Path of Exile 2's latest update, Dawn of the Hunt (0.2.0), has sparked significant controversy within the game's community, with players expressing frustration over numerous nerfs and a perceived slowdown in gameplay. Grinding Gear Games has acknowledged these concerns and outlined a series of planned improvements to address the most pressing issues.
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| An eerie screenshot from Path of Exile 2 showcasing its dark fantasy environment, reminiscent of the game's gothic atmosphere |
The Backlash
Dawn of the Hunt initially drove a surge in player numbers as enthusiasts rushed to try the new Huntress class and endgame changes. However, this excitement quickly turned to disappointment as players encountered what many described as an avalanche of nerfs. The primary complaints center around the game feeling too slow, with monster health being too high, player damage too low, and areas taking too long to complete. This has resulted in negative reviews on Steam as players voice their discontent with the direction of the early access title.
Minion Improvements
One of the first issues Grinding Gear Games plans to address is the effectiveness of Minions during the campaign and early maps. The developers explained that while they had reduced Minion scaling at high gem levels to prevent them from becoming overpowered in the endgame (as was happening in update 0.1.1), this adjustment inadvertently weakened Minions during the campaign phase. To correct this, GGG will be buffing Minion life and damage during the early game while maintaining the endgame scaling nerfs.
Huntress Class Enhancements
The new Huntress class has also been a point of contention, with many players reluctant to engage with its parry mechanic. In response, Grinding Gear Games is introducing a new skill called Cull the Weak on the second row of Spear abilities. Similar to the Monk's Killing Palm, this skill will allow players to charge toward monsters, kill them, and earn Frenzy charges as a reward. Additionally, the developers are improving the general feel of parrying and increasing the speed of Spear throws by approximately 25% for players who prefer ranged combat over melee engagement.
Quality-of-Life Features
Several quality-of-life improvements are in the works to enhance the player experience. A new system for bookmarking locations on the Atlas map will allow players to save and easily find specific locales. The team is also implementing Stash Tab Affinities for items like Socketables and Tables, enabling automatic sorting of these items into designated tabs. Furthermore, GGG is reviewing area sizes and checkpoint placements, with plans to add more checkpoints where needed and potentially adjust overly large areas that contribute to the game's slow pace.
The Bind Spectre Bright Spot
Despite the controversies surrounding Dawn of the Hunt, the update has introduced one particularly well-received feature: the Bind Spectre skill. This innovative ability allows players to capture any monster in the game and turn it into a minion, essentially transforming the action RPG into what some players describe as undead Pokémon. The skill adds a new layer of experimentation and strategy, enabling players to build armies of captured creatures with unique abilities, such as scarabs that summon smaller minions or mosquito queens that produce swarms to attack enemies.
Looking Forward
While Grinding Gear Games has not directly addressed one of the community's biggest complaints—that players feel they're experiencing a slowed-down version of the game while monsters retain their aggressive PoE 1 behavior—the team's responsiveness to feedback suggests they're committed to finding the right balance. A hotfix has already been released reducing monster health by up to 25%, indicating that the developers are actively working to soften the difficulty curve while maintaining their vision for a more deliberate and meaningful gameplay experience.
As Path of Exile 2 continues its early access journey, these planned improvements demonstrate Grinding Gear Games' willingness to adapt based on player feedback while staying true to their core design philosophy. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether these changes successfully address the community's concerns and help restore confidence in the game's development direction.