Every player who has ever stood on the mound knows that having a variety of pitching techniques is crucial to standing out in MLB The Show 26.

The game features a wide variety of pitches. To help you build the perfect ace pitcher and achieve victory in Diamond Dynasty, this article will introduce several pitches with high success rates in the game.

Cutter

Cutter (cut fastball) is a fastball type of pitch. It looks like a fastball-type pitch when released, but the ball has a slight horizontal shift in the final stages.

Many consider it the other half of the two-seam fastball. Its trajectory shifts slightly in the opposite direction (towards pitcher's non-dominant hand), making it excellent for baiting left-handed batters or consistently aiming for the top of strike zone. It's designed to prevent the batter from hitting the center, rather than necessarily causing a swing and a miss.

Cutter is considered one of the strongest pitches in MLB The Show 26. So why is it so powerful? The reason is simple. It initially mimics the trajectory of a fastball, making it difficult for the batter to predict the pitch's path. The final movement can result in a weak hit or a missed swing. In short, it's a deceptive pitch that punishes batters with poor timing.

Cutter can be used in combination with other pitches to maximize its power. For example, it can be used with 4-seam fastballs; throw a fastball first, then throw Cutter along the same trajectory to confuse the batter. It can also be mixed with breaking balls for better transitions between pitches.

Sinker

Sinker is also a fastball-like pitch with a significant downward and arm-side trajectory. Initially, it looks like a regular fastball, then drops sharply with a slight horizontal undulation, reaching speeds approaching those of a two-seam fastball.

Sinker remains unmatched in MLB 26. Its descent allows for precise throws to the corners, deceiving batters with what appears to be the center of the pitch until the very last moment when the change in trajectory is noticed. Therefore, this makes it the best weapon for finishing batters (especially those trying to dodge).

However, unlike Cutter, Sinker's triple trajectory makes it one of the most difficult pitches for beginners to master in the accuracy pitching interface. Therefore, many top pitchers in Diamond Dynasty mode rely on combinations centered around Sinker. Pitchers occupy a very important position on a team, so if you have enough $1, I recommend prioritizing upgrading your pitcher.

Sinker can be combined with various pitches. Here are three recommended combinations: Sinker + Slider, Sinker + Cutter, or Sinker + Changeup. Choose to accord with your situation.

4-Seam Fastball

4-Seam Fastball is the fastest pitch in MLB The Show 26 and one of the few pitches that seems difficult for AI ​​to catch. This pitch is characterized by its speed and straightness; it has almost no significant lateral or vertical variation, relying solely on pure speed to overwhelm the batter.

In online games, when the pitch count is high, or the game is in a crucial moment, 4-seam fastball can be a safe but situational strategy, used to surprise the batter. When combined with a slider or sinker, it can also be very effective in late-game hits.

However, this fast-paced game is only suitable against inexperienced or AI opponents. Against even slightly experienced batters, its lack of variation is suicidal.

Sweeper

Sweeper is essentially a special slider, but it has a key characteristic: extremely high horizontal movement and relatively low vertical drop. It glides across home plate rather than dropping sharply like a curveball or traditional slider.

Sweeper is slower and has a larger sidespin, often landing on the edge of strike zone. It's the perfect weapon to confuse the batter or force them to hit powerless balls. Simply put, it initially looks like it's going to hit the target, then suddenly slides away to confuse the opponent.

Sweeper can be used in conjunction with 4-seam fastball, or with Sinker or Cutter, allowing you to maximize its effectiveness.

Circle Change

Next, I'll introduce the last pitch: Circle Change. It's a changeup, but it differs slightly, relying more on the specific situation on the field. This pitch mimics the trajectory and motion of the two-seam fastball, but it doesn't have the explosive speed of the two-seam fastball; instead, it travels slowly toward home plate.

Circle Change can have unexpected effects on the field, but be careful not to overuse it and aim for the outside of strike zone. You can also combine it, for example, with Sweeper and Sinker.

This combination, when used correctly, can potentially win you a crucial run. Remember, just one good batter is enough to turn your strategy into a run.

