Grinding Gear Games (GGG) is set to kick off the new year with a significant update for Path of Exile 2. In an announcement video hosted on the YouTube channel of popular streamer Darth Microtransaction, the game's director, Jonathan Rogers, laid out the details for patch 0.1.1, the first major update since the game launched into early access.
Path of Exile 2, the long-awaited sequel to the genre-defining action RPG, launched as a paid early access title on December 6, 2024, for Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Set approximately 20 years after the events of the original game, PoE2 builds on its predecessor's dark fantasy world and deep mechanics, with a renewed focus on accessibility and innovation. Now the highly anticipated inaugural 2025 update is set to arrive.
Patch 0.1.1 Highlights
The 0.1.1 update brings a mix of endgame enhancements and quality-of-life improvements, addressing some of the most common complaints from players since early access began. The patch's standout features include:
- Endgame mapping adjustments: Tweaks to loot drops and monster density in endgame maps aim to create a "more rewarding" experience, according to Rogers.
- Quality-of-life improvements: Players can now override runes and other pocketable items without tedious micromanagement, addressing a frequent pain point.
- Four new Towers: The single Tower introduced at launch will be joined by four additional ones, bringing fresh challenges and opportunities to endgame content.
- Respawns in pinnacle content: Starting with the Arbiter of Ash, pinnacle fights will now feature respawn mechanics. Players will have six respawns by default, with fewer available at higher difficulty levels.
The changes to endgame mapping stand out as a direct response to player feedback about the reward structure in Path of Exile 2. Jonathan Rogers explained in the announcement video that the tweaks to loot and monster numbers aim to make mapping not only more engaging but also more lucrative. "We've adjusted the way rewards scale on endgame maps to ensure players feel their time is well spent," Rogers said, emphasizing the studio's commitment to refining the endgame experience.
Some of the community's early feedback on Rogers' comments was not too enthusiastic, though:
Watched PoE2 dev Q&A stream, and oh boy, a lot of real problems with PoE2 cannot be solved obviously right now without economy reset.But a lot of hot community questions were answered in the way of "basically we don't know how to solve this, damned if we do, damned if we don't"... pic.twitter.com/EgnF5zUHcf
— TorNis Entertainment (@TorNis7) January 13, 2025
While patch 0.1.1 addresses at least some immediate concerns, Rogers hinted at even bigger changes on the horizon. "One of the best things about having the game in early access with the endgame is that we now have a much better idea of where we want character power to be, and what the balance of bosses and monsters should be relative to that," Rogers said. However, these more transformative updates will be tied to the release of a new League, which will also introduce a fresh economy for players to explore.
Path of Exile 2's first patch of 2025 sets the tone for a year of refinement and growth for the eagerly anticipated sequel. With a host of player-focused changes and a clear roadmap for the future, Grinding Gear Games is signaling its commitment to delivering a robust and rewarding experience during early access. Whether you're a returning fan or a newcomer, patch 0.1.1 promises to make the journey through the game's dark and perilous world all the more enticing. And even if this patch does not fix all the underlying issues just yet, there will be more.