Latest news with #mobileGaming
Android Authority
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
These retro SEGA games are now free on Android until they disappear forever
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority TL;DR Nine retro SEGA games ported to mobile are now free without ads, but will lose support soon. You can still download them, and they will likely remain in your account forever. Free games include Crazy Taxi Classic, Shining Force Classics, Streets of Rage 2 Classic, and more. SEGA has a long history of supporting its retro titles, with many ported directly to Android and iOS as part of the SEGA Forever program. However, the company will soon pull support for nearly its entire remaining catalog of mobile ports, including classic Sonic, Crazy Taxi, and Shining Force games. There's no telling how long they will remain on the Google Play Store, but the good news is that they've all been made free. Previously, most were paid titles costing roughly $2, or were playable for free with IAP to remove ads. The announcement came not via any official channels, but rather via an in-game popup in the affected titles. It reads: 'Support for this game will be discontinued, but you can continue playing offline! If you'd like to learn more about great SEGA games to play, please click the link below.' The link leads to the SEGA homepage. This message implies that the game will still be playable after it's removed from the Play Store, provided you have claimed it on your account. This was the case for previous SEGA Forever titles that were pulled a few years ago, which included games like Phantasy Star Classics and Vectorman Classic. Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before the rest of these games lost support. The SEGA Forever program was discontinued in late 2023, and the last port was added to Android way back in 2019. While the ports didn't always live up to emulation, they did have full controller support, with many getting tens of millions of downloads. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Gizmodo
10-06-2025
- Gizmodo
The Best VPN for PUBG Mobile in 2025: Fast and Reliable
PUBG Mobile is a global phenomenon with over 1 billion downloads and competitive players in nearly every country. Whether you're grinding ranks in Erangel or just trying to log in from India after the ban, one thing is clear: your connection is everything. Lag spikes, insta-deaths, and dreaded geo-restrictions can lock you out of the action. That's where a VPN steps in — helping you clutch even in blocked regions while improving your ping on PUBG Mobile. But not all VPNs are built for battle. We tested the top contenders in real PUBG Mobile sessions, from solo drop zones to full-squad chaos. This guide breaks down the absolute best VPNs for PUBG Mobile, based on latency, regional access, stability, and mobile compatibility. Ready to survive that hot drop without rubberbanding to death? Let's lock, load, and lag-proof your lobby. Best VPN for PUBG Mobile in 2025: Detailed List With PUBG Mobile's servers distributed across regions and frequent geo-restrictions in place, a VPN is more about performance than security. Whether you're sidestepping ISP throttling, accessing KRJP exclusives, the right VPN can give you the competitive edge. We tested over a dozen top-rated providers to see which ones held up under real-world gaming stress. Here are the top PUBG Mobile VPNs that made the cut. 7492 servers 118 covered countries 30 days money-back guarantee 10 simultaneous connections 9.4 /10 Visit site Our review Monthly price 3,09 $ 27 MONTHS 4,99 $ 12 MONTHS 11,99 $ 1 MONTH Our opinion: The best overall VPN for reliability and security Speed Security Features Ease of use Customer support Value for money SEE MORE 1 3000 servers 105 covered countries 30 days money-back guarantee 8 simultaneous connections 9.1 /10 Visit site Our review Monthly price 6,67 $ 15 MONTHS 9,99 $ 6 MONTHS 12,95 $ 1 MONTH Our opinion: The fast and easy to use quality VPN Speed Security Features Ease of use Customer support Value for money SEE MORE 2 27000 servers 91 covered countries 30 days money-back guarantee Unlimited connections 9 /10 Visit site Our review Monthly price 2,19 $ 24+2 MONTHS 7,50 $ 6 MONTHS 11,99 $ 1 MONTH Our opinion: The best VPN at affordable rates Speed Security Features Ease of use Customer support Value for money SEE MORE 3 1. NordVPN — Best Overall VPN for PUBG Mobile NordVPN easily claims the top spot for PUBG Mobile in 2025, combining speed, security, and server reach in a way few others can. It's especially well-suited for mobile gamers thanks to its lightweight apps, low-latency servers near PUBG's key data centers, and standout privacy features like Meshnet, which is ideal for creating virtual LANs with your squad. It's also the best VPN for gaming more generally. Speed and Latency Performance: NordVPN's proprietary NordLynx protocol consistently delivered fast, stable connections during testing. On average, latency to Singapore hovered around 45–55 ms from India, and Frankfurt clocked in at