Grinding Gear Games (GGG), the developers behind Path of Exile 2, have introduced a series of emergency updates in response to the community's backlash against the Dawn of the Hunt expansion. Launched earlier this month, Dawn of the Hunt added a new Huntress class, five new ascension classes, and over a hundred new unique items, but it also implemented significant nerfs that led to a wave of negative feedback on Steam, with user reviews dropping to 'mostly negative'.

The community's primary grievance has been the slower pace of gameplay, which many players feel has turned the game into a "total slog". A particularly critical review on Steam highlighted issues such as extended boss fights, skills with minimal damage output, and overall game stability. Another review humorously suggested that the game might appeal to masochists who enjoy minimal rewards for their efforts.

GGG has responded with the 0.2.0e update, set to release on April 11, which includes a variety of changes aimed at addressing player concerns. These changes span monster speed adjustments, boss fight mechanics, player minion mechanics, and crafting enhancements.

Path of Exile 2 Update 0.2.0e Patch Notes

Monster Speed Changes

To alleviate the overwhelming presence of monsters, GGG has made targeted adjustments to monster behavior across different acts. Key changes include removing interrupt events on certain fast-attacking human monsters and altering the Haste Aura modifier to prevent it from appearing on already fast monsters.

Act 1

Adjustments to Werewolf and Tendril Prowlers, Hungering Stalkers, and other monsters aim to reduce their speed and aggression, making encounters more manageable for players.

Act 2

Boulder Ants in Titan Valley have been replaced with Risen Maraketh to reduce the prevalence of irritating movement patterns among monsters.

Act 3

Changes to Diretusk Boar and Antlion Charger behaviors, as well as adjustments to monster compositions in the Lost City and Azak Bog, aim to create a more balanced gameplay experience.

Boss Changes

Boss fights have been tweaked to improve player experience. Notable changes include reducing the intensity of Chaos Rains in the Viper Napuatzi fight and modifying Uxmal's behavior to make encounters less frustrating.

Player Minion Changes

The minion revive timer system has been updated to prevent long waits when multiple minions die, alongside improvements to the functionality of Bind Spectre and Tame Beast gems.

Other Player Balance

Additional tweaks to player skills and mechanics, such as the Rally support and Glory skill, have been implemented to enhance gameplay fluidity.

Crafting Changes

Crafting options have been expanded with the addition of new mods to runes for caster weapons, and the introduction of a Blank rune in Renly's shop for elemental customization.

Performance Improvements

Optimizations to ground foliage in various areas aim to improve overall game performance.

0.2.0E Deployment Timeline

The 0.2.0e patch is scheduled for deployment at 10AM NZT, with further changes planned for post-weekend release.

Charm Changes

Charm slots on belts will now be granted through implicit mods, with the number of slots varying based on the belt's level. Additionally, several charm mechanics have been adjusted to enhance their effectiveness and usability.

Stash Tab Affinities

New stash tab affinities for various item categories, including Socketables and Fragments, will help players organize their inventory more efficiently.

Atlas Bookmarks

Players can now bookmark locations on their atlas, making navigation easier with up to 16 customizable bookmarks.

While Path of Exile 2 has enjoyed a successful launch, the recent community backlash highlights the challenges GGG faces in balancing gameplay changes with player expectations. The upcoming updates aim to address these issues and restore a positive experience for the game's dedicated fanbase.