In a significant move for the gaming community, the latest update for Path of Exile 2, known as the Third Edict, has introduced a comprehensive overhaul of the endgame experience. This update, which can be likened to the launch of a new season, has been warmly received by players and critics alike, positioning the game as a formidable contender in the RPG landscape alongside its predecessor. Game director Jonathan Rogers has indicated that many of the mechanical enhancements originally slated for the upcoming league have been seamlessly integrated into the current game with patch 0.3.1.
Endgame Enhancements
The focus of this update is primarily on the endgame and the Atlas map, addressing numerous player concerns. One of the most notable changes involves the mechanics surrounding towers, which are no longer essential for spreading modifiers to maps via precursor tablets. Instead, players will find that tablets now come with a fixed number of uses, allowing them to apply up to three modifiers when inserting a new waystone. This adjustment ensures that the generated zones will include an additional one to three pieces of random content from various mechanics, carefully considering those already applied to avoid redundancy.
While the overall number of affixes may be slightly reduced, the potential values for each affix have been increased, ensuring that players can maximize their experience with every waystone utilized. Additionally, players can still utilize towers for enhanced visibility across their Atlas, with a guaranteed tablet drop upon completion of a tower run. Citadels have also seen a significant increase in spawn rates, now appearing 66% more frequently, enriching the gameplay experience.
In a further refinement of gameplay, every map will now feature a boss as the sole requirement for completion, eliminating the need for players to search for elusive rare packs. The previously designated ‘boss maps’ remain, but they now present a more formidable challenge, necessitating better gear for successful encounters. To facilitate a smoother transition into the endgame, the number of monster packs in lower-tier maps has been reduced by approximately one-third, with a gradual scaling back to previous levels by rank 15. Enemies will be distributed in smaller, more frequent groups, and open zones will experience a slight decrease in spawn density, reducing the likelihood of overwhelming encounters unless players are progressing rapidly.
In a bid to enhance player experience, one particularly vexing map modifier type has been adjusted. Affixes that cause chill, shock, or ignite effects now cover 75% less of the map in early tiers, tapering to 62% less at higher ranks. Grinding Gear Games has also streamlined the largest 15 map types to minimize runbacks and downtime, striking a balance between addressing player feedback and maintaining the unique feel of the endgame experience distinct to Path of Exile 1.
Beyond these substantial changes, the update includes various balance and quality-of-life improvements. Orbs of Alchemy can now be applied to magic items, allowing them to reroll as if they were used on basic rarity items, enhancing their utility in the crafting landscape of PoE 2. The stash and merchant menus have been upgraded to remember previous search terms, while many skill and item descriptions have been refined for clarity. Additionally, town crier Jacob has made his way to Kingsmarch, providing locals with updates on player exploits throughout act four of the campaign.
Path of Exile 2 patch 0.3.1 is now live. For those interested in the finer details, the full patch notes are available from Grinding Gear Games, outlining bug fixes and performance enhancements, particularly in Kingsmarch and during Abyss mechanics. As players embark on new characters, they can also explore the updated rankings of the best classes in The Third Edict, along with insights into the anticipated final release date for Path of Exile 2.
Engagement with the community remains strong, and players are encouraged to share their thoughts on these changes in the PCGamesN Discord server, where a vibrant discussion awaits among fellow enthusiasts.
