PoE2: Future Updates to Shift Focus from New Classes

If you're a fan of *Path of Exile 2*, you might have been eagerly awaiting the introduction of new classes in upcoming patches. However, the game's director, Jonathan Rogers, has revealed that new classes won't be the primary focus of future updates. In a recent Q&A session, Rogers explained the reasoning behind this decision and shared insights into the current state of the game.

Path of Exile 2 New Characters Might Not Be Introduced Every Patch

You Can Expect More Ascendancies Instead

Rogers highlighted that the unpredictability of class development led to this strategic shift. He noted, I would like it if every release would have a class, but I would say that we actually learned something during the production of this cycle, which is that it was a mistake to have a class as a wedge for the development of your expansion. The focus on the Huntress class in the upcoming patch caused delays, prompting the team to prioritize a fixed release schedule over introducing new classes.

Rogers elaborated, We have to have the Huntress in the next patch, so therefore, the date had to float, and that meant that this expansion ended up taking a lot longer than what we had hoped. He emphasized the importance of a fixed release date over promising new classes, stating, While I’m very keen to have a class in the next expansion, I’m not going to promise that because that would mean we can’t fix the date anymore.

The decision aims to provide players with more frequent updates, as Rogers pointed out, Players really do want to see forward progress, and they don’t want to be waiting six to nine months before they see a big update. He assured fans that while new classes might be less predictable, additional Ascendancies will be a staple in future patches. Furthermore, Rogers expressed enthusiasm about adding more classes even after the Early Access phase concludes.

Path of Exile 2 Dawn of the Hunt Brings More Changes to Endgame

Promising the End to Be A Lot Harder

Alongside these changes, the upcoming patch, *Dawn of the Hunt*, will introduce over 100 new skills, support gems, and unique gear aimed at enhancing midgame and endgame experiences. Rogers emphasized that the game's bosses will become significantly more challenging, stating, There are certainly some things that are going to have to be nerfed because they’re completely trivializing certain mechanics. He aims to extend the time it takes for players to reach overpowering levels, ensuring that the journey to peak power is more rewarding.

Rogers expressed disappointment over how quickly players defeated Pinnacle Bosses in the past, hoping for a more challenging initial encounter in the future. He envisioned a scenario where the first player to defeat a Pinnacle Boss in a league would face a formidable challenge, saying, The first time you fight a Pinnacle Boss, it’s going to be a hard fight and crazy. The goal is to balance the game so that while players can eventually overpower the bosses, the initial experience remains tough.

Path of Exile 2 Game Director is Happy With Its Ruthless Difficulty

Things Aren’t Easier, You Just Got Better

The difficulty of *Path of Exile 2*'s campaign has been a topic of debate among players, with opinions varying on its ease or difficulty. Rogers remains content with the campaign's challenge level, suggesting that perceptions may change as players become more experienced. He noted that many complaints stemmed from players who transitioned from the previous game without adapting to the new one.

Rogers is optimistic that as players gain familiarity with the game, the difficulty will feel more manageable. He stated, I don’t think we’re gonna get nearly as many complaints about it this time, and that’s because once you know how to play, you’re going to find the experience a lot easier. He acknowledged that players often mistake their improved skills for changes in game balance, saying, People are often surprised. A lot of the times what happens is that the second time people play through the game, they will talk about how they (GGG) must have changed the balance, but the actual reality is that they just got better at the game.