Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt – A Bold Update with Mixed Reactions

Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt – A Bold Update with Mixed Reactions

Wed May 07 2025

Introduction

On April 4, 2025, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) released "Dawn of the Hunt," the first major content update for Path of Exile 2. This patch, labeled 0.2.0, aimed to revitalize the game with new classes, weapons, skills, and endgame mechanics. However, the update has sparked a mix of praise and criticism within the community.

Huntress Ascendancy

New Content Overview

Huntress Class and Spear Weapon

The centerpiece of the update is the introduction of the Huntress, a versatile class specializing in spear combat. The Huntress brings a hybrid playstyle, combining melee and ranged attacks. Accompanying this class is the new Spear weapon type, offering unique skills and animations.

Ascendancy Classes

Several new Ascendancy classes were added:

  • Amazon: Enhances spear abilities with elemental infusions.
  • Ritualist: Utilizes life force sacrifices for buffs and plagues.
  • Smith of Kitava: Focuses on forging weapons and summoning living armaments.
  • Tactician: Provides support through buffs and area control.
  • Lich: Specializes in chaos damage and curses.

Endgame Enhancements

The update expanded the endgame with:

  • 8 New Maps: Each featuring unique bosses and environments.
  • Azmerian Wisps: Spirits that empower monsters, increasing challenge and rewards.
  • Corrupted Essences: Introduced four new essences—Hysteria, Delirium, Horror, and Insanity—for advanced crafting options.

Huntress Ascendancy

Community Reception

Positive Feedback

Some players appreciated the fresh content and challenges:

"Endgame mapping is way more engaging and a lot better now. I'm able to see legendary maps more often, which is very good."
— dan4ito#3479 on the official forums

The new classes and skills have also been praised for adding diversity to builds.

Criticisms and Concerns

However, the update has faced significant backlash:

  • Difficulty Spikes: Players reported that early-game enemies are overly challenging, leading to frustration.
  • Loot and Progression: The perceived lack of rewarding loot and slow progression has been a common complaint.
  • Technical Issues: Bugs, such as inconsistent flask charge gains and disappearing Azmerian Wisps, have marred the experience.

"The game has no depth so it gets boring quite fast. Crafting is not satisfying, and the mods are generic."
— Morgan_Pain on Reddit

Developer Response

GGG has acknowledged the issues and released several hotfixes to address balance and technical problems. In a recent interview, game directors admitted to challenges in achieving the desired difficulty balance and are working on further improvements.

Conclusion

"Dawn of the Hunt" represents a significant step forward for Path of Exile 2, introducing substantial content and systems. While the ambition is commendable, the execution has led to a divided community. Ongoing developer support and community feedback will be crucial in refining the experience.

Note: The images used in this article are for illustrative purposes and sourced from official Path of Exile 2 media.