How to Unlock Elden Ring Nightreign’s The Forsaken Hollows DLC Elden Ring Nightreign: The Forsaken Hollows launches December 4 across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, bringing players back into FromSoftware’s ever twisting world of cryptic lore, brutal bosses, and hidden secrets. As fans have come to expect, gaining access to the DLC won’t be as simple as pressing “Start.” According to a new update from Bandai Namco’s marketing team, The Forsaken Hollows requires several specific in game steps before players can experience its new content. Below is a full breakdown of every requirement you’ll need to complete before entering the Forsaken Hollows and what you can expect once you’re inside. How to Access The Forsaken Hollows DLC You Must Defeat Certain Bosses Before Entering the New Areas The DLC introduces a substantial amount of new content, including: Two new Nightfarers: The Scholar and The Undertaker Two bosses: The Dreglord and Balancers A Shifting Earth event: The Great Hollows Each of these features has its own unlock conditions, and none will be available until every prerequisite has been met. DLC Unlock Requirements 1.DLC Feature 2.Description 3.How to Unlock Nightfarers Scholar & Undertaker 1. Defeat Tricephalos 2. Speak to Iron Menial at Roundtable Hold 3. Obtain message from the Small Jar Merchant Bosses Dreglord & Balancers 1. Defeat Tricephalos and one additional base game boss 2. Unlock both new Nightfarers 3. Enter the chapel behind the Small Jar Merchant 4. Participate in The Great Hollows Shifting Earth event Shifting Earth Event The Great Hollows Unlock the chapel behind the Small Jar Merchant All players within the same party must own and download The Forsaken Hollows to participate in its content. Defeating Tricephalos is the single most important requirement, as it gates nearly every part of the DLC. It’s currently unclear whether further steps are needed to fully unlock the two new Nightfarers after receiving the Small Jar Merchant’s message mirroring the layered requirements of Nightfarers in the base game. Additionally, Bandai Namco’s post didn’t mention the Dreglord directly, despite the boss already appearing in YouTube previews. For now, it’s assumed the Dreglord becomes available after defeating Balancers, though this may change as new information arrives. DLC Release Times When Does The Forsaken Hollows Go Live? Elden Ring Nightreign: The Forsaken Hollows launches on a rolling schedule beginning December 3. PC players will get in first, with console users gaining access several hours later. Global Release Schedule Time Zone PST December 3 at 3:00 PM PC December 3 at 9:00 PM Console CST December 3 at 5:00 PM PC December 3 at 11:00 PM Console EST December 3 at 6:00 PM PC December 4 at 12:00 AM Console Automatic downloads on Steam begin at 0:00 UTC on December 4, 2025, and the required Update File 1.03 will go live on December 3.

The Best Cards from Japan’s Burst Protocol A Deep Dive Burst Protocol has landed in Japan, and it’s packed with powerful upgrades for several fan favorite themes along with some standout generic cards that may shape future deckbuilding trends. Today we’re taking a guided tour through the set, beginning with the headliner archetypes and working our way down to the flexible tech options that Burst Protocol brings to the table. Let’s see if this core set really has “burst” things wide open. Borrelrokket Dragons Varis Strikes Again Varis’s Yu Gi Oh! VRAINS strategy returns to the spotlight with some impressive new toys, enhancing existing “Borrel” and “Rokket” plays while expanding their utility. Borrelshroud Dragon Link 5 3+ Effect Monsters Borrelshroud Dragon is the theme’s second Link 5, and while it’s less overpowering than Borrelend Dragon, it provides valuable utility. Its Quick Effect negates an opponent’s card and then destroys one of your own Rokkets turning your monsters into ignition points for the Rokket floating effects your opponent can’t respond to. It also can't be tributed by your opponent, protecting it from Kaiju like outs something Borrelend notably lacks. Borrelshroud’s Battle Phase ability lets you Special Summon any Link 4 or lower Borrel from the Extra Deck, enabling surprise pushes with Borreload or explosive OTK setups with Borrelsword. Its Link Arrows are also ideal for Extra Link setups or co link networks if you want to go full anime with your Borrels. Topologic Blaster Dragon Link 4 2+ Effect Monsters A new Topologic enters the fray, and it’s every bit as disruptive as the others. While in the Extra Monster Zone, if a monster is Special Summoned to a linked zone, Blaster unleashes one of three devastating effects each usable once per turn: Shuffle