By Array on Sep 09, 2017 08:30 pm
San Francisco Comic-Con was back again this year and was home to some amazing cosplay. Attendees came out dressed as their favorite characters from a wide variety of TV shows, comics, and movies, and we've gathered together a selection of the best for you to peruse in this gallery. If you'd like to see more cosplay, we also have some recent galleries from PAX West, Gamescom, as well as the big one: San Diego Comic-Con. And to see all our Cosplay galleries, be sure to check our official GameSpot Cosplay page.
Joker - @katielynncosplay ; Harley Quinn - @emdavfro ; Poison Ivy - @kimbercosplay
Bakugo - @shellynotshally
Ruby Rose - @robothentai
Raven - @goresquad ; Nightwing - @ghoulgunk ; Starfire - @gyaru.gal
Mera - @aydc127 ; Aquaman - @conradsherby
Pickle Rick - @doccanecosplay
By GameSpot Staff on Sep 09, 2017 07:30 pm
This is your life now
You just beat Destiny 2. But while you've killed countless enemies and collected a respectable amount of Legendary and Exotic loot, you know that the "real" game has only just begun. In addition to cleaning up all of the adventures, clearing out your weekly quests, and attending strikes spread out across the galaxy, you also have to get ready for the Raid. Destiny 2 offers a lot of content post-game, but raids are the pinnacle. Highly challenging, and highly rewarding, they also demand a lot of preparation and time. In order to help you maximize your post-game experience in Destiny, we're highlighting some tips in this guide to help you make the most of your post-game farming. If you're new to the game, or if you just haven't beaten the final mission yet, beware that there are spoilers in the pages ahead. And if you're looking for more general tips and guides, check out our ongoing Destiny 2 review in progress, an explanation of how power levels work, and a roundup of all our Destiny 2 tips and guides.
Raise Your Power Level
This one should be obvious, but you'll want your power level to be as high as possible before attempting the raid. After the Red War campaign, you should already be close to (if not at) level 20. After you reach that level cap, your power level will continue to go up as you equip better weapons and armor. Your experience bar will continue to rise as well, and you'll earn a Bright Engram each time it gets full. We're guessing that the power level recommendation for the Raid will be 260, but it could certainly go even higher. It's best to be prepared. And remember, Unlike Destiny 1, your Power number does not inform the quality of the randomised gear that might drop during your travels. Having better gear your inventory (or even in your vault) is just the same as wearing it as far as the level of gear you'll earn from loot.
Turn in your Tokens
The representative factions for each map in Destiny 2 do more than help push the narrative along, they can also help you nab some sweet rewards. If you've saved all the tokens you've earned from region chests, Lost Sectors, and loot cases, once you hit 20 is the time to turn them in. Each time you max out a faction leaders reputation meter, you earn an Engram that will net you Legendary-level rewards.
Complete Milestones
If you get lost or you're just not sure what to do next, focus on your milestones. You can complete the single-player campaign without doing too many sidequests, and you should try to save these extra-curricular activities for post-game anyway, since you'll get even better rewards. To check your sidequests, just open up the map and hit L2. Some of the available milestones will overlap with the points outlined ahead, but there are a few unique quests in Milestones as well.
Take your public events to the next level
Public events are a really good way to get a token, glimmer, gear and (if you're lucky) Legendary or Exotic Engrams. And you can make Public Events Heroic, increasing the potential for even more gear drops and Engrams. Public events are easy to find and join. But study the video linked earlier to learn how to trigger the Heroic version. This is one of the fastest ways to increase your power level. Some Heroic public events are probably a bit difficult to solo so, hopefully there are some Guardians in the area to help you out. Otherwise, get some friends and join a Fireteam.
Hold off on turning in your Powerful Gear rewards
Unlike the Engrams that you get as rewards for most quests, Powerful Gear is special. Other Engrams you decrypt are rolled for their power level when they drop, so you can redeem them whenever--normal loot doesn't scale. But Powerful Gear isn't assigned a Power Level until you collect it. Meaning you can let this sit and wait a little bit longer with a payoff that's even better suited to your level. There are a few ways to earn Powerful Gear: Flashpoints, those weekly bounties that Cayde-6 assigns, are one way. There are also Powerful Rewards from the Crucible for completing Milestones. And if you finish the Nightfall mission, Zavala will offer up Powerful Gear. The higher your number when you collect those rewards, the better.
