled to start soon, and this will be the moment for players to test these exciting new Hydra mechanics in real time. Early impressions show incredible damage scaling and survivability, but players will want to test gear combinations, skill synergies, and boss strategies thoroughly.

The PTR will also clarify how some nerfs and buffs to gear will affect the build, especially gloves and amulets. Community feedback will likely influence final balancing, so Hydra fans should stay tuned and participate if possible.

Conclusion: The Hydra Sorcerer-A New Meta Powerhouse

Season 9 is setting up to be a landmark season for Sorcerers, with the Hydra build positioned as one of the strongest and most visually stunning ways to play. The combination of massive damage multipliers from more hydra heads Diablo IV Items , a new powerful amulet that makes Hydra a core skill, and the Serpentine Aspect's mana-scaling damage boost means players will be commanding a fearsome hydra army that can clear endgame content with ease.

The build's synergy with DOT and burn effects further amplifies its lethality, making it not just powerful but also versatile against a range of bosses and enemies. If you're a fan of summoning, fiery chaos, and high-mobility gameplay, this Hydra Sorcerer should be at the top of your list for Season 9.

As Diablo 4's Season 9 emerges from its PTR (Public Test Realm) phase and nears full release, players across the board are asking the same question Diablo 4 Items : Is this the moment Diablo 4 finally finds its stride, or are we in for another round of recycled systems and lukewarm innovations?

Having played through every season so far-and with a critical eye sharpened by years of Diablo content-the answer isn't entirely straightforward. On one hand, there's genuine progress in areas that have long needed attention. On the other, Season 9 still carries familiar baggage: power reuse, underwhelming changes, and a sense that Blizzard is treading water until the next big expansion.

Let's break it down: the good, the bad, and what Season 9 tells us about Diablo 4's future.

Escalation Dungeons: The Endgame Finally Evolves

The most significant-and most welcome-addition in Season 9 is the Escalation Dungeon system. For a long time, Nightmare Dungeons have felt stagnant. Their scaling capped out too early, they lacked significant challenge, and they offered little incentive to keep pushing beyond Torment IV. Escalation Dungeons aim to change that.

Think of these as tiered, dynamic endgame content where you progressively add affixes to a dungeon, increasing difficulty while reaping better rewards. At key points during a run, players can escalate the challenge by tacking on new modifiers-resulting in a dungeon that changes mid-run and continues ramping up the stakes.

This concept mirrors the intensity and structure of Infernal Hordes, but with a more strategic twist. You're not just battling wave after wave-you're choosing to escalate, customizing your dungeon's difficulty curve. And at the summit? A proper boss fight. Players will face Astaroth, the terrifying dog-rider boss from the campaign, in what many consider one of Diablo 4's most cinematic encounters. Bringing him back as an endgame capstone is a smart move and one that finally breathes life into what had become an anemic bossing system.

There's also the addition of Heradric Strongrooms-optional challenge rooms that can appear inside these Escalation Dungeons. These rooms further deepen the loop, offering bonus rewards and decision-making layers mid-dungeon. In essence, they shake up Diablo 4's notoriously linear endgame with more complexity, more risk, and more fun.

Verdict: Huge win for endgame longevity.

The Power System: More of the Same, Just Rearranged

Now for the letdown.

Season 9's central mechanical hook-the new Power System-feels like yet another repackaging of old ideas. It's not that the system doesn't work; it's just that we've seen it all before. Season after season, Diablo 4 has leaned hard on the gimmick of new powers as its headline seasonal content. From Vampiric Powers to Malignant Hearts, the naming might change, but the gameplay doesn't evolve much.

In Season 9, you build powers by choosing a core effect, applying a modifier, and then assigning them to specific skills. On paper, this is flexible and deep-it allows theorycrafters and build-makers to do some cool, creative things. For example, you can make an ability pull enemies in or automatically trigger another spell. This system caters beautifully to those who enjoy sandbox-style customization.

But for most players-especially casual ones who copy meta builds-the Power System feels lifeless. Powers lack visual impact, don't change how the game feels, and most builds can barely tell the difference. It's not exciting. It's not cinematic. And in a game that thrives on spectacle, that's a real issue.

