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Strongest Weapons in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, having the right weapon can be the difference between victory and defeat. Whether you favor swords, hammers, or bows, these weapons stand out as the most powerful and effective choices in the game.
1. Sword of Sir Valentine
This one-handed sword is renowned for its exceptional balance and craftsmanship. To acquire it, embark on The Reliquary quest, which leads you to the Sedletz Monastery in the Kuttenberg region. Here, you'll obtain the schematic to forge the sword.
Ensure you have the necessary materials:
* Copper
* Straight Sword Guard
* Cow Skin
* Coin Sword Pommel
* Frankfurt Steel
* Scrap Metal
With a Craftsmanship level of 16 and the "Martin's Secret" perk, you can forge the Sword of Sir Valentine at masterclass quality, boasting impressive stats:
* Strength Requirement: 15
* Agility Requirement: 22
* Stab Damage: 159
* Slash Damage: 167
* Blunt Damage: 25
* Defense: 242
* Durability: 128
* Weight: 1.8
This sword is particularly effective for players who prefer agility and precision in combat.
2. Reforged Radzig Kobyla's Sword
A symbol of heritage and honor, this longsword becomes available during the main storyline, specifically in The Storm mission in the Trosky region. After obtaining Radzig Kobyla's Sword, you can reforge it into its superior version.
To do so, gather three units of Toledo Steel, which can be purchased from blacksmiths in Kuttenberg. With the materials in hand and the "Martin's Secret" perk unlocked, proceed to a smithy to craft the reforged sword.
* Strength Requirement: 20
* Agility Requirement: 23
* Stab Damage: 199
* Slash Damage: 190
* Blunt Damage: 38
* Defense: 299
* Durability: 240
* Weight: 1.9
This weapon is ideal for players seeking a balance between strength and agility, delivering substantial damage with each strike.
3. Duelling Longsword
Designed for precision and agility, the Duelling Longsword is a slender blade that excels in quick and precise strikes. It is a top choice for players who enjoy finesse-based swordplay.
To obtain it, you'll need to craft the weapon using the following materials:
* Deer Skin
* Horned Sword Guard
* Pear Sword Pommel
* Toledo Steel (x3)
* Iron (x2)
Once you have gathered the materials, visit a blacksmith to forge the Duelling Longsword.
* Strength Requirement: 18
* Agility Requirement: 17
* Stab Damage: 87
* Slash Damage: 83
* Blunt Damage: 17
* Defense: 272
* Durability: 220
* Weight: 1.9
The Duelling Longsword is perfect for quick duels, allowing for fast, calculated attacks with minimal weight.
4. Ramhead Hammer
The Ramhead Hammer is a devastating war hammer designed for brute-force attacks, making it ideal for smashing through armor. Its heavy blunt damage is perfect against heavily armored enemies.
To acquire the Ramhead Hammer, complete The Thunderstone quest. During the quest, locate Ramshead, an NPC who carries a key. This key unlocks a chest in a shack near his camp. Inside, you'll find the Ramhead Hammer along with valuable armor.
* Strength Requirement: 22
* Agility Requirement: N/A
* Stab Damage: 95
* Slash Damage: 134
* Blunt Damage: 234
* Defense: N/A
* Durability: 240
* Weight: 11.1
This weapon is best for players who prefer raw power over finesse, delivering devastating blows in close combat.
5. Ranyek's Bow
A legendary longbow, Ranyek’s Bow is renowned for its high power and precision, making it a deadly choice for archers and ranged combat specialists.
To obtain Ranyek’s Bow, you must loot Ranyek after digging him out of the sewage in Bylany. This event occurs during a questline in which you track down the scattered members of the Dry Devil gang.
* Strength Requirement: 14
* Agility Requirement: 14
* Power: 200
* Durability: 100
* Weight: 4.0
This bow is perfect for stealth archers, allowing for long-range engagements with deadly accuracy.