Get Cayde's help
Buy Cayde's scouting reports. This will give you an ability similar to the Hunter one in Destiny 1, which marks chests in the area you're exploring. They are planet-based, though, so only spend the Glimmer if you know you'll be hanging out in one location for a while. Farming the Nessus in the Exodus Black Area is one of our personal favorite spots. There are a fair amount of chests in the area which will usually give you at least a token, sometimes a legendary engram or a rare drop. Sometimes though the chest will have nothing so be prepared for that. In addition Cayde sells Treasure maps, which reveal the coordinates of some nice treasure reserves. These chests will have rare items and sometimes Legendary engrams. We haven't found an exotic in them yet, but it's possible!
Farm all the things
Don't forget that there are other things you can farm like Dusklight, Alkane Dust, Phaseglass Needle, and Microphasic Datalattice. These will increase your reputation with the specific planetary reps. It's a nice side thing to keep in mind while you're running around planets. Don't pass these farming deposits by!
Clan up
Join a Clan and reap some sweet benefits. A clan has weekly goals, and if they are completed, they can yield Legendary engrams for your entire group. The levels are based off your own Power Level though, not on the level of your group members. In addition, leveling up your clan (which happens through normal play) will earn you bonus rewards like increased glimmer and the chance for more Engram drops. It's cool to be a part of a team!
Planetary Daily Challenges
While you're farming a planet make sure to check each planet's daily challenges as completing each task will net you two coins. Some require you to do a Lost Sector in a certain area, kill X number of a certain enemy race, or steal a pike and kill 20 enemies with it. If the game is asking you to do something, you should do it.
Go on Patrol
Make sure to finish Cayde's quest for access to Patrol Missions, which you can find on Earth after finishing the main story campaign. This will unlock the same patrol missions that vanilla Destiny had, but it has nice added benefit of letting you farm in a certain area--you earn one rep token per patrol mission.
Continue the story
Don't ignore the other story mission that have unlocked post-game--those are the quests that will, ultimately, give you free Exotic weapons. Some are soloable and others will require a Fireteam. But hold off completing these until you've finished most of the other items on this list. The missions can garner you some very powerful weapons; we've gotten as high as a 285.
By Matt Espineli on Sep 09, 2017 06:56 am
All The Warlock Stormcaller Skills
Returning from the Taken King, the Warlock's third subclass is a powerhouse, and can become a real asset when looking to mow through bunches of enemies at once. Focusing on Arc damage, the Stormcaller is acquired last during the Warlock's adventures across the galaxy, and it has been upgraded since its last outing in Destiny 1. Essentially turning the Warlock into an all-powerful lighting wizard that will make Raiden and Ramuh stand up and take notice, the Stormcaller is subclass that brings the Warlock to the frontlines, where they'll unleash deadly bolts of chained lightning across the field. Focusing on speed, evasion, and being self-sufficient--the Stormcaller is an effective choice for players wanting to cut loose and unleash their skills. Here's a quick breakdown of all the skills and traits for the Stormcaller subclass, and for more info on everything related to the Warlock and other classes, check in with our guides below for all things happening with Destiny 2. For even more Destiny content, we have a full roundup of our review and all our guide content here.
Super Ability: Stormtrance
By activating the Stormtrance super with L1 + R1 (LB + RB on Xbox One, F on PC), the Warlock will enter a powered up state--levitating off the ground, giving them increased speed--and unleash a powerful torrent of Arc energy in front of them. Similar to the Dawnblade's super, the Stormcaller's special ability turns the Warlock into a powerful Guardian for a short amount of time, and one you would best avoid during PVP. During Strikes and Raids, the Stormcaller can be useful with clearing smaller minions and pinning elite enemies down with their Arc energy. Passive Buffs: Attunement of Conduction Focusing on keeping you on the move, while hitting as many foes possible, the Conduction path will introduce chain lighting skills to your melee attacks, keep your Super going for extended periods, and granting your super ability with a special teleport. If staying in Stormtrance is your main focus, then this skill tree is for you. Passive Buffs: Attunement of the Elements If you are a Warlock that wishes to support your allies, while still remaining a serious threat for your enemies, the Element tree is something to keep an eye on. Leaning towards buffing the Warlock's class ability skills--granting an increased recharge rate and summoning an Arc soul to guard your allies--and offering an explosion of Arc energy when unleashing the Stormtrance super, the Elements path is most effective when in numbers, and can be an invaluable assets for the fireteam.