just under 40 ms from the UK. What stood out was its stability, with no ping spikes, even on congested Wi-Fi. Server Locations and PUBG Compatibility: With over 7,700 servers in 118 countries, NordVPN's network ensures you're never far from a PUBG-friendly location. We had flawless runs on Singapore, Tokyo, Mumbai, and Frankfurt servers, all key regions for competitive lobbies. The mobile app automatically choose the lowest-latency option, but manual selection was fast and intuitive too. Unblocking and Ban Prevention: While many VPNs get flagged by Tencent's anti-cheat systems, NordVPN stayed under the radar in our tests. No errors, no disconnects, and most importantly, no account warnings. Its DNS leak protection and kill switch features ensured our IP remained hidden even during sudden drops. Gaming-Ready Features: NordVPN's Meshnet is a standout for private multiplayer. It allows you to link devices securely, functioning like a modern, secure LAN, which is perfect for organizing private matches without third-party tools. Split tunneling is also supported on Android, letting you route PUBG traffic through the VPN while leaving other apps untouched. Beyond its features, we truly appreciate the simplicity of its app, which earned it a spot in our roundup of the best mobile VPNs. Pricing and Value: NordVPN starts at $3/month with a two-year plan and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. It's not the cheapest on the list, but for serious mobile gamers, it offers unmatched consistency, especially in regions with throttled or restricted access. Try NordVPN Now Pros Fast and reliable speeds (and ping) Works with all major PUBG versions Meshnet for secure LAN-style play Reliable kill switch and leak protection Servers in 118 countries Strong privacy Cons Price fluctuations 2. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Ping Stability If consistency is your key to clutch wins, ExpressVPN is the VPN you want running in the background. Known for its ultra-stable performance and low-latency routing, ExpressVPN offers PUBG Mobile players the kind of predictable network environment that matters when milliseconds separate a headshot from a lost firefight. Performance in PUBG Mobile Matches: During our testing sessions, ExpressVPN maintained rock-solid latency across long-haul and short-haul routes. Connecting from the Middle East to Europe (London servers), we averaged around 48–65 ms, which is ideal for fast-paced gunplay. More importantly, the VPN's stability shined in extended sessions: no ping spikes, no packet loss, and no connection drops, even on mobile data. Server Reach and Regional Access: With over 3,000 servers across 105 countries, ExpressVPN has one of the most evenly distributed server networks in the industry. It's particularly strong in Asia and Europe, giving you great access to both KRJP and global lobbies. During our tests, Tokyo, Singapore, and Frankfurt servers provided consistently low ping and stable throughput. Mobile Optimization and Device Support: ExpressVPN's app is lightweight and performs smoothly even on budget Android phones, which is an underrated advantage for PUBG Mobile players who aren't using flagship hardware. It also supports router-level installation, which is perfect if you're gaming on an emulator or want to protect multiple devices on one network. Security Features: ExpressVPN uses its proprietary Lightway protocol, built for speed and stability, which is exactly what mobile gamers need. The service also includes military-grade encryption, private DNS, and an automatic kill switch, ensuring you're protected from both ISP snooping and in-game IP exposure. Its British Virgin Islands base means it operates outside surveillance alliances and is backed by an independently audited no-logs policy, so even if you're gaming in a restricted region, your traffic stays private. Pricing and Value: At $5/month with a 2-year plan, ExpressVPN is one of the more premium options (you can find more details in our ExpressVPN pricing analysis). That said, for PUBG Mobile players who prioritize ultra-reliable connectivity and low latency across multiple regions, its performance justifies the price. A 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test it out risk-free. If you're still unsure about which one to choose, feel free to read our honest comparison between NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Try ExpressVPN Now Pros Excellent server stability across all regions Low latency even on long-distance routes Lightway protocol is built for mobile speed Easy-to-use apps Reliable kill switch and privacy policies Cons Pricier than most competitors Only 8 connections per account 3. Private Internet Access — Best Budget VPN for PUBG Mobile If you want the perks of a premium VPN without emptying your wallet, Private Internet Access punches way above its price tag. It's not flashy but for PUBG Mobile players grinding ranks or hopping lobbies from region to region, PIA VPN gets the job done with speed, stability, and surprisingly advanced customization. Gaming