I’ve been playing Wuthering Waves since launch, and I can’t believe we’re already approaching the second anniversary. The next major update, version 3.3, is almost here, and Kuro Games is hosting a special livestream to reveal everything. As a dedicated player, I’ve marked my calendar for April 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM CST. This isn’t just any update—it’s the anniversary update, so I’m expecting big things.



When and Where to Watch

The livestream will be broadcast on the official Wuthering Waves YouTube and Twitch channels. I’ll probably watch on YouTube, but I might have Twitch open on my second monitor for the chat. The broadcast starts at 7 PM CST, which is China Standard Time (UTC+8). For my friends around the world, I’ve put together a quick time zone table so we can all tune in together.

Region
Local Time (April 17, 2026)

China (CST)
7:00 PM

Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
4:00 AM

Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
7:00 AM

British Summer Time (BST)
12:00 PM

Central European Summer Time (CEST)
1:00 PM

Japan Standard Time (JST)
8:00 PM

Korea Standard Time (KST)
8:00 PM

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
9:00 PM

I’m lucky because 7 PM CST is 7 PM for me? Actually, I live in a different time zone, so I’ll be waking up early or staying up late. But it’s worth it. I’ve already set a countdown timer on my phone. The reference article even had a live countdown, which I found super helpful. I wish more games did that.

What I’m Most Excited About

The livestream promises a lot. Here’s what I’m looking forward to:

Two New Characters: Hiyuki and Denia

I’m always excited for new playable characters. Hiyuki and Denia are the two new faces for 3.3. I’ve seen some leaks and speculation, but I’m waiting for the official reveal. I hope they bring something fresh to the meta. I’ve been saving my Astrites and forging pulls just for them. Their signature weapons will also be showcased, which means I need to decide whether to go for the characters or their weapons first. As a low-spender, I have to plan carefully.

Second Anniversary Rewards ?

This is the big one. Wuthering Waves launched in 2024, so 2026 marks the second anniversary. Kuro Games has been generous in the past, but for the second anniversary, I’m hoping for free pulls, maybe a free 5-star character or weapon, and lots of resources. I’ve seen other gacha games give away amazing stuff on anniversaries, so my expectations are high. I really hope they announce a free copy of one of the new characters or a selector.

Events and Rewards

With the update overlapping the anniversary, there should be a ton of events. I enjoy the combat events and the puzzle ones. I hope they bring back some fan-favorite events with better rewards. Also, new Wuthering Waves codes will be dropped during the livestream. I always keep a notepad ready to redeem them quickly before they expire. Those codes usually give Astrites, Shell Credits, and upgrade materials.

Quality of Life Changes

QoL changes might not be flashy, but they matter. I’m hoping for improvements to the echo system, maybe a better way to manage artifacts, or faster farming. The devs have been listening to feedback, so I’m optimistic. Something like a loadout system for echoes would be a game-changer for me.

My Personal Hype Level

I’d say my hype is at an 8 out of 10 right now. I’m trying to keep my expectations in check, but it’s hard. The second anniversary only happens once. I’ve been playing daily, doing my dailies, and saving. I even took a day off work for the update launch, which is something I rarely do. I just hope the servers hold up.

I’ll be watching the livestream with my guildmates in a voice call. We always react together. Last year’s anniversary stream was fun, but this one feels bigger. Maybe it’s because we know the game is growing. The community has been amazing, and I’m proud to be part of it.

Final Thoughts

So, that’s my plan for the Wuthering Waves 3.3 livestream. If you’re a fellow player, I hope you’ll tune in too. Whether you’re excited for Hiyuki, Denia, the anniversary rewards, or just the codes, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget to check your local time and set a reminder. I’ll be there, ready with snacks and my phone for code redemption. Let’s hope Kuro Games delivers an unforgettable anniversary.

Note: I’ll update this article with my reactions after the livestream, so stay tuned!

While we're on the subject of stretching every Astrite and saving for the next banner, I've been thinking about how the same mindset applies to other games in my library. Between gacha pulls and battle passes, my gaming budget takes a hit every month, so I've started hunting for deals on PC titles to balance things out. That's actually how I stumbled onto cheapest steam keys over at DealNest — they aggregate discounts across a bunch of storefronts, which saves me from tab-hopping every time a sale rolls around.

It's a small thing, but finding a good price on a game I've been eyeing frees up a little extra for the pulls I actually care about. If you're like me and juggle multiple games on a tight budget, it's worth a look before your next checkout.

After seven long years, I finally got my hungry hands on Hollow Knight: Silksong, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait. Team Cherry's shadowy successor to 2017's Hollow Knight had impossible shoes to fill—three developers, one monumental indie hit, and a fanbase that had been foaming at the mouth since the first teaser. Silksong didn't have the luxury of a quiet launch. It arrived under a microscope, and every design choice has been dissected, debated, and occasionally dunked on. But here's the rub: it's not a sophomore slump. It's a fantastic evolution, carving its own path instead of just rehashing the old one. The narrative and mechanical delights are still there, but Hornet's adventure feels distinct. That fearless ingenuity is a boon. However, it also caused a bit of strife—specifically with the Rosary economy, which Team Cherry is already looking to address.



I've been playing since launch, and I've seen the discourse. Sure, there are the usual contrarians, rage-baiters, and trolls who hate on anything beloved just for a reaction. But even measured fans have offered constructive notes. The currency system is the lightning rod. In Silksong, there are two major currencies: Shell Shards and Rosaries. Shell Shards are for crafting tools at rest points. Rosaries are for purchasing items and activating certain mechanisms. If you played the first Hollow Knight, think Geo—but much rarer. In the original, killing just about any standard enemy or boss would drop Geo. In Silksong, only certain foes drop Rosaries. Most enemies only drop Shell Shards, and bosses often drop neither. That conservative approach hampers a game that is otherwise well-paced. Players felt the pinch, and the backlash was real.



The Rosary Riddle: A Tale of Two Currencies

Let's break it down. I love a good risk-reward economy, but Silksong's initial setup had me grinding more than I'd like. Here's a quick table from my own playthrough notes:

Currency
Primary Use
Drop Sources
My Experience

Shell Shards
Crafting tools at rest points
Most enemies
Plentiful, but not what you need for big purchases

Rosaries
Buying items, activating Bellways and Bell Benches
Select foes, side quests, miscellaneous tasks
Scarce, high demand, constant anxiety

That scarcity made every Bellway and Bell Bench decision feel like a wallet check. I found myself hoarding Rosaries like a dragon, avoiding fast travel because I wasn't sure if I could afford the next upgrade. It wasn't a skill issue—it was an economy issue. And I wasn't alone. The debate heated up fast.