all other monsters into the Deck. Shuffle all Spells/Traps into the Deck. Look at your opponent’s Extra Deck and banish a card. All three are incredibly threatening, and the last provides both information and targeted disruption that many decks simply cannot afford to lose. Rokket Loader A standout among the new Rokkets, Rokket Loader searches any Level 7 DARK Dragon on summon opening access to Absorouter, Noctovision, Phantazmay, and assorted Red Eyes monsters. Though it restricts you to DARK Extra Deck monsters for the turn, that rarely inconveniences Dragon Link style lines. It also turns a monster DARK from the GY, setting up Super Polymerization for Starving Venom or the new Fatal Flare Dragon. Medius in Stasis A Quiet but Curious Upgrade The Medius lore cards aren’t overwhelming, but a couple of key pieces could age into powerful combo enablers. Theorealize Liberation A Spell that, while requiring Medius the Pure on board, offers extremely strong search/summon access to any 300 ATK/200 DEF monster presenting massive potential in future Power Patron support. From the GY it turns any of your monsters into a Tuner, smoothing awkward Synchro lines and bypassing restrictions on cards like Elvennotes Power Patron or Junora. Artmage Non Finito A flexible Fusion that can be Summoned traditionally or by tributing a Level 7+ Artmage and discarding any Spell/Trap. On summon it Sets any Artmage Spell/Trap directly from the Deck. More importantly, Non Finito provides a once per opponent’s turn Fusion Summon, giving Artmages additional reactive plays and faster access to Nerva, the Power Patron of Creation. Darklords Continued Descent Into Support Heaven Darklords gain consistency, recursion, and stronger ties to Forbidden Quick Play Spells. Darklord Djehuty Perhaps their most reliable starter yet. On Normal/Special Summon it Special Summons any Darklord from the Deck perfect for making Condemned Darklord, which then searches more pieces. If you control a DARK Fairy Fusion, Djehuty also recycles a Darklord card or Forbidden Spell from the GY. This enhances grind potential, toolboxing, and Forbidden Spell synergy all at once. Forbidden Crown A standout generic Spell from the entire set. Place this on any monster yours or your opponent’s and apply a long list of powerful temporary rules: negate effects, stop attacks, grant battle/effect immunity, prevent tributing, block material use, and more. Importantly, neither player can respond to Crown’s activation. It’s one of the most flexible answers since the classic Forbidden Chalice/Lance era. Albaz & Ecclesia New Forms, New Fusion Lines These cards tie into the foil Chronicles Deck, offering alternative openers and graveyard tools. Fallen of the White Dragon Treated as Fallen of Albaz and capped at three combined copies. It Special Summons itself by sending an Albaz mentioning monster from the Extra Deck fueling graveyard effects of Albaz Fusions at the cost of locking you into Level 8 Fusions/Synchros for the rest of the turn. On summon, it brings out an Ecclesia monster from anywhere, accelerating Fusion setups. Ecclesia of the Black Dragon A Level 7 Synchro that banishes herself as a Quick Effect to summon Albaz or any Level 4 or lower monster that mentions him. This dodges interaction and creates fast access to additional Albaz lines. From the GY, she recycles a Level 8 Fusion and returns any card on the field to the Deck excellent removal and resource recovery. Exosisters Tactical Tools of Divine Timing Both new cards are highly impactful for an archetype that thrives on meta positioning. Exosister Karmael A Rank 4 that, when Xyz Summoned, Sets any Exosister Spell/Trap from Deck, GY, or banished. It also rewrites an opponent’s activated monster or Normal Spell/Trap effect into “add 1 card from your opponent’s GY to their hand.” This pseudo negation can neutralize threats like Nibiru or handtraps while restoring your advantage. Exosister Bat Meter On activation it searches two Exosister monsters and then discards a card dramatically improving consistency. It also allows an immediate Normal Summon of an Exosister mentioned on one of your monsters, creating easy Xyz setups. Once per turn, if your opponent sends a monster to the GY, they must banish one of them clean graveyard control. Rescue ACE Firefighters With Fresh Fuel These two aren’t as explosive as the Exosisters’ upgrades, but still provide meaningful boosts. Rescue ACE Quick Attacker A simple but extremely effective starter: shuffle another Rescue ACE card back to Special Summon it, then tribute it to search any Rescue ACE and potentially Special Summon that monster if you’re facing an empty field on your side. This smooths Rescue ACE lines