PoE2: Future Updates to Shift Focus from New Classes

Path of Exile 2's game director, Jonathan Rogers, has announced that new classes will not be the central feature of future updates. This decision stems from the development challenges faced during previous cycles. Read on to understand the reasoning behind this shift and gain insights into the current state of the game.

Path of Exile 2 New Characters Might Not Be Introduced Every Patch

You Can Expect More Ascendancies Instead

During a Q&A session, Jonathan Rogers highlighted that players should not anticipate new classes in upcoming patches due to the unpredictable nature of their development. He explained, "I would like it if every release would have a class, but we learned during this cycle that it was a mistake to have a class as the focal point of an expansion."

Rogers elaborated on the trade-offs they faced, stating, "We had to include the Huntress in the next patch, which meant the release date had to be flexible, leading to longer development times than anticipated." He emphasized the importance of fixed release dates over promising new classes, saying, "While I'm eager to introduce a new class in future expansions, I won't make promises that could compromise our release schedule."

Rogers stressed the need for timely updates, noting, "Players want to see progress and don't want to wait six to nine months for a major update. So, it's crucial we deliver content regularly, which means classes are less predictable." However, he assured that new Ascendancies will be a consistent feature in every patch. He also expressed his desire to add more classes even after Early Access concludes.

Path of Exile 2 Dawn of the Hunt Brings More Changes to Endgame

Promising the End to Be A Lot Harder

The upcoming patch, alongside the Huntress, will introduce over 100 new skills, support gems, and unique gear focused on the midgame and endgame. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) aims to make bosses significantly more challenging. Rogers mentioned, "We need to extend the time before a character's power level trivializes the endgame, but players should still be able to reach that peak."

He acknowledged the need for nerfs, stating, "Some mechanics are being completely trivialized, and players are reaching outrageous power levels too quickly. We want players to feel powerful, but not immediately after starting their journey." Rogers was particularly disappointed with how quickly players defeated Pinnacle Bosses, saying, "The first player to fight a Pinnacle Boss in a league should struggle, not defeat it in fourteen seconds."

He hopes that the new progression and balance changes will enhance the challenge of fighting Pinnacle Bosses for the first time. "The first encounter with a Pinnacle Boss should be tough, but as you refine your build and gear, you can eventually defeat it in fourteen seconds. It's just not your initial experience," Rogers explained.

Rogers concluded, "Our balance changes aim to slow the climb to omnipotence, allowing players to feel powerful without reaching that level too soon."

Path of Exile 2 Game Director is Happy With Its "Ruthless" Difficulty

Things Aren’t Easier, You Just Got Better

The difficulty of Path of Exile 2's campaign has sparked debate among players. Rogers expressed satisfaction with the campaign's difficulty, believing that player opinions will evolve over time. He noted that many complaints came from players comparing their experiences with the previous game, saying, "Once players understand the mechanics, they'll find the experience much easier."

Rogers is optimistic about the future, stating, "I don't think we'll receive as many difficulty complaints this time around. If we do, we'll have more data to adjust accordingly, but I believe players will adapt and improve." He added, "Players often think we've changed the balance on their second playthrough, but the reality is they've just gotten better at the game."