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Path of Exile 2 steps away from the frantic pace of the original game, opting instead for a more deliberate style of play and a pared-down crafting system. One of the standout changes is the absence of the iconic Orbs of Alteration, a deliberate choice aimed at addressing some of the economic challenges faced in the first installment. This shift is designed to provide a balanced crafting environment, though it leaves room for the potential return of these orbs should they be carefully revamped in terms of scarcity and impact.
When you first delve into Path of Exile 2, it becomes evident that it’s not a traditional sequel. Instead, it feels like a new take on familiar territory, with gameplay that leans towards a slower, more strategic approach, particularly during the campaign. Both games share fundamental elements, such as classes and Skill Gems, yet they diverge in crucial areas. Notably, PoE 2 doesn’t let players switch Ascendancy classes, a choice available in the original game at the cost of resetting associated points and re-navigating the Labyrinth. Skipping some features—like the Orbs of Alteration—could set Path of Exile 2 apart dramatically from its predecessor.
Sequels often trade out or refine elements that didn’t quite hit the mark in previous versions, and Path of Exile 2 is no exception. By offering a more streamlined crafting system, Path of Exile 2 presents a mixed bag—it tempers the complexity seen in the former game while losing some of the versatility players enjoyed. Crafting in PoE heavily relied on techniques like inundating items with Orbs of Alteration to achieve ideal traits.
In Path of Exile, Orbs of Alteration are a common in-game currency, often accumulating in large numbers throughout the campaign’s progression. They serve the specific purpose of rerolling the properties of Magic items, randomly generating new affixes based on the item’s level to enhance rarities and values. The issue with this, however, is its impact on both the game economy and the increase in item potency within any given League, as players would frequently use them to optimize affixes and fine-tune items before completing a craft.
For Path of Exile 2, the decision to leave out Orbs of Alteration was motivated by the issues they could introduce, particularly in terms of economic stability, akin to problems faced previously. Players in Path of Exile 2 often chase specific items, whereas in the original game, many focused on accumulating these orbs to pursue top-tier items with the right mix of skill and serendipity. Despite their absence, Orbs of Annulment remain in play, and Divine Orbs can alter values across the board.
That said, there’s still a possibility that Orbs of Alteration might make a comeback in PoE 2, albeit under different conditions. If reintroduced, these orbs could be made scarcer, thus increasing their value and reducing the likelihood of them being used frivolously. Such a scarcity, akin to the rarity of Exalted Orbs in Path of Exile, would render them more significant and possibly reinstate their place with the game’s prominent items. However, this remains speculative, and it’s uncertain whether Grinding Gear Games will choose to include them in the future at all.
Path of Exile 2 emerges as a next-generation action RPG from Grinding Gear Games, inviting players into a treacherous world filled with diverse cultures and countless enemies to challenge. With innovations like twelve character classes, a deep skill system, and an immersive campaign, the game promises a rich, cooperative experience that can be enjoyed across various platforms without losing progression, thanks to cross-play and unique mechanics.
