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Chunz

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3 posts

MMOexp-Diablo 4: Judgment Paladin Nerfs Shake the Meta

Gaming, Posted on 19. Jan 2026

With Patch 2.5.2, Diablo 4 finally delivers two features the community has been waiting on for a long time: the Tower and official leaderboards. While both systems arrive about a month into Season 11-later than many hoped-they immediately reshape the endgame for high-level players who thrive on pushing limits, optimizing builds, and competing for rankings.

After hundreds of hours of preparation and testing across multiple classes and builds, the early verdict is clear: the Tower is more engaging than the Pit, but it's also rough, bare-bones, and clearly just the first step in a much larger system Blizzard intends to evolve over future seasons Diablo IV gold.

What Is the Tower?

At its core, the Tower functions as a sister system to the Pit. It uses similar tier-based scaling, but changes several key rules that dramatically alter how runs feel.

Instead of being a simple "clear fast and kill the boss" experience, the Tower layers in constant pressure:

Every two minutes, monster packs spawn directly on top of you, creating ambush-style combat reminiscent of the old Gauntlet.

Pylons play a much bigger role than shrines ever did in the Pit, often defining whether a run succeeds or fails.

The timer is reduced to 10 minutes instead of 15, tightening decision-making.

Bosses are entirely new, single-target encounters that spawn directly in the map rather than in separate boss rooms.

Progression mechanics are more active, with goblins and enemies dropping progress or XP globes that must be actively prioritized.

The result is a mode that feels far more dynamic and aggressive than the Pit. There's simply more happening at all times.

More Action, More Pressure, More Decisions

One of the Tower's biggest strengths is how it forces players to constantly adapt. You can't just mindlessly clear packs anymore. Every pull, every pylon, and every spawn timer matters.

The added mechanics make Tower pushing feel more "alive" than Pit pushing ever did. You're constantly weighing whether to hunt elites, farm progression globes, or reposition before the next ambush wave spawns.

That said, the system is still relatively bare bones. It's fun, but clearly unfinished. The expectation is that over the next few seasons-and especially with the upcoming expansion-the Pit and the Tower will diverge significantly, evolving into two very distinct endgame paths rather than parallel systems.

Early Leaderboards and Competitive Pushing

With leaderboards now live and rotating on a two-week lock-in, the competitive side of Diablo 4 finally has official recognition. This instantly changes how players approach builds and group compositions.

So far, pushing has gone well across multiple characters:

Divine Javelin Paladin clearing up to Tier 117

Sorcerer clears around Tier 114

Additional success on Spirit-based builds and two-player group setups

The goal for many high-end players is simple: secure rank one for at least one class before the first leaderboard lock-in. Even at this early stage, competition is intense, and build optimization matters more than ever.

Patch 2.5.2 Broke Some Builds-And That's Not All Bad

As expected with a major system update, Patch 2.5.2 also broke some things.

The biggest casualty is Judgment Paladin, a build many players-including longtime theorycrafters-had invested heavily in. Changes to Spear of the Heavens Judgment applications forced the build to pivot toward Purify-based setups, resulting in a significant power loss.

Interestingly, this nerf brought Judgment Paladin closer in line with other builds rather than completely killing it. Even more importantly, it pushed players toward backup builds they had prepared but never expected to main.

One standout replacement was Shield of Retribution Paladin, which turned out to be not only viable, but incredibly fun. While initial runs still require gear tuning and optimization, the build feels smoother, more engaging, and more enjoyable to push than the previously dominant Judgment setup.

Sometimes, broken builds lead to better gameplay-and this patch is a good example of that.

Group Play and the Rise of Support Builds

With official leaderboards in place, group play is becoming more relevant again-especially at the high end.

Historically, Diablo 4 group pushing has revolved around heavy damage stacking. Now, support builds are taking center stage once more.

Currently, there are three standout support archetypes:

Support Paladin

Support Barbarian

Support Druid

In four-player groups, the meta often revolves around three supports and one carry, though variations like two supports and two DPS may resurface depending on balance changes.

As leaderboards mature, expect to see more groups actively recruiting dedicated supports. These builds already occupy a permanent spot in high-end tier lists and will likely define group pushing for the foreseeable future.The Brick Wall Problem: Tower Scaling Explained

For most players, the Tower's biggest issue won't be mechanics-it will be scaling.

