Season 6 of Eternal Paradox is nearing its epic conclusion. Are you prepared to fight for The Ring?
Alex: Fight is basically all I do, mysterious voice.
Emma: Yes, that is apparent from all the giggling and horseplay.
Alex: Oh yeah? And meanwhile you’re blinding us all with your constant cheeriness.
Emma: I was indeed cheering when I defeated you at the Storm Ruins last weekend.
Alex: Hey! That one wasn’t fair. The sun was in my eyes!
Emma: Indeed… it was bright. Good thing I can beat you with my eyes closed.
The Road to Conquest
The second Conquest event of Season 6 has wrapped up… and it was definitely an interesting battle!
This Conquest involved battles all across Elysium and some unexpected results. While S12 has historically controlled 4-5 ruins for the first 30 minutes and forced everyone to play catch up, this time they encountered extreme resistance from other guilds early on. The result was the Ring of Ruin opening with all 4 guilds at the top of the leaderboard in surprising proximity to each other.
It was a hard fought conquest again and we were again fighting the whole server. We are proud of our members who did a great job. In the end it was a close result.
-CaptWusl, leader of S12
While the leaders were close, it was GFX sitting in front at the end of the first period. Through the second period, BTB and EPX continued to challenge each other and S12 so that none of them were really able to break away. During this time the Ring exchanged hands several times with Ozknights (OzK) getting in on the action and holding the central point for significant amounts of time. Throughout the second period, three of the four guilds fought each other while GFX went largely unnoticed as they quietly held ruins and extended their lead.
We can do it guys! Just need a final push!
-HumPlays, Leader of EPx
During the third period the action heated up, but for most guilds it was too little too late. S12 made huge gains on their point total relative to other guilds during this time, but they were unable to hinder the other guilds enough to catch up. Each GFX ruin they took seemed to be replaced with another right away. In a photo finish at the end, EPx nudged BTB out of second place with just a handful of points to further shake up the rankings!
Score with ~13 minutes to go. S12 made a valiant and explosive bid to catch up at the end, but fell short in the final minutes.
The conquest was tough and challenging, the score was tight and the last seconds decided the ranking to a great extent.
-OMH, leader of BTB
Congratulations to all the top guilds and captains!
GFGroup (GFX)
Eternals (EPx)
BTB-I (BTB)
SQUARE12 (S12)
Whether a player’s season is awful, good or great, everyone enjoys when his guild places good on a leaderboard. Over the course of the few seasons we all have built up relationships. It Is sad to see players leaving because of “imbalances”. Especially when a “game” is so time consuming… And make no mistake, Top 1 would mean nothing if there are very few left to play with and enjoy the ride together.
-Domin0, leader of GFX
The Coming Battle
While the reigning champs may have been unseated for two conquests in a row, they’re probably not planning on staying out of the top spot.
It’s no secret that S12 has dominated the last few seasons… but it seems like their rival guilds are trying out new tactics to see how competitive these battles can really be. S12 is powerful, however. They will adapt and come back hard in the third conquest, when their power is at its full zenith.
With the top four spots in the rankings being thoroughly scrambled up compared to the first conquest, we’re somewhere we haven’t been since maybe season 1 or season 2… there really is no favorite for the season win at this point. It’s anybody’s game. Whoever wants it the most and strategizes the best in conquest 3 will take the Season 6 title.
The top 64 places on the individual conquest leaderboard are all a mishmash of EPx and GFX, but S12 and BTB are biding their time just below. If the first two conquests this season are any indication, absolutely anything could happen in the third… it’s still anyone’s game!
Time will tell though. The final conquest of season 6 is only 10 days away. Will you be ready?
Battle Looms
Alex: …And frankly Emma, I’d have beaten you any other day! You had to get the help of multiple guilds to beat me!
Emma: It is not help, boom man. You have simply made too many enemies and now you reap your harvest.
Alex: Well, to show you that I’m not too salty I’ve gotten you a present Emma. I hope you like it.
Emma: That is very thoughtful of you, pirate. I accept your gift. You honor my – BOOOOOOOOM
Alex: Mwuahahahahha… buhbye Emma! It was fun hosting with you! Roll credits, disembodied voice!
Greetings Captains! Hopefully your battles in Season 6 are going well. The first Conquest is just behind us, but there’s always a battle raging in the arena!
We’ve discussed arena tactics and team composition in the past, but today we’re going to talk about the shifting landscape of teams in PvP within Eternal Paradox. What may work in one season may not in another. You’ve got to be in touch with the meta strategy to really be competitive within the arena.
