PoE2 Future Updates Prioritize Features Over New Classes

The game director for Path of Exile 2 has indicated that introducing new character classes will not be a primary goal for future major updates. Discover the reasoning behind this strategic shift and the team's perspective on the game's current direction.

Future Patches in Path of Exile 2 May Not Always Include New Classes

Players Can Anticipate More Ascendancies Instead

In a recent Q&A, Path of Exile 2 Game Director Jonathan Rogers explained that players should not anticipate new classes in subsequent updates, citing the unpredictable nature of their development cycle.

When questioned about the possibility of a new class with every major patch, Rogers acknowledged the team's initial ambition but clarified they've learned that centering an update around a class was a misstep. He stated, While I would love for every release to include a new class, we've realized during this development cycle that using a class as the core pillar for an expansion's progress was an error.

He elaborated that the dilemma involved choosing between a fixed release date with fluctuating content volume or a flexible schedule to guarantee a specific feature set. The commitment to include the Huntress in the next patch, for instance, forced the release date to be repeatedly postponed.

Rogers explained, Because we were determined to have the Huntress ready, the release date became variable, and as a result, this expansion ended up taking significantly longer than we originally planned.

He added that he now prefers a fixed release schedule over the previous approach, meaning the team cannot commit to specific timelines for new class introductions. Although I am very eager to include a class in the next expansion, I can't make that a promise because it would force us to abandon a fixed release date again, he noted.

Based on the development experience with "Dawn of the Hunt," Rogers clarified that players should not expect new classes to be tied to future patches. The creation process for classes is inherently uncertain, and he believes the community prefers to receive consistent updates and progress without lengthy delays.

Players genuinely want to see the game moving forward, and they don't want to wait six to nine months for a major content drop, Rogers said. So it's crucial that we deliver new content in a reasonably timely fashion, which is why new classes are less predictable.

However, this doesn't mean a lack of new gameplay options. Rogers confirmed that every upcoming patch will definitely introduce additional Ascendancies. He also expressed a strong desire to add even more classes after the Early Access period concludes. As mentioned, we can absolutely deliver new Ascendancies; we might even continue adding new classes after the official release, as I am certainly enthusiastic about creating more, Rogers stated.

Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt Overhauls the Endgame Experience

Promising a Significantly More Challenging Conclusion

The upcoming patch, featuring the Huntress, will introduce over 100 new skills, support gems, and unique items focused on mid-to-late game content. These additions are part of a broader effort by Grinding Gear Games (GGG) to make boss encounters substantially more difficult. Rogers mentioned the need to extend the time it takes for a character's power to grow to the point where it trivializes endgame challenges, while also affirming that players should still be able to eventually achieve that level of strength.

Some elements will inevitably need to be toned down because they are completely negating certain game mechanics, Rogers explained. Players are reaching a point of overwhelming power a bit too early in their progression, he added. I believe achieving that level of power is a valid goal, but it shouldn't happen before you've even completed your initial journey through the core content.

Rogers even admitted his disappointment at how swiftly players were able to defeat the Pinnacle Bosses. He described his vision for these encounters as incredibly difficult battles, where the first player in a new league to attempt one would face a formidable challenge. The reality, however, was that one such boss was vanquished in just fourteen seconds due to an exceptionally powerful character build.

He hopes that the revamped progression system and balance adjustments will lead to a different experience for players encountering Pinnacle Bosses for the first time. Your first battle with a Pinnacle Boss should be a harsh and intense struggle. But as you face the boss repeatedly, acquire better gear, and refine your build, you can eventually reach a point where you defeat it in fourteen seconds. The key is that this shouldn't be your initial experience, Rogers elaborated.

Rogers continued, The current system has gotten a little out of hand, making it too easy to acquire excessive power too quickly, and that's the core issue we're addressing. He concluded that the balance changes are primarily aimed at slowing down the ascent to ultimate power, stating, Players should always be able to feel powerful and live out that fantasy; it just shouldn't be instantaneous. That is the main focus of our balancing efforts.

Path of Exile 2 Director Content With Its Challenging Nature

The Game Isn't Easier; You've Improved

The difficulty level of Path of Exile 2's campaign has been a topic of debate within the community, with some players finding it too easy and others too hard. Rogers expressed his satisfaction with the current campaign challenge and believes player perceptions will evolve. His team observed that many critiques came from veterans of the first game who hadn't yet played the sequel, leading them to draw comparisons between the two experiences.

Rogers anticipates fewer complaints about difficulty this time, explaining, I don't expect we'll receive nearly as many complaints this time, because once you understand the mechanics, you'll find the experience much more manageable. He acknowledges that if this proves not to be the case, the team will have more data to guide necessary adjustments, but he is optimistic that the situation will differ.

Players are often surprised. Frequently, when people play through the game a second time, they comment that we must have rebalanced it, but the truth is they simply became more skilled, Rogers concluded.