This concludes the article on the best pitches in MLB The Show 26. The pitches mentioned above are commonly used by top pitchers at present. Players who want to win in Diamond Dynasty can study them carefully and use different pitches according to the specific situation. I wish you success in the upcoming games.

Players, FC 26 Season 7: South Africa '10 has officially begun! The development team appears to be firing on all cylinders; the overall design, reward density, and player quality in this season all surpass those of previous seasons. Let's dive into the details of this season's Pass!

Pass Mechanics and Value Proposition

This season's Pass runs for approximately 40 days. Players can unlock Premium Pass by spending 500,000 $1 or 1,000 FC Points.

Along the progression path, Premium Pass offers substantial returns in the form of tradable card packs and direct Coin payouts - for instance, reaching Level 9 instantly rewards you with 60,000 Coins.

Based on our estimates - excluding the market value of the player cards themselves - players can expect to recoup at least 200,000 to 300,000 Coins, making the actual net cost of the Pass remarkably low. As it stands, it is well worth acquiring.

Highlights of Free Pass Massively Expanded EVO System Early-Game Defender EVO (Around Level 1): Applicable to up to 20 cards with an 89 OVR cap; allows for significant boosts to Speed ​​attribute for multiple players. Late-Game EVO (Post-Level 20): Grants a +2 boost to all attributes for World Tour players who currently sit at exactly 90 OVR, effectively upgrading them to 92 OVR. Level 28 EVO: Supports cards up to 91 OVR and comes with the added Bruiser PlayStyle+ (Gold). Practical Free Players Early-Game African, Spanish, and Dutch Players: Such as the 4-star Defenders and Wingers available early on; while not top-tier, they serve perfectly well as transitional options. Free Heroes Card (Level 23): Features a Finishing stat of 97 - an incredibly powerful asset for any Striker or Midfielder. Free High-Rated Packs (Around Level 30): Including packs like 5x 89-rated players or 10x 86-rated players, providing an abundance of high-quality fodder (upgrade material). Key Player Cards in Premium Pass

The player cards are, without a doubt, the main attraction of Premium Pass. Players should evaluate these specific cards when deciding whether or not to unlock Premium Pass.

Goalkeeper: Casillas Fernández

Casillas Fernández may very well be the best Goalkeeper in the entire game.

His stats boast a 97 rating in Reflexes, which - combined with other key Goalkeeper attributes - makes him an incredibly frustrating opponent to face in live gameplay. Furthermore, he possesses Footwork and Finesse Shot+ PlayStyles. This card is expected to remain a viable option all the way through to Futties stage of the game cycle. 

Midfielder: Iniesta Luján

Iniesta Luján boasts a multitude of Gold Traits, including - but not limited to - Finesse Shot+, Incisive Pass+, Intercept, and more.

In fact, even the base version of Iniesta Luján already possesses finishing ability that is borderline absurd; this upgraded version promises to be even more formidable.

We can confidently say that Iniesta Luján alone is worth the 500,000-coin price tag of Season Pass.

Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso possesses excellent defensive and passing traits, though he lacks traits related to speed.

We strongly advise players never to trade in Iniesta Luján for Xabi Alonso or for a 95 OVR Player Pack - it simply isn't worth it.

Other Premium Rewards

Additionally, there is a wealth of tradable packs available, such as 87×5, 86×10, and 88+ Player Packs. Around Level 30, players can also choose options like 90×6 or 89×5 packs, further replenishing their supply of fodder (players used for SBCs).

An Improving Economy

Another tangible improvement this season lies in the economic environment, which has taken a turn for the better. The rewards in Rivals mode have been doubled, directly injecting vitality into the game's economy.

If you are currently in Elite Division, reaching the 24-point tier not only nets you 120,000 coins but also grants you one 10×85+ Rare Gold Player Pack, two 15×84+ Rare Gold Player Packs, one 15×85+ Rare Gold Player Pack, plus a 1 of 5 TOTS Player Pick. The weekly rewards for achieving 15 wins can amount to as much as 420,000 coins.

