Too Many Runes? #poe2 #pathofexile2 #podcast #gaming
Summary
- Socket Bloat concerns: The introduction of 160 new runes raises questions about whether there are too many socketable items in the game.
- Loot Management: The physical act of clicking numerous items and the tier system (lesser, normal, and greater) can become a source of annoyance.
- Filtering and Information Parsing: Large drops of up to 30 runes at a time require heavy reliance on loot filters to avoid “dogshit” items and parse useful information.
- Quality of New Content: Hopes are high that the 160 upcoming runes provide meaningful variety rather than being filled with minor stat boosts like “+6 strength.”
Socket Bloat and Item Management
There is a legitimate concern regarding “socket bloat” due to the massive volume of new socketable runes being introduced. The sheer variety of runes to pick up is mildly annoying, especially when many of them feel unimportant. The complexity is compounded by the existence of lesser, normal, and greater versions of these items.
Comparisons to Path of Exile 1
The current rune system in Path of Exile 2 mirrors the issues with scarabs in Path of Exile 1. The problem is not necessarily their function, but their “form.” The requirement to click on a massive amount of individual items is a point of frustration.
When 30 runes drop simultaneously, it creates a challenge for parsing information. Even with the ability to filter out low-value runes, players must constantly manage their filters to ensure they aren’t sifting through “dogshit” items just to find the ones that matter.
Expectations for the 160 New Runes
While “more” content is generally good, there is a risk of over-saturation. With 160 new runes coming, the hope is that the majority of them are impactful. It would be disappointing if the meta settled on only 15 useful runes while the remainder consisted of filler stats, such as “+6 strength.”