and loads the GY for Turbulence. Rescue ACE Arbitrator A Link Monster that searches Rescue ACE Hydrant or HQ on summon and pops an opponent’s card each time you activate a Rescue ACE Quick Play or Normal Trap up to twice per turn. In combination with Turbulence’s mass setting, Arbitrator becomes a repeatable removal engine. D/D/D A New Tool for Dimensional Chaos D/D/D Sage King Alfred A Level 6 Fusion that lets you Fusion Summon any D/D/D Fusion by returning its materials from hand, field, or banished which includes Alfred himself. This gives the deck unprecedented recycling power, especially with Arc Crisis lines that banish resources. If banished, Alfred places Dark Contracts from GY/banished back onto the field up to the number of D/D/D monsters you control excellent for regaining long game engines. Generic All Stars of Burst Protocol These cards may see broad experimentation across many decks. Dark Staring at the Blue Sky A gigantic Reptile that self revives from the GY when your opponent Special Summons from Deck/Extra Deck via a monster effect. Once on board, it functions as a Quick Effect monster summon negater by banishing a card from your hand/field. If banished, it later recycles another of your banished monsters useful for resource loops. First Penguin A charming but potent extender. If you control no face up monsters, it Special Summons itself as a Tuner. By discarding a card and revealing a WATER Synchro, it searches a WATER monster of the same Type with one Level lower and flips itself face down. This is incredibly strong for decks like Merlantean, Sharks, Crystrons, Penguins, or any WATER strategy running even a single Synchro. Zaren the Chainbound Dragon A powerful Level 7 Synchro that can act as either a Tuner or non-Tuner. If a card/effect is activated in response to another, Zaren may negate either the initial card or the responsive one whichever helps you more. This protects your plays and destabilizes your opponent’s attempt to chain block or counter your actions.

Phantom Monarchs and Merlin Re:Collection Set to Expand the Grand Archive TCG Universe This December Grand Archive TCG fans have plenty to look forward to as December 5, 2025 marks the simultaneous launch of two major releases: the highly anticipated Phantom Monarchs expansion set and the comprehensive Merlin Re:Collection Brilliant Vestige bundle. Together, these products promise new strategies, enhanced collectability, and exciting reintroductions to the game’s evolving world. Phantom Monarchs: A New Chapter in the Grand Archive Saga The Phantom Monarchs expansion arrives with an impressive 199 unique cards, bolstering archetypes first unveiled in Distorted Reflections and offering fresh support across all classes. Designed to open doors for a wide array of play styles, this set aims to enrich both competitive depth and deck building creativity. Collectors will find even more to love. Phantom Monarchs introduces: Full art Ultra Rares Over 200 foil variants Alternate art versions of iconic Advance Element cards Among the standout collector pieces is Phantom Monarch: Looking Glass Sights, a textless card variant rendered in a striking stained glass art style. This exclusive card is available only in Phantom Monarchs 1st Edition, adding an extra layer of prestige for dedicated fans and collectors. Merlin Re:Collection Brilliant Vestige: A New Way to Begin Launching alongside Phantom Monarchs is Merlin Re:Collection, Brilliant Vestige, a curated product reintroducing Merlin as the game’s first Crux Assassin. Designed as both an entry point for newcomers and a powerful tool for seasoned players, this collection is positioned to influence current meta strategies in meaningful ways. What’s Inside Merlin Re:Collection Players will find everything they need to jump into the action: A pre constructed 60 card main deck A 12 card material deck 100 matching Dragon Shield art sleeves Additional cards that complete all playsets for the included deck A chance to pull a random non champion Collector Super Rare card 1 damage counter Art dividers Two 10 sided crystal shaped dice Three Phantom Monarchs 1st Edition booster packs

