Choosing the best evolution of Cosmoem in Pokémon GO isn'?t straightforward. Both Solgaleo and Lunala have pros and cons, with one possibly more beneficial. Let's examine both to determine the best Cosmoem evolution in Pokémon GO.

Which Comoem evolution is better in Pokémon GO?

Strategically, Solgaleo is the safer bet due to its greater number of resistances and higher bulk. You may run into more weaknesses with the lion, but at least you could have a shot at winning if you're leveled up enough. That being said, I wouldn't blame you for choosing Lunala just because it looks cool. Both are fairly good either way for Pokémon GO's PvP battles, so it's a win-win either way.

If Lunala had higher stats, I would say go for the bat! Lun?ala grew on me. It gives me Dracula vibes, which is always a win. The dangly sta??rs, the glowing third eye, the little collar, and pointy fingers. It just looks like a vampire that has gone down a spiritual path. I fully expect it to have a nest filled with healing crystals and Tarot cards.

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How to evolve Cosmoem into Solgaleo or Lunala

You'll need to spend 100 Cosmog Candies, and either evolve them during the day or during the night.

Evolving them during the day will transform them into Solgaleo, and evolving them at night will turn them into L??unala.

Solgaleo

From a colorful cloud to a galaxy in a cage, Cosmoem's evolution to Solgaleo is a glow-up. This 11-foot-tall lion is made entirely of metal. It also kind of reminds me of Zoids, so tha??t's a plus in my book. Sticking with the space theme, Solgale??o is named after the sun, and its face somewhat resembles the sun's rays. It keeps a bit of Cosmoem's aesthetic in its forehead, which looks like stars under glass. It also radiates light and can travel through Ultra Wormholes.

With an attack of 255, a defense of 191, and a stamina of 264, Solgaleo is a sturdy Pokémon with a max HP of 220. The downside is that it is vulnerable to several types, including Fire, Dark, Ground, and Ghost types. This means there's a greater chance of facing off against an opponent w?ho can do a bit of damage. However, it still has a large number of resistances. Maybe the most useful is the resistance to fellow Steel-type Pokémon.

S?olgaleo to lacks optimal Charge Moves for PvP, and it would benefit from moves like Crunch or Flame Charge to improve its performance�

Lunala

Lunala is a funky-looking Pokémon largely modeled after the moon. It looks a bit like a bat but retains the gold shell that Cosmoem had. When it attacks, its wings fan out, making it look almost perfe?ctly circular and a third eye glows on its forehead.

Lunala has the same attack and defense stats as Solgaleo, but it only has two weaknesses: Dark-type Pokémon and other Ghost-types. However, these types are super-effective against Lunala, dealing 4 times the dam???age. While there are fewer types to be worried about, facing off against the wrong opponent could be an impossible battle.

Lunala would be more viable with faster moves like Shadow ?Claw or Hex. Its bulk and Moonblast provide advantages against Dragon and Dark-type threats�

How to get Cosmoem in Pokémon GO

The only way to get a Cosmoem is to evolve a Cosmog with 25 Candies. Fortu??nately, you can get a Cosmog by completing the Cosmic Companion Special? Research. 

Select the binoculars icon and press t??he 'Special' tab for this. To catch the Cosmog, complete the following tasks:

• Catch 15 Pokémon
• Make 10 Curveball throws
• Catch 15 Psychic types

Compared to other Field Research tasks, Cosmic Companion is relatively easy to achieve, especially when Psychic types are around. After this, a Cosmog encounter initiates, providing you ??with this Pokémon, 500 Stardust, and 1,000 XP. 

Now that you have the c??reature needed for the C??osmoem evolution, it's time to gather Cosmog Candy. The candy can be acquired when the Cosmog is your active Buddy or from other Field Research tasks. 

Cosmic Companio??n's fourth phase provides 25 Candies, which is the exact amount for the evolution. It only requires you to catch three Pokémon, so it shouldn't take too long. I suggest saving this procedure for the Field Research mission's next step, as it involves the Cosmog's e??volution for more rewards. 

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The post Which Cosmoem evolution is better in Pokémon GO? appeared first on Destructoid.

A Stitch in Time

Every day we read stories about the potential (inevitable?) end of human creativity due to advances in AI. But meanwhile, in the Czech Republic, a brand new developer is creat??ing a game utilizing embroidered animation, hand-painted backgrounds, an??d traditional musical instruments.

It's titled Scarlet Deer Inn, and it is being produced by Attu Games. This studio consists of a husband and wife team that decided they wanted to craft a video game entirely in-house, and I've never wanted to cheer someone on more. While Eva and Lukas Navratilova have been tweeting about their game since 2021, it's a recent Twitter post? that seems to be catching the internet's att??ention.

//twitter.com/E??vaB??alikova/status/1652196955315924994?s=20

"Hi, I'm making a game where all characters have embroidered animation," wrote Eva Navratilova in a succinct comment. Eva also attached a brief video of said animation as well as a fascinating clip of the embroidering p??rocess. Twitter users were full of praise for how cool the idea is, and the footage has received high praise from curious video game fans.

The process seems very time-consuming. Eva, who serves as the game's writer and designer, as well as Attu Games' community & marketing manager, described the basic process for Twitter users. Firstly, the animation frames are drawn out, before being stitched over. Once these embroideries are scanned and digitally cropped, then outlining and shading are added. While the embroidery process itself can add an outline to the character, Eva notes that it is much smoother when added digitally.

//twitter.com/EvaBalikov??a/status/1652314009616408579?s=20

So why add this extra step? Why go to the additional trouble? Does it tie into the story in some way? Nope. The team simply enjoys and ?takes pride in creating handmade t??hings and producing different animation styles. Admittedly, the excitement of being the first to do so also has a hand in the decision.

Clearly, Eva and her husband Lukas, who serves as programmer, designer, art??ist, and animator, aren't afraid of a challenge. The two are even attempting to produce the game's soundtrack themselves! Using traditional instruments, they are composing a score stylized af??ter medieval-inspired folk music to go along with the Slavic folklore-inspired story.

I'm excited to see some wholesome and traditional artistic creativity. Not every game needs to be a hand-drawn masterpiece, of course, but the few that are should be celebrated. Given the meticulous nature of its design, Scarlet Deer Inn doesn't ?have a release date yet and it's hard to say w??hether Attu Games can do everything on their own, or how long it will take them.

I do know that I will be ??adding this game to my? Steam wishlist though.

The post Scarl??et Deer Inn is a new adventure with beautiful embroidered animat?ion appeared first on Destructoid.

Join the Lamb today! Or else.

Cult of the Lamb basically sold itself with art and concept, but the game mechanics delivered as well. It's dark, adorable, and undeni??ably fun.

As much as I loved being a cult leader though, I plateaued before I could beat two of the Old Faith, located in Anchordeep and Silk Cradle. Once I had unlocked all of the buildings, I was milking coins from the housing, shrine, and even the graves. Money was meaningless, my flock self-sufficient, and so I moved on to another game. Thankfully, the latest major update, titled Relics of the Old Faith, has? brought fresh air, breathing new life into one of my favo??rite games.

For a completely free update, there is a lot to enjoy here. The overview of the update spells out the truly generous amount of new content ?added, including bosses, follower forms, Relics, new structures, heavy attacks, a judgey jellyfish, and more. Post update, I've been playing for hours, finally beating Anchordeep and Silk Cradle as well as adding "The One Who Waits to my flock". Of course, I have thoughts.

[caption id="attachment_375822" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Time and Space Saving Structures

Seeing Devotion coming out of the Shrine again filled me with joy. It unlocks new buildings, and thankfully, the team at Massive Monster understood the assignment: save space. The cult is beautiful, but space is pretty limited. With a temple, beds, a kitchen, a growing farm, ?a shrine, a prison, graves, and more, some common space issues soon pop up.

Where do I put all of these dead people? I chose a combination of graves and Natural Burial, which turned dead followers into fertilizer. However, it was easy to run out of space placing gr??aves b??ecause once someone was buried, you couldn't actually get rid of it! The new update fixes this by allowing players to exhume bodies from the grave.

There's also a Morgue, which lets you assign a follower to take care of those bodies that drop while you're out exploring. I watched the little guy actually change his outfit to go pick up the body and drop it into a pit while it waits for me to do something with it. The Morgue just holds the bodies for you, ?but you can then move them into the b?rand-new Crypt, where they can be buried. With upgrades, you can eventually inter as many as 12 followers in it. I would say that's a problem solved.

