Path of Exile 2 Reaches New Lows with “Dawn of the Hunt” Struggles

This past weekend was quite eventful for Path of Exile 2, a game that claimed the spotlight once more with the release of its 0.2.0 update, known as Dawn of the Hunt. While not offering the fully unique systems of a new League, this update aimed to freshen things up with major changes, tweaking endgame systems, introducing new gameplay possibilities, and even adding a fresh class along with several Ascendancies. However, the execution didn’t go as planned, leading to a frustrating situation.

Just recently, the Dawn of the Hunt patch notes revealed widespread nerfs targeting the most formidable builds, skills, and items, even impacting some essential features. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has followed a similar route previously, and it’s not uncommon for Path of Exile launches to overreach with their nerfs. The biggest gripe among players is the noticeable slowdown in gameplay, a sentiment echoed strongly online despite the subsequent 0.2.0b patch.

Part of Path of Exile 2’s combat philosophy was to slow things down and make the experience more strategic, curbing aggressive play and limiting power creep. This worked well enough during the campaign but started to unravel as enemies became progressively tougher. Players soon found themselves favoring offensive capabilities to overcome increasingly resilient foes, leading to reliance on one or two skills to push through.

This imbalance, exacerbated by unexpectedly powerful builds like the Spark Archmage and stat-stacking strategies, forced GGG to enact sweeping nerfs with Dawn of the Hunt. Unfortunately, this adjustment hit players hard while leaving monster strength relatively unchanged. As a result, gameplay has soured into a drag, with players dealing scant damage and struggling to execute skillful combos amidst overwhelming enemy numbers. Path of Exile 2’s intricate combo styles, like spear skills, now feel insufficient.

Player frustrations are valid. Completing the campaign now demands significantly more time, turning many segments into grueling tests where only top-tier builds can survive. For instance, the boss fight in Act 2 against Jamanra has become even more challenging, with the combination of high damage output and elusive attacks chewing up players’ resources due to diminished offenses and defenses. Sure, the endgame offers some relief once you reach it, but the grind lingers.

GGG did respond with a patch reducing monster health overall, but it’s widely believed that more decisive measures are needed. To rebalance the game in its current form, either the multitude of nerfs should be scaled back, or monsters should be equally dialed down. Presently, Path of Exile 2 pushes players into a slower pace, yet monsters remain as formidable as in the original, maintaining their speed and lethality. These adjustments need careful consideration—slowing monsters down or empowering players could allow more dynamic combat. The road to improvement might be long, but players remain hopeful for future updates.