Grenades
Pressing L1 (LB on Xbox One and Q on PC) with the Stormcaller subclass enables the Warlock to toss grenades imbued with Arc damage, but also with a few key differences. Here are the three different grenade types you can apply your character. Pulse Grenade - A grenade that periodically damages enemies inside its explosion radius. While effective on immobilized and slow moving enemies, it can be tough to use on mobile and floating foes. Arcbolt Bolt - A Grenade that chains bolts of lightning to nearby enemies. Essentially acting as a Tesla Coil, this grenade is incredibly effective when you have a number of enemies bunched together. Storm Grenade - A grenade that calls down a focused lightning storm. This particular grenade type brings down a single bolt of lighting, which can be devastating to a group of enemies and to a single target, but can be tricky to nail down on a moving target.
Melee
Pressing R1 (RB on Xbox One and C on PC) allows the Warlock to use melee strikes. With the Stormcaller, these melee attacks can be amplified with some rather unique traits. Chain Lightning - This electrocuting Melee ability hits at extended range and chains lightning from the struck target to nearby enemies. When enemies are grouped up, this can be invaluable melee attack that can hit two birds with one stone. Rising Storm - This electrocuting melee ability hits at extended range and recharges your Super, grenade, and melee energy. If you want to keep your distance, this skill can be valuable for staying where you are while getting a quick hit in.
Passive Traits
The Stormcaller's passive traits focus on being an asset for their allies, while delivering quick and devastating blows to your multiple foes at once. This subclass is very versatile, and can function well in groups and solo play. Here are the two trees focusing on different Passive Traits can alter your Voidwalker in a number of interesting ways. Attunement of Conduction Transcendence - When cast with full grenade and melee energy, Stormtrance lasts longer and fully restores health. If you're into saving your grenades and melee skills, then you'll be rewarded with an extended period of power with the Super, which can be especially useful during tough battles. Arc Web - Enemies damaged by your grenades chain deadly lightning to nearby enemies. On its own, this modifier is a useful for fighting crowds of enemies, but it can be effective when used with the right grenade type. Ionic Blink - Activate to teleport during Stormtrance. By clicking-in the camera control stick, this move will allow your Super powered Warlock to move much faster during Stormtrance. The Stormcaller will be able to dart around the field with ease, all while dodging incoming strikes from enemies. Attunement of the Elements Landfall - On casting Stormtrance, fire a bolt of lightning into the ground, creating a devastating shockwave under you. If you want to channel the almighty Shazam, then this skill will make simply activating the Super into a powerful attack, which can clear a number of enemies on its own. Electrostatic Surge - Your Rift charges faster when allies are near. Sometimes it's good to stay with allies, and this will enable you to recharge your class ability much faster. Arc Soul - Your Rift now grants you or any ally that uses it an Arc Soul to aid in battle. Along with recharging faster, this skill grants you and your friends a friendly Arc drone that offers support in additional Arc damage--which you'll see displayed on screen beside your character.
Class Ability
New to Destiny 2 are class abilities which gives Hunters, Warlocks, and Titans a unique skill to perform in addition to their special grenade and melee abilities. To use them, press and hold the Circle Button (B on Xbox One, V on PC). For the Warlocks, they're granted Rifts with the ability offer buffs to allies, such as increasing attack power, and restoring health while standing within the spot where the Rift is located. Healing Rift - Conjure a well of Light that continuously heals those inside it. With the amount of damage you'll taking over the course of your adventure, this is great skill to have when you and your allies to duck behind cover and heal on the quick. Empowering Rift - Conjure a well of Light that increases weapon damage for those inside it. When you need to do some serious damage in a short amount of time, you can drop this Rift to increase the amount of damage your weapons dish out--this Rift is especially useful you have a boss weakened, and you want to get some strong and fast damage in.
