My plans for the Early Access Launch

[@Zizaran]

Got a lot of good feedback, currently leaning towards playing solo and regularly, rushing the uber as fast as I can and getting practice (likely in sc because I believe I'll be dead at this point) and then going HC SSF and going for the first kill. I am surprised people were so angry that I was vibe checking what people would like to see though.

[@raymondamador1487]

Thank you Ziz 😊👍

[@BlackMage_01]

i think it's the right decision. i know you want to be able to compete with the people coming from other games who are going to try for world first, but those people who do that will damage themselves irreparably with the poe community and my view on it is that none of them count. even if they get world "first". it means nothing if you get given a leg up by a thousand viewers. in fact i think "races" should be CONFINED to SSF. even in poe1 leagues. but again, personal preference. i probably won't be watching anyone on launch day though because i really wanna get in blind on my first playthrough. i hope you have a good EA launch no matter what you do.

[@Zizaran]

@@BlackMage_01 You're very right

[@wonkaswonders85]

@@Zizaran integrity is something that’s very hard to come by and I’m happy to see you taking the better path. GG

[@RomaTheGOSPOD]

good choice, my respect to you for that, good luck on game launch

[@RatPancakes420]

My plan is to wait in queue all day then complain on Reddit

[@ninetailedfox579121]

Also stream it on twitch so that you can complain even more about how you should get queue priority since you're streaming.

[@coi]

@@ninetailedfox579121 lifes not fair

[@Thumbstickys]

I'll see you there

[@craigsaddington6430]

reddit is just a negativity platform for people to vent their anger. Just a meme machine imo

[@AwesomeNuke]

@@craigsaddington6430 social networks in general, not just reddit lol

[@guilhermeduarte2713]

since he's playing 30hours on the first day, he's starting chronomancer confirmed, its the only way.

[@lifeloverNorris]

Just link increased duration support to your clock.

[@dondregon5795]

@@lifeloverNorris Get a ton of chance to freeze and nodge the clock every now and then to proc it, EZ

[@becom1ng]

For what it's worth, I vote no handouts or grouping/pooling. That's lame.

[@Zizaran]

It's worth quite a lot!

[@ThomasTJJefferson]

This man said he was going to play 30 hours in the first 24 hours

[@ArenTrel]

Confirmed. Ziz will be creating a temporal paradox on stream.

[@juts89]

You don't dual wield PoE?

[@FlashpumpClimbing]

This is possible now with the Chronomancer ascendancy

[@AnilKumardoc]

Chuck Norris spots competition, finally!

[@brocka7758]

Do you wanna win or not?

[@conversefall5928]

HC SSF sounds way more interesting to me. It makes the big drops more interesting to watch.

[@ImageTherapy]

the handout shit is so buns. Brand new game and streamers want actual in game donations to be the 'first' to kill something like a pinnacle? naaaah. The only uber kill i'll fully respect is its from an SSF player then 👍

[@sujimayne]

It's also very short-sighted. Does anybody remember the first players to kill any newly-added bosses in PoE 1? I certainly don't. But you risk staining your brand and reputation forever as the person who was getting their community to do the hard work for them, while trying to claim all the fame.

[@PherPhur]

@@sujimayne Well... in some peoples eyes. To I'd say half or more of the community, they look at funneling as a show of social strength, as a great thing. I understand it, but truth is who cares about those people, principles are principles. Games should be on level playing fields, not this kind of unfair external support. That's what makes competition in a game exciting. Take away the competition due to unfair advantages and how glorious is that trophy huh? Trophy for #1, but against who? Those other people weren't even competing because they aren't playing the same game as you. That's like comparing a marathon 5k runner vs all the runners in the special olympics, like what does that look like? It looks like a loser

[@lynco3296]

You could think of it as group vs group instead. If you look at it that way it makes a bit more sense.