Team Cherry's Timely Fix

Just as the Rosary debate was reaching a fever pitch, Team Cherry announced the game's first post-launch patch. Credit where it's due: the studio didn't bury its head in the sand. The patch aims to increase Rosary rewards for side quests and other miscellaneous tasks, while reducing the cost of Rosary-enabled mechanisms like Bellways and Bell Benches. Ideally, this leads to a smoother, more satisfying, but no less challenging experience. That's the sweet spot. I don't want Silksong to become a cakewalk. I want it to respect my time. There's a difference between difficulty and tedium, and Team Cherry seems to get that.



It's a bit surprising that Team Cherry needed to issue these changes after Silksong's long gestation. You'd think seven years would be enough to iron out the economy. But game development is a beast, and Silksong has a lot of moving parts. Most of them perform perfectly. If tweaking the in-game economy helps the combat, exploration, and boss fights shine even brighter, then such changes can't come soon enough. I'd rather have a responsive dev team than a stubborn one. At the end of the day, Team Cherry is listening, and that's the bee's knees.

Why This Matters for 2026

Now that we're in 2026, I can look back at the launch window and say this: Silksong is more than just Hollow Knight 1.5. It's a bold sequel that embraces the unknown. The Rosary economy was a misstep, but it was a fixable one. Team Cherry's willingness to adapt is a boon for the franchise. I've seen too many studios dig in their heels while their games slowly bleed players. Not here. The patch is a sign of good faith, and it makes the overall package stronger.



If you bounced off Silksong because of the grind, I'd say give it another shot. The core game is phenomenal. The music, the atmosphere, the tight controls—it's all there. The Rosary fix doesn't dumb anything down; it just removes a speed bump. And if you're a veteran who already mastered the economy, you can still challenge yourself with self-imposed restrictions. That's the beauty of it.



Long story short, Hollow Knight: Silksong had the weight of the world on its shoulders, and it mostly stuck the landing. The Rosary economy was a wobble, not a fall. Team Cherry's first post-launch patch is a step in the right direction. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that future updates continue to refine the experience. For now, I'm back to exploring Pharloom, one Bellway at a time. And yes, I'm still hoarding Rosaries—old habits die hard. ?

Whether you're diving back into Pharloom after the patch or finally picking up a copy for the first time, there's a decent chance your backlog is already groaning under the weight of other Metroidvanias and soulslikes you meant to get to. That's the thing about a game like Silksong—it has a way of pulling you back toward the whole genre, and before you know it you're eyeing titles you missed over the past few years. If that sounds familiar, it can be worth doing a little homework before you hit the buy button, especially since prices for older releases and indie darlings tend to swing pretty wildly depending on the storefront and the week.

Sites that aggregate deals across multiple platforms make that part of the hobby a lot less tedious, and DealNest is one of the more straightforward options out there—it gathers discounts and price drops in one place so you're not tab-hopping between a dozen storefronts. Handy if you're trying to stretch a gaming budget across several purchases instead of sinking it all into one full-price release. Next time something on your wishlist goes on sale, or you just want to check game prices before committing, it's a reasonable first stop. Saving a few Rosaries here and there never hurts, in-game or otherwise.

The flickering light of the Site of Grace cast long shadows across the crumbling stone as Aldric, a veteran Nightfarer, materialized into the realm. It was 2026, and the Lands Between had shifted once more. The familiar weight of his greatsword felt different—lighter, yet more responsive. He had heard whispers of a new patch, App Ver. 1.02.2, and now, standing at the edge of the Spirit Shelter, he could feel its effects in his very bones. The air hummed with subtle changes, and Aldric knew that this night would be unlike any other.

A New Balance of Steel and Sorcery

Aldric's first test came against a pair of guarding soldiers. He activated Claw Shot, and the poise he maintained while casting was noticeably improved—he no longer flinched when a spear thrust came his way. The stamina damage dealt to blocking enemies had increased, too, making short work of their shields. He grinned. The patch notes had promised this, but experiencing it was another matter.

He sheathed his greatsword and switched to a pair of daggers, curious about the changes. The attack power of some dagger attacks had been increased, and he felt the difference in every quick slash. However, when he tried the two-handed dagger's second heavy attack, the damage was lower than before—though charged attacks remained unaffected. It was a trade-off, one that forced him to adapt his combos. The halberd's guard counters, on the other hand, hit with a satisfying crunch, their attack power boosted.

A nearby Revenant summoned spirits to aid him, and Aldric noticed the transparency adjustment immediately. The ghostly figures of Helen and Frederick were now easier to see through, allowing him to track enemies without obstruction. He could even pass through them, a small but welcome quality-of-life change.

Change
Effect
Emoji

Claw Shot poise
Increased while casting
?️

Claw Shot stamina damage
Increased vs. blocking foes
?

Strength/Dexterity gain
Increased per level
?

Steel Guard passive
Wider angle range
?

Wings of Salvation
Increased weapon range
?️

Halberd guard counters
Increased attack power
⚔️

Dagger attacks
Some increased, two-handed heavy nerfed
?️

Finale Ultimate Art
Longer duration
⏳

Greataxe/Great Hammer
Better stagger
?

Retaliation skill
Longer range
?

Character-Specific Tweaks

As the night deepened, Aldric encountered other Nightfarers, each benefiting from the patch in their own way. A Wylder demonstrated his fiery follow-ups—now consuming stamina, but the burn effect from his Art activation spread fire with increased attack power. The Ironeye's weak point duration extension was longer, and the Recluse's Ultimate Art raised Max HP in a way that persisted even after the art ended, until she took a hit. That was a game-changer for survivability.

The Executor's Cursed Sword now dealt more attack power, and its weapon skill in the unleashed state hit harder. Aldric watched as the Executor landed critical hits that had previously been impossible while holding a right-hand weapon that couldn't crit. A bug fix, but a powerful one. The Duchess's backstep pre-inputs were fixed, making her skill commands flow more smoothly.

Boss Encounters and Nightfarer Foes

The patch had also reshaped the challenges. When Aldric faced Animus, Ascendant Light, he noticed the boss's attack actions had been adjusted, and the stagger duration when Nightfarers were hit by some attacks was reduced. The condemned Nightfarers summoned during the fight could now be dispelled by Law of Regression, and their death status resistance was lowered. The light dropped by defeated condemned Nightfarers granted a stronger enhancement. It felt like a fairer fight, though the boss still hit like a truck.

Fulghor, Champion of Nightglow, now had increased HP and stamina attack power against guarding Nightfarers, and some of his attacks were stronger. But the Red Wolf of the King Consort finally reacted with a stagger when hit by strong attacks like Ultimate Arts—a satisfying change for those who relied on heavy hits. The Marionette Soldiers' attacks were less likely to miss, fixing a frustrating bug.

The Night's Tide damage after defeating the second night boss was increased, making the final stretch more perilous. Sentient Pest incursions now spawned closer to players, reducing the downtime of chasing them across the map.