Arena Meta
The arena meta is somewhat flexible. Unlike other games that have shifting rulesets, Mercenaries are pretty consistent in their abilities in the arena. You can reliably assume that your team from last season will fill about the same role in the next, and battles themselves don’t really change.
There are, however, a few reasons that the meta strategy shifts over time. First, there’s season features. Each season, three Mercenaries have a huge boost to their stats. This makes them exceptionally suited to winning in the arena.
In the case of Season 6, Laila, Laction and Bianca are all boosted for the season.
That 100% bonus is pretty significant. For Bianca, that represents more attack than she’ll get from a 7* Weapon. Laction has incredibly powerful crits this season as well, and Laila’s boosted HP makes her shields a HUGE factor in arena combat.
In addition to these seasonal buffs, there are also the season special features that can influence the balance of power within the arena.
In season 6, this means a significant attack speed boost to all water mercenaries. Definitely more in favor of Bianca and Laila here.
Team Evolution
While the abilities of Mercenaries are consistent from season to season, the buffs and features of each season combined with the appearance of new Mercenaries can slowly shift what teams are popular.
In season 1 and 2, you were very likely to see a lot of the following strategy at the top levels of arena combat:
That fast Val meta is definitely still around. As more Mercenaries are introduced though, new strategies arise to combat the reigning teams.
Just a few seasons ago, you were far more likely to see battles that started like this:
When Jin Ryu entered the battle as a new Mercenary, his leader skill with a full team stun after their first hit changed the arena meta entirely! This strategy is still incredibly useful, but the evolution of the game has also brought new tactics.
The Laila Meta
This season Laila has 100% increased HP. She also has this monster of a leader skill. It definitely gains more power from that seasonal buff:
So right away at the start of the battle, your team gets a shield as big as Layla’s health and almost guaranteed evasion from attacks. That’s big. The one hit KO Val strategy is stopped in its tracks entirely by this gambit.
Throw in Laila’s ultimate skill on her first move, and you’ve got an even bigger defensive bulwark. Even if you’ve chiseled away that shield to damage one opponent, they’re getting a full heal. That’s not even mentioning the two hit barriers or the debuff immunity – that puts a serious limit on strategies like Alex’s bombs or Laction’s stacking debuffs.
Suddenly, the meta starts to look a lot like this:
It’s not impossible to fight to victory against a Laila team with a different team composition, but the fast KO strategies of previous seasons have definitely been slowed down.
The rise of Laila makes a lot of other Mercenaries useful in ways they weren’t before. Lucas or William’s shields can refresh or match up to Laila’s, giving you as much endurance as your enemies! Getting a sleep or stun across with Zarkhan or Wang could stop Laila’s ultimate skill before that second set of shields… in fact, why not hop in with Camilla and just silence everyone from the start?
Fighting for Victory
The arena is calling, Captains! How will you fight in this season’s meta?
Get out there and try different combos. See what works with this season’s popular teams. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a new OP combo that dominates everybody!
The final blows have been dealt. The Ring has been conquered. The power of Elysium rests in the hands of SquareXII!
Alex: A riveting battle. I must have exploded four… maybe five Torstens!
Emma: Your bragging is minor indeed, pyroclastic one. I have defeated nine Torstens.
Alex: Oooho, I’m usually the spicy one Emma! Bwuahahahahaha!!!
Emma: This Conquest was indeed eventful. Many interesting gambits were tried. Only one was victorious.
Alex: Thank you for, once again, stating the obvious Emma! Now I believe we have some business to get to?
Opening Moments
Conquest begins with only the 16 ruins in play, and over half a dozen guilds were quick to get to work trying to get in place and start climbing the leaderboard.
Firmly controlling the eastern quadrant and several other ruins, SquareXII got a commanding lead early on.
Top 5 scores at first bonus (:30)
The Ring Enters Play
As The Ring of Ruin opened, it was still really anyone’s game. XII was holding a strong lead, but BTB, GFX and EPx weren’t too far behind to catch up. With the big points from the ruin starting, the battle was still far from over.
XII secured The Ring early on after it opened, ready to fight off any resistance that came at them (even with that nasty -30% defense debuff!). No one was coming to contest it anytime soon though.
XII was able to not only sit in the ring safely, but also they held onto three or sometimes four other Ruins consistently. It’s no surprise they started to run away with it on the scoreboard.
BTB and GFX both almost evenly doubled their scores during this period, but EPx had far less luck putting points on the board this period and fell to 4th.
Top 5 scores at second bonus (1:00)
Final Push
GFX and BTB gained almost the same number of points through the third period, but the early lead kept a solid advantage for BTB ending them firmly in 2nd.
