Shaper seeds are tier based
There are 15 total (not linear distributed across the tiers). Not trade-able quest rewards for either slaying the map boss or doing the map quest (opening that shitty chest, thanks Vorici). Shaped maps get +5 to their Tier. Non-shaped versions won't drop for you anymore, at all. Shaped versions are still restricted by the map drop system. Meaning you need to be at the same or higher tier than the shaped map you want to drop. This doesn't increase drop rate of higher maps. Tier is rolled first before the layout on drop. Reverse cost is 5 Regret + 20 Chisel.
I would really like to believe that it is something different, but looking at the mechanics it's just more of the same. You just have to grind for the layouts, rewards except for some mods are the same. Farming a specific map doesn't increase it's drop rate, it will just narrow the layout down. The benefits are to the market though. More map trading probably.
You'll get it back. What he didn't mention was that you'll probably also need a shaped version of that map (else just putting 20 chisels + 5 regret into the vendor without any pointer to the map would be quite stupid). On shaping a map the orb is consumed ofc.
Depends on how many "bullshit" one shot mechanics they have and how difficult they are to dodge. Lot's of builds are "top tier" thanks to ascendencies.
"Optional" meaning you can just yolo through like before. Content is the same, just with different mods.
Transparent information and not ninja nerfing is not their strength. Especially after all the xp and map drop nerfs (minus the fix for the horrible first iteration) you don't really expect them to give out more high tier rewards. Best case scenario it will equal out to +-0% at red maps, a slight bonus to yellow maps (which everyone already has plenty of), and tons of low tier maps that are left lying on the ground anyway. Same as before and no one will notice.

Oct
Path of Exile GGG logic
The damage of these zaps vary and is decided at the time of it being casted, so if for example a cast of this hits the high roll, then all consecutive zaps from that particular cloud will deal the same damage.

Aug
poe4orbs:[Lake Of Kalandra] PoE 3.19 Duelist Starter Builds
Here is the latest PoE 3.19 Duelist League Starter | Fast | Endgame | Cheap Builds brought to you by PoECurrencyBuy

Jan
People saying that there is no P2W in Path of Exile are correct
no Poe hardcore player so if i did anything wrong dont bust my head for it. all i ever learned about the game in that few play was chromatic orb, didnt learn anything about regret.

Nov
considering how attached Grinding Gear Games seems to be to the Mirror idea
The only league where eternals were making a serious impact with regard to "6 T1" items are the permanent leagues.

Jan
PoE New Expansion Review: Echoes of the Atlas
Echoes of the Atlas is the latest large expansion of Path of Exile, with a newly designed endgame content and reworked ascendancy classes. In addition, there are 11 added maps and new currency rewards.

Nov
Make skin microtransactions easier to retrieve in Path of Exile
instead of the current look through all your tabs and characters until you find that one skin you are looking for method, my proposal is to have non-consumable skins permanently displayed on your microtransactions stash