The Best Avatar: The Last Airbender Commanders in Magic: The Gathering Avatar: The Last Airbender has brought a wave of flavorful new legends to Magic: The Gathering, each offering exciting strategies and bending themed mechanics. Whether you prefer aggressive board states, spell slinging value engines, or intricate build around effects, there’s a Commander here for every type of player. Before digging into the top ten, here are a few honorable mentions and their going market prices: Fire Lord Zuko $0.66 Aang, at the Crossroads $0.56 Appa, Steadfast Guardian $14.45 With that out of the way, let’s dive into the standout Commanders that Avatar fans and EDH lovers alike should take a serious look at. #10 Ozai, the Phoenix King A six mana powerhouse, Ozai brings trample, haste, and firebending 4 to the table. His most unique trait converts any unspent mana you would lose into red mana instead. If you manage to bank six or more unspent mana, Ozai gains flying and indestructible. With the right support including other firebending cards or tools like Electro, Assaulting Battery piling up spare mana becomes trivial. Ozai is explosive, dramatic, and exactly as over the top as a Phoenix King should be. #9 Koh, the Face Stealer Koh is easily one of the most intricate designs in the set. When he enters, he can exile a creature, and he continues exiling nontoken creatures as they die. By paying one life, you choose an exiled card, and Koh adopts all of that card’s activated and triggered abilities. This creates a constantly shifting identity engine full of unusual interactions. While it requires careful tracking, the payoff is incredibly fun for players who enjoy toolbox style Commanders. #8 The Earth King For players who want to attack early and ramp hard, The Earth King fits perfectly. His arrival brings a 4/4 Bear token, and whenever creatures with power 4 or greater attack, you fetch that many basic lands directly onto the battlefield tapped. This setup fits neatly into green’s Landfall themes and enables huge mana advantages while applying constant pressure. #7 Iroh, Grand Lotus Uncle Iroh arrives in Temur colors as a dream for spellslinger decks. During your turn, he gives all non Lesson instants and sorceries in your graveyard flashback equal to their mana cost and Lessons get flashback for just a single mana. This is the first real Commander that rewards building around Lessons in a meaningful way, making Iroh as wise and surprising as he is on the show. #6 Bumi, Unleashed Bumi offers both raw power and earthbending synergy. When he enters, he earthbends 4, and every time he hits a player, you untap all your lands and get an extra combat where only land creatures may attack. This makes him a phenomenal option for players who want to push land based strategies without diving into Toph’s deeper complexity. With cards like Ashaya, Soul of the Wild, Bumi can turn your entire board into an army of lands. #5 Fire Lord Azula Unsurprisingly, Azula plays as aggressively and ruthlessly as you'd expect. She comes with firebending 2 and copies any spell you cast while she’s attacking even permanent spells, which become token copies. Whether you’re doubling combat tricks, removal, or creature spells, Azula provides overwhelming tempo and board control. She rapidly became a bestseller for a reason. #4 Katara, the Fearless A major boon to Ally tribal decks, Katara doubles the triggered abilities of all Allies you control. Combined with the new Avatar era Ally cards, the value snowballs quickly. Double lifegain, double counters, double ETB effects Katara pushes Ally strategies into overdrive and rewards players who want constant, rolling synergies. #3 Avatar Aang One of the set’s few true five color leaders, Avatar Aang draws cards whenever you use any of the four bending mechanics, and if you manage all four in one turn, he transforms. On his back side, Aang reduces the cost of your spells by one of each color, and flipping him back grants four life, four cards, four damage to each opponent, and four +1/+1 counters. He’s the perfect Commander for players who want to use as many bending cards as possible and a flavorful representation of mastering all four elements. #2 Wan Shi Tong, Librarian At first glance, Wan Shi Tong may seem like an odd choice for a Commander slot, but he’s an incredible mono blue option. He enters with X +1/+1 counters based on mana spent and lets you draw half that many cards. Additionally, anytime an opponent searches their library, he grows and lets you draw again. This creates a powerful control threat that punishes tutors, fetch lands, and ramp spells making him far better than he first appears. #1 Toph, the First Metalbender Taking the top spot is Toph, who brings one of the most inventive build arounds in the entire set. She turns all your nontoken artifacts into lands and lets you earthbend 2 at the end of each turn. Earthbending an artifact and lets you sacrifice it and return it to the battlefield tapped, enabling endless loops with ETB and LTB effects. Cards like Mindslaver, Aeon Engine, and The Stasis Coffin become repeatable value engines under her command. Toph’s versatility, explosiveness, and unique mechanical space make her the standout Commander of the Avatar collection.

