Actual console gameplay discussion

So, there's not much real discussion here. 90% of the threads are complaints about bugs and a lack of communication. Well, I have some questions about actual gameplay!

- Which skills work well on console and which don't? Having played D3 on PS4, there were definitely skills that weren't very suited to a controller. I'm guessing things like Toxic Rain aren't ideal?

- How much of an issue are things like looting, inventory management, stash management etc.? The console D3 completely changed how these work, using a Skyrim-like inventory menu with a scrolling list of items instead of a Tetris grid. From what I can see, Xbox PoE has the grid inventory which sounds cumbersome with a controller.

- Is the game going to be reasonably playable on a standard PS4 with no SSD? I'm prepared for long load times and can go and buy an SSD if it comes to that, but I'm not about to shell out for a PS4 Pro in case the game runs like shit on a regular PS4.

- Should we expect this release to come with changes/fixes to the console port or will it just be identical to what's already on the Xbox? People seem pretty unhappy with the Xbox version.

1. WW / Cyclone feels great. Trap / mine placement can be tricky but still works. AoE targeting will take some getting used to, but it is very similar to D3. Whirling blades and Leap slam linked with faster attacks will more than likely cause rubber-banding in late game when used in quick succession.

2. Grid inventory is fine. You can use RS + direction to move to the furthest inventory spot in whichever direction you chose. LS and D-pad both work for navigation. Socketing a gem is the only real issue I keep running in to, it will jump wherever it wants and you will need to move the gear you want to socket it into for proper placement alot. For looting, do not bind any skill to A (X for PS4). This will making picking stuff up 210x better, though you will lose a skill slot. When there is a pile of stuff to grab, you can use the RS to move a small pickup icon to the piece you actually want.

3. Don't use PS4 so can't comment too much. But if not using the latest gen console, you will have long load times, FPS issues and other similar issues that non X1X users are experiencing more than likely. If you can get an SSD, then Samsung T5 500gb is around $100 and works great.

4. You should have the same release as us. You will also probably have more bugs to iron out that weren't properly tested on a large scale that are specific to PS4. The Xbox version has its issues, but it is still by far the best ARPG for us (until Grim Dawn hits...). That being said, I have spent over $500 on PoE and have not regretted anything until recently (this league specifically).

Hope this info is a help to you, and feel free to ask me if you have more questions.

Hello, hopefully these will help you.

1. I'll stick to the skills that don't work well. Any build that requires whirling blades as the main movement skill, unplayable in late game with fast attack speed (excessive rubber banding will kill you repeatedly). Bow skills kind of blow for a few reasons. the main reason is not being able to easily shoot behind mobs. Skills like tornado shot work best when shot behind mobs. Not easily accomplished on controller.

2. Looting could be improved upon massively. My main issue with it is that I basically can't put anything on my A button (The bottom button for PS). This sucks because I am basically limited to 3 skills on my first layout. If you use your movement skill on the bottom button, you will just pickup garbage loot nonstop.
Looting needs to be improved upon heavily. It should primarily focus items on the ground according to their rarity. For example, it should prioritize legendary/unique items, then rare, then magic.
Also breaches are terrible. It's incredibly hard to hit the hands on the ground that drop more splinters. For console you should just be able to run into them and drop the items. Instead you're left trying to loot and hit them while getting gang banged by mobs. real fun.

3. I'm sure there are different hardware variations of PS4 like there are xbox. on xbox, with an X and SSD, load time is about 5 seconds per zone. on a normal xbox with no SSD, it's approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute per zone. Pretty cancerous if you're not running the top hardware. It's especially bad when you're doing fights like elder and happen to die. You then spawn in town, have to load into your hideout, load into the map, load into the elder zone. VERY time consuming if you have a large load time.

4. I would fully expect the same complaints that xbox is having to be occuring on ps4. Keep in mind they've already had to postpone the release for quite some time now. I wouldn't get my hopes up that you guys are going to be in a better state than xbox is currently in, but we're praying for you guys lol.

It's a decent game, but boy do they sure need to improve upon things. I hope it goes smoother for you guys than it has gone on xbox.

