Latest news with #Raider
CNET
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Essential Elden Ring: Nightreign Tips for New Players
Elden Ring Nightreign is FromSoftware's multiplayer, rougelike spin-off of 2022's popular action-RPG Elden Ring, and it's not easy. Even the most hardcore fans of the Soulslike genre will be completely overwhelmed at first. Luckily, there are some tips to help Nightfarers survive the night and triumph over the Nightlord. In Elden Ring Nightreign, players team up or go solo on runs to take down a nightlord, a daunting boss waiting for them at the end of two in-game days of fighting enemies and getting stronger, which requires fast thinking and quick reflexes to defeat. While it carries the Elden Ring name, Nightreign plays so differently, as the name of the game is speed rather than the slow exploration of other FromSoftware titles. It's this change of pace that will throw veteran players off, but if you follow some of these tips, you and your team will be prepared to survive the night. Team chemistry is key Putting a good team together is what will ultimately lead to a successful run. A team should be made up of someone who can tank (Wylder, Raider, Guardian) and a mix of the other characters. One big help is going to have one team member play a ranged character (Ironeye, Recluse) who can act as a reviver to pick up characters who fall in battle, as they need to be attacked in order to heal them (or at least having another player carry a ranged weapon to perform the same). Being able to do this from a distance can be very useful in runs. Another part of team chemistry is having someone to strategize where to go on the fly. A point person to lay out where your team will go instead of everyone chiming in will help move the runs along without having to wait around to figure out where to go next. If possible, go for flasks first, then bosses Every character starts out with three flasks for healing, but there are more available. They can be found in churches scattered on the map, usually in a bright orange color. Having more than three flasks is going to be a tremendous help, so they should be prioritized. Ideally, you'll want to head to the nearest church while clearing out camps on the way. Once you have two additional flasks, then focus on bosses. If a church is too far away, fight through camps full of enemies on the way to the church to level up while heading there. Pick up all the weapons An interesting mechanic in Nightreign is that each weapon found in a run has a passive bonus, and those bonuses stack up as long as you have them in your bag. That's six weapons with six buffs, and that will be a big help for your character. Also, don't worry if you pick up a weapon that's not intended for your character. A melee brute like the Raider could find a magic wand that has a certain buff that works well for them. Shields, for example, offer some good buffs even though you may not want to equip them. Another idea is if a ranged weapon like a bow drops, consider picking it up if you're a melee character as a way to revive teammates from a distance when needed. Look for the best route Routing is so important for a good run. You want to try to clear out the various dungeons, castles, mines and camps available to gain levels and better equipment. Since you have a set amount of time before the storm circle closes in, start on the outer parts first and slowly make your way in. Eventually, you'll get the timing down to clear out camps right before the circle closes to get the last bit of runes to level up your character. Pay attention to your surroundings, you might miss some help Found all throughout the map are tiny patches of glowing flowers, fire butterflies and so on that provide some quick buffs, like finding more runes or getting rid of status ailments or healing you. One thing to definitely keep an eye out for is scarabs. These little critters -- hovering over a glowing ball and emitting a bell-tinkling sound -- will typically drop talismans that can be equipped to provide permanent offensive or defensive buffs to your character equivalent to what you'd get when beating a boss. Use consumables It never fails that players will want to hold onto their consumables, but ignore that feeling. If you're fighting a boss, use all the consumables you have. The consumables you can find in a run are very useful, and there are a lot of them all around the map. If you're full of items, but there's one you can use right away. It will vary depending on whether you're playing with a controller or a mouse and keyboard. To figure out what button combination you need to do this, hold down the button for picking up an item, and it will show you. Don't be afraid to run away While the storm circle doesn't seem to take much damage when you're stuck in it, do not tempt fate. You need to stay out of the storm. If you're in the middle of clearing out a camp, and the storm is on top of you, there's a point where it's time to cut and run. This is especially important to remember in a mine or an underground dungeon where the only exit likely takes you right into the