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 people for whom the normal game is not difficult enough.
What is this update? The latest patch for Path of Exile is called The Forbidden Sanctum and brings some roguelike elements to the game. But even outside of 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 it to Path of Exile with the new update on December 9th. This mode is aimed at all gamers for whom the normal PoE was not yet hard enough, but also at those who simply want a slower gaming experience.
We at MeinMMO were allowed to take a look at the update beforehand and spoke to Chris Wilson, the boss of Path of Exile, about the patch.
You can watch the trailer for The Forbidden Sanctum here:
Path of Exile gets roguelike mechanics with The Forbidden Sanctum
Ruthless mode is more difficult, but is intended to appeal primarily to Diablo 2 fans
What is special about the new mode? The Ruthless mode takes place outside of the normal game, which means that you can play in current leagues, but you are among like-minded Ruthless players and are not mixed with others.
The whole mode is significantly slowed down and is therefore perfect for fans who often found the normal Path of Exile too fast. Away from direct gameplay, Ruthless is also slower.
You will find loot less frequently in this game mode and good equipment will become even rarer than it was before. This should make a good drop feel really rewarding and valuable again, a feeling that is often missing in the normal Path of Exile, according to Chris Wilson in a question and answer session.
They don’t just want to make the game harder by making monsters more HP and harder to kill. Instead, the focus is on putting less power in the hands of the players.
Why does this appeal to Diablo fans? According to Wilson, this deceleration should lead to a different feel in Path of Exile. It would feel similar to Diablo 2, at least in internal testing, and could bring a new community to the game in this target audience.
Nevertheless, Wilson is also aware that Path of Exile is already difficult enough for many people, especially newcomers. When asked if he thinks Ruthless fashion will catch on in the long run, he told us:
Many people will try the mode and then realize very quickly whether it is something for them or not. But I think there are a lot of players who walk into the mode and immediately think, “Okay, this is my life now.” Of course, the mode isn’t for everyone […] you have to be a bit masochistic.
Details are subject to change at any time: Furthermore, Wilson points out that the Ruthless mode is still in a very early phase and that some experiments will still happen. You should therefore expect adjustments and changes, even in the middle of the season.
With the new league, Path of Exile becomes a roguelike – the model was Binding of Isaac
How does the new league work? Aside from the Ruthless mode, the highlight of The Forbidden Sanctum is the eponymous Sanctum. This works like its own roguelike game built into Path of Exile.
As you know from previous league mechanics, you will encounter such a sanctum about once per map and can then enter it. There you have to clean different rooms one after the other, in which random reinforcements and challenges await you.
In each of these rooms, you then have the choice of picking up your rewards for the last room directly, or only after the boss of the next room, which promises a little more loot. Alternatively, you can choose to claim all loot at the end of the Sanctum, which carries the highest risk but also the highest reward.
Own life bar ensures balance: Inside the Sanctum, in addition to your normal life energy, you have a new resource called Resolve. This ensures that every build has the same difficulty getting through the levels of the Sanctum.
Whether you’re a Mage, Tank, or Marksman, you’ll lose the same amount of Resolve when you get hit. If this gauge drops to 0, the Sanctum ends and you are teleported back to the normal map. This also happens when your normal life is actually still full.
This should also give hardcore players who would lose their character if their normal life drops to 0 have the chance to enjoy the Sanctum. At the same time, it should also take away the fear of newcomers from even trying, since you only lose your resolve.
This will happen to you quite often. According to Wilson, the Sanctum also behaves similarly to popular roguelikes like Binding of Isaac and Hades. So you get stronger with every run and chance also plays a role, but you shouldn’t expect to be able to complete your first runs straight away.
One thing was too difficult – monster mods are defused
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 should feel stronger again and therefore receive strong improvements.
The curses should also be revised and be much stronger than was the case before. There are also some adjustments to the extensive skill tree, these too focus on making things a little easier for the players.
There are major changes in the Archnemesis system. This is responsible for the fact that bosses and mini-bosses differ from each other through so-called monster mods, which give them random properties.
Exactly these mods will soon be defused. This should make it clearer what the individual mods actually do. Previously there was too much confusion about this and players often didn’t know how best to tackle the bosses.
At least on this point, Path of Exile will be a little bit easier.
What do you think of the changes? Is Ruthless mode something for you and you like it really difficult? Or are you drawn to the Sanctum and want some roguelike action? Feel free to write it to us in the comments here at MeinMMO, we look forward to your opinion.
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