Grinding Gear Games has announced Patch 0.2.0E for Path of Exile 2, set to deploy on April 10, 2025, at 3PM PDT (6PM EDT). The update focuses on addressing player feedback with significant monster speed and density adjustments, boss fight improvements, and a reworked minion revive timer system.
Monster Speed and Density Adjustments
Players who felt overwhelmed by enemy swarms will welcome these changes. The update removes interrupt events from many human monsters including Cultists, Faridun, and Tribal Humans. Haste Aura will no longer appear on monsters that are already fast, and several specific enemies have been adjusted:
- Werewolf and Tendril Prowlers now enter walking stance after melee actions
- Hungering Stalkers receive a 12% reduction to Life and Damage
- Blood Cretin death pools duration reduced from 6 to 4 seconds
- Diretusk Boar and Antlion Chargers now push players to the side instead of forward
Monster density has been reduced in challenging areas like The Red Vale, Hunting Grounds, and Ogham Manor, providing a more balanced gameplay experience.
Boss Fight Improvements
Three major boss encounters have been refined to improve player experience:
- Viper Napuatzi: Reduced amount and size of Chaos Rains with improved visual cleanup
- Uxmal: Fewer location changes during the fight, can no longer recharge Energy Shield while airborne
- Xyclucian: Removed ground foliage from the arena to improve effect visibility
Minion System Overhaul
The minion revive timer system has been completely reworked to be less punishing. The first minion death now sets the timer to 7.5 seconds, with successive deaths increasing it by smaller increments. Additionally, disenchanting Bind Spectre or Tame Beast gems will now unbind them for reuse, and tamed beasts can fit through player-sized gaps.
What's New in Crafting?
Crafting enthusiasts will appreciate the addition of all mods to runes for caster weapons (Wands and Staves). Renly's shop now offers a Blank rune that can be forged into any elemental rune, and 12 Artificers Orbs will now drop at fixed locations throughout the campaign, making them more accessible.
Upcoming Features
After the weekend (post April 12-13, 2025), Path of Exile 2 will receive another update featuring:
- Charm System Overhaul: Charm slots on belts will be granted by implicit mods based on item level, and charm mods will become more powerful
- Stash Tab Affinities: New affinities for Socketables, Fragments, Breach, Expedition, and Ritual items
- Atlas Bookmarks: Players can create up to 16 bookmarks with icons and optional labels for quick navigation
The update also includes performance improvements with optimized ground foliage in many areas, and skill adjustments including Rally Support now working with any Melee Attack instead of just Strikes or Slams.
For complete details on Patch 0.2.0E, players can visit the official forum thread.
