Ironmace launched its most recent playtest, its third overall, for Dark and Darker on December sixteen. The plan on the time become to maintain a week-lengthy alpha take a look at for the fable Tarkov-like focusing on a range of new most important functions, like new High-Roller dungeon queues, new map tiles, a beauty store, and significant stability adjustments standard. The playtest is technically invite-simplest, however Ironmace has been inviting playtesters instantly upon request.
The result has been an tremendous spike in gamers and fans on Steam.RELATED: Escape From Tarkov Announces Standalone Arena PvP GameDiscussion surrounding a playtest extension has been brewing because the begin of Dark and Darker's new playtest among PC gamers, due to some initial server instability problems.
Yet as December 23 grew nearer the communication shifted away from recompense for time misplaced and towards capitalizing on a big wave of latest interest. Ironmace in the long run agreed, handing over a promise of "MORE DARKNESS" and confirming a three-day extension for the Dark and Darker alpha playtest. It will now quit Monday, December 26, within the early AM.
The explanation for the playtest extension is officially due to "early community issues, instabilities, and rollback problems." Ironmace explains that that is conventional, at this factor, seeing that prior Dark and Darker playtests have had comparable troubles and extensions. The underlying message is exhilaration over Dark and Darker's surge in recognition, with Ironmace even posting about the participant assume social media.
Ironmace is assembly the instant, too. The playtest has been stay for per week and Ironmace has launched six total hotfixes addressing problems and making enhancements. The cutting-edge Dark and Darker hotfix arrived Friday morning, empowering the Wraith, Skeleton Champion, and Centaur enemies, nerfing the Longbow, and including a map tile named The Colosseum which can spawn in the High-Roller queue.
All servers of Dark and Darker Gold Coins on MMOexp.com
MMOexp Lineage 2M: Shadowbrand Unleashed
In the ever-expanding world of Lineage 2M, the Shadowbrand stands as one of the most coveted weapons—a two-handed greatsword imbued with dark elemental energy and Lineage 2M Diamonds forged in the shadow of the fearsome Abyssal Knight. This legendary blade is more than a status symbol; it’s a game-changer for players looking to dominate high-end PvE and PvP encounters. This guide will walk you through every step—preparation, boss mechanics, weapon benefits, and build strategies—to master the Shadowbrand and the Abyssal Knight encounter.
What is the Shadowbrand?
The Shadowbrand is a high-tier, dark-element greatsword dropped exclusively by the Abyssal Knight, a formidable world boss hidden in the depths of the Crypt of Hollow Suffering. Designed for advanced melee classes, it enhances both offensive capabilities and survivability through its passive effects.
Shadowbrand Stats
Attack Power: +410
Dark Element Bonus: +35%
Passive: 8% chance to trigger Void Rend – deals area damage and silences enemies
Life Leech: 5% of damage dealt is restored as HP
Requirement: Level 82+, two-handed weapon proficiency
This blade is especially lethal in prolonged fights and excels against enemies weak to dark or holy power.
Reaching the Abyssal Knight
To obtain the Shadowbrand, you must first reach and defeat the Abyssal Knight deep within the Crypt of Hollow Suffering—a multi-level dungeon filled with cursed monsters, traps, and minibosses.
Team Composition Recommendations
Tank (Paladin/Warlord): Holds aggro, absorbs frontal damage
Support DPS (Sword Muse/Death Knight): Deals consistent damage and assists with crowd control
Healer (Bishop/Elder): Removes debuffs, heals through boss phases
Debuffer (Necromancer/Dark Wizard): Lowers the Knight’s defenses and interrupts mechanics
DPS (Archer, Dual Sword): Focused damage dealers, preferably using holy or fire weapons
Required Gear
Holy Resistance talismans and accessories
Armor with sockets for status resistance
Potions: HP, MP, dark resistance
Buff scrolls and Soulshots to enhance output
Speed and coordination are essential, as enemy respawn timers can delay progress significantly.
Dungeon Overview: Crypt of Hollow Suffering
Navigating through the crypt is a challenge in itself. Each of the five floors presents unique obstacles:
Floors 1–2: Stealth or crowd control needed to avoid patrol swarms
Floor 3: Defeat the Soul Guardian to pass dark resistance gates
Floor 4: Manage MP-draining curses and cursed ground tiles
Floor 5: Kill the Abyssal Warden to gain access to the Knight’s lair
Only experienced and well-prepared parties should attempt this dungeon. Death penalties and boss resets are punishing.
Boss Fight Guide: Abyssal Knight
This battle is divided into three phases, each more brutal than the last. Coordination is key.
Phase 1 – Knight’s Presence
Void Slash: Frontal cone AOE; tanks should face the boss away from the team
Dark Shackles: Reduces movement and casting speed; cleanse immediately
Tactics: Spread out, cleanse debuffs fast, and avoid overlapping AOE hits
Phase 2 – Summoning the Void
Begins at 60% HP
New Abilities:
Abyssal Flames – persistent DOT zones on the floor
Shadow Constructs – summoned adds that buff the boss
Tactics: Assign burst DPS to eliminate constructs fast; move constantly to avoid flames
Phase 3 – Final Stand
At 25% HP, the Knight becomes enraged
Gains Void Rend, causing wide-range silence and burst damage
Tactics: Use defensive ultimates, rotate healing cooldowns, and focus on surviving while burning down the boss
Looting the Shadowbrand
The Shadowbrand has a 4% drop rate and only becomes available if you:
Are in the top 3 contributors to boss damage
Deal at least 5% of total boss HP
Are alive and nearby when the boss dies
If dropped, the weapon enters a shared loot pool. Make sure your group has clear distribution rules before starting.
Best Classes for Shadowbrand Builds
Not every class is suited for the Shadowbrand. Its true potential shines in characters that thrive on close-range pressure and sustain.
Recommended Classes
Dark Avenger: Specializes in dark attacks, synergizes with Void Rend
Tyrant: High-speed melee burst, ideal for triggering life-leech
Phantom Knight: Stealth and control, excellent in PvP duels
Key Skills to Enhance the Shadowbrand
Dark Weapon Mastery: Increases dark-element damage
Voidborn Resilience: Reduces cooldowns and enhances survivability
Blood Offering (if available): Boosts life-steal further for tanky playstyles
PvE and PvP Impact
PvE Usage
Exceptional for dungeon crawling and world boss farming
Passive healing allows for fewer interruptions in combat
AOE silence provides crowd control during mob-heavy encounters
PvP Usage
Excellent for frontline skirmishers and duelists
Silence from Void Rend can shut down casters or interrupt combos
Life-leech gives sustain advantage in extended fights
Conclusion: Rise from the Abyss
The Shadowbrand is more than just a weapon—it’s a rite of passage for elite players. Defeating the Abyssal Knight proves your mastery of group tactics, resource management, and combat execution. Once obtained, the Shadowbrand elevates your damage output, survivability, and prestige across the battlefield.
If you're ready to walk the path of shadows and buy Lineage 2M Diamonds carve your legend into Aden, gather your allies and descend into the depths. The Abyssal Knight waits, and with him, your destiny.