[@Zizaran]

Ya HC SSF is the main kill that matters for sure, but a lot will be excited to see the first boss fight, I might just play regularly, practice the boss then go HC SSF

[@raymondamador1487]

​@@Zizaran It would help to play Standard at launch. Learning the Boss mechanics seems important to surviving HC

[@JuiceInThePocket]

Start SSF and learn with us. Winning with handouts is lame. What's even more lame is receiving handouts and not winning. Lose lose imo

[@nik_ms]

Handouts or funneling one player is sad behavior for launch is sad behavior, but it is what it is, first kill isn't going to mean shit to me because of that

[@Sal_McCoy]

Streamer hand outs for world first boss kills on SOFTCORE is terrible content. Will be a lame way to launch PoE 2.

[@aldontrimble896]

Agreed. I'm here for the cool dude playing ethically

[@Anossov]

There is zero glory in winning with handouts, I'm not watching that. And after that you will always be one of the people who accepts handouts, you can't undo it

[@colon_sausage]

In a perfect world no one would want a boss spoiled by a streamer getting handouts so they can be "first place" in an imaginary competition to speed run a new game.

[@lockeroftheironsalami6713]

More respect doing it without handouts

[@xeenie4973]

Totally not watching if you are grouping and taking handouts. Thats not what I’ve seen from Ziz before.

[@86TrapHouse]

He sold his soul

[@williamvanhauen9019]

Totally agreed

[@xeenie4973]

@@86TrapHouse Ziz as we know is a major prominent POE content creator and streamer. With the new game, I’m thinking he wants to be up there, doing and winning the hardest content to continue his legacy and earnings of course. There could be new players coming in for poe2 that weren’t around for poe1 from the start like he was, which could shake up the dynamics of who is the best for knowledge, builds, to watch live streaming etc. A new game that will bring in a new generation of players. More competition in the media space. If groups turn out to be an advantage of who can ‘win’ the earliest and he takes that route instead of his usual type of solo play, then that’s up to him, but that’s not the type of content I want to see from him personally. And I won’t watch and sub for that reason because there’s a loss of integrity there imo.

[@cranknnutz]

I wouldn't watch with handouts. I doubt I'll watch either way though. I think racing at this stage of the game is silly. I'll be down to watch people get competitive after release.

[@xeenie4973]

@@cranknnutz absolutely agree

[@Ascendsean35]

I can't wait to go slow as molasses and just enjoy every facet of the game. As a new player, i'll just be happy if there's very little bugs or technical issues. I imagine i'll be a little overwhelmed with how involved the game will be. But that was Elden ring for me at first too, and that's probably my favorite game of all time now.

[@rickspartan]

yeah you'll get used to all the systems the more you play

[@floorpizza8074]

IMO, any "first kill" that depends on hand outs shouldn't count as a "first kill."

[@patrickmartin8978]

Absolutely hate the idea of you taking items. You've set yourself up as an educator and voice of the community and ggg listens to you. Mooching would distort that

[@Nicxem]

handouts are so lame idc if you get world first that way

[@cyftoday9800]

I think for me seeing you take handouts would change the way I saw you as a content creator. The amount you vouch for games and launches being fair to all players would be undermined completely by doing something like this. Using a resource that others don't have access to is likely going to be viewed much the same as pay 2 win is. I understand the want to place first more than most, but you'd be doing it at the cost of a lot of what you've built your online persona on. Just my take though, Ziz.

[@floorpizza8074]

Exactly. No difference between handouts and pay to win. I was planning on watching Ziz during the game's opening hours, but not if he's going to accept handouts.

[@jakepack4357]

IMO, it would be more interesting to see you be the first to SSF the boss, even on softcore. I feel like there's more glory in doing it solely by your own effort, even if someone else beats you to it by taking handouts. Now, if you do want some help, I'd also like the sound of group play where you and some of the other guys team up to do it but don't take handouts outside of the 3-5 people you're doing it with.

[@ikta9765]

Zero honor in taking handouts Ziz. We have built a culture of hard work and dedication, not handouts and streamer privilege. Go Hardcore and body the game YOUR way.

[@theonemav]

"I hate it when people do it, so im going to do it because it would be fun". LOL

[@BigDawgKG]

so true 🤡

[@theonemav]

Yea I’m not a ziz hater but that take is weak AF. Either make a stand against it or not you can’t have it both ways.