Quality of Life and Bug Fixes

Beyond combat, the patch addressed numerous annoyances. The Holy attribute icon had a new design, and the penalty for session disconnection was adjusted. Aldric remembered the days when a sudden disconnect meant losing everything—now it was less punishing. The visibility of Rykard's Rancor sorcery was improved, making it easier to track.

A long list of bug fixes brought relief: Guardian's Wings of Salvation could no longer be interrupted or deflected, Duchess's backstep pre-inputs worked, Revenant's spirits revived properly, and Executor's Cursed Sword could land critical hits. The Relic Effect 'HP Restoration upon Thrusting Counterattack' now applied to the Cursed Sword. The 'Improved Charged Sorceries' passive finally affected Shattering Crystal. Even the False Blessing level-down bug during the Everdark Sovereign Equilibrious Beast fight was fixed.

'This addresses issues that were not fully resolved in App Ver. 1.02,' the patch notes read. Aldric nodded. It was about time.

One fix stood out: the player could no longer perform unintentional moves when using the Spectral Hawk. Aldric had lost count of how many times he had plummeted to his death because of that. Now, he could soar with confidence.

The Night Continues

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Aldric sheathed his weapons and returned to the Spirit Shelter. The patch had not just tweaked numbers—it had reshaped the rhythm of combat. The increased Strength and Dexterity gain per level made him feel more powerful with each rune. The capped cumulative effects of Power of Vengeance and Power of House Marais prevented runaway scaling. The adjusted spawn locations of Sentient Pests saved precious time.

He checked the title screen. App Ver. 1.02.2 and Regulation Ver 1.02.2 were displayed in the lower right corner. For online play, he knew he had to apply the latest regulation. He logged in, applied the update, and restarted the game. The future promised further updates, and Aldric was ready. The Lands Between were ever-changing, but for now, the night felt a little more balanced—and a lot more fun. ?⚔️

Note: This article is based on the official patch notes for ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN App Ver. 1.02.2. The game continues to evolve, and players are encouraged to log in and apply the latest regulation for the best experience.

Keeping up with a game that patches as often as ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN means more than downloading the latest regulation—it also means keeping an eye on how prices shift for the game itself, its expansions, and any related DLC. Whether you are hunting for a discount on the base game or waiting for a sale on a season pass, tracking those fluctuations manually across storefronts quickly becomes tedious. That is exactly the kind of repetitive watching that this price tracking tool was built to handle, letting you set your target price and get notified when it finally drops.

For Nightfarers who plan to keep playing through every future update, having that kind of automated oversight means you can focus on mastering the next patch instead of refreshing store pages. It is a small convenience, but one that fits neatly alongside the quality-of-life improvements the developers keep rolling out.

FromSoftware has rolled out a hefty update for ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN, and it is no small potatoes. The patch, listed as App Ver. 1.03.1 and Regulation Ver. 1.03.2, touches PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. It delivers new DLC-gated content, quality-of-life changes, and a massive stack of bug fixes that would make even the most seasoned Nightfarer sit up and take notice.

DLC Owners Get New Toys in Deep of Night

Players who own The Forsaken Hollows DLC will now encounter new targets, Landmarks, raid events, and Shifting Earth while playing The Deep of Night mode. However, these additions only appear when matched with players who also own the DLC content. That means no freeloading — everyone in the party needs the expansion to see the new hotness.

The Great Hollows Shifting Earth also received a tuning pass. Curse effects tied to Fire, Magic, Lightning, and Holy damage are now stronger in its temples. The Continuous HP Loss and Continuous HP Recovery curse effects have been adjusted as well. In the Tricephalos raid event, the attack power of summoned wolves has been decreased, which should give teams a bit more breathing room.

Area
Key Change

Great Hollows Shifting Earth temples
Increased Fire, Magic, Lightning, and Holy curse effects on weapons and items.

Curse effects
Adjusted Continuous HP Loss and Continuous HP Recovery.

Tricephalos raid event
Decreased attack power of summoned wolves.

Night Aspect
Additional attack types when all Nightfarers own The Forsaken Hollows DLC.

When engulfed in the Night’s Tide in the Great Hollows Shifting Earth, the player character’s feet will now appear to be burning. The range of clues discovered when using a map to reveal hidden clues has been expanded. The Night Aspect also gains additional attack types if every Nightfarer present owns the DLC.

Scholar Gets a Big Dose of TLC

Scholar mains have plenty to celebrate. A stack count display has been added to the damage negation reduction icon that appears when hitting enemies with level 3 Dart-type items thanks to the Scholar’s Bagcraft Skill. Scholar’s Ultimate Art Communion will no longer break when transforming using Executor's Ultimate Art Aspects of the Crucible: Beast.

A long list of Scholar bugs has been squashed. The effect of Scholar's Skill Communion no longer continues to apply when no other targets are affected. Damage to linked enemies and healing to allies now propagate correctly if a Scholar enters a Near Death state during Communion. Scholar's Skill Analyze now properly gains art gauge from the shockwave triggered on oneself at maximum charge. The number of targets analyzed no longer resets when another player opens a door to transition to a boss fight inside the Spirit Tree shelter.

Bagcraft received several fixes. The damage negation reduction effect’s duration now extends correctly when hitting enemies with level 3 Dart items. The effect now applies according to the number of hits when hitting enemies with level 3 Fan Daggers. The healing effect added to the level 3 Holy Water Pot now causes damage to the Royal Revenant. Crystal Tear count now displays correctly when obtaining a second one from Dormant Powers. Frozen Needle attack motions have also been fixed.

Combat, Skills, and Weapon Fixes

The patch is packed with combat corrections. The immortality granted by Revenant's Ultimate Art Immortal March is now properly overwritten by other visual effects. The effect added by Mists of Slumber to the Sword of St. Trina no longer disappears upon taking enemy attacks. Bow attacks affected by Black Flame Blade and Bloodflame Blade incantations now remove the frostbite status effect from enemies. Improved Rolling Attacks now applies to Bows, and Partial HP Restoration upon Post-Damage Attacks now triggers on critical hits with Bows.

Other fixes include: players no longer accumulate frostbite while standing on Holy Ground created by a weapon imbued with frost by Chilling Mist; Black Flame Blade effects now apply to Frenzyflame Thrust; and the same incantation no longer applies to the hitboxes of Wave of Gold and Thundercloud Form. Golden Retaliation and Carian Retaliation now rescue allies from a near-death state in more instances. Attack power enhancing effects now apply to Regal Beastclaw and Wave of Gold. Charging by holding the cast button now enhances Ancient Death Rancor and Beast Claw. The post-cast delay of Beast Claw can now be canceled by chaining it with a sorcery or incantation.