Players in lower divisions benefit just as much; even in Division 1, the coin rewards have seen a significant boost.

EA is clearly injecting a substantial amount of coins into the game - likely in response to community complaints regarding economic deflation and inflated card prices. This allows average players to accumulate a considerable amount of coins each week simply by playing a few matches.

Overall, we highly recommend that players unlock Premium Pass. Even if you don't intend to play for the entire duration of the season, the value is justified by Casillas Fernández and Iniesta Luján alone - two cards that are essentially end-game quality.

Combined with the enhanced Rivals rewards, we anticipate that the efficiency of coin accumulation and squad building will see a marked improvement this season.

It is evident that EA FC 26 Season 7 Pass represents one of the most sincere and generous seasonal content releases in recent years, offering exceptional value for money in its Premium tier. Log in now and give it a try!

Just yesterday, the official Diablo IV account announced a new opening cinematic for Lord of Hatred on YouTube. This excited players, as everyone has been eagerly anticipating Lord of Hatred expansion.

With only five days until April 28th, these are truly the slowest five days in history. Many players are jokingly saying that April 28th will be a sleepless night for many.

This expansion adds a lot of new content and also makes some modifications to existing content. Many players predict it will be a turning point for Diablo 4. What makes players have such high expectations for it?

Additionally, you can skip the first expansion and directly experience Lord of Hatred, or you can skip the base game and expansion and directly create an endgame character.

However, this is not recommended for beginners, as you will be completely confused about the story and gameplay.

Next, I will introduce you to the new classes, new areas and stories, and new gameplay. Let's continue.

Paladin and Warlock

Two new classes have been added, and they look quite interesting: Paladin, representing light, and Warlock, representing chaos and darkness, like a battle between good and evil.

Some players may have already played Paladin and found it a powerful class. Like knights in classic RPGs, Paladins wear heavy armor, wield powerful weapons, and represent protection and order. Therefore, it has become a favorite for some players.

So, I believe you're no longer surprised by it. Now, let's talk about Warlock.

Unlike traditional RPGs, Warlock in Diablo 4 feels somewhere between Necromancer and Sorcerer, appearing darker. In terms of gameplay, Warlock is also more flexible and varied.

Warlock gameplay can be divided into two styles: one is summoning and controlling demons to fight for you, somewhat like Necromancer, focusing on building your own demon army.

Another option is more avant-garde; you might even be able to transform yourself into a demon and wreak havoc.

In combat, you'll constantly summon demons. You can modify them, devour them to strengthen yourself, or detonate them as bombs - sounds wicked, right?

Furthermore, you have a skill that allows you to teleport quickly like a ghost, gaining stackable stealth and unhittered movement while moving. This skill is perfect for launching surprise attacks or escaping danger quickly.

Clearly, Warlock requires players to be adaptable in combat; it demands more reflexes than Paladin.

Additionally, since the level cap for all classes has been increased to 70, regardless of which class you want to play, you'll need enough $1 to rebuild your existing builds.

Skovos and new stories

Many players are obsessed with Diablo 4's backstory, so they'll certainly be looking forward to the new story, which will take place in Sanctuary's newest area - Skovos.

In Diablo series, this Mediterranean-style island is considered the cradle of human civilization, both malevolent and sacred, like the forbidden fruit of Eden constantly tempting players.

Therefore, on this island, you'll find many iconic Diablo elements, such as hordes of terrifying monsters, chunks of human flesh hanging from crumbling walls, strange fragments of corpses, and ancient, broken ruins.

But at the same time, the island also retains beautiful scenery, such as marble ruins, sun-drenched coastlines, and tropical vegetation covering the island, as if proclaiming how small and insignificant humanity is compared to nature.

From mysterious coastlines to hellish volcanoes, you'll witness a vibrant island gradually transform into a terrifying and twisted place, as if the island is silently telling its ancient story.

So, naturally, you'll be curious about the new story. In this story, you'll face Mephisto head-on, a formidable foe. Of course, the most interesting part is that you'll have to cooperate with Lilith.