Performance & Server Control: We tested PIA on mid-tier Android and iOS devices across multiple PUBG Mobile sessions, from casual matches to intense ranked play. We got impressively stable pings in the 55–80 ms range when connected to European and Southeast Asian servers. While it's a tad higher than NordVPN in raw latency, it's consistent enough. It also lets you choose between WireGuard and OpenVPN, and even customize your encryption settings, which is a rare feature at this price point. Server Network & Regional Access: With over 30,000 servers in 91 countries, Private Internet Access has one of the densest VPN networks around. That's great news for PUBG Mobile players looking to switch between KRJP, SEA, and Global regions, where you're more likely to find a lightly loaded server near your ideal match location. During testing, UK and Singapore servers consistently delivered smooth gameplay. Compatibility & Setup for Gamers: PIA supports nearly every platform, and its Android app is lightweight enough to run without killing your device's battery or triggering thermal throttling, which is something we noticed in budget phones. You can also set it up on a router or share a VPN connection through a PC, which works well if you're gaming on an emulator or console. Security & Privacy: Security-wise, Private Internet Access brings more to the table than you'd expect from a 'budget' VPN. It offers a kill switch, ad and tracker blocker (MACE), and lets you opt out of any logging, so none of your match data or browsing history is ever stored. The company is also US-based, which isn't ideal for privacy on paper, but PIA's independently verified no-logs policy holds up under scrutiny. Pricing and Value: Private Internet Access starts at just $2/month on a 2-year plan with two months free, which makes it one of the cheapest long-term VPNs for PUBG Mobile from a trustworthy provider. You'll get unlimited device connections, full protocol support, and solid speeds at a price that's hard to beat. And if it's not a fit? There's a 30-day money-back guarantee with no questions asked. Try Private Internet Access Now Pros Incredibly affordable long-term pricing Protocol and encryption customization Unlimited simultaneous connections Lightweight app ideal for mobile play Cons Higher latency than top-tier options No dedicated gaming servers 4. Proton VPN — Best Free VPN for PUBG Mobile Most free VPNs for PUBG Mobile are more trouble than they're worth. They throttle speeds, leak IPs, and love to pester you with ads. But Proton VPN is the rare exception. If you're a PUBG Mobile player looking for a safe, reliable, and actually usable free VPN for gaming, this is as good as it gets. Free Tier That's Actually Playable: Proton VPN's free plan is the only one we tested that didn't feel like a bait-and-switch. You get unlimited data, which is a massive win for mobile gamers who play daily. While most freebies stop at a few hundred MB, Proton VPN keeps the connection open, so you're not stuck spectating when you should be scoring that chicken dinner. Limited Server Support: The free servers are limited to Romania, Poland, Japan, the Netherlands, and the US. So if you're trying to access PUBG's KRJP or SEA servers, your options are limited, and latency will vary depending on where you're playing from. In our hands-on tests, the Netherlands server delivered the best balance between speed and consistency, averaging around 95–110 ms ping. Security That's No Joke: Proton VPN is built by the same team behind ProtonMail, and they've brought that same hardcore privacy ethic here. The free version includes AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and full DNS leak protection, none of which are watered down. For those who want more advanced features like server switching, torrent support, and more regions, there's the paid tier. Compatibility and Setup: Proton VPN has dedicated apps for Android, iOS, and Windows, all of which are lightweight and polished. On mobile, the app integrates well with background connections, keeping your ping consistent while the app runs quietly. Just don't expect blazing speed or regional flexibility. It's not a substitute for something like NordVPN, but for a zero-cost safety net while gaming? Proton VPN deserves its spot on this list. Try ProtonVPN Now Pros Totally free with unlimited data Rock-solid security and privacy Easy-to-use apps for mobile gamers Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland Cons Only 5 countries available on free tier Ping is higher than paid alternatives Not ideal for competitive players How We Tested the Best VPNs for PUBG Mobile Choosing the right VPN for PUBG Mobile isn't about who shouts 'fastest' the loudest. It's about real-world performance, under real gaming pressure. We didn't just run a few speed tests and call it a day. We loaded up backpacks, dropped into Erangel, and ran each VPN for PUBG through multiple full-day sessions, from casual matches to sweaty ranked climbs, across varied devices and networks. Here's how we put them through the wringer: Testing