Recluse’s Passive Skill Elemental Defense now displays attribute marks correctly when attacking with a weapon imbued by Order's Blade. Black Flame's Protection no longer reduces shared healing from the Flask Also Heals Allies relic effect unless the ally is also under its effect. Creates Holy Ground at Low HP effects no longer overwrite each other when players with the same special effect stand near each other. Critical Hits Inflict Blood Loss now displays its physical attack power enhancement. Communion Grants Anti-Dragon Effect now adds additional physical damage. Cold Mirage now applies properly to Executor's Ultimate Art Aspects of the Crucible: Beast.

The Power to Balance the World special effect also received attention. A near-death animation has been added when reviving with this effect. A bug that caused solo Expedition players to be defeated even after reviving through this power has been fixed.

Bosses, Raids, and Shifting Earth

FromSoftware read the riot act to a host of boss and raid bugs. In the Sentient Pest fight, the boss now loses sight of the player when Duchess's Ultimate Art Finale is used. The Dancer of the Boreal Valley no longer blocks other players from dealing damage during a critical hit. Gaping Jaw’s ground-based attacks have improved hit detection and effect positioning. Everdark Sovereign Equilibrious Beast no longer spawns enemy Raiders if a Revenant in specific costumes is present.

The Dreglord fight received multiple fixes: spells and ghosts from Revenant's Summon Spirit now aim correctly, enemy attacks intended for specific players no longer target others, players no longer get stuck inside objects, and multiplayer music timing now aligns with the intended sequence. The Balancers fight now plays grab attack sound effects. Demon in Pain and Demon from Below now show a defeat animation when defeated simultaneously, and arrows hitting their heads deal increased damage.

Some Night bosses no longer die if a player who previously left the session rejoins. The Curseblade Night boss version no longer performs specific attacks at unintended timings. Enemies summoned by some bosses in The Great Hollows Shifting Earth now disappear after the boss is defeated. The Tree Guard in the temple can now die. Enemy behavior has been adjusted, and unintended enemies no longer appear in some areas. Omenkillers in the Blacksmith Village can now be hit under all conditions. DLC enemies now drop appropriate weapons upon defeat.

The Great Hollows Shifting Earth also saw fixes for HP restoration after Crystal Curse deaths, site of graces and blacksmithing tables appearing without the special merchant, immunity to Crystal Curse in certain areas, progression blocks in the temple, extra enemies during boss fights, players getting stuck on treasure chests, Spiritstream usability after rejoin, Raider's Ultimate Art Totem Stela spawning underground, missing runes after temple boss defeats, missing Spiritstream map icons, and missing Enemy felled messages.

Raid events were not spared. In Augur, the powerful water bomb no longer becomes invisible to rejoining players. In Tricephalos, summoned wolves now disappear immediately after clearing, their HP is correct for 2-3 player Expeditions, damage reduction rates match intent, and the event no longer drags on if the last enemy appears in the night boss spawn area. In Fissure in the Fog, blizzard effects display properly, fog no longer appears indoors at some strongholds, multiple bosses no longer appear for rejoining players, and runes are awarded correctly. In Balancer, the Balancer now appears reliably.

UI, Menus, and Quality-of-Life

When swapping identical consumables in the Equipment Menu, they now combine according to their stack limit. Icons and explanations now indicate active effects for some special effects in the status menu. When pinning an item, the item rarity color now displays in the You indicated equipment message. The Map Display key can now be remapped in the system menu's keyboard/mouse settings, though remapping it also changes navigation keys in some menus, such as Open All Presets in the Relic Rites Menu.

Menu bugs have been cleaned up. The Status Menu now reflects allied players’ decreased level state after death. Empty talisman slots no longer show empty popups in the Status Menu and Victor's Record. Map icons from a different depth no longer linger when switching floor displays. Scarabs, Treasures, and Sites of Grace in The Great Hollows Shifting Earth now appear in correct map locations. The Enemy felled message no longer appears twice for a specific powerful enemy. The Relic Rite Menu no longer incorrectly displays the Revenant Power up while fighting alongside family effect for Scholar and Undertaker. Filter functions now respect DLC ownership and Deep of Night unlock status. Item help now works in the Equipment section of the Visual Codex menu.

Performance, Platform, and Update Notes

Under the hood, FromSoftware fixed several minor menu display issues, graphics and effects rendering issues, sound effects that were not playing correctly, and revised some texts. The list of prohibited words has been updated. The game no longer crashes when transitioning to Battle Results or the Title screen while targeting allies with Scholar's Analyze skill. On PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, a crash when opening and closing the button configuration menu from controller settings has been fixed. German text for the next objective in the journal menu is no longer cut off.

Matchmaking also received a fix. While The Great Hollows Shifting Earth was active, players could not match with players who did not possess The Forsaken Hollows DLC when starting an Expedition other than Balancers or Dreglord. That has been corrected. Starting a Deep of Night Expedition with a pre-made team now shows the dialog warning about a decrease in Deep of Night rating when pressing Return to Title Menu. Deep of Night win/loss results now reflect correctly in the rating, depending on network environment.

The version number shown at the lower right corner of the Title Screen will be App Ver. 1.03.1 and Regulation Ver. 1.03.2. On PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, Regulation files can be downloaded by logging in to the server. If the Regulation Ver. listed is not 1.03.2, players should select LOGIN and apply the latest regulation before enjoying the game. Online play requires this update. After downloading the update file, players should restart the game and apply the update. Further updates will be distributed in the future so players can continue to enjoy ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN more comfortably.

As 2026 rolls on, this patch remains a key checkpoint for anyone diving into The Deep of Night. The devil is in the details, and FromSoftware has clearly put in the spit and polish. For Nightfarers who own The Forsaken Hollows, the new targets, Landmarks, raid events, and Shifting Earth content make it a whole new ballgame. For everyone else, the bug fixes alone are worth the download.

With a patch like this, it's clear that the developers are committed to refining the experience long after launch. For players who have exhausted the current content or are simply looking to diversify their gaming diet, the world of online game deals can be a treasure trove. Keeping an eye on price drops and limited-time offers is a smart way to expand your library without overspending.

That's precisely the kind of service DealNest provides. Whether you're hunting for the latest AAA releases or hidden indie gems, their platform aggregates the best game deals today, making it easy to find something new to play between Nightreign sessions. It's a handy tool for any budget-conscious gamer.

As of October 11, 2026, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade’s Malboro still has no open-world spawn, exclusively appearing as the final boss of the Hard-mode Shinra Combat Simulator’s Three-Person Team vs. Monsters of Legend mission in Chapter 17 Hojo’s Lab. Thousands of players chasing the iconic Bad Breath Enemy Skill still wipe mid-fight before the learning hit registers, thanks to the boss’s stacked poison, sleep, silence, slow, and frog debuff combo. Veterans know the fight is won or lost in the pre-fight menu, not on the battlefield.