Some players call Lilith "the beginning of all the stories," a presence that no player can ignore or forget. The development team also mentioned that Lilith's character will be a key focus in this story.

Skill Tree Changes

This is probably the most anticipated aspect for most Diablo 4 players. Besides two new skill trees, the existing six skill trees in Diablo 4 have been almost completely reworked.

I must say, these changes are fantastic. They've made many skills more meaningful and increased their fun factor. For example, Sorceress can now transform her fire hydro snakes into ice snakes, allowing her to switch freely between different builds.

Warlock can create a demon defense wall to surround and strangle enemies. Alternatively, he can dismantle the demon defense wall at the right time, leaving the surrounded enemies facing a horde of ferocious demons.

Whether you're planning to play the new classes or stick with your favorite class, you'll need to adjust your playstyle and build according to these changes. You'll need to prepare sufficiently powerful Diablo 4 items.

This change allows each player to create a unique class. Imagine how different your Sorceress will be from other players' Sorceresses due to different skill choices. While most popular builds and playstyles will inevitably emerge, you can still stick to your own preferences.

Furthermore, the skill tree previously only allowed you to allocate 5 skill points; now it's increased to 15. Deciding which skills to allocate points to and how many to allocate will be a headache for players. However, this also maximizes the game's freedom.

This concludes my review of Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, focusing on the aspects I found most interesting and that players are likely most interested in. I hope you share my anticipation for Lord of Hatred; I will continue to follow the latest developments.

WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 arrives on May 14th, whether you're ready or not, it will be here as scheduled. Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep, 25-man raids, await you and will punish any unprepared guilds.

WoW TBC Classic Anniversary is progressing rapidly, and if you're still considering whether to start preparing for the raid, you're already behind.

Let's take a look at DPS classes that will give you an advantage in TBC Phase 2, choose the right class for you, and prepare for WoW Classic Anniversary.

Druid Feral Druid

Feral Druids are crucial in Phase 2. Feral Druids provide a 100 DPS boost to Warriors, Rogues, and Shamans. Adding up this extra damage, a skilled Feral Druid in a typical raid can easily top DPS charts. If your team doesn't have a Feral Druid, you might struggle to deal damage in Phase 2.

Boomkin

Boomkin is the second least popular specialization in the entire game; almost no one plays this class. Boomkin's strength in Phase 2 is underestimated. Their abilities can support Arcane Mage, resurrect Lady Vashj, and provide a 3% hit chance bonus to Fairy Fire. Because Boomkin are so rare, you'll easily find a group to team up with.

Shaman

Everyone knows Shamans are essential, as in TBC Phase 2, a warrior team with a Shaman gains approximately 150 damage.

Elemental Shaman

Not every lineup needs an Elemental Shaman, but they are absolutely indispensable in Phase 2. This isn't just because totems buff crucial groups of spellcasters, nor is it just because they can deal massive damage in a short time. The real reason lies in the most hard fight in Phase 2, Lady Vashj.

This fight involves many phases, one crucial of which is kiting Strider. Any unit that gets close will be inflicted with AoE fear, resulting in a wipe. You can use a Mage, Hunter, or a Druid with potions to kite it.

But the simplest option is undoubtedly Elemental Shaman using Frost Shock, which generates massive threat and effectively tackles one of the most troublesome parts of the fight. If you're looking to play a new class, choose Elemental Shaman.

Enhancement Shaman

Enhancement Shaman's buffs provide hundreds of points of free damage to the raid, and it has recently ranked highly in raid damage statistics. Strangely, very few people play this spec.

However, we can expect that in TBC Phase 2, guilds of all skill levels - from average to high-level, and even elite guilds - won't consider playing without an Enhancement Shaman. Therefore, if you haven't decided on a class yet, Enhancement Shaman will be highly sought after.

Priest - Shadow Priest

Shadow Priests will play a crucial role in TBC Phase 2 raids. Without them, the entire raid will collapse. In SSC and TK, the top-ranked spec in combat is almost always Arcane Mage. Once they acquire two pieces of the Tier 5 set, their main damage output increases by 20%. At that point, their DPS will skyrocket.

