Path of Exile 2's game director revealed that future updates won't prioritize introducing new character classes. Discover the reasoning behind this strategic shift and insights into the game's current development direction.
Path of Exile 2 May Not Feature New Classes With Every Update
Players Can Look Forward to Expanded Ascendancy Options
During a recent Q&A session, Path of Exile 2 Game Director Jonathan Rogers explained why players shouldn't expect new classes in every major patch due to development unpredictability.
When asked about new class introductions, Rogers stated, While we initially aimed for each release to include a class, we've learned this approach creates development bottlenecks.
He elaborated on the challenges of balancing fixed release schedules with uncertain class development timelines.
Our commitment to including the Huntress in the next patch forced frequent date changes,
Rogers explained. This caused the Dawn of the Hunt expansion to take significantly longer than anticipated.
The director emphasized a new approach: We'll now prioritize fixed release dates over uncertain class additions. While I'd love to promise new classes, we can't jeopardize timely updates for our players.
Rogers highlighted player expectations: Our community wants consistent progress updates, not 6-9 month waits for major patches. This makes class releases inherently unpredictable.
However, he offered reassurance: Every patch will include new Ascendancies, and we're absolutely open to adding more classes post-launch. The class ecosystem will continue expanding, just not on a strict patch schedule.
Path of Exile 2's Dawn of the Hunt Revamps Endgame Experience
Developers Promise More Challenging Late-Game Content
The upcoming expansion introduces over 100 new skills, support gems, and unique items focused on mid-to-late game progression. These changes accompany significant difficulty adjustments targeting endgame content.
We need to extend the time before characters become overwhelmingly powerful,
Rogers noted. While players should eventually reach formidable strength levels, this shouldn't happen too early in the progression curve.
Rogers expressed concerns about current boss encounters: We were disappointed seeing Pinnacle Bosses defeated in seconds. These should represent major challenges, especially for first-time encounters in a league.
The director outlined their vision: Your initial Pinnacle Boss fight should be intense and difficult. Through repeated attempts, gear upgrades, and build optimization, you can eventually defeat them quickly - but not on your first attempt.
Path of Exile 2 Developers Stand By Game's Challenging Nature
Perceived Difficulty Changes Often Reflect Player Skill Growth
Addressing debates about campaign difficulty, Rogers remains confident in their design choices. Player feedback often changes with experience,
he observed. Many complaints come from veterans comparing their current skill level to initial playthroughs.
The director noted a common phenomenon: Players frequently assume we've rebalanced content when they find it easier on subsequent playthroughs. In reality, they've simply become better at the game.
Rogers concluded: If the difficulty proves genuinely problematic, we'll address it. However, we believe our current balance provides the right challenge curve as players develop their skills and knowledge.