[caption id="attachment_375813" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The bed situation is also under control. While I invested in quality housing for my cult, many of them still had to sleep in tents that would occasionally collapse. Plus, as my flock grew, so did this area of bedspace. Now? there is a shared bed where three followers can comfortably sleep. Another space ??issue solved.

The new kitchen is more of a time saver than a space freer. Cooking for the flock was time-consuming but had to be done. Hungry followers aren't big fans of following anyone anymore, you know? But with Relics of the Old Faith, you can build a full Kitchen, instead of just a Cook Stove, and then you can assign a follower to do the ??cooking. You still have to schedule meals though. I didn't realize that until everyone got super hungry, but if you periodically queue meals, they are always fed.

Relics and Heavy Attack

[caption id="attachment_375857" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The bird doling out Relics is the creepiest character yet, in a room already filled with meat and hanging corpses. It's awesome. The new Relics are a great addition to the arsenal. They aren't so overpowered that you need one to succeed, but it's like adding a second, non-renewable Curse. Some Relics are labeled fragile, and can only be used once, while others offer recharge at varying speeds. Some of these unholy weapons do crazy things, like poison everyone on screen, or shrink you down to ?a tiny, hard-to-hit target.

The new heavy attack maneuver is great! I forget to use it sometimes, but it does come in clutch when I do remember. The really heavy hammers that you have to aim now suddenly swing around you, while your one dagger transforms into a line of falling blades. You can also upgrade the stre?ngth of your axe, hammer, sword, dagger, or gauntlet by giving sermons.

With plenty of new mini-bosses and additio?nal enemies, combat is fun again.

[caption id="attachment_376076" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Photo Mode

This is by far my favorite part of the update! I absolutely love this feature. While you're doing your cult leader business, you can click to go to your menu where you would maybe Save or Quit. Now you have the Photo Mode option which allows you to take more in-depth pictures of your cult. It's a feature that I didn't know I wanted but now know that I absolutely needed.

One of the very best elements of Cult of the Lamb is the artstyle. It's this crazy mix of cute and demonic, and some of the things the flock does are just so funny. But there's only one viewpoint in the game and screenshots tend?? to look the same �not doing the art true justice. Being able?? to adjust height, depth, and focus length is such a game-changer.

In fact, I'm actively trying not to spam you? all with brochur?e-level marketing material for my own cult.

[caption id="attachment_375816" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Most of all, I like that the update was designed to pick up right where you left off. Yes, you can start over and still enjoy these benefits, but for all of us who just needed a little push to jump back in, this is perfect. There are four new fleeces to unlock and new ways to gain Holy Talisman pieces that don't involve sacrificing people, and I was able to capture some fantastic moments. There's still more for me to do! There are some minor bugs, but the team is already o??n top of fixing them accordin??g to Twitter.

Overall, Cult of the Lamb: Relics of the Old Faith is a big win, making a great title better still.

Relics of the Old Faith is available now as a free update for Cult of the Lamb.

The post Impressions: Relics of the Old Faith adds unholy pleas?u??res to Cult of the Lamb appeared first on Destructoid.

Ready your goggles, friends.

Nuverse's Marvel Snap is still working hard to make the superhero-themed, mobile card game fun and rewarding. Besides tinkering with the cards, fixing bugs, and crafting new ways to play against opponents, Marvel Snap is big on frequently updating the art of the cards. These new styles are called variants, and they play a huge part in the game's store and events. During th??e newest update, the second-ever Variant Rush began. From March 21 through April 4, opening Collector's Caches could get you the newest variant theme: Steampunk!

Not every card is getting a Steampunk makeover, but there is a small list of cards and titles that players may snag while they play the game. The last Variant Rush was the Winterverse event, and I'm still longing for that winter Rogue card. Alas, variants offered during these events hypothetically won't be offered again once they're over. They are event exclusives, so if you're really ??into this style, you'll want to clear your schedule.

Though I did see one Steampunk Variant in my Store, for the most part, these cards are obtained by opening Collector's Caches. When you update cards and move up Collection Levels, you'll continue to get new cards. After level 506, you'll have access to Collector's Caches and Tokens. This is when the "Series" or "Pool" three cards are revealed to pl??ayers working their way up the ladder.

For this event, there is now an even higher chance of unlocking a Steampunk Variant. According to Stephen Jerrett, the leading product designer for Marvel Snap developer Second Dinner, the drop rate for Var??iants has doubled since the last event, likely in an effort to make it more worthwhile for players who are excited to participate.

The Prizes

Who has been reimagined ?in the retro-futurist style? Some interesting choices in my opinion.

• Bishop
• Falcon
• Shocker
• Cerebro
• Yellow Jacket

It's not that these cards don't look cool. I just think there were a lot of choices, and these just seem the tamest. Admittedly, Falcon does look very cool in Steampunk. Besides ??these cards, you can also unlock three titles.

• Steam Powered
• Fully Leatherclad
• The Goggles Do Nothing!

If you rushed to your app to start playing, here's a quick reminder that you may have to manually update to get the benefits. The patch notes came out on March 21, 2023, so there's plenty of time to play. Also, if you haven't done it yet, check out some of the new features from the update. For example, we all get to pick one Pool 3 card to have for free each season! And while we still only have the Friendly Battle Mode, it's nice to see that ?Nuverse and Second Dinner are working on a Conquest Battle Mode. Exciting things are coming our way.

The post Don’t miss the Marvel Snap Steam?punk Variant Rush event appeared first on Destructoid.

When being "nice" gets a little dark

Sitting in a cab on the way to talk to the rough-and-tumble Woodsmen, Bigby and Snow White discuss their ongoing murder investigation. Snow Whi??te asks Bigby,The Big Bad Wolf in human disguise, who he thinks murdered their victim after everything they've learned.? Several choices pop up on the screen. Do I think it's The Woodsman? The Pimp? Bluebeard? Or do I remain silent?

The Wolf Among Us is one of the most popular narrative games from Telltale Games, with a sequel hopefully coming in 2023. Players play The Big Bad W??olf acting as Sheriff in Fabletown, a neighborh??ood in New York City populated by famous fable characters. The game looks like a comic book and feels like a gritty noir detective story. But with talking animals.

What really makes it amazing is the choice-based storytelling. How you decide to interact with the people around you affects how they will interact with you in the future. You aren’t starting with a blank slate though. These characters have all experienced a history together before the player takes over Bigby's choices. As part of the narrative, Bigby is attempting to make amends for his violent past, but with the choices provided to you, it's possible to lean into the aggressive behavior citizens expec?t from him. 

It occurred to me that I am playing Bigby a lot nicer than I could. With every choice, I soothe other characters, doling out compliments and empathizing whenever possible. I even managed to avoid the startling and hilarious “glass him�moment mentioned in this article about narrative choices gone awry. 

How we make choices

While every narrative game is unique, they all prompt the player to play in a few ways. The most obvious way to make choices is for the sake of the story. Tons of players make choices that direct them to a desired outcome or just to follow the best storyline. Often, being nice is the bes?t way to get what you want in-game. NPCs tend to be less friendly if you punch them in the face the first chance you get. 

Also, making enemies is almost always worse than making fri??ends. I’ll never forget getting locked out of the house by my friend? as a bloodthirsty wendigo pounced in Until Dawn. I had lost her trust with several of my previous decisions, bu?t the betrayal stung re?gardless. The Wolf Among Us is a little less intense in this aspect, but on a first play-through, who knows? Maybe Mr. Toad will be waiting for me in a dark alley if I push him too hard.? 

Making choices that you feel will ??move the story in your favor makes sense,?? but another avenue is to play in character. In this case, you would choose replies or actions that fit the character you’re controlling as closely as possible. In the case of The Wolf Among Us, Bigby is fleshed-out just enough to guide our actions. We are told right away, Bigby is The Big Ba?d Wolf, and he has a temper. Smashing a bar glass into a suspect's face right after they share their feelings seems about right for him. Honestly, playing Bigby as quiet, calm, and understanding as I do is very out of character.

[caption id="attachment_362543" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

On the other hand, a player could be happy to explore the mechanics of the game itself, testing out different choices to ??see what happens with each play-through. Trying out different combinations of choices to see different results sounds really interesting, but it also shows an emotional distance from the story.

Which brings m?e to how I play narrative games. I feel a compulsion to only pick nice interactions, not because of character and story, but because I have difficulty separating myself from it. There are plenty of players like me who for the life of them cannot pick the mean choice despite knowing that it's all pretend. For us, being nice almost isn’t a choice at all. It has been conditioned into the way we navigate interpersonal communication in real life, and then it bleeds over into the game.

