The Still Sane Podcast

Path of Exile 2 1.0 fast approaches. Today, I sit down with Dreamcore on the Still Sane Podcast to discuss Path of Exile 2, the latest PoE2 critique videos, Early Access problems, endgame improvements, gear power, loot, build diversity, and what Grinding Gear Games needs to fix before PoE2 1.0.

We also discuss ExileCon, the future of Path of Exile 2, and revisit our original PoE2 predictions from our first creator collaboration in 2023.

What does PoE2 need to change before 1.0? Join the discussion in the comments!

Check out @dreamcore_gg 's channel for his analytical PoE 2 videos, the PoE Report Podcast, and upcoming coverage of 1.0 and Exilecon 2026: https://www.youtube.com/@dreamcore_gg

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro & Reuniting With Dreamcore

0:38 ExileCon: PoE1 vs. PoE2 Expectations

3:02 Dreamcore's Biggest PoE2 Criticisms

4:00 The Problem With Gear Power

6:45 Gear vs. Passive Tree Power

8:30 Is Gear RNG Too Powerful?

11:19 Item Rarity & The State of PoE2 Loot

14:24 Early Campaign Progression Problems

19:12 Looking Back at PoE2 Early Access

20:50 How Much Has PoE2 Improved?

24:40 Zone Size, Checkpoints & Movement

27:00 Trials & Ascendancy Issues

32:11 PoE2 Balance Changes & Build Diversity

36:01 What We Got Wrong About Early Access

41:00 Our Biggest Early Access Surprises

45:00 What Should Change for PoE2 1.0?

48:40 Revisiting Our 2023 PoE Predictions

50:00 New Classes, Weapons & Ascendancies in 1.0???

53:00 What Is Coming in PoE2's Campaign?

56:00 Which PoE1 Mechanics Should Return?

58:09 What Is Everyone Overlooking About 1.0?

1:00:00 PoE2 Lore, Bosses & The Lich

1:02:00 PoE1 and PoE2's Future

1:03:00 Final Thoughts & Where to Find Dreamcore

► My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkativetri

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► Business Inquiries: [email protected]

► My Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkativeTri

► Our Community: https://discord.gg/jfZqVYeUZd

#pathofexile2 #talkativetri #poe2

Thanks for watching!

On Talkative Tri, you'll find commentary about the games I'm most passionate about whether it's discussions about Path of Exile 2 or analysis on games like Guild Wars 3.

Tonight I sit down with Path of Exile 2 content creator Off-Meta Michael to discuss PoE 2 patch 0.5.5, the 1.0 full launch, league starter builds, playing off-meta characters, and the initial closed beta feel of this ARPG. It's episode 96 of the Still Sane Podcast, a chill show about gaming, authentic takes, and life.

Check out @off-meta-michael right here: https://www.youtube.com/@off-meta-michael.

Chapters:

0:00 - Path of Exile 2 Closed Beta & the Glory Days

8:28 - PoE2’s Visual Clarity Problem

11:49 - Looking Back at PoE2’s 0.1 Endgame

14:47 - Why No Balance in 0.5 Isn’t Necessarily Bad

16:16 - The Problem With Crit Jewels

20:13 - Mageblood, Headhunter & Chase Uniques

23:14 - Should Every Unique Have Its Own Skill?

26:15 - Ascendancies Need More Identity

29:01 - Smith of Kitava & Interesting Build Interactions

32:01 - Are Players Too Focused on Meta Builds?

33:01 - Runic Ward & Experimenting With Builds

37:21 - The Problem With Broken Promises & Build Variety

38:11 - Bone Shatter Is Too Fast

40:12 - PoE2 Has More Broken Builds Than Broken Skills

41:20 - Why Combo Builds Disappear in Endgame

42:51 - Finding the Sweet Spot Between Speed & Readability

46:03 - Can PoE2 Ever Actually Be Balanced?