Worse, there's a creeping sense of laziness here. Blizzard appears to be banking on small seasonal modifiers as their go-to formula without evolving them meaningfully. While there's marginally more depth in Season 9's powers, the core experience remains the same-and it's growing stale.

Verdict: Functional but uninspired.

Overall Season Feel: Incremental Progress, Not Innovation

Let's be brutally honest. Diablo 4 is not a radically different game in Season 9 than it was in Season 8-or even Season 6, for that matter. The structure is the same: grind seasonal powers, clear dungeons, chase loot, and defeat bosses. The core gameplay loop hasn't shifted significantly. The main difference is that the edges are more polished.

Yes, Season 9 improves the game. Escalation Dungeons alone make the late-game far more replayable. If you haven't played since launch or have taken a long break, this season will feel better paced, better structured, and more rewarding than what you remember.

But if you've played every season? You'll notice how little the meta has changed. The top builds from Season 6 and Season 7 are still largely viable. Blizzard hasn't dramatically shaken up itemization or class balance, and with only one or two new uniques per class, it's hard to justify calling this a fresh start.There's a lack of risk-taking.

In Path of Exile, for example, a new league might introduce dozens of new skills, overhaul the Atlas, or rework hundreds of uniques. In Diablo 4, we get a couple new powers and a slight endgame tweak. The contrast in ambition is impossible to ignore.

Verdict: Better, but not bold.

Is It Worth Returning in Season 9?

That depends on where you're coming from:

 If you've been on a long break: Absolutely. Diablo 4 is in its most polished state yet, and Season 9's additions meaningfully enrich the endgame experience.

 If you play every season: Probably not. Unless you're invested in testing new builds.

 If you're a build crafter: The new Power System will give you something to tinker with. You'll find some joy in bending spells to your will. But don't expect a revolution.

 Ultimately, Diablo 4 Season 9 feels like a holding pattern. A way to keep the community engaged and the seasonal cadence alive while Blizzard works behind the scenes on the real heavy-hitter: the next paid expansion. That's when you can expect a new class, a new region, a full loot refresh, and more transformative systems.

Until then, Season 9 is a solid-but safe-step forward.

Final Thoughts

In many ways, Diablo 4 Season 9 reflects the duality at the heart of Blizzard's ARPG. On one hand, it's a smoother, better game than it was at launch. The new Escalation Dungeons and Heradric Strongrooms are a meaningful shake-up to stale endgame activities. They show that Blizzard can evolve the gameplay experience when they want to.

On the other hand, the reused Power System, underwhelming balance changes, and predictable seasonal loop show that Diablo 4 is still playing it safe Diablo 4 materials . For a live-service game meant to keep players hooked year-round, that's a dangerous game to play.

As we wait for the next expansion-where the real shake-up likely lies-it's fair to enjoy what Season 9 offers while also acknowledging its limits.

Season 9 is a win. But it's not a turning point.

In Diablo 4 Season 9, the Spiritborn class has finally ascended into the spotlight with one of the most powerful builds the game has seen to date: the Thorns Spiritborn Poison hybrid. This build is currently obliterating content up to Pit 110+ Diablo 4 Items , dishing out billions-and even trillions-of damage with no snapshotting tricks, no gimmicks, and surprisingly, no need for top-tier gear across the board.

At the core of this insane build is a mix of Thorns scaling, Poison over time effects, and rapid-hit mechanics that convert Spiritborn into an unstoppable, boss-melting force of nature. Here's a full breakdown of what makes this build so absurdly powerful-and why it might just be the next thing Blizzard nerfs.

The Core Mechanic: Thorns + Poison = Cataclysm

This build hinges on Razorplate and a set of new Season 9 pants that elevate Thorns scaling into new territory. When combined with fast attack speed and poison conversion, each basic strike applies a deadly poison DoT, which is then consumed by critical strikes and amplified with Noxious Resonance, dealing up to a trillion damage per tick in high-end scenarios.

Even with a low-roll Razorplate, was able to demonstrate 700 billion-1 trillion damage spikes consistently, especially when standing inside the Mystic Circle, which provides bonus Thorns potency and synergizes beautifully with Spiritborn's fast-paced playstyle.

Gear Breakdown: What Makes It Work?

