PoE2 Dawn of the Hunt: Act 3 Map Size Fixes

Just two and a half hours ago, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) released a new update addressing some of the biggest complaints about Path of Exile 2's Dawn of the Hunt (0.2.0) patch. Players have been vocal about the sprawling maps, especially in Act 3, and GGG's latest response shows they're listening - starting with trimming down those oversized areas. For anyone knee-deep in Wraeclast, or just following the game's development, this is worth a look. If you enjoy these breakdowns, our website is a solid place to return for more, and our store has some neat extras to check out if you've got a moment. Let's break down what's changing and how it'll affect your next run.

GGG's latest post, hot off the press, zeroes in on Act 3's bloated map designs. After crunching data on clear times, they're rolling out tweaks to trim the fat, reduce backtracking and smooth out progression. Here's a rundown of what's being fixed, straight from their update.

This map's massive dead end—originally a placeholder for a cut area—led to a locked door with no checkpoint, forcing frustrating treks back. GGG removes this section entirely, shrinking the map and sparing you the pointless detour.

Utzaal mirrors The Drowned City's issue with a dead-end stub, plus a second one near the Treasure Vault entrance. Both are now gone, making this swampy slog shorter and less confusing.

Shaped like a giant spiral for past-version continuity, this area's getting a redesign. GGG breaks this link to shrink it, trading lore for a tighter, more enjoyable layout.

A big square with a boss that could spawn anywhere, Azak Bog was a nightmare to navigate. It's now a rectangle with the boss at the far end - smaller, simpler and no more aimless wandering.

Finding the Waterways waypoint here was a chore, often missed before heading to Chimeral Wetlands. GGG has added an early bottleneck that forces you to pass through, slightly trimming the map and reducing the search time.

Spotting the Infested Barrens exit was tricky from a distance. The entrance is now more obvious, with a repositioned checkpoint to guide you, and a slight reduction in size for good measure.

Random layouts here could stretch the gap between the Temple of Chaos and Machinarium entrances, doubling your steps. GGG pulls them closer together to reduce backtracking.

Hunting Soul Cores dragged this area out. An extra Soul Core will be added, reducing the average time it takes to search this area.

Like Machinarium, this map's Soul Core chase was a time sink. GGG has added another one to make the grind a little easier.

A universal headache—clear a side area, return, and find the main zone reset—gets a band-aid. GGG is extending the timeout for maps with side areas, reducing those annoying reclears while they cook up a permanent fix.

These tweaks hit the sweet spot for Act 3's pacing woes. Smaller maps mean less trudging through empty space, clearer paths cut out the guesswork, and additional Soul Cores speed up progression without dumbing it down. It's not a complete overhaul - GGG is still looking at data for further tweaks - but it's a solid step towards a leaner campaign. Expect these changes to roll out over the next few days, so you can expect a fresher run sooner rather than later.

To us at MMOJUGG, this feels like GGG showing off their knack for quick, player-driven fixes. Act 3 was a beast to get through, and cutting out the excess keeps the focus on the grind we love - without the fluff. Whether you're a min-maxer or just vibing through the story, this should make your next plunge into Wraeclast a little snappier.

GGG's latest moves in Dawn of the Hunt show they're not letting Act 3's sprawl linger. With tighter maps and smarter design on the way, your journey into exile is about to feel a lot smoother. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for more updates as Wraeclast continues to shift!