Why so nice?

I think the lack of curiosity and exploration is part of why I'm bothered by my play ??style, but it isn't the main reason I bring it up as an issue. On the surface, ??there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with taking the nice path. It usually works out storywise, and we've already established that none of it is real. Why get hung up on being nice? In short, I'm tired of the dark underlying cause of why I'm unable to be anything but nice.

There are plenty of good reasons why we may insert our own friendliness into the game. Empathy with the characters is an excellent reason. While talking to Snow White, it occurred to me that I was interacting with her like a best friend or ideal boyfriend. During every interaction, I attempted to boost her confidence and support her as a good partner should. I even felt a little guilty when I answered ??Snow's question about the murder suspects with silence. My silence made her feel uncertain.

Also, and obviously, it feels good to be nice! Listening to people and reasoning with them is a wonderful default. Most of us like nice pe?ople and want to be kind ourselves.

[caption id="attachment_362547" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The thing that bothers me is what I said earlier about Mr. Toad. On the first play-through, knowing that my choices will have consequences, my deep-down concern is self-preservation. What if I'm rude and then I'm attacked? What if I fight and I lose? I'm so??rry to say that in real life, I am always thinking about how to avoid trouble. Whether it's when I quit a job or when I try to say no, I have been conditioned to avoid conflict.

If you will all allow me a moment to be vulnerable with you, there isn't just a social expectation for women to be nice all the time. It's also a necessary survival mechanism. Saying no too forcefully can be physically dangerous. Hurting the wrong man'?s feelings or damaging his ego can even lead to deadly consequences on rare occasions. And lately, it isn't just women in danger when tempers flare! The fact that people are getting shot in road rage incidents is alarming.

I'm deeply annoyed that this compulsion to protect myself by?? soothing tempers and guessing consequences follows me into the virtual world. Sure, I'm grateful for the survival mechanism, I guess, but I want to be able to escape it sometimes. Especially when I have the opportunity to be a tough wolf sheriff, wouldn't it be great to let go for a while?

The post Nice guys finish first in The Wolf Among Us appeared first on Destructoid.

How to play Battle Mode in Marvel Snap

We all have that friend who would just destroy us in a one-on-one battle in Marvel Snap. Or maybe you are that friend! Either way, until now, players have been mostly playing against themselves. The goal has been to win matches to upgrade cards, which earns Collection Level points. Collection Level points lead to gaining more cards. After the most recent update, however, you can challenge your friends to a duel. Here's how you can utilize Battle Mode in Marvel Snap to compete against your friends.

Update that app

The new update can be found in your app store if you're using the mobile version of Marvel Snap. It's not necessarily an autom??atic update for many players, so go to the app page in whicheve??r app store you used to download it. There will be a button that says, "Upgrade." It doesn't take long at all to be ready to go again. When you open the game again, there will be a new Menu page to explore.

Game Modes

The Game Modes menu is at the bottom to the right of the Main Menu. The joystick icon will display the menu name when clicked on. At the time of writing, there is a front page to this menu. You have to click on the image taking up the screen that says "Friendly Battle" to move forwar??d. The existence of this page makes me think that we can hope for different types of game modes in the future. Why el??se have this extra step?

Once you are in the Friendly Battles page, you will have two options: Create or Join. If you're making the first move, click "Create." A match code will be generated for you to copy and share with your friend. This can be a little awkward if you're also trying to communicate via your phone. When I tried it, I had to copy the code and then swipe up out of Marvel Snap to share it via chat. Thankfully th??is doesn't end the match, and I was able to pick right back up where I left off. Joining a match is the opposite side of this coin. If you have a code, choose "Join," and you will see a space for ??you to enter that code. Easy!

[caption id="attachment_360641" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

A word of wa?rning here: the deck you have selected when you join is the deck you are playing?? every round with. Make sure it's the one you want!

The Rules of Battle Mode

Battle Mode works a little differently than the usual matches. Each player begins the battle with 10 health. The winner is the player that can bring t??heir opponent's health down to zero over a series of rounds. The amount of damage dealt each round is equal to the number of Cubes won. You can still retreat in Battle Mode to limit your damage the same way you would while playing matches. If you retreat before the final blow, you only lose one point of health instead of? two. This means Friendly Battles can go on for a long time, especially if players are evenly matched.

By Round Five, however, the stakes are doubled by beginning the match with an automatic Snap. This means that only one player has to Snap in order for the stakes to be 8 Cubes. If you're unsure what that is still, here's an explanation of what the Snap does in Marvel Snap. So the loser of each round has their health docked by the total Cub??es lost, and by Round Five, the loser can lose two, four, o??r eight points of health.

Playing in Battle Mode won't do anything for y??our journey to gain Collection Levels and rank. It's just a fun skirmish between friends. Up until now, matches have been based on the player's level, so it will be interesting to see how different they will be when you're playing against your friends. While you won't be gaining prizes, for some players, it's worth gain?ing practice in strategy. Players will have their decks locked for the duration of the battle, so with each round, you will have to be careful not to show all of your tricks right off the bat.

Personally, I have a lot to gain from my friends who have achieved higher levels than me. My only concern with this mode is that the cards each player has is based on their level. And while strategy will get you far in this game, some players are just going to have better cards. Unless your friends are around the same level as you, Friendly Battles might ??be a little discouraging.

So far, this update has been really fun though! Competing against friends in a way that doesn't harm your overall game is a nice low-stakes bonding experience. Some players are already thinking up ways to play tournaments now, which seems like a logical step forward for a card game. For help with deck builds, we have a few guides to help, including the best destroy deck builds and the best decks to build around Black Panther.

The post Fight your friends with Marvel Snap’s ‘Battle Mode’ update appeared first on Destructoid.

Cross your fingers and catch them all!

In the early days of the anime, Ditto was a little awkward with its shape-shifting. It could perfectly pull off every other detail except the face! It was almost horrific when the Pokémon would turn around and have this blank face, but at least it was easy to tell that it was Ditto. In the games, this little quirk is not present. If you're searching for a Ditto in Pokémon GO, unfor??tunately, there's no way to distinguish one in disguise from just a normal Pokémon. So how in the world do you catch one?

Honestly, you just have to get lucky! Tha??t's a sucky answer, I know. Unfortunately, you won't know if a Pokémon is a Ditto in disguise until you catch it. Only once it is safely captured in the PokéBall will a little question pop up. Then Ditto's true form will be revealed. Of all ?of the Pokémon to catch, that has to be the most exciting then!

These tricky little blobs are pretty rare, and their shiny counterparts are even rarer. Don't worry though, a shiny Ditto will not be disguised as a shiny Po??kémon. You don't have to be afraid that when you finally catch a shiny you've been looking forward to it will turn out to be a blue blob of pu??tty.

Niantic, the team behind Pokémon GO, doe not release an official list of Pokémon each month that are likely to be the shape-shifter. The whole idea is to have the illusion that it could be any of them. However, some sites, such as IGN, have a ru??nning list of likely disguises each month based on anecdotal evidence. People catch Ditto an?d seem to find monthly patterns, which makes sense from a tech standpoint.

You can't really train Ditto, and it's useless in battles, so you might as well just enjoy the lottery. Maybe you'll get lucky, maybe you won't. If you want more concrete tips on catching Pokémon in the mobile game, we have guides on how to catch Leafeon and Glaceon as well as how to catch Kecleon.

Related: How to Evolve Floette in Pokemon GO on Prima Games

The post How to catch Ditto in Pokémon GO appeared first on Destructoid.

If not Eevee, then who?

I have always had a soft spot for Eevee. It started when I was a kid watching the Pokémon anime on Cartoon ??Network. Episode 40 was called "The Battling Eevee Brothers," and it has stuck with me for two decades. In the episode, Mike was being pressured by his three older brothers to evolve his Eevee the way that they evolved theirs. Each brother had a ridiculous hairstyle that matched some of the simultaneously cutest and coolest Pokémon I had seen: Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon. In the end, Mike chose to not evolve his precious companion, and we all understood.

But you can make a different choice than Mike. In fact, you have way more options than he did during that episode. There are currently eight different evolutions of Eevee, colloquially called Eeveelutions. While playing the games, you can catch them all. We even have a guide on how to catch Leafeon and Glaceon in Pokémon GO. However, I find myself wanting? to choose a signature Pokémon. Ash had Pi?kachu, and Brock had Vulpix. I want an Eeveelution to hang out and go to battle with. If you're in the same boat, let's explore the different Eeveelutions based on a mix of design and battle prowess. Who do you want at your side?

