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Usually not, but yesterday I travelled over 900 km by train to vote in my country (my country usually don't accept to vote remotely). Anyway, please vote on this poll. Thanks for your time. https://strawpoll.com/3RnYXRMVWye

In the vast, mythologically inspired world of Odin: Valhalla Rising, progression isn’t just about leveling up or acquiring stronger gear—it’s about mastering the game’s systems and consistently leveraging them to your advantage. Among these systems, Shadow Coins stand out as one of the most important currencies for players aiming to break into the upper tiers of power. Whether you're a competitive PvP player, a PvE grinder, or someone chasing optimal builds, understanding how Shadow Coins work—and how to maximize their value—can dramatically accelerate your journey. This guide breaks down everything you need to know: how to earn them efficiently, how the ranking system affects your rewards, and how to spend them wisely for long-term gains. What Are Shadow Coins and Why Do They Matter? Shadow Coins are a weekly-earned currency tied directly to your performance in Shadow Fortress, one of the game’s core competitive modes. Unlike basic gold or Odin Diamonds, Shadow Coins are performance-gated, meaning they reward skill, consistency, and strategic play rather than simple grinding. This makes them extremely valuable. Why? Because Shadow Coins unlock access to: High-tier equipment upgrades Rare crafting materials Performance-enhancing consumables Exclusive shop items unavailable elsewhere In short, Shadow Coins are a gateway currency to endgame optimization. Understanding Shadow Fortress: The Core System At the heart of Shadow Coin acquisition lies the Shadow Fortress, a recurring competitive system where players are ranked based on performance. How It Works Players participate in Shadow Fortress activities throughout the week Performance is tracked and ranked against other players At the end of each weekly cycle, rewards are distributed Your rank directly determines your Shadow Coin payout This means that Shadow Coins are not just about participation—they are about outperforming others. How to Get Shadow Coins Efficiently To maximize your Shadow Coin income, you need to understand that ranking is everything. Simply showing up isn’t enough—you need to optimize your approach. 1. Prioritize Weekly Performance Your weekly rank dictates your rewards. That means: Every run matters Every improvement counts Consistency across the week is key Instead of playing casually, treat Shadow Fortress like a scheduled competitive event. Tip: Don’t leave your performance to the last day. Spread your efforts across the week to stabilize your ranking. 2. Build for the Mode, Not Just General Play Many players make the mistake of using their standard PvE or PvP builds. Shadow Fortress often rewards: Burst damage for faster clears Survivability for sustained encounters Mobility for repositioning and efficiency If you’re serious about climbing ranks, consider adjusting your build specifically for Shadow Fortress performance. 3. Optimize Gear and Enhancements Since ranking is competitive, even small stat differences matter. Focus on: Upgrading key equipment pieces Enhancing stats that directly impact your performance metrics Using consumables strategically during runs Remember: Shadow Fortress is not just about raw power—it’s about efficient power usage. 4. Learn the Meta and Adapt The meta in Shadow Fortress evolves as players optimize strategies. To stay competitive: Observe top-ranked players Adapt to popular strategies Experiment with alternative approaches Sometimes, a slight shift in strategy can push you several ranks higher—resulting in significantly more Shadow Coins. 5. Consistency Over Spikes It’s tempting to rely on one great performance, but rankings reward consistent results. Aim for: Stable high-level runs Minimizing mistakes Maintaining performance across sessions Consistency ensures you don’t drop in rank due to a single poor run. How Ranking Affects Shadow Coin Rewards The ranking system is straightforward but impactful: Higher rank = More Shadow Coins Lower rank = Reduced rewards This creates a competitive feedback loop: Perform better → earn more coins Spend coins → get stronger Get stronger → perform even better Breaking into higher ranks early can snowball your progression dramatically. Where to Spend Shadow Coins Earning Shadow Coins is only half the equation. Spending them wisely is what separates average players from top-tier competitors. The Shadow Fortress Shop is your primary destination. Best Uses for Shadow Coins 1. High-Tier Equipment One of the most impactful uses of Shadow Coins is acquiring powerful gear upgrades. These items often provide: Significant stat boosts Unique effects Endgame viability If your goal is to increase overall combat effectiveness, this should be your top priority. 