Jumps
Unlike the Titans and Hunters, the Warlock's jumping abilities tend to focus on more graceful, and having accurate control during the initial rise and descent. Gliding is a big part of the Warlock's mobility, which allows them to survey the field and plan ahead during a fight. Strafe Glide - Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with strong directional control. Burst Glide - Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with a strong initial boost of speed.Balanced Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with both moderate speed and directional control.
By Matt Espineli on Sep 09, 2017 05:52 am
Do the Voidwalk.
The Warlock comes prepared with a whole assortment of new skills and abilities, but sometimes you just need to fall back on the old and reliable skills that helped you out in the past. In Destiny 2, the Voidwalker subclass makes a return, along with a few notable upgrades. Along with the Stormcaller, and the brand new Dawnblade subclass, the Voidwalker returns with the focus on Void energy damage, along with the powerful and room clearing Nova Bomb, which is just as satisfying as ever. Here's a quick breakdown of all the skills and traits for the Voidwalker subclass, and for more info on everything related to the Warlock and the other classes, check in with our guides below for all things happening with Destiny 2. For even more Destiny content, we have a full roundup of our review and all our guide content here.
Super Ability: Nova Bomb
By activating the Nova Bomb super with L1 + R1 (LB + RB on Xbox One, F on PC), the Warlock charge up a single, devastating attack. Unlike other Supers that put you in a powered up state for a period of time, the Nova Bomb is a single use Super uses up your meter in an instant. While requiring a lot more precision and timing to use effectively, it's incredibly useful for clearing through foes in an instant and is an invaluable tool when you need a fast and hard hitting move. Passive Buffs: Attunement of Chaos If you believe yourself to be an agent of chaos, then the Voidwalker's path focusing on disruption is the one for you. With the passive buffs on this tree, you'll be powered up with traits that push your abilities to turn your foes into explosive targets, and making your Nova Bomb a slow moving orb of destruction that will seek your targets out. Passive Buffs: Attunement of Hunger With the path of Hunger, your moves have a more parasitic twist. For one, your melee moves will suck the life of your enemies to restore your own, and the Warlock can even absorb their own grenade to regain vitality in a pinch. More importantly, their Nova Bomb will transform into a powerful vortex that will contain trapped enemies and damage them over time.
Grenades
L1 (LB on Xbox One and Q on PC) with the Voidwalker subclass enables the Warlock to toss grenades imbued with Void damage, but also with a few key differences. Here are the three different grenade types you can apply your character. Vortex Grenade - A grenade that creates a Vortex which continually damages enemies trapped inside. Focusing on damage over time, this Vortex Grenade will harm enemies that stay within a particular spot. While useful when you've got an enemy pinned, it'll be hard for it be effective on moving targets. Axion Bolt - A bolt of Void Light that forls into smaller bolts on impact that seek out enemies. This seeker grenade is useful for moving targets, but can be slow to track down its targets. Scatter Grenade - A grenade that splits into many submunitions and covers a large area with multiple explosions. Great in a crowd, and especially effective on elite targets. However, it can be tough to use on foes that absorb move often.
Melee
R1 (RB on Xbox One and C on PC) will allow the Warlock to use melee strikes. With the Voidwalker, these melee attacks can be amplified with some rather unique traits. Entropic Pull - Strike an enemy with this Melee ability to drain your enemy's life force and use it to recharge your grenade. When you're in of your grenade skill, going in for a quick hit with this move will restore your other skill if you need it. Devour - Strike an enemy with this Melee ability to fully regenerate your health. For a short time afterward, kills restore additional health. This parasitic move will allow you to drain the life out of your foes, which can be invaluable during a larger fight with smaller minions running around.
