Path of Exile 2 0.4.0 Patch: Biggest Problems and How to Fix Them
Grinding Gear Games has officially confirmed that Path of Exile 2 update 0.4.0, The Last of the Druids, will be released on December 12th. Early trailers highlight new endgame content, system refinements, and an effort to improve overall seasonal gameplay-but specific details remain limited.
Here are the most important systems Path of Exile 2: The Last of the Druids needs to overhaul-including Trials, the Atlas system, Delve, and ongoing performance issues.
Trials, Atlas, Delve & Performance: What PoE 2 0.4.0 Must Fix
1. Trials of Ascendancy - Overly Punishing & Widely Disliked
Intended as a skill-based gauntlet, many players believe the Trials feel inconsistent, excessively punishing, and fundamentally disconnected from the rest of the game.
The Problem with Honor in the Trial of the Sekhemas
The Honor mechanic in the Sekhemas Trial is widely considered unfair because it punishes builds that cannot avoid chip damage. Even well-geared characters may die not from mistakes, but from unavoidable hits-forcing players to restart the entire Trial.
Dying in a Trial currently means:
·Loss of all currency and loot gained inside the Challenge
·No chance to recover progress
·Forced a full reset from the beginning
This level of punishment feels outdated and demoralizing in a game that otherwise encourages fast, fluid gameplay.
The Trial of Chaos - Too Many Unrelated Mechanics
The Trial of Chaos introduces mechanics not found anywhere else in Path of Exile 2, such as:
·Petrification statues
·Forced mobility skill lockouts
·Powerful weakening curses
These mechanics appear abruptly and have little relation to core gameplay, making the Trials feel disconnected, random, and unfair.
Difficulty Driven by RNG, Not Skill
Trials vary wildly in difficulty depending on:
·Build type
·Random room layouts
·Modifier combinations
High-evasion builds often breeze through encounters, while armor-based or slower builds struggle regardless of player skill.
2. Atlas System Overhaul - Too Restrictive, Not Rewarding Enough
The Atlas system in PoE 2 is widely seen as another mechanic that desperately needs improvement. While the foundation is solid, the current implementation feels restrictive and unrewarding.
Only 40 Atlas Points = Limited Player Choice
The small number of available Atlas points forces players into:
·One narrow optimal route
·Repetitive, min-maxed farming strategies
·Ignoring entire branches of the tree
This restricts creativity, experimentation, and builds diversity-especially for players farming Path of Exile 2 Currency through specialized strategies.
Atlas Tree Needs More Variety
Players want:
·More unique Atlas passives
·More branching strategies
·More specialized farming routes
·More synergy with other endgame systems
The goal of the 0.4.0 update should be to create a flexible, customizable Atlas that rewards different playstyles-not one dominant strategy.
3. Delve - Lacking Depth, Strategy, and Progression
The Delve system in Path of Exile 2 currently feels underdeveloped compared to PoE 1's iconic infinite dungeon.
No Strategic Depth
In PoE 1, Delve decisions mattered:
·Choosing between horizontal and vertical paths
·Managing limited Sulphite
·Chasing specific biome rewards
In PoE 2, Delve feels more like a series of disconnected nodes without meaningful decisions.
Weak Synergy with the Atlas System
The new Atlas system aims to connect story progression with endgame mechanics-but Delve is largely isolated from these systems.
What Delve Needs in 0.4.0
·A deeper progression loop
·Clearer structure and direction
·Stronger ties to the Atlas and endgame
·Rewards that scale meaningfully with depth
These improvements will especially benefit players pushing depth farming strategies or looking to buy POE2 Currency to scale endgame builds.
4. Performance Optimization - Still a Major Concern
Despite improvements in recent patches, performance issues remain one of the biggest worries leading into 0.4.0.
Players still experience:
·Stuttering in large enemy packs
·Frame rate drops during events
·Crashes in high-activity zones
·Inconsistent performance on console versions
These issues directly affect combat responsiveness, which is crucial in a fast-paced ARPG.
Why Optimization Must Be a Priority
A smooth, responsive gameplay experience is essential for:
·Fair combat encounters
·High-skill builds
·Hardcore characters
·Seasonal league success
·Positive community reception
With the massive Druid update arriving, patch 0.4.0 must ensure performance is rock solid.
Conclusion: What Path of Exile 2 0.4.0 Needs to Deliver
With the December 12th release of The Last of the Druids, players are expecting more than just a new class. They want:
·A Trial rework that feels fair and skill-based
·An Atlas overhaul that increases player choice
·A Delve update that brings back strategic depth
·Performance improvements that stabilize gameplay
These changes would significantly improve the long-term health of Path of Exile 2 and strengthen its endgame foundation.
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