Unlocking the Malboro Sim (Hard Mode Only)

Clear all prior Corneo Colosseum and Shinra Combat Simulator challenges on any difficulty first, then switch to Hard Difficulty to unlock the Monsters of Legend mission. The Malboro is a fixed sim encounter, not a random field enemy; no amount of open-world exploration will trigger a spawn. The v1.003 global parity patch and 2026 Streamlined Progression toggles do not alter Malboro’s status ailment check mechanics at all.

Bad Breath Resistance Loadout

Equip your designated Bad Breath tank with the Enemy Skill materia first, as only the character hit by the attack while holding the materia can unlock the skill. Link Warding + Poison/Binding/Time in paired slots to cut duration or grant full immunity to poison, sleep, and slow, and pack Cleansing materia for Esuna casts if your party gets tagged. Use a Ribbon for full ailment immunity if you have one, or Star Pendant/Headband as budget substitutes; add Fire + Elemental in weapon slots and Magnify + Healing for fast party-wide recovery.

How to Learn Bad Breath Enemy Skill

During the fight, stand directly in front of Malboro the second the move name Bad Breath appears above its head, and take the full hit with your Enemy Skill holder. Survive until the end of the entire battle: community reports confirm dying immediately after the hit will stop the Bad Breath skill from registering to your materia. If you are not farming the skill, sprint to the side or behind Malboro to avoid the frontal cone attack. If your party gets tagged, clear Sleep/Silence first, then Poison, as a silenced healer cannot cast Esuna to save the team.



Phase Strategy: Pressure, Fire, and Stagger

Stay behind Malboro for nearly all of the fight to avoid its most dangerous attacks: Bad Breath and Acid are both frontal cone attacks, so control Cloud or Tifa to punish the boss from the rear to avoid accidental debuffs. When Bad Breath winds up, its mouth becomes a targetable weak point; dealing heavy damage to it during this window pressures the boss and shortens the danger window for your party. Malboro is 2x weak to Fire, so cast Firaga or Ardent Flare to build its stagger gauge fast, then use Tifa's Unbridled Strength buffs and True Strike stacking to push the stagger damage bonus past 300% for a quick kill.

Platform, Patch, and Deal Check

Intergrade v1.003 is available on PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2, with a standard MSRP of $39.99, though seasonal sales regularly drop it to between $9.99 and $24.99. PC players should verify FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE on Steam to confirm you are on the v1.003 patch with access to Streamlined Progression toggles before attempting Hard mode challenges. If you are working toward a 100% playlog or need access to the full Malboro sim unlock, compare FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE lowest price & CDKey deals before purchasing the full Episode INTERmission bundle.

In the swirling chaos of Season 42, Patch 2.2.16, a Gold-ranked marksman named Kael watched his health bar evaporate for the seventh consecutive match. His go-to crit build, once a reliable stepladder to victory, had become a limp handshake against S-tier sustain fighters like Aulus and stacked late-game tanks. The arena had changed, and so had the rules of gold efficiency. Kael's story is not unique—thousands of players from Gold to Mythic are discovering that generic damage items no longer tickle the meta's toughest opponents. This guide, born from aggregated 2026 community data and patch-specific win rates, charts his path from frustration to mastery.



Core Damage Item Stats & S-Tier Must-Picks (Patch 2.2.16)

Top physical damage picks align with current meta win rates above 56% for eligible roles. Sky Piercer offers 6% base execute that stacks to 12% on kills, paired with +60 physical ATK and +15 adaptive pen, making it non-negotiable for snowballing assassins. Malefic Gun grants +45 physical ATK, 25% attack speed, 15% crit, 15% physical penetration, and a basic attack range boost, making it core for new S-tier gold lane marksman Obsidia. Top magic picks include Wishing Lantern (+70 magic power, 10% CDR), which deals 10% of a target's current HP as extra damage per 800 damage dealt for anti-tank burst, and Divine Glaive (+60 magic power, 40% base magic pen) that scales penetration with enemy magic defense to counter late-game magic defense stacks.

Item
Type
Key Stats
Best For

Sky Piercer
Physical
+60 ATK, +15 adaptive pen, 6-12% execute
Snowballing assassins

Malefic Gun
Physical
+45 ATK, 25% AS, 15% crit, 15% pen, range boost
Obsidia, gold lane

Wishing Lantern
Magic
+70 magic power, 10% CDR, 10% current HP per 800 damage
Anti-tank burst mages

Divine Glaive
Magic
+60 magic power, 40% base magic pen, scales with enemy defense
Countering magic defense stacks

Meta-Aligned Item Synergies for Common Playstyles

Three proven combos deliver maximum gold efficiency across popular playstyles. The anti-tank on-hit trinity of Corrosion Scythe + Demon Hunter Sword + Golden Staff stacks on-hit effects to melt 10k+ HP targets 3x faster than raw crit builds, ideal for Karrie, Claude, and Obsidia. Think of it as a coral reef's digestive system: each item breaks down the target's defenses layer by layer, turning a 10k HP fortress into a sandcastle at high tide.

The one-shot magic burst combo of Genius Wand + Holy Crystal + Divine Glaive leverages Genius Wand's flat magic pen to delete squishy targets early, while Divine Glaive maintains burst against late-game tank defenses. It works like a chameleon's tongue—the more resistance it meets, the harder it strikes.

The snowball assassin combo of Blade of the Heptaseas + Sky Piercer + Hunter Strike delivers 30% extra first-hit burst from Heptaseas, secures kills to stack Sky Piercer's execute, and provides 15% extra movement speed from Hunter Strike to maintain map control. Sky Piercer's execute stacks are like a snowball rolling downhill in a cartoon—each kill adds another layer of absurd momentum until nothing can stop it.

Situational Adjustments to Counter Enemy Comps

Build flat penetration items (Genius Wand, Hunter Strike) for early game snowball: if an enemy has 30 base defense, 15 flat pen cuts that stat in half, nearly doubling your damage before the 10 minute mark. Swap to percentage penetration items (Malefic Roar, Divine Glaive) after 12 minutes, when 70% of tanks and fighters will have stacked 100+ defensive stats, making flat penetration inefficient. Building flat penetration against a late-game tank is like using a toothpick to disarm a bear trap—you'll only get snapped.

Add Sea Halberd (physical) or Glowing Wand (magic) as your 3rd item against high-sustain comps with Estes, Floryn, or Sora to cut healing and shielding by 50%. Use % HP damage items (Demon Hunter Sword for physical, Wishing Lantern for magic) when facing high-HP tanks like Hylos or Barats, as they deal 40% more damage per hit than raw stat items against targets with 8k+ HP.