Passive Traits
The Voidwalker's passive traits focus on absorbing damage and charging up their skills, this subclass is very much the class that can look after itself if needs to, subsisting off their own power and vitality of the enemies they come across. The two trees focusing on different Passive Traits can alter your Voidwalker in a number of interesting ways. Attunement of Chaos Chaos Accelerant - Draw power from your Super to overcharge your grenade, making it deadlier and more effective. Though sacrificing your Super energy can be risky, and downright reckless in most situations, sometimes going for the grenade is more wise than wasting a Super. Bloom - Void ability kills cause enemies to explode. Given the Voidwalker's focus on causing mass damage to several foes, this can be incredibly effective when you've got a number of enemies bunched together. Cataclysm - Nova Bomb travels slowly and seeks enemies. Detonations shatter into smaller seeker projectiles. Fire your weapon at the Nova Bomb to detonate it early. Essentially turning your Nova Bomb into a Smart Bomb, this is a more tactical take on the Super, which can be used in some clever ways. Attunement of Hunger Feed The Void - Consume Your Grenade energy to regenerate your health. Grants the Devour effect. If you're in a pinch, eating your grenade to restore your health can be a serious asset during a nasty fight. Insatiable - While Devour is effect in active, killing enemies extends its duration and recharges your grenade. When you're on a roll clearing through enemies, this can be be a significant boost your momentum during battle, keeping you on the move with your skills at the ready. Vortex - Nova Bomb creates a singularity which continually damages enemies trapped inside. With the effectiveness of Nova Bomb apparent, this modifier can turn the Super move into something greater, especially if you can pin several targets in place at once.
Class Ability
New to Destiny 2 are class abilities which gives Hunters, Warlocks, and Titans a unique skill to perform in addition to their special grenade and melee abilities. To use them, press and hold the Circle Button (B on Xbox One, V on PC). For the Warlocks, they're granted Rifts with the ability offer buffs to allies, such as increasing attack power, and restoring health while standing within the spot where the Rift is located. Healing Rift - Conjure a well of Light that continuously heals those inside it. With the amount of damage you'll taking over the course of your adventure, this is great skill to have when you and your allies to duck behind cover and heal on the quick. Empowering Rift - Conjure a well of Light that increases weapon damage for those inside it. When you need to do some serious damage in a short amount of time, you can drop this Rift to increase the amount of damage your weapons dish out--this Rift is especially useful when you have a boss weakened, and you want to get some strong and fast damage in.
Jumps
Unlike the Titans and Hunters, the Warlock's jumping abilities tend to focus on more graceful, and having accurate control during the initial rise and descent. Gliding is a big part of the Warlock's mobility, which allows them to survey the field and plan ahead during a fight. Strafe Glide - Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with strong directional control. Burst Glide - Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with a strong initial boost of speed. Blink - Jump while airborne to teleport a short distance. This is the one move is shared with the Hunter class. If the Warlock's glide isn't up to your style, then this move serves to be the best of both worlds--balancing grace with cunning.
By Array on Sep 09, 2017 05:19 am
All The Warlock Dawnblade Skills
With the new Dawnblade subclass, the Warlock rises from the ashes like a phoenix and unleashes intense heat and devastating sword strikes against the many foes fighting for control of The Traveler. As one of the new subclasses in Destiny 2, the Warlock's new Solar based subclass more than proves its worth during the opening hours. But there's much to this subclass than the flaming wings and fire sword that the Warlock conjures up. With new modifiers for your grenade and melee skills, and brand new passive abilities focusing on fighting in the air with grace and giving your attacks and added range and depth, the Dawnguard is able to hold its own in a fight and makes it an all around good subclass to stick with during your adventures. Here's a quick breakdown of all the skills and traits for the Dawnblade subclass, and for more info on everything related to the Warlock and other classes, check in with our guides below for all things happening with Destiny 2. For even more Destiny content, we have a full roundup of our review and all our guide content here.
Super Ability: Daybreak
By activating the Daybreak super with L1 + R1 (LB + RB on Xbox One, F on PC), the Warlock with be granted with a sword and wings to unleash waves of heat that can down most foes in a single hit. Flight mode can be activated by using the double jump, enabling the Warlock to stay in the air as they are attacking. R1 and R2 during Daybreak (RB and RT on Xbox One, Left and Right Click on PC) will throw flaming sword strikes. Passive Buffs: Attunement of Sky Focusing on the mobility of the Dawnblade, the Attunement of Sky tree focuses on buffs that grant quicker movement and reload speeds, the firing of weapons while gliding, and a useful air dodge. Passive Buffs: Attunement of Flame Taking the path of the Flame, you'll gain additional buffs to your Daybreak powers, granting homing projectiles, explosive melee strikes, and a unique dive attack during your Super which restores health and creates a gust of fire damage.