After Tier 100, monster health increases by roughly 32% per tier, applied multiplicatively. This results in exponential scaling that quickly becomes overwhelming.

In practical terms:

A comfortable Tier 120 clear does not mean Tier 125 is achievable.

Most builds will hit a progression wall within one or two tiers of their maximum.

The difference between a successful run and a failed one becomes massive almost instantly.

This contrasts sharply with systems in Diablo 3, where scaling is smoother and incremental improvements matter more. Diablo 2 also allows for more gradual progression over time thanks to mechanics like area damage and other scaling tools that Diablo 4 currently lacks.

As it stands, Tower pushing is less about long-term refinement and more about hitting your ceiling quickly.

A System with Massive Long-Term Potential

Despite its flaws, the Tower shows enormous promise.

The current balance between player damage multipliers and monster health is clearly out of sync, but that's something Blizzard can-and likely will-adjust. Expansion launches are often when major systemic overhauls occur, and the Tower feels like a perfect candidate for tuning.

There's also plenty of room to introduce new mechanics that reward skill, consistency, and strategy rather than raw damage output alone.

Class and Build Variety Feels Surprisingly Good

One of the Tower's biggest wins is how different builds feel inside it.

For example:

A Crackling Energy Sorcerer plays a surgical, elite-hunting style-ignoring trash and targeting only high-value enemies.

Paladin builds thrive on massive pulls, screen-filling combat, and multi-pack brawls.

Each class interacts differently with timers, pylons, and ambush spawns.

This variety makes the Tower far more interesting than a one-size-fits-all pushing system. Even in its early state, there's a lot to learn, optimize, and master.

Bugs, Exploits, and Launch Reality

As expected, the Tower launched with its share of bugs and exploits. While frustrating, this is largely par for the course for a brand-new endgame system.

Most players aren't treating this first iteration as a definitive version. Instead, it's being viewed as a testing ground-both for players and developers-to gather feedback and data.

And right now, feedback is flowing fast.

Final Thoughts: A Strong Start, Not the Finish Line cheap d4 mats

Patch 2.5.2 doesn't perfect Diablo 4's endgame-but it meaningfully expands it.

The Tower is more exciting than the Pit, leaderboards finally give competitive players a reason to push, and class diversity feels better than expected. While scaling issues, broken builds, and bare-bones systems hold it back, the foundation is solid.

Most importantly, the Tower feels like a feature with a future.

As seasons progress-and especially as the expansion approaches-this system has the potential to become one of Diablo 4's defining endgame pillars.

Chunz

Newbie

3 posts

MMOexp-POE: How This Build Obliterates Kosis and Omniphobia

Gaming, Posted on 19. Jan 2026

Before the league even launched, Festering Resentment was already raising eyebrows. The poison-focused dagger introduced a rare and powerful interaction: triggered spells always poison, while also granting spell block and scaling poison damage directly from spell hits. On paper, it looked tailor-made for Cast When Stunned setups-and most early theorycrafting naturally gravitated toward Gladiator thanks to its block synergies.

But one player took the idea further POE currency.

Instead of playing Gladiator directly, this version uses Champion as the base class, stealing Gladiator's lucky block via Forbidden Flesh and Flame, and layering in some of the most creative damage scaling tech we've seen this league. The result? A build that obliterates Simulacrum Wave 15 bosses in under a minute and outputs absurd poison DPS with surprisingly elegant mechanics.

Let's break down why this setup works-and why it's far smarter than it looks at first glance.

Proof of Power: Wave 15 Simulacrum in Seconds

The best way to understand this build's strength is simply watching it in action. In a Wave 15 Simulacrum run, Kosis and Omniphobia melt almost immediately. The entire wave is cleared in roughly 40 seconds, with the boss fight itself taking only a few moments once combat actually starts.

To put that into perspective, this is several times faster than most traditional Cast When Stunned or damage-over-time builds, even highly optimized ones. The poison ramp is instant, the damage ceiling is massive, and the survivability remains intact throughout.

This isn't brute-force gear carrying the run-it's mechanical synergy doing the heavy lifting.

Core Weapon Setup: Festering Resentment Meets The Black Cane

At the heart of the build is an unusual dual-wield setup.