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Best Early Game Tips for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) isn’t your typical RPG—it’s a brutal, immersive, and highly realistic medieval experience that rewards preparation, strategy, and adaptability. Whether you’re looting shops, mastering combat, or making the most of perks and mechanics, your early choices can make or break your journey. Instead of rushing through the story, take the time to steal smart, fight smarter, and explore every opportunity the game offers. These 10 tips will help you navigate the challenging world of Bohemia, ensuring that you start strong and stay ahead.
1. Theft is key to a good early start
Stealing is one of the fastest ways to gain a massive advantage in KCD2, especially in the early game when money and equipment are scarce. Vendors and unique NPCs often carry valuable goods, and many of them keep their shop inventories locked away in chests—chests that can be accessed with a little cunning. Instead of struggling to afford weapons, armor, or potions, players can pickpocket shopkeepers for their keys, bypassing difficult locks and gaining access to their entire stock. The best time to strike is at night when vendors are asleep, as this is when you can easily pickpocket them without being seen. Most merchant chests and shop doors require Hard or Very Hard lockpicking skills, which you likely won’t have early on, making stealing the key the smartest and easiest way in. Once inside, you can loot everything they have for free, ensuring you’re well-equipped without spending a single Groschen.
Don’t feel guilty about robbing the vendors—after a few in-game days, they’ll restock, and you can even repeat the process if needed. With perks like Hustler, you can take your stolen loot and sell it right back to them. Beyond merchants, raiding ***** camps and grave sites for hidden treasures can set you up with thousands of Groschen before most players have even completed their first major quest. Whether you want high-tier gear, free potions, or a quick payday, mastering theft is the ultimate shortcut to a strong start.
2. Use all your outfit load-outs
Your outfit isn’t just for looks—it directly affects your effectiveness in different aspects of the game. Since you can create three loadouts, it’s crucial to optimize them for specific tasks: combat, theft, and speech checks.
Before heading into battle, equip your combat loadout, which should focus on high-defense armor and a strong weapon. Once combat starts, you can’t swap gear, so preparing beforehand is essential. Heavy plate armor provides excellent protection but can slow you down, whereas lighter armor offers more mobility at the cost of defense. Finding the right balance based on your playstyle can mean the difference between life and death in a fight.
For sneaking and stealing, a theft loadout is a must. Dark, lightweight clothing with minimal noise ensures you stay undetected while sneaking, lockpicking, or pickpocketing. Wearing metal armor makes too much noise, making stealth missions unnecessarily difficult.
Meanwhile, a speech-optimized loadout will help in conversations, trade, and social interactions. Well-maintained, stylish clothes, jewelry, and accessories increase your charisma, improving persuasion checks, haggling, and even the chance to avoid conflicts entirely. Keeping these load-outs organized and switching between them before engaging in different activities will make your journey much smoother.
3. Find Mutt as soon as possible
One of the best early-game decisions you can make is completing the quest to find your dog, Mutt. He’s an invaluable ally, especially in combat, where you’re still learning the mechanics and haven’t built up your strength. Mutt can bait enemy aggro, distracting foes so you can land hits more safely or even retreat if necessary. This is a game-changer when facing multiple opponents, as he helps prevent you from getting overwhelmed.
Beyond combat, Mutt also has utility in exploration and survival. He can sniff out hidden items, track down NPCs, and even assist in hunting. Having him by your side makes many aspects of the game easier, and since he doesn’t require much upkeep, there’s no reason to delay getting him. Prioritize this quest early, and you’ll have a loyal companion who will help you in fights, loot hunting, and more throughout your journey. Just remember to feed and pet him now and then, or else his obedience level will drop.
4. Master combat mechanics, combos, and Master Strike
Combat in this game is skill-based and punishes button-mashing, making it crucial to learn the mechanics early. Understanding stamina management, attack angles, and blocking will set you apart from enemies who can quickly overwhelm you if you’re careless. One of the most important things to master is the Perfect Block, which uses no stamina and sets up counterattacks. Once you’re comfortable with blocking, Master Strike should be your next priority—this powerful counterattack lets you deflect an enemy’s strike and immediately retaliate, often turning the tide of battle instantly. You can learn it from Tomcat at the Nomad Camp, and it’s well worth the effort.