storm. Until you get the timing of the storm down just right, don't try to do too much too close to the storm -- and if you do venture beneath the surface, keep checking the map to know when the circle starts closing. Also, powerful field bosses like the Ulcerated Treet Spirts, Tree Sentinels, Gargoyles, and other tough field bosses should be avoided on the first day, so run far away from them. One thing to keep note of, bosses that you might have started fighting and had to run away on say day 1, they still will be around on day 2. Not only that, they will not heal themselves once you run away. This means they're easy pickings as they are already weaker, and your team is stronger. Realize when to ignore trash mobs and items When you drop onto the map, your team is very likely going to be in a random spot, and you'll see some low-level enemies nearby. You should definitely take down all these weaker enemies to get yourself to level 3. There will also be random items scattered around the map. Feel free to get these early on, but once you get to level 3, it's time to focus. In Nightrein, you need more levels, better equipment and buffs, which won't be found on weak enemies or the items around them. Ignore them completely once you get high enough, as you will not have extra time to take them down in your quest for stronger boss enemies and powerful upgrades. Bandai Namco Shoot for level 12 It can't be stressed enough how important it is to be at the right level when fighting a nightlord. One level could be the difference between an easy win and an utter defeat. A good rule of thumb is to shoot to be at least level 4 by the end of day 1, level 8 by the end of day 2 and level 12 when taking on the Nightlord. While you can beat the bosses at levels lower than those suggested, the fights will go much easier the higher your levels are. Spend a little time exploring and training at Roundtable Hold Roundtable Hold is not just a hub to buy relics, do some training and interact with characters. As you progress, there will be new content to find in the area. New Nightfarers, for example, will unlock once you get certain items and interact with other NPCs. This is especially true after a successful run, as there will be more to learn when exploring Roundtable Hold. Head out on your own To have a successful run, each player on the team needs to understand their character's abilities, how to properly equip themselves and learn the pattern of certain bosses. That's hard to do during a match as your time is limited, and the group you're with wants to keep running. This is why doing a few solo runs on your own can help get your footing with the game. To start a solo run, head to the table at the Roundtable Hold, click on it, and go to options. At the bottom of the options, there's a selection to have a single-player run or a multiplayer run. Make sure that it's single-player and start by yourself. Keep in mind, this is going to be very difficult to do a solo run, but you want to use this time to develop an understanding of the game's mechanics and your character. Expect the unexpected The last bit of advice is to expect the unexpected. There are random events that can happen throughout the game, from a group of enemies teleported right on top of you, additional bosses showing up after a boss battle, or even the nightlords popping up as day 1 bosses. You always need to be prepared because things can change in a split second, and your match could be over. Elden Ring Nightreign launched on May 30 for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One consoles for $40. Owning the original Elden Ring is not required to play this game.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Elden Ring Nightreign Raider guide- How to play, tips, tricks, and more
Image via Bandai Namco. Unlike classic RPG elements, FromSoftware's Elden Ring Nightreign follows a different approach. The game features six confirmed classes, known as Nightfarer. However, among the six Nightfarers, we will be talking about the tank of the team. Yeah, you guessed it right - Raider. This class is the ultimate Juggernaut Brawler of the game. If you want to main a strength base character, then this Nightfarer will be your best bet. Let's talk about this Viking Counterpart in detail. Elden Ring Nightreign: Raider guide ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN | Raider Character Trailer Raider overview You can call Raider as the Colossal Combatant of the game. This strength-centric class is best for close combat with heavy weaponaries. However, this class is actually slow, so you have to be patient with this character, and if you can by managing to deal a heavy blow, then the battlefield is yours. Raider is actually the tank of the team, maintaining high poise and absorbing the whole attention towards it from the enemy team. Raider Attributes Skill: Retaliate As the name suggests, this Skill allows the Raider Nightfarer to absorb incoming damage and retaliate with even a more powerful punch. The counter punch will be more powerful, the more damage Raider can absorb. However, it can be risky because there