EPx fell behind in the second, but in the final period they nearly doubled their score leading to a solid finish. More importantly…
🫡
XII continued to occupy The Ring… and rack up the points. It wasn’t only The Ring though – they held two, three or even four ruins consistently throughout the match while also holding The Ring of Ruin. It was a fantastic performance and a well earned victory.
Congratulations to XII on both their victory and long reign over The Ring in this battle!
Final standings
A Battle to Remember!
Alex: Honestly I don’t know why no one attacked XII for so long in the RIng! If my Captain would’ve sent me in, I’d have bombs aplenty to take care of the job!
Emma: You are incorrect, pirate. Their defenses were strong, and their zone of control consistent on both the North and East side.
Alex: I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that I couldn’t raid that ring. I was ready and chomping at the bit!
Emma: Impetuousness is often the door to disaster.
Alex: Oh forget your stupid riddles. Act now, think later.
Emma: Luckily not all Captains are like you, pirate.
Alex: Alright, that does it you–
And that’s all the time we have today! Thanks Alex and Emma!
Don’t forget the season isn’t over yet! There’s still the final arena competition to wrap up in a few days. You all have a little less than three days to bulk up that battle power! It’s not over until it’s over!
We’ll see you again very soon to discuss the winners of Season 5 and the dawn of Season 6!
Great battles have been fought. Some won, some not. In Elysium, however, neither victory or defeat are forever. The paradox goes on, and great warriors must once again vie for power and the Ring itself.
What will you change this time? How will your strategy differ? Will you rise or fall?
Alex: I’ve always been more of a fan of rising than falling… but maybe that’s just me.
Emma: Yes, success is sweet. I will choose that one.
Alex: Wise as always Emma. You have any epic battles worthy of song this time?
Emma: Certainly, pyromaniacal one. Most interesting to you would probably be me bringing down your friend Torsten in one hit at the Dimension Ruins.
Alex: Ooh ho! Indeed, worth of a shanty! Just let me warm up my pipes BWAHAHAHA!!!
Emma: Singing for later, boom man. It is time to review the greatest Captains of Season 4!
Conquest: The Victorious
All great fights across Elysium always end with The Ring. Captains fight across the whole of the world for control of the strange ruins that seem to trap us within this paradox. Warriors leave it all on the field, knowing that every Conquest of The Ring is a do or die moment… their one chance to hold the great power at the heart of Eylsium.
PalafinHF
Anti91
PasinduDE
Bianca
Alp_Er_Tunga
Most Powerful Captains
The true warlords across Elysium build their forces deliberately, steadily and constantly. They cultivate skilled Mercenaries, craft and improve the best gear, and develop their fortress to an impregnable level. Unlike the victorious at conquest, this measure of a Captain’s worth doesn’t take their team into account. Battle Power doesn’t lie. Here’s the top Captains in Season 4:
PalafinHF
DubstepRod
Bianca
HelloWorld
Nerdalicious
Arena Victors
Elite soldiers and numbers may protect you in the field, but the Arena leaves nowhere to hide. Your Mercenaries must fight it out with only their skill, gear and squad tactics. How did your team fare this season? Did you favor the correct warriors, or did you languish in defeat?
PalafinHF
Anti91
PasinduDE
Bianca
Alp_Er_Tunga
Most Honorable Mentions
This season, there were 3 Captains that succeeded against all odds to land in the top 10 of all three competitive metrics. We salute you!
PalafinHF
Bianca
Alp_Er_Tunga
Season 5 Is Coming!
Alex: 🎼I sailed the great sea, searching every wave…
Emma: I still don’t believe that it is singing time pirate.
Alex: 🎶 but there never was enough thrill for me.
Emma: –I see that my opinion does not change yours.
Alex: 🎵But then I saw mighty Emma melt down Tor-sten, in bat-tle… in…stant…ly!!!🎶
Emma: Indeed. This song is fair enough, explosion pirate.
Alex: Well thank you Emma. I was a bit concerned that the disembodied voice wasn’t going to give me enough time to fin–
You’re right Alex! That’s all we have time for before we have to get ready for the start of Season 5!
Emma: Shall we place wagers on who vanquishes Torsten first Alex?
Alex: Ohhh, I REALLY like your style Emma. Let’s talk numbers.
Thanks for a great Season 4 everyone! We’ll see you on the field of battle for Season 5 tomorrow!
Before you dive into the first full weekend of Mayhem, we’d like to leave you with a sneak peek of what you can expect next week. Don’t get distracted now… there’s still so much Mayhem left in week one!
Come What May(hem)
Next week there’s another wave of Mayhem rising, so you better brace for impact!
