Where is the Balance

You got players in Act 1 dodge rollin more times than they get to swing their maces but players are immortal and one shotting "END GAME" bosses after 100hrs. Seems like the game gets less difficult with time rather than becoming a real challenge with actual mechanics to learn. There will be no player "skill" if everyone just stacks DPS and kills bosses before they even have time to move what are you doing???

Players learn the game mechanics more as they go, and keep building on previous work they have done with the character, so yes, things can get easier.

Try playing a new character though after playing awhile and your next run will also be much easier.

The difference between a first run with no equipment, no way to socket weapons or build your own, and especially if you don't yet know about poe2 trade or don't have currency to use it, and running from scratch with decent rare items in every slot, socketed weapons, maxed resists for whatever you are fightning and a better working knowledge of the skills and how powerful basic attacks can be, is night and day.

PoE has ALWAYS been like that, new leagues you generally have the most difficulty for your first one or two characters, after that it's a cake walk (at least in comparison).

In this case you have new game mechanics as well, new bosses, slower trade market and tons of things that are not even in the game yet due to early access.

Play awhile and listen.

After that, you too will think the game is easy.

If that is the case then why the artificial slog right from the gate? Makes the game boring and uninteresting. Knowing GGG for around 4yrs time accounting for not playing PoE straight through since open beta. They will listen, it will just take 3yrs and consistent every single league negative feedback for them to change something, and that timeline estimate is being generous. I don't want it to be easier, I want the mechanics they are trying to build into this new whatchamacallit game to actually work.

I mean, many people are having a blast. I get that some people are not, and that is sad, but also, EA is not meant for everyone.

The game isn't even halfway finished yet, there are tons of things that are going to be changed before release, and tons of fun you can already have right now.

Yes, we all paid $30 to get in the EA, but that was a choice, and it was clearly stated the game was not done yet. They also delayed it in order to make it better than it was before.

I have played EVERY character class and ascension at this point and am still having plenty of fun. I have played more than 100 hours in a WEEK. That is a first in a very long time, don't even think I did that for elden ring.

So yes, for many this game is already fun. The difficulty problems can be resolved easily if you ask for advice, read guides or *ugh* follow a build from someone else.

Just knowing you can use PoE 2 trade to get good items will solve most issues people have to be honest. Yes, it's more fun to do SSF (self find), but especially when just starting and with changes happening that can make current setups not as strong, using the trade site just makes it easier to enjoy yourself.

I'm not playing SSF or Hardcore, probably until the game officially launches. Just not worth it to me now.

Also most of the difficulty even for new players is in the first act or two, then things open up for everyone and most learn the mechanics of the game if they didn't initially know them. It CAN be a rocky start for new players, especially compared to many other games of this type (which is really sad, I miss the challenge in games like D3 and D4 (both of which when launched made me fall asleep while getting through the initial campaign, multiple times).

You can get that way in this game with over powered equipment and skills, but it's alot more work and generally means you had to actually think and try (unless you follow someone elses build and just walk through it).

Those that just throw their hands up, should just wait till EA is over, the game will be much easier then, have more options and TONS of stuff available to buy, probably at a much lower price than now (supply and demand will see to that).

Honestly though, if you give it a try, follow some simple advice/rules and learn the game, you will find there is a ton already here to enjoy and that actually over coming those challenges that were overwhelming at first, will make you feel awesome later on.

AT least that is my take on it.