Act 1 way overtuned.

This isn't fun. It is far too easy to die to random white mob packs and it feels like there is nothing I can do. Its too early for me to reach defensive nodes on the tree or reliably obtain gear, and with the zone resetting on death, I can't even make partial progress, unless I play perfectly between checkpoints. The bosses I've tried were ok so far, but getting one shot to a missed dodge and having to start over is not fun. I feel like I can't get far enough to even try the game.

Having this kind of issue at endgame is one thing, I can go back to blood aqueducts equivalent if I have to if my build is bad. This early? I have no options. I haven't even found the respec vendor yet, not that there are any nodes impactful enough within reach. I don't have a stash of currency to try and buy or craft better gear.

Came here to weigh in on the opposite side - I think Act 1 is tuned very well. It was difficult without being impossible. All you need to do is fully explore every zone to find the extras and you will naturally over level and over gear. After that, if you're still not able to progress through a single zone, it's a skill issue.

The movement is not resposinve at all.
I pressing shift but my character does not stop moving.

Why should the very first encounter be challenging?
Could not be better to enjoy the game a little bit before it gets difficult?

If a player cannot reach the first encampment, none of the cool
mtx will ever be seen.

I do not understand this kind of design choice.
This was ok 20 years before but not today.

I agree with Joulespersecond. Game feels well weighted. I am not closing A1 yet but I have played several zones both solo and couch co-op. Solo was ok however I overestimated monk ability to survive several times, perhaps I was tired and sleepy already. Couch co-op (Merc + warrior)feel much more difficult but again when you got better gear it goes much smoother even with raised bar for 2 players struggle.

I am also pressing Shift and my character is not stopping, but I don't feel like the monsters are too hard yet.

I agree with the OP. Game is way over tuned for an arpg. Bosses take 3-4 tries and multiple deaths just to move on. Without proper gear and nodes it's just not fun

If you guys think the very first boss is hard, your class might be broken. All bosses r fine. white mobs need reduced health for sure. Bosses are fun and great they arent even that hard if anything they are quite forgiving.

pls gg no boss nerfs, atleast all act1 bosses.

IF I was able to read the telegraphed abilities better I may agree with you. As it is by the time a voice line or animation registers with me and I know "ability X" is incoming I'm either just barely avoiding huge damage or I'm getting chunked down.

Repeat the dodges enough times due to terrible "damage uptime" and I run out of life flask charges before the enemy runs out of HPs.

PoE1 SSF Ruthless is VASTLY easier than "softcore" in the EA because of this one feature. If it was only on map / act / pinnacle bosses I'd be perfectly fine with it but it seems like every boss is a slog [for me] to get through.

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kot0005#4651 wrote:

If you guys think the very first boss is hard, your class might be broken. All bosses r fine. white mobs need reduced health for sure. Bosses are fun and great they arent even that hard if anything they are quite forgiving.

pls gg no boss nerfs, atleast all act1 bosses.

Second this, hcssf still on first char entering act 2. Only time i hit mid health globe was the ritual Treant guy with as best i could tell his unavoidable stun ability.

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jhnsmth#0260 wrote:

The movement is not resposinve at all.
I pressing shift but my character does not stop moving.

Why should the very first encounter be challenging?
Could not be better to enjoy the game a little bit before it gets difficult?

If a player cannot reach the first encampment, none of the cool
mtx will ever be seen.

I do not understand this kind of design choice.
This was ok 20 years before but not today.

"Interface - gameplay - Attack in place stops move" enable that.