Path of Exile 2's first event league goes 'oops, all bosses' and reworks its worst mode so sane people can finally enjoy it

After the Return of the Ancients update to Path of Exile 2, the game felt more polished than ever. When developer Grinding Gear Games announced a new mini-league, Forbidden Rites, set to launch on September 4, I knew I'd be joining in. This update isn't a major overhaul with balance changes and a brand new league mechanic. Instead, it features a few tweaks to the campaign and a significant overhaul of one of the most contentious endgame activities.

One of the new features is Ritual altars, which appear during the campaign and summon waves of monsters, offering rewards like loot and unique items. These altars were already possible in the endgame version of the mechanic, so it's exciting to see them brought into the campaign. I'm particularly looking forward to the reworked Trial of Chaos, which I had previously avoided due to its punishing nature.

In the updated version, the modifiers won't be as harsh initially, and they'll even provide a small bonus to loot quality for enduring the ordeal. This, combined with other improvements like faster door openings and quicker round starts, should make Trial of Chaos more manageable and potentially enjoyable.

The new league will also accelerate endgame progression, allowing players to explore the world map sooner than usual. New maps filled with Abyss monsters will be accessible through glowing green ravines. Additionally, the Expedition league mechanic will become a core part of the game, fitting seamlessly alongside the new league.

However, the initial patch accompanying Forbidden Rites won't include the extensive balance changes that were initially planned. These changes will be introduced with the game's full 1.0 release on December 11, which might be somewhat risky given the game's complex systems. This means that the endgame will remain relatively stable, with the same optimal builds and mapping strategies applying across patches.

While some fans might be disappointed by this lack of mystery, I view it as an opportunity to experiment with new characters and strategies before the full 1.0 release.