48:14 - Comet, Skill Spam & Visual Clarity

49:21 - Why PoE2’s Combat Still Feels Incredible

50:36 - Jonathan’s Vision for PoE2’s Readability

53:47 - What Are We Playing in 0.5?

56:35 - What Will Get Nerfed in 1.0?

1:00:48 - Duelist Ascendancies & Weapon Swapping

1:04:02 - GGG Is Reworking Old Weapon Skills

1:05:33 - You Can Criticize PoE2 and Still Love It

1:07:47 - Is PoE2 Replacing PoE1?

1:10:26 - Passive Tree Power vs. Gear Power

1:12:00 - Should PoE2 Have a Hard Mode?

1:16:45 - Why ARPGs Get Easier as You Master Them

1:17:32 - The Fun of Leveling New Characters

1:19:25 - Why 0.5’s Full Reset Is So Exciting

1:23:33 - Act 6: The Story We’ve Been Waiting For

1:24:19 - Why Act 1 Is Still the Best

1:25:17 - Geonor’s Secret Poetry Skip

1:26:24 - PoE2’s Hidden Secrets & The Martyr

1:27:32 - Final Thoughts & Goodbye

► My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkativetri

► My Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/talkativetri

► Business Inquiries: [email protected]

► My Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkativeTri

► Our Community: https://discord.gg/jfZqVYeUZd

#pathofexile2 #talkativetri #poe2

Thanks for watching!

On Talkative Tri, you'll find commentary about the games I'm most passionate about whether it's discussions about Path of Exile 2 or analysis on games like Guild Wars 3.

Path of Exile 2 has changed drastically since the start of early access at the end of 2024. SamyCaps and I sit down to discuss his journey through gaming, the evolution of PoE2, what he thought of PoE2 0.5, what might be coming in patch 0.5.5, and how excited we are for Path of Exile 2's 1.0 release.

Check out @samycaps : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVfKtWMTXkR6SSut4WlsGMQ and https://www.twitch.tv/samycaps

==CHAPTERS==

PoE2 Pod Intro - 0:00

Who is SamyCaps? - 1:48

SamyCaps and His Brother - 10:48

Midnight Releases and Nostalgia - 14:08

PoE2 Back in 0.1 - 18:19

What Expectations We Had Of PoE2 - 23:40

Was PoE2 ALWAYS Supposed To Be Like This? - 28:00

Did PoE2 0.5 Turn The Game Around? - 36:35

We Hate The Games We Love - 42:52

What's With Patch 0.5.5? - 45:52

Plans and Expectations for 1.0 - 53:06

Farewells! - 1:06:00

After over two weeks of amazing playtime in Path of Exile 2: Return of the Ancients, Raxxanterax and Talkative Tri take a seat to discuss the overall state of PoE2 patch 0.5

==CHAPTERS==

0:00 – Path of Exile 2 0.5 First Impressions & League Progress

8:30 – New Builds, Meta Diversity & Hidden Build Tech

16:05 – Martyr of the First Edict Race & Endgame Secrets

19:20 – Ranking the Best Endgame Mechanics in PoE 2

26:20 – New Pinnacle Bosses Tier List (Arbiter, Delirium & More)

37:40 – Is PoE 2's New Atlas Too Large? Endgame Critiques

44:45 – Why PoE 2's Endgame Finally Feels Addictive

48:05 – What GGG Must Improve Before Path of Exile 2 Launches

1:01:10 – The Biggest Problems Still Facing PoE 2

1:17:45 – 1.0 Predictions, Future Expansions & Final Thoughts

Check out @Raxxanterax 's channels:

https://www.youtube.com/raxxanterax

https://www.twitch.tv/raxxanterax

At the end of Path of Exile 2: Return of the Ancients week 1, aer0 and Talkative Tri take a seat to discuss the state of patch 0.5, from where they currently are to how GGG's hotfixes and nerfs are good for the game.