Combos are another essential skill, as they let you chain attacks together for maximum damage. Unlike random swings, executing proper combos lets you break through an opponent’s defense, which is crucial against tougher enemies wearing armor. Different weapons have different combos, and you can pay NPC combat trainers to teach you new ones throughout the game. Some trainers are only available for a limited time, so if you come across one, take advantage of their lessons before they disappear. Training at combat arenas, sparring with NPCs, and consistently practicing will reinforce these mechanics, ensuring you don’t get steamrolled in real fights. Mastering combat early will make later encounters far less punishing and give you a serious advantage against skilled opponents.
5. Never buy a horse—steal one instead
Horses are essential for traveling quickly, but there’s no reason to spend thousands of Groschen on one when you can simply steal one for free. Buying a good horse can cost upwards of 7,000 Groschen, whereas stealing and registering one at a Horse Handler costs only a fraction of that price. The best way to do this is to steal a horse at night, when fewer NPCs are around to witness the theft. Once you have the horse, ride straight to a Black Market Horse Handler, such as the one at the Nomad Camp in the Trosky region, to make it legally yours.
Be careful, though—getting caught stealing a horse can lead to serious consequences, including fines or even execution in extreme cases. To avoid this, make sure you’re unseen before mounting a stolen horse, and immediately ride out of the area at full speed. If you play it smart, you’ll have a top-tier horse without breaking the bank, making your early game much easier without draining your funds.
6. Stick with Pebbles and unlock "Good Old Pebbles"
If you love Pebbles and don’t want to swap him out for a better horse, you’re in luck—he eventually becomes one of the best horses in the game. By riding him for 35 kilometers, you’ll unlock the Good Old Pebbles perk. This hidden perk drastically boosts all of Pebbles' stats, turning him into a late-game powerhouse without needing to buy an expensive replacement.
Once the perk unlocks, Pebbles' stats improve significantly, giving him 216 stamina, 358 carry capacity, 53 speed, and 12 courage, making him comparable to some of the best horses available. To get this perk as quickly as possible, avoid fast travel and always ride Pebbles instead of running on foot. If you're patient and stick with him, you’ll save thousands of Groschen while keeping a loyal and well-upgraded steed for the rest of your adventure.
If you decide to swap out Pebbles for Herring in the Back to the Saddle Quest, it too will have a similar hidden perk that buffs its stats called the “Red Herring” perk (unlocks after 50 kilometers).
7. Alchemy is broken
Alchemy is one of the most underrated yet powerful mechanics in the game, and mastering it early can give you a massive advantage. Unlike buying potions, brewing your own is cheap, efficient, and highly customizable. Healing potions like Marigold Decoction will keep you alive in tough fights, while other brews, such as Painkiller and Aqua Venalis, reduce stamina drain and slow bleeding. Buff potions can temporarily boost Speech, Lockpicking, and combat stats, giving you an edge in difficult situations.
The best part? You don’t need to waste Groschen on recipes—just look them up on a KCD2 guide or steal them from vendors and alchemists. Once you know a recipe, you can brew the potion without ever needing to buy the formula. On top of being useful, potions sell for a lot of money, making Alchemy one of the best money-making methods in the game. If you invest in the Secrets of Secrets perk, you can brew Henry-quality potions, which are even more effective and valuable. Keep picking herbs, crafting potions, and selling extras for easy profit—you’ll never be short on Groschen again.
8. Get the Liberal Arts perk for easier skill checks
The Liberal Arts perk is one of the most useful perks in the game, especially if you plan on engaging in Speech, Charisma, or other skill-based interactions. Normally, when you encounter a skill check—whether it’s persuading an NPC, intimidating someone, or passing a reading requirement—you only see your own stats, leaving you guessing how difficult the check actually is. With Liberal Arts, you’ll get a clear indicator of how tough the check is before committing to a choice, allowing you to pick the best approach and avoid unnecessary failures.
This perk is especially valuable early on when you’re still developing your character’s skills. It helps you determine when you should use a Speech buff potion, wear Charisma-boosting clothes, or try a different tactic altogether. Without it, you’ll be blindly guessing whether you have a chance at succeeding, which can lead to wasted opportunities and failed negotiations. If you plan on talking your way through encounters, haggling for better deals, or making the most of skill-based interactions, Liberal Arts is a must-have perk.