is a obviously a limit on how much damage Raider can absorb. Ultimate Art: Totem Stela Just like what a huge tank character does, Totem Stola literally summons a gigantic tombstone that destroys a certain area. Anyone in its radar is going to be killed instantly. Not only that, this ability buffs nearby ally abilities as well and adds another layer of defense against enemy attacks. Passive Ability: Fighter's Resolve If you use this ability, enemies won't be able to knock you down, and this is actually a huge ability for a tank character like Raider. Not only that, it also buffs Retaliate as well. As there will be no limit of taking incoming damage, the strength of the counter punch is going to be huge. However, the only catch is that, the stronger the Retaliate punch grows, the less accurate it will become to deal on the enemies. Best build for Raider Weapons Primary: Colossal weapons like Greatswords or Greathammers. Secondary: A ranger weapon Talismans and Relics Strength-Boosting Talismans Stamina Recovery Relics Consumables Defense Enhancements: Ironhide Elixir, Stoneflesh Tonic Aggro Tools Tips and Tricks As mentioned earlier, you need to make your timing right. Handling a brute force like Raider needs immense resilience and patience. You need to find the correct timing to deal the blow. As Raider is pretty slow, you have to anticipate enemy movements earlier and strike during openings. Making a perfect team synergy with the other classes in the team is necessary, they will cover the weak spots of Raider from ranged and fast enemy attacks. You need to be precise in using your skills as a Raider. For an instance: the Totem Stola needs to be placed perfectly at the choke points to maximize the defensive and offensive benefits. Mastering Retaliate is the key to success with Raider. As you begin your Nightreign journey, this skill is going to be your go-to-answer to any enemy incomings. Also, this ability needs to be buffed with Fighter Resolve to deal maximum damage to the enemies. Read More:
CNET
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Elden Ring Nightreign Beginner's Guide: Team Strategy, Level Goals and Survival Tips
Elden Ring Nightreign is FromSoftware's new multiplayer spin-off of 2022's popular action-RPG Elden Ring, and it will make even the most hard-core fans completely overwhelmed at first. Luckily, there are some tips to help Nightfarers survive the night and triumph over the Nightlord. In Elden Ring Nightreign, players team up or go solo on runs to take down a Nightlord, a daunting boss waiting for them at the end of two in-game days of fighting enemies and getting stronger, which requires fast thinking and quick reflexes to take down. While it carries the Elden Ring name, Nightreign plays so differently, as the name of the game is speed rather than the slow exploration of other FromSoftware titles. It's this change of pace that will throw veteran players off, but if you follow some of these tips, you and your team will be prepared to survive the night. Team chemistry is key Putting a good team together is what will ultimately lead to a successful run. A team should be made up of someone who can tank (Wylder, Raider, Guardian) and a mix of the other characters. One big help is going to have one team member play a ranged character (Ironeye, Recluse) who can act as a reviver to pick up characters who fall in battle, as they need to be attacked in order to heal them (or at least having another player carry a ranged weapon to perform the same). Being able to do this from a distance can be very useful in runs. Another part of team chemistry is having someone to strategize where to go on the fly. A point person to lay out where your team will go instead of everyone chiming in will help move the runs along without having to wait around to figure out where to go next. If possible, go for flasks first, then bosses Every character starts out with three flasks for healing, but there are more available. They can be found in churches scattered on the map, usually in a bright orange color. Having more than three flasks is going to be a tremendous help, so they should be prioritized. Ideally, you'll want to head to the nearest church while clearing out camps on the way. Once you have two additional flasks, then focus on bosses. If a church is too far away, fight through camps full of enemies on the way to the church to level up while heading there. Pick up all the weapons An interesting mechanic in Nightreign is that each weapon found in a run has a passive bonus, and those bonuses stack up as long as you have them in your bag. That's six weapons with six buffs, and that will be a big help for your character. Also, don't worry if you pick up a weapon that's not intended for your character. A melee brute like the Raider could find a magic wand that has a certain buff that works well for them. Shields, for example, offer some good buffs even though you may not want to equip them. Another idea is if a ranged weapon like a bow drops, consider picking it up if you're a melee character as a way to revive teammates from a distance when needed. Look for the best