Here's a detailed look at the gear powering this build:

Chest: Razorplate

 Essential for Thorns damage.

 Even a 1G version can push you to Pit 110+.

 Triples in effectiveness with proper Thorns rolls.

Pants: New Spiritborn Thorns-Enabling Leggings

 The real MVP of this build.

 Each attack procs AoE Thorns hits on nearby enemies.

 Scales off attack speed and Poison DoT effectiveness.

Weapons & Accessories

 Mystic Circle: Triggers bonus effects like Thorns potency on lucky hits.

 Jaguar Main Hall: A key factor in amplifying poison damage through DoT consumption.

 Au'quaks & Conceited: Provides heavy multipliers to Thorns damage, especially with barriers.

 Doom Gauntlets: Increases Thorns damage and synergizes well with the build's attack speed.

 Ring of the Starless Sky: Boosts both attack speed and resource generation.

 Catalyst: Equipped on the ultimate, grants even further attack speed and cooldown reduction.

Skill Loadout

The skill bar is laser-focused on quick attacks, massive AoE, and Poison synergy:

 Quill Volley: Primary attack skill for consistent Thorns procs.

 Toxic Skin: Doubles Thorns damage output-mandatory for boss fights.

 Armored Tide & Ravager: Boost toughness and attack output.

 Hunter: Massive attack speed increase, crucial for faster Thorns procs.

 Vortex: Enemy grouping ability; works well with AoE Thorns explosions.

With these abilities combined, mobs melt within seconds, and bosses like Balile fall before they can even animate their second phase.

Paragon Board Optimization

Paragon board is min-maxed for maximum Thorns effectiveness:

1.Spiny Skin-Core Thorns multiplier board with Vigilant nodes for survivability.

2.Hubris-The best glyph for Thorns stacking. Multiplies your total damage.

3.Convergence-Contains the Revenge node, another Thorns damage amplifier.

4.Viscous Shield-Combines with the Colossal node for boss-killing strength.

5.Ritual-Offers insane double-dipping synergy with Jaguar and poison procs.

6.Sapping or Bitter Medicine (optional)-Poison-enhancing nodes for even higher DoT potential.

Season 9 Features That Boost This Build

The new Seasonal Extracts and Oozes are tailor-made to address this build's former weaknesses:

 Reactive Ooze: Solves all resource issues when paired with lucky hit effects.

 Celestial Search / Nebulous Extract: Grants survivability and extra crowd control for better mob farming and safety.

 Fractured Core: Helps activate vulnerable enemies quickly, leading to more crit-based Poison consumption.

Thanks to these features, you no longer need to worry about managing Spirit or sustaining long fights-the build practically plays itself once it's rolling.Bossing and Pit Runs: Absolutely Dominant

Just a few hits under Hunter's buff and inside Mystic Circle are enough to deal hundreds of billions of damage, sometimes even reaching that elusive 1 trillion mark.

For Pit content, even the densest elite packs are one-shotted effortlessly, as long as they're grouped with Vortex and you're attacking fast enough. He emphasizes staying inside the Mystic Circle to maximize Thorns potency and positioning carefully-especially against ranged enemies or when pushing high-tier Pit levels.

Masterworking and Final Tips

Key masterworking tips include:

 Prioritize Thorns rolls on Razorplate and Pants.

 Bastion on pants is currently the most effective modifier.

 Stack Mystic Circle Potency on amulets and accessories.

 Keep resource on lucky hit as a must-have affix to prevent downtime.

The Verdict: The Ultimate Spiritborn Build for Season 9

With billions of damage flying around the screen, mobs vaporizing instantly, and bosses getting one-tapped in Pit 100+, this Thorns Poison Spiritborn build is the most powerful and fun way to play Diablo 4 in Season 9.

Not only is it viable at the highest content levels, but it's also relatively easy to gear and optimize-even with just a 1G Razorplate and average pants buy Diablo 4 gold , the power is immediately noticeable.

Whether you're a softcore speedrunner, a min-maxing Pit pusher, or a Thorns enjoyer from back in the day, this build is for you.