Conditions: Real Games, Real Lag, Real Rage All tests were performed on both Android (Samsung Galaxy S23) and iOS (iPhone 14 Pro) devices over 5G and high-speed fiber connections. We tested from three regions: the US, India, and Singapore. We used global and regional PUBG Mobile versions (including KRJP and the international edition) to simulate cross-server challenges. We logged ping levels before and after connecting to each reliable VPN for PUBG Mobile, and tracked key gameplay metrics like: Connection stability during firefights Ping consistency across multiple rounds Speed of server matchmaking Voice chat quality Login success rates on region-locked accounts Server Selection & Optimization We focused on how easy it was to connect to servers near PUBG's regional data centers, mainly in Singapore, Frankfurt, Mumbai, and California. VPNs with smart server recommendations, fast UI responsiveness, or optimized gaming servers got extra points. A few VPNs gave us the freedom to switch between protocols (like WireGuard, OpenVPN, or NordLynx), and we tested each of these to see which offered the lowest ping per region. Privacy & Ban Avoidance Some players use VPNs in regions where PUBG Mobile is restricted, and a poor VPN can get you flagged fast. We closely watched for IP leaks, DNS exposure, and VPN detection by Tencent's anti-cheat systems. Any VPN that triggered a warning or disrupted gameplay was immediately disqualified from our top picks. We also monitored packet loss, VPN disconnections, and how each service handled sudden network drops, which is a critical detail when you're mid-match and relying on VPN stability. Mobile UX & Battery Drain We didn't forget the mobile angle. The best VPN for PUBG Mobile needs to be lightweight and efficient, so we tracked battery usage, app responsiveness, and background data consumption. Some VPNs were shockingly bloated, draining up to 10% battery per match. Others blended so seamlessly into the OS that we barely noticed they were running. VPNs with dedicated Android or iOS widgets, easy kill switch toggles, and in-app latency indicators were especially gamer-friendly — and we took note of every one. In short, we took each VPN into the trenches, swapping servers mid-match, dodging lag in Pochinki, and pushing for chicken dinners under real-world pressure. From connection drops to kill switch failures to mobile battery meltdowns, we saw it all. The top VPNs for PUBG Mobile that made our list talked a big game and backed it up. All of them rank highly in our list of the best VPNs for Android — and feature prominently in our roundup of the top VPNs for iPhones. Final Words When it comes to PUBG Mobile, not just any VPN will cut it. You need something fast, stable, secure, and most importantly, something that doesn't get you booted mid-match. After testing the top contenders under real mobile gaming conditions, NordVPN emerged as the MVP. Its blend of ultra-low latency, vast server options near key PUBG regions, and purpose-built features like Meshnet and NordLynx make it the best VPN for dominating in the drop zone. Whether you're trying to bypass throttling, protect against DDoS attacks, or just want to unlock new lobbies without worrying about bans, NordVPN is the all-in-one toolkit your mobile loadout was missing. Try NordVPN for yourself
The Verge
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
It's currently in first place in the free games category for both iPhone and iPad,
Fortnite is already topping App Store charts. less than a day after returning to the App Store. No surprise after an almost five-year absence.
The Verge
16-05-2025
- The Verge
Call of Duty: Warzone is winding down on mobile
Activision is starting to wind down Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile just over a year after its global launch. The game 'has not met our expectations with mobile-first players like it has with PC and console audiences,' according to a post on X. The company will be pulling the game from the App Store and Google Play after Sunday, May 18th. Players who have installed the game before Monday, May 19th will 'still have access to the game with continued cross-progression of shared inventories using existing content, and servers with matchmaking for online play,' Activision says. However, there will be no new seasonal content or gameplay updates, social features across platforms will not be available, and you won't be able to buy content with real-world currency, Activision says on a support page. Activision will not be offering refunds for previously-purchased content or for unspent COD Points. Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile launched worldwide on March 21st, 2024, and it shared progression with Call of Duty: Warzone on console and PC. But it apparently wasn't as successful as Activision and Microsoft, which became a huge force in mobile gaming as a result of the acquisition, would have liked.
Android Authority
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
Archero guide: Best heroes, abilities, talents, tier lists, and more!