route Routing is so important for a good run. You want to try to clear out the various dungeons, castles, mines and camps available to gain levels and better equipment. Since you have a set amount of time before the storm circle closes in, start on the outer parts first and slowly make your way in. Eventually, you'll get the timing down to clear out camps right before the circle closes to get the last bit of runes to level up your character. Pay attention to your surroundings, you might miss some help Found all throughout the map are tiny patches of glowing flowers, fire butterflies and so on that provide some quick buffs, like finding more runes or getting rid of status ailments or healing you. One thing to definitely keep an eye out for is scarabs. These little critters -- hovering over a glowing ball and emitting a bell-tinkling sound -- will typically drop talismans that can be equipped to provide permanent offensive or defensive buffs to your character equivalent to what you'd get when beating a boss. Use consumables It never fails that players will want to hold onto their consumables, but ignore that feeling. If you're fighting a boss, use all the consumables you have. The consumables you can find in a run are very useful, and there are a lot of them all around the map. Don't be afraid to run away While the storm circle doesn't seem to take much damage when you're stuck in it, do not tempt fate. You need to stay out of the storm. If you're in the middle of clearing out a camp, and the storm is on top of you, there's a point where it's time to cut and run. This is especially important to remember in a mine or an underground dungeon where the only exit likely takes you right into the storm. Until you get the timing of the storm down just right, don't try to do too much too close to the storm -- and if you do venture beneath the surface, keep checking the map to know when the circle starts closing. One thing to keep note of, bosses that you might have started fighting and had to run away on say day 1, they still will be around on day 2. Not only that, they will not heal themselves once you run away. This means they're easy pickings as they are already weaker, and your team is stronger. Realize when to ignore trash mobs and items When you drop onto the map, your team is very likely going to be in a random spot, and you'll see some low-level enemies nearby. You should definitely take down all these weaker enemies to get yourself to level 3. There will also be random items scattered around the map. Feel free to get these early on, but once you get to level 3, it's time to focus. In Nightrein, you need more levels, better equipment and buffs, which won't be found on weak enemies or the items around them. Ignore them completely once you get high enough, as you will not have extra time to take them down in your quest for stronger boss enemies and powerful upgrades. Bandai Namco Shoot for level 12 It can't be stressed enough how important it is to be at the right level when fighting a Nightlord. One level could be the difference between an easy win and an utter defeat. A good rule of thumb is to shoot to be at least level 4 by the end of day 1, level 8 by the end of day 2 and level 12 when taking on the Nightlord. While you can beat the bosses at levels lower than those suggested, the fights will go much easier the higher your levels are. Spend a little time exploring and training at Roundtable Hold Roundtable Hold is not just a hub to buy relics, do some training and interact with characters. As you progress, there will be new content to find in the area. New Nightfarers, for example, will unlock once you get certain items and interact with other NPCs. This is especially true after a successful run, as there will be more to learn when exploring Roundtable Hold. Head out on your own To have a successful run, each player on the team needs to understand their character's abilities, how to properly equip themselves and learn the pattern of certain bosses. That's hard to do during a match as your time is limited, and the group you're with wants to keep running. This is why doing a few solo runs on your own can help get your footing with the game. To start a solo run, head to the table at the Roundtable Hold, click on it, and go to options. At the bottom of the options, there's a selection to have a single-player run or a multiplayer run. Make sure that it's single-player and start by yourself. Keep in mind, this is going to be very difficult to do a solo run, but you want to use this time to develop an understanding of the game's mechanics and your character. Expect the unexpected The last bit of advice is to expect the unexpected. There are random events that can happen throughout the game, from a group of enemies teleported right on top of you, additional bosses showing up after a boss battle, or even the Nightlords popping up as day 1 bosses. You always need to be prepared because things can change in a split second, and your match could be over.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
NFL rookie Ashton Jeanty gives up Mercedes-level cash for Jersey No. 2
