PoE Sanity

This Endgame Update HAS To Be Launch-Ready - Yapping Podcast /w @Lollashgames

By GhazzyTVWatch videoDuration: PT1H37M1S

Summary

  • Endgame Focus: The transition from early access version .5 to 1.0 focuses almost entirely on perfecting the endgame loop to ensure it is “launch-ready.”
  • Raven’s Flock Analysis: Dissection of a new crow-themed unique set, identifying potential synergies and mechanical discrepancies between the staff and gloves.
  • Defensive Overhaul: Detailed discussion on the “lasagna” of defenses, including the introduction of Ward and its interaction with Energy Shield, Armor, and Evasion.
  • Spirit Walker Mechanics: Deep dive into the Spirit Walker ascendancy, focusing on taming beast bosses, Spirit costs, and the utility of specific animal spirits (Bear, Stag, Monkey).
  • Atlas and Expedition: Insights into the “infinite Atlas,” Waystones increasing zone levels (potentially up to level 90), and the “Boat League” mechanics in Path of Exile 2.
  • Build Philosophy: Arguments against the inclusion of Cluster Jewels and criticisms of mandatory weapon-swapping for “pseudo-convocation.”

The Road to 1.0 and Endgame Goals

The upcoming Tavern Talk with Mark and Jonathan will prioritize the massive endgame update over specific build balance. The developers’ primary focus for the transition from version .5 to the 1.0 launch is “plugging the holes” in the endgame. The goal is to reach a state where the community considers the endgame content to be complete and satisfying; once that is achieved, the game is considered ready for full launch.

Raven’s Flock and Crow-Themed Uniques

The Raven’s Flock unique set includes a staff, gloves, body armor, and potentially boots or a helmet.

  • Mechanical Discrepancy: The “Horror’s Flight” gloves grant Crushing Fear, which requires a quarterstaff. However, the “Raven’s Flock” staff is not categorized as a quarterstaff, suggesting a potential mechanical conflict or the need for specific build workarounds.
  • Companion Mechanics: The set features a bird companion that acts as a minion or companion, performing dive-bomb attacks.
  • Skill Tags: The “Spiraling Conspiracy” (or Inspiring Conspiracy) skill lacks an AoE tag despite appearing to have a radius, which complicates scaling with gems like Gigantic or Ravenous Swarm.
  • Thematic Variations: There may be different variants of the staff or related uniques (like a raven ring or helmet) associated with the boss Tangmazu.

Defensive Layers: Ward, Energy Shield, and Armor

Defenses are being redesigned with a focus on hybrid layers.

  • Ward Mechanics: Unlike Path of Exile 1, Ward is not a “cheat death” mechanic. If you have 10 Ward and 10 Life and take 20 damage, you die.
  • Layering: Players can layer Ward with Energy Shield and Life (the “lasagna” defense). This allows for niche interactions, such as surviving life degeneration effects at 1 HP while protected by Energy Shield and Ward.
  • The Energy Shield “Hot Take”: There is a projection that Energy Shield will be the weakest defense to pair with Ward. Because Ward bases are being handcrafted, Energy Shield values may be reduced more significantly than Armor or Evasion on hybrid Ward bases to encourage Life-based builds.

League Start Strategies and Build Theory

  • Wolves: A solid league start choice due to consistent performance and minimal reliance on “obnoxious” mechanics. Even with potential level scaling nerfs, the base damage remains viable.
  • Spirit Walker (Boss Taming): Focuses on summoning giant boss minions.
    • Monkey: Good for rapid, hard-hitting basic attacks and rolling mobility.
    • Scorpion (Secema): Features rapid slashing and burrowing skills.
    • Tornado Bird: Potentially high damage if the tornado can be sustained on bosses.
  • Lich (Explosion Focus): Utilizes Empowering Remains for spell damage when minions die. Combines two curses with explosions and uses Amanamu’s Tythe for player buffs.

Spirit Walker Ascendancy Deep Dive

The Spirit Walker ascendancy is perceived as powerful but niche, potentially lacking generic defensive nodes.

  • Bear Spirit: A strong two-point defensive node. It mames, intimidates, and leeches life to the player. When combined with Loyalty Support, it can provide up to 15% less damage taken from hits.
  • Primal Bounty: Grants significant projectile speed (up to 200%), which can be converted to damage via specific support gems like Projectile Speed 3.
  • Vivid Stampede (Stags): Provides AoE clear via leaping stags with shockwaves, though it is currently considered the weakest of the spirits.
  • Idolatry: Considered an awkward node given the league’s focus on Runes; Idols are generally stronger but limited.

Infernal Legion and Crit Mechanics

Infernal Legion (IL) has historically provided “free” damage and clear. In version .4, changes were made to ignite/crit applications. Crit multi now only benefits the build in four-second windows upon re-application, preventing the “every server tick” crit multi-abuse seen in older footage. This effectively balances the “Elephant” (Gigaphant) IL builds.

Weapon Swapping and “Pseudo-Convocation”

There is a growing frustration with weapon-swap gameplay used for “pseudo-convocation” (manually moving minions).

  • Proposed Solution: Remove manual weapon swapping in favor of skill-activated swaps. Pressing a specific skill (e.g., Raise Shield) would instantaneously swap the player to the secondary weapon set. This would eliminate “janky” weapon-swap spam while preserving the utility of multiple weapon sets.

Atlas Changes and Expedition

  • Waystones: New types of Waystones (e.g., Pristine Waystones) add zone levels. Area levels may reach 90 or higher in the endgame.
  • Runes of Al-Dür (Boat League): An “infinite scaling” expedition-style mechanic on the Atlas.
  • Expedition Utility: In Path of Exile 2, Expedition is more friendly to minion builds because enemies spawn in discrete packs that minions can focus down, unlike the “Big Bomber” off-screen meta of Path of Exile 1.

Jewel Crafting and Cluster Jewels

  • The Adorned/Voices: In Path of Exile 2, new jewel sockets are generally not part of the passive tree. Therefore, The Adorned (which scales jewels in the passive tree) should not affect them, preventing the extreme power creep seen in Path of Exile 1.
  • The Argument Against Cluster Jewels: Cluster Jewels often invalidate the main passive tree by being too efficient. Maintaining a healthy game state involves keeping the power within the handcrafted tree rather than itemized extensions.

Key References