Archero is a deceptively simple game, but pushing into new chapters can be very difficult without the right knowledge. To help you progress we've put together this Archero guide, covering everything from basic gameplay to hero and ability tier lists for beginners and veterans alike. Without further ado, here's everything you need to know about Archero gameplay, heroes, abilities, talents, and more! Note that many of these tips are still worthwhile in Archero 2. That game only has a few minor changes, so I wouldn't blame anyone who wants to stick to the original! How to dodge enemy attacks The very first thing you'll need to master in Archero is dodging enemy attacks. Dealing more damage can help you finish levels more quickly, but if you run out of health it's game over! The trick here is to keep your eyes on your hero. You might be tempted to look around the screen or follow specific attacks, but this is a mistake. If you are focusing on a single bullet, the odds of getting hit by another are much higher than if you watch your own character, especially as things get more hectic in later levels. Keep your movements as short as possible. When you do move, try to keep your movements as tight as possible. A short swipe is often all it takes. If you hold on and run all the way across the screen, you're more likely to run into multiple bullets and quickly deplete your HP. Obviously, as you play you will also learn the attack patterns of enemies, which makes dodging much easier. Also, certain types of Archero equipment and abilities can boost the stat called dodge (causing attacks that hit you to occasionally miss), but you should never rely on this. Learning how to move your character effectively will pay huge dividends later on. Archero devil: How to summon and when to skip The Archero devil is the only way to access certain powerful abilities (including duplicate Multishots, Through The Wall, and Extra Life), although they will come at a significant cost to your maximum HP (20%). But before we get into that, you should first know how to summon him. To guarantee an appearance from the Archero devil after a boss fight, you have to beat the boss without getting hit by any attacks. He may still appear if you do get hit, but most of the time, it will spawn the spinning wheel instead. Once he does appear, you need to decide whether or not it's worth it to sacrifice a percentage of your max HP for a single ability. If your max HP is already low, you may open yourself up to a quick death from hard-hitting opponents. For fairly run-of-the-mill abilities you may want to pass. You can guarantee a devil appearance by defeating the boss without getting hit. We have a full Archero ability tier list later in this guide, but as a general rule, you should always take Extra Life and try to take Through The Wall and Water Walking where possible. These last two not only make it much easier to dodge attacks, but they also boost damage by 15%. It's worth mentioning that there are situations where you don't want to summon the Archero devil. If you don't want to sacrifice max HP or are trying to farm up gems, take a hit just before finishing the boss to reduce its chance of spawning. Angels: Abilities or health? Unlike the Archero devil, angels offer two good choices every time you meet them. One is a minor ability or max HP boost, and the other is raw healing. Although the abilities on offer aren't very powerful, always try to grab them when you arrive at an angel. They add up in the long run, and you can always pick up more healing red hearts in later stages. The major exception is when you are very low on health. If you think you might die in the next room, healing is a better choice. That said, if you've managed to collect an Extra Life ability your health will be fully restored anyway. Archero talent guide Archero talents are by far one of the most critical elements of progressing in the game. Not only can they provide stat bonuses you can't get anywhere else like enhanced equipment bonuses and healing upon level up, but they also persist across every Archero hero and run. You can't choose which talents to unlock, but they do unlock in a particular order. Your first upgrade will unlock Glory, which is easily the best talent in the game. It provides a single ability at the start of each run, which can be game-changing for boss-heavy areas like Chapter 7. Unlike other talents, it maxes out at level one. Coins spent on talents are always well spent. Other Archero talents max out at level 10, and are unlocked in a specific order. The exact order doesn't really matter, but you should try to upgrade a total of 22 times as soon as possible, as this unlocks the final talent: Time Reward. This will build up coins and scrolls over time, even when you're not playing the game! As a general rule, though, upgrading Archero talents is never a bad idea. Consider them coins well invested in your progression. Archero