With just days left before the big Path of Exile 2 reveal, excitement among the community is palpable. Two teasers and two intriguing titles have already dropped, hinting at a game that promises both familiar thrills and bold new directions. Yet, while anticipation runs high, many seasoned players are reflecting on aspects of the current game they hope to see refined or reinvented in the sequel. From the balance of ascendancies to the design of boss fights and the structure of the endgame, there are several areas where players hope PoE2 will take a leap forward.
Ascendancies: The Gaps and the Unseen Potential
One of the most critical points of discussion in the current POE2 Currency landscape is the state of ascendancies. Despite the sheer variety, there exists a significant power gap among them, leaving some classes overshadowed while others are overrepresented in the meta. The sorcerer, for instance, has long been a favorite of many players, yet in the current leagues, it seems to lag behind alternative choices.
Take the stormweaver and chronomancer ascendancies. While chronomancer features unique abilities such as time stop, the practicality of these skills in high-level gameplay is underwhelming. Many players, especially in the fast-paced environment of league content, find that their builds perform better on the blood mage ascendancy, which often outshines the sorcerer’s options. Cooldown-dependent skills feel weak, and reworks meant to enhance chronomancer haven’t significantly improved its viability. Likewise, stormweaver’s skillset doesn’t deliver the impactful experience one would hope for, leaving sorcerers in an uncomfortable middle ground: interesting conceptually but lacking practical power.
On the other hand, the witch hunter ascendancy is a hidden gem. Despite its remarkable potential, it remains underutilized by the community, in part due to the focus on mainstream tier lists and the influence of popular streamers and YouTubers. Innovative builds, such as one capable of one-shotting every boss or performing exceptionally in maps, showcase the ascendancy’s hidden strength. Yet, the ascendancy’s visibility suffers, creating a disconnect between its potential and its representation in the community. Players who follow the meta blindly may miss out on viable and fun playstyles simply because they aren’t highlighted by high-profile content creators.
Some ascendancies, however, have been disappointing. The Echolyte of Chahula, for example, fails to compete with alternatives such as Invoker, Leech, or Ritualist. Promises of a rework created anticipation, but the end result has left many feeling underwhelmed. Its abilities do not provide the uniqueness or power expected, relegating it to the lower tier of usefulness. The community hopes that PoE2 addresses these gaps, creating ascendancies with more distinct identities and reducing the disparity in power levels. Balanced and meaningful choices can foster creativity and make every build feel worthwhile.
Boss Fights: From Punching Bags to Challenging Encounters
Another area where Path of Exile has room for growth is its boss fights. In the current endgame, encounters often feel more like DPS tests than strategic battles. Many bosses are treated as punching bags, where the primary metric of success is whether a player can one-shot the target. If a build cannot kill a tier-three boss in a few seconds, it is frequently deemed inadequate, and encounters lose much of their excitement as a result.
This design philosophy diminishes the sense of challenge and satisfaction. While PoE is, at its core, an action RPG with loot-centric progression, players crave moments of meaningful engagement. Well-designed bosses with dynamic mechanics, scaled difficulty, and strategic depth can elevate the game experience beyond simple numerical comparisons. In this respect, PoE has untapped potential. Past expansions have shown glimpses of innovative boss designs, but the core endgame often fails to utilize these lessons consistently.
The community is hopeful that PoE2 will introduce mega-boss fights that demand coordination, strategy, and ingenuity. Imagine encounters that require more than pure DPS: bosses that punish recklessness, challenge adaptability, and reward tactical planning. Such fights would reinvigorate the sense of accomplishment in endgame content, providing memorable experiences that resonate long after the battle ends. The introduction of meaningful boss mechanics could also shift the focus from merely optimizing numbers to mastering mechanics, which many players have long desired.
The Endgame: From Atlas to Adventure
After the story acts and interlude content—praised by the community for their depth, narrative quality, and love for detail—the transition into the endgame often feels underwhelming. The current Atlas system, while ambitious in scope, lacks impact. Players work to acquire skill points and unlock maps, yet the sense of progression can feel flat. The rewards often fail to translate into meaningful gameplay enhancements, and traversing the Atlas can feel repetitive despite the variety of map designs.
Many players wish for a reimagined endgame that offers genuine excitement and strategic depth. A larger Atlas with harder-to-obtain points, along with more consequential choices, could transform endgame engagement from a grind into an adventure. Incorporating high-risk, high-reward objectives would encourage experimentation and foster a sense of accomplishment that the current system struggles to provide. With the announcement that the 4.4 update will focus on endgame rework, hopes are high that Grinding Gear Games is preparing something transformative.
Additionally, the pinnacle fights and interactions with major endgame bosses could be more directly integrated into the Atlas. Instead of serving as isolated challenges, these fights could form a core part of endgame progression, offering players tangible rewards and narrative significance. A more interconnected and meaningful endgame structure would not only enrich gameplay but also provide a lasting incentive to continue exploring and mastering the game’s systems.
Minor Frustrations and Quality of Life
While ascendancies, boss fights, and the endgame represent major areas for improvement, there are also smaller, yet impactful issues affecting player experience. One such example is the Delirium Fog. Designed as a challenge mechanic, the fog often disrupts farming efficiency and can be visually obtrusive, detracting from the game’s otherwise stunning aesthetic. Efficient farming requires players to navigate around these mechanics, which can feel frustrating rather than rewarding.
Performance issues, though often subtle, can also affect immersion. In a game as visually complex as Path of Exile, smooth gameplay and stable performance are essential. Addressing these technical hurdles alongside gameplay improvements would create a more polished and satisfying experience, complementing the deeper systemic changes players hope to see.
Looking Forward: Hopes for PoE2
As the countdown to the reveal continues, speculation runs rampant about what Path of Exile 2 will offer. The community hopes that the sequel will address long-standing concerns, including ascendancy balance, meaningful boss encounters, and a redefined endgame that rewards creativity and strategic thinking. These changes could elevate PoE2 beyond its predecessor, making it both a spiritual successor and a bold evolution.
For ascendancies, players anticipate more defined roles, unique identities, and reduced power disparities. Challenging and rewarding boss fights could redefine endgame pacing, transforming encounters into memorable tests of skill rather than mere DPS contests buy Path of Exile 2 Orbs. And a revitalized endgame with impactful progression systems would provide a compelling reason to dive in after completing the main storyline, fostering long-term engagement.
At the same time, minor refinements—such as reducing the annoyance of Delirium Fog and improving performance—would enhance the overall experience. These details, though seemingly small, contribute to the quality of life and immersion, allowing players to focus on the core excitement of exploration, combat, and loot.
Conclusion
Path of Exile 2 arrives with the weight of high expectations. Players hope it not only retains the narrative depth, atmospheric design, and expansive systems of the original but also addresses the pain points that have frustrated the community for years. Balanced ascendancies, dynamic boss fights, and a meaningful, engaging endgame represent the pillars upon which a stronger, more exciting ARPG experience can be built. Minor improvements in quality of life and performance will only serve to polish this foundation further.
Ultimately, PoE2 has the potential to be more than a sequel—it could redefine what the ARPG genre can offer in terms of depth, creativity, and player agency. By listening to community feedback and focusing on these core areas, Grinding Gear Games has the opportunity to deliver a game that not only satisfies veterans but also invites new players into a world of complex builds, challenging encounters, and endless possibilities. The countdown is nearly over, and the excitement is real. For those who have followed the saga of Wraeclast, Path of Exile 2 promises a return to a world of dark fantasy, tactical depth, and, with any luck, a revitalized endgame that will keep players engaged for years to come.
