A surprising new Path of Exile 2 update will implement major revisions to the endgame, primarily diminishing reliance on the tower system and shrinking the dimensions of expansive maps. Despite the game’s widespread acclaim, community feedback regarding how Grinding Gear Games has managed the tower mechanics has been mixed. This latest patch does not completely discard towers but significantly redefines their role and requirement.

Since the release of the game in early access last December, the development team has committed considerable resources to Path of Exile 2’s endgame. This has encompassed the introduction of new late-game runes, talismans, and soul cores for improved endgame rewards, but modifying the overall endgame feel to better suit players is a significant undertaking that Grinding Gear aims to accomplish with the next major version, 0.4.0.

Major Features of the Update

Patch 0.3.1 is anticipated to launch during the week of September 29. The changes in this update will largely focus on how players navigate Path of Exile 2’s endgame maps, as communicated in a recent update on the game’s official Steam community page. In an accompanying video, game director Jonathan Rogers noted that while considerable improvements to the endgame are slated for version 0.4.0, the team is proactively rolling out essential gameplay alterations now, allowing subsequent updates to focus more on new content and addressing any technical challenges that may arise from these changes.

With the introduction of this update, players engaging with Path of Exile 2 will not need to interact with towers to gain the benefits of tablets. Instead, they can apply up to three tablet bonuses directly to the maps. Each tablet will only have a limited number of uses in this new system, necessitating players to keep their stock replenished. Towers will gain a new function, providing an extra tablet as a completion bonus, while still maintaining their visibility enhancement across maps.

Furthermore, another notable modification set to be implemented is that map bosses will appear on all maps. This replaces an outdated mechanic that required players to locate and eliminate rare monsters to clear certain maps. Areas designated by a map boss icon will now include stronger map bosses compared to those without such icons, thereby ensuring better rewards. Additionally, the size of large maps will be reduced to quicken gameplay, and adjustments to monster packs will be made to prevent overwhelming players at lower difficulty levels.