POE2 Level 94+ XP: Mandatory map boss kills cause huge risk

Dear Grinding Gear Games Team,

I am writing to provide feedback regarding the recently implemented map progression change in Patch 0.3.1, specifically the requirement to defeat the map boss to successfully complete a Waystone map instance.

While I understand the design intention behind this change, the current implementation has created a severe bottleneck in the endgame progression, particularly for players who aim to reach higher levels (95+).

The Core Issue:

For players above Level 94, the XP penalty upon death is already substantial.

By making the Waystone map boss kill mandatory for map completion, the risk-to-reward ratio for high-level grinding becomes extremely punishing. Boss fights, by their nature, introduce moments of high damage spikes and mechanics that are often the primary cause of character deaths.

The current system forces players to engage in the highest-risk activity (bossing) simply to progress, making the long-term grind beyond level 94 frustratingly slow and often regressive.

Community Impact:

This change has led to significant frustration among dedicated players. I personally know five (5) different friends who were actively playing the Early Access but have stopped completely due to the difficulty and lack of meaningful progression past Level 94 under these new conditions. The grind is no longer rewarding; it is simply disheartening.

Suggested Consideration:

I urge you to re-evaluate the mandatory boss kill requirement for map completion, specifically in relation to experience gain at very high levels. Perhaps you could consider:

Reverting the requirement so that killing a certain percentage of monsters grants sufficient XP/progress at very high levels, allowing players to focus on clearing safely.

Implementing a system where the mandatory boss kill only applies to Waystone completion or Loot Tier bonuses, but not to the core experience gain (XP) required for leveling.

Thank you for your hard work and for considering the community's feedback on this critical endgame design choice