Below, we’ll cover everything coming up in week 2! Remember there’s still a few days of week 1 left… and plenty of May still in the future!
Common Ground World
How are you faring in week 1 of Common Ground World Mayhem? Enjoy the “Everybody Is Welcome” competition while it lasts… because we’re mixing it up in week 2.
Next week, Common Ground World will bring the ‘Best of the Best’ competition.
This week will have half the winners of a normal competition, with only 500 places walking away with any $GALA. Even with the reduction in places, this competition will feature a 5% bigger overall prize pool than normal!
Two more NFT reworks are on the way!
This time, the Hot Cocoa Chalet and Mistletoe Arch are getting rebalanced with some all-new utility. We’ll give you more details next week when these buildings are rereleased with a discounted price!
Hatchet Hank Jr. returns!
800 Hatchet Hank Jr.s were withheld in the original sale. It’s time to get these out to the great people with big dreams of big trees… and super fast lumberjacks. All 800 will be available for $150 each next Tuesday.
Remember there’s still plenty of competition left this week! There’s also some huge discounts going on in the Common Ground World Store… if you haven’t checked it out lately, it may be worth a look!
If you want the earliest details on next week’s Mayhem, make sure you don’t miss the Common Ground World Town Hall tomorrow!
GalaSwap
The mayhem keeps going at GalaSwap! Same story this week, highest volume in each token will find a $GALA reward waiting for them. This week, however, we’re shuffling which tokens will be catching rewards a bit:
$GALA
$GUSDC
$MUSIC
$LEMIN
$GSWAP
$MTRM
$TOLK
Happy swapping galaxians!
Legends Reborn
Next week in Legends Reborn brings yet another competition, with $500 of $GALA rewards waiting for the top player in the same two categories as last week – Most matches played, and most matches won!
There’s still plenty of time to rack up matches to get free NFT rewards during May!
50 PVP games played – Glacial Spear (Common) (NFT action card)
100 PVP games played – Viridian Dragon (Common) (NFT creature)
150 PVP games played – Brightscourge Phoenix (Uncommon) (NFT creature)
You better get to the tables and get practicing… Early Mayhem has a way of slowly building to something bigger…
Gala Music
Ok, this isn’t exactly MAYhem-related, but it’s still pretty Mayhem, so we couldn’t pass it up. As explained in the Gala Music Whitepaper, a Listen for Rewards program is part of the “Ecosystem Supporting Actors” allocation for $MUSIC.
Did you know that you can already listen for rewards!? Go check it out, and you’ll rack up points for each unique track you listen to each day!
Eternal Paradox wrapped up a week of daily coupon codes already, but that doesn’t mean that there’s not more Mayhem on the way!
Today, the Mayhem Pass went live in EPX! This special rewards pass will let you mayhem even harder and collect extra rewards as you complete tasks throughout the month!
A Mayhem Pass can only be acquired via in-app purchase… but like the season pass, players get rewards even if they don’t purchase the pass!
Whether you purchase a Mayhem Pass or not, you’ll also still find extra Mayhem boxes that have been stolen by enemies around the map!
Go get that loot!
Keep a watch out at the end of the week, because on Friday the 17th the hunt is on!
The Gala Games Plays crew will be hiding in the field with an uber-powerful GM fortress during a special livestream that day. Basic Piñata protocol here… Find it. Attack it. Scoop up the rewards!
Gala Film
Gala Film will continue to offer increased rewards for each new episode of RZR during Mayhem!
During May Mayhem, you’ll get an additional RZR Mystery Box for the episode released that week.
One box will be delivered upon completing a new episode, while the second will be dropped at the beginning of each week. Get comfy and start binging!
Champions Arena
The gem discount for week 1 is wrapping up in just a few days. Catch it while you can!
The Mayhem, however, continues in the arena. All through May you can keep collecting M-tickets to load up on what you’re after in the special Mayhem Shop!
VOX
Are you frantically producing bicycles to build your growing army of VOX puppers? That competition may be wrapping up before long… but the VOX invasion has just begun!
Our latest intel says that the next place they’ll strike will be in Legends Reborn in week 2!
The top 100 leaderboard finishers in Legends Reborn in week 2 will get a shiny new limited Edition ProtoVOX! As with the previous week’s VOX item, these will only be available during Mayhem, though you’ll have a last chance to grab them in a special mystery box at the end of the month!
Remember, this is just a preview of week 2… there’s still a whole weekend of week 1 left! Get out there and rack up those bicycle sales, match wins, m-tickets, watches, listens… ALL THE MAYHEM!
We’ll see you on the other side this time next week for a sneak peek at week 3. Good luck with your Mayhem!