9. Avoid getting surrounded in combat—it will get you killed
One of the fastest ways to die in combat is to let yourself get surrounded. Unlike one-on-one fights, where you can focus on blocking and countering, multiple enemies will attack you from different angles, leaving you defenseless. Even if you're wearing heavy armor, taking hits from multiple enemies at once will drain your stamina rapidly, making you vulnerable to devastating blows. If you find yourself in a fight against several opponents, your priority should be to keep them in front of you and avoid getting flanked.
Use terrain to your advantage by fighting in narrow spaces like doorways, hallways, or against walls where only one or two enemies can engage you at a time. If you're in an open area, backpedal and reposition yourself to funnel enemies into a line. Also, don’t forget about Mutt—your dog can help pull aggro and create openings for you to strike. If things get too overwhelming, don’t be afraid to run, reposition, or even retreat entirely—staying alive is more important than fighting a losing battle.
10. Take your time and enjoy the game
This isn’t a game you should rush through—the real fun comes from immersing yourself in the world, exploring side quests, and finding creative ways to solve problems. Unlike other RPGs with straightforward objectives, many missions here offer multiple ways to complete them. You can talk your way out of conflicts, sneak past enemies, or brute-force your way through obstacles—it all depends on your playstyle. Taking the time to experiment with different approaches makes every playthrough unique and rewarding. Side quests are just as rich and engaging as the main story, often filled with humor, intrigue, or unexpected consequences. Some side missions even provide unique rewards, rare gear, or valuable skills that can help you in the long run. Instead of racing through the story, slow down, explore, and let the game unfold naturally—the depth of the world is what makes it special.
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Shadow Banning in Video Games: What It Means and How It Works
What is Shadow Banning?
If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to connect with other players, experiencing unusually high ping, or playing against seemingly impossible opponents, you might have been shadow banned. But what does shadow ban mean in the context of video games? Unlike a regular ban that outright prevents a player from logging in, a shadow ban is a subtler, often unannounced restriction that limits a player’s experience without them knowing it directly.
This method is commonly used by game developers to deal with suspected cheaters, toxic players, or those engaging in suspicious behavior without outright banning them. Instead of informing the player that they’ve been penalized, the game may place them in lobbies with other shadow-banned individuals, making the experience frustrating rather than outright blocking them.
How does shadow banning happen in games?
Shadow banning is commonly used in games like Call of Duty and PUBG to limit the experience of players suspected of cheating or engaging in toxic behavior without outright banning them.
The process of shadow banning in video games varies depending on the title, but it often works through automated detection systems or player reports. Popular online multiplayer games, especially competitive ones, use shadow banning as a way to quietly isolate disruptive players.
In most cases, shadow banning can be triggered by:
* Detection of cheating software – If a game’s anti-cheat system detects unauthorized modifications, such as aimbots, wallhacks, or Ximming, the account may be flagged.
* Abnormal gameplay patterns – Unusually high accuracy, superhuman reaction times, or other suspicious stats can trigger a shadow ban.
* Multiple player reports – If several players report an account for cheating or toxic behavior in a short time, developers may impose a shadow ban while reviewing the case.
* Network manipulation – Using a VPN, lag switching, or packet manipulation to gain an unfair advantage can lead to a shadow ban.
How is shadow banning different from a regular ban?
The key difference between a shadow ban and a regular ban is visibility. When a player receives a standard ban, they’re often notified and prevented from playing. However, when someone is shadow banned, they can still play—but under restrictions designed to make the game frustrating.
For example, a shadow ban often results in being placed in high-ping lobbies filled with other shadow-banned players, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the game. Some games also prevent shadow-banned players from finding matches quickly, or only allow them to play at odd hours.
Meanwhile, a regular ban is much more severe—it can be temporary or permanent, preventing access to online features entirely.
How does one get shadow banned?
