Game Progression,Gold,Gem\Weapon\Stat-lock,RNG "What makes your progression in POE2 a Disaster"

For everyone reading it, as a non-native Eng speaker, my grammar isn't that wide, to describe certain things in a way i wish, so there would be a lot of simple words, describing a big load of topics, that are related to each other(in my opinion).

I would not call it an "Deep analysis" or any fancy\clickbait words. But Experience is what makes a difference between, New
"Path of Exile 2" audience and so called "Vets" of the first (the original) game. in which group i guess im in to the opinion of others.
The experience, is a double edge sword, as i realized later in life, sometimes i wish not know certain things as it will spoil any part of future potential experience, to try to make it "That magic" of the first time exploring and making my own way in game. But here we are.
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To introduce my self:
-My "life" in PoE started in Perandus league (04.03.16) and it was a wonderful adventure, of constantly learning, how to be better faster stronger. with a tools that game provides, constantly keeping my knowledge up to date to not miss any opportunity i can, to achieve goals i put.
- 12 749 hours.
- Avoided almost all "Meta" builds, and "streamer" builds. trying to learn things my self.
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(Keep in mind that, i stayed away from PoE 2 - Hype\Devs interviews\anything that could potentialy spoil my future potential 10k hours...) and that Vision they have, is a my straight 300h experience at time of writing it.

To understand certain topics and what we have "lost" there will be straight comparisons to PoE1, that is inevitable. i understand that it is an early access. And i understand that it is a game from same Developer with aim to a broader audience. But almost every game design problem i see here is an consequence of them changing, things that worked. to a system based on RNG on every corner, with almost no deterministic solutions to it within that system

I'm also a person with a everything is bad and can be worse mind set, so if it will turnout at least decent later. i will be more then happy.
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Ill try to put topics is logically as i can, with conclusion. so the guys with "Vision" will simply live with that knowledge. And "Vets" will understand why this system is undermining it self. providing questionable tools in return.
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We will discuss everything related to Character progression(From Quest\Acts to End game) all that topics are related to each other:

-New Gems: Lvl\Stat requirements. and as a consequence, weapon and armor(defenses) "stat lock"
-New Weapon\Gem lock system. and its consequences.
Those 2 topics are closely related to a passive tree.

-New Gold system with Respec\Gambling RNG. and a horrific potential endgame change. tied to Links, that are now not in items, and are Gem locked.

-New Rune system. as a weird replacement of craft bench\vendor recipes (as i see it.)
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What i learned from poe2.

So. The "Stat Lock" as i call it, is a consequence of "Diverse" change in a tree and that you get +5 "Any" stat you want with, a little grain of lies in that system. and also lowering stats gain from items.

This is now a Wall. you must get over. to go through Acts, without touching Gold Gambling.
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Gem stat requirements for Single stat gem is like this.

and this for Hybrid stat gem:


Meaning (From My Experience) that without every stat point invested on your tree will be 1 stat or 2 for hybrid. to be able to upgrade gem. without any stats on gear.

which lead to a "organic" distribution of stats for a weapon locked to this skill. and as a consequence Gear you use.

But guess what, you do not get all items dropped equally good, and this is normal this is RNG in aRPG about loot (which we not have much here.)

And it will be worse, on release. Now we have Maces, and quarterstaffs.
and later this

Imagine that Huge Big Boss Piñata or equal rare. drops nothing for you.

There is 2 options to get More Dps to get over Acts:
1)respec and use uncut gem for skill for that weapon.
Which is counterintuitive for Beginers, even if you have "Not Class Specific weapon" equipped. in gem menu it will always show you Maces if you are warrior. which is seems logical. but lower drops will surprise you...

2)Gamble with gold. That kind of RNG is even worse. coz Gold = Time you spend Killing stuff. and even this gamble in Acts is tied to
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To Show you how Diverse system was in terms of progresion let me show you this.
You could have Almost Any Mele weapon and just use it. Coz it was better dps.
Or if You don't have any decent drops, you could use Vendor recipes

And simply getting top tier base for your lvl. That %phys was enough for your progression.
In addition to this you could craft flat phys on crafting bench and it was more then enough.

Not mentioning, that historically you got all your gems at lvl 38-40, which leaded to diverse gem system with gems you use during character progression. with little to no rng. and gems did lvl with you. meaning that you could run location twice. if you feel that you are underpowered, and with you and gem leveled up. continue progress game. and now Gem drops are tied to lvl of location which means that if you did not get your weapon, you are forced to venture forth...
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To summarize, now your character progression is not that you can Achieve with Deterministic ways and knowledge. Using vendor recipes ,and crafting bench. (Not crafting in general, at current state of a game, its just a waste of currency).
Now it is based on RNG, of gambling for weapon with gold. or understanding that you need to respec with gold. and make a tree which is universal for all weapons.
But you are also Stat-locked with a Armour, and defences you have on your side of a tree. meaning that basically you are forced to glass canon acts. with flat defenses you get from body\gloves\boots\helm.
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Gold and gambling. and Respec for Gold, Gold as a magic pill. GGG use for your Character Progression
For me Gold is already the curse of this game. it may kill it. in a way you are not even understand now.

