With the update on December 9th, Path of Exile not only introduces a new league and its mechanics but also a completely new game mode. This is aimed at players who find the normal game not challenging enough.
What kind of update is this? The latest patch for Path of Exile is called The Forbidden Sanctum and brings some roguelike elements to the game. But even apart from the new league, a permanent innovation awaits the fans of the MMO.
In addition to the new mechanics and numerous balance changes, the Ruthless mode finally makes its way to Path of Exile with the new update on December 9th. This mode is aimed at all players who found the normal PoE not hard enough, as well as those who simply want a slower gameplay experience.
We at MeinMMO had the opportunity to preview the update and spoke with Chris Wilson, the head of Path of Exile, about the patch.
You can watch the trailer for The Forbidden Sanctum here:
Ruthless mode is harder but is meant to appeal especially to fans of Diablo 2
What is special about the new mode? The Ruthless mode takes place outside of the normal game, meaning you can participate in current leagues but will be among like-minded Ruthless players and not mixed with others.
The entire mode is significantly slowed down and is therefore perfect for fans who often found the normal Path of Exile too fast. Even apart from direct gameplay, Ruthless is slower.
In this game mode, you will find loot less frequently and good equipment will be even rarer than it was before. This is intended to create a feeling where a good drop feels rewarding and valuable again, a feeling that is often missing in normal Path of Exile, as Chris Wilson mentioned in a Q&A session.
They do not want to make the game simply harder by making monsters have more HP and be harder to kill. Instead, they focus on giving players less power.
Why does this appeal to Diablo fans? According to Wilson, this slowdown is supposed to create a different gameplay feeling in Path of Exile. At least in internal tests, it feels similar to Diablo 2 and could bring a new community to the game in this target group.
However, Wilson is also aware that Path of Exile is already challenging enough for many people, especially newcomers. When asked if he thinks the Ruthless mode will be successful in the long run, he replied:
Many people will try the mode and then quickly realize if it’s for them or not. However, I think there are many players who will enter the mode and immediately think, ‘Okay, this is now my life.’ Of course, the mode is not for everyone […] you have to be a bit masochistic.
Details can change at any time: Furthermore, Wilson points out that the Ruthless mode is still in a very early phase and will undergo several experiments. So, expect adjustments and changes, even in the middle of the season.
With the new league, Path of Exile becomes a roguelike – inspired by Binding of Isaac
How does the new league work? In addition to the Ruthless mode, the highlight of The Forbidden Sanctum is the namesake Sanctum. It functions like its own roguelike game that has been integrated into Path of Exile.
As you know from previous league mechanics, you will encounter such a Sanctum approximately once per map and can then enter it. There, you must clear various rooms in succession, where randomly generated reinforcements and challenges await you.
In these rooms, you can choose whether to collect your rewards for the last room immediately, or after the boss of the next room, which promises a bit more loot. Alternatively, you can choose to collect all loot only at the end of the Sanctum, which brings the highest risk but also the highest reward.
Unique health bar ensures balance: Within the Sanctum, in addition to your normal health, you have a new resource called Resolve. This ensures that every build has the same difficulty getting through the levels of the Sanctum.
Regardless of whether you are a Mage, Tank, or Archer, you will always lose the same amount of Resolve when hit. If this display reaches 0, the Sanctum ends, and you will be teleported back to the normal map. This also happens if your normal health is still full.
This will happen to you quite often. According to Wilson, the Sanctum behaves similarly to well-known roguelikes like Binding of Isaac and Hades. You will get stronger with each run, and chance plays a role, but you shouldn’t expect to complete your first runs entirely right away.
One thing was still too difficult – Monster mods will be toned down
What else does the patch bring? In addition to the two major innovations, The Forbidden Sanctum mainly brings balance and quality-of-life changes. Unique weapons and items are to feel stronger again and therefore receive significant enhancements.
Additionally, curses are to be overhauled and be significantly stronger than before. There are also some adjustments to the extensive skill tree, which also focus on making it a little easier for players.
There are larger changes in the Archnemesis system. This is responsible for making bosses and minibosses differ from each other through so-called monster mods, which give them random attributes.
These very mods will soon be toned down. This should make it clearer what the individual mods actually do. Previously, there was too much confusion in this regard, and players often did not know how to approach the bosses effectively.
At least in this respect, Path of Exile will be a little easier.
What do you think about the changes? Is the Ruthless mode for you and do you enjoy it being really difficult? Or are you drawn to the Sanctum and excited for some roguelike action? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments here at MeinMMO, we look forward to hearing from you.
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