The most common reasons for getting shadow banned include:
* Using cheats or hacks – Even minor cheating can result in a shadow ban, as many games have zero-tolerance policies.
* Toxic behavior – Excessive harassment, hate speech, or griefing can get a player shadow banned.
* Suspicious activity – Playing with known cheaters, using a VPN, or having an unusually high kill-to-death ratio can raise red flags.
* Excessive reports – If multiple players report your account for cheating or misconduct, a shadow ban may be applied automatically.
How do I know if I’m shadow banned, and can I get unbanned?
If you suspect you’ve been shadow banned, you might be wondering if your account is permanently doomed. The good news? Shadow bans are usually temporary. Depending on the game, shadow bans typically last anywhere from a few days to two weeks before being lifted—assuming there’s no further suspicious activity.
How shadow bans work in competitive online games
Popular games like the Call of Duty series and PUBG frequently implement shadow banning to manage reports of cheating. These games use automated systems to detect suspicious behavior, placing flagged players in lobbies with others who have also been shadow banned.
In many competitive online multiplayer games, shadow bans occur when a player is reported multiple times under suspicion of cheating. These games often use internal algorithms that determine how many reports trigger a shadow ban, but there is no definitive information on the exact number of reports or the timeframe required for a shadow ban to occur.
Once a player is shadow banned, they can only join lobbies with other shadow-banned players, which significantly increases the likelihood of encountering actual cheaters. This ruins the gaming experience by making lobbies frustrating, increasing queue times, and sometimes resulting in extremely high ping.
Many players have reported that shadow bans in various games last exactly a set duration, suggesting that there is no real review process—just an automated timer. While some high-profile players and content creators can get their bans lifted quickly through insider contacts, regular players are left waiting out the entire shadow ban duration.
Final thoughts
Being shadow banned can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know why it happened. The best way to avoid a shadow ban or similar penalties in other games is to play fairly, avoid using cheats, and maintain good sportsmanship. If you’re already shadow banned, patience is key—most restrictions lift after a set period unless there’s strong evidence of wrongdoing.
That said, many players feel that the current shadow banning system is flawed. Mass reports can sometimes cause innocent players to be shadow banned, and the lack of a proper review process leaves players frustrated. While anti-cheat solutions are meant to help, they haven't fully prevented false shadow bans.
Have you ever experienced a shadow ban? Let us know your thoughts!
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The Best AI Chatbots to Use in 2025
A chatbot is a computer program or software that simulates human interactions as a virtual assistant. They are trained to handle simple tasks or give information about different topics. Chatbots range from simple models that base answers to questions off a script, such as helping with customer service queries, to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning models that can complete more complex tasks. Modern chatbots simulate human interaction using natural language processing (NLP) to interact with users. Here, users may feel like they are chatting with another human and ask questions about life and business or get help planning vacations. This kind of chatbot can recall previous interactions and create new responses in context, giving an almost realistic feel to conversations.
Here is a list of the best AI chatbots to use in 2025.
1. Le Chat
Le Chat is a conversational assistant and the brainchild of a French artificial intelligence startup, Mistral AI. The company aims to democratize AI via open-source products, models, and solutions. Le Chat provides extensive information about various topics, from cooking to coding, and can process 1,100 words per second. In controlled tests, Le Chat also completed encoding tasks in 1.3 seconds, which was faster than its competitors. Users can customize the chatbot’s interface and engage in natural conversations complemented by a wealth of information, including AI-powered searches, task planning, and collaborative ideation.
2. ChatGPT
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that uses natural language processing to simulate lifelike interactions with users. It is trained to ask users follow-up questions, admit mistakes, refuse inappropriate requests, and recall information from previous conversations. It is trained to pick up on preferences and language styles in order to tailor its responses. ChatGPT is useful for brainstorming ideas, curating information, and making shopping lists, travel plans, or business ideas. It can analyze images and data, create pictures, and hold text or voice conversations about almost all topics.
3. Perplexity
Perplexity is a free AI search engine that scours the internet to give conversational replies. It lets users quickly access information from new outlets, academic papers, and blogs, providing sources and citations for reference. Perplexity helps users with answers to everyday questions, access information for professional projects, or explore and deepen their understanding of new topics. It is user-friendly and distills complex information to make it understandable and coherent.