==CHAPTERS==

0:00 Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5 First Week Impressions

2:28 Spirit Walker Twisters League Starter Review

5:39 Ritual Farming Strategy and Seven Boss Encounters

9:42 Atlas Masters, Doryani, and Extra Revives

12:31 Frostbolt Totem Gemling Build Theorycraft

15:23 Expedition Farming vs Ritual Farming

16:31 Arbiter of Divinity Boss Fight Review

19:12 POE2 Lore, Storytelling, and New Cinematics

22:46 Bodak Pinnacle Boss Discussion

24:34 Endgame Progression, Questlines, and Atlas Design

28:38 Content Bloat Concerns and Future Leagues

31:27 Ritual UI Problems and Endgame UX Issues

35:54 Mid-League Nerfs, Balance Changes, and Early Access

40:42 Biggest Balance Issues Before 1.0

42:40 Sprint Movement Debate and Player Skill

46:42 Racing, Economy Competition, and League Starts

50:02 What POE2 Needs Most Before 1.0

51:48 Final Thoughts on Patch 0.5

Check out @aer0 :

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrd5HgMy-KNIg2rBO8Ftzfw

https://www.twitch.tv/aer0__

Ritual Ultimate Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFSqtGmLgIM

With Path of Exile 2: Return of the Ancients' launch weekend behind us, I spoke to KallTorak about his league start experience, the journey through the brand new endgame, and a bunch of other patch 0.5 topics.

==CHAPTERS==

0:00 Ironbound Warbringer League Starter Review

4:19 Ritual Pinnacle Bosses and Endgame Progression

9:15 Is Ritual Farming Worth It in Patch 0.5?

11:09 New Atlas Progression and Endgame Quest Length

19:03 Why the New Path of Exile 2 Atlas Works

20:04 Atlas Passive Tree Power, Essences, and Endgame Scaling

22:40 Lineage Gems, Atlas Travel, and Discovery in 0.5

28:26 Waystone Sustain, SSF Progression, and Mapping Strategy

30:05 Patch 0.5 Bugs, Quest Progression Issues, and Build Problems

33:18 Monkey Build Meta, Companion Builds, and Balance Concerns

39:01 Supporting Fire Build Guide and 1.0 League Start Plans

44:39 Path of Exile 2 1.0 Wishlist, New Weapons, and Melee Concerns

49:26 Life vs Energy Shield, Defensive Balance, and Future Changes

55:10 Final Thoughts on Patch 0.5 and POE2's Future

Check out @KallTorak everywhere:

https://www.youtube.com/@KallTorak

https://www.twitch.tv/kall_torak

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/arwkqn3TI6U

With the epic release of Path of Exile 2: Return of the Ancients, I sat down with Scorpius to get his raw impressions of this brand new league.

==CHAPTERS==

0:00 Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5 First Impressions

2:20 New Endgame Atlas Review and Player Onboarding

7:01 Campaign Changes, Navigation Improvements, and Campaign Skip Debate

13:04 Runes of Elder League Mechanic and Campaign Integration

18:29 Best Monk Builds, Ascendancies, and Stone Fist Discussion

25:48 Runes of Elder Rewards, Crafting, and Endgame Scaling

33:16 Channeled Skill Fix, Clone Builds, and Build Experiments

37:35 Pinnacle Boss Progression, Arbiter of Divinity, and Atlas Goals

40:38 New Atlas Passive Tree Explained and Mapping Difficulty

47:12 Player Retention, League Events, and the Future of POE2

55:20 Path of Exile 2 Story, Lore, and 1.0 Expectations

1:00:25 Podcast Wrap-Up

Check out all of ScorpiusOfficial 's stuff:

https://www.youtube.com/@ScorpiusOfficial

https://www.twitch.tv/scorpiusofficial

Talkative Tri and Jazzarus jump on a call to discuss Path of Exile 2: Return of the Ancients, with topics ranging from the rarity and crafting power of runes in Runes of Aldur, how PoE2 is basically a game about gambling, and whether or not uber bosses should be aspirational content or beatable by all players.