Final Rank-Up Tips

For official Patch 2.2.16 details and real-time hero balance updates, cross-reference your builds against the game's official patch notes to avoid outdated pre-Season 42 advice. Players looking to unlock the limited 10th anniversary Layla Collector skin (with minor +3 base attack stat bonuses) can do so through in-game events, but the real treasure is a flexible mindset. Always prioritize counter-building over following generic fixed builds to gain 12% higher average win rates across Gold to Mythic ranks, per 2026 community aggregated data.

Kael's journey ended not with a single perfect build, but with a toolbox of situational choices. He learned that in Season 42, damage is a conversation—and the best players are those who listen to the enemy's composition before they speak. Whether you're a Gold-ranked novice or a Mythic veteran, the meta rewards adaptation, not imitation. So next time you load into a match, ask yourself: what does this enemy team fear? Then build it.

I have been following Wuthering Waves since its launch, and I can honestly say that Version 3.1 is one of the most exciting updates Kuro Games has delivered. The update went live on February 5, 2026, and it brought two brand-new 5-star resonators, a fresh explorable area, new echoes, and a long list of quality-of-life improvements. But for me, the real headline is the banner schedule. If you are planning your pulls or simply want to understand how the 3.1 cycle was structured, here is my full breakdown of the Wuthering Waves 3.1 banners.



In Short

Wuthering Waves 3.1 launched on February 5, 2026.

Two new 5-star resonators debuted: Aemeath and Luuk Herssen.

Aemeath headlined Phase 1, while Luuk Herssen arrived in Phase 2.

Chisa, Lupa, and Galbrena returned as 5-star reruns.

The 4-star resonator lineup was not revealed in the initial banner announcement.

Signature weapons for all featured 5-stars ran alongside their respective character banners.



Release Date and Time

Wuthering Waves 3.1 released on February 5, 2026. For me, that date was circled on my calendar for weeks. Kuro Games usually splits major updates into two phases, and 3.1 followed that pattern. Each phase lasted roughly three weeks, giving players enough time to save Astrite, test teams, and decide whether to chase a new resonator or a rerun.

Phase 1 Banners

Phase 1 was all about Aemeath, the first new 5-star of the update. She shared the spotlight with two popular reruns: Chisa and Lupa. As a player who values both fresh kits and proven favorites, I found this phase incredibly tempting. Aemeath offered the excitement of a brand-new playstyle, while Chisa and Lupa gave newer players a chance to catch up on strong roster options.

Banner
Featured 5-Star
Type

Phase 1 Character Banner
Aemeath
New

Phase 1 Character Banner
Chisa
Rerun

Phase 1 Character Banner
Lupa
Rerun

Phase 1 Weapon Banner
Aemeath Signature Weapon
New

Phase 1 Weapon Banner
Chisa Signature Weapon
Rerun

Phase 1 Weapon Banner
Lupa Signature Weapon
Rerun

Phase 2 Banners

Phase 2 introduced Luuk Herssen, the second new 5-star resonator. He was joined by Galbrena, a rerun that many players had been waiting for. I know several friends who skipped Phase 1 entirely just to guarantee Luuk Herssen, and I completely understood why. New characters often reshape team compositions, and Luuk Herssen was no exception. Galbrena, meanwhile, remained a strong option for anyone who missed her previous banner.

Banner
Featured 5-Star
Type

Phase 2 Character Banner
Luuk Herssen
New

Phase 2 Character Banner
Galbrena
Rerun

Phase 2 Weapon Banner
Luuk Herssen Signature Weapon
New

Phase 2 Weapon Banner
Galbrena Signature Weapon
Rerun

Weapon Banners and Pull Planning

The weapon banner followed the same two-phase structure. Every featured 5-star resonator had their signature weapon available during their respective phase. For me, this is always the hardest part of any Wuthering Waves update. A new resonator can transform your account, but their signature weapon often pushes their performance to another level. I usually ask myself three questions before pulling:

Does this character fill a gap in my roster?

Do I already own a strong alternative weapon?

Can I still guarantee my next most-wanted character?

If the answer to the first question is yes and the second is no, I consider the weapon banner. Otherwise, I save. In 3.1, Aemeath and Luuk Herssen both felt like account-defining additions, so I prioritized their character banners before even glancing at weapons.

Why 3.1 Mattered Beyond Banners

The banners were only one part of the 3.1 puzzle. The update also added a new area to explore, new echoes to farm, and additional content that kept the endgame fresh. I spent hours simply running around the new zone, collecting resources and testing movement tech. The new echoes also opened up interesting build possibilities, especially for players who enjoy min-maxing their teams. Kuro Games has a habit of pairing major story beats with meaningful exploration, and 3.1 continued that trend.

My Final Pull Advice

If you are looking back at 3.1 or planning for a future rerun, here is my honest advice: prioritize the new resonators first. Aemeath and Luuk Herssen were the headline acts, and their banners defined the update. Chisa, Lupa, and Galbrena were excellent reruns, but they were best treated as secondary targets unless you already had a clear team for them. The 4-star lineup was not revealed at the time of the initial announcement, so many players waited for the full details before committing. That patience usually pays off.

Wuthering Waves 3.1 was a massive moment for the game. Two new 5-stars, three strong reruns, signature weapons, a new area, and new echoes made it one of the most packed updates of 2026. As a first-person account from someone who plays daily, I can say that the banner schedule was generous but still demanding. Save your Astrite, set your priorities, and may your 50/50s go your way. ?✨

Budgeting for gacha is really just one part of a wider gaming budget. When I'm not saving Astrite, I still want to play other PC titles without paying full price, so I keep a shortlist of trusted deal sites and check them before every major sale. That habit has saved me more than a few dollars over the years, and it makes update season feel less like a financial squeeze.

One site I've been using for that is DealNest, which tracks PC game discounts across a range of storefronts. It's handy if you want to stretch your gaming budget between major updates or find something new to play while you wait for your next favorite banner. You can browse their current PC game discounts to see what's on offer.

Rumors in the video game industry are a bit like monkeys in a tree: they swing around, make a lot of noise, and occasionally one of them lands somewhere interesting. In 2025, NateTheHate dropped a juicy one: Black Myth: Wukong, Game Science's action RPG smash hit, might be heading to Nintendo Switch 2. The game didn't show up at a Partner Direct, as some had predicted, but that doesn't mean the idea is dead in the water. As 2026 rolls on, the question still hangs in the air: is Game Science actually cooking a Switch 2 port? ??



