Casual Gameplay Mode - No XP Penalty

Hi POE Team,

First let me just say how much I enjoy this game. ARPGs when done right can really grip you, and you've done it right here.

After being terrible disappointed with Diablo IV, playing POE2 with its innovative character design mechanics and flexibility; its enormous skill tree full of possibilities and its high level of customization was SO FUN.

Now let me also add for context - I'm a casual gamer. Because of family obligations I can't really dedicated more than maybe 3-4 hours a week playing video games.

Currently I'm not enjoying late game play. I had a blast with the campaign, but late game play discourages exploration and fun. And its all basically because of the XP penalty.

In the early game I'd try out a new skill whenever I picked up a gem. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I retrained my skill tree, a lot. The same warrior went from totally ineffective, to amazing, and it was really exciting.

Currently I have a Level 77 character. At this level I'm highly discouraged frome experimenting. I know I can hit Level 78, but only if I avoid difficult bosses, avoid MOBs with dangerous risky effects, avoid maps with too many surprising modifiers etc...

Essentially, I could grind my way to 78 on my current build. And I started to do that, but what a disappointing turn.

This is not a fun way to play, and I feel like I have to play this way because I'm caught in a local maximum. If I vary my build, I will get killed again, and if I get killed again I lose 2-3 weeks of gameplay progress.

In all likelihood I will probably retire from PoE 2 and its such a bummer. It would be so easy to create a game-mode for more casual players without the XP penalty.

You have created a FUN game. And I understand part of that fun for people is tied to the challenge of overcoming difficult obstacles, and the XP penalty is great for those who have more time than I do.

I'm frustrated only because I haven't enjoyed a game this much in a while, and the XP penalty is a dumb reason for me to put this down.

I sincerely hope you hear my voice, and the many voices like mine, that echo this sentiment that I've seen here on the forums.

It is very punishing, from level 98 to 100, at level 77 if you're constantly dying just make sure to be more careful what you step in, mods you're going to face and stuff.
Your build might need some adjustments...
I know it feels really bad but next leagues you'll eventually get another 20 levels without feeling there is a xp penalty, practice makes perfect :D