However, this set also increases their mana consumption, meaning that in the prolonged battles of Phase 2, Arcane Mage desperately need a Shadow Priest. Without a Shadow Priest, your mage core will rush out of mana.

Paladin - Retribution Paladin

Retribution Paladins are definitely a class that can dominate early in Phase 2. However, obtaining the gear they truly need to unleash their full potential might be a bit difficult. In Phase 2, Nether Vortex will be the focus of contention. You can obtain it from dungeons or using $1. Just like many spellcasters want to get Belt of Blasting as soon as possible, warriors believe that obtaining Nether Vortex is essential to reaching endgame gear.

However, the true dark horse among melee classes is undoubtedly Retribution Paladin. Using Nether Vortex grants Retribution Paladin Lionheart Executioner, and its damage cap is higher than other melee classes, meaning extremely high burst damage that can easily overwhelm early bosses.

Warrior

Warriors consistently top the damage charts in many fights, and because of Phase 2 changes, they will only become stronger. In Phase 2, Warrior's advantage is limited to certain fights, such as Fathom-Lord Karathress. While their original power spike should have been in the late game, the 40% reduction in fight time means warriors will spend more time using abilities like Berserk, Recklessness, Bloodlust, and Death Wish to build up rage and deal massive damage.

Hunter

Hunters frequently deal the highest damage in Gruul's fight and also top the damage charts in fights like Solaraan and Lady Vashj. Hunters are arguably one of the strongest DPS classes in Phase 2. However, they are currently receiving relatively little attention.

Warlock

Many believe Warlock will be the strongest class in Phase 2. In TBCP Phase 2, groups of mobs are a boon for any class with AoE skills, such as Warrior's Sweeping Strikes, Major Arcane Explosion, and of course, Warlock's Seed of Corruption. A well-geared Warlock using Seed of Corruption can easily overwhelm groups of mobs and deal the highest damage in the raid.

However, you need to be aware that most Warriors and Feral Druids simply cannot maintain threat on Phase 2 mob groups, and most Paladins lack sufficient spell power. They cannot generate enough threat for the upcoming groups of Shadow Priests (SSC) and Tank Knights (TK) that can instantly kill large numbers of enemies. Therefore, Warlock's survivability is very limited, and they will almost always be one-shotten when using Seed of Corruption. You need reliable teammates or superior skill to survive in the dungeon.

With Phase 2 approaching, it's time to make a choice. You can choose your class based on the needs of your guild and your personal preferences, and start your adventure in WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2!

In the perilous battlefields of ARC Raiders, choosing the right weapon often determines whether you emerge laden with loot or become just another corpse in the ruins.

With numerous balance adjustments and new weapon additions in ARC Raiders, the strength of various weapons has subtly shifted. Understanding the advantages, disadvantages, and uses of different weapons can help you find the most suitable one.

Whether it’s PvP or PvE, whether it’s a small Arc or a large Arc, this latest ARC weapon guide can help you.

Not Recommended Hairpin

Hairpin remains one of the worst weapons of ARC Raiders. Although it has a built-in suppressor, it requires reloading after each shot. Every game probably needs some low-tier weapons, and Hairpin is one of them. It can certainly deal lethal damage, but only if the user is highly skilled.

Kettle

Kettle is a semi-automatic rifle with a decent rate of fire. However, some novice players later exploited macros, allowing Kettle to reach its maximum rate of fire with a single button press, thus disrupting the game balance. Consequently, the gun was nerfed. After the rate of fire cap was lowered, while it could still down enemy raiders, it was significantly slower and lost its former glory.

Arpeggio

Arpeggio is a three-round burst rifle. Tier 4 version of Arpeggio boasts an impressive kill rate, theoretically faster than Venator III. However, the lower-tier versions of Arpeggio have extremely poor handling, especially at long range. Unless you plan to upgrade it to Tier 4, I don’t recommend using it in either PvE or PvP.