[@mrw0lf364]

Yep, I'm unfollowing anyone doing this, super bad and disappointing

[@Zizaran]

Well not because "it would be fun" more because people remember who wins. But yeah you've got a good point, maybe i should just go SC, practice the boss, then go for first HCSSF uber kill

[@theonemav]

@@Zizaran Yea people being funneled in order to win such a race is pretty lame in general, would be interesting if a group of creators and their communities would pick someone to funnel and highlight just how lame it is so people stop doing it.

[@jordankilpatrick]

I personally like watching you as an exclusively hardcore player -- I'd really like to see you body the game on hardcore with no softcore options, totally blind. I don't expect this of course, but I think it'd be fun to see the reaction and stress of every single boss being unknown.

[@phelipemacel]

yes, very content potential

[@thedoubledoor2055]

I think its more of a flex to be the first SSF pinnacle clear vs hey I had 50 people hard carrying my progression so I can kill something.

[@pliskerz7042]

I'm a nightshifter, my plan is to wake up around 9 pm, throw myself in queue, then go do everything I need to do so I don't have to move again for 2 days after I get in the server. Then I will make a monk.

[@nexeus7302]

Bold of you to assume you will be playing anything on Friday :>

[@Anon1370]

they said they got enough server for 1 million users i dont see it going more then that...because some people too cheap and tight to put down the $30 for the key

[@danio2246]

@@Anon1370 there is a high chance for back-end trouble they've might not been able to foresee

[@jules3431]

@@danio2246 yeah necro settler was very scuffed too on day 1 with only 20k people, theres always something unexpected comming

[@TheAluvisify]

@@Anon1370 Murphy's Law is a hell of a thing. There's good reason why like 90% of big launches are pretty scuffed in some way. As much as people shit on it, D4 probably had the smoothest technical launch in recent years, but that's also because Blizzard has a ton of experience (and money) when it comes to server-side stuff. GGG may have been doing league launches for a decade, but this will still technically be their second "game launch", so the scale will just be completely different than what they're used to.

[@TheDovolan]

@@TheAluvisify What are you talking about? D4 was not playable for days! Dont you remember the meme of people taking off work for the launch and not being able to play over the weekend? I had early access and couldnt play till sunday evening. So 2,5 days for nothing

[@ElicatrothTV]

With your atittude towards it, absolutely 100% you should make the exception. It sounds like you'll have fun trying to compete and if your win or are close it will just make POE2 launch that much more magical for you!

[@haromard]

Finally i know that I'm doing. Only going to change my mind 50 times.

[@termayn]

Never played Poe1, thinking of going witch, getting excited of minions... Watching Kripp "infernalist sucks for minions lol" me "??????????" okok

[@PPG87]

Haha I've already changed my mind 100 times already... just going chayula monk since everyone says it's trash and I'm a glutton for punishment

[@TheAluvisify]

@@termaynIdk what Kripp video you're talking about, but that's a very weird take from him if it was a recent opinion. To start off, there won't be a dedicated "minion ascendency" like there is in PoE1 with Necromancer/Guardian. That being said, Infernalist 100% has the most direct support for minions of the ascendancies that we've gotten so far. She has two nodes that can support allies and she has a node that can summon a minion. Ascendency skills can be supported which means you can modify how that hellhound behaves to possibly be a strong damage dealer. Either way, minion builds in PoE1 are often strongly supported by uniques, so we'll have to see what unique combinations there will be in PoE2 for minion builds. So just go internalist minions if you want and don't worry about what other people say. Content creators have as much information as we do when it comes to build possibilities.

[@RedThevet]

Not really angry, but I think people have much more interest to see how you do on your own compared to how we do on our own as 99% of us can't even try to degen with handouts. However, I also totally get why you'd want to try it! The spirit of watching a streamer I think is "they are in the same boat as me, I'm gonna hang out here" type of vibe in the majority.

[@ravp123]

Last time I watched ziz, he was angry af. Now he is crying... man is full of emotions.

[@Deadzilians]

Tends to happen when you're a viciously closeted homosexual that believes people are too stupid to see it even though its blatantly obvious.

[@kevinnixon3009]

What was he raging about?

[@poisonblack666]

@@kevinnixon3009 pausefunction xD

[@Pokepunk]

yo ziz is emotional RAGEY

[@86TrapHouse]

@@ravp123 you don’t hear all the Ssss?

