Torchlight: Infinite SS13 Afterlight launches on July 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM PDT. A major change is that Dream Talking will no longer drop and Dream Interpretation is being removed.
For players who invested in Shepherd, the main question is simple:
What should you exchange it for?
Note: This is a preseason guide. The final exchange pool and the value of each farming mechanic may change after launch.
Is Nightmare Being Removed?
Not necessarily—at least not according to the published patch notes.
The official SS13 patch notes confirm that Dream Talking will no longer drop and that Dream Interpretation is being removed. However, they do not explicitly say that the entire Nightmare mechanic is being deleted.
Shepherd may retain limited value if Nightmare remains playable and its remaining rewards stay worthwhile. However, because its key effects revolve around Dream Bubbles, Dream Omens, and Twinightmare, exchanging it may be the safer preseason choice.
Before exchanging anything, check the live client for:
- The exact conversion rate.
- How each Shepherd rank converts into exchange currency.
- Which Pactspirits are included in the live selection pool.
- Whether newly added Pactspirits are eligible.
- Whether the exchange has a deadline.
Do not assume the process is completely lossless until the final rules are visible in-game.
Best Shepherd Replacement Options
Arcana and Vorax: Top Preseason Targets
Arcana's Jestress and Vorax's Intern Shelley look like two of the strongest preseason options for currency-focused players, provided they appear in the live exchange pool.
Both are expected to remain useful from early endgame into Deep Space, but their SS13 performance still needs live testing. Their main downside is that both mechanics involve minigames, player decisions, and additional interaction.
Choose them if you enjoy optimizing seasonal mechanics. Avoid them if you only want fast, uninterrupted mapping.
Sandlord Town: Good Value at Low Ranks
Sandlord Town is a strong option for players who prefer lower-maintenance rewards.
You may not need to push its Pactspirit directly to Rank 6. Rank 1 or 2 can already provide useful value, allowing you to spend the remaining exchange resources elsewhere.
This is especially useful for accounts that still lack Pactspirits for several mechanics.
Blacksail: A Flexible Rank 1 Pick
Blacksail fits naturally into regular Netherrealm mapping and does not require as much out-of-map management as Mistville or Frozen Canvas.
If you do not already have its Pactspirit, unlocking Rank 1 can be a practical choice before investing the rest into Arcana, Vorax, or another main farming strategy.
Mistville and Frozen Canvas: Only If You Enjoy Them
Mistville and Frozen Canvas can be profitable, but both are heavily focused on their own minigames.
They are good choices for specialists, not universal recommendations. Do not exchange Shepherd for one of them purely because of its potential profit. Make sure you actually enjoy the gameplay first.
Carjack: Strong but Build-Dependent
Carjack can perform well, but it favors builds with excellent area coverage and clearing speed.
Only choose its Pactspirit if your planned character can handle the mechanic efficiently. It is not a safe blind pick for every starter build.
Overrealm: Better for Fast Endgame Players
Overrealm becomes more valuable in Profound and Deep Space content, especially with higher map investment.
It can be a strong late-game option, but casual players or slower progressors may get more immediate value from Arcana, Vorax, Sandlord Town, or Blacksail.
Rank 6 or Split the Exchange?
A Rank 6 Pactspirit can be extremely powerful because higher ranks often unlock new effects rather than only increasing basic numbers.
Go for Rank 6 when:
- You already know which mechanic you will farm.
- The Pactspirit gains major bonuses at higher ranks.
- You plan to use it throughout the season.
Split your exchange when:
SS13 also introduces permanent Drop Pactspirit plans, allowing unlocked seasonal Pactspirit effects to work for their assigned gameplay without constant manual switching. This makes broader account coverage more valuable than before.
- Your account lacks several useful Pactspirits.
- A mechanic already works well at Rank 1 or 2.
- You are still unsure which farming strategy you prefer.
For example, unlocking Rank 1 Blacksail and Rank 2 Sandlord Town may be more useful than committing everything to a mechanic you later stop playing.
Biggest Mistakes to Avoid
Do not exchange before checking the live selection pool. A Pactspirit appearing in old chests or previous rotations does not guarantee that it will be available in SS13.
Do not choose based only on theoretical profit. The best Pactspirit is tied to a mechanic you can farm consistently and enjoy playing.
If you need help reaching the endgame content where these farming strategies become effective, check out our Torchlight: Infinite boosting service.
Be careful with the old selector-chest trick. Some players suggest choosing Shepherd from an older chest and exchanging it for Vorax after SS13 begins. This is still an unconfirmed strategy and could waste a limited selector.
Do not rely entirely on last season’s farming data. SS13 includes reward adjustments for several older mechanics, so previous profit rankings may change after launch.
Final Recommendation
For most active players, Arcana and Vorax look like the leading preseason targets, but they are not guaranteed to be the best SS13 choices.
Choose Arcana or Vorax for strong general farming potential, provided their Pactspirits appear in the live exchange pool. Choose Sandlord for lower-maintenance value, or unlock Blacksail at Rank 1 for more farming flexibility.
Mistville, Frozen Canvas, Carjack, and Overrealm can also be strong, but they depend much more on personal preference, build strength, or endgame progression.
Most importantly, wait until Afterlight is live, inspect the actual exchange pool, and confirm how Shepherd ranks convert before making a permanent decision. A preseason tier list can narrow down your options, but the live exchange rules should determine your final choice.