Average Rattler

Rattler is a fully automatic rifle with a magazine capacity of only 12 rounds. It takes 14 rounds to down a fully shielded raider, but this can be mitigated by equipping an extended magazine. Theoretically, its kill rate is faster than Kettle's ; while not amazing, it’s decent.

Pharaoh

Despite its small magazine capacity, slow reload speed, and the need for manual reloading after each shot, Pharaoh is incredibly powerful. Using heavy ammunition, Pharaoh is very effective against low-level Arc enemies, making it a reliable and economical choice for clearing out some of the smaller, more troublesome Arc enemies in Arc Raiders. You can use it to weaken the raider first, then switch to a more lethal melee weapon like Stitcher.

Bettina

Bettina is a fully automatic rifle with a slow rate of fire. However, because it fires heavy ammunition, it’s very effective at medium to long ranges, whether in close-range or wide-range engagements. Bettina’s magazine capacity, durability, and reload speed have now been improved, and upgrading Bettina increases its rate of fire. A level 4 Bettina has a pretty good kill rate, which PvE players will appreciate, but PvP players will usually opt for other, more lethal mid-range weapons.

Burletta

Burletta is a semi-automatic pistol with a decent kill rate. It’s reliable and reasonably priced; even the basic Tier 1 version can take down enemy raiders faster than Venator III. However, it requires rapid fire to reach its full potential.

Torrente

Torrente is a fully automatic heavy machine gun with a top rate of fire. It’s bulky and poorly handled, but Torrente is incredibly powerful. Even at Tier 1, it can deal significant damage to heavy ARC enemies with its hurricane-like medium ammunition. Most players use it to eliminate enemy raiders at close range. If you can overcome its poor handling, it’s a bulky but elite weapon.

Osprey

Osprey is the only weapon in ARC Raiders equipped with a first-person scope. It has low durability and a slow rate of fire, but it’s incredibly fun to kill raiders at infinite range. Experienced players can pull off incredible maneuvers with Osprey, but this requires a lot of practice and skill to consistently hit targets in combat.

Canto

Canto is a fully automatic submachine gun with extremely strong recoil. As one of the two new weapons added in Flashpoint update, Canto boasts a very fast kill rate, but requires upgrades and weapon attachments to control its spread and recoil. Furthermore, obtaining $1 is extremely tedious. However, for players who want to quickly eliminate enemy raiders with close-range firepower, the cost is definitely worthwhile.

Anvil Splitter

Anvil Splitter is a unique gold attachment for Anvil, transforming the weapon into something entirely different. Now, each shot fires four pellets, making it function like a mid-range shotgun. Its damage per shot is considerable and can be used against ARC enemies. However, Anvil Splitter is somewhat lacking as a gold weapon attachment, less efficient in PvP than IL Toro, and therefore still needs improvement.

Tempest

Tempest is a fully automatic assault rifle that performs well in both PvP and PvE, and many players appreciate its versatility. Its kill speed is incredibly fast, even faster than Ventor 4, but Tempest is best suited for mid-range combat. In close-quarters combat, it’s inferior to Bobcat, Torrent, and Volcano. In PvE, it’s decent against low-level ARCs, but struggles against high-level ones.

Aphelion

Aphelion is a two-round burst rifle with powerful Arc Armor Penetration. It has also received some enhancements, including reduced recoil, improved reload speed and handling, and faster aiming stability. These changes make it feel lighter and more lethal in PvP, but its kill time is only average, slightly inferior to other mid-range PvP weapons.

Recommended Anvil

Anvil is a green-tier semi-automatic revolver, adept at destroying low to medium-level ARC enemies and excels at taking down enemy raiders at close to mid-range. Anvil has remained virtually unchanged since ARC Raiders update, making it a top-tier weapon. It’s a nemesis of low-level ARC enemies and is also very useful in PvP. Even as a green-tier weapon, it remains a top-tier all-around weapon in 2026.