First, what Corrison said.

I would say that I got way more bang for my buck from an SSD compared to an Xbox X. The faster CPU will come into play more if you play skills that create a lot of screen noise (and anecdotally, if you bling up).

I have my A button bound to a skill and it is often frustrating (but I want the additional skill slot). Picking stuff up I can deal with - it's the inadvertent portal use that tests my resolve.

You have the basics on skills: moving fast repeatedly risks rubber banding, and of course, how GGG chose to implement aiming for a particular skill (google could be your friend there).

Some people just seem to have a connection that POE cannot get along with. I think that no Packet Loss is more important than mega speed (so hard wire).

And maybe off topic, but do not depend on the "market" for really rare stuff, particularly crafted stuff. If the PS crowd is big enough, this might be less of an issue. And currently, if a base type that you need does not show on a stock loot filter, finding it will be a chore.

And stick with it, there are bound to be some really silly things out of the gate. Good Luck.

Edit: Complex Flask use is a bit of a challenge on Xbox (an Elite Controller is said to help). I use two types of go to Flasks, and one special use Flask (typically "of Heat" and because I am confident about finding the upper D-Pad).

Anyone maybe knows where are the servers for consoles (focused on PS4) ?
same servers for EU and USA or EU have different and USA different ?

Well, I got the game up and running already (you can download it now if you set your region to Australia) and so far it's running beautifully on a basic PS4. I've only been in Act 1 so far and these are the least graphic intensive areas, but it runs without the slightest hint of a stutter and load times are less than 10 seconds on an HDD. I'm surprised. Was half-expecting it to be a disappointment based on Xbox feedback. It might not hold up in endgame content but so far, so good.

However, I've encountered one problem: I can't find a way to access most of the league options. It just has Standard, Synthesis and HC Synthesis. It doesn't even have HC standard. Can't find any other options. In the bottom it says "[L1] Toggle Hardcore" which appears to do literally nothing.

my guess would be there's no 'standard' option because it's the first league on ps4.

Also it may run alright now, but 90% of the xbox issues are late game.

good luck on your journey!

I am really liking this so far with a controller!

I have like 1.5k hours on PC yet somehow this feels like a fresh experience. It feels more like an action game. Looting is a little fiddly but I guess you get used to it.

Performance so far holds up on a base PS4 with some minor stutters. I am curious how it holds up in the later acts and endgame (so far I am in act 2).

Good job GGG!

edit: Correction: the performance is pretty fucking rough when there is a lot going on, I hope GGG find a way to improve it.

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PatBateman12 wrote:

I am really liking this so far with a controller!

I have like 1.5k hours on PC yet somehow this feels like a fresh experience. It feels more like an action game. Looting is a little fiddly but I guess you get used to it.

Performance so far holds up on a base PS4 with some minor stutters. I am curious how it holds up in the later acts and endgame (so far I am in act 2).

Good job GGG!

edit: Correction: the performance is pretty fucking rough when there is a lot going on, I hope GGG find a way to improve it.

Yeah and just wait until you get into maps with memories and syndicates.

I wish people wouldn't comment on performance until they've at least made it to maps. really skews people's perspectives when they see people saying "I don't have any issues at all!" when in reality its because they haven't made it passed act 3.

Hopefully it's better for you guys than it is for us on xbox though.

Looting could use some work. It's a little difficult at first picking up what you want. Whirling Blades with Faster Attacks is a death trap late game with the rubber banding.

I'm using incinerate and it works really well since you just need to aim in a mobs or bosses general direction. Placing totems where you want them is a little tricky but you get used to it after a while.

Trading is rather nice in the sense that you can just drop a offer leave it and come back to it later to see if it was or wasn't accepted same with someone buying from you. No need to portal out and invite someone to your hideout or jump into theirs.

Navigating the passive tree can at times be a little annoying but there isn't much you can do about that with a controller.


The D-pad for potions is something i don't like at all considering i have to stop moving to use them which at times can mean instant death. Would be better if i could stick auras there instead and have pots on the other skill slots.

All in all i do enjoy it a lot. GGG did a really good job on this.