Elden Ring is a sprawling, intricate masterpiece that blends open-world freedom with the brutal challenge of the Souls formula. Whether you're completely new to FromSoftware's games or a veteran looking for a smoother start Elden Ring Items , this guide offers key early-game advice to help you survive, thrive, and ultimately conquer the Lands Between.

1. Character Creation:First Choices That Matter

Your journey begins with character creation-a deceptively simple yet crucial part of Elden Ring. While you can change your name, gender, and appearance later on, your chosen class and keepsake are permanent.

Best Starting Classes

 Astrologer:Perfect for ranged spellcasting. Starts with strong magic and high Intelligence.

 Samurai:Great early-game armor, a longbow, and the deadly Uchigatana. Balanced for melee and range.

 Confessor:A hybrid class suitable for faith-based magic and swordplay. Ideal for a paladin-style build.

Remember, classes only define your starting stats and gear-any character can grow into any role, but gear doesn't come easy, so choose a class that aligns with your desired playstyle.

Best Keepsakes

Your keepsake is a one-time bonus item. Top picks include:

 Golden Seed:Adds an extra flask use early-fantastic for survivability.

 Stonesword Key:Opens imp-gated areas hiding valuable loot.

 Lands Between Rune:Gives a gold rune for a quick level-up.

Avoid the Crimson Amber Medallion (health talisman) since it's easily found early on.

2. Early Game Progression:Getting Set Up

Once you've taken your first steps, you'll quickly reach the Church of Elleh, an important early hub.

Must-Have Purchases from the Church Merchant

 Torch:Essential for dark dungeons.

 Crafting Kit:Unlocks item crafting-key for survival and versatility.

 Telescope:Optional, but useful for scouting.

 From here, head north to Gatefront Ruins, where you'll:

 Meet Melina:She gives you Torrent, your spectral steed.

 Obtain the Whetstone Knife:Allows application of Ashes of War to weapons.

 Return to the Church of Elleh after some progress to meet Renna, who provides:

 Spirit Calling Bell:Enables use of Spirit Ashes, powerful AI companions.

 Lone Wolf Ashes:Your first Spirit Summon.

3. Surviving Combat:Gear, Strategy, and Torrent

Essential Gear

Get the following to make your early journey easier:

 Brass Shield (from Gatefront guards):100% physical block.

 Demi-Human Queen's Staff:Great for early magic users (Weeping Peninsula).

 Barricade Shield Ash of War (Knight's Cavalry):Excellent for defensive builds.

 Glintstone Phalanx Ash of War:Superb magic support skill.

Combat Tips

 Avoid full-frontal group assaults-use stealth and backstabs.

 Check every corner:Enemies often ambush from above or behind.

 Kite tough enemies:Attack, retreat, and reset aggro when needed.

 Use consumables:Bombs, buffs, and coatings are incredibly powerful.

 Torrent:Your Combat Ally

 Use mounted combat for bosses like dragons or field enemies.

 Weightless Armor:While mounted, armor weight doesn't affect movement. Mages can wear heavy gear for survivability.

 Sprint Smart:Torrent's dash consumes stamina-use it wisely.

4. Exploration:The Game's True Reward

Elden Ring rewards players who explore every nook and cranny.

Stone Sword Key Imp Gates

Unlock hidden rooms or dungeons. Always buy these keys when found at merchants.

Catacombs

 Contain Grave and Ghost Glovewort:Upgrade Spirit Ashes.

Solve puzzles by:

 Riding fire traps upwards.

 Finding hidden ladders.

 Hitting illusory walls.

 Caves and Tunnels

 Rich in Smithing Stones for weapon upgrades.

 Look for midway lift jumps to secret rooms or items.

 Towers and Rises

 Award Memory Stones (extra spell slots).

 Solve puzzles like:

 Finding turtle spirits (Wise Beasts).

 Using gestures.

 Crossing invisible bridges marked by faint trails or cliff edges.

 Militia Camps and Forts

Don't skip them. They often hide:

 Strong weapons or gear.

 Quest-related items.

 Spirit Summon upgrades.

5. Navigating Progression:Where to Go First

Elden Ring gives minimal guidance. NPC dialogue and item descriptions hint at paths, but it's easy to feel lost.

