Throughout the Early Access phase of Path of Exile 2, the Breach mechanic has emerged as the clear favorite among players seeking endgame content. Its immense popularity has raised concerns that it overshadows other features, creating an imbalance where alternative mechanics feel significantly underutilized. Currently, engaging with Breaches has become an essential strategy for maximizing the value of Waystones, especially in terms of map juicing.
The recent Patch 0.2.0, aptly named Dawn of The Hunt, arrives with a comprehensive economy reset along with anticipated balance adjustments. As expected by many within the community, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) plans to implement changes that will likely temper the overwhelming power of Breach encounters.
The Intent Behind Breach: A Shift in Focus
The Breach mechanic is straightforward yet immensely rewarding within Path of Exile 2. Players encounter a large, menacing purple hand protruding from the earth and can activate it to access the Breach dimension, unleashing a relentless onslaught of monsters. This system inherently promotes a high density of enemies, allowing players to indulge in the satisfying fantasy of annihilating numerous foes simultaneously while showering in a cascade of loot particles.
The allure of Breaches comes not only from their exhilarating chaos but also from the substantial rewards they offer, including valuable crafting currencies. Prior to the upcoming balance changes, Breach encounters represented the optimal scenario for both entertainment and loot acquisition, provided players have the appropriate builds to thrive in this environment.
GGG has acknowledged that while they have no intention of removing Breaches, there are necessary adjustments to be made. Game Director Mark Roberts elaborated during a Q&A following the announcement of the Dawn of The Hunt update:
“I mean… it was spawning too many monsters. Let’s just say that, without a doubt. Currently on PoE2, it’s just too out of control. It needs to chill.”
The core issue lies not in the rewards Breach offers but in how the current meta accommodates exceedingly overpowered builds that capitalize on its mechanics. Initially, Breaches were conceived as a formidable challenge, requiring players to endure relentless waves of enemies rather than serving merely as a golden opportunity for loot collection. As Roberts further explained:
“It was a little bit of an assumption to make where this was like, wow, you’ll get overwhelmed by monsters, and it’s a matter of survivng as long as you can. And then, of course, because you get self-propagating Herald builds… The power of the characters kind of distorted the League balance in a way where it’s like, we’ll have to, you know, make some changes. So yes. It’s coming down a bit.”
Specific details about the nerfs are still pending, with more information expected to be unveiled in the patch notes next week, following March 30. The developers have signaled that an overall nerfing trend is underway, impacting multiple builds. For instance, the previously overpowered Herald builds will see significant changes, as the self-propagation of Herald effects, such as those from Herald of Ice and Thunder, will be disabled.
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