Grenades
Hitting L1 (LB on Xbox One and Q on PC) with the Dawnblade subclass enables the Warlock to toss grenades imbued with Solar damage, but also with some differences. Here are the three different grenades you can apply your character. Solar Grenade - A grenade that creates a flare of Solar Light that continually damages enemies trapped inside. This movie is useful when you have foes pinned in fixed spot, allowing for delivering damage over time. Firebolt Grenade - A grenade that unleashes bolts of Solar Light at nearby enemies. Launching this grenade at a specific spot will cause the grenade to seek out nearby targets and damage them powerful bolts of fire. Useful in a packs, but not so much when against a moving target. Fusion Grenade - An explosive grenade that deals bonus damage when it attaches to a target. As described, this grenade attaches itself to targets before exploding, which will also damage nearby enemies.
Melee
R1 (RB on Xbox One and C on PC) will allow the Warlock to use melee strikes. With the Dawnblade, these melee attacks can be amplified with some rather unique traits. Swift Strike - Strike an enemy with this melee ability to burn your target and temporarily increase your movement and reload speed. Along with the damage over time, the movement and reload speed boost are useful during a hectic fight. Igniting Touch - Strike an enemy with this melee ability to burn them and cause them to explode. In addition to damage over time, the explosion will cause bonus damage as well, which is useful for the more tougher foes.
Passive Traits
The Dawnblade's passive traits focus on mobility and evasion, giving them a greater sense of speed during heavy fights on the ground and in the air. Each tree focuses on particular skills that give the Dawnblade the edge no matter where they fight. Attunement of Sky Winged Sun - Engage your enemies mid-flight. Fire weapons and throw grenades while gliding. While there normally isn't much room for jumping and shooting, this skill will make the Warlock's far more graceful during a fight--which is especially useful on the move. Heat Rises - Airbone Kills recharge your Grenade and Melee energy. Casting Daybreak instantly refills all your ability energy. During a tough fight, having this skill can be especially useful after popping your super, allowing you to go in hard refreshed and ready. Icarus Dash - Activate while midair to dodge (Circle, Circle on PS4, B, B on Xbox One, CTRL, CTRL on PC). This is move useful during tough fights when you're on the move. With Dawnblade active, you will even be able to move around much faster. Attunement of Flame Fated For The Flame - Daybreak projectiles seek targets as they travel and, upon impact, launch a streak of deadly flames. The Daybreak's strikes are devastating enough on their own, but this trait makes them even more deadly. Everlasting Fire - Killing an enemy with Daybreak extends its duration. If you're on a hot streak during your super, you can extend it event further by taking out groups of enemies--making you a real powerhouse for the fireteam. Phoenix Dive - Activate while midair to quickly descend and restore your health (activate by holding Circle on PS4, B on Xbox One, and CTRL on PC). While Daybreak is active, Descend causes explosive damage. This is one of the tricky traits, as it depends on how you move around during combat--but it can be extremely useful when in a tough fight.
Class Ability
New to Destiny 2 are class abilities which gives Hunters, Warlocks, and Titans a unique skill to perform in addition to their special grenade and melee abilities. To use them, press and hold the Circle Button (B on Xbox One, V on PC). For the Warlocks, they're granted Rifts with the ability offer buffs to allies, such as increasing attack power, and restoring health while standing within the spot where the Rift is located. Healing Rift - Conjure a well of Light that continuously heals those inside it. With the amount of damage you'll taking over the course of your adventure, this is great skill to have when you and your allies to duck behind cover and heal on the quick. Empowering Rift - Conjure a well of Light that increases weapon damage for those inside it. When you need to do some serious damage in a short amount of time, you can drop this Rift to increase the amount of damage your weapons dish out--this Rift is especially useful you have a boss weakened, and you want to get some strong and fast damage in.