Stitcher

Stitcher is a fully automatic short-range submachine gun. When ARC Raiders was first released, Stitcher, although a gray-tier weapon, was a powerful tool for killing raiders. Now, Stitcher has been nerfed, with reduced damage output and increased bullet spread. While its damage isn’t as high as it initially was, its shorter kill time makes it a powerful and reasonably priced PvP weapon.

IL Toro

When ARC Raiders was first released, IL Toro, despite being only a green-tier weapon, was arguably the best weapon in the game for killing other raiders. Although it has now been nerfed with a significantly reduced rate of fire and a slightly shorter damage drop-off point (previously requiring two shots to down a medium-shielded enemy, now requiring three), it’s still very powerful. IL Toro remains an elite-tier and reasonably priced raider killer.

Renegade

Renegade bolt-action long-range rifle performs well against low-flying targets and is highly efficient at eliminating enemy raiders at mid-to-long range. While its kill time may not seem impressive, Renegade’s strength lies in its near-accurate rate of fire for long-range raider kills. Although upgrading this weapon is very expensive, Renegade is definitely worth it if you plan to participate in long-range PvP.

Ventor

Ventor is a semi-automatic pistol that has been the undisputed best PvP weapon in ARC Raiders since its release, far ahead of the competition. Even after several nerfs, and no longer being the undisputed best weapon in the game, a max-level Ventor remains a very efficient and reliable PvP weapon, still very powerful at close to mid-range.

Equalizer

Equalizer is a fully automatic heavy machine gun with an extremely high rate of fire. Equalizer has remained virtually unchanged since the release of ARC Raiders. It can easily strip through the armor of even the toughest ARC enemies, making it a top-tier weapon against Queen and Matriarch, and is considered one of the strongest and most stable PvE weapons in ARC Raiders.

Bobcat

Bobcat is a fully automatic submachine gun with an extremely high rate of fire, making it one of the most lethal close-range PvP weapons in ARC Raiders. If the enemy doesn’t have a Vulcano or other effective defensive measures, they are almost certainly dead once Bobcat user fires first. Bobcat has a large bullet spread and significant recoil. Its fatal weaknesses are low long-range damage and a small magazine capacity, but these can be easily overcome by close-range use and crafting extended magazine attachments. It remains a powerful tool for eliminating Raiders.

Hullcracker

Hullcracker is a pump-action grenade launcher. Hullcracker was very powerful when ARC Raiders was first released, but was later nerfed, for example, by reducing its damage output against wide-area targets and increasing the price of ammunition. Despite these frustrating changes, Hullcracker remains an indispensable primary weapon in PvE, still capable of creating massive holes in large ARC enemies.

Vulcano

Vulcano is a semi-automatic shotgun with a very high rate of fire. Currently, it’s arguably the strongest close-range PvP weapon in Arc Raiders, theoretically boasting the fastest kill speed of all guns. Furthermore, Vulcano’s blueprint has been significantly easier to obtain, suggesting this weapon is likely to be nerfed soon. Be careful of close-range attacks from enemies using Vulcano.

Jupiter

Jupiter is a long-range, anti-arc sniper rifle that requires charging for each shot. Since the release of Arc Raiders, Jupiter has received several buffs, including higher magnification and improved handling. Each shot deals significant damage, and with high accuracy, it can effectively penetrate large, heavily armored ARC targets. It excels particularly against the newest advanced flying arc-shaped enemies like Vaporizer.

Dolabra

Dolabra is a unique weapon. When hip-fired, it functions like a shotgun, but when aimed, it transforms into a more accurate mid-range rail gun. In PvE, its damage is indeed high, but it’s less effective than Jupiter and Equalizer when dealing with wide-area attacks. However, it’s highly efficient in PvP, capable of taking down enemies at close range with just two hip-fire shots, while also providing decent damage at mid-range.

In ARC Raiders, no weapon is absolutely perfect. True survival masters know how to switch weapons flexibly based on the battle situation, enemy type, and their own resources. Learn more about the latest information and find the survival style that best suits you. 

Arc Raiders' Expedition window will open in two weeks. Expeditions are a core mechanic in almost all extraction shooters. They wipe out almost all your character stats, skill points, hard-earned blueprints, and resources. However, it's actually one of the most interesting systems in the game.

