The latest update to
Key Changes to the Atlas System
Grinding Gear Games, the developers behind PoE2, have removed the tower requirement on the Atlas, a change that many players have long anticipated. Instead, the update introduces a more versatile approach where tablets have a fixed number of charges. These charges can now be directly applied to waystones, with a limit of up to three charges per map, depending on the active modifiers. While the towers are no longer crucial for map progression, they continue to serve an essential visibility function and offer a guaranteed tablet upon completion.
The update also addresses map sizes and monster density. The 15 largest maps have been trimmed in size, and early-tier monster pack sizes are reduced by 30% to expedite the map-clearing process. Open layouts will see a slight reduction in group density, allowing for smoother gameplay.
Enhanced Endgame Map Features
Endgame maps now include a mandatory map boss fight to complete the map, adding a consistent challenge for players. Previously, maps designated with a boss marker will now present an "extra challenging" variant that offers increased rewards and potential for tier upgrades. This ensures that each map runs are both rewarding and varied.
Map generation is becoming more dynamic with a guarantee of one to three additional random features, such as Breach, Delirium, Ritual, Expedition, shrines, and more. These features are randomly generated at map creation, eliminating duplicates from existing modifiers. The icons for these features have been removed from Atlas overlays to maintain clarity and focus.
Adjustments on Citadels and Passives
Citadel spawn rates have seen a substantial increase by 66%, providing players with more opportunities to engage in powerful fights and expand their territories. The impact of ground-covering status ailments like chill, shock, and ignite is now confined to a smaller area, reducing unnecessary risks for players.
The Atlas passive tree nodes were tweaked, aligning rewards granted for map bosses with zones that feature marked powerful fights. Interestingly, some performance passives that previously affected major boss encounters will still influence the lesser map variants, balancing challenge and rewards.
Alchemy Orbs Revamped
A notable change in patch 0.3.1 is the revised functionality of Alchemy Orbs. These can now be applied to magic and basic items, with the application on magic items replacing existing modifiers with four random modifiers as if they were applied to a basic item. This change makes Alchemy Orbs a viable option for rolling map waystones, offering players more flexibility in their crafting strategies.
Jonathan Rogers, Game Director, expressed that the team pushed these mechanical changes to 0.3.1 to refine the experience earlier while reserving new content for future patches such as 0.4.0. This approach highlights Grinding Gear Games' commitment to evolving