The idea of gold:
Time = gold. You kill rares, they drop gold, you sell rares, you get gold.

You spend gold for Gambling, you spend gold on your respecs.
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And the main part is that even if you get over acts,
There is endgame... so much in this word, it is wasting your time.

Follow my hands,
With Links are not tied to a item, Every rare item can be valuable.
And now to understand how it will affect everyone and directly your time.

I need to explain how looting was in PoE 1, how endgame flow was. And assuming that you still do your map in 1 try.



This is you inventory you can put limited umber of items in it.
You can put 12 2x2 size items in it. or 6 4x2.
And bunch of 1x1,1x2.
The decision about what to put in it, was About potential links in general. 2h-weapons(4x2) and body armors(3x2). was a unlikely choice for pick up and the reason was that to link it you need 1500 Fuses(currency for links) for craft bench guarantied 6l craft, that is equal of 3-6 divines(same as those divines, rare drop as it is now, or even more rare as i compare it to my luck) depending on time you are looking at.
So the item should That Good. so someone will spend That amount of money. to buy it and 6link it.
So obvious choice was Boots\Gloves\Helmets\Rings\Amulets\Belts\Jewels\Wands\Scepters\Uniqs

And depending on the drops you simply loot all you can. and drop it in a Quad tab. to identify later. so you continue mapping, with load of maps, you have in your inventory. and later, after you finished with it, or your Dump Tab is full, you sit and identify what you got. cherry piking good ones to use your self or sell.
And not so good ones you sell to vendor and here is important part.
For those PoE 1 Players that are unaware of that system
https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Vendor_recipe_system#Single_Item_with_Mods

There is also a table for Augments\Alch shards on the page.

Meaning that all items you sell, provided you currency for later basic crafting (Alterations Wording is "Reforges a magic item with new random modifiers").

And now without vendor system at all. Having so called Disenchant.
All you get is 1 Regal shard. from 1 Rare. Meaning that potentially all your inventory is 1 Regal Orb. maybe 2.
So looting 1 regal from floor is worth x1 your inventory of bad items.
And you may say that "Its EA, this system is around a corner, on release"
I am not so sure about it, coz the amount of gold is already tied to tiers and amount of mods. (and with This Vision, of scraping working mechanics)

And how the flow of Endgame is now. You, with 1 column of Wisdom scrolls. enter a map. You forced to identify Every rare droped. and coz there is no reason to bring them home. you simply drop it where you find it.
You bring home all Uniqs, coz simply Vaaling it. it can be worth something, and then if its not. You sell it for a solid 1 chance shard, sometimes 2(idk why) coz well, to bypass statlock in this game ,astramentis not gona find it self.
And so on.

But you know why you can bring items home? Gold
The Alva in The Ziggurat Refuge right after you finish all acts Gambles you any item.
i assume iLvl is dependent on 1 of 3 things:
-Max Tier of Waystone Complete
-Your Lvl
-Waystone Quest Chain.
And as a result you can get ilvl 79 Amulets\80lvl Belts. meaning that all your
decent. average item now can be made there. +3 amulet? sure gold is an answer.(https://poe2db.tw/us/Modifiers) You can check mods on mod tiers here.
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And so, whats in the end:
RNG Gamble is in Itemisation during Lvling, and in The end game, as a main source of income?
RNG in Ascendancies?
Gambling in Crafting?
RNG in Endgame bosses? This is Pure speculation but here is the story


How Do i Achieve something in this game, with So much Random?
if you slammed something on the item, thats not an achievement. thats you winnig a lottery.
You trying to Ascend is a Lottery.
Devs with there Vision Have introduced the game with a new Concept To Me

FOWT - Fear Of Wasting Time
As a glue holding bunch of a concepts.
That was 1rst Time in my whole poe life i watched a video of a boss fight.
From 2016. coz the fear of doing all again, was too much for me.

Introducing The End game content (Ritual\Expedition\Breach\Delirium) with such Loot and prices for 1 try. that i will question. my self. is that worth my time if i die? so everyones End game progression is tied to fear?

All that Elden Ring vibe, is not here. in From software Games all you can lose. can be minimised. you spend souls b4 fight and thats it and try again.
in aRPG where you have 1 map its 1 of a kind you build whole network of those Towers and Tablets. Can be wasted in a single crit with -+ 20 deviation?

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The 1 thing i like as a concept in PoE 2 is that Loot chests is now part of the environment, thats a clever well desined thing. its so good and looks perfect within game.
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Did not read everything, but I think you made the point that when we get all the weapon types the drop pool will be so massive that it will be nigh impossible to get an item that fits your skills. This is a very valid point and deeply worrying.

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Tselikov_k#5543 wrote:

To understand certain topics and what we have "lost" there will be straight comparisons to PoE1, that is inevitable.

You haven't lost anything, POE1 is still there.

"

Valsacar#0268 wrote:

"

Tselikov_k#5543 wrote:

To understand certain topics and what we have "lost" there will be straight comparisons to PoE1, that is inevitable.