2. Rare Enhancement Materials Enhancement materials are often bottlenecks in progression. Using Shadow Coins to acquire them allows you to: Upgrade gear faster Avoid grinding lower-tier content Maintain competitive parity This is especially important for players pushing high-end content or rankings. 3. Performance-Boosting Consumables Consumables can make the difference between: A good run and a top-tier run Surviving vs. failing Securing higher rankings Investing in consumables can be a short-term cost for long-term gain, especially if they help you climb ranks and earn more coins. 4. Exclusive Shop Items Some items in the Shadow Fortress Shop are not available elsewhere, making them highly valuable. These can include: Unique gear pieces Special upgrade items Limited-time offerings Always check the shop rotation to ensure you don’t miss high-value opportunities. Spending Strategy: Short-Term vs Long-Term A common mistake players make is spending Shadow Coins impulsively. Instead, think in terms of strategy. Short-Term Focus Consumables for immediate performance boosts Materials for quick upgrades Temporary power spikes to climb ranks Long-Term Focus High-tier gear investments Rare items with lasting value Building a sustainable power foundation The best approach is balance: use some coins to improve your weekly performance, but save enough for major upgrades. Turning Shadow Coins Into a Weekly Ritual To truly dominate, Shadow Fortress should become part of your weekly routine. Step-by-Step Weekly Plan Start of the Week Evaluate your current build Identify areas for improvement Midweek Optimization Adjust strategies based on performance Refine your runs End of Week Push Secure your rank Use consumables if needed to maximize output Reward Phase Collect Shadow Coins Spend strategically This cycle ensures continuous progression. Common Mistakes to Avoid Even experienced players can mismanage Shadow Coins. Here are some pitfalls: 1. Ignoring Shadow Fortress Skipping this mode means missing out on one of the most valuable currencies in the game. 2. Spending Without a Plan Buying random items without considering long-term value can slow your progression. 3. Neglecting Build Optimization Using a generic build instead of optimizing for Shadow Fortress can limit your ranking potential. 4. Inconsistent Participation Missing runs or playing irregularly can cause your rank to drop significantly. Advanced Tips for Competitive Players If you’re aiming for top-tier ranks, consider these advanced strategies: Min-Max Your Stats Focus on: Damage efficiency Cooldown optimization Survivability thresholds Even minor stat improvements can push you into a higher bracket. Track Your Performance Keep track of: Run times Damage output Mistakes Analyzing your gameplay helps you refine your approach. Adapt Weekly Each weekly cycle is an opportunity to improve. Treat it as a fresh challenge. Final Thoughts: Mastering the Shadow Economy Shadow Coins are more than just a currency—they are a reflection of your skill, consistency, and strategic mindset in Odin: Valhalla Rising. By: Prioritizing Shadow Fortress Optimizing your performance Spending coins strategically —you can create a powerful feedback loop that accelerates your growth and places you firmly among the game’s top players. Make Shadow Fortress a weekly ritual. Treat every run as an opportunity to improve buy Odin Valhalla Rising Diamonds. And most importantly, view Shadow Coins not just as rewards—but as tools for domination. Because in Odin, power isn’t just earned—it’s optimized.

happy for you, nice that you can have a good sleeping schedule (I want to be this punctual for sleeping )

Already done: I think I'll write all steps that I followed. Not now, it's almoast midnight.  Anyway, on GIMP I used color curves. The standard curve is y = x, I used y = 32 * nroot(4, x / 32). So for high mountains, behavior is nearly asymptotic. You can see that Himalayan is nearly flat, like a mesa. But, this is not sufficient. In a 512x512 Himalaya is so near to the coast that I can't do a passage between India and South-East of Asia.

I'd try to reduce contrast on the heightmap and try again, to reduce a lot of the extreme height differences.