Hey there, fellow Exiles!
Back with another deep dive, this time focusing on the recent patch notes for Path of Exile 3.22, dubbed "Trial of the Ancestors." While I've touched on this in my video, this blog post aims to provide a concise overview of my thoughts and feelings on these new updates.
Initial Reactions
Path of Exile's updates can be a mixed bag, and at first glance, this one felt a tad underwhelming. Noteworthy was the scarcity of balance changes, particularly when you consider the vast universe of the game. The highlight, of course, are the new support gems, though without specific details on these, it's a waiting game.
Tattoo Mechanic: A Permanent Decision?
One of the most intriguing additions is the tattoo mechanic. It adds another layer of strategy and personality to the gameplay, but it also raises questions. The permanence of the tattoos hints at irreversible decisions, adding a fresh dose of challenge and consequence to our choices.
Skill Balance: More of the Same?
The evident lack of broad skill balance changes was surprising. The adjustments to poison, particularly the ailment helmet mod, were on point—when a particular feature starts to feel mandatory for optimal play, tweaking is indeed needed. Still, it felt like the changes were playing it safe, sticking to established norms rather than shaking things up.
The Ruthless Overhaul
The Ruthless changes raised a few eyebrows, mainly because of the sheer volume. Yet, when we understand that these alterations span two leagues, the shock fades. Most of these tweaks involve deletions, simplifying the Ruthless mechanic—though one wonders if oversimplification could be an issue in the future.
State of the Game: Sturdy But Stale?
The foundation of Path of Exile remains robust. The re-emergence of Sanctum promises intriguing gameplay, and the auto-battler's introduction might be the wild card that keeps veterans and newcomers engaged. However, there's a sense of déjà vu with the league starters, a repetition that could potentially stale the experience for seasoned players.
Wrapping Up
"Trial of the Ancestors" offers both excitement and areas of potential concern. As with all updates, the real test will come in the gameplay. How these changes impact the meta, our strategies, and our enjoyment remains to be seen.
For those eager for more insights and a detailed breakdown, be sure to check out the accompanying video. And as always, may your adventures in Wraeclast be both thrilling and fruitful!
