Thoughts on the Oneshot Mechanic for Normal Mobs in Poe2

Hi everyone,
I wanted to start this discussion to address an issue that stood out to me during my gameplay of Path of Exile 2: the presence of normal mobs that can oneshot players.

I understand that Path of Exile (and now PoE 2) is known for its difficulty and for punishing mistakes, but it seems to me that there are instances where the punitive design goes a bit too far, especially when it comes to normal mobs dealing massive damage in a single hit.

The Problem

The inclusion of normal mobs with oneshot mechanics brings up some concerns:

1. Unpredictability: Often, players, especially newer ones, don't have enough information or time to react to a lethal attack.


2. Imbalance: If a normal mob can kill you in one hit, it diminishes the progression in difficulty between normal mobs, elites, and bosses.


3. Frustrating experience: Dying instantly without a chance to react (particularly in Hardcore mode) can lead to frustration and drive players away from the game.



Feedback and Suggestions

I believe it's possible to maintain the game's difficulty without resorting to oneshot mechanics. Here are a few ideas:

1. Better telegraphing: Deadlier attacks from normal mobs could be preceded by clearer animations or visual cues, giving players time to react.


2. Cap damage output: Limit the maximum damage dealt by normal mobs so it doesn’t exceed a certain threshold relative to the player's health.


3. Focus on strategy: Introduce mechanics that reward positioning and movement rather than relying on instant, overwhelming damage.


4. Leveling the risk: Reserve the possibility of instant death for specific situations, such as boss fights or elite encounters, rather than normal mobs.


I don’t want the game to become easier or less challenging, but I think there’s room for a more balanced design that rewards strategy and player responsiveness instead of punishing so harshly.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and your experiences with these situations.

Thank you for reading and contributing to the discussion!