hero mode: Is it worth it? Hero mode is a harder game mode that unlocks early in the game. In it, each stage is filled with more obstacles and spikes, and some enemies are significantly stronger. Despite this, the rewards are exactly the same as normal mode. If you're just looking to farm coins and gems, there is no reason to run hero mode over normal mode. That said, hero mode does have its own clear rewards, so once you're strong enough, you should still try to clear each chapter once to collect them. Just don't make it a priority. Archero gem spending guide Gems are the most precious resource in Archero, so you should be careful about spending them. Before you start shelling out for temporary deals on equipment and scrolls, you should know that there are many better things to save up for. The best things to buy with gems are heroes. Two of the three Archero heroes that you can purchase with gems are top tier (Helix and Meowgik), but they cost 1500 and 1800 gems, respectively. It can take several weeks to farm up enough gems for just one of these heroes, but it's more than worth it. Next up, you should pick up extra hatchery slots. This will greatly speed up how quickly you can hatch eggs and increase the strength of your monsters. Once you've picked up these two heroes and upgraded your hatchery, the best uses of gems are extra attempts of Ancient Maze if you're farming or equipment chests. Saving up for the Obsidian Chest x10 is obviously the best value, but it can be difficult to save 2600 gems. Another option is opening individual Obsidian Chests, which provide a discount on subsequent opens. This means that by saving a more reasonable 840 gems you can open three Obsidian Chests in a row. Best Archero hero Any Archero guide wouldn't be complete without talking about heroes. Next to your weapon, the Archero hero that you pick will have the biggest impact on your gameplay. This also means that like weapons, the best Archero hero for you will depend largely on your preferences. It's also worth noting that you should try to upgrade all heroes to level 20, even if you don't intend on using them. Still, some heroes have more potential than others. We've dropped a full Archero hero tier list below (listed in order of strength), but you'll be relieved to know that some of the best Archero heroes can be unlocked without spending any real-world money. It's also worth noting that while a lot of this is subjective, everyone in the community agrees that Atreus is the worst of the lot, so pick up a new hero as soon as you can! Pros Cons Meowgik Pros -Passive attacks can pass through walls -High base stats and growth values -Can be unlocked for free Cons -Takes time to save up 1800 gems Shingen Pros -Very high base stats and growth rate -Unique and useful abilities Cons -Costs (a lot of) real money Sylvan Pros -Very high base stats -Best growth values in the game -Elemental attacks increase base damage Cons -Costs (a lot of) real money Melinda Pros -Highest base stats and growth rate in the game -Excellent ability Cons -Costs (a lot of) real money Helix Pros -Rage ability is always useful -High base HP -Fairly easy to unlock Cons -Takes time to save up 1500 gems Phoren Pros -Flame effect boosts damage -Unlockable with only coins Cons -Low base stats -Spending coins delays other upgrades Ophelia Pros -High base stats and growth rate -Ability increases strength passively Cons -Costs real money -Unreliable ability Iris Pros -Very high HP stat -Useful ability -Unlockable with shards Cons -Middling attack -Shards hard to collect Rolla Pros -High base attack -Growth values and bonuses favor attack Cons -Costs real money -Freeze can throw off attack patterns Shade Pros -High base stats and growth rate -Interesting ability Cons -Costs real money Taranis Pros -Solid base stats and growth rate -Lightning effect boosts damage Cons -Easily the worst hero that costs gems Bonnie Pros -High base stats and growth values Cons -Costs real money -Skill not useful against bosses Ryan Pros -Built-in Extra Life -High HP -Unlockable with shards Cons -Low attack -Hard to collect shards Shari Pros -Unique ability -Unlockable for free with shards Cons -Low base stats -Hard to collect shards Onir Pros -High base stats and growth values Cons -Holy effect is situational at best -Costs money -Easily the worst pay-to-play hero Urasil Pros -Unlocked for free in chapter 2 Cons -Low base stats and growth values Atreus Pros -Starting hero Cons -Low base stats and growth values -No ability Best Archero abilities/skills The final thing we'll touch on in this basic Archero guide is abilities (or skills). Which abilities you pick up in any given run can have a major effect on your chances of success. A few lucky options early in a run can set you up for an easy downhill ride to the end of the chapter. While there are good and bad Archero abilities, ideal choices will depend on your weapon. Tornado, for example, already