Pokémon TCG Reveals New 2026 Expansion: Ascended Heroes The Pokémon Trading Card Game has officially unveiled fresh information about its upcoming 2026 expansion, Ascended Heroes, a continuation of the Mega Evolution era. Alongside new product previews, the set now has a confirmed release date and several early card reveals. A Follow Up to Phantasmal Flames Building on November’s Phantasmal Flames expansion, Ascended Heroes was detailed on the official Pokémon website and promises a substantial lineup of products. These include a Mega Dragonite themed Elite Trainer Box, a Booster Bundle, and a series of Mini Tins starring fan favorite Pokémon such as Pikachu, Togepi, and Clefairy. Confirmed Cards in Ascended Heroes Mega Gengar ex, Mega Charizard Y ex, and More A handful of the set’s standout cards have already been showcased. Mega Gengar ex and Mega Charizard Y ex appear poised to be among the primary chase cards, continuing their strong presence from both the original Mega Evolution era and its recent expansions. Their return may be unexpected but for many collectors, there’s no such thing as too many iconic Megas. The set also marks the return of Trainer’s Pokémon cards, with more than 30 new entries planned. So far, only N’s Vanilluxe has appeared on the English site, hinting that more reveals from the Japanese lineup are on the way. A new Entei card was also previewed. Release Dates and Set Information When Ascended Heroes Arrives Ascended Heroes is slated to include over 290 cards, featuring new Mega Evolution ex cards, an expanded lineup of Trainer’s Pokémon, and more than 30 special illustration Pokémon and Trainer cards. The main set releases on January 30, 2026. However, certain products have staggered launch dates: Elite Trainer Box and Mini Tins: February 20, 2026 Booster Bundle: April 24, 2026 More accessories and collectible items are expected to be announced as the release window approaches. Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box Details Mega Dragonite Headlines the ETB As with most new expansions, the Elite Trainer Box is a major highlight. This one features Mega Dragonite prominently on its cover and contains a wide selection of game and collector materials: 9 Ascended Heroes booster packs 1 full art foil promo card featuring N’s Zekrom 65 card sleeves 40 basic Energy cards A player’s guide to the expansion 6 damage counter dice 1 competition legal coin flip die 1 plastic coin 6 card dividers A Pokémon TCG Live code card Additional products confirmed so far include five different Mini Tins each containing two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a collectible art card as well as a Booster Bundle with six packs. With months to go before launch, more product announcements are expected, making Ascended Heroes one of the most anticipated releases of the upcoming year for Pokémon TCG fans.