The Rumor That Won't Quit

During a podcast episode, NateTheHate explained that he had heard the game was coming to Switch 2 at some point. He framed it as a prediction for a Partner Direct, but the real headline was simpler: Black Myth: Wukong was reportedly on its way to Nintendo's new hardware. The Direct came and went without a monkey in sight. Still, fans shouldn't rule out that Game Science is working on it now. After all, porting a massive Unreal Engine 5 title doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, money, and a whole lot of optimization wizardry. ?‍♂️

A Launch History Full of Twists

Black Myth: Wukong already has a strange and testy history. It launched on PC and PlayStation 5 on August 20, 2024. Then it came to Xbox exactly one year later, on August 20, 2025. That gap raised eyebrows. For months, rumors swirled that Sony had worked out some sort of deal with Game Science to ensure the game would be ready for PlayStation 5 first. Whether that deal was a timed exclusivity agreement, marketing support, or just optimization help, nobody outside the boardroom knows for sure. What does seem relevant, even in 2026, is that Game Science was new to console games. The studio needed help optimizing Black Myth: Wukong for consoles, and that need would be even greater for Switch 2.

Platform
Launch Date
Notes

PC
August 20, 2024
Launched alongside PS5

PlayStation 5
August 20, 2024
Rumored Sony deal

Xbox Series X/S
August 20, 2025
Exactly one year later

Nintendo Switch 2
TBD
Rumored, not confirmed

Why Optimization Is the Real Boss Fight

Switch 2 is more capable than its predecessor, but it's still not a PS5 or a high-end PC. Black Myth: Wukong is a demanding game with dense environments, ray-traced lighting options, and brutal combat effects. Getting it to run on a portable hybrid system is no small feat. If the rumor is true, Game Science would likely need to work with Shiver Entertainment or another conversion specialist. Nintendo acquired Shiver in 2024, and the studio has a reputation for handling tricky ports. A great Switch 2 version wouldn't just be a miracle; it would be a carefully engineered compromise.

Challenge
Possible Solution

Heavy GPU load
DLSS-style upscaling, lower internal resolution

CPU bottlenecks
Reduced NPC density, simplified physics

Memory constraints
Aggressive asset streaming, texture compression

Battery life
30 FPS cap, dynamic resolution

Load times
Switch 2's faster storage, smart caching

What a Switch 2 Version Could Look Like

Players shouldn't expect parity with PS5. They should expect a version that captures the spirit of the game while making smart cuts. Here's what a realistic port might offer:

? 720p to 900p in handheld mode, upscaled to 1080p

?️ 1080p docked with dynamic resolution scaling

? 30 FPS target, with occasional dips in chaotic fights

?️ Reduced draw distance and foliage density

?️ All content and bosses intact, no cut corners on gameplay

⚡ Faster load times thanks to Switch 2's SSD-like storage

That might not sound like a dream, but for a handheld, it would be impressive. The Steam Deck struggles with Black Myth: Wukong, and Switch 2 is in a similar ballpark. A good port would be a technical achievement worth celebrating. ?

Why Nintendo Might Want This

Nintendo has been courting mature third-party games for Switch 2. Black Myth: Wukong would be a statement. It would tell hardcore players that the hybrid console isn't just for Mario and Zelda. It would also give Nintendo a big win in the ongoing console wars. Microsoft and Sony have their own exclusives, but Nintendo could counter with portability. Playing Black Myth: Wukong on a train or in bed? That's a wild selling point. ??️

The Shiver Factor

Shiver Entertainment is the quiet ace up Nintendo's sleeve. The studio has worked on ports like Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1 for Switch, and Nintendo bought it in 2024 for a reason. If Game Science is working with Shiver, that's a strong sign the port is real. If not, Game Science might need to partner with Panic Button, Saber Interactive, or another port house. Either way, the right partner could make or break the project. In 2026, Shiver's involvement would be the smartest move.

The Bottom Line for 2026

If NateTheHate's claim pans out, it's a big deal. Nintendo Switch 2 owners would get one of the biggest third-party games of the generation. Game Science would reach a new audience. Nintendo would score a hardcore action title that balances out its family-friendly image. If the rumor fizzles, it's just another case of monkey business. Either way, fans should take it with a grain of salt. Rumors are not release dates. But when a credible insider says a game is coming, it's worth keeping an eye on the jungle. ??



No official announcement has come from Nintendo or Game Science as of early 2026. Until then, the rumor lives on. And in the world of video games, that's often how the best surprises start. ?

If waiting for official word has you itching to play in the meantime, the PC version on Steam is already out there — and it's the kind of game that rewards patience at the checkout as much as in combat. Watching for a price drop on a title this big can pay off, especially since sales come and go faster than a Spirit Transformation.

That's where a tool like steam deal finder earns its keep. DealNest tracks price history and discounts across storefronts, so you can see whether that Wukong sale is genuinely a bargain or just marketing noise. Pair it with a wishlist and a bit of restraint, and you might fund the Switch 2 port before Nintendo even confirms it exists. ?

I really, really want to love Hollow Knight: Silksong. And in so many ways, I do. The long-awaited sequel is gorgeous, buttery smooth to play, and packed with more content than I ever expected from Team Cherry. I have stopped mid-air just to stare at Pharloom's fungal cathedrals, and I have grinned like an idiot at its weird, colorful residents. But after dozens of hours, I have to admit something uncomfortable: my first playthrough is being hampered by one specific problem. It is tied to difficulty, yes, but it is not just that the game is hard. It is that the game's hardest moments often give me nothing back.



Now in 2026, months after launch, the conversation around Silksong has not cooled down. Players are still arguing about the difficulty spike between Hollow Knight and its sequel. The platforming can be finicky, standard enemies hit surprisingly hard, and the bosses are the main event. From the Bell Beast onward, most boss fights strip two chunks of health per hit. When you start with only five Masks, that is terrifying. Compared to the early game of the 2017 original, it feels like a huge leap.



The Difficulty Spike Is Real

That spike has left many players stuck for hours. The notorious early-game walls include Moorwing, Sister Splinter, Last Judge, and Savage Beast Fly. I have seen people report spending three hours or more on a single one of these fights. You memorize attack patterns, learn when to counter, and adapt, only to die and face a rigorous runback. It can be exhausting. I felt that exhaustion firsthand.



Victory Without Reward

Here is the part that really gets me. After hours of ramming my head against the wall, I finally beat my nemesis. Relief floods in. Excitement, too. But then the adrenaline wears off, I look around the battlefield, and I realize I have been given nothing for my effort. Most bosses in Silksong do not drop Rosary Beads. They do not even drop Shards. Often, the only reward is the ability to progress to the next area. In rare cases, you unlock a pathway that eventually leads to a new item or skill. Very few bosses actually hand over a tangible reward.



Boss
My time spent
Tangible reward

Moorwing
~2 hours
None

Sister Splinter
~1.5 hours
None

Last Judge
Hours for many players
None

Savage Beast Fly
Hours for many players
None



That makes Silksong's victories feel hollow to me. I grew up on Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro. Those games drilled a simple promise into my brain: boss fights are worth the effort. You may spend hours getting speared into the floor by the Nameless King, but you know a wealth of Souls, a boss weapon, and potentially great loot are waiting. That reward loops directly into character progression. It is a vital motivator. It encourages you to stick with a challenging game when your patience is razor-thin.