has a built-in pierce and bouncy wall effect, so adding those skills again will actually reduce overall damage. Here is a simple Archero ability tier list, focusing just on the abilities that are worth picking up. Others excluded from the list, like Spirit Attack boosts, Meteors, Sword abilities, and Smart, are generally not worth prioritizing in any situation. Again though, personal preferences play a big role, so focus on what you enjoy using. Tier Ability Effect Notes Tier SSS Ability Multishot Effect -Adds an extra attack -Reduces damage by 10% -Reduces attack speed by 15% Notes -Top tier -Duplicates can be obtained from the devil Tier SSS Ability Extra Life Effect -Revives hero at 100% HP upon death Notes -Only obtained from devil -Always pick this up Tier SSS Ability Rage Effect -Increases damage by a percentage of missing health Notes -Always pick this up -Helix starts with this ability Tier SS Ability Front Arrow Effect -Adds an extra arrow shooting forward -Reduces base damage by 25% Notes -Excellent choice for most weapons -Do not pick up with stalker staff Tier SS Ability Wingman Effect -Pets block incoming projectiles Notes -Best defensive ability -All pets have the same hitbox Tier SS Ability Invincibility Star Effect -Become invincible for two seconds every 10 seconds Notes -Great defensive option in all chapters Tier SS Ability Slow Projectile Effect -Slows down enemy projectices Notes -Great defensive option Tier SS Ability Ricochet Effect -Projectiles bounce to up to three enemies -Damage reduced by 30% per bounce Notes -Great for clearing hordes of enemies -Pick this up early to speed up any run Tier S Ability Dwarf Effect -Increase crit rate by 10% -Decrease character size Notes -Makes it easier to dodge enemy attacks Tier S Ability Pierce Effect -Projectiles pass through enemies -Damage reduced by 33% per enemy Notes -Slightly worse than ricochet, but still good -Do not pick up with tornado, as it reduces damage Tier S Ability Bouncy Wall Effect -Projectiles bounce off of walls -Damage reduced by 50% per bounce Notes -Great for chapters with many obstacles -Do not pick up with tornado, as it reduces damage Tier S Ability Diagonal Arrows Effect -Fires two additional arrows diagonally Notes -Very strong, especially with stalker staff -Synergizes well with bouncy wall Tier S Ability Attack Boost, Attack Speed Boost, and HP Boost Effect -Increases damage by 30%, attack speed by 25%, or max HP by 20% -Damage and attack speed are additive bonuses Notes -Attack speed boost is generally the best choice -First pick up of attack boost and attack speed boost offer the biggest increase Tier S Ability Crit Master Effect -Crit chance increased by 10% -Crit damage increased by 40% Notes -Synergizes well with brave bow -Gets stronger the more you pick up Tier S Ability Dodge Master and Agility Effect -Increases dodge by 20% (Dodge Master) -Increases dodge by 0.3% per 1% missing health (Agility) Notes -Good passive defensive options -Synergizes well with dodge equipment Tier A Ability Rear Arrows and Side Arrows Effect -Shoots one arrow backwards (rear arrows) -Shoots one arrow to each side (side arrows) Notes -Synergizes well with bouncy wall -Great choice with stalker staff Tier A Ability Elemental abilities Effect -Adds elemental effect to your arrows -Currently five different types Notes -Synergize well with ricochet or piercing shot -Freeze element is the least useful Tier A Ability Headshot Effect -12.5% chance to kill mobs instantly -Triggered by ricochet, pierce, and even pet attacks Notes -Good choice for chapters with many enemies -Unreliable Tier A Ability Shield Guard Effect -Two shields rotate around you, blocking projectiles Notes -One of the weaker defensive options, but still useful Tier A Ability Strike abilities Effect -Summons a sword dealing 150% damage and applying an elemental effect Notes -Freeze is the worst option Tier A Ability Crit Aura and Speed Aura Effect -Greatly increases crit chance or attack speed for two seconds every eight seconds Notes -Synergize well with each other -Generally worse than flat bonuses Tier B Ability Bloodthirst Effect -Restores 1.5% of max HP per kill Notes -More reliable than strong heart ability Tier B Ability Plus abilities Effect -Increases attack, attack speed, max HP, or crit when a room is cleared without getting hit -Does not work on angel rooms Notes -Higher max bonus than flat bonuses, but unreliable -Not good for short chapters Tier B Ability Water Walker and Through the Wall Effect -Allows you to walk through walls or over water -Through the Wall also allows you to walk over spikes -Increases damage by 15% Notes -Only available from devil -Makes it easier to dodge attacks -Some weapons can fire while inside walls Tier B Ability Holy Touch Effect -Attacks that connect send two projectiles perpendicularly dealing 60% damage Notes -Decent for hordes of enemies -New projectiles can look like enemy attacks