[@Knifeparty1124]

Video starts at 3:02

[@nickh4354]

Hand of Cholula all over my cheesy rice lets go

[@duck8670]

Hand of cholula in my azz

[@JussiMustola90]

Go for the win. Norway needs her champion to prevail. If everyone else is doing handouts you can't compete without. After that do the "Ethical" run like Quin says xd Edit: reading the feedback people can't really understand what he was even saying in the video. A) Hear something B) Go mad

[@jaredmiller3656]

Im gonna take it slow. I got into the beta, and that was just "go go go! Play as much as i can!” This time, im going to take my time and really soak up every aspect of the game. Listen to the dialogue for the story, admire each area, and just enjoy every little bit of this masterpiece of a game!

[@echoesofmalachor3700]

The handout thing matters but not near as much in early access as official launch. Not many people remember who cleared bosses first at any given point, even fewer will remember for early access/beta.

[@ImurTuta]

WFHC kill will be someone who copies a softcore streamers build and takes the advantage of watching all the atempts on the boss. Seems like the best strat imo

[@blackboard212]

i prefer fck around and find out slowly. if u do the feeding u items to get world first i wont watch at all. (not claiming to matter just stating my preference)

[@canisfabico]

The fist Uber HC will be done by someone that will lvl up their character day 1, borrow the acc of someone from SC to train the boss and do it in HC without starting over.

[@Mister_Vintage]

I say don't go against your norms to play in a race that is going to be won by someone who finds an exploit or bug... That being said, I will be playing along, call it turtle POE, on launch (i hope the servers play nice)

[@rasmus11443]

Definitely understand being torn - Ziz has always been a racer, and knowing that others will be taking handouts and it will be next to impossible to beat them in a straight up race without doing the same. But for me personally, I vote no handouts, I do so because I love watching Ziz figure out his gear on his own, and I learn quite a lot from watching it, finding neat ways to cover a weekness on gear that is found etc.

[@carojuao]

Solo with handouts are the same as if PoE2 had cheat codes. KZbin videos are being made about the Pause function for boss cheesing the game, being the first to beat the Uber with handouts is also cheesing the game.

[@mattsiggers5915]

Good luck Ziz. Really looking forward to watching.

[@EmptyPeace]

So you hate it but you might do it... And trying to excuse it as if it's okay because "I'm doing it for a different reason", So it's okay... What a bunch of BS

[@AFel-pp1hp]

Yeah... this guy's a god at poe but hard to like

[@TheKollymolly]

Yeah im unsubbing after that shit. Its fucking lame.

[@Zizaran]

@@TheKollymolly You're unsubbing after I asked my community on their opinion on what they would like to see? Can you explain that to me?

[@TheKollymolly]

@ Alright i will give you a long answer.. First of all i think your communication in the video were very bad and worded wrong. It seemed to me and clearly many others, that you didnt really ask us what we wanted, but more that you hated this, but im gonna do it because it will benefit me.. i didnt get the idea that you were asking us specifically. Secondly, people love your content because you play HC/HCSSF and play the “ethical” way and not handouts or crazy blaster build where you cant see anything on the screen.. of course you still blast, but your content is much more approachable and better to watch than others. I think we the people arent angry. Just disappointed that you even would consider it. As i said with your content before. That is not how you have shaped/curated your community. Lastly, i know you obviously have ambitions for the game and your channel, and doing the race and be the 1st will obviously get your channel more attention. But is it worth it costing your stature and your reputation around your community for? I get that its tempting, of course. But there is other ways to do it man. Good luck though and keep making great content. Other than handout streams etc. ;)

[@Zizaran]

@@TheKollymolly Oh yeah that makes sense, no I was genuienly asking, because it matters a lot to me what people want to see, so if it was something that was happening anyway and people wanted to see it, I would probably do it too, I prefer ssf / playing on my own merit which is why I don't take handouts. A lot really dislike the idea so I will keep playing the way I have been

[@EduardoEdu-m4e]

In my humble opinion, you are the father of the POE community, the one that everyone respect and the one that set's the example, seeing you do the fair and square way is the only thing i want to see. Maybe a group you and steel helping each other and leveling together and trying the boss each one sepated but at the same time (who kill first) would be dope too!

