Grinding Gear Games (GGG) have dropped a bombshell with the Path of Exile 2 0.2.0 update, and it's safe to say that this patch is shaking things up in Wraeclast. With a new class, revamped endgame mechanics, and a treasure trove of new content, this update feels like a love letter to community feedback. Let's delve into what makes this patch a potential game-changer, mixing some fiery enthusiasm with a critical eye - because who doesn't love a good mix of hype and honesty?
The star of the show is the Huntress, a brand new class that's bringing some serious heat to the battlefield. Think explosive spears, swirling slashes, and a companion system that lets you team up with beasts like the Quadrella. The trailer alone is a visual feast—think lightning-charged movement and fiery tornadoes that scream “build potential.” While the skills look flashy, some might argue that they're more campaign friendly than endgame viable. Those explosive spears? They take a beat to detonate, which could leave you dodging fast enemies in Act 2 instead of dominating them. Still, with the right tweaks - like pairing them with lightning or fire support gems - this class could shine.
The Huntress also comes with three ascendancies: Ritualist, Amazon, and a third option yet to be fully revealed. Ritualist stands out with its extra ring slot and elite buffing mechanics, perfect for players who love stacking bonuses. Amazon, while solid with its weapon infusion and rare enemy damage boosts, feels a bit vanilla next to Ritualist's flair. There's room for experimentation here, and with over 100 new support gems in the mix, the build possibilities are tantalising.
Ascendancy Updates: Something for Everyone
GGG didn't stop at the Huntress. Three existing classes - Warrior, Witch, and Mercenary - are also getting new Ascendancies. The Warrior's War Ascension focuses on crafting hammers in mid-fight, which sounds quirky but may be too slow for practical use. The Witch's new damage-over-time focus, complete with bindable spectres, is a summoner's dream - imagine capturing a monster's soul and unleashing it anywhere. Meanwhile, the Tactician's Ascent (presumably for a ranged profession) offers suppressive fire and pinning mechanics, making it a gem for party play. These additions breathe new life into old favourites, though their endgame power remains to be tested.
Endgame Overhaul: Maps, Bosses, and More
If you've been grinding Path of Exile 2's Early Access, you know the endgame needed some love—and GGG delivered. New maps come with custom encounters, like rune stones that summon repeatable bosses for juicy rewards. One map even drops shattered orbs that lock a modifier for crafting precision, while another offers essence cages that upgrade to bigger essences when you kill the boss. These aren't just recycled Path of Exile 1 ideas; they're a bold step towards an identity of their own.
The Atlas 3 tree also gets a facelift, with 10 extra passive points and options to juice up your cards, such as making rune monsters weaker but more frequent. Towers, once a chore, have been streamlined with fewer instances and beefier rewards, including new boss fights. Portals? You'll have six in the early maps, scaling down as the risk increases - fair and balanced. Pinnacle bosses no longer penalise XP on death, a godsend for anyone who's lost hours in a tough fight.
Crafting and looting: Power in Your Hands
Crafting fans, rejoice: the 0.2.0 update brings broken orbs and an expedition bank that combines the mods of two items. It's a bit of a gamble - you could end up with a god-quality item or nothing at all - but that's the thrill of it. New uniques like the Black Steel Tower Shield (fire damage per block chance) and The Coming Calamity armour (free heralds, no enemy resistance) cater to mid-to-late game builds and give you something tangible to chase. Add in over 100 support gems - such as the bow-boosting Alignment - and you've got a sandbox ripe for creativity.
What's the verdict?
This update isn't perfect. Some Hunter skills feel clunky against fast enemies, and certain Ascendancies may need a power boost to compete with one-shot meta builds. But GGG's willingness to rethink towers, portals, and crafting shows that they're listening. The new maps and encounters add depth, while the Huntress and her toys add a spark of excitement. It's not a total reinvention, but it's a damn good evolution.
For ARPG fans, 0.2.0 is a reason to jump back into Path of Exile 2 - or give it a try for the first time. Whether you're theoretically crafting a fire-tornado Huntress or farming broken orbs, there's plenty to get your teeth into. Keep an eye on how these changes play out as the community digs deeper.
Thanks for Reading
That's the rundown on Path of Exile 2's 0.2.0 update—hope it's got you as pumped as it's got me! Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more gameplay insights as this patch rolls out.
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