Director of Path of Exile 2 Asserts Prioritizing Endgame at Launch was Essential

The early access launch of Path of Exile 2 is just around the corner, promising to be another highlight in an already remarkable year for ARPG enthusiasts. We’ve seen the Last Epoch release make waves and Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion bring substantial improvements, but now, it’s time for the highly anticipated sequel to one of the all-time greats in PC gaming to finally debut. Prior to Path of Exile 2’s significant content reveal this week, I had the opportunity to chat with game director Jonathan Rogers. We delved into the decision-making process behind what features would be included for the launch.

During the early access content reveal for Path of Exile 2, we got a glimpse of the impressive scope of the game. Players will initially have access to six out of the twelve classes planned for the full release, each featuring two starting subclasses, or ascendancies. For the time being, only the first half of the campaign will be available, to be replayed on a more challenging difficulty once completed. This structure is part of a strategic shift by the developers earlier this year to concentrate on delivering a solid endgame experience right from the start.

Rogers explained that they opted for this additional ‘cruel’ difficulty replay to ensure players reach the desired level 65 before diving into the endgame. “Our aim with early access is to perfect the game, and scaling down the endgame wouldn’t truly reflect the game’s essence,” he stated. This approach also allows them to better evaluate the campaign’s pacing. Rogers emphasized the importance of shifting priorities even at the last minute to set the game’s trajectory in a more favorable direction.

Upon release, the endgame will incorporate four core systems—Breach, Ritual, Delirium, and Expedition—transforming favorite mechanics from PoE 1 into their evolved counterparts. Additionally, two new ‘trials’ inspired by past leagues will offer unique progression paths, eventually becoming key endgame systems. Players will also face off against uber bosses, culminating in a pinnacle encounter as the ultimate test of their build’s prowess.

These innovative systems each introduce novel mechanics. For instance, Ritual offers a new type of crafting aimed at enhancing your other crafting tools, while Delirium cumulates ‘distilled emotions’ that allow access to passive skill nodes normally out of reach. “Players should appreciate the importance of having choices in the endgame. Repetition can become tedious, and it’s the variety that keeps the experience fresh,” Rogers explained.

Adding to this, Rogers expressed that the team views the current offerings as the baseline essential to provide necessary variety. “We believed that without these options, you wouldn’t sense the diversity,” he noted. The systems are integrated into the Atlas—a dynamic map guiding endgame progression—bringing a unique feel through trials that engage players in varied ways.

Path of Exile 2’s Atlas represents a monumental shift, while still feeling like a logical evolution from the original fixed map. Rogers shared his vision of exploration that was lacking in the previous setup. Drawing inspiration from the Delve league, he sought to recreate that thrilling sense of map progression: “I’ve always wanted exploration to be a key endgame feature.”

Rogers acknowledges the inherent challenge in balancing different maps. “Often, a single map might become overly efficient,” he admitted. Although the idea of varied item drops across maps is appealing, the goal is to prevent one map from dominating as the ‘best map.’ Their aim was to establish a system flexible enough to allow maps with unique advantages without becoming stagnant.

The aspiration, as Rogers sees it, is to achieve a balance where you aren’t constrained to strictly predetermined paths, but rather can strategically guide your advancement. The Atlas map incorporates towers that extend your view for better navigation and tablets to adjust mechanics on overlapping maps. “Ideally, there’s always a new goal enticingly just out of reach,” he added.

For those enamored with Expedition mechanics, Rogers assured that with diligent map and tablet crafting, maintaining a consistent access to preferred content is entirely feasible. “If you optimize your build and materials, self-sustainability is absolutely possible,” he confirmed.

Crafting also undergoes significant evolution, swapping out gem sockets on gear. According to Rogers, “While PoE 2 might not be as intricate as its predecessor, we want players to feel empowered with every choice.” The revised sockets act as a modern take on the crafting bench. “We’re open to sweeping changes and experimenting with ideas—it’s exhilarating, but we’ll gauge the players’ reaction.”

Rogers admitted the balancing act between catering to player desires and satisfying the design team has been a challenge in crafting. “If the system doesn’t meet everyone’s needs, it’s bound to cause ongoing tension,” he explained. The new socket system, apparently, resonates well with both designers and players alike.

A noteworthy update is the accessibility of crafting materials such as Orbs of Transmutation and Augmentation, encouraging early experimentation instead of the usual hoarding. Rogers noted, “Adjusting the scarcity of resources from PoE 1 to making them common in PoE 2 was a significant mindset shift, but now it seems obvious.”

The initial class selection was based partly on preparedness but aimed to encompass primary playstyles. “The absence of the Druid class is one of our bigger regrets due to its demand, but we intend to release it swiftly,” Rogers shared.

With robust class requirements involving unique items, support gems, and ascendancies, selecting classes to feature initially was a meticulous process. “It became more practical to defer some for later and be strategic with our resources,” he said.

The iconic passive skill tree, a staple of PoE 1, receives a substantial overhaul in PoE 2. Rogers admitted the organizational process was more involved than anticipated, yet the revamped tree represents a significant improvement. “Each cluster now offers unique abilities found nowhere else on the tree,” he detailed.

There’s also a subtle shift in starting zones for classes. Each class, like the Witch and Sorceress, has distinct sanctuaries within shared stat areas. Additionally, a third version exists for those approaching from different starting points, ensuring tailored stat allocations.

According to Rogers, this shift addresses player tendencies where nodes with unnecessary stats are avoided despite holding needed traits. By doing so, they’ve expanded possibilities within the tree.

Skill dynamics in PoE 2 promote intricate combinations and interactions, such as Monks leveraging power charges across skills or Sorceresses crafting elemental synergies. This policy aims to phase out dominant ‘one-button builds’ in favor of more complex setups. “While certain straightforward builds will persist, the most effective strategies will likely require skill combinations,” Rogers hopes.

Despite cuts for initial release, much content is near completion, only requiring final adjustments. PoE 2’s debut is set to feature over 400 enemies and 50 bosses, which will nearly double by full release. Exciting times await as we inch closer to the Path of Exile 2 release date.

Before concluding, I revisited a handy feature from past conversations with Rogers—the tool to import and highlight build paths within the skill tree. While not yet polished for early access, its eventual inclusion seems promising.

Early access for Path of Exile 2 launches Friday, December 6. Although the full game will be free-to-play, joining early access necessitates purchasing one of the supporter packs, beginning at $30. Those with historic spending exceeding $480 on the original game are automatically granted entry as a gesture of gratitude. For further details, check Grinding Gear’s early access FAQ.

Ensure you’re ready for day one with our guide to system requirements, and keep an eye out for any Path of Exile 2 Twitch drops at launch for some exclusive cosmetics. Stay tuned with us on Google News for the latest in PC gaming news, reviews, and guides, or visit our PCGN deals tracker for great bargains.