Check out the yapmaster @Jazzarus_ !

https://www.youtube.com/@Jazzarus_

https://www.twitch.tv/Jazzarus_

The Wheel: https://jazzarus.github.io/game-wheel/

==CHAPTERS==

0:00 Intro + Ruins of Alder First Impressions

1:14 Rune System Problems and Resistance Swapping

3:16 1.0 Story Predictions and The Beast Theory

5:01 Why Path of Exile 2’s Story Feels Better Than POE1

7:32 Rune Rarity, Economy, and Trade Concerns

11:24 Hidden Secrets, Ascendancies, and Mystery Content

13:40 Why Ruins of Alder Solves Multiple POE2 Problems

15:54 Jazzarus League Starter Reveal for 0.5

19:43 Path of Exile Players Are Gambling Addicts

22:24 The POE2 League Start Wheel Website

28:49 Crafting Nerfs, Power Creep, and Rune Balance

32:36 Uber Bosses, Pinnacle Difficulty, and Casual Players

39:11 Why Count Geanor Is Peak Boss Design

46:48 Item Rarity Debate and Loot Philosophy

53:00 1.0 Expectations, Duelist Hype, and Final Thoughts

We're only a couple days away from Path of Exile 2: Return of the Ancients dropping and to bide time, Halcyonish and I hopped on a call to have a chat about patch 0.5, league starter builds, the lore in Path of Exile, the massive endgame revamp, and much more.

Check out the lovely @halcyonish :

https://www.youtube.com/@halcyonish

https://www.twitch.tv/halcyonish

==CHAPTERS==

0:00 Path of Exile 2 0.5 League Start Plans

2:02 Tame Beast Builds, Facebreakers & SSF Goals

4:01 Best Tame Beast Companions in PoE2

6:10 How Halcyonish Started Making PoE Content

8:15 First Impressions of PoE2 Early Access

10:02 Jamanra Difficulty & Flask Meta Memories

11:27 PoE2 UI & UX Problems

13:19 Left-Aligned Text & Prefix Icon Debate

16:31 Loot Filters for Dangerous Map Mods?

18:10 Regex Shopping & Speedrunning Tips

19:35 PoE2 Racing & Speedrun Rivalries

21:09 Why PoE2 0.5 Marketing Feels Different

23:06 Cinematics, Boss Intros & Console Cutscenes

25:52 PoE Lore Videos & Origins of Divinity

27:16 Ancient Lore Theories & The Beast

29:26 Skipping Campaign Lore vs Story Immersion

31:06 League Start Pace & PoE Yellow Text

33:07 Character Names, Global Chat & Community

36:17 Community Sentiment Before PoE2 0.5

37:04 Crafting Changes & Desecration Reactions

38:39 Jonathan & Mark’s Dev Interview Insights

40:10 Rare Monsters & Endgame Feedback

42:33 Why Devs Need to Play Endgame

44:04 PoE2’s Massive New Endgame

45:34 Taylor Swift Song Discussion

46:31 Atlas Strategy & League Start Economy

48:08 Target Farming & PoE2 Trade Economy

50:27 Atlas Masters & Terraforming Systems

51:29 Endgame Burnout & SSF Motivation

53:41 Endgame Goals & Infinite Progression

55:18 Diablo 2 & Discovering ARPGs

56:39 Horror Games, Elden Ring & Dark Souls

58:07 Elden Ring Difficulty & Boss Design

1:00:02 Survival ARPGs & Crafting Games

1:02:40 Zelda, Ocarina of Time & Nostalgia

1:04:14 Divine Orb Sweater Reveal

1:05:04 Final Thoughts on PoE2 0.5

1:05:44 Infinite Atlas vs Finite Atlas

As the next Path of Exile 2 expansion, Return of the Ancients draws near, CrimsonCasts and Talkative Tri take a seat to discuss the exciting new content incoming, imminent balance changes, speedrunning in PoE2, the Exilecon race qualifiers, and much more. Enjoy!