PoE2 0.2.0 Patch Note: Passive Skill Tree Changes
Time: 2025-04-03 by mmojugg Game: Path of Exile 2 Guide Tags: PoE2 0.2.0 Patch Note
The Dawn of the Hunt patch notes for Path of Exile 2 (Patch 0.2.0) have been released, and with the update coming tomorrow, 4 April 2025, the passive skill tree is in for a serious shake-up. Grinding Gear Games is introducing new clusters, keystones, and a host of tweaks to keep your build crafting fresh - especially with the Huntress and new mechanics in play. After all the waiting, this overhaul has got exiles buzzing. Don't forget to bookmark us and check out our PoE2 store—whatever you can dream up, we've got you covered!
Here's a top-to-bottom breakdown of what's changing.
New Clusters and Huntress Support
The tree's sprouting new branches to match Dawn of the Hunt's vibe, with a heavy focus on the Huntress/Ranger zone:
Blind, Volatility, Ranged, Melee, Hazards, Companion, Presence Radius, Aura, Parry, Banner, Bleeding, Thorns, and Quiver clusters join the fray.
Existing nodes around these areas will also be updated to reflect the Hunter and new mechanics such as pets and banners.
Heads-up: if you've got points in the revamped zones, expect a forced refund time to replan! These additions scream versatility - whether you're blinding enemies, bleeding them out, or buffing your trusty sidekick, there's something new to hunt.
New Keystones: Crimson Assault and Trusted Kinship
Two shiny Keystones land southeast of the Ranger/Huntress start:
Crimson Assault: Makes the Bleeding you inflict Aggravated (nastier DoTs) and sets the base Bleeding duration to 1 second. Short, sharp, and brutal - perfect for bleed builds.
Trusted Kinship: Lets you run two pets of different types, giving them +1 Defence for every 2 of yours, but hits you with 30% less Defence. Double the buddies, double the fun - for a price.
These are game-changers for Bleed fans and pet lovers alike, adding a bold new flavour to the Tree's Edge.
Notable Removals: Out with the Old
Six Notables are getting the axe—you can't Instil them anymore, though existing ones stick around:
Break Focus, Hold Focus, Lasting Concoctions, No Escape, Pinned Down, Potent Concoctions.
In addition, 12 Jewel Sockets will be cut from the tree. If your jewels are in these lost places, use the new /reclaimjewels chat command to get them back into your inventory. It's a pruning that may sting, but it makes room for the new hotness.
Keystone tweaks: Big Shifts
Some classic Keystones are evolving:
Acrobatics: Now 75% less Evasion Rating (up from 70%) - a steeper dodge tax.
Eldritch Battery: Adds Doubles Mana Cost—mana management just got trickier.
Giant's Blood: Now Triples Attribute requirements of Martial Weapons (Axes, Maces, Swords, and more), clarified from “weapons.” Requires beefy stats.
Unwavering Stance: Swaps Doubled Stun Threshold for Cannot be Light Stunned—a cleaner tank perk.
These tweaks refine the risk-reward dance - tougher trade-offs, sharper identities.
Notable Updates: Fine-tuning the favourites
A number of Notables have been tweaked:
Catlike Agility: Evasion increased by 40% after a dodge roll (from 25%).
Falcon Technique: Attack speed increased by 1% per 25 Dexterity (from 15) - slower scaling, more accurate.
Freedom of Movement: Now 10% reduced Movement Speed Penalty from Skills (was 30% Evasion post-Dodge).
Heavy Buffer: 5% damage bypassed by energy shield (replaces 10% reduced max health).
Icebreaker: Freeze threshold is 50% of max Energy Shield (down from 100%).
Mana Blessing: Drops 5% of max mana for 20% increased mana regeneration.
Master Fletching: 20% increased Quiver bonuses (from 30%), with small nodes adjusting to 6% (from 10%) before, and 20% Ailment Chance or 15% Projectile Stun Buildup after.
Pile On: 30% increased Armour Break Debuff Effect—new focus, new punch.
Polymathy: 7% increased attributes (from 10%).
Raw Mana: increased max mana by 8% (from 12%).
Spaghettification: +13 to all attributes (increased from 7%), but -7% Chaos Resistance (from -13%).
Split the Earth: 10% chance for Mace strikes to cause aftershocks (1.8m radius added), same damage.
Unhindered: 12% reduced movement speed penalty from skills while moving (was 3% increased movement speed), with a cluster node at 8% reduced penalty.
These changes keep the tree dynamic - some buffs, some nerfs, all encouraging smarter play.
Small Passive Adjustments: Subtle but Impactful
The fine print matters too:
Killer Instinct cluster: Swaps an Attack Damage with Ally node for 10% increased Attack Damage.
Aura Effect nodes: Small ones drop to 5% (from 8%), Notables to 12% (from 20%).
Iron Grip and Iron Will: Wording clarified - no functional change, just readability.
Small tweaks, big ripples—especially for aura stackers and melee fans.
Why It's a Game-Changer
This Passive Skill Tree revamp is a love letter to build diversity. New clusters and keystones like Crimson Assault and Trusted Kinship open up wild avenues - bleed harder, double your pets, or lean into Banners and Thorns. Losing Jewel Sockets and old Notables stings, but the trade-off is a tree bursting with new options. Tweaked Keystones and Notables keep the classics relevant while nudging you to rethink your choices. Tomorrow's drop is prime time to dive in and experiment - Wraeclast has never felt more alive.
Thanks for Reading
Patch 0.2.0's Passive Skill Tree changes are a theorycrafter's dream. Get ready for the 4th of April and keep an eye on MMOJUGG as Dawn of the Hunt unfolds!
Special Pack for Your Endgame:
Also, we made some packs for your endgame! Easy Trading (Divine x50, Exalted x400), All-in-One Quality Pack (Etcher, Whetstones, Scraps, Baubles), and Ultimate Skill Pack (Gemcutters and Jewellers). Awesome, right? Check them Out!
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