Path of Exile 2 Developer Grinding Gear Games Nerfs Overpowered Skills After Early Access Launch

Published on 10 December, 2024

Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has wasted no time addressing skill balance issues in Path of Exile 2 following its explosive Early Access launch. The developer has already identified a few overpowered skills and implemented changes to bring them in line with the game’s intended balance.

Just a day after the Path of Exile 2 launch, GGG acknowledged an imbalance with the Supercharged Slam skill, which was dealing significantly more damage than intended. This was especially noticeable given its short channel window for reaching maximum stages. GGG quickly issued a hotfix, reducing its damage and explaining that this was done to prevent the skill from dominating the gameplay. According to GGG, nerfing such skills early is essential to ensuring a variety of skills remain viable, avoiding the situation where players feel forced to use an overpowered skill. Another change is coming to adjust the time it takes to build up charges for Supercharged Slam, as it was ramping up too quickly.

In addition to Supercharged Slam, GGG also announced that Magnetic Salvo was in an “unacceptable” state and was scheduled for a nerf to its damage. GGG is keen to address only the most egregious cases at this stage, and further adjustments are planned based on community feedback. The developers are actively monitoring gameplay, and a follow-up update after the holidays will address more balance issues.

Another hotfix is already planned for Gas Cloud explosions, which were too easy to detonate in combination with persistent Ignite skills like Flame Wall. This upcoming change will reduce the explosion damage of Gas Grenade and Gas Arrow, and future updates aim to tie the potency of the Ignite or Detonator effects to the strength of the Gas Cloud explosions, ensuring the balancing doesn’t favor the simplest Ignite application methods.

With Path of Exile 2 launching years after its predecessor, players return to the dark world of Wraeclast to fight corruption. The game features six character classes, each with two Ascendancy classes, as well as co-op play for up to six players. GGG is committed to ensuring a balanced experience for all players, making adjustments as needed while also actively listening to community feedback.