Path of Exile 2's latest patch is "build-destroying," and action RPG fans are now stuck with heavy nerfs thanks to astronomical respec costs

GamesAction RpgPath of Exile 2Path of Exile 2’s latest patch is “build-destroying,” and action RPG fans are now stuck with heavy nerfs thanks to astronomical respec costsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesAction RpgPath of Exile 2Path of Exile 2’s latest patch is “build-destroying,” and action RPG fans are now stuck with heavy nerfs thanks to astronomical respec costsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Grinding Gear Games) Path of Exile 2just got a significant new update with a veritable feast of bug fixes and improvements, but it’s hard for action RPG players to see the positives when it’s also deployed some “build-destroying” nerfs that some are now stuck using. Amidst the many tweaks, crash fixes, and squashed bugs detailed in thepatch notesfor Path of Exile 2’s version 0.1.0d update, there are significant changes to “trigger gems and energy gain.” Developer Grinding Gear Games says: “Trigger gem energy gain was not in the right place and it was far too easy to use ailments to trigger spells. One problem with the previous system is that if we balanced it to make triggering happen in boss fights then the triggering would happen far too often during clearing.” To fix this, it’s incorporating ‘Monster Power’ into the calculation used for energy gain so that it’s “far easier to trigger skills from Unique Monsters than it is from normal monsters” overall. On top of that, the patch notes say there was an issue with players “using low-level skills with unconditional ailment applications such as Flame Wall to ignite enemies for triggering. In order to make the source of the ignite matter we are making the energy gain be dependent on the strength of the ignite. We have also rebalanced all energy gain across the board.” Over on Reddit, action RPG players haven’t exactly been taking the news well. In particular, builds using Cast on Freeze have been severely impacted, with one saying its energy gain has been"absolutely gutted,“and anotherunlucky player claimingthat they “spent 170k on a respec and it was brutally nerfed within an hour.” Even before this latest round of nerfs, the game’smassive respec costs had been raised as an issue, but even more people are bringing it up now, since some can’t afford to change away from their newly weakened builds. “The build-destroying patch notes have completely killed my will to play,“one says. “Not only are 50+ hours of grinding gone, but how am I meant to farm for respec gold on a broken build? Why would I reroll when this can just all happen again?” “We need to have a free respec because right now my character is completely brick[ed] and I have no way to spec into something else,” argues another. “I believe every time GGG [makes a] change that COMPLETELY rebalances some builds, we should have some free respec.” Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Path of Exile 2 is still in early access, so we can definitely expect more changes to come, but let’s hope players might be given a bit more freedom to work around the alterations. If you have enough gold to spare, be sure to check out our guide onhow to respec in Path of Exile 2, or take a look at our ranking of thebest Path of Exile 2 classes. 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review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a 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