[@Arcopix]

A complete noob here (with couple of thousand of hours in poe) who plays mostly in softcore.. Planning to play in softcore (after fist death) - perfectly fine, playing in trade leage and doing legit trades - all good in my book. Need to borrow an extra exalt, divine or five from your community - eh, leaves a bit of bad taste in my mouth, but whatever... But whoring yourself out for handouts and building your character based on those - I don't think I will follow your content for that first playthrough which would be a shame since I was looking forward to seeing the game play out in its realistic progression (of a really good player). I don't really care who gets the first kill on "the uber" anymore than who gets to lvl 100 first. I firmly believe that the majority of the people watching are here for your good content, not for watching you win the-non-existent-race

[@driakos]

Thank you for dual streaming to KZbin! I will make sure to keep it on 24/7.

[@DannyOE4]

I think everyone starting fresh with no knowledge is a great opportunity to just learn the game from the ground up, since PoE 1 is so complicated now I feel extrememly overwhelmed when it comes to crafting. I just lack the knowledge that others had years to perfect. I hope it's a lot easier to understand with PoE 2 so I can feel like I'm not "new" at the game anymore with thousands of hours in. Basically, I think the best way to start this game is to just take it slow and learn. Really appreciate the story, actually, this time around, and try out all the ascendancies and craft a lot.

[@86TrapHouse]

@@DannyOE4 Those years of experience will still help players by leaps and bounds

[@DannyOE4]

@@86TrapHouse well ya for sure, but we won't know what affixes exist right away and how to block for them, etc. I think I have enough knowledge of crafting to, hopefully, make it feel good starting out fresh here.

[@whatthecluck6874]

@@DannyOE4 The crafting in PoE 2 will start out extremely simple and build over time. So yeah, it's perfect for new players to jump in.. This is the best time to jump in actually. It's the start. lol

[@Epithiny]

Ziz, thank you for being the best POE content creator. Looking forward to playing this blind with you on the second monitor in search for the undisputed mk2.

[@Cryogenic12]

I've watched you for a long time, followed many guides. I say you do you and what you will find the most joy with. However, handouts aren't my favorite things to see and I hope to see you grind it out like the rest of us as that is what I've grown to love watching you play!

[@jumpinbuddah420]

Just go hardcore if you die you can continue on softcore but weather or not you just re-roll hardcore if you do die base it off how far you make it

[@SargeantMorse]

Respect going in blind and playing the game. I am doing the same. Hard to avoid people posting stuff they should not be posting but I am. Props to you I want to enjoy this game without spoilers. Enjoy your stream when it comes out

[@heqitao]

I think that your channel is more than strong enough for you not to need to take handouts. You will still be hugely supported, in fact maybe even more so, if you stick to your super high standards. Let's face it, you 're already a winner. Personally I won't think less of you if you cave to the peer group pressure and the possible growth of your channel, but I will think more of you if you don't... if that's possible ;-) Thx for all the work Ziz. Have great, and hassle free, launch!

[@jkw6259]

I want you to have time of your life! Fresh game, fresh start, a lot to discover. I hope I will be able to play and after I get stuck I will look for help so you better be there Ziz!

[@turn3283]

I think if you get a thrill out of going fast and seeing if you can be first go for it! Do it with hand outs, teaming whatever. It’s a once in a decade experience in a franchise you love and if being first, or close to first gives you a lasting memory don’t sweat the haters. If they could get a world first based on 98% skill/game knowledge, 1% lucky drops, and 1% loving support from a self cultivated community they would. Enjoy the ride! Wishing you the best!

[@asharedo]

Definitely SSF hardcore will be the best content from ziz. Perhaps play softcore with no handover to learn the boss mechanics etc first though, that would also be fun. But taking your time, talking through your journey etc, is also great content, since we're all learning together and it's more relatable

[@nokosa]

Worst case scenario, Ziz, if you get stuck in queue you can always just make a cooking video. On a serious note, your take on streamer queue is mint. Thanks for that.

