In an exciting update for players, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) is preparing to release a patch for Path of Exile 2, likely numbered 0.2.1. This patch aims to improve several underperforming skills, as highlighted in a recent blog post. Although specific buffs for each class are not detailed—partially due to the satisfactory state of the Monk and Mercenary classes—there are numerous quality-of-life enhancements that will benefit players of all types.
Let’s delve into the significant changes and improvements that this upcoming patch promises to deliver.
Key Quality of Life Enhancements in Path of Exile 2’s Upcoming Patch
Mapping Quality of Life Improvements
One of the most impactful changes involves the minimap functionality during Endgame mapping. With the new patch, Rare monsters will be continuously displayed on the minimap, allowing players to identify targets immediately upon entering a map. This enhancement aims to streamline the mapping experience significantly.
Additionally, the Delirium fog duration will be extended to 2.5 times its current length, making it easier for players to farm Distilled Emotions and achieve Amulet Anointment more efficiently.
Updates to Runes
On the crafting front, substantial changes are on the horizon. GGG aims to empower players through socketables, and the new patch will feature:
- Wands and Staves will now have the ability to contain sockets (excluding Scepters).
- Introduction of new +Attribute Runes.
Furthermore, Artificer’s Orbs will now be available as guaranteed reward drops throughout the campaign, enhancing crafting opportunities for players.
Energy Shield and Bleed Interactions (Including Chaos Inoculation Buff)
A notable gameplay adjustment allows Energy Shields to no longer negate the application of Bleed for both players and enemies. This enhancement will significantly improve the viability of Bleed-dependent skills, such as Rake, particularly in mapping scenarios.
Moreover, the Chaos Inoculation node will now act as a shield against Bleed, despite it not being classified as Chaos damage. In addition, passive nodes that initially provided a stun threshold based on Energy Shield will also enhance the threshold for ailments, offering further buffs to players using Energy Shields.
Confirmed Class-Balancing Changes in the Upcoming Patch
Sorceress Adjustments
- Arc will now trigger a lightning explosion upon hitting a shocked enemy, but will no longer inflict shock.
- Bonus elemental damage will be awarded to Eye of Winter when it interacts with other elemental orbs like Solar Orb or Orb of Storms.
- The exposure duration for Incinerate has increased from two seconds to eight seconds.
- Mana Tempest has been modified to empower all spells, enabling them to strike additional targets instead of chaining.
- The explosion radius of Frostbolt has been enlarged by 50%.
- Ice Nova’s freeze buildup has received a significant boost.
- Frost Bomb’s exposure duration has also been increased to eight seconds from five seconds.
- Mana Remnants will now function with a wider range of elemental ailments beyond just shock.
- The delay for ignites spreading from sources like Wildfire support has been reduced from two seconds to one, although the radius has been slightly decreased.
Huntress Enhancements
- Enemies parried by the Huntress will no longer evade subsequent attacks.
- Detonation of the spear embedded in enemies by Rapid Assault will now always inflict Bleed, with a 20% increase in area of effect and a damage boost of 67%.
- Spearfield’s spear duration has been enhanced from six to ten seconds, with damage growth accelerating to 30% more by level 20.
- Herald of Blood will retain the corpses of Rares or Uniques, enabling Ritual Sacrifice on rare enemies.
Warrior Updates
- Temper Weapon now grants three empowerments per weapon strike and operates 25% faster, though a minor damage adjustment may be necessary.
- Shield Wall can now be detonated using Warcries.
- Physical damage modifiers applied to players by monsters due to Armour Break have been recalibrated, removing the unintended 20% damage bonus and reducing duration from 12 to 4 seconds. Additionally, a bug was rectified where partial armour breaks were not cleared from players.
Ranger Modifications
- Stormcaller arrow will now spread shocks among nearby enemies, with an increase of 50% in area of effect.
- Lightning Rod damage has risen by 30%, with a duration expansion to 20 seconds.
- Lightning Arrow’s target acquisition arc radius has extended by 50%.
- Tornado Shot’s maximum duration will be lengthened to 15 seconds.
A newly introduced Support Gem called Inhibitor will prevent the consumption of (Frenzy, Power, Endurance) charges while enhancing the damage of the supported skill by 4% for each type of charge available.
GGG has stated they are “currently investigating”monster speed in specific areas known for swarming and will adjust it accordingly in extreme situations.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that GGG has recently banned 310 players for exploiting a Unique Ritual tablet to amass high-tier currencies.