Summary
One could argue thatPath of Exile 2is not exactly a full-blown sequel toPath of Exiledue to how different the games can be, especially with the former’s focus on slower and more methodical gameplay - at least during the campaign. Still, the games obviously share a lot of DNA, from classes they have in common to Skill Gems. This doesn’t mean the two are exactly alike, however. For example,Path of Exile 2doesn’t allow players to change Ascendancy classes, which instead can be done inPoEat the cost of respeccing all associated points and running the Labyrinth again. There is yet another feature fromPoEthat is missing in the sequel, and were it to be added,Path of Exile 2would be an entirely different game.
It’s not uncommon for video game sequels to skip problematic or poorly-received features from their predecessors or add new ones to improve their foundations. In the case ofPath of Exile 2, it arguably has a more limited crafting system compared to its predecessor, which is a blessing and a curse.Path of Exile’s crafting is very complex and offers players multiple methods to get good items, one of which is spamming Orbs of Alteration.
Path of Exile’s Orb of Alteration Explained
Path of Exile’s Orb of Alterationis one of the possible currencies to drop in the game, and it’s not uncommon to get a hundred or more by the time one has finished all ten acts. Orbs of Alteration allow players to alter, hence the name, the properties of a Magic item, meaning that all affixes are rerolled and new ones are generated based on the respective item level. This method can be problematic for the economy and the power creep of a given League, as players tend to spam Orbs of Alteration to get one or two very powerful affixes on an item and then finish the craft from there.
Why Path of Exile 2 is Unlikely to Bring Back Orbs of Alteration
Path of Exile 2has multiple currency types, but it entirely skips Orbs of Alteration, for better or for worse. With Orbs of Alteration being so iconic, it’s a pity not to see them inPath of Exile 2, especially since the overall crafting experience is very limited and often tied to Omens from Ritual, which are not found often enough to make them a reliable source. As such, players could use Orbs of Alteration to try and hit good affixes on high-ilvl items, which would make a huge difference in how crafting is currently done.
However,Path of Exile 2is not wrong in skipping Orbs of Alteration due to their potentially destructive effects on the economy, as seen in the first game. Instead of thechase itemsPath of Exile 2offers, a lot of players would go after accumulating currency to convert into Orbs of Alteration to potentially craft Mirror-tier items with a good crafting process and some luck. After all, Orbs of Annulment are still in the game, and Divines can help reroll values across the board.
How Alterations May Work in PoE 2
There is still a chance that GGG will bring back Orbs of Alteration, but they would have to come with a caveat inPoE 2. For example, they could be made rarer than theirPath of Exilecounterparts, making them more valuable and harder to spam on items, essentially making them less reliable and easy to get compared to the original. Much like Exalted Orbs inPath of Exile 2became the new Chaos Orbs in terms of currency value, Orbs of Alteration could still make sense in the game if they were rare and costly. Something in the ballpark ofPoE 2’s Divine Orbswould be great for balance purposes, and it would bring back one of the most prominentPoEitems. Still, this is speculation, and it’s likely that GGG will not allow this item to return.
Path of Exile II
WHERE TO PLAY
Path of Exile 2 is a next generation free-to-play Action RPG created by Grinding Gear Games. Journey across the deadly continent of Wraeclast, meeting multiple immersive cultures while facing off against evil in many forms. Path of Exile 2 features twelve character classes, 240 Skill Gems, hundreds of equipment base types, a six-act campaign, more than a hundred unique boss fights, a deep endgame system and so much more. Play with your friends without losing any progress with couch co-op, cross-play and cross-progression.