[@Drakthus]

at the end of the day, play it your own way, enjoy the new content, sounds like a win to me. You only get to experience it for the first time once!

[@evanmellott4968]

Thumbnail has the 2 exact ascendencies i was torn between ziz is actually watching me through my window

[@2inkling]

I do think community resource pooling involving thousands of viewers of a streamer is kind of weird, but I've never had any problems with normal group play. For example, I remember Tytykiller starting in Delirium league with a group of 6. One guy would progress while the others would farm levels in chamber of innocence or other zones, then swirl on each other. In endgame a dedicated trader managed items for the other 5, then they pooled to buy Tyty one of the first rampage gloves so he could blast through the atlas faster. My point is that this gameplay was extremely high skill and involved a lot of interesting decision making. I don't think that it takes prestige away from traditional racing in SSF or extreme HC challenges like the Gauntlet in the slightest. It's just a different type of race for a different setting. Still though, the streamer mass community pool thing gives me bad vibes. I guess there's a very unclear line drawn somewhere in my head.

[@fang_xianfu]

Handouts suck, don't do it

[@strawwmann3131]

Very much looking forward to going in blind with my own self-discovery build - you only get to experience a game like this for the first time once, and I've been actively avoiding spoilers. Hopefully I can beat the campaign like that before looking at other people's builds. (It will make it hard to watch Twitch/KZbin until that's done.)

[@SirSabzZa]

in my opinion Ziz, just have fun, you only have one first playthrough, and whilst yes, getting world first HC kill is an achievement, if you dont succeed, you wasted that gift of playing POE for the first time again. You as a content creator more than us normal plebs, that experience is so valuable, because you'll be spending way more time after the fact playing than us.

[@pdkiel]

Go for it man, will be fun to watch

[@WEIRDxGRIM]

Was thinking of taking the day off on the 6th, but i'm being smart and took a day off on the 9th.

[@Trozzo]

69

[@Tiki832]

My plans for early access launch: Go to work at 3am, work until 11am. Sleep to be up at 10pm to get 2-3 hours of PoE 2 in before going back to work at 3am. Repeat until Monday when I have the day off, play PoE 2 as much as possible Monday before going to sleep at 5pm to go back to work at 3am Tuesday. Joy. :)

[@WikiED]

If you plan to also stream to YT and you planned to keep vods online just know that YT steam vods get cut at around 11-12h mark so resetting the YT livestream is the only way to keep all of the footage. If you dont care for the YT vod then it's The More You Know, if you didn't before.

[@clawspammer]

Ziz do what you want to for this first one. It will feel best! It's going to be great I guarantee it.

[@josephwilson6908]

I would love to see All Out War! This is absolutely a one off opportunity to do this, if not now, then never (for this game). ...and the competative content you do has it's own uniquely entertaining elements. That said, I will be watching your content an unhealthy amount either way. :)

[@KeepItSimpleSarphas]

Love the gamer first content creator second mentality Ziz. Can't wait to login and try to die less than you do

[@MadShadowGames]

My plan at launch: 1- Pray for no line interruptions during predownload. 2- Wait in queue for 4-5 hours. 3- After 10 minutes in game, server crash and return to step 2.

[@mark24376]

I should prefix what I'm going to say by saying that I'll likely watch your first play though regardless of what you choose. But I'd actually love to see you try ssf - it would be a good way to watch and learn more about the game by watching you and your community try and find ways to solve the issues faced on the way. Also whomever manages to down the uber first in SSF will really get bragging rights due to the increased difficulty of not being able to use group play and the achievement of getting the kill will in my view be much greater. in any case, gl and hf to everyone for early access! i hope you all have a fab time =)

[@Fleezblarp]

i hadn't even considered working relativity into my strategy. this guy is nuts.

[@MasterofFool]

Would love to see a group ssf, even capped at 4-6

[@Jos_Louis]

People still talk about Kripparian naked pre-nerf Inferno world first Diablo run on Diablo 3. He was naked and didnt need handouts. No one else comes close to remembering who else did the run. I think that tells you all you need to know about whether you should accept handouts or not.

[@JM-el8yi]

personally first to kill SC uber or 100 is boring bc of handouts/group play. HCSSF 100 and uber will be hype!