4. Grok
Grok is a chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI and can answer a wide range of questions. The chatbot is trained to respond in an unfiltered and often humorous manner, offering a lighthearted alternative to other chatbots. Grok can generate images, excelling at photorealistic rendering from text instructions. It can assist with writing stories, solving equations, or coding, and is available as a web version or on Android and iOS.
5. Gemini
Gemini provides direct access to Google AI and can help with writing, planning, and learning. Gemini answers prompts using information it already knows or retrieves from other sources like Google. It allows access to large language models, reading trillions of words and patterns in order to accurately respond to questions. At the moment, Gemini’s ability to recall information from previous conversations is limited, meaning it cannot hold context during long conversations, however, it is being continually improved.
6. Copilot
Microsoft Copilot is an AI companion that uses advanced artificial intelligence to understand questions and requests. Alongside engaging in conversations and conducting research, Copilot will give straightforward responses, advice, and feedback to a range of queries. When interacting with Copilot, users are encouraged to use natural language as if they are talking with friends, as it helps the chatbot to learn preferences and deliver information in a more familiar way.
7. Claude
Claude is a next-generation AI assistant designed to be safe and accurate. Built by Anthropic, Claude can help users process large amounts of complex information, brainstorm, generate code, and streamline ideas. Claude uses Constitutional AI, which aims to avoid negative or toxic outputs, instead focusing on creating an AI system that is honest and helpful. As such, it follows a set of rules, like a constitution, to boost transparency.
8. Meta Ai
Meta AI is an AI chatbot that answers questions, generates images, and helps users learn new things. It is available on Meta’s applications such as Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. The Chatbot is capable of complex reasoning and is a live conversation partner for conversations while on the go. Users can even choose familiar voices to discuss issues or read a story, adding a hint of familiarity to the chatbot.
Chatbots: the lowdown
Chatbots are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and their ability to learn and adapt makes them more and more human-like. In this article, we have covered some popular AI-powered chatbots to use in 2025 for problem solving, coding, brainstorming, and more.
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What is Ximming and Can You Get Banned for Using Xim a Device?
What is Ximming?
Ximming refers to the practice of using a keyboard and mouse on a gaming console, typically by utilizing an adapter such as a XIM device. These adapters trick the console into thinking a keyboard and mouse are a standard game controller, allowing players to gain the precision and responsiveness typically associated with PC gaming. While some players use XIM adapters for accessibility reasons, the majority do so to gain a competitive edge in online multiplayer games.
Why does Ximming happen?
Ximming happens because many gamers prefer the accuracy and control of a mouse and keyboard over a traditional controller. Competitive first-person shooter (FPS) games, such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six Siege, often involve fast-paced aiming and movement mechanics where precise input can make a significant difference. Some console players feel at a disadvantage compared to PC gamers due to the limitations of analog sticks, prompting them to seek alternative control methods.
Another reason for Ximming is the aim assist present in many console games. Since these games are designed with controllers in mind, they often feature aim assist to help players land shots more easily. When a XIM user takes advantage of aim assist while using a keyboard and mouse, it creates an unfair gameplay experience where they benefit from both superior input precision and built-in aim assistance.
Additionally, some players use XIM devices as a way to "cheat" without directly using cheats or hacks. Since Ximming is not traditional cheating, such as aimbots or wallhacks, some users see it as a loophole to gain an advantage while avoiding direct detection or punishment.
What unfair advantages does Ximming give gamers?
Ximming offers several unfair advantages, including:
* Increased Precision and Accuracy – A mouse provides more precise aiming compared to an analog stick, allowing XIM users to land shots faster and more consistently.
* Faster Reaction Times – The ability to flick aim and adjust crosshairs quickly gives a substantial edge in fast-paced shooters.
* Smoother Tracking – Mouse movement enables better tracking of enemy movement compared to a controller's joystick.
* Unintended Aim Assist Benefits – Many console shooters feature aim assist, and when combined with mouse input, it creates a near-auto-aim effect that controller players cannot replicate.
