The latest Path of Exile 2 build marks a significant leap forward with a plethora of changes and enhancements over its predecessor. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has truly outdone themselves with this massive update, Patch Notes 0.1.1, which includes a vast array of bug fixes and improvements. In this article, we'll delve into the key highlights of this update for PoE2.
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Table of Contents
- General Changes
- Skill Changes
- Monster Changes
- Endgame Changes
- Other Changes
General Changes
Let's kick things off with the core updates to gameplay and interface. A new League Migrations button has been introduced, enabling seamless character transfers to parent leagues. The Strongbox mechanics have seen significant improvements, with reduced intervals between enemy waves and clearer distinctions between spawned and map-native mobs. A pesky bug that halted monster spawning has been squashed, and now, once all enemies are defeated, the fog clears, enhancing visibility. You'll also encounter Research Strongboxes more frequently.
Rune sockets in equipment can now be swapped out for new ones, and armor effectiveness has been boosted. Character level no longer gates access to Expedition Vendors, with equipment rarity now tied to the shop's level, leaving existing shops unaffected. Minions that perish too far from your character will instantly respawn nearby, making them more reliable companions. Uncut Gems now display their level in the item name, and equipped Charms show remaining charges. Entering maps is safer, as monsters no longer spawn right at the entrance. Item pickup has been streamlined, allowing you to grab loot even while performing other actions.
Performance has been a focus, with enhancements in shadow-heavy areas, faster loading times, optimized boss fights, and smoother visual effects. The Ziggurat Encampment's gameplay has also been refined.
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Skill Changes
The Supercharged Slam skill now has a defined radius of 3 meters. Scavenged Plating's effectiveness scales with enemy strength, granting more stacks against tougher foes. The Vine Arrow skill's description has been updated to clarify that it only hits enemies upon landing. The Pain Offering skill no longer carries an Aura tag, and skills in Meta Gems can't gain energy. Lightning Bolt has been renamed to Greater Lightning Bolt, reflecting its unique source from the Choir of the Storm amulet, with adjusted damage mechanics.
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Monster Changes
Essence Monolith mobs can't use their skills right away, but their Toughness has been significantly boosted. Certain bosses' hitboxes have been fine-tuned to better align with their attack animations. The spawn rate of some monsters has been dialed back, and their energy shields have been rebalanced for more enjoyable map clearing. Over 40 visual and attack modifications have been made to various mobs, enhancing the overall experience without drastically altering gameplay.
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Endgame Changes
Patch 0.1.1 introduces four new Tower Map areas, with the Lost Towers Map receiving an update. The Arbiter of Ash boss fight now offers six attempts instead of one, reflecting its challenging nature. The Falling Flame Seed skill can't be interrupted, and the Flaming Gale skill can't be blocked. The boss now targets players more than minions. Maps now feature checkpoints, ensuring encounters with at least three Rare Monsters per map. Monster balance in several maps, like Untainted Paradise, has been adjusted to increase monster numbers. Some areas boast more chests, and bosses appear more frequently, though the chance of a Map Boss dropping a Waystone has been reduced.
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Other Changes
GGG has fixed over 70 bugs related to client crashes, quest mechanics, and in-game interactions. Visual effects have been polished, and more than 20 controller issues have been resolved. Over 100 equipment items have seen stat and characteristic adjustments for balanced gameplay. Don't forget to check your inventory! An intriguing change affects the item Original Sin, which now offers +17-23% Chaos Resistance instead of setting it to zero.
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This monumental update for PoE2 brings over 300 changes. For the complete Patch Notes 0.1.1, visit the official Path of Exile 2 website. We've highlighted the most impactful updates here. As we look forward to the next update and the eventual release of version 1.0, the excitement continues to build!
