Path of Exile 2 will have death penalty in the endgame

By: Dmitro Koval | 16.01.2025, 07:41
A deep dive into the world of Path of Exile: exploring art design Path of Exile poster. Source: Grinding Gear Games

Grinding Gear Games has unveiled the first major update for Path of Exile, bringing numerous quality-of-life improvements, including adjustments to challenging endgame content and a wider variety of maps for players.

Here's What We Know

In a recent interview with Twitch streamers Darth Microtransaction and GhazzyTV, game director Jonathan Rogers spoke in detail about the planned changes. Among them is the improved visibility of deadly on-screen effects in chaotic endgame scenarios. However, Rogers stressed that the mechanics of punishment by death remain central to the game, where death serves as a significant failure.

One of the main discussion topics was the one-try rule for clearing cards. Unlike the original Path of Exile, where players had six attempts per map, Path of Exile 2 resets progress after one death.

The update introduces an exception for the Pinnacle boss, The Arbiter of Ash. Players will now have six attempts at the fight, recognising the significant effort required to unlock these encounters. Rogers noted that this decision balances accessibility with the high stakes that are an integral part of the game's design.

While Rogers expressed interest in allowing retries on the map, he cited potential abuse in a player-driven economy as a major deterrent. Despite ongoing player feedback, the studio remains committed to its core design principles and has no plans to make any significant changes in the near future.

Where To Play

Path of Exile 2 is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Windows (Steam, Epic Games Store).

Source: GamingBolt

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