Path of Exile’s 3.22 expansion Siege of the Atlas introduced sweeping end-game changes with the new Atlas passive tree. However, developer Grinding Gear Games also revealed even larger nerfs are slated for POE 3.23.
Why GGG Is Nerfing POE (Path of Exile)
According to GGG, the main goals with large-scale nerfs are to:
- Slow down the clearspeed “zoom zoom” meta
- Increase difficulty and danger of end-game content
- Reduce power creep and increase build diversity
- Make defensive layers more necessary
This aligns with their vision for a more hardcore and balanced ARPG experience in POE 2’s launch. Also read it, Diablo 2 Resurrected Runewords: A Comprehensive Guide.
Major Nerfs Targeting Player Power
Here are some of the major nerfs GGG has planned to reduce player power:
- Negative modifier on rare items – bricks certain builds relying on them
- Keystone nerfs – Acrobatics, Phase Acro, Spell Suppression, Ghost Dance
- Flask nerfs – less charges gained, effects diminished
- Watcher’s Eye nerfs – reduce aura effect
- Reduced action speed, cast speed, and movement speed on gear
These changes aim to slow players down while making rares harder to build around. Defensive layers will also be weakened.
Nerfing Overpowered Skills and Supports
Many meta-skills and supports will also see reductions in damage and utility:
- Seismic Trap – damage and AoE lowered
- DD/VD – damage and corpses consumed reduced
- Tornado – reduced damage and projectile speed
- Helix – damage reduced and harder to shotgun
- Support gem nerfs – Brutality, Inspiration, Woke gems
GGG specifically targets Seismic Trap Saboteur for dominating the 3.22 meta. Other top skills will require more investment.
Defensive Nerfs For Easier Gameplay
To reduce player power and emphasize defense, these nerfs also target defenses:
- Suppression – now harder to cap spell suppression
- Ghost Shroud – ES recovery rate reduced
- Grace/Determination – provide less flat defense
- Endurance charges – reduced phys reduction per charge
- Fortify – reduced damage reduction
Layered defenses will be weakened, requiring players to stack more mitigation instead of relying on single buffed layers.
Nerfing Flask Effectiveness
Flasks provide huge power spikes, so GGG is reducing their impact:
- Gain fewer flask charges from killing monsters
- Less effect of flasks on crit, evasion, armor, and resists
- Reduced duration of flask effects
- No buff effect of flasks on unique belts
- Flask enchant nerfs – reduced effect and duration
With weaker flasks, players will need to rely less on their raw burst power during mapping and bossing.
How Players Are Reacting
As expected, the sweeping Nerf proposals have created mixed reactions in the POE community:
- Anger from players who enjoy speed clearing and offense
- Worry about building diversity narrowing further
- Concern that new players will be overwhelmed
- Praise for trying to slow the game down
- Appreciation for balancing before POE 2
Only time will tell how the changes shake up the meta when 3.23 launches.
Preparing Your Builds For the Big Nerf
Here are some tips to prepare your build for the major nerfs:
- Stack multiple defensive layers
- Plan tree pathing around keystone nerfs
- Have backup skill options if your main is nerfed
- Theorycraft less reliant on rare item modifiers
- Test flask sustain and charges gained
Smart planning and adaptation will help smooth the transition through the sweeping balance changes.
Farming POE Currency For Respecs and Gear
The nerfs will likely require heavy passive tree respecing and new gear to adjust. Having a stockpile of POE currency will be invaluable here:
- POE Chaos orbs to respec passive trees
- POE Exalted orbs to craft/buy new gear
- Regrets to reconfigure gem links
- Blessings to fix enchants
- Regals to craft missing mods
Buy POE Currency now while it’s cheap to bankroll your rebuild!
Potential Builds to Thrive Despite Nerfs
While many builds will struggle after the nerf, these may adapt well to the changes:
- Minions – reliable damage and meat shields
- Toxic Rain – wither stacks still strong
- Conversion Trap – buffed in 3.20
- Bleed EQ – huge damage
- Cold DoT – chill and freeze defenses
Simple damage over time builds like these may evade the worst of the nerfs.
Embracing a Slower-Paced Game
The nerfs aim to create a more grounded POE gameplay experience. Some tips for adjusting:
- Play more carefully – don’t rush into packs
- Prioritize defenses over clear speed
- Use CC and DoTs to control combat
- Find new creative interactions not reliant on damage
- Savor the small successes when they come
Adapting your goals and mindset along with your build can help you enjoy POE’s evolution.
While seismic shifts like sweeping nerfs can be disruptive, they also create new opportunities for innovation. The key is being proactive in planning, farming POE (Path of Exile) Currency, and adjusting your play. With the right preparation, you can thrive through any meta!
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