Recommended Route

1.Limgrave

2.Weeping Peninsula

3.Stormhill

4.Stormveil Castle (your first major Legacy Dungeon)

5.Liurnia of the Lakes

6.Use a progress route tracker to keep your journey structured and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Stuck?

 Revisit NPCs for dialogue updates.

 Read item descriptions in your Key Items tab.

 Bookmark the Elden Ring Wiki-especially NPC questlines and progression guides.6. Upgrading > Leveling

New players often waste early levels. Instead of pumping stats blindly, upgrade your weapons and Spirit Ashes first.

Upgrade Priorities

 Vigor:More health = more forgiveness.

 Endurance:Equip heavier armor and stamina management.

 Main Damage Stat:Choose one-Strength, Dexterity, Faith, or Intelligence.

 Don't spread your stats too thin. Specialize and invest deeply.

Weapon Scaling and Affinities

You can:

 Change a weapon's scaling via Ashes of War.

 Match gear to your stat focus.

 Find Smithing Master Hewg at Roundtable Hold to perform these upgrades.

 Bell Bearings

Found in late-game or on fallen NPCs, Bell Bearings can be given to Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold to unlock vendor access to upgrade materials.

7. Managing NPCs and Quests

NPC quests in Elden Ring are incredibly detailed and easy to break. Missing a single step or moving the story too far forward may cause:

 NPCs to vanish.

 Entire questlines to fail.

 Tips to Stay on Track

 Talk to NPCs often and revisit them after major boss fights.

 Explore old areas again after each new region is unlocked.

 Take notes or use the wiki to track progress.

 Dead NPCs often drop their gear or Bell Bearings for continued access to their wares.

You can also:

 Give sorcery scrolls to an NPC in Liurnia (no death flags).

 Atone for sins (e.g., attacking NPCs) at the Church of Vows in East Liurnia.

8. Final Thoughts:Embrace the Journey

Elden Ring is massive, complex, and absolutely stunning in its depth. It's not a game you rush-it's a world you live in.

To truly enjoy it:

 Don't worry about being underleveled.

 Avoid skipping dialogue.

 Don't be afraid to summon help.

 Bookmark guides, but follow your curiosity.

The game has dozens of secrets, multiple endings, and character builds for every playstyle imaginable. Whether you're a stealthy dagger-wielding rogue Elden Ring Runes for sale , a lightning-slinging prophet, or a brute with a colossal club, Elden Ring lets you become whatever you dream.

So, gather your flask, summon Torrent, and prepare to die-and grow-again and again.

In the chaos of Path of Exile, where the meta shifts weekly and players chase ever-stronger builds, some combinations rise above the rest. This Lightning Arrow Huntress build, played on the Amazon ascendancy, is one of those builds POE currency . Updated with massive upgrades, this iteration now deals over 200 million DPS, clears entire screens with ease, and melts even five-man pinnacle bosses in under a second.

Welcome to a complete breakdown of one of the most explosive and satisfying bow builds in POE.

Whether you're looking to dominate endgame bosses or blitz through maps at lightning speed, this guide has you covered.

Why Lightning Arrow Amazon?

Lightning Arrow has always been a fast, flashy, and potent skill in the bow archetype. But thanks to recent changes in Path of Exile, including the introduction of powerful new unique items like the Primed Gambit Quiver, Lightning Arrow now offers unmatched versatility for both clearing and bossing.

When paired with the Amazon ascendancy's accuracy scaling and physical conversion mechanics, this build becomes an absolute powerhouse.

Gear Breakdown

The Bow

Your primary weapon should ideally be a Gemini base bow, which grants an additional arrow-a must-have for both single-target and area clearing.

Key stats to look for:

 High accuracy rating (scales your DPS via the Amazon ascendancy)

 High critical strike chance and critical strike multiplier

 Added physical damage

 +Levels to projectile skills

 Optional: High attack speed or elemental penetration

If you're on a budget, prioritize accuracy runes to get started. When you can afford it, switch to critical damage soul cores, which significantly boost endgame DPS.

The Quiver: Primed Gambit

The Primed Gambit unique quiver is a game-changer for this build. It randomly fires one of several special arrow types with unique effects that enhance clearing and even loot drops.

Here's a breakdown of the special arrows:

 Diamond Arrow: Guarantees crits with 60% increased crit damage.