8. Sylveon

[caption id="attachment_360596" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Image via Official Pokédex[/caption]

Sylveon's main thing is that it's?? cute?, but I honestly don't think it is. Certainly not as cute as most of the other Eeveelutions. This Fairy-type Eevee has a Cute Charm ability, which may cause its attackers to fall for it and its soothing "feelers" disguised as ribbons. The ribbons, "feelers," are a bit offputting though. Sylveon can be a useful team member when it comes to healing, but I think I would be a little embarrassed walking around with this one following me.

7. Jolteon

[caption id="attachment_360622" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Image via Official Pokédex[/caption]

Spikey Jolteon is so cute! Like most Electric-type Pokémon, it has decent Speed and Special Attack stats, so it can strike first most of the time. When facing off against another Electric-type, Jolteon can use its Volt Absorb ability to absorb an Electric-type move and restore its own HP. Sadly, there are plenty of stronger Pokémon in this category, and as far as design goes, Jolteon seems a little hazardous to have around. It can launch clumps of its own electrified f??ur, and that's some disconcerting Tarantula nonsense.

6. Glaceon

[caption id="attachment_360480" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Image via Official Pokédex[/caption]

Glaceon is the Ice-type Eeveelution. While design-wise, I love its blue-green color and adorable bangs, the battle stats are too hard to ignore for this one. Its Special Attack stat is really good, but its HP and Speed are so low, what's the point? I do love Ice-type Pokémon though. I can move past yet another Eeveelution tha??t throws its hair because I love the icy flurries it can create. However, it's not a great look to have a Signature Pokémon who faints all the time.

5. Flareon

[caption id="attachment_360623" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Image via Official Pokédex[/caption]

Flareon is the Fire-type Eeveelution. It looks the closest to Eevee ??compared to the rest of them due to its fluffy collar and tail. While small and fiercely cute, it can exhale extremely hot fire like a dragon. Unfortunately, picking Flareon for more than its appearance doesn't make sense. Its stats aren't terrible by any means, but there are much stronger Fire-types to choose instead. Still, I would not be embarrassed at all to be associated with a fluffy, firebreathing fox.

4. Leafeon

[caption id="attachment_360479" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Image via Official Pokédex[/caption]

Leafeon is one of the cutest Eeveelutions in my opinion. It could just be my tendency to like Grass-types, but I love the leafy ears and tail. As far as design goes, this Pokémon is a huge win. When it comes to the battling part, Leafeon has a high Defense an?d Attack, but its HP and Speed are still low. It also has a lot of weaknesses as a Grass-type. It has a niche on the team, but it doesn't stand out among other Pokém?on of the same type. It may not be my number one choice, but I would still love to have this little thing following me around.

3. Espeon

[caption id="attachment_360590" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Image via Official Pokédex[/caption]

Psychic-type Pokémon tend to look a little mysterious, and Espeon fits the bill. Its forked tail and fine hairs help it predict its opponent's next move. Despite looking like a delicate cat, Espeon is one of the stronger Eeveelutions by far. Its Special Attack stat and Spe??ed allow it to strike first and strike hard. It's only weak against Ghost, Dark, and Bug-types, and its Synchronize ability comes in handy. When??ever it is burned, poisoned, or paralyzed, its attacker gains the same status. I like the idea of creeping other people out with this little thing sitting on my shoulder too.

2. Umbreon

[caption id="attachment_360624" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Image via Official Pokédex[/caption]

Umbreon is just too strong to ignore. This Dark-type Pokémon may be slow, but it has good Defense, Special Defense, and HP. Umbreon is one of the few Eeveelutions that is strong?? in its type too, so it makes sense to add to your team. As far as design goes, it has an interesting look. Black with some yellow circles and sharp points on the ears and tail, Umbreon looks a little like an inverted bee. With this thing trotting by my side,?? I would manage to look kind of cool at least. Just not nearly as cool as Umbreon.

1. Vaporeon

[caption id="attachment_360593" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Image via Official Pokédex[/caption]

Vaporeon has had my heart since I was a kid. This Water-type Pokémon is flawlessly designed. This is a mermaid fox, and I want it. The flared collar, the fish-fin ears, the black eyes, and the tail are all spot-on without being too much. It still manages to look sleek and classy. While Vaporeon may no longer be the strongest? Eeveelution, nor is it the strongest Water-type out there, it is still a great addition to the team. As a Water-type it has great HP and is only weak to Electric and Grass-types. It can turn invisible as it swims in the water, and the Water Absorb ability lets it recover its HP when hit with Water-type attacks. If you can't snag a Gyarados or similar, Vaporeon is a good substitute.

In the end, we can pick whichever Eeveelution we want. Most signature Pokémon aren't necessarily the strongest. They just mean something to the trainer. If you want to see more cute Pokémon, including where we ranked Eevee, check out our list of the top 10 cutest Pokémon of all time.

The post All 8 Eeveelutions in Pokémon, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Let's celebrate the adorable Noibat!

Pokémon GO takes player engagement to another level. Since its launch in 2016, players have been wowed by their favorite Pokémon seemingly all around them �all you need is a phone to see them and catch them. Years later, the mobile game keeps itself relevant by always adding new creatures to catch and plenty of events to get you out there. I talked about what Spotlight Hour is in Pokémon GO in a recent post where I mentioned that these one-hour events every Tuesday highlight one Pokémon, which is basically just a smaller, weekly Community Day. Well, the next Community Day coming our way is Sunday, February 5 from 2-5 PM, and it's all about that Noibat.

Community Day is a three-hour long e??vent that will highlight one Pokém?on, making them more abundant in the wild during the event. If you don't already have the Pokémon in question, this is the perfect opportunity to get out there and start slinging Pokéballs. Like a real-life Community Day, there will be plenty of prizes to look forward to!

Noibat and Noivern

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Image via Official Pokédex[/caption]

This adorable Sound Wave Pokémon looks like a bat and evolves into Noivern. During the upcoming Community Day event, there will be more Noibats than usual, so you can add this cutie to your Pokédex. Also during this event, if you evolve Noibat into Noivern during the time limit and up to five hours afterwards, you will get a bonus move.?? Noivern will know the Charged Attack Boomburst, which has 150 Power during Trainer Battles and 140 Power in Gyms and raids. If you're Shiny hunting, it is possible to find a Shiny Noibat during this e?vent!

Event Bonuses

According to the Pokémon GO official event announcement, the February 5 event bonuses w?ill i??nclude the following:

The post Noibat Community Day coming to Pokémon GO in Febru??ary appeared first on Destructoid.

Get straight to the fisticuffs.

The fan-made battle simulator, Pokémon Showdown, isn't a new site despite some recent popularity. According to the creator's resume, the project got its start in 2011. Created by Guangcong Luo and sponsored by Smogon University, the site allows around 10,000 concurrent users to create a team and battle strangers for free. With over a million visitors per month, Pokémon Showdown seems to be doing well. If you're jonesing for anything Pokémon,?? then here's how you can get started with the unoff??icial, browser-based game.

When you head over to pokemonshowdown.com, there is an embedded YouTube video that sells you the founding premise of the site. Instead of following all of the steps to get to a battle while playing the official Pokémon games, you can skip straight to the fighting in your browser. Considering Pokémon Showdown doesn't appear to be officially licensed, the site team may have found a niche for themselves. Skip the catching and training and jump straight into the team bu??ilding and fighting.

If you don't want to download anything, click the big green button that says, "Play online." The advertising of "get straight to the point" is kind of amazingly spot on. If you just want to get in and go, you can?? click the button that says, "Battle! Find a random opponent." You hop into battle as soon as you enter a username! Of course, that may not go well since your team will be randomly generated.

If you're not in a rush,  in the top right-hand corner, click "Choose a name." You can also click the avatar to choose one of 293 different avatars too. Then the "Teambuilder" button lets you start picking your Pokémon! You can choose up to six. It's amazing how much detail has gone into this aspect of the sit??e. The selection is enormous, and you can modify them too. Pick four moves for each member of your team and then customize their stats.

[caption id="attachment_358363" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

You can create multiple teams, giving them names and selecting what format folder they fall under. The format menu may be the least user-friendly aspect of the site in my opinion. Ther?e isn't any explanation as to what each room means. A little trial and error may be necessary to find the room that works best for you.

