Unveiling 10 Distinctive Features Setting Apart Path of Exile 2 From Path of Exile 1

Hello, Everyone! Today, we wanted to discuss our opinions regarding Path of Exile 2. Over the weekend at ExileCon, the developers shared all the information about the game’s development progress, which has sparked some controversy. There are several new insights and stories about Path of Exile 2, that set it apart from its predecessor, Path of Exile 1. Let’s discuss them one by one.

Path of Exile 2 Overview

For those of you who may not know, Path of Exile 2, introduced four years ago, was initially described as a continuation of the original Path of Exile. It meant that the changes and systems introduced in Path of Exile 2 would directly impact the first game. 

Now, let’s dive into some of the key features of Path of Exile 2:

1) Gem Overhaul in Path of Exile 2

One significant change they announced was the gem overhaul, specifically the socket system on gear. In the current Path of Exile, when you find a piece of gear with useful sockets, switching it out can be challenging, especially when your existing gear is linked to important gems. Path of Exile 2 aims to address this issue by detaching the sockets from gear and linking them directly to the gems. This change allows for easier gear swapping when you find replacements, and many players have expressed their dissatisfaction with this alteration.

Despite these major changes, it is essential to note that Path of Exile 2 will not be directly connected to the original game in some aspects. They share an engine, and cosmetics, stash tabs, and other items will carry over between the two. However, gameplay mechanics, such as the gem overhaul, will remain unique to Path of Exile 2.

2) Balancing Combat Skills

Further, it has been mentioned that you can have nine buttons in the game. While this might sound overwhelming at first, the intention is not to burden players with pressing nine buttons continuously. Instead, the various skills are designed to serve situational combat needs, making button mashing less common.

According to Jonathan Rogers (GGG co-founder), not every build will require constant button mashing. Some builds will rely on only a few key binds, while others will utilise the multiple six-linked skills situationally.

So, Path of Exile 2 is envisioned as a balance between slow-paced and quick gameplay. The implementation of various skills for situational purposes contributes to this dynamic play style.

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3) Utility-Focused Support Gems

You will see some intriguing changes to gem support. Unlike the current version, where support gems mainly provide damage multipliers, Path of Exile 2 seeks to grant more utility through support gems. These gems will alter the mechanics of the skills rather than just boosting their damage output.

4) Support Gems Attribute Requirements

The additive attribute requirement for support gems is another novel addition. In the current Path of Exile, support gems have individual attribute requirements, and as long as you meet each gem’s requirement, you can use them together on a skill. However, Path of Exile 2 takes a different approach. Instead of having individual requirements, the attribute requirements of all support gems will be combined. For example, if you have two support gems, each needing 30 dexterity, the skill they are linked to will now require 60 dexterity. This new system will likely add more complexity and strategic planning when it comes to gem setups.

5) Dodge Roll Mechanics

In Path of Exile 2, every character will be equipped with a dodge roll mechanic. The primary purpose of the dodge roll appears to be animation cancelling and dodging attacks. While not expected to be available constantly, the dodge roll will serve as a valuable utility to avoid getting blocked by enemies’ attacks.

6) Mobility Skills

In Path of Exile 2, mobility skills will be available, but they won’t require constant spamming for travel. This is a departure from the current Path of Exile, where players often rely heavily on movement skills to navigate the game world.

7) Auras and the Spirit Mechanic

A significant change in Path of Exile 2 is how auras will work. Instead of reserving mana like in the current Path of Exile, auras will now be tied to a new mechanic called Spirit. A white line above the mana pool indicates the Spirit resource, and you can acquire more Spirit through side quests and possibly item modifiers, such as sceptres. Auras will no longer take up skill slots and will be bound to the Spirit mechanic, enabling players to use auras more freely without sacrificing valuable skill slots.

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8) Changes to Crafting and Currency

In Path of Exile 2, the crafting system will undergo significant changes. The Crafting Bench, the Orb of Scour, and the Quicksilver Flask will no longer be present in Path of Exile 2. Additionally, the Chaos Orb will function differently. Instead of being an item that rerolls modifiers, the Chaos Orb will act as a null Exalt, removing a modifier and adding a new one.

9) Weapon Swap and Element-Specific Weapon Skills

Path of Exile 2 introduces a much-improved weapon swap feature, addressing the chunkiness of the current system. Players can now allocate around 10 points on the passive skill tree to their secondary weapon. This allocation won’t conflict with the regular skill points, enabling players to benefit from the weapon swap system effectively.

With the new weapon swap system, players can assign specific skills to be used with each weapon. For example, let’s consider an Elementalist build that mainly deals elemental damage, with Arc as the primary skill. The player may have two weapons – one focusing on cold-based damage and the other on lightning-based damage. The primary weapon, the Arc, will be used for most of the clearing and encounters.

However, if the player encounters a rare monster or boss with specific resistances, such as cold or lightning resistance, the weapon swap system comes into play. By using the assigned skill for the other element (Ice Nova for cold damage), the character will automatically swap to the secondary weapon specialised for that element.

10) Challenging Progression and Boss Difficulty

Path of Exile 2 introduces increased difficulty in terms of progression and boss encounters. Upon dying to a boss, players are kicked out of the area, and the boss’s health resets to full. This change intends to make boss fights more challenging and less forgiving, encouraging players to learn the boss mechanics and adapt their strategies to ensure successful encounters.

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Final Thoughts

Path of Exile 2’s development direction, which involves splitting the game from the original Path of Exile, excites the player. While traditional farming runs in other ARPGs may become monotonous, Path of Exile has always stood out due to its layered complexity and near-infinite content. The game’s unique skill tree and diverse build options keep players engaged, and despite being known for their righteous fire builds, the player enjoys experimenting with various character types each time they play.

While some players might feel disappointed that certain features, like the updated Socketing system, are exclusive to Path of Exile 2, it’s essential to remember that Path of Exile 1 will continue to be updated alongside its successor. The developers have planned to stagger the release of new content, allowing players to experience both games within a single league cycle. This approach gives players the option to alternate between Path of Exile 1 and Path of Exile 2 based on their preferences and interests.

So, here’s all for now. We tried to cover as much as possible, considering the game is in its beginning stages. We aimed to address all the core aspects of the game, and we hope you enjoy it. For more updates, keep visiting Player.me.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Path of Exile 2 Be Its Own Game?

Yes, Path of Exile 2 will be a standalone game with distinct gameplay mechanics and features from the original. However, the core essence of the original Path of Exile remains intact.

What Is the Spirit Mechanic in Path of Exile 2?

In Path of Exile 2, auras will be tied to the Spirit resource, obtained through side quests and item modifiers, no longer reserving mana or skill slots.

How Does the Weapon Swap System Work in Path of Exile 2?

Players can allocate points on the passive skill tree to their secondary weapon, allowing for specific skills to be used with each weapon for diverse combat strategies.