The latest update for Path of Exile 2, called “Dawn of the Hunt,” has left the community with mixed feelings. Released on April 4, 2025, this update brought new features that some players love, while others are upset about changes that made the game tougher and less fun for their favorite builds. It’s a classic case of a developer trying to shake things up, but not everyone’s on board.
What’s New in the Update
The “Dawn of the Hunt” update for Path of Exile 2 added a new class, the Huntress, which mixes melee and ranged combat in a way that’s got some players excited. There are also five new ascension classes, Ritualist, Amazon, Smith of Kitava, Tactician, and Lich, that give more options for tweaking characters. Plus, over 100 unique items were thrown into the mix. But here’s where it gets tricky: The update nerfed popular skills like Hexblast and items like Northpaw Gloves, making some builds weaker. Enemy difficulty got a bump, too, which has rubbed a lot of players the wrong way. You can see all the details in the official patch notes.
How Players Are Reacting
The feedback on Path of Exile 2 after this update is all over the place. Some folks are happy with the fresh content. One player on X, @Wudijo, said, “Huntress is a BLAST. ” Others aren’t so forgiving. On Steam, recent reviews are sitting at “Mixed” with just 41% positive, a drop from the overall 77%. One reviewer complained, “My favorite build is completely gutted. I get balancing, but this feels like overkill.” Sites like PCGamesN have noted this split, too.
What the Developers Are Saying
Grinding Gear Games isn’t ignoring the noise. They posted on X, saying, “We hear your feedback on the Dawn of the Hunt update. We’re working on addressing the balance issues and will have a hotfix out soon. Thanks for your patience!” @POE2Alerts. It’s a sign they’re listening and trying to fix things, which matters in a game still in early access. IGN also mentioned how the team is juggling new stuff with keeping players happy.
Wrapping It Up
The mixed reviews for Path of Exile 2 show how tough it can be to keep everyone satisfied during early access. The new content is a big draw, but the nerfs and harder enemies have some players rethinking their commitment. With a hotfix on the way, there’s hope that things will smooth out. For now, it’s a good time to try out the Huntress or tweak your build. For more updates on Path of Exile 2, keep an eye on Total Apex Gaming’s news section.
