In recent weeks on the Chinese DNF servers, many players have been sharing screenshots of so-called “time-travelers” — characters flaunting endgame gear like full B sets, the coveted Saint Light Salvation weapons, and even the rare three-piece Heberon’s Monarch set. At first glance, many thought these were lucky veterans who had earned their “graduation gear” through sheer effort and persistence. But sharp-eyed players soon noticed something unusual: the equipment had no sockets, no enchantments, and in many cases, was rated as lower or even lowest grade. This has led to growing suspicion that these items were modified using third-party cheats, a topic that has also sparked discussion in Crickex Affiliate gaming circles concerned about fairness in online play.

Even more suspicious, these characters often have no expanded inventory, no costume pets, and no medal auras — behavior completely unlike that of legitimate high-level players. Their backpacks are often filled with low-quality blue and white gear or scrap artifact armor, hinting that these accounts might just be low-level alts used by cheat users for quick fun. Some even carry weapons like a +31 enhanced Saint Light Salvation Fist, something impossible to achieve legitimately in the current version. While the owners brag about how hard it was to enhance their weapons or acquire their sets, they sometimes forget to hide their character ID in screenshots, making it easy for others to report them.

Cheating in DNF isn’t new, but players remember a time just two years ago when, although not completely gone, no cheat program could operate reliably for long. Now, not only is cheating rampant in-game, but advertisements for such hacks have spread across major social media platforms. The Crickex Affiliate community has voiced strong support for stricter enforcement, urging the developers to eliminate these tools completely and restore a fair, green gaming environment for millions of adventurers in Arad.

The example of one particular player illustrates the absurdity: perfect max-tier gear with no upgrades to accessories, no socketing, and no enchantments, yet wearing an expensive “Chosen One” title worth thousands. It’s obvious such accounts aren’t built through normal play. By posting panel screenshots publicly, they have likely already accepted the risk of a ban. Netizens wasted no time poking fun at the glaring inconsistencies, pointing out every flaw that exposed the cheating. If the developers take swift action, these exploits can be stamped out, protecting the integrity of competitive play and ensuring that achievements in DNF — like those celebrated in Crickex Affiliate events — are earned, not stolen.