Path of Exile 2 Retracts Major Class Feature from PoE

Overview

The popularity of Path of Exile 2 is illustrated by its impressive daily player count on Steam, ranging from 450,000 to 500,000.
Players must make a permanent choice regarding their Ascendancy class in PoE 2, marking a significant shift from the first installment.
The inability to modify Ascendancy classes could result in player dissatisfaction and encourage new character creations.

Path of Exile 2 has garnered notable recognition since its early access launch a little over two weeks ago. The game’s player base has surged to between 450,000 and 500,000 daily users on Steam, with a peak of over 578,000 players at its height. Originally conceived as an expansion for the base game, this standalone sequel has introduced several significant gameplay alterations. With six initial classes available and more on the horizon, alongside two Ascendancy options for each class, it might seem puzzling that a key feature from the original game has been removed.

Character customization in Path of Exile 2 remains robust thanks to its intricate passive skill tree and numerous skills that synergize effectively. Choosing an Ascendancy class allows players to refine their approach to gameplay by specializing in certain styles or damage types. Thus, selecting the appropriate Ascendancy becomes one of the game’s most critical choices. However, unlike its predecessor, Path of Exile 2 enforces a definitive finality on this decision.

Path of Exile 2 May Be Limiting Its Potential with Fixed Ascendancy Classes

Path of Exile 2 Official Gameplay Trailer

In the original Path of Exile, players had the opportunity to unlock their Ascendancy class by completing a full run of The Lord’s Labyrinth and subsequently repeating this for additional points. This system could be convoluted, particularly for later stages requiring players to find smaller trials in endgame maps to access the full Labyrinth. A significant advantage was that players could respec their points and undertake the Labyrinth once again to redefine their Ascendancy class.

Why the Permanent Ascendancy Choice in Path of Exile 2 is Controversial

In stark contrast, Path of Exile 2 adopts a more stringent approach: once an Ascendancy class is selected, it cannot be altered. This change raises eyebrows, especially given that the first installment permitted such flexibility. Considering that PoE 2 is still in early access and players have limited experience with the new classes, this lack of options appears perplexing. Furthermore, it reinforces the idea that the game encourages players to reroll rather than adapt their existing characters.

The absence of a free respec item akin to Diablo 4’s Scroll of Amnesia compounds this issue, as fully redesigning a character can come at a significant gold cost in the late game. While developer GGG seems keen on restricting respec options—likely a reason for the irrevocability of Ascendancy choices—it’s a core aspect of ARPGs to allow players to experiment with character builds, skills, and gear. Being locked into an Ascendancy may lead players to frustration as they engage with the endgame and discover that their characters are not performing as desired, leaving rerolling as their only viable option.

The Frustration of Starting Over to Change Ascendancy in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 Ascendancy Ranger Pathfinder

Path of Exile 2 Ascendancy Sorceress Stormweaver

While rerolling is a standard format in ARPGs, especially within a seasonal framework where skills and builds are constantly balanced, the early-game decisions in Path of Exile 2 greatly influence endgame performance. The fact that players must choose their Ascendancy as early as Act 2 complicates the experience.

It may be beneficial for players to have the ability to preview Ascendancies prior to their commitment or to enable a system where they can change their Ascendancy class by refunding points and completing a relevant challenge within the game. As the title is still in early access, it remains uncertain if GGG will revise this feature, but players should approach the initial class selection with caution, knowing that reversing their decision isn’t an option.

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