The Bestselling MTG Presales from Avatar: The Last Airbender Magic: The Gathering’s Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover has sparked enormous excitement, and early presales are already revealing which cards players are most eager to get their hands on. From Commander staples to competitive sleepers, these are the ten bestselling cards ahead of the set’s release and why they’re generating so much buzz. #10 The Walls of Ba Sing Se A standout for Commander players, The Walls of Ba Sing Se serves as a powerhouse in both toughness focused decks such as Betor, Kin to All and artifact recursion strategies like Daretti, Scrap Savant. Granting indestructible to all your other permanents is reason enough for it to appear in a variety of lists, even those unrelated to its core themes. It also earns the distinction of having the highest toughness in MTG, adding a novelty factor that’s helped boost its early sales. #9 Avatar Aang One of the first previews revealed for the set, Avatar Aang is already a presale juggernaut. This four color legend flips into a five color Commander, giving players a universal home for their Avatar: The Last Airbender cards. Aang interacts with every bending mechanic in the set, and his transformed ability is incredibly strong: reducing the cost of your spells by one of each mana type including generic mana. This effectively lets you cast spells for up to five mana less, making him a unique and highly flexible build around. #8 Firebending Student Our first clear competitive hit on the list, Firebending Student is drawing major attention in Constructed formats. This two mana red creature has prowess and generates red mana equal to its power whenever it attacks thanks to firebending. That mana can be poured into pump spells like Full Bore and Bulk Up, enabling fast, explosive kills. Prowess based aggro decks have been strong across formats for years, and this efficient threat fits right into that lineage. #7 Momo, Playful Pet A surprisingly loaded one drop, Momo, Playful Pet rewards players frequently for using airbending. With flying and vigilance at one mana, plus a suite of value generating abilities from making Food tokens to adding +1/+1 counters to scrying Momo offers a flexible toolkit. Expect it to become a staple in Standard airbending decks and an easy inclusion in Boros strategies across formats that appreciate its ability to push damage or smooth out draws. #6 Redirect Lightning Commander players have quickly latched onto Redirect Lightning, a one mana instant that can change the target of a spell or ability. While you must pay either five life or two extra mana, that’s a negligible cost in most multiplayer environments. With its similarities to Deflecting Swat, a Commander all star, this card is poised to rise in value. Its Lesson subtype could also matter if next year’s Secrets of Strixhaven set brings back learn cards. #5 Northern Air, Southern Air & Crescent Island Temple Shrines continue to be a beloved archetype in Commander, and the Avatar set brings three new ones that have already sparked strong presales. Their effects scale with the number of Shrines you control: Northern Air Temple drains opponents and gains you life. Southern Air Temple adds +1/+1 counters across your board. Crescent Island Temple produces 1/1 Monk tokens. With Go Shintai of Life’s Origin still popular, players are eager for more Shrine support and these fit perfectly. #4 Badgermole Cub Revealed later in preview season, Badgermole Cub became an immediate hit thanks to its combo potential. It forms infinite loops with cards like Pili Pala and Enduring Vitality, and its earthbending and mana generation abilities make it a strong Standard contender (especially alongside Llanowar Elves). In Commander, it’s an easy ramp engine that pairs excellently with mana producing creatures. And yes it’s adorable, which certainly doesn’t hurt. #3 Toph, the First Metalbender One of the earliest revealed legends and still one of the most talked about, Toph, the First Metalbender turns all of your nontoken artifacts into lands, then earthbends 2 at your end step. Earthbending’s blend of counters, creature land animation, and built in recursion gives Toph an aggressive yet resilient identity. She offers enormous deck building potential and has already caused price spikes in related artifact cards. Expect her to become a top tier Commander across multiple power levels. #2 Wan Shi Tong, Librarian Think of Archivist of Oghma, but bigger, blue, evasive, and vigilant. Wan Shi Tong enters with X +1/+1 counters, draws you X cards (rounded down), and then grows whenever an opponent searches their library while also drawing you a card each time. It scales beautifully in both casual and competitive EDH, making it a threat that can close games swiftly, especially in Control lists or search heavy metas. #1 Fire Lord Azula Topping the presale charts is Fire Lord Azula, one of the set’s most iconic characters. While not the strongest card mechanically, Azula’s popularity and aggressive potential have made her a breakout seller. With firebending 2 and the ability to copy a spell whenever you cast one during her attack, she rewards decks that can time combat tricks or cheap spells for maximum impact. Early gameplay videos have highlighted her explosive turns, fueling her surge to the #1 presale slot.