There are tournaments to participate in and a ladder to climb, and chat rooms to meet new friends and even talk to your opponent during the battle. If you ?want to ensure keeping your progress, you will need to register. By clicking on the settings symbol beside your username and then clicking "Register," you will get a prompt for a password. Create a password and answer an easy question to join. You will see a picture of Pikachu and the question "??what is this pokémon?" to finish registration.

The browser-based battle simulator feels like a school project that has done very well for itself. With how it's set up, you can dip your toe in for a one-off or get fully invested in joining a community of fans. It's unclear if Nintendo is okay with its existence or is involved in some way. Hopefully, the company recognizes the fandom's passion and enjoys the free marketing. Maybe after playing a few rounds you'll be itching to get back to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Have you read where to find a Mimikyu yet?

The post What is Pokémon Showdown? How ??to play the free browser-based Pokémon game appeared first on Destructoid.

Your fleece is more than a fashion choice.

Cult of the Lamb's adorab?le cult leader has become iconic in their red fleece, but their wardrobe grows over time. By finishing quests for peripheral characters, like Sozo in Spore Grotto, you will receive a piece of the Holy Talisman. Four pieces will unlo??ck a new fleece for the Lamb to wear on crusades.

The Holy Talismans take time and effort to collect, so it's likely that you will be unlocking them one at a time. Also, some of these side quests can be unthink??able, such as sacrificing sweet Ratau! Deciding which, if any, of the five bonus fleeces to trade your Holy Talisman for is a personal choice, but I ranked them based on their pros and cons to help.

6. Fleece of the Diseased Heart

[caption id="attachment_358289" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Sadly, the purple fleece doesn't have a strong upside. Dawning the Fleece of the Diseased? Heart allows you to gain one Diseased Heart every time you gain a Tarot card. You can only have one on you at a time, so if you don't lose it by the time you stumble across another room with the Tarot dealer, Clauneck, then you don't gain another one. These creepy black hearts are nice bonuses but shouldn't be relied upon. They can still be used up and lost, and they only help you if you are hit. The Diseased Heart deals damage to all the enemies in the room every time that you take damage. It's kind of like revenge.

While it's nice to know that every time you're hit, your enemies are a little closer to death themselves, it's a tricky balance. Also, the downside of this? fleece is a doozy.?? If you die before completing the run, then you lose 100% of the items you picked up along the way. It already sucks losing 25%, so coming out empty-handed is just not a risk I'm willing to take.

5. Fleece of Fragile Fortitude

The Fleece of Fragile Fortitude seemed like a wonderful id??ea to me when I first unlocked it, but in practice, it killed me faster. The blue fleece replaces your hearts wit??h matching blue hearts. It's easy to assume that there must be some sort of benefit to this, but it's more of an obstacle. Red hearts have a full health limit, but blue and black hearts can be tacked onto the end for extra health.

With the blue fleece on, your whole health bar is blue, and nothing can be added on except more blue hearts and Diseased Hearts. The only way to replace them is if your enemies drop a half or whole blue heart. That makes replacing them way more difficult. If you're up for a challenge, have at it. Otherwise, it may be best t??o save this one for last.

4. Fleece of the Glass Cannon

[caption id="attachment_358287" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

The Fleece of the Glass Cannon is perfec??t for blowing a room up! The green garment will make your curses hit twice as hard while costing half as much. Personally, I like using the various curses. While some are more powerful than others, having the ability to hit multiple enemies at once comes in handy, especially in rooms where enemies converge on you at once. With the right timing and solid aim, you can take out most of them without?? getting too close.

Not getting too close would be ideal since the downsides aren't ideal. Wearing the Fleece of the Glass Cannon will strengthen your curses but weaken your melee weapon by? half. Even more concerning, your health will be halved as well. Since your curse?? is mostly random and limited, and your weapon is half as powerful, defeating a boss would be incredibly difficult. Combine that with half the health and it may be best to leave this fleece for the post-boss dungeon crawls.

3. Golden Fleece

The Golden Fleece doesn't have a fancy name, sadly. It's perfect for rogue-lite pros and players who have perfected Cult of the Lamb's combat system. While you're wearing the gold fleece, your damage dealt increases by 5% with every kill. If you are good enough with the melee weapon to go on a spree, your weapon will be supercharged. However, like most of the holy garments, there's a downside. It only takes one hit from an enemy to end your spree, resetting the damage dealt. Also, your ??enemies will pack twice the punch!

This downside isn't too terrible though. Because the game's c??ombat isn't designed to be extremely difficult, many players can have fun while trying to keep their streak going as long as possible. The more you play, the easier it will be to d?odge hits and land more of your own.

2. Fleece of the Lamb

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That's how I fee??l about the Fleece of the Lamb. As the original garment of the adorable cult leader, the iconic red fleece doesn't cost anything but also doesn't give you anything. When you begin your dungeon crawl, you won't have extra hearts. You'll draw your Tarot cards one by one. Your weapons and curses are all typical, and you lose 25% of your items if you die. You get the picture.

The reason I rank it so highly then is because the Fleece of the Lamb doesn'??t have any downsides either. You can win the game without ever unl??ocking or dawning the other fleeces. It's all about balance with your weapons and Tarot card choices, and I'm a fan of balance. If not for the next fleece, I would probably just wear this one all the time.

1. Fleece of the Fates

[caption id="attachment_358286" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Snow-white with a red pentagram clasp, the Fleece of Fates looks good and is actually helpful. During a normal run through the real??ms, there are a few opportunities to join Clauneck for a Tarot reading. They will let you choose one of two cards. The maximum number of Tarot cards you can have on a?? run is four. With the white fleece, you get all four before you even grab your weapon.

While getting a bit of choice in y??our equipped cards allows you to strategize during each dungeon crawl, the Tarot rooms are spread out. You may only have your best card towards the end. Getting all four upfront gives you a chance for a superpowered run through all of the rooms, and you don't have to worry about accidentally skipping the room where Clauneck waits. You can have a fantastic run when the Fates smile on the little lamb. If they don't however, there's really no such thing as a harmful hand. Also, the only downside to the fleece is the lack of choice, but it isn't like there were a ton of customization options to begin with.

Cult of the Lamb has been an incredibly fun game for such a wide net of players. Being part rogue-lite and part farming sim, neither is too difficult to learn. There's even a fishing sidequest that will give you a Holy Talisman once you complete it. You can get some tips on how to catch an octopus here! In the meantime, hopefully, this list helps with your deci??sion-making.

Related: Base building and de??sign?? tips guide - Cult of the Lamb

The post Every fleece in Cult of the Lamb, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

The few but the mighty.

I like to think that if I lived in the Pokémon universe, I would be a cowgirl. I was obsessed with horses as a kid. We lived next door to a couple of them, and I think it's easy to forget just how big these animals really are. Being a tad vertically challenged myself, my face is about level with the average horse's ??neck. They literally ripple with muscle, run faster than we ever could, and could end your life with a single kick. Now imagine if they were also covered in fire. There may not be as many horse-like Pokémon as there are birds or dogs, but there's still a decent list of them.

Ponyta

Ponyta is the OG. In the early days of the anime, Ponyta was one of my favorites. I loved the sense of loyalty. This Pokémon won't let just anyone touch them. If Ponyta isn't feeling you, its firey mane will burn you. If it likes you, the fire doesn't burn! That's the same level of satisfaction you feel when your friend's cat who "hates everyone" loves you. You just feel?? like the chosen one.

Rapidash

Rapidash is Ponyta's evolved form. More fire, more independence, and somehow even more beautiful, Rapidash can run at 150 mph! The fiery mane extends all the way down its back, connecting to a fluffy fire tale. The fierce Pokémon also has a horn like a unicorn, making it look even more majestic. A herd of Ponyta with Rapidash as the leader would be an amazing sight to?? see.

Galarian Ponyta and Galarian Rapidash

At first, I wasn't sure if these two would really count on this list because they are variations of Ponyta and Rapidash. But I read that speciation has occurred, effectively making Galarian Ponyta and its evolved form, Galarian Rapidash, a new species! Over generations, they have acclimated to the life energy of the Galar Forest. Now they both have cotton-candy colored manes and tails and new abilities that distinguish them from the above-mentioned ancestors. Galarian Ponyta's "Pastel Veil," for example, will cure its allies and itself from poisoning! Pokémon Sword & Shield's website has a lovely spread on Galarian Ponyta if you would like to read m????ore.