Ashton Jeanty drops Mercedes cash for jersey number (Image via: Getty Images) Before taking a single snap in the NFL, Ashton Jeanty is already making headlines, not for his talent, but for reportedly shelling out close to $100,000 to claim jersey No. 2 from Raiders veteran kicker Daniel Carlson . While some admire the move, others are calling it tone-deaf. Has the NFL's jersey culture shifted from tradition to transaction? Ashton Jeanty 's pricey Jersey deal raises eyebrows across NFL Las Vegas Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is known for torching college defenses at Boise State. But now, he's drawing attention for something else entirely, allegedly paying a six-figure sum to acquire his beloved jersey number from a teammate. And fans across the league have mixed feelings. In a recent appearance on Up and Adams, Jeanty revealed that he reached out to Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson to negotiate for jersey No. 2. 'I called him and I'm like, 'I'm trying to get that No. 2. I got to drop that little bag for No. 2,' Jeanty said, joking that the deal cost enough to buy a Mercedes GLE worth around $100,000. Jersey numbers in the NFL have always held deep personal meaning. For some, it's a symbol of their journey; for others, it's part of their identity. But when a rookie walks into the building and immediately throws down serious cash to take a veteran's number, it doesn't sit well with everyone. Critics argue that it sends the wrong message—that flash and status now outweigh respect and merit. Carlson, one of the league's most consistent kickers and a Raider since 2018, agreed to the swap. Did Jeanty cross an unwritten locker room line? Or is this just business as usual in today's NFL? Given Jeanty's résumé—4,769 rushing yards, 56 total touchdowns, two All-American selections, and a Heisman Trophy runner-up finish—it's understandable why he wants to keep No. 2. It's the number he built his brand around, and with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly already tweaking his role, clinging to something familiar might give him comfort. Also Read: Eagles win off the field as NFL keeps 'Tush Push' legal despite backlash Still, the optics are jarring. A rookie, flush with a $35.9 million fully guaranteed contract, essentially buying his way into a new identity before proving himself on Sundays. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
I've found a gaming laptop that costs more than my NYC rent, but I have no regrets
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Desktop replacement gaming laptops can be a difficult category to categorize, as they're often as expensive as they are powerful. But the MSI Raider might make all that power worth it. MSI's new Raider 18 HX AI features a powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU with 16GB of VRAM, which offers the gaming performance you might expect from such a high-end spec. Its 18-inch MiniLED display is bright and vivid, its 6-speaker sound system is powerful with high-quality audio, and its keyboard is bouncy and comfortable to type on. It's also got more ports than I know what to do with. Unfortunately, the Raider costs more than a month's rent in New York City, has the fans to heat an NYC apartment, and does not have enough battery life to survive long once you step outside the door. Not that we recommend commuting with an 18-inch gaming laptop. But is the MSI Raider 18 HX AI powerful enough to replace your desktop? Has MSI delivered one of the best gaming laptops of this generation? Let's find out. Click to view full benchmark test results Powerful gaming laptops command premium prices, and the MSI Raider is no different. Starting at a whopping $3,699, the MSI Raider 18 HX AI features an Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 with 16GB VRAM, 64GB of system memory, a 2TB SSD, and an 18-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz IPS display. While this is a staggeringly high price tag for a starting configuration, you are getting an incredibly powerful machine with the base model, so it's money well spent. If you can run down to your local Micro Center, this configuration is currently on sale for $700 off. Our $4,499 review model has the same CPU, GPU, and memory combination, but opts for a dual 2TB SSD storage configuration and has an upgraded, 18-inch, 3840 x 2400, 120Hz MiniLED display. So the Raider is expensive, but it justifies that price tag. You can upgrade the Raider's graphics card to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 with 24GB VRAM for an additional $800. The entry RTX 5090 configuration features the base 2560 x 1600p, 240Hz IPS panel and costs $4,499. Upgrading to the 3840 x 2400, 120Hz MiniLED panel with the RTX 5090 will set you back an astounding $5,389. While these prices are high, they're also not out of pocket. All of the RTX 50-series laptops so far have been pricey. The Razer Blade 16 (2025) with an RTX 5090 costs $4,499. The Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 costs $3,099 for an RTX 5080, and the HP Omen 16 Max costs $4,299 for an RTX 5090. Unlike these other 