The brilliance of Arc Raiders lies in its ability to allow players who don't want to participate to skip it. Other games, like Tarkov, force all players to undergo a complete reset every four to six months, whether you like it or not.

I believe this optional mechanism is what makes Arc Raiders' player retention rate far higher than other games in the same genre. However, choosing to skip expeditions can be a difficult decision. This suggests that Arc Raiders' game mechanics still have room for improvement.

So how can we choose to get a better gaming experience? And how can Arc Raiders optimize its game mechanics for long-term success? Let's find out.

Meaning of Expeditions

To start an expedition, players must deliver specific items and valuables to the expedition progress item. Once enough items have been delivered, the expedition window will open, and then you simply wait for the expedition day to arrive. On that day, your character data will be reset. While it sounds cruel, the reset isn't purely a punishment. It also rewards you with extra skills, higher weapon repair percentages, extra resources from raids, and exclusive expedition skins unavailable through other means.

Therefore, participating in expeditions does have its merits, which is why some players eagerly anticipate each cycle.

Why skip expeditions?

First, there's the timing. For casual players, having an expedition every two months sounds unbelievable. You painstakingly grind for all the blueprints and skill points, only to have it reset.

The most important reason is that the data wipe almost coincides with the addition of new content. We're about to get a new map and a new boss front, meaning that when your save is wiped, you'll be stepping into the new content almost empty-handed. No blueprints, no gear, no preparation.

Snap Hook is a perfect example. If a new large Arc is massive and requires vertical movement to reach its weak points, then you'll need Snap Hook blueprint. However, if you choose Expedition, your previously acquired Snap Hook blueprints will disappear, and you'll have to find them again to truly experience the new content and earn the generous $1.

Therefore, if you prefer to experience the new content as soon as it launches, you need to be well-prepared, skip the Expedition, keep your gear, and truly enjoy the fruits of Embark's month-long effort.

Arc Raiders is creating unnecessary conflict for players here. If you choose not to participate in the Expedition, you can directly experience the new content; if you participate, you'll be indirectly penalized for engaging in core game systems. This trade-off shouldn't exist.

Solution

Currently, the Expedition and the new content are vying for the same timeframe, leaving players caught in the middle. The solution seems simple: Arc Raiders could postpone the Expedition event by at least two weeks, separating it from the main content release, allowing players to be fully prepared.

In fact, simply adjusting the schedule could completely eliminate the conflict, giving the Expedition event its own dedicated time on the calendar and releasing the new content only when players are truly ready.

Building a Better Progression System

A deeper problem with Arc Raiders is its extremely linear progression; almost everything can be completed on day one. With each patch, new weapons, items, and blueprints are immediately available.

If you understand the mechanics, you can acquire all the new content within hours of an update. Once you have all the new blueprints and weapons on day one, there's little to strive for in the following month.

Dolabra shotgun is a perfect example. In a recent patch, obtaining its blueprint simply required randomly looting a container somewhere in the world. No high-quality gear or skill is needed; only luck. This randomness creates an unfairness that can be frustrating.

How can Arc Raiders break this linear pattern and build a more rewarding progression system? We can draw inspiration from other games. Helldivers and Marathon both employ community-driven progression models.

In these games, all players must work together towards a common goal to unlock new maps, game modes, or content. First, a certain number of enemies need to be defeated collectively. Second, all players need to complete a certain number of objectives and reach community milestones to unlock the next chapter's content.

This way, the player community can collectively drive the story forward, and new content will feel more rewarding. Blueprints can also be designed as mission rewards, not obtainable from random containers, and must be earned through effort. Linking more blueprints to missions, community milestones, or skill challenges makes players feel that the rewards match their efforts. This single change can improve player retention more effectively than any new weapon drop or map condition.

Arc Raiders has taken a great step by making expeditions an option, not a necessity. The next step for Arc Raiders is to build a more engaging progression system to truly unlock the secrets to long-term success.