Okay, so Path of Exile 2 is coming, and holy moly, there’s a lot to unpack here. If you’re a fan of Path of Exile 1 (like me, who’s spent countless hours trying to min-max my builds while also crying at the number of times I died to some boss I didn’t prepare for), you’re probably both excited and a little anxious about the sequel. I feel you. It’s like when your favorite game gets a sequel, and you’re pumped, but at the same time, you’re low-key freaking out about how they’ll change everything you love.
But don’t worry—I’ve got your back! In this post, I’m diving deep into the new mechanics of Path of Exile 2 that us PoE1 veterans will need to wrap our heads around. And trust me, some of these changes will make you go, “Wait, what the hell?” while others will have you like, “Okay, that’s dope.” So grab yourself a coffee (or energy drink, if that’s your thing), sit back, and let’s dig into what’s new in PoE2.
1. The Skill Gem System Overhaul
Path of Exile 2 - The Skill Gem System
Alright, let’s start with the big boy—skill gems. Now, if you’ve played PoE1, you know that skill gems are basically the core of the game. In PoE1, you socket them into your gear: weapons, armor, helmets, etc., right? Well, PoE2 is flipping that on its head.
What’s Changing?
In Path of Exile 2, skill gems are no longer tied to your gear. Yeah, you heard me right. Instead, they’re tied to a separate skill gem interface. You won’t be socketing gems into your gear anymore. Instead, you’ll have a dedicated “gem inventory” to manage your skills. This one’s going to take some getting used to, for sure.
Why This Might Be Cool
Okay, so let’s be real—managing gear in PoE1 could sometimes feel like inventory Tetris. You know the struggle: trying to find the perfect piece of gear with the right colors and links just to fit your skill gems. I’d spend hours planning and then cry when I couldn’t get the right socket colors with Chromatic Orbs. Now, with PoE2, there’s more freedom to focus on the stats of your gear rather than the sockets. This could be a game-changer for build flexibility.
But... Will It Be Confusing?
Short answer: Maybe at first. I mean, we’re so used to the old system that this might feel like learning to walk again. But once we get the hang of it, I think it could actually make building characters more streamlined. Plus, it opens up more possibilities for customized builds without being restricted by gear sockets. Still, it’s one of those things that’ll either make you feel like a genius or make you want to punch your monitor.
2. Dodge Roll Mechanics
Dodge Roll Mechanic in Path of Exile 2
Okay, this one is super interesting. Dodge rolls are coming to PoE2, and no, this isn’t some Dark Souls wannabe mechanic (although I bet the devs were kinda inspired by souls-like games). In PoE1, you’re pretty much stuck relying on good ol’ movement speed and positioning to avoid attacks. But in PoE2, you get a dedicated dodge roll button.
Why Add a Dodge Roll?
The developers wanted to make combat feel more strategic. Instead of just running around like a headless chicken (which, let’s be honest, is what we all do when things get hectic), you now have a way to actively dodge big attacks. This gives boss fights and enemy encounters a bit more finesse, and it’s less about full-on DPS spam and more about survival.
Is It Going to Save Us From Death?
Hah! Don’t count on it. From what I’ve seen, the dodge roll will help, but it won’t make you invincible. You still need to time it right (because of course they’d make it skill-based). And here’s the kicker—it’s mapped to your mouse by default. Yeah, I’m not kidding. I can already hear the collective groans of players accidentally rolling into danger instead of away from it. Thankfully, some folks are already asking for a WASD option, which would make dodging feel a bit more intuitive.
TL;DR: Dodge rolls are cool, but if you’re like me, you’ll probably end up dodging into a fireball and cursing the devs.
3. Boss Fights Are Getting Personal
POE2 Boss fight
Boss fights in PoE1 could sometimes feel like a DPS race. You stack some damage, dodge a few moves, and pray you don’t get one-shot. But in PoE2, things are different. Boss fights are going to destroy us, but in a good way.
What’s New?
Each boss is hand-crafted, and none of the assets are reused from PoE1. That’s right—every boss in PoE2 is going to have its own unique mechanics, phases, and behaviors. We’re talking over 100 bosses in the main campaign alone. And they’ve taken some cues from souls-like games, so expect bosses that require you to actually learn their patterns instead of just spamming attacks.
Why This is Both Exciting and Terrifying
I’m a sucker for a good boss fight, but man, if PoE2 bosses are anything like the ones in souls-like games, I’m already mentally preparing myself for a lot of deaths. Gone are the days of facerolling through bosses with a glass cannon build (probably). Now, you’ll need to focus on survival, dodging, and timing your attacks. Honestly, it’s about time the bosses got a bit more creative.
But here’s the thing: You only get one shot at a boss. If you die, you don’t just respawn and run right back into the fight. You’ll have to start over, which adds a whole new layer of challenge. It’s going to be frustrating, but when we finally take down a tough boss? Oh, the satisfaction is going to be real.
4. Flasks and Their Nerf
Oof, this one hurts. If you’ve played PoE1, you know that flasks are a huge part of your survival strategy. But in PoE2, they’re changing the way flasks work, and it’s not exactly in our favor.
What’s Different?
First off, normal mobs no longer give flask charges. Yeah, let that sink in. Only magic, rare, and unique enemies will refill your flasks. This means you can’t just run around killing trash mobs to top off your health and mana. You’ll need to be more mindful of when and how you use your flasks.