Festering Resentment (Off-Hand)

Festering Resentment enables triggered spells to always poison, adds spell block, and scales poison damage from spells. For Cast When Stunned builds-where spells are constantly triggering off block and stun interactions-this dagger is effectively a damage multiplier baked into a weapon slot.

It ensures every triggered Blade Blast or utility spell contributes meaningful poison damage, no RNG involved.

The Black Cane (Main Hand)

This is where the build gets clever.

The Black Cane grants Phantasmal Might for each summoned Phantasm, adding flat physical damage to spells. At level 21 Summon Phantasm Support, each Phantasm provides 44–66 flat physical damage to spells.

Now layer in The Dark Monarch, which doubles your Phantasm count.

With around 22 Phantasms active, you're looking at roughly 1,200 flat physical damage added to spells-a staggering amount that then gets converted into poison scaling via Festering Resentment.

This flat damage applies to every triggered spell, massively inflating poison DPS without relying on traditional spell damage scaling.

Why Champion Is the Secret Sauce

At first glance, Gladiator seems like the obvious choice for a block-based Cast When Stunned build. But Champion brings something unique: control.

Worthy Foe

Champion's Worthy Foe ascendancy node causes enemies you hit to be taunted, taking 15% increased damage and being forced to target you instead of your minions.

This is critical.

Phantasms are notoriously fragile. Normally, they die before contributing meaningfully in high-end content. But with Worthy Foe constantly taunting enemies, bosses and rares focus on the player instead-allowing Phantasms to survive long enough to stack Phantasmal Might when it matters most.

The result is reliable uptime on the build's biggest damage source during single-target encounters.

Fortification and Tankiness

Champion also brings Fortify support and defensive scaling that Gladiator lacks. Combined with high block, armor scaling via Iron Reflexes, and layered mitigation, the build remains extremely durable even in deep Simulacrum waves.

The Ring Setup That Breaks Convention

This build completely abandons belts-and even Mageblood-for a three-ring setup that massively amplifies damage.

Valyrium

Mandatory for Cast When Stunned. Valyrium converts stun thresholds to Energy Shield interactions, ensuring consistent stuns without relying on ES-based avoidance mechanics.

Ming's Heart

With quality and catalysts, Ming's Heart provides up to 72% of physical damage as extra chaos damage. Since the build converts massive flat physical spell damage into poison, this ring alone adds an enormous damage multiplier.

The downsides-reduced life and ES-are mitigated by block, armor, and Champion defenses.The Betrayal Sting

This ring dramatically increases poison effectiveness, acting as a multiplicative boost rather than additive scaling. Combined with Ming's Heart, it pushes poison damage into absurd territory.

According to the player, this ring combination increased total damage by roughly 60%, outperforming traditional belt-based setups.It's unconventional-but devastatingly effective.

Minion Tech: Keeping Phantasms Alive

A key piece of the puzzle is Blessed Rebirth, a cluster jewel notable that makes newly summoned minions immune to damage for four seconds.

That four-second window is everything.

When Phantasms spawn during boss encounters, they are guaranteed to survive long enough to provide full Phantasmal Might stacks. Even if they die afterward, the damage window has already done its job.

This interaction alone makes the Black Cane strategy viable in high-end content.

Passive Tree Highlights and Elegant Synergies

The passive tree follows a standard Cast When Stunned skeleton, but with several standout optimizations:

Iron Reflexes to convert evasion into armor for consistent mitigation

Agnostic to remove Energy Shield and eliminate ES-based stun avoidance

Thread of Hope (Massive) paired with Elegant Hubris, allowing access to transformed nodes like Purity of Flesh without inefficient pathing

Forbidden Flesh and Flame to steal Gladiator's lucky block node

Rational Doctrine for balanced attribute scaling and conditional bonuses

Bloodnotch + Immutable Force for stun recovery synergy

Tattoo usage focuses on block chance, armor, crit damage reduction, and resist capping-allowing the build to skip many traditional defensive nodes entirely.

A Small Optimization Opportunity

One interesting note: the build currently uses Light of Meaning (Physical Damage). Given that the main damage source is poison-which scales primarily from chaos and damage over time-this may be suboptimal.

Swapping Light of Meaning to Chaos Damage could potentially increase total DPS even further. Based on the gem setup (Void Manipulation, Unbound Ailments, Awakened Deadly Ailments), hit damage is largely irrelevant compared to poison scaling.

