GamesRPGPath of Exile 2Path of Exile 2 gets its first hits with the nerf bat to bring mace slams, magnetic arrows, and stinky clouds in line: ‘It is better to do this early’When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRPGPath of Exile 2Path of Exile 2 gets its first hits with the nerf bat to bring mace slams, magnetic arrows, and stinky clouds in line: ‘It is better to do this early’When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Grinding Gear Games)
Path of Exile 2is in that early phase of a new ARPG where things are a little bit like the mathematical equivalent of the wild west. All thosemillions of early access playersare running wild, smashing together every possible combination of combat and passive skills in an environment where the laws that undergird civilization—like “ability balance” and “sensible damage scaling”—haven’t yet taken hold. Over the weekend, however, Grinding Gear Games made its first attempts at establishing order, deploying a trio of hotfixes to reign in PoE 2 skills that have been overperforming in the game’s early days.
We’ve found another skill in an unacceptable balance state. Following the same ideals as earlier, we’re also going to be reducing the damage of Magnetic Salvo in the next hotfix. Note that this isn’t the only skill on our radar right now but we’re really just trying to address…December 8, 2024
We’ve found another skill in an unacceptable balance state. Following the same ideals as earlier, we’re also going to be reducing the damage of Magnetic Salvo in the next hotfix. Note that this isn’t the only skill on our radar right now but we’re really just trying to address…December 8, 2024
“As much as we are trying to avoid nerfing skills and builds,” GGG said, “it is better to do this early before it feels obligatory to use the skill.”
Rounding out the launch weekend nerfs was an explosion damage adjustment for Gas Cloud skills. The crossbow skill Gas Grenade and bow skills Gas Arrow leave lingering poison clouds that, in addition to poisoning enemies in their area of effect, can be used to trigger an explosion when they come into contact with skills that burn enemies or specific “detonator” skills.
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While I’m sure the nerfs sting for the supercharged slammers, magnetic salvoists, and gassy arbalists out there, PoE’s greatest strength has always been its absurd variety of viable character builds. Leaving skills that are far-and-away damage frontrunners for players to flock to can quickly make a game with dozens of abilities feel more like a game with four, especially this early on in its lifespan.
Luckily, GGG has a history of buffing skills just as often—if not moreso—than reducing their damage. If any gas is made less potent, it’s only so other skills have more room to breathe.
Path of Exile 2 Sorceress build: Making magicPath of Exile 2 Monk build: Flow like waterPath of Exile 2 Warrior build: Shock and awePath of Exile 2 Mercenary build: Hail of boltsPath of Exile 2 Witch build: Summoned army
Path of Exile 2 Sorceress build: Making magicPath of Exile 2 Monk build: Flow like waterPath of Exile 2 Warrior build: Shock and awePath of Exile 2 Mercenary build: Hail of boltsPath of Exile 2 Witch build: Summoned army
Path of Exile 2 Sorceress build: Making magicPath of Exile 2 Monk build: Flow like waterPath of Exile 2 Warrior build: Shock and awePath of Exile 2 Mercenary build: Hail of boltsPath of Exile 2 Witch build: Summoned army
Path of Exile 2 Sorceress build: Making magicPath of Exile 2 Monk build: Flow like waterPath of Exile 2 Warrior build: Shock and awePath of Exile 2 Mercenary build: Hail of boltsPath of Exile 2 Witch build: Summoned army
Path of Exile 2 Sorceress build: Making magicPath of Exile 2 Monk build: Flow like waterPath of Exile 2 Warrior build: Shock and awePath of Exile 2 Mercenary build: Hail of boltsPath of Exile 2 Witch build: Summoned army
Path of Exile 2 Sorceress build: Making magicPath of Exile 2 Monk build: Flow like waterPath of Exile 2 Warrior build: Shock and awePath of Exile 2 Mercenary build: Hail of boltsPath of Exile 2 Witch build: Summoned army
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