50-series laptops, the MSI Raider is an 18-inch desktop replacement that comes with upgrades to memory and storage, even at its base $3,699 price. So the Raider is expensive, but it justifies that price tag. But my favorite detail of this particular MSI chassis is the alternating red and black vent covers... The MSI Raider 18 HX AI features a similar chassis to the 2024 model, still in that Core Black colorway with a minimalist RGB light strip below the keyboard deck and a backlit MSI logo on the cover panel. The keyboard deck is relatively simple, with some speaker and thermal vents along the outside and an optional fingerprint scanner, so you can focus on what's important: the customizable RGB lighting. But my favorite detail of this particular MSI chassis is the alternating red and black vent covers along the rear and sides of the chassis, which add a nice bit of contrast to the hefty design. MSI has a similar aesthetic going on the Titan, though those contrasting details are blue on the flagship desktop replacement. As for size, calling the Raider 'large and in charge' is perhaps underselling it. The Raider measures 15.91 x 12.11 x 0.94~1.26 inches and weighs 7.8 pounds. It is a beast of a machine. Despite owning multiple large computer backpacks, I don't own a single one that is large enough to handle the Raider's sheer size. Granted, the Raider isn't intended for heavy commuting, but if you plan to take it with you to the occasional LAN party, you might want to invest in one of the best laptop backpacks to make sure you can haul the Raider without needing to realign your spine. The new design makes the Raider less portable than the other Nvidia 50-series laptops we've seen so far, though it is comparable to last year's MSI Titan 18 HX: Razer Blade 16 (2025): 13.98 x 9.86 x 0.59~0.69, 4.6 pounds Gigabyte Aorus Master 16: 14.05 x 10 x 0.91~1.18 inches, 5.5 pounds MSI Titan 18 HX (2024): 15.9 x 12.1 x 1.3 inches, 7.9 pounds Image 1 of 3 Image 2 of 3 Image 3 of 3 MSI has packed more ports than I know what to do with on the Raider's chassis. Befitting a desktop-replacement laptop, this port array should have just about everything you need to connect all your game accessories: 2x Thunderbolt 5 (DisplayPort, Power Delivery 3.1) 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 1x HDMI 2.1 1x RJ45 ethernet 1x audio combo jack 1x SD Express card reader 1x Kensington security lock This should be enough ports for most gamers, but streamers may still want to invest in one of the best laptop docking stations or USB-C hubs to connect additional monitors, a professional webcam, a studio microphone, and a stream deck in addition to any gaming accessories. Thanks to Nvidia's investment in its BatteryBoost tech, the Raider lasts a bit longer than you'd expect while gaming. Gaming laptop battery life is traditionally not very good, as most gaming laptops are built with power-intensive CPUs and discrete GPUs. There have been a few notable exceptions, but the Raider 18 HX AI is a 260W (watt) system, designed as a desktop replacement laptop. So it's not really built for operating on battery power. Which explains its truly abysmal web surfing and gaming battery life. The Raider lasted just 2 hours and 33 minutes on the Laptop Mag web surfing test. But if you do need to use the Raider unplugged, it gets enough battery life to send a few last-minute emails before you need to hunt down an outlet. Thanks to Nvidia's investment in its BatteryBoost tech, the Raider lasts a bit longer than you'd expect while gaming. The Raider 18 HX managed to survive for 1 hour and 46 minutes on the PCMark 10 gaming battery test, which is more competitive compared to other 50-series laptops like the Razer Blade 16 (2025) and Gigabyte Aorus Master 16. Click to view chart data in table format For a premium desktop replacement laptop like the Raider, the miniLED panel is more than just a utility feature; it's a key selling point. Our review unit featured an 18-inch, 3840 x 2400, 120Hz matte miniLED display panel, so naturally, it looked amazing whether I was streaming video or playing games. I typically like testing gaming monitors with Avowed these days, as the game's opening zone presents a wide color palette, and I was not disappointed with the Raider's display quality at all. The corals along the shipwrecked beach of Fort Northreach were simply stunning in how bright and crisply detailed they appeared against the stormy gray skies and weather-beaten wood of the wrecked ship in the background. MiniLED displays have better contrast and better HDR performance than standard LED/LCD panels, with higher brightness than most OLEDs. And the Raider is no exception. With a peak brightness average of 668 nits and an 83.1% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, the Raider is nearly glare-proof and more than vibrant enough for a satisfying gaming experience. The Raider also supports HDR, with an HDR peak brightness of 793 nits. So if you're playing a game with HDR support, or streaming HDR video, you'll get a nice bit of added brightness when needed, but without risk of burning out your retinas. For a