In other words: the build may not even be fully optimized yet-and it's already deleting bosses.

Final Thoughts: A Masterclass in Build Design

This Champion Cast When Stunned Poison build is a perfect example of why Path of Exile remains unmatched in build creativity.

By combining: POE divine orbs

Festering Resentment's poison-trigger mechanics

Black Cane's Phantasm-based flat damage scaling

Champion's taunt and defensive utility

A three-ring setup that abandons belts entirely

…the build achieves absurd damage without sacrificing survivability.

It's clever, efficient, and deeply satisfying to watch in action. Most importantly, it proves that sometimes the strongest builds aren't the obvious ones-they're the ones that understand how mechanics actually interact under the hood.

Chunz

Newbie

3 posts

MMOexp-EA FC26: Havertz Finesse Shots Are Broken

Gaming, Posted on 19. Jan 2026

EA FC 26 is in full swing, and one of the most talked-about cards this season is Kai Havertz, affectionately dubbed "King Kai" by fans. Every year, Havertz seems to make an impact in Ultimate Team, and this year is no different. Whether it's through SBCs, winter wild card releases, or the paid season pass, players have been eager to lock him into their squads. After testing this card extensively, it's clear why Havertz is one of the most exciting signings in EA FC 26.

In this guide, we'll go through everything you need to know about Kai Havertz's stats, play styles, chemistry options, and optimal positions to maximize his effectiveness FC 26 Coins.

Unlocking King Kai Havertz

This year, Havertz is part of the paid season pass, meaning players must purchase the pass to access his card. While there are free alternatives, such as Tom Bishop, Havertz stands out for his versatility, technical ability, and physical presence.

His card comes with:

5-star skills, 4-star weak foot

Height: 6'4"

Playable positions: CAM, center striker

Play styles: Finesse Plus, Enforcer, Ticky, Tech, Game Changer

As soon as the season pass released, many players-including myself-made it a priority to unlock him in preparation for Champs weekend. His stats and play styles tick almost every box, from chip shots to deadly finesse, making him a threat in multiple scenarios on the pitch.

Stats Overview

Havertz's stats are impressive, and a closer look reveals why he dominates when used correctly.

Shooting: Extremely effective, especially with finesse and chip shots. While he lacks low-driven shooting, his overall finishing is clinical.

Physicality: Enforcer paired with decent physical stats allows him to shield the ball, hold up play, and bully opponents in one-on-one situations. Although not as dominant as the likes of Haaland or Mullhouse in strength and aggression, Havertz's 6'4" frame combined with Enforcer chemistry style makes him tough to dispossess.

Passing: Strong enough to execute give-and-go plays effectively, making him an ideal pivot in attack.

Speed & Acceleration: Flexible depending on chemistry style. With Marksman (lengthy accelerate), he thrives as a get-in-behind striker, building momentum while retaining ball control. Engine boosts improve agility and left stick control, giving a more controlled dribble feel.

Play Style Analysis

Havertz comes with several critical play styles that enhance his in-game performance:

Finesse Plus: Deadly for far-post finishing and bending shots around goalkeepers.

Enforcer: Perfect for shielding the ball and holding off defenders, especially effective in one-on-one situations.

Ticky: Improves first-touch control and allows fluid transitions in tight spaces.

Game Changer: Boosts precision in high-stakes scenarios, particularly during long shots or headers.

In short, his combination of technical skills and physical presence makes him versatile enough to function as both a striker and an attacking CAM, although his true potential is maximized as a get-in-behind striker.

Chemistry Styles

One of the unique aspects of Havertz is the flexibility in chemistry styles. Two main options stand out:

1.Marksman (Lengthy Accelerate):

Improves his stride and momentum, making him a threat in through-ball scenarios.

Best for lone striker setups where breakaway speed and powerful sprints matter most.

2.Engine (Controlled Accelerate):

Enhances agility and balance for tighter control in the attacking third.

Ideal if you prefer a nimble, first-touch-driven approach in crowded spaces.

Testing both styles shows that Marksman works best for utilizing Havertz's pace and long strides, while Engine provides slightly more precision for intricate passing and dribbling around defenders. Either option is viable, but Marksman seems to complement his natural game style better for fast breaks and one-on-one scenarios.

Optimal Positions

While EA FC 26 allows some flexibility in positioning, the best role for Havertz is clear:

Get-in-behind Striker: This maximizes his speed, play styles, and finishing potential.

