Unpopular/hot take opinion: but I would welcome the POE1 Lab in as a third way to ascend

I unironically loved lab running as a "farm" and want to see a new revamped expanded version of it personally. Could just be similar, maybe mix it with a Delve style underground map?

I am ducking all the rotten tomatoes everyone is metaphorically throwing at me right now but IMO the Labyrinth is classic ARPG stuff compared to the rogue-lite trials and the "waves of monsters" Ultimatum survivor-like. At least one traditionally ARPG mechanism would be welcome.

IMO an additional big problem that is hand in hand with these two ways to ascend right now is that its holding character build enabling mechanics behind needing to either OUTSCALE the Ultimatum (in which case why care about the additional build enabling feature of your ascendancy?) or out "reflex" (in which case you've already mastered the game and don't need mechanical advantage of a build enabling feature).

The Ascendancies are about making a fundamental build idea work, getting your build in some cases "on line" after you've already sort of "climbed the mountain" feels bad.

I think ascendancy should be scoped lower in character progression because of this.

I would love to see this return. GGG just plain removed all the good parts of poe1 though. So this more then likely would never be considered.

POE1 Ascendancy trials are far more enjoyable than POE2's Ascendancy trials. I'll gladly take that over the dumpster fire that POE2 uses for ascending.

Gating critical character progression behind two of the most universally hated mechanics from POE2 (Sanctum and Ultimatum) compounded by the worst RNG imaginable. The 3rd and 4th trials aren't even possible to do for many classes and specs.

+1

+1



no lie i would be so relieved to see this.