[@ardeo]

My plan is to run at the top boss as part of a guild-found in SC. Looking forward to the blind reactions and my own experiences with the day 0.

[@Vashthalas]

Can't wait to tune in for the subathon. Happy launch in advance!

[@MichaSennin]

My plan is to wait a few Days to see how the PS5 Version holds up. But I hope you Guys all have a wonderfull EA Launch and the Server Gods are with you. Happy Looting Exiles!

[@made2die499]

Enjoy and go for it. I dont mind if people want to boost you, because you have been a big boon to the community. I think for EA it is fine. Good Luck.

[@eLguL]

that subathon style works great, raxx and his gf did it before was really nice to have different perspectives every now and then

[@larpera960]

In my opinion, if someone killed ubers first with a lot of handouts to help him/her (and by that I mean help with item power), and then you did it second without any handouts, I would 100% feel like you were the legitimate one who won "the race" to kill ubers, and not the other person who got the handouts.

[@Shadowshael]

Have they announced when you will be able to start downloading the game? I assume it would be on Friday, but no clue on time

[@NZZN666]

I'm going in pretty much blind and plan to just enjoy it as I go and build around what loot I get. Cannot wait.

[@cazzo10000]

I think Blood Witch is really neat but I'm probably starting Gemling and trying every skill before choosing my build

[@sy-ky_buddy4603]

Isn't it great that launch day we don't have people like Wudi and Rob spoiling the entire game 5 days before release with multiple guides and builds.

[@Moogle]

ziz just get a shock collar that someone can trigger remotely when servers come back up

[@5p4rk52]

Ziz, Don't undo all of those years of hard work by going against what you believe in!! People will remember the person that does it the most on a level playing field rather than by handouts - be true to the way you play - Not by the way of others.

[@TheCosmicAstro-]

i think SC with handouts to experience the fight first and get an idea of the build + experience with the fight, since SC "race" doesnt really matter. and then swapping to HC SSF or HC but no handouts would be a good middle ground.

[@SirSabzZa]

30 hours first day, 18 of those in queue!

[@duobizarrobizarro]

Personally, I know my first character's going to be minions Infernal witch... But the thing is, I also want to try to try Blood Mage using the permanent curse thing and leech, I'm 100% sure you can do some sort of afk build with those two.

[@B4DDHero]

My thinking is that this first time, where we're blind, is a neat exception for forming a race team. I say go for it and then do hardcore SSF later

[@smilesk8boards]

it seems wild to me you actually considered taking handouts to achieve "world first". can't wait for mathil and quin to roast you for this take on the stalling podcast later

[@vhayne91777]

Can't believe you're not going for an Essence Drain build lol. Anyway, I appreciate that you're against the whole handouts thing, and that you want to go in blind. You have my respect on that, for what it's worth.

[@ronald3602]

My plan is to ignore the 22:00(local) release and play the next day, i hope for everyone else that the launch servers hold up!

[@xDeeDoss]

Can’t wait to stream the early access. As long as the servers hold up lol. Minions FTW!

[@VadLocke]

What are your thoughts on the first person pause buffering to kill the uber?

[@gt_ace1507]

Definitely don’t think you will be disappointed with doing a community “hand out” run. But you may wish you had stuck to your guns and gotten those accomplishments by your own bad ass merits. Feels like the community would rather have “shared/handout” firsts and “solo” firsts. They should be two separate accomplishments. But we support you either way!

[@wukongmain2075]

I think accepting handouts isn't too bad when you consider your main objective is to go into HC SSF and do it. So in reality your intention is to do HC SSF you're just in a way speed running the soft core "practice runs". There may even be a disadvantage to accepting handouts in softcore trade because once you do your HC SSF you won't have those handouts and will be weaker, So if you did your practice runs in SSF as well it'll be more accurate practice. Imagine POE 1 being handed a Mageblood, it'll trivialize your practice. The practice should mimic what you'd reasonably be able to get solo so that your HC SSF run is closer to what you had practiced.

[@knightmare938]

I hope you have fun, im sadly a ps5 player, so I'll have to wait till it's full launch to play.

[@Sir_Chilly_]

I'd love to watch you do SSF...HC or not.