Blitzle

Blitzle is an adorable two-foot-tall zebra with some shocking abilities. Sorry. This little Pokémon can catch lightning in its jagged mane and then discharge it. With abilities like Lightning Rod and Motor Drive, which boosts Blitzle's speed when ??shocked, Electric-type attacks will only make it stronger. Plus, it's the size of a small dog. That has to be worth something.

Zebstrika

Blitzle evolves into Zebstrika and gains an attitude. A feisty Pokémon who tends to shoot lightning from its mane when it's upset, Zebstrika is like Blitzle but amped up. Its mane has two lightning bolts and flows all the way down its back. Lightning Rod and Motor Drive are also the main abilit??ies of this dangerous zebra, but now when it runs, it sounds like thunder! A herd of Zebstrika might be a bit too much, but it would be quite the show.

Keldeo

Kaldeo is the funkiest looking Pokémon on this list. It may be only four feet tall, but this Water/Fighting-type Pokémon is full of spirit! Independent Kaldeo does?n't evolve, and legend has it that it can run across bodies of water. Its big personality shines through and becomes powerful when the Pokémon seeks justice. Especially after being hit by a Dark-type, Kaldeo stands its ground and gains double the attack stats. If there's a lake for thi??s sweet justice seeker to enjoy, then Kaldeo would be so much fun to have as part of the herd.

Mudbray

Mudbray is closer to a donkey than a horse, as evidenced by its giant ears and name. It also looks a little clueless, but in a cute way. Like donkeys in our world, Mudbray makes a terrific pack animal. Unlike donkeys in our world, it can carry 50 times its body weight and uses dried mud around its hooves to grip any terrain. What I love about Mudbray is that de?spite the vacant expression, one of its main featur?es is "Own Tempo," which prevents it from being confused by an enemy. March to your own drum, little donkey!

Mudsdale

Mudbray evolves into a proper horse though when it becomes Mudsdale. Reminiscent of a Clydesdale, Mudsdale also packs on mud around its hooves. The mud becomes harder than stone, so a swift kick can ??do some serious damage. According to the Pokédex, one kick can scrap a truck! Mudsdale also enjoys pulling heavy things and can carry 10 tons for enormous distances without issue. I would not want to m?ake it angry.

Glastrier

Despite the name, Glastrier is decked out in ice, not glass. This Ice-type horse is all white except for the blocks of pure ice on its hooves and head. The ice helmet i?s a hundred times harder than a diamond, which is bad news for anyone who gets on this belligerent Pok?émon's bad side. Glastrier looks like it's ready to go to war, and apparently, it has a tendency to take whatever it wants.

Spectrier

Spectrier is my favorite. This gorgeous Ghost-type Pokémon's kick will knock your soul from your body. At n??ight, it gallops through the darkness while absorbing the life force of everything sleeping nearby. What a legend. It's tempting to want a whole herd of these ethereal creatures, but the beauty of Spectrier is in its solitude. This sightless loner is meant to be admired from afar when you catch a rare glimpse of its flowing purple mane and ghostly hooves.

I guess that's the running theme of these horse-like Pokémon though. They are wild, independent, and powerful, which makes them beautiful. There are plenty of other cute Pokémon to catch and entertain, but the horse-lik??e Pokémon remain some of my favorites.

Related: The best flying-type Pokémon in Scarlet & V?iolet

The post Every? horse-like Pokémon species i?n the Pokémon franchise appeared first on Destructoid.

At least so far.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really enjoying Marvel Snap! I play a few matches every?? day, and I have favorite cards that I keep in my deck purely out of sentimental value. I like figuring out deck builds on my own rather than looking them up. Not that there's anything wrong with looking up the tried and true ways to combine cards that work together, but I like the challenge of figuring it out as I go. Which is probably why it is taking me so long to climb the ladder.

Realizing how behind I am, I started thinking about things like the Season Pass or the bundles that I occasionally see. Usually, my eyes just glaze over these things. I have had zero interest in buying anything from Marvel Snap, no matter how much fun it is. When I finally paid attention, I almost spit out my coffee. They want how much for the "Starlit Connection" bundle?!

I clicked on the bundle to get more information. Surely, there have to be powerful, game-changing cards here. Instead, I found two cards that most people will already have in their collection. Sera isn't revealed until you hit the Poo??l Three cards around Collection Level 486, but still, that isn't a hard card to get. Angela has been in my hand for a while becaus?e she's a Pool One card.

The other items are 4,000 credits and two avatars. So wh??at's the selling point that makes this bundle worth $49.99? The cards and avatars are "Anime Variants."

Marvel Snap loves variants.

I think Marvel Snap's love for variants is interesting. The game seems to have a soft spot for reimagining each card under different themes. Variant changes are purely cosmetic. Each card still behaves the same, and you end up with a copy in your collection. I think the idea behind the?? variants isn't just to add personality to your deck ?though. They give players something to splurge on that won't turn the game into a pay-to-win monstrosity.

In Marvel Snap, gathering cards is free, so we all end up with the same base cards eventually. Limited-time offers for cool variant art can be tempting. I'm certainly tempted by the new "Savage Land" style, and I wanted that Winterverse Rogue card. There's nothing wrong with wanting a certain style, as that's the essence of collections. Varian??ts are achieved through unlocks and upgrades, so hypothetically, any player can achieve them with or without paying.

So what do you pay for?

As I'm writing this, there are a few things you can put your money towards. The "Welcome Bundle" includes a Captain America variant card and avatar as well as 700 gold for $2.99. That's honestly not a bad price. Even with the variant and avatar aside, 700 gold will buy you one low-level variant in the "Daily Offer" section of the Shop. If you see something you like, you don't have to save up fo?r it.

Speaking of which, gold is something you can buy in Marvel Snap too. The lowest price available right now?? is 300 gold for $4.99, and the highest is 8,000 gold for $99.99. So there's quite the range. That 700 gold that you can use to buy a variant is $9.99 typically, so the "Welcome Bundle" ??is a nice one-time deal.

Gold is also earned in-game, but very slowly. You can use gold to buy credits as well, but the number of credits, and how often you can buy them, is time limited. For example, 120 gold will get you 150 credi??ts, and 400 gold will get you 500 credits. Credits are then used along with boosters to upgrade cards and move up Collection Levels. The limit keeps you from buying your way to the top too quickly.

Next up is the Premium Season Pass at $9.99. Each new season comes around about once a month and offer??s a new variant art theme. This month, if you pay $9.99 for the Premium Season Pass, you have the ability to earn three cards, three avatars, two card backs, up to 2600 credits, and up to 1200 gold. I say "ability to earn" because you don't just receive these items. You unlock them by completing missions.

The missions are pretty easy and can be completed just by playing the game. While I will occassionally add a card to my deck if it lo??oks like it will complete a mission, I usually just let them happen naturally. Some of the Season Pass rewards are free, but many will be locked for Premium pu??rchasers only. This month, I'm eyeing that Zabu card because I don't have him yet, love the art, and would have already won him if I had Premium. He is the first prize!

So Premium, while something I wouldn't buy every month, is not an outrageous deal. You make your money back in gold and credits if you play regularly. Plus, it's nice to support a cool free-to-play game that I'm enjoying. If you pay $14.99 for Premium+, you get the same perks but also immediately advance by 10 levels. Since ??most regular players are likely to get to about 40 or 50 levels, it's a nice boost but not unfair.

The most outr??ageously priced thing is thi?s optional cosmetic bundle. There's no reason to buy it at all, let alone for $49.99.

Is it a FOMO thing?

This is t?he only reason I can think of as to why they would ask for this kind of money for a couple of pretty, digital cards. Is it an exclusivity thing? If people are buying these cards just to show off, it's not t?he flex they think it is.

Maybe I'm being too cynical. Maybe it's just a way to easily support the game creators. Marvel Snap is so detailed and dynamic. Every m??onth brings new art and new cards. Plus, the cards are all planned out in such a way that building decks is fun and easy. It really is a great game, and that amount of work should be rewarded. But pricing these cosmetic variant bundles at the same price point as some brand-new games is not a great way to do that.

I'm thinking about what I would be willing to pay for as someone who is kind of cheap but still lacks a certain amount of impulse control. I would say $19.99 would be more reasonable. If they offered Wint??erverse variants of Gambit and Rogue, I would pay $19.99. I would feel a little guilty about it, but I would buy it. I think if they lowered the price of these bundles, they would sell a lot more of them.