 Reversing Arrow: Projectiles pierce and return-amazing for clearing dense packs.

 Splinter Arrow: Splits shots toward six targets-screenwide coverage.

 Crescendo Arrow: Adds 6 chains with 60% increased chained damage.

 Blunt Arrow: 600% increased stun buildup.

 Covetous Arrow: 600% increased item rarity on kill (seriously boosts divine drops!).

This quiver alone turns your mapping experience into a laser light show of destruction. While not best-in-slot for peak bossing DPS, it still enables 130-140M DPS-more than enough for solo content and up to 3-man carries.

To push past 200M DPS, swap to a rare quiver with:

 Increased lightning or physical damage

 Crit chance and crit multiplier

 Increased projectile damage

 +1 to projectile skill gems

Defenses and Survivability

This build isn't just a glass cannon-it's remarkably tankier than expected, thanks to hybrid defenses and strategic item choices.

Helmet: Deepest Tower

Best-in-slot. Enemies inside your green circle are counted as being on low life, unlocking lucky hit bonuses, extra crit, and damage scaling from passive tree and gear.

Chest: Hybrid Evasion + Energy Shield

The best defensive setup tested so far. Going full Energy Shield or full Evasion felt weaker. The hybrid setup:

 Mitigates physical and elemental hits effectively

 Supports leech into Energy Shield for uptime

 Can be crafted for tri-resists and life/ES rolls

Boots: Full Evasion

Simple and effective. Focus on:

 Movement speed

 Triple elemental resistances

 Evasion rating

Hybrid boots were more expensive and less effective than pure evasion in most testing scenarios.

Gloves: Sanguis

A unique glove that transforms your life leech into Energy Shield gain-massively improving survivability. Since this build leeches consistently through massive hit damage, you're essentially immortal while mapping and bossing.

Roll for:

 High added lightning damage

 Increased attack speed

 Optional: resistances or energy shield

Skill Setup & Gem Links

Your main skill setup revolves around Lightning Arrow, stacked with damage multipliers and utility.

Main 6-link:

 Lightning Arrow

 Greater Multiple Projectiles (for mapping) / Added Lightning Damage (for bossing)

 Elemental Damage with Attacks

 Increased Critical Damage

 Pierce or Chain Support (for synergy with arrow types)

 Added Cold/Lightning Penetration

Utility:

 Grace (for evasion)

 Wrath (for flat lightning damage)

 Precision (tied to your accuracy scaling)

 Blood Rage (for frenzy charges and leech)

 Sniper's Mark (auto-cast for bossing)Passive Tree Highlights

Amazon ascendancy brings unique accuracy-based scaling, converting accuracy into flat physical damage. Prioritize:

 Accuracy nodes

 Crit multiplier and chance

 Bow damage and projectile scaling

 Life and Energy Shield hybrid clusters

 Lightning damage over time clusters (optional tech)

 Leech and recovery nodes

Mapping Experience

Here's where the build truly shines.

With the Primed Gambit Quiver, each map becomes a symphony of destruction:

 Splinter and Crescendo Arrows provide screenwide explosions.

 Reversing Arrows help mop up any stragglers.

 Covetous Arrows boost your loot quality-no rarity gear needed.

 You never need to stop moving-just fire and watch things die offscreen.

Clear speed is so fast, you often finish a full map before even realizing it started. This build is as close to "autopilot mapping” as POE allows.

Bossing Power

Single target damage is also no joke. Even with Primed Gambit, you'll melt most pinnacle bosses in sub-1 second windows. But if you're carrying multiple people or trying to optimize for the toughest fights, swap to a rare quiver and unleash the full 200M+ DPS potential.

Combined with Sniper's Mark, Diamond Arrow effects, and high crit scaling, your Lightning Arrows become guided nukes.

Final Thoughts

This Lightning Arrow Huntress build is the most enjoyable build this league, hands down. It's got it all:

 Screenwide clears

 200+ million bossing DPS

 Insane loot boost

 Affordable gearing curve

 Satisfying gameplay loop

Whether you're a newer player looking for a flashy, powerful bow build or a veteran who wants to carry full parties through bosses cheap POE divine orbs , this setup offers a highly refined path to dominance.