premium desktop replacement laptop like the Raider, the miniLED panel is more than just a utility feature; it's a key selling point. And MSI did a fantastic job sourcing a bright, vibrant panel. Click to view chart data in table format. MSI has kept the Raider's keyboard deck relatively minimalist, with a few vents for the onboard audio and additional thermal control, so most of the massive 18-inch laptop's deck is left open for a full-size keyboard with a numpad and a large touchpad. MSI does offer an optional fingerprint reader, which is on the right-hand side of the deck, below the numpad. While it is floating on its own, it's in a pretty unobtrusive location that you can easily avoid if you don't plan on using the fingerprint scanner for added security. The keyboard itself features per-key RGB lighting, and was designed by SteelSeries. So it has a solid amount of bounce, and the keys are nicely spaced to avoid accidental mistypes. The keys are quiet but have a good amount of key travel, so your fingers won't bottom out while frantically typing directions in your raid chat. your fingers won't bottom out while frantically typing directions in your raid chat. On the advanced typing test, I averaged 88 words per minute (WPM) on the Raider's SteelSeries keyboard, which is identical to my average on the Apple MacBook Pro 14. MSI has centered the touchpad on the keyboard deck rather than on the space bar, which I prefer. However, the touchpad is large, measuring 5.4 x 3.4 inches. So, if you prefer your touchpad to be below the space bar, there's more than enough overlap between the two. The touchpad features a matte feel with just enough resistance for fine control. The top half of the touchpad is clickable but requires a bit more effort to click than the bottom half, which I'm not super fond of. However, I rarely click the top half of a touchpad, so I didn't notice it much in my day-to-day use of the Raider. I was pleasantly surprised by the Raider's sheer volume and high audio fidelity while taking part in the Blossom Dance event in Monster Hunter Wilds. MSI packed a 6-speaker sound system in the Raider, with 2 woofers and 4 tweeters, with top-firing audio output to ensure you get powerful volume and full quality. Typically, I don't expect a lot from gaming laptop sound systems, as so much else needs to fit into the chassis, and most gamers will opt for a pair of the best headphones or sound systems rather than rely on the built-in audio. So, I was pleasantly surprised by the Raider's sheer volume and high audio fidelity while taking part in the Blossom Dance event in Monster Hunter Wilds. As part of the event, Capcom included an in-game performance of the 'Song of the Beginning,' which originally debuted with Monster Hunter 2. The gentle ballad features delicate vocals and a rich orchestral accompaniment, which can be difficult to hear on a laptop sound system, but the Raider's six-speaker array had no problem keeping up, making each note hit with the right amount of power. In fact, the Raider's audio was actually too powerful when I spun up Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail. FFXIV's default volume tends to be on the loud side, but even with the Raider's speakers at 36%, I could easily hear the game over the sound of the Raider's fans. The Raider's cooling system is on the noisy side, which just makes the audio power even more impressive. The MSI Raider hits a max operating power of 260W thanks to MSI's OverBoost Ultra technology. While this does mean the Raider has atrocious battery life, its gaming performance is uncompromising. In terms of raw silicon power, the Raider was easily hitting over 100 frames per second at 1080p on most games, though more difficult titles like Black Myth: Wukong and Cyberpunk 2077 did give the Raider a bit more trouble. With the Raider's RTX 5080 GPU, you can also enable software upscaling like DLSS 4 and frame generation, which can offer a smoother experience with poorly optimized games like Avowed and Monster Hunter Wilds. In terms of raw silicon power, the Raider was easily hitting over 100 frames per second at 1080p on most games With DLSS 4 enabled at max 2400p resolution and High settings, I was easily able to keep a stable 47 fps in Monster Hunter Wilds. That rate jumped up to 70 fps with frame generation enabled, which is a pretty significant increase in playability. Though I will say, even at 47 fps, I was able to keep up with Wilds' tempered monsters with minimal difficulty. I saw similar improvements in Avowed, going from 77 fps at 2400p on High settings with only DLSS 4 to 115 fps with frame generation also toggled on. Without either, the game was hitting about 46 fps in terms of just pure Silicon performance. Lastly, I used the Raider to take on my Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail dailies, and was able to average 80 fps with the Raider at 2400p and High (Desktop) settings without any supersampling. Dropping the graphics down to High (Laptop) saw those frame rates cap at about 110 fps, generally staying in the ballpark of 95 fps during gameplay. Of course, you can get higher frame