After much anticipation, the “Dawn of the Hunt” update for Path of Exile 2 has finally arrived, continuing the journey that began with the game’s early access back in December 2024. While the update didn’t hit every mark, it substantially expanded the game’s foundation for future developments. With the addition of a new class, Ascendancies, over 100 unique items, and support gems, it’s clear that big plans are in place. Despite some issues, particularly with endgame loot, patch 0.2.0 introduced fascinating mechanics to the Rune system, especially with a new Rune capable of significantly enhancing certain builds.
Fans are drawn to Path of Exile 2 for its buildcrafting and customization, offering a fresh approach while still delivering the satisfaction of devising unique strategies. Thanks to updates, Runes have become more crucial. Players can now access versions of these Runes that scale with their level, from Lesser at level 15 to Greater at 45. Among the new additions are four Greater Runes, one of which can markedly alter the performance of specific builds.
The Greater Rune of Alacrity is a standout, tailoring its effects based on its socket placement. On martial weapons, this Rune delivers an 8% boost in Skill Speed, enhancing attack and skill animations. For instance, the new Smith of Kitava Ascendancy, ideal for mace builds, benefits greatly from this Rune. Perfect Strike, a powerful skill for single-target damage, can be sluggish with slower maces, but the Greater Rune of Alacrity alleviates this issue. Similarly, the Rune speeds up tedious crossbow reloads, although its primary drawback is the competition for weapon slots, where players often prefer damage Runes over Skill Speed.
Yet, the case for incorporating this Skill Speed Rune is strong, as it ultimately boosts damage, albeit subtly. Most weapon transactions revolve around DPS stats, making the Rune’s contributions easy to overlook. However, the overall advantages become apparent in comprehensive build strategies. Perfect Strike, for example, feels vastly improved with increased Skill Speed, allowing for quicker, fully-charged attacks and reducing the likelihood of missing due to enemy evasion or disruptions. Faster attack animations are invaluable in dodging bosses’ formidable strikes, making a seemingly lower DPS weapon more effective in practice. Overall, the Greater Rune of Alacrity can enhance gameplay profoundly, adding depth and versatility to builds.
