Grinding Gear Games is gearing up for the next big update to their beloved action RPG, Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt. This update promises a slew of fresh features, including the spear-wielding Huntress class, intriguing new subclasses, and a treasure trove of newly minted and revamped items. But brace yourselves—the game’s director, Rogers, warns that this will also be a “nerf fest” targeting the most powerful builds players have grown accustomed to. He humorously pointed out, “You’ll likely stumble upon more outrageously broken setups, but rest assured, they won’t be the same overpowered moves as before.”
The reason behind this sweeping change lies in the unique nature of Path of Exile 2. Unlike its cousin Diablo, where classes come with a distinct set of abilities, Path of Exile allows characters to mix and match spells and gear across the board. This means whenever a new class is introduced, it opens up a whole new arsenal of skills and items for everyone.
The Huntress is a clear nod to the Amazon class from Diablo 2, excelling in mid- to long-range spear attacks. What sets her apart are two exciting skills: she can summon a rideable bird companion, and she has the fascinating ability to capture monster souls akin to catching Pokémon. These captured monsters retain their randomized powers, offering potentially limitless combinations to commandeer in battle.
The new patch doesn’t just stop there. It introduces fresh ascendancies for existing classes: Mercenary players can now command armies of minions and ballistae as a Tactician, Warriors can upgrade their weapons on the fly as the Smith of Kitava, and Witches can lead an undead horde while embracing undeath themselves as a Lich.
There are many more updates to explore, detailed prior to the patch’s launch on April 4. To sum it all up, the game’s endgame is broadening its horizons with improved onboarding for newcomers, adding more predictability in item crafting, and reducing the difficulty of high-level dungeons by allowing retries after death.
Grinding Gear Games encourages players to start fresh with new characters once the patch hits, much like beginning a new season. However, all changes will be available in the current “League” or server. If you opt to stick with your existing character, just be prepared for the possibility that your cherished build might not hold up.
