Path of Exile 2 Wants You to Fight Smarter, Not Harder

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home December 6, 2024 42 Views 7 Min Read
Path of Exile 2 Wants You to Fight Smarter, Not Harder



Key Takeaways

  • Path of Exile 2 maintains some elements of its predecessor to cater to veterans, while also refining features like combat to attract newcomers.
  • Combat in Path of Exile 2 is slower and more deliberate compared to the first game, emphasizing tactics, precision, and engagement.
  • The addition of a dodge roll ability in Path of Exile 2 forces players to anticipate enemy moves, promoting tactical combat over mindless button-mashing.



The fact that Path of Exile 2 was originally meant to be an expansion for Path of Exile and is instead launching as a full-sized game says a lot about its character. First and foremost, Path of Exile 2 wants to fundamentally remain the same as its predecessor to leave the door open for veterans. However, despite being a sequel, Path of Exile 2 is also a standalone game meant to attract newcomers, which means many of the most dated elements of the first game have been changed and refined, including its combat.

Specifically, the pacing of Path of Exile 2‘s combat has significantly changed from the first game. Veteran players who spent years with the original Path of Exile have likely become more than familiar with the speed of its combat, but that has all mostly been thrown out the window in Path of Exile 2 — arguably, for the better — as it encourages its players to fight smarter, not harder.


Path of Exile 2 logo with endgame Tower and NPC

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Path of Exile 2’s Combat Pace Has Changed Since the First Game

Combat in the first Path of Exile has often been described as fast-paced and explosive, largely due to the focus on quick attacks and large-scale crowd control. Thanks to the ability players have in Path of Exile to stack damage through linked Skill Gems and essentially create full rotations that are triggered with the press of a single button, it’s possible for players to unleash powerful combos for relentless attacks. While it’s certainly hectic, it can be fun. However, as long as players build their character appropriately, they can reach a point where clearing dungeons and open areas requires as little thought as possible, thereby potentially decreasing the fun factor in the process.


Path of Exile 2’s Combat Is Much Slower and More Deliberate

Unlike the first Path of Exile, Path of Exile 2 features much slower and more deliberate combat pacing. Much of this is realized in the addition of a dodge roll ability, which is a simultaneous trade-off for difficulty in Path of Exile 2. The presence of a dodge roll ability in Path of Exile 2 when there wasn’t one in the first game implies that players will need to be more actively engaged in combat in the sequel, and anticipating every move of their enemies — especially when it comes to Path of Exile 2‘s boss fights.

In Path of Exile 2, it is almost never possible for players to mindlessly mow over enemies as they potentially could in the first game, let alone even attempt to avoid them altogether. As players make their way through the narrow corridors of Path of Exile 2‘s dungeons, they are likely to quickly learn that any approaching wave of enemies needs to be dealt with rather than ignored, lest players meet a quick and senseless end. This, in and of itself, drastically slows the pacing of Path of Exile 2‘s combat in comparison to its predecessor, as players are largely unable to move quickly while simultaneously executing attacks as they could before.


The presence of a dodge roll ability in
Path of Exile 2
when there wasn’t one in the first game implies that players will need to be more actively engaged in combat in the sequel, and anticipating every move of their enemies.

In reality, this slower pace works in Path of Exile 2‘s favor, as modern culture all but demands that any form of entertainment be actively engaging. If a YouTube video needs to be able to grab and maintain someone’s attention within its first ten seconds, then gamers need games that keep them involved. Path of Exile 2 accomplishes this in its more deliberate combat pacing by introducing mechanics that require players to focus on precise movement and timing. Rather than relying on dealing an overwhelming amount of damage to their enemies, players are pushed to react tactically, position themselves well, and dodge when necessary in Path of Exile 2.

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