Path of Exile 2 players are advocating for greater transparency when it concerns movement speed penalties associated with various items, particularly armor. Amidst the vibrant feedback gathered since the game's early access launch on December 6, 2024, discussions have emerged highlighting items like the Healthy Pelage Targe of the Cloud and the Oyster’s Iron Cuirass, both of which impose a -5% movement speed penalty on players. Enthusiasts believe this additional layer of detail would significantly benefit new players trying to navigate the game’s complex mechanics.
With its recent debut, Path of Exile 2 serves as both a test platform for players and as material for developers at Grinding Gear Games, who are refining the game based on player experiences and suggestions. From minor quality-of-life improvements to deep-seated mechanic changes, the community has been vocal about their needs and preferences. This includes feedback on the movement speed penalties linked to armor items, conveyed by players through various social media channels.
A player by the name of loopuleasa brought this issue to light on Reddit, expressing concerns about the hidden movement penalties tied to certain armors. Loopuleasa pointed out the significance of these penalties, emphasizing their need for visibility, especially for rookie players delving deep for the first time. "The movement speed penalty is somewhat excessive," stated one general voice from the community, echoing the need for more clarity around item mechanics.
Interestingly, the point was also raised about whether these penalties hold thematic value. One dedicated player speculated, "It could be thematic, enhancing immersion," drawing parallels with the unique inventory and item drop mechanics within the game. This indicates players are pondering not just gameplay efficacy, but the overarching narrative and design philosophies at play with these impurities.
Path of Exile 2, with its roster boasting over 250 unique items, presents players with numerous choices. Yet, the reality is, only a few items prove viable for leveling or crafting optimized endgame builds. The Ghostwrithe Tattered Robe, for example, is not just any armor; its unique mechanics include converting 50% of maximum Life to Energy Shield and it possesses hidden effects valuable for Energy Shield builds. Such utilities make it one of the go-to items, available even from very early levels.
Ghostwrithe has shown itself as quite integral due to its dual capacities, joining well with certain skills. It boasts 128 Energy Shield at baseline, and when enhanced with quality, this can reach up to 154. It also provides substantial Chaos Resistance, allowing players to mitigate Chaos and Poison damage effortlessly. These perks help augment the effective health pool of characters, proving its worth as leveling commences and extends toward high-level engagements.
Perhaps even more intriguingly, Ghostwrithe's relationship with the Chaos Immunity skill, Chaos Innoculation, is especially noteworthy. While pairing these two might seem counterintuitive because Ghostwrithe benefits from life and yet Chaos Innoculation sets maximum Life to one, savvy players have found methods to maximize Energy Shield leveraging this design flaw. This makes it easy for players to increase their survivability significantly.
Adding to Ghostwrithe's virtues, it synergizes extraordinarily well with Grim Feast. Players utilizing Ghostwrithe see reflections of their builds when working alongside this Spirit Gem, making defeated foes drop Remnants, which can skyrocket Energy Shield reserves. Even more compelling is the capability of Grim Feast to provide Energy Shields beyond the original total, enhancing tankiness for characters wielding Ghostwrithe. This marriage of armor and skill demonstrates the depth of the item interactions within Path of Exile 2.
At this juncture, the Path of Exile 2 community seems to be standing at a crossroads, with mounting feedback to Grinding Gear Games reflecting their shared vision of improvement. Complaints about melee combat lagging behind ranged options have surfaced, as expansions on past content surface alongside fresh ideas for bosses being ramped down for easier encounters. The dialogue around movement speed penalties is merely one aspect of this larger conversation surrounding item adjustments and game balance.
The gaming coalescence surrounding Path of Exile 2 reveals how collaboration can amend gaming narratives, highlighting the importance of player feedback. While the road to the full release may extend far beyond these early access days, every effort from the community serves to shape its future. Grinding Gear Games' receptive ear to player suggestions could be the difference between merely playing the game and completely redefining the Path of Exile experience.