rates by dropping your game resolution down to 1600p or 1200p. But if I have an 18-inch desktop replacement laptop with a panel that hits 2400p, I'm going to do my best to game in 4K. Otherwise, why have such a nice display? Click to view chart data in table format. As for all-around performance, the Raider's Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX is the top-of-the-line Intel mobile chip for this generation. Boasting desktop-quality performance, the 285HX has outperformed most other chipsets this generation, with the sole exception of the Apple M4 Pro. As for my hands-on testing, nothing I threw at the Raider made the fans kick on. From e-mail and spreadsheet management to Photoshop object selection, the Raider 18 handled it all with ease. As for my hands-on testing, nothing I threw at the Raider made the fans kick on. The Raider is powerful enough to handle any photo or video editing you might need, with a 5% increase in single-core performance over the previous generation and a 25% increase in multi-core performance. The Raider came just 1,000 points shy of matching the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro)'s Geekbench 6 multicore record. MSI claims the Raider 18 HX can achieve a Cinebench R23 multicore average of 40,000. Our own internal testing achieved a peak multicore score of 39,414. While that is about 600 points off, it's a performance difference of less than 2%. That's well within the standard variation for Cinebench. Of course, to get that kind of performance out of the Raider, you need to set the fans to Extreme Performance in MSI Center, which kicks them up to an incredibly loud volume. Of course, that fan noise does help reduce the heat output of the powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX/RTX 5080 combo. We did observe the Raider hit a high temperature of 115.3 degrees Fahrenheit on the F10 key while gaming, but that kind of heat is to be expected. The center of the keyboard and touchpad remained on the tolerable side, falling under 90 degrees. Click to view chart data in table format. MSI opted to use Intel's Core Ultra 9 200HX chipset in the Raider series, so while the CPU does have a small NPU built-in, it doesn't meet the threshold for Microsoft's Copilot+ suite of AI features. However, with an Intel chipset you do get access to Intel's AI Playground. You also get access to Nvidia's various RTX AI features like ChatRTX and RTX Remix for modding older games. MSI didn't load much AI software onto the Raider, so your best built-in AI feature on the laptop is MSI Center's AI Engine hardware performance scaling, which will switch between the iGPU or discrete graphics card as needed, for increased power efficiency. The MSI Raider 18 HX AI features a 1080p IR webcam, so it's ideal for Windows Hello sign in, and can handle the occasional video call or virtual meeting. Because the Raider's webcam is an IR camera, its color sensors are a bit distorted. The feed appears washed out, giving everything something of a halo effect. The feed is also on the grainy side, with a tendency to drop a pink cast over skin tones. If you're going to use the Raider for a lot of video calls or streaming, we'd recommend using one of our best webcams instead. The Raider 18 HX comes with Windows 11 Home, which includes a number of standard Windows apps already installed, like Microsoft Copilot, Office 365, and the Xbox App. MSI has included the MSI Center app to control your power profiles and settings, MSI App Player, and MSI True Color for display tweaks. While the number of pre-installed Windows applications is constantly growing, MSI added only three applications to the Raider, so it's not exactly bloatware. You have more software to contend with from Microsoft, Intel, and Nvidia. The Raider includes a 1-year limited service warranty. If you've got the money to spend, the MSI Raider 18 HX AI is a gaming laptop worthy of the term 'desktop replacement.' If you've got the money to spend, the MSI Raider 18 HX AI is a gaming laptop worthy of the term 'desktop replacement.' The Raider has strong general performance, fluid gaming performance, a bright MiniLED display, a comfortable keyboard, powerful audio, and more ports than you're likely to need, even with a multi-monitor setup. It's just expensive. The entry-level Raider costs $3,699. Granted, you aren't getting entry-level specs with that laptop, which can help offset the sheer magnitude of the price tag. But if you want similar performance, with a bit more portability and a more affordable price tag, you may be better off with the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16, which features similar specs for significantly less money. If you've got the cash to spare and portability is your key requirement, then the Razer Blade 16 (2025) is the way to go. After all, the Blade 16 is ultra-lightweight and sports a powerful GPU, up to the Nvidia RTX 5090. If you're still set on the 18-inch desktop replacement category but don't have unlimited funds, you could always look for the Raider's base configuration at your nearest Micro Center, as it's currently discounted at $700.
