POE2 disrespecting our time (Post-0.4.0)

Hi everyone,

I sent this to support, and they told me to post here. I know I’m not the only one feeling this way, especially after the "Last of the Druids" (0.4.0) update.

We all love the combat and visuals, but the structure of the game is actively pushing players away. Here is the reality for those of us who have jobs, families, and limited playtime:

1. STOP WASTING OUR TIME (The "Walking Simulator" Problem) Not everyone is a streamer with 16 hours a day to burn. Some of us have 1-2 hours a night. When I spend that limited time just walking through massive, empty zones (especially in Acts 2 & 3) with zero density, it doesn't feel like gameplay. It feels like a commute.

The Issue: The ratio of walking-to-fighting is completely off.

The Result: By the time we reach maps, we are already burnt out.

2. WE NEED A CAMPAIGN SKIP / ADVENTURE MODE It is 2026. Diablo 4 has a Campaign Skip. Last Epoch has dungeon shortcuts. Why is PoE 2 still forcing us to run the same 20-hour story acts for every single character? I wanted to reroll a Druid, but after realizing I had to do all the fetch quests again with a slower character, I just logged off.

Fix: Once we finish the campaign on our main, let Alts level up in Maps/Delve. Don't punish us for wanting to play your game more.

3. SSF IS UNPLAYABLE (Forced Trade) I want to play Solo Self-Found. I don't want to trade. But the game punishes me for it. Why does SSF share the same Item Rarity/Quantity rates as Trade League?

The game is balanced around a Trade Economy.

Solo players are left starving for loot.

Fix: Give SSF a dedicated loot buff or a "Loot 2.0" system. I shouldn't be forced into Trade League just to make a build viable.

TL;DR: We want to play the game, not run a marathon in empty zones.

Give us an Adventure Mode for Alts.

Buff SSF Loot.

Fix the Pacing.

If you agree, please bump this thread so the devs actually see it. We need changes before the next league.

Cheers.

I think the temple is the worst offender. I play the game A LOT, and I mean A LOT, for someone who is an adult with a full-time salaried job as a programmer, and I find the temple is just exhausting. It takes way too fucking long to setup. It's got me way more burnt out on the league way faster than I have been in previous leagues, because I honestly just don't feel like dedicating so much time to setup a temple, but it almost feels mandatory because of how bad the balance is and how messed up the economy is. IMO, the temple is WAY too aimed at streamers and no-lifers. Gathering enough crystals + dealing with the sometimes very painful RNG while trying to setup your rooms just takes way, way too long.

100% this. You nailed it.

That's exactly what I mean by "disrespecting our time." When a mechanic requires that much setup, RNG, and hoarding just to be rewarding, it stops being a game and starts feeling like a second job.

And like you said, the worst part is that it feels mandatory. Because the base economy and drop rates are so messed up, if you skip the tedious "chores" (like the Temple setup), you fall behind instantly. It feels like they are balancing the entire game around the top 0.1% who stream 16 hours a day, while the rest of us with jobs are just trying to keep our heads above water.

If I wanted to work overtime, I'd stay at the office. I just want to blast some monsters!

"

Japonbu#0742 wrote:

H
3. SSF IS UNPLAYABLE (Forced Trade) I want to play Solo Self-Found. I don't want to trade. But the game punishes me for it. Why does SSF share the same Item Rarity/Quantity rates as Trade League?

I almost exclusively play SSF, and it's in excellent shape. But ignore me; look at all the people who ladder in SSF, and are better than both you and me. Don't make a challenge league easier. Hard disagree on your suggestions.

Fair point, and I respect the people crushing it on the ladder. But that actually proves my point.

The people topping the SSF ladder are usually playing 8-12+ hours a day. Using the top 1% (who often treat the game like a full-time job) as the benchmark for "balance" is exactly the problem.

I’m not asking for the game to be "easy" or for free loot. I’m asking for a distinction between Challenge and Time Investment.

Challenge is beating a hard boss with self-found gear.

Tedium is needing to grind for 40 hours to get a basic upgrade that takes 5 minutes to buy in Trade.

I love the challenge of SSF (no trading), but currently, the drop rates punish anyone who doesn't have "streamer hours" to invest. I just want the time I do have to feel rewarding, not like a second shift at work.

What you want is "SSF Noob" or "SSF Pretend", ask them to add that.

"

llindvior#2871 wrote:

What you want is "SSF Noob" or "SSF Pretend", ask them to add that.

A broader set of modes hard/easier would actually do the game a world of good, in that you are right.

"

llindvior#2871 wrote:

What you want is "SSF Noob" or "SSF Pretend", ask them to add that.

Call it "SSF Employed", "SSF Adult", or "SSF I-Touch-Grass"—I don't care what the label is.

Last Epoch calls it Circle of Fortune, and it’s widely praised because it respects the player's time without removing the difficulty of the content.

You seem to be confusing Time Sink with Skill. Running the same map 500 times hoping for RNG to bless you isn't "skill". It's just tolerance for repetition. I want to test my mechanics against bosses, not test my patience against a slot machine.

If wanting a game loop that fits into a healthy lifestyle makes me a "noob" in your eyes, I’ll wear that badge happily.

"

Valandhir#3958 wrote:

"

llindvior#2871 wrote:

What you want is "SSF Noob" or "SSF Pretend", ask them to add that.

A broader set of modes hard/easier would actually do the game a world of good, in that you are right.

Exactly. Choice is never a bad thing.

Think about it: The game already has "Ruthless Mode" for players who want extreme scarcity and more suffering. If GGG is willing to cater to the ultra-hardcore crowd with a specific mode, why is it so controversial to ask for a mode that caters to the SSF/Time-limited crowd?

Gatekeeping the game behind hundreds of hours of RNG doesn't make it "better," it just makes it smaller. More accessibility options means more players, better retention, and a healthier game for everyone.

I can agree with the first point, there is really too mich walking. But it has nothing to do with people who can play 16 hours a day. If they can finish the game in two weeks then you can in two months. There's enough time for everyone.

Second point is somehow reasonable but only if GGG balance that properly. To me personally campaign is too good so I don't mind to replay it every league 2-3 times.

Third point is nonsense. SSF is perfectly fine if you know what to do. Don't play SSF if you don't have proper knowledge that's all. Increasing loot drops just triviliaze that mode.