* Strafing and Movement Advantages – Keyboards allow for more precise and fluid movement, making it easier to strafe, dodge, and react to enemy attacks.
These advantages create an unbalanced playing field, leading to frustration among controller users who feel they are competing against players with superior input methods.
Is Ximming a bannable offense?
Yes, Ximming can lead to bans in certain games. Developers and publishers generally view Ximming as an exploit because it circumvents the intended control schemes of their games. Some titles have implemented strict policies against XIM adapters and similar devices:
* Overwatch 2: Blizzard has updated its policies to address the use of XIM and similar devices. Players using these devices may have aim assist disabled or face other penalties.
* Call of Duty: Modern Warfare & Warzone: Activision has enhanced its Ricochet anti-cheat system to detect and penalize players utilizing XIM devices, viewing it as a form of cheating.
* Rainbow Six Siege: Ubisoft has acknowledged the use of XIM devices and has implemented measures to detect and address players employing such unauthorized peripherals.
* Marvel Rivals: NetEase has announced strict measures against keyboard and mouse adapters, threatening users with penalties ranging from temporary suspensions to permanent bans. The developers have implemented a detection system, alongside manual review processes, to identify and punish players who gain an unfair advantage through such devices.
While some games have stronger enforcement than others, the overall trend is moving towards stricter penalties for Ximming. In many cases, developers rely on community reports and hardware detection systems to identify and take action against XIM users.
Conclusion
Ximming remains a controversial topic in the gaming community. While some argue it levels the playing field against PC players during crossplay, the reality is that it provides an unfair advantage on consoles by exploiting both keyboard and mouse precision and built-in aim assist. Some players use XIM as a way to "cheat without cheating," but developers are increasingly taking action against it. As more developers crack down on XIM usage, players who rely on these devices risk bans and other penalties. If you want to maintain fair play and avoid potential account suspensions, sticking to the officially supported control methods is the safest approach.
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How to Enable or Disable Windows 11 Lock Screen Ads
Changing a desktop background or computer lock screen is a great way to customize our devices. From a beloved pet, an idyllic view, or a favorite family snap, selecting a background image can help reset our focus and make us smile throughout the day. However, Windows 11 users who have not specially chosen background or lock screen images may see one anyway in the form of a lock screen advertisement. These lock screen ads often include facts or information about the locations in the photo, prompting users to click and find out more. Windows 11 ads may also include banner alerts and news updates about current affairs.
Why am I seeing ads on Windows 11 OS?
Windows 11 collects necessary and optional data from its users, some of which are used for targeted lock screen ads. Necessary data could include information about a device model or diagnostic details to ensure Windows runs as smoothly as possible. However, a large amount of the information collected by Windows is optional, meaning users can opt out of sharing if they wish. For example, Windows may collect location data to show regional news or traffic updates around their local area. Moreover, Windows may collect information from web searches, past purchases of Microsoft products, and online activity about the user’s Microsoft account to show personalized ads.
Do Windows 11 lock screen ads serve any purpose?
Microsoft shows personalized ads to enhance the user experience and allow users to find products and services more easily. However, this also enables advertisers to reach customers who have shown an interest in their offerings.
How to enable Windows 11 lock screen ads
Users who wish to receive personalized content can enable lock screen ads by following these instructions:
Click the Settings icon > select Personalization > Lock screen > choose Windows Spotlight from the dropdown box under Background. Ads will now be enabled.
How to disable Windows 11 lock screen ads
Those looking to remove distractions can stop Windows 11 ads by following these instructions:
Click the Settings icon > select Personalization > Lock screen > choose Picture or Slide Show. Ads will now be disabled. You can also click the disable notifications toggle, which automatically removes ads.
Personalizing the user experience via Windows 11 lock screen ads
Personalized Windows 11 ads help users stay updated with local news and updates. However, some users find them distracting or dislike their browsing information being shared with Microsoft. Luckily, we can disable or enable ads depending on our needs. To stop ads, follow the steps above and enjoy an ad-free user experience on Windows 11.
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