Everything’s Been Nerfed – Path of Exile 2’s Upcoming Patch Promises a Fresh Start

April 4 promises to be a pivotal day for Path of Exile 2 enthusiasts. This day marks the release of the first substantial patch and a complete economic reset since the game entered early access in December 2024. The much-anticipated “Dawn of the Hunt” patch notes were released recently, and they may not be the best news for players who have grown accustomed to the game’s dynamics. This new 0.2.0 patch dramatically scales back the effectiveness of nearly all the top-performing builds, items, and skills, essentially forcing players to start anew.

With the introduction of the Huntress and its various Ascendancies, there’s a sense of excitement and novelty. The Huntress was one of the eagerly awaited classes that hadn’t been available previously. Players are about to experience a wave of new content featuring five new Ascendancies, over 100 Unique Items, and a plethora of Support Gems. While these changes might seem overwhelming, one thing is certain: the release of Dawn of the Hunt is bound to shake things up significantly.

It’s typical in action RPGs to introduce sweeping changes when a major update rolls out, and Path of Exile 2 follows suit yet again. With “Dawn of the Hunt,” the endgame has undergone enough transformation to give it a fresh appeal. The significant nerfs laid out in the patch notes suggest that players will likely need to experiment with new builds or reinvent old ones. Such changes can breathe new life into a game that might have been getting a tad monotonous, with players relying heavily on familiar builds and skill combinations.

Specific builds, including the Archmage Spark and its partnership with the Stormweaver, alongside the attribute-stacking Gemling Legionnaire, have been severely downgraded. The patch targeted Mana reliance in gear and the passive skill trees. Even key items like the coveted Unique belt, Ingenuity, and the Pillar of the Caged God have had their effectiveness reduced. Archmage builds themselves have taken a hit, dealing less damage while draining more Mana for non-channeling spells.

The once-favored Herald of Ice and Thunder combination isn’t as powerful anymore, making popular builds like the Monk and Mercenary with their potent staves less formidable. Ranged builds known for clearing screens with Lightning Arrow will also notice a difference. Additionally, the frequency of finding rare items has been toned down, altering the dynamics of item collection and currency farming.

However, there’s a silver lining to consider amid these sweeping nerfs. Path of Exile 2 offers promising potential with some of the lesser-used Ascendancies. The Warbringer, for instance, is set to receive significant upgrades, both directly and indirectly. The game also phases out the Grim Feast Gem, which might encourage players to explore builds beyond the typical Energy Shield setups and experiment with new strategies.

So while the full implications of these changes on the meta remain uncertain—especially with undisclosed details on spear skills—the upcoming adjustments are laying the groundwork for a fresh and potentially invigorating meta shift for players, for better or worse.