What is the most you've? spent on cosmetic item??s in-game?

The post Marvel Snap cosmetic bundles are missing the mark appeared first on Destructoid.

A ghost story for some of our longest nights.

I love dark winter nights. If it's below freezing with snow piled ?on the window sills and wind whipping through frozen tree branches,?? then even better. I definitely don't want to be out in those conditions, but late December evenings are the perfect backdrop to some of my favorite winter traditions. I've abandoned a lot of those tinsel-covered activities and replaced them with things that I like more.

While my list continues to grow, it currently includes playing Nick Offerman's "Yule Log", gifting new clothes to loved ones to protect them from the Yule Cat, and reading ghost stories on Christmas Eve. I've adopted these things over the years from my hobbies and from the stories people tell?? me. Now they bring me joy when I need joy the most.

Playing Lost Constellation is one of the more heartwarming activities on the list. It's an hour-long supplemental game to Night in the Woods. It begins with a young Mae chatting with her grandpa during their Longest Night holiday, and Mae wa?nts to hear a ghost story??. The story he tells her is the game we get to play.

Lost Constellation follows an astronomer named Adina Astra who has one goal: travel through the Forest to the Frozen Lake on Longest Night to find the?? Ghost Star. Adina will meet interesting characters, like the wolf who offers to go find her frozen body and bury her, for a fee upfront of course. She'll have to take on the god of the Forest, outsmart a witch, and build a small army of snowmen. In the end, she comes to Frozen Lake to reunite with her deceased girlfriend, a fellow astronomer who died searching for the fabled Ghost Star a year earlier.

Fans of Night in the Woods know how emotional the storytelling can be. As irreverent as its snappy dialogue is sometimes, scenes usually culminate in a perfectly delivered line that hits you right in the heart. Even though it's only an hour or two of gameplay, the story is exactly what you've come to expect from the Night in the Woods games.

So why am I talking about this supplemental game from 2014? Because I think it makes an amazing tradition to add to our own darkest and longest nights. Every year, I make hot chocolate or brew some mulled wine, pour a bowl of popcorn, and play through Lost Constellation.

In the 1800s-1900s, telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve was a tradition in most households, and the longest night is the Winter Solstice.?? In Mae's universe, Longest Night seems like a mix between the two holidays, so it's a perfect?? game to play during the last couple weeks of December.

More than that literal connection though, the game is ab??out loss. Adina risks her own life to fulfill a promise to her lost loved one. She travels through the longest night in a frozen forest full of ghosts to find a star that houses the dead. As sweet as the game is, the metaphor is right on the nose. The holidays can be a d??ark time for a lot of people.

A close friend of mine decided that t?he winter solstice of 2020 would be his last longest night, so I know that sometimes the cold can make its way inside of us. The little things that we look forward ??to help to keep the nights a little warmer, when we miss people or just want to feel a bit sentimental.

Lost Constellation is free to download on PC.

The post Why you should add?? ??Lost Constellation to your holiday traditions appeared first on Destructoid.

A player with tons of time and an eye on the prize.

The longest gaming session I have ever had was six straight hours of Cult of the Lamb. This may not be a huge feat for ??many of you, but I am in shock that for six hours, I didn't drink water, eat food, or even use the bathroom. My entire day flew by whil??e I gathered followers and tended my garden.

Was it fun? Yeah. My camp looks really good, and I sacrificed my first dissenter. But my neck hurt after, and I was jittery like there were bees in my brain. I can't even imagine the dedication it took for the first player to achieve max renown in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight.

Reddit user Tobias-the-Fox posted his accomplishment under the title, "Am I popular yet? World First Max Renown!" The post came within a week of the expansion pack's release date, which is just mind-blowing. According to the OP, it took "7 days 13 hours" to do this. Some of the commenters did the math and estimated about 18 hours each day were spent grinding away ?at the tasks for each faction!

For some background, the Renown system lets the player earn rewards by performing tasks. There are four factions in WoW: Dragonflight, and each will have a series of quests, challenges, and events to complete to gain reputation points with eac??h faction. Once you have earned 2,500 reputation, you get 1 Renown for that faction. Ach?ieving max Renown means that the OP has no more levels to clear.

The OP posted his score as proof, so you can see each faction goes up to Level 25 or 30, so 25 or 30 Renown. Tha??t is so much gameplay. He said he completed the tasks for Valdrakken Accord first before moving on to Dragonscale Expedition. Then he completed Maruuk Centaur before spending three days working on Iska?ara Tuskarr.

The comments o??n the post are a mix of congratulations, envy, and even a few negative quips about the OP's assumed lack of social life. While a few people wondered if they were underperforming in the game for not being nearly as far, others expressed concern about that much time spent playing the game. It's fair to be a little weary of encouraging unhealthy amounts of sedentary screen time. Sitting still for that long is not something one should be aiming?? to achieve. A fact that even Tobias-the-Fox has admitted.

He responded to a few of the comments with the explanation that his disabilit?y gives him more time to play games than people who need to leave for work or take care of their children every day. He also mentions that he doesn't suggest anyone do the same. This was just a fun challenge he set for himself and achieved!

In that case, I think congratulations are in order. He set a short-term goal and ended up being the first in?? the world to reach that goal. As an adult, he's allowed to spend his time however he wants, and at least he isn't goading others into going that hard.

That being said, gaming is a ton of fun, but let's not forget to get up and stretch. Go for a walk. Do some yoga. Eat good food that we cook for ourselves. Then hop back in! I'm thinking of setting a timer next time I play Cult of the Lamb, just so I know when to pause the game and, you know, move. What's th??e longest session you've ever played?

If you haven't played the game yet and want to know if you should, here's Destructoid's review of World of Warcraft: Dragonflight.

The post Someone already maxed out renown? in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight appeared first on Destructoid.

A few ideas for the video game fan on your list.

I have a confession to make. I love buying gifts for people. Birthdays, Secret Santa, weddings, you name it, I look forward to the challenge! And the reason is that I used to be an absolutely terrible gift giver. I once gave a grown man a box of tea bags and a USB bracelet that ended up being too s?mall to fit around his wrist.

I'm? still embarrassed by these gifts, but I've learned my lesson. I've been on my gift-giving game ever since. Now I'm here to help you! You're already moving in the right direction by pinpointing a favorite hobby. Here are 10 gift ideas to get you thinking about the gamer in your life.

1. Gaming Chairs

Gaming can be very ha??rd on the back if you have the wrong chair. Sitting in one position for hours hurts, but gaming chairs are made with this in mind. Many of them come with lumbar support and neck pillows to get the proper spinal curve. Also, they can be adjusted to get the best angle on the screen. There are plenty of chairs to choose from, and the price range is just as varied.

Secretlab chairs are high quality and the price reflects it. They have great reviews, a few options that take height and weight into consideration, and there are opportunities for designs beyond just black or gray. You can also find chairs with great reviews for half the price though. For example, this Nokaxus gaming chair has great reviews and would???? be a big improvement over a typical swivel chair.

2. Backbone

The Backbone is a great gift for the multi-tasking gamer. While it isn't a console itself, it enables your phone to become your on-the-go gaming device. The Backbone uses your phone's power instead of batteries, and it doesn't store any games. Instead, players acces??s their cloud library on Steam, PlayStation, or Game Pass to pick up where they left off.

Because you need strong service for uninterrupted gaming, it may not be the best for the daily commute. But when you need to walk away from your console or computer, it's a great way to get back in the game. You can read Destructoid's Backbone tech review for more information on this nifty device!

3. Beyond the Console

While the person on your list may have all of the games and consoles they ?need, helping them invest in quality gaming per?ipherals can be a fantastic gift. Gaming peripherals are things like headsets, keyboards, and mousepads. In this case, you really do get what you pay for. So even if your gamer already has a mouse and keyboard, they may not have the good stuff.

The Logitech MX Master 3S mouse is ergonomically built, fast, precise, and easily connected to multiple devices. It also has a reputation for lasting a long time. Mouse speed a??nd precision are really important while PC gaming, so a good mous?e is well appreciated.

Similarly, the keyboard can get worn out quickly with key combos and hours and hours of use. There are a ton of choices for gaming keyboards, but it will all depend on your budget. The Razer Turret wireless keyboard and mouse combo is pretty cool with the retractable, magnetic mouse pad, but you can also try out the Razer Huntsman V2 Optical keyboard. Just read reviews and look specifically for gaming keyboards. Th??ey are usually built to be quieter and more resistant to being worn out.