With Silksong, I started asking myself why I was putting in the effort at all. Moorwing took me around two hours. Sister Splinter took me about an hour and a half. I enjoyed both fights well enough in the moment. But when their bodies hit the ground, I did not feel the satisfaction I expected. All I had earned was access to the next part of the game. Worse, I had lost far more than I gained. Both Moorwing and Sister Splinter claimed at least 200 Rosary Beads from me each during our long battles. That sense of loss is made sharper by Silksong's controversial economy, which currently asks players to spend far more Rosary Beads than they earn.



I Am Not Asking for Easier Bosses

Let me be clear: I am not saying Silksong's bosses should be easier. Aside from a few frustrating attacks and an overreliance on RNG in some fights, I have been enjoying most of the boss battles. The choreography is often brilliant. The music swells. The tension is real. But the lack of rewards after victory is starting to make me feel like I am not making proper progress. It turns a triumphant moment into a shrug.

Maybe that is the point. Maybe Silksong wants progress to be its own reward. Maybe the journey through Pharloom is supposed to be enough. But in a game this demanding, with an economy this tight, and with runbacks this punishing, I need a little more than a doorway. I need a reason to believe the next brutal wall is worth climbing. Give me Rosary Beads. Give me Shards. Give me a weird charm. Give me something that says, yes, you did it, and your character is stronger for it. Otherwise, even a beautiful, brilliant sequel can start to feel hollow. ?️⚔️?

That same calculus — what you put in versus what you get back — shapes how I decide which games are worth buying in the first place. A sequel like this one earns its cost simply through sheer hours of content, but plenty of other titles demand seventy dollars up front and hand back a weekend's worth of play. Before I commit to anything now, I like to know what the going rate actually is across storefronts, because the gap between a full-price listing and a discounted key can be wide enough to fund my next two purchases. It is the same instinct that makes a boss reward feel satisfying: effort in, something tangible out.

If you would rather not pay full price for the privilege of being flattened by a giant insect, it is worth doing a quick game price comparison before you check out. DealNest pulls listings together in one place so you can see which retailer is actually offering the better deal instead of guessing. That way the only thing draining your resources is Pharloom itself, and not your wallet. ?️

At first, Hollow Knight: Silksong felt almost gentle to me. Most early mobs died in a few hits, and I thought my basic needle was more than enough. Then I crossed into the third biome, and suddenly every enemy had a deeper health bar, shields, or both. What was I supposed to do when my basic attacks barely scratched them? The answer was obvious: upgrade the needle. That decision sent me on a long journey through Haunted Bellhart, Shellwood, the Citadel, and the Whispering Vaults. Even in 2026, this remains one of the most important early power spikes I can recommend.

The First Needle Upgrade and Pinmaster's Oil Wish Location

I started by pushing toward Haunted Bellhart and Shellwood. From Shellwood, I picked up the Cling Grip ability, which opened up the path to the Widow boss fight. Beating Widow was not optional for me; it unlocked the town of Bellhart, and that town is where the first real needle upgrade waits. Once I stood near the bench, I noticed a few platforms leading upward. I took those steps, entered the second bell-shaped house, and looked for a three-pin icon on top. Inside, I met the Pinmaster. He gave me the first needle upgrade for free, then offered the Pinmaster's Oil wish for the next one. Was I going to turn that down? Of course not.



Finding Pale Oil in the Citadel

The Pinmaster told me the Pale Oil he needed was somewhere in the Citadel, but he also warned me that I would have to progress a lot before I could reach it. He was right. First, I had to reach the Cogwork Dancers boss fight and beat it. After that, I had to go halfway through the Cogwork Core area to enter the Whispering Vaults. This part felt like a test of patience. I kept heading right after entering the vaults, then jumped down once I entered the main area. From there, I kept going down until I saw my first exit to the left. I took that exit, moved left in the next room, and used Cling Grip to jump onto the higher platform. Above me, I saw another platform much higher up.



There are two ways to make that upper platform. I could get the double jump from Mount Fay, or I could bait the big enemy sitting near the platform and use a downward strike on it to get lifted up. Since I had not yet visited Mount Fay, I chose the enemy-bounce method. It was risky, but it worked. Once I was on the upper platform, I entered the room on the left and found a small puzzle waiting for me.



Solving the Whispering Vaults Box Puzzle

This puzzle is all about hitting boxes in the right direction. If you are like me, you might hit one wrong box and wonder why the path disappeared. Here is exactly what I did:

I moved to the left and hit the first box I saw from the left so that it went to the right.

After that, I kept going left and wall jumped to the upper platform to hit another box to the right.

Next, I jumped on the first box and went up the path in the middle of a bunch of boxes.

When my way got blocked, I did an upward strike, and the boxes moved up, giving me more path.

After climbing a bit more, I took the path on the right to reach the top, then hit the boxes on my left that blocked me.

When those boxes blocked me again, I struck the boxes below me to open a path.

Then I simply struck the boxes on my left after jumping, and I saw the way on the left.

To open that way, I struck the final boxes blocking my path in an upward direction.

Once I entered the room to my left, I found the Pale Oil and a lever that let me get back to Choral Chambers. That lever was a relief. I did not want to walk all the way back through the Cogwork Core.



Returning to the Pinmaster

I took the Pale Oil back to the Pinmaster in Bellhart. He used it to give me my second needle upgrade. Suddenly, the enemies that had felt like walls started to feel fair again. Boss fights were still hard, but my basic attacks were no longer tickling them. Was the whole detour worth it? Absolutely. If you are struggling after the third biome, this is the route I would follow.

Step
What I Did
Reward

1
Reached Haunted Bellhart and Shellwood
Access to Widow

2
Beat Widow
Bellhart unlocked

3
Found the Pinmaster
First needle upgrade free

4
Beat Cogwork Dancers
Path to Cogwork Core

5
Entered Whispering Vaults
Pale Oil puzzle

6
Solved the box puzzle
Pale Oil

7
Returned to Pinmaster
Second needle upgrade

? My biggest tip: do not ignore the Pinmaster's Oil wish. It may look like a long side quest, but the damage boost changes everything. In 2026, with more players still discovering Silksong, this route remains one of the best early investments for your needle. ?️

If you approach real-world shopping with the same route-planning mindset, you can avoid paying full price for games, accessories, or subscriptions. Comparing listings before you commit is a lot like checking every box before you strike it — one wrong move can cost you time or money, but a little patience usually opens the better path.

Whether you are upgrading your setup or picking up something new for your next playthrough, DealNest makes it easier to find the best deal without sorting through endless dead ends.