PoE Sanity

Crazy New PoE2 Info BROKE Players (100% Starting It)

By Talkative TriWatch videoDuration: PT17M15S

Summary

  • Analysis of the redesigned Facebreaker and the new Ospix unique body armor.
  • Deep dive into the new in-game Build Planner feature arriving in patch 0.5.
  • Discussion regarding the community controversy over paid build guides.
  • Preview of the Expedition rework and the “Boat League” mechanics.
  • Highlights from the Act 1 race between Talkative Tri and CastOnComet.

Facebreakers and Unarmed Gameplay

The Facebreaker gloves, a classic from Path of Exile 1, have been reimagined for Path of Exile 2. This version is a strength-stacking item that provides 1% more unarmed damage per five points of strength.

  • Weapon Skill Interaction: Players can use one-handed mace skills with Facebreakers while both hands are empty.
  • Scaling Mechanic: The item gains physical damage as the player kills bosses throughout the campaign. There are 60 bosses in total to hunt down. It is currently unconfirmed if this scaling applies to endgame bosses like the Arbiter of Ash or the King in the Mists.
  • Synergies: Grinding Gear Games confirmed that this interacts with the Hollow Palm Technique keystone. There is also potential interaction with the Martial Artist Ascendancy’s “Fists of Stone” node, which may convert the strength-stacking modifier into a dexterity-stacking node to better suit the Monk archetype.
  • Accessibility: The item has no level requirement, making it a viable option for both league-starting and leveling secondary characters.

The Ospix: New Minion Support

The Ospix is a unique body armor dedicated to minion-based builds. Its primary feature is the ability to summon a Raven minion.

  • Active Command: Players can command the Raven to perform a dive-bomb attack on enemies.
  • Defensive Utility: The armor provides an aura that slows and debuffs nearby targets.
  • Low Life Synergy: While the player is on “Low Life,” the chance to deflect becomes “Lucky.”

In-Game Build Planner Features

Patch 0.5 Return of the Ancients introduces a comprehensive in-game build planner. This feature allows players to follow specific progression paths without needing to Alt-Tab to third-party tools.

  1. File Import: The system uses a .build file format. Players can export files from Path of Building and place them in the Path of Exile 2 documents folder.
  2. Visual Guidance: The passive tree highlights the intended path clearly.
  3. Gem and Item Annotation: The planner allows users to note which gems to take at specific levels and prioritize specific item affixes. This acts as an in-game checklist for crafting and looting.

The “Paid Builds” Controversy

A debate recently emerged within the community regarding creators who charge money for build guides.

  • The Argument Against: Streamers like Jungroan argue that financial gating for build files is detrimental to the community’s history of open-source and free tools.
  • The Argument For: Creators like GuyThatDies maintain that no one is owed a creator’s work for free, especially for heavily tested and optimized builds.
  • Perspective: While charging for builds is legal, it risks ostracizing the creator within the Path of Exile community, which has a long-standing culture of free, community-driven tools like Filterblade, PoE Ninja, and Exiled Exchange. Alternative monetization methods, such as one-on-one coaching or behind-the-scenes content, are generally better received.

Return of the Ancients: Sailing and Crafting

The new Expedition and Runes of Aldur mechanics involve sailing south and using Expedition logbooks to “unfog” the ocean and discover new islands.

  • Waystone System Changes: A “Sinkhole” area in the teaser requires a Tier 16 Waystone or higher to open. This suggests a revamped endgame tier system, potentially including Ancient, Refined, and Pristine varieties, and the possible existence of Tier 17 Waystones.
  • Crafting Complexity: The Runes of Aldur crafting menu features an extensive list of recipes and a dedicated search bar, suggesting a high level of complexity for this league’s crafting system.

Act 1 Race Highlight: Talkative Tri vs. CastOnComet

A high-stakes Act 1 race was held between Talkative Tri and his brother, CastOnComet, casted by CrimsonCasts.

  • The Lead: CastOnComet held a dominant lead through much of the early game, entering Redvale and killing the Rust King significantly faster than Tri.
  • The Comeback: Tri managed to close the gap by the Cemetery zones. Despite being 40 seconds behind in time, Tri reached Level 10 while CastOnComet was still Level 9.
  • The Finish: Both players reached the Gienor boss fight within 30 seconds of each other. The race was marked by multiple deaths for both brothers in the Manor Ramparts and during the Gienor encounter, resulting in a “nail-biter” finish.

Key References