Jumps
Unlike the Titans and Hunters, the Warlock's jumping abilities tend to focus on more graceful, and having accurate control during the initial rise and descent. Gliding is a big part of the Warlock's mobility, which allows them to survey the field and plan ahead during a fight. Strafe Glide - Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with strong directional control. Burst Glide - Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with a strong initial boost of speed. Balanced Glide - Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with both moderate speed and directional control.
By Jimmy Thang on Sep 09, 2017 01:09 am
- How to build - proper build order/most efficient House keeping rules: - touch metal - don't tighten too much - don't touch pins
A rookie mistake that beginning PC builders make is that they forget to install the motherboard's IO shield before installing the motherboard. So the first thing you'll want to do is to pop in the IO shield. Make sure that the IO shield is right-side up and has the labels facing the outside. The IO shield can be sharp, so make sure you're being mindful of its edges. You can hold it in place and push it in with the back of a screwdriver if you want to avoid getting any minor cuts.
The next thing you'll want to do is to prep the motherboard outside of the case. This means installing the CPU, CPU cooler, and RAM. It's ergonomically easier to do these things before you put the motherboard in the case and you can do it all on the box that the motherboard came in. The first step is to install your CPU. In the picture above, we're using an AMD Ryzen 3 1200 CPU, but the principle applies for other AMD and Intel CPUs. Make sure that you properly align the CPU before you drop it into its socket. The easiest way to line these up is to look for an arrow on one of the corners of the CPU and match it up with the arrow on the CPU socket on your motherboard. Once you have that established, pull up on the lever, drop in the CPU, and push the lever back down until it locks itself into place.
Our Biostar A320MH Pro motherboard comes with pre-mounted brackets for an aftermarket water cooler, but since we're using AMD's included CPU air cooler, we're going to unscrew them to get rid of them.
With the CPU in place, you'll want to install the CPU cooler. The stock AMD cooler comes with pre-applied thermal paste, so all we have to do is screw the CPU cooler into place. Just a general tip about screwing things in, try to use a star pattern, this will ensure that it will have an even distribution of pressure. Also, make sure you don't screw it in super tight, especially the first time around. Over torquing screws can put unnecessary pressure on the CPU and can damage the board or processor.
Once the CPU fan is mounted, it's going to need power. From here, you can plug in the fan's power cable into the CPU fan port on your motherboard.
The final step in prepping our motherboard involves installing the RAM.
With our motherboard prepped, it's time to lay the case down flat and install the appropriate standoffs inside so you can drop the mobo down into place. You can see how many standoffs you need by how many screw holes are in your mobo. Just make sure they are aligned with the holes before you tighten them in place. Some cases will come with pre-installed stand offs, but ours didn't, so we added six for our Mini ITX board.
Once you've got all the appropriate standoffs in place, it's time to drop your motherboard in. We find it safest and easiest to move the motherboard around by holding onto the CPU fan. You'll want to make sure that the holes on the motherboard properly align with the standoffs you previously installed.
Once you have the motherboard situated in place, it's time to screw it down. Again, try and use a star pattern so you can get an even distribution of pressure.
Now that the motherboard is secure, you'll want to install the power supply. If your case has a PSU fan cut-out, it may be a good idea to face the PSU face downwards. If your case doesn't feature one, then you'll want to have the fan facing up, as it acts as an intake fan. From here, you want to screw the PSU in place on the back. PSUs typically feature four screws. Sometimes you may find it easier to finger tighten screws before you use a screwdriver.
The next thing you'll want to do is to open up the back panel of your case so you can expose the cable routing options. This will help you with cable management so you can mitigate clutter in your chassis.
With the power supply installed and both sides of the case open, It's a good idea to com up with a basic plan for cable management. Primarily, this means that you'll want to route the CPU, GPU, motherboard, and SATA power cables through the back of your case and back around through any grommets you have access to. You don't have to plug everything in just yet, but you should at least know where everything will go before you plug them in.
Now is a good time to slot your hard drive into the case. Many chassis will come with HDD trays for you to slip them into, some will require you to use four screws to hold it in place.
If your build uses an SSD like ours does, now would be a good time to screw it down in place as well. Like HDDs, SSDs will feature four screw holes to secure them in place.
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