You haven't lost anything, POE1 is still there.

Next time, you will Lvl a character in PoE 2 just keep in mind that, to get to a new league content, or just finishing campaign,it is a pure matter of pure luck and RNG, and you can spend from 12 hours to, idk, 42? solely coz your Luck in gold gambling for new weapon is not. in your favor.

I will bump this thread just for the sake of it.

All the points are really valid.

"

Tselikov_k#5543 wrote:

"

Valsacar#0268 wrote:

"

Tselikov_k#5543 wrote:

To understand certain topics and what we have "lost" there will be straight comparisons to PoE1, that is inevitable.

You haven't lost anything, POE1 is still there.

Next time, you will Lvl a character in PoE 2 just keep in mind that, to get to a new league content, or just finishing campaign,it is a pure matter of pure luck and RNG, and you can spend from 12 hours to, idk, 42? solely coz your Luck in gold gambling for new weapon is not. in your favor.

Let's see... I've done 6 characters so far, still don't know what luck you are referring to.

"

Valsacar#0268 wrote:

Let's see... I've done 6 characters so far, still don't know what luck you are referring to.

So, 5 out of 6 examples are not relevant?
Who talks about multiple characters?
The whole idea revolves around:

- Newcomers that are forced purely to gamble with Gold
And that you simply can't give a decent advice to them, like it was with Vendor Recipes and crafting bench.
Always checking the Trader. That is the answer.
Now you can gamble more.

"

Sickness#1007 wrote:

we get all the weapon types the drop pool will be so massive that it will be nigh impossible to get an item that fits your skills. This is a very valid point and deeply worrying.

- First character on release and every league, will revolve around 1 Uniq

That is our tabula now, with that you can go pure strength. and pick up Any melee weapon, and simply use it. forcing you only to Get new gem for that weapon.

But as long it only works with Weapons. you are now stuck with Other parts of gear. meaning that only thing you use is pure Armour gear with potential AR\ES
AR\EV if you are lucky enough to get some stats and res on Rings\Amulets\Belts
And that fact that tree is so huge that only STR, STR\DEX , STR\INT characters will be able to Scale those Defenses.

Or you going to tell everyone to use trade?
That is the main path we all take now, as a main character progression tool?

- What about those SSF Enjoyers? Time -> Gold -> More Gamble?

And simply Saying that we will get "decent craft system" will it purely rely on potential Alt Spam?

That was never the case before.
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-Gold is the answer now, go buy 1 Quad of Rares for 10-30 Ex it will help you get over acts, and respec later.

-And now i understand why we get that "Deep" passive tree, that is a consequence of that diverse Weapon\Gem Locked system, you want to attack? i bet you are, because you will be 100% better at it with that:


- Good luck with getting to endgame in a time when you can buy something decent with Currency you get. in time when divines are not 70-100 ex.
And relying only on selling drops at trade. without chaos set vendor recipe system.

Your Whole progression is now a time consuming lottery.

"

Tselikov_k#5543 wrote:

"

Valsacar#0268 wrote:

Let's see... I've done 6 characters so far, still don't know what luck you are referring to.

So, 5 out of 6 examples are not relevant?
Who talks about multiple characters?
The whole idea revolves around:

- Newcomers that are forced purely to gamble with Gold
And that you simply can't give a decent advice to them, like it was with Vendor Recipes and crafting bench.
Always checking the Trader. That is the answer.
Now you can gamble more.

"

Sickness#1007 wrote:

we get all the weapon types the drop pool will be so massive that it will be nigh impossible to get an item that fits your skills. This is a very valid point and deeply worrying.

- First character on release and every league, will revolve around 1 Uniq

That is our tabula now, with that you can go pure strength. and pick up Any melee weapon, and simply use it. forcing you only to Get new gem for that weapon.

But as long it only works with Weapons. you are now stuck with Other parts of gear. meaning that only thing you use is pure Armour gear with potential AR\ES
AR\EV if you are lucky enough to get some stats and res on Rings\Amulets\Belts
And that fact that tree is so huge that only STR, STR\DEX , STR\INT characters will be able to Scale those Defenses.

Or you going to tell everyone to use trade?
That is the main path we all take now, as a main character progression tool?

- What about those SSF Enjoyers? Time -> Gold -> More Gamble?

And simply Saying that we will get "decent craft system" will it purely rely on potential Alt Spam?

That was never the case before.
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-Gold is the answer now, go buy 1 Quad of Rares for 10-30 Ex it will help you get over acts, and respec later.

-And now i understand why we get that "Deep" passive tree, that is a consequence of that diverse Weapon\Gem Locked system, you want to attack? i bet you are, because you will be 100% better at it with that:

Spoiler

10%*5 + 25%*2

- Good luck with getting to endgame in a time when you can buy something decent with Currency you get. in time when divines are not 70-100 ex.
And relying only on selling drops at trade. without chaos set vendor recipe system.

Your Whole progression is now a time consuming lottery.

I have no idea what you are on about, no one is forcing anyone to gamble.

I think you need to step away from the game for a bit and get some perspective.