CAM: Possible, but not ideal. You lose some efficiency in key areas, particularly because he lacks incisive passing.

Center Mid: Not recommended. While he can function in the role, the lack of necessary play styles like Ping or Incisive reduces effectiveness.

In essence, to get the most out of Havertz, he should operate as a forward with space to exploit his stride and finishing abilities.Gameplay Insights

Playing with Havertz demonstrates his game-changing potential in real matches:

First-touch control is sharp, allowing smooth transitions from midfield build-ups to goal-scoring opportunities.

He handles give-and-go plays with ease, effectively using his ticky play style to move past defenders.

Finesse shots are particularly deadly in tight spaces, especially when given room around the box.

Even in physically contested situations, Enforcer helps him maintain possession, shield the ball, and create space for shots or passes.

During testing, Havertz consistently delivered top performances, including multiple goals and assists per match. His ability to hold off defenders while triggering runs makes him a reliable choice for both solo and team-based strategies.

Scoring Ability

Havertz excels in finishing scenarios:

Finesse Shots: Highly accurate and deadly from outside the box.

Chip Shots: Great for beating keepers one-on-one.

Close-Range Finishing: Strong first touches and controlled volleys make him lethal in the box.

During testing, Havertz scored multiple goals per match, including a tidy hat-trick in one game. His combination of technical ability and physical presence makes him a complete striker for both Rivals and Weekend League matches.

Comparing Chem Styles in Action

Testing both Marksman and Engine styles provides insight into how minor adjustments can influence performance:

Marksman (Lengthy Accelerate): Improves stride, power in breakaways, and momentum while running. Best for situations requiring speed off the ball.

Engine (Controlled Accelerate): Boosts left-stick control, balance, and dribbling agility. Excellent for tight spaces and build-up play in midfield.

Overall, players report little difference in raw speed, but the feel of the ball at his feet changes noticeably. Marksman emphasizes fluid runs and long strides, while Engine allows more precise dribbling and intricate passes.

Physical Presence

Havertz may not match the pure strength of players like Haaland, but he remains tall, strong, and effective:

Height: 6'4" gives him aerial presence.

Strength & Shielding: With Enforcer chemistry style, he can hold off defenders and retain possession in challenging scenarios.

Agility: Despite his height, Havertz is surprisingly nimble, making him versatile in one-on-one encounters.

These attributes allow him to function as a hybrid forward-capable of both scoring and contributing to buildup plays.

Playmaker Ability

Havertz isn't just about scoring; his passing and movement allow him to create opportunities:

Give-and-go plays are easy to execute, using Ticky to maintain control.

Movement off the ball makes him a dangerous option for through balls.

Can act as a "bounce board" striker, allowing teammates to play off him in tight situations.

This dual threat-scoring and playmaking-gives him an edge over pure goal-scorers in the current meta.

Final Thoughts

King Kai Havertz in EA FC 26 is more than just a paid pass reward; he's a game-changer for Ultimate Team. From his technical ability, height, and stride, to his deadly finesse and chip shots, Havertz offers a complete package for players looking to dominate Rivals and Weekend League.

Whether you choose Marksman or Engine chemistry style, this card delivers versatility and impact. His optimal position is as a get-in-behind striker, though he can fill CAM if needed. With Enforcer, Ticky, and Game Changer in his skillset, he can hold off defenders, finish clinically, and contribute to build-up play seamlessly.

If you're part of the paid season pass, securing Havertz is a must. His performance in testing-13 goals and 2 assists over multiple matches-demonstrates his value. For free players, alternative cards exist, but none quite match the full capabilities of King Kai.

Quick Tips for Using Kai Havertz

1.Use Marksman chemistry style for powerful strides and breakaways. Engine works if you prefer tight control.

2.Play him as a lone striker or get-in-behind forward for optimal scoring potential.

3.Leverage Enforcer for shielding and holding off defenders FIFA 26 Coins.

4.Trigger runs effectively to exploit his stride and first-touch control.

5.Focus on finesse and chip shots for maximum goal-scoring effectiveness.

Kai Havertz has proven once again why he's a fan favorite and a must-have for any Ultimate Team. Whether for Rivals, Weekend League, or casual matches, he brings technical precision, physical presence, and goal-scoring prowess to every game.