4. Steam Deck

On the higher end of gaming gifts, the Steam Deck is a very generous gift. The handheld console just became readily available to purchase in 2022, but the reviews have been positive. Having a Steam Deck is like having a Nintendo Switch, but bigger and with pretty much your entire Steam library on the go. There are three price tiers based on storage space, ??with the cheapest being $399 at the time of writing. It's great for gamers with hectic schedules.

5. Games (But the easy way)

If you know what games are on your friend or family member's wishlist, then buying a $60 game makes sense. But instead of taking a gamble, buy the gift of games the easy way: gift cards. Steam frequently has huge sales on games. Instead of buying a specific title that your recipient may already have, the Steam gift card can be saved to take advantage of sales, dumping a bunch of games into the cart for great prices. You can find physical c??ards at Best Buy, Target, and more, but you can also purchase ?digital gift cards to send directly through Steam.

A Game Pass subscription is another great way to?? gift multiple games. Game Pass is a cloud-based subscription service for Xbox console and PC gamers. You can buy a Game Pass gift card from places like Best Buy, Target, and GameStop for a certain number of months. During that time, players will have unlimited access to the game cat??alog and even opportunities to play new games the day they are released.

6. LEGO

LEGO is not just for kids. It's more popular than ever, and there's really a lot to choose from. Video game characters, like Pikachu, are fun for any age. This Bowser LEGO set is perfect for Super Mario fans. There are even LEGO sets that aren't based on any particular characters, but just the act of gaming. This Nintendo Entertainment System Building Kit is perfect for those lifelong gamers looking to be a little nostalgic. It's hard to go wrong here because, if nothing else,? it's just a fun activity.

7. Christmas Sweaters

The "ugly" Christmas sweater has come roaring back, but it re?ally isn't ugly anymore. Holiday sweaters have now become a way to be funny or showcase your nerdy interests at Christmas parties. So treat your favorite gaming nerd to a cool sweater that they can wear every December!

This Halo-themed sweater is the perfect amount of too much. It says "Happy Halo-days," and boy, do I  love a good pun. On the other hand, this Skyrim sweater from Jamestees is so pretty, I would probably wear it ??all winter.

8. Cookbooks

For gamers with an interest in cooking, entertainment cookbooks are a fun gift idea. The recipes are usually accompanied by stunning pictures of all the food you may or may not end up making. The dishes will usually tie into the game in some way, so some of them can be pretty funny. For example, the Fallout Cookbook will guide you through "radiation-free" deviled eggs and the "Desert Salad" from Fallout: Las Vegas.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the God of War Cookbook. This collection of recipes and game art is as seriou??s and detailed as the game. The rec??ipes are divided by the nine realms with a bonus "in-between realm" for various spice mixtures. Even if you never end up making any of it, it's still lovely to look at.

9. Artwork and Artbooks

In the same theme of choosing aesthetic over utilitarian gifts, artwork and art books are fantastic. Try to find out what games they like the aesthetic for the most and then searching on sites like Etsy or Redbubble. These two sites in particular usually have nice wall art pieces.  For example, these Elden Ring canvas pieces on Etsy would look really nice above the couch.

In a similar vein are art books. These tomes are generally full of beautiful illustrations and behind the scenes info. They make beautiful additions to bookshelves or make a great coffee table book. You can find an art book for most popular games online and at bookstores. The Final Fantasy Ultimate Archive has multiple volumes. And The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Creati??ng a Champion has hundreds ?of pages of designs, interv??iews, historical info, and even sketches from Takumi Wada!

10. Around the House

Subtly adding video game references to your everyday life is so satisfying. I love making adulting nerdy. When you start going down the internet rabbit hole, you will start seeing little things that are useful around the house but 100% gamer-approved. Like this Zelda key holder on Etsy carved out of wood! You can attach your keys to the rings and not only have a place to store your keys but also have a cute keychain wh??en you're on the go.

Coffee mugs and bar glasses are another solid way to bring the games to daily life. It's also really easy to find video game-themed mugs and glasses. Etsy will have some of the more unique items, like this hefty Witcher medallion mug. But you can find plenty of cheaper option????s online or in stores like Target.

Of course, these suggestions here are just that. Suggestions. So use them as a jumping-off point or as a quick grab guide. But whatever you end up giving, it's always the thought that counts. If you pay attention to the people you love and? make a personal link between them and the gifts, odds are you will make them happy this holiday season.

Related: The 15 best gifts for Dungeons & Dragons fans on The Mary Sue

The post 10 great gifts for every gamer t??his holiday season appeared first on Destructoid.

Choices were made.

_{[Everyone welcome Sam Arthurs to Destructoid! As you may have noticed, we put out a call for freelancers recently, and Sam answered that call. They have experience writing for several websites, including Gameranx, and they love creepy indie horror games and creepy Metroidvanias, which in fact rule - Chris Carter.]}

Now that we've all been down a Pokémon rabbit hole for over a week, it's natural to contemplate the im??portant questions. Who is the cutest pocket monster of all time? While coming up with this list, I thought long and hard about how to best answer this impossible question, and I landed on writing about the objectively cute versus my own odd sense of cuteness.

For example, I think scrawny little Salandit has a shifty look about him, and I just want to put him in my pocket. Not everyone would rank him as highly as I would though. Instead, here are 10 Po??kémon that I think most of us can agree are adorable.

#10 Cubone

Cubone makes the list for being such a sad baby. It seems so hardcore at first, wearing its mother's skull as a helmet and wielding a bone as a weapon. But it's also quick to burst into tears and is consider?ed the "lonely Pokémon." If that doesn't make you just wan??t to hug it, then I don't know what will.

#9 Pikachu

Pikachu is a star for a reason. This lightning mouse looks cuddly, definitely has a s??ense of humor, and runs on the cutest little feet. There's also something so special about a wide-eyed, squishy te??ddy bear with boundaries. Try to hug a Pikachu before it's ready, and you will regret it.

#8 Rockruff

Rockruff is a fluffy rock puppy who just wants to play. The way it prances as it walks makes you feel happy that it is happy.  With its folded ears and fluffy tail, it looks sweet and gentle, but Rockruff shows off its scrappy side with a habit of biting and playing rock chi?cken. It throws the rocks around its neck at the ground and attacks if its opponent flinches. What a good?? boi!

#7 Dratini

Dratini is a water noodle with big eyes and winglike fins on the side of its head. It's shy, often running away when you try to capture it, and it has an ad??orab?le coo-ing sound. It sleeps curled up in a small ball on the shore. I rest my case.

#6 Rowlet

Rowlet looks very polite with its leaf bowtie. It is a very good listener, turning to face its trainer while waiting on commands. Rowl?et is sleepy during the day, but it finds tight, dark spaces comforting. Don't be surprised if you find one nesting in your bag.

#5 Bidoof

Okay, fine. Bidoof is basically just a cutesy beaver. It is only a foot tall and lives by the water where it constantly gnaws on wood to keep its teeth from growing too long. However, it is in the category of "plump mouse" in the Pokedex, and I can't handle how?? cute that is. Its abilities are "Simple" and "Unaware," and then you look at this image of a round-faced, bucktoothed??, fluffy groundhog with small webbed feet. Bidoof is perfect.

#4 Mew

Mew may be powerful and mysterious, but it is also playful and sweet. Whether or not its strange look is cute is debatable, but the way it floats around, spinning and giggling with its hands over its mouth ??is definitely cute. It is kind of cat-like with its mewing sound and tendency to delight in gently pranking people.

#3 Sprigatito

Of? the newest generation of starter Pokémon, Sprigatito is hands-down the cutest. This gras??sy-green kitten has big eyes and fluff on his neck, face, and tail. He's a happy cat who often purrs and smiles, and there isn't much cuter in this world than a happy cat.

#2 Eevee

Eevee is the OG sweetheart Pokémon. Nothing but big ears and fluff, Eevee has so much potential to evolve into some lovely and powerful Pokémon, but I wouldn't blame you if you let it stay small and sweet for as long as poss?ible. It loves to be petted and held, so it makes a perfect companion.

#1 Shaymin

According to the Pokedex, Shaymin is only eight inches tall! This grassy hedge??hog is innocence incarnate. It can turn polluted land into a lush field of flowers, where it likes to hang out. It wears a big flower on its head, smiles a lot, and has tiny fee??t. Don't you just want to scoop it up?

Related: The 10 fastest Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet ??& Violet on Dot Esports

The post The top 10 cutest Pokémon of all time, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.