Why This Could Be a Good Thing (But Maybe Not)?
The devs want flasks to feel more like a strategic resource rather than something you spam every few seconds. In theory, this makes sense. It adds a layer of decision-making to combat. But let’s be real—this also means we’re going to be a lot more vulnerable, especially in tougher areas where flask management is crucial.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, flasks don’t fully refill when you enter town. Instead, you’ll have to refill them at specific wells. Great. Just what I needed—another thing to worry about while I’m out there getting my butt kicked by overpowered enemies.
5. Weapon-Specific Skills
In PoE1, you can pretty much use any skill with any weapon. Want to use Viper Strike with a sword? Go for it. But in PoE2, that’s changing. Now, some skills will be locked to specific weapon types.
What This Means for Builds
This is huge. It means that certain builds will be more restricted based on the weapons you choose. You can’t just slap any skill onto any weapon and call it a day. You’ll need to think about the synergy between your skill gems and your weapon types. For example, if you want to use Viper Strike, you’ll need to use a dagger or claw, and that’s it.
Good or Bad?
I’m on the fence about this one. On the one hand, it adds depth to build crafting and forces you to think more carefully about your weapon choices. On the other hand, it could feel limiting, especially if you’re used to the flexibility of PoE1. I guess we’ll see how it plays out.
6. Crafting is Getting a Facelift
If you’re a fan of crafting in PoE1, brace yourself. Crafting in PoE2 is going to be a lot different. First off, the crafting bench is gone. That’s right—no more slapping on extra life or resistances with the bench. Instead, crafting is going to rely more on currency orbs and other mechanics.
What About Metacrafting?
Metamods like "Can’t Roll Attack Mods" are also getting the axe. This will make high-end crafting a lot harder, since metacrafting was a key part of creating those god-tier items. So, yeah, this is going to be a pretty big adjustment for anyone who’s spent hours fine-tuning their gear through crafting.
But There’s a Silver Lining
On the bright side, you’ll use Jeweler’s Orbs to increase the number of sockets on your skill gems, which is kind of like crafting in its own way. Plus, you have more control over socket colors now, thanks to Chromatic Orbs being able to target specific sockets. So it’s not all bad—it’s just different, you know?
7. Shared Cosmetics Between PoE1 and PoE2
Okay, this one’s a bit of a relief. If you’ve spent money on fancy cosmetics in PoE1 (and who hasn’t, honestly?), you’ll be happy to know that your cosmetics will carry over between both games. Thank god. I couldn’t imagine grinding for a sick-looking armor set in PoE1 only to lose it in PoE2.
Cross-Game Integration
The in-game shop is shared between both games, so you won’t have to repurchase anything. This is a great move by Grinding Gear Games, since it ensures that all the money you've sunk into cosmetics won’t go to waste. Plus, it’s nice to know that even if you switch between PoE1 and PoE2, you’ll still look like the badass you are.
8. The Pace of Combat: Slower but More Rewarding
If you’ve played PoE1 for a while, you’re probably used to the fast-paced, zoom-zoom style of combat. You fly through maps, obliterating everything in your path without a second thought. But in PoE2, things are slowing down.
Why the Change?
The devs have said that they want combat to feel more impactful. Instead of mowing down mobs without thinking, you’ll need to prioritize targets and use your skills more deliberately. This is where the dodge roll comes in handy, since you’ll be dodging big attacks rather than just tanking them.
Is It a Good Change?
Honestly, I think it’s a mixed bag. On the one hand, I love the fast-paced nature of PoE1. Blasting through maps and watching enemies explode is one of the most satisfying parts of the game. But on the other hand, having more strategic fights could make combat feel more rewarding in the long run. It’s a give-and-take, really.
9. Separate Leagues for PoE1 and PoE2
One of the most interesting things about PoE1 and PoE2 is that they’re separate games, but they’ll both continue to run simultaneously. This means that both games will have their own leagues, and you can choose which one you want to play when a new league starts.
Why This is Cool
If you’re not feeling the changes in PoE2, you can always stick with PoE1. Or, if you’re ready to dive into the new mechanics, you can hop into PoE2. It gives players the best of both worlds without forcing anyone to abandon the game they love. Plus, it keeps both games fresh with content updates, so it’s a win-win.
Final Thoughts: Is PoE2 Going to Be Worth It?
Look, I’m not going to lie—Path of Exile 2 is going to take some getting used to. The new mechanics are a departure from PoE1, and not everyone’s going to be on board with them right away. But honestly? I’m excited. The changes, while daunting at first, have the potential to make PoE2 even more engaging and rewarding than its predecessor.
Sure, I’ll probably rage-quit a few times when I dodge roll into a pit of fire, but that’s part of the fun, right? The bosses are going to kick my ass, the crafting system will make me cry, and I’ll probably miss my flask spam. But at the end of the day, PoE2 is shaping up to be a more strategic, skill-based experience, and I’m here for it.
So, should you be excited? Absolutely. Should you be prepared to die (a lot)? You bet. But that’s what makes Path of Exile so damn addictive—the constant challenge, the satisfaction of finally nailing a build, and the thrill of taking down a boss after countless tries.
Bring it on, PoE2. I’m ready. (I think.)
