**Path of Exile 2 Early Access: A Strong Opening, but Warrior Class Faces Balancing Criticism**
Path of Exile 2, the eagerly awaited follow-up to the beloved action role-playing game (ARPG) from Grinding Gear Games, has made an impressive launch in early access. With approximately 350,000 active daily players, according to SteamDB, the game has swiftly captured the attention of genre enthusiasts. The early access phase has received mostly positive remarks, with a recent survey indicating that 80% of nearly 4,500 respondents deemed the game “very good” or “good.” Nevertheless, not everything is seamless in Wraeclast; players have started to express worries regarding the balance of one specific class: the Warrior.
### **The Warrior Class Under Scrutiny**
Despite Path of Exile 2 being commended for its captivating gameplay, elaborate skill trees, and enhanced graphics, the Warrior class has attracted criticism from a growing contingent of players. The central concern pertains to the class’s defensive capabilities—or the apparent lack thereof. Many players believe that the Warrior, typically a robust melee fighter archetype, is underwhelming in comparison to other classes, particularly regarding survivability.
In a widely circulated Reddit post, user Vast-Application5848 conveyed their frustration with the Warrior’s armor mechanics, remarking, “The armor is useless, especially against one-shots (which represent the majority of deaths). You don’t gain extra health, you merely squander all your points on stacking strength. If you’re fortunate, you’ll reach 5.5K health and lack points for offense.” This perspective has struck a chord with numerous players, igniting a broader discussion about the difficulties associated with melee classes in Path of Exile 2.
### **Melee Classes Battling in PoE 2**
The difficulties of the Warrior extend beyond its armor mechanics. Players have highlighted that melee classes, as a whole, encounter considerable disadvantages in Path of Exile 2 when juxtaposed with ranged or spellcasting classes. User Mosaic78 succinctly encapsulated the issue: “Melee is worse than in PoE1, and it’s not even close.”
This perceived disparity has prompted some players to forsake the Warrior class for other, more potent alternatives. For instance, Reddit user Darkwr4ith recounted their transition from Warrior to Witch, stating, “I gave up on the Warrior. Now I’m playing a Witch. The game shifted from challenging to remarkably easy. I breezed through all 6 acts.”
Similar feelings have been shared on the Steam forums, where user VanGuard characterized playing as a Warrior as “incredibly painful.” They, too, opted for a Sorceress, discovering the gameplay markedly easier and more enjoyable.
### **The Ice Sorceress: A Striking Contrast**
While the Warrior class faces critique for its alleged shortcomings, other classes, like the Ice Sorceress, have received praise for their strength and adaptability. In early access testing, the Ice Sorceress has emerged as a preferred option for players seeking to navigate difficult content with ease. This stark contrast between classes has further intensified calls for improved balancing, as many players feel that the Warrior is being left behind regarding viability.
### **The Developers’ Reaction**
It’s crucial to recognize that Path of Exile 2 is still in early access, and the game is far from complete. Grinding Gear Games has a track record of actively engaging with its player base and responding to feedback, having already issued several patches to adjust various elements of the game. While no specific announcements have been disclosed regarding modifications to the Warrior class, it’s probable that the developers are aware of the feedback and are exploring potential remedies.
Balancing classes in a multifaceted ARPG like Path of Exile 2 is a challenging endeavor. The game’s complex systems, encompassing its passive skill tree, itemization, and combat mechanics, make even minor tweaks a sensitive process. Nevertheless, the developers have demonstrated a commitment to refining the game, and players remain optimistic that the Warrior class will receive the focus it requires.
### **Looking Forward**
Path of Exile 2 has commenced its early access phase on a strong note, drawing in ARPG enthusiasts with its captivating gameplay and promising new elements. However, the critiques surrounding the Warrior class underscore the difficulties of maintaining balance in a game with such a wide variety of playstyles and character choices.
As the game progresses, it will be compelling to observe how Grinding Gear Games tackles these issues. Will the Warrior class obtain the enhancements it requires to become a competitive option for players? Or will melee classes keep grappling with disadvantages in the wake of their ranged and spellcasting counterparts? Only time will reveal the answer, but one fact remains clear: the Path of Exile community will be closely monitoring developments.
For the time being, players are encouraged to explore different classes and builds while providing