PoE Sanity

Spear Pathfinder League Starter Test Run | Also... I'M BACK!

By JorgenWatch videoDuration: PT1H6M24S

Summary

  • Test run of a Spear-based Pathfinder for a potential league start in Path of Exile 2.
  • Analysis of the Pathfinder’s superiority in mobility and critical strike access compared to other classes.
  • Evaluation of the “Explosive Spear” skill combined with Parry mechanics.
  • Critique of “friction mechanics” like the well and a preference for the current PoE1 development team’s design vision.
  • Speculation on upcoming content, including the potential for Templar, flails, swords, and a Golemancer class based on “Clay Shaper” lore.
  • Comparison of defense layers, favoring Evasion/Energy Shield (ES) over Armor for early-game progression.

Introduction and Return to PoE2

After a two-week hiatus and six months away from Path of Exile 2, initial gameplay focuses on shaking off “rust” through league start testing. While Diablo 4 has implemented some PoE-inspired changes worth exploring, the primary focus remains on the mechanical complexity and build variety of PoE2.

League Start Strategy: Pathfinder Spears

The choice to league start with spears on a Pathfinder is driven by the class’s inherent advantages:

  • Crit Access: The Pathfinder easily outclasses others in securing critical strike chance.
  • Mobility: High movement speed and fluid positioning make it a “Zen” experience compared to slower archetypes.
  • Skill Choice: Explosive Spear is the primary offensive tool, chosen for its damage potential.
  • Comparison: While Shield Wall is convenient, the damage and speed of spears offer a more aggressive alternative. Early-game minions are avoided due to their horrific scaling before the late game.

Defense and Gameplay Mechanics

  1. Hybrid Defense: Evasion and Energy Shield (ES) are currently viewed as superior to Armor for league starting. This combination allows for a sustained “pool” of protection that feels more reliable than struggling with early-game Armor and Life scaling.
  2. The Parry Mechanic: Parry is a game-changer for mechanical play. When combined with skills like “Bangs of Frost,” it provides significant damage spikes. However, it is impractical for fast mapping because it requires waiting to be hit; its primary value lies in boss encounters.
  3. Mobility vs. Tankiness: There is a strong preference for the “Paladin” or “Crusader” power fantasy—tanky, shield-based characters. However, current HP scaling for archetypes like the Smith of Kitava feels underwhelming compared to the efficiency of Evasion/ES.

Critique of Design Vision

There is a notable shift in the perception of game design between the original “vision” of high friction and the current direction of the developers:

  • Friction Mechanics: Mechanics like the “well” are viewed as redundantly stupid and purposeless hurdles.
  • Difficulty: While some players advocate for a “Ruthless” level of difficulty, it is argued that the game should not focus solely on being difficult for the sake of friction.
  • Development Team: The current team managing PoE1 is praised for their vision, suggesting they are the right people to guide PoE2 away from mechanics that “tank” the player experience.

Future Speculations and Patch Expectations

Anticipation for the upcoming patch includes a potential end-game rework and mapping system overhaul. Specific hopes and predictions include:

  • Class Additions: Expectations for Templar, Duelist (Gladiator), and potentially a Trickster or Golemancer class. The “Clay Shaper” from precursor lore suggests a minion-centric Golemancer class may be coming.
  • Weapon Types: High interest in the introduction of swords and flails. Flails specifically are expected to be a focus for the Templar, potentially scaling off shield stats.
  • Skill Gems: Hopes for the inclusion of Righteous Fire (RF), Cast on Stun, and reflection skills that mirror the “reflect” mechanics of PoE1 rather than simple “thorns” damage.
  • Balance: A call for the reduction of “one-shot” mechanics and a critique of “Cast on Crit” (CoC). Removing CoC would reveal underlying issues with how offense and defense currently scale, as it currently masks defense flaws through extreme speed.

Conclusion of the Test Run

The Spear Pathfinder proves to be a comfortable and powerful league start option, especially with recent spear upgrades. It offers a smoother leveling experience than the Smith of Kitava. Future streams will focus on further testing and a “speculation bingo card” for the upcoming patch notes.

Key References