Dodge rolls, maps, one shots and drop changes.

Hello there! :)

Before getting into the nitty gritty, I want to start this of with a writers note of sorts.
PoE2 is probably one of the best games I've ever played. I thought it would fall off after a month or so and I (along with other people) go back to PoE1 or other games I have in my library, but that never happened. This game has held my attention completely. As of current I have over 300 hours in the game and have played every class up to cruel (with the ones I feel particular too into maps), and have played builds both self-made and community made.

During that time, like many many others who have also played the game, I have noticed some glaring issues with the game that I personally feel need to taken a look at.

This post will be long, so here's a TDLR for those who just want the fine points:

1. Enable dodging through enemies.
2. Extend the duration of I-frames or move the place where the I-frames start.
3. Every 4 map tiers you lose a portal and start at the customary 6.
4. The less enemies there are, the more damage they do. (maps only)
5. Limit gear to area level.

For those that want to hear my ramblings, please continue down. :D

NOTE: The intention of this post to foster a discussion and see what other people think about the above (or below, depending on what you read). You can be passionate about your responses, but please keep your insults or keyboard warrior comments to yourself. Thanks :)

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Issue 1: The dreadful Dodge roll.

And oh my god what a shitshow of a mechanic this is.
So when I first heard of PoE2 having a dodge roll, I was initially very excited. I thought that the inclusion of a dodge roll would mean more damage uptime on bosses, with mechanics we can dodge through to maintain high DPS while also getting some fun, mechanically interesting fights.
What it actually turned out to be is a glorified tiptoe that doesn't help you avoid anything other than a random slap from a mob. AoE attacks still hit you, you can't dodge out of group of enemies if surrounded and the I-frames are barely noticeable and often lead you into getting hit by another mechanic after due to a small 0.5 second breather your character takes after dodging.

Now if you removed the dodge roll mechanic from the game, what would change? Pretty much nothing bar the rare red indicator that tells you "hey you can dodge this," that litters act 1 and then completely disappears from the game after act 2.

Personal fixes:

Firstly, enable dodging through enemies. It's a dodge roll, you shouldn't be stopped by a mob if you are dodge rolling past them, even if we take some damage for doing so. (I am aware there is a unique called Ghostmarch that does this, but the same reason above stills stands. You can easily replace "Dodge Roll passes through Enemies," with "Take no damage for dodge rolling through enemies," which suits the name better imo).

Secondly, extend the duration of I-frames or move the place where the I-frames start.
Just to be absolutely clear, I'm not expecting Elden Ring/Dark Souls level dodges, but I'm also expecting to be able to dodge a mechanic properly and not get punished for doing so, which is how it feels atm.

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Issue 2: Map portals.

Okay so I feel like I'm actually in the minority here but I do like this system, but it's massively over tuned. The current system for those who don't know works like this:
Once you open a map, you get 6 portals spawn for you to enter said map, but if you die you lose the map entirely, along with anything you left in there and all rewards following (with exceptions to other content like Ritual, ect.) While the idea isn't terrible, it was either not well thought out or massively over tuned.

Personal fix:

Tier related portals: There are 16 tiers for maps, so every 4 map tiers you lose a portal and start at the customary 6 tries like you do in PoE1 at T1 maps. This keeps the feel of the game that the devs are after, but also makes it more comfortable for the players. Getting less portals the higher you go makes perfect sense for this game. You are challenging harder content and working through said harder content to get to the end of the game where you are left with 2 portals to challenge that hardest content.

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Issue 3: Being one shot.

This is a REALLY big issue that many people are suffering with. Getting into a map and being instantly one tapped by a skeletal arrowman with an accurate/Extra Crits mod and Increased Physical Damage Aura that's hiding off screen never feels great, but it happens so often that I've come to accept that at least one in every 5 maps is a bust due to me just knowing that I'm going to get one shot by something that I can't see.

Personal fix:

The less enemies there are, the more damage they do. This is in relation to enemies on the map, not the enemies around you. I'm not 100% sold on this idea, but it could work to enable people to at least start a map off and build some steam (on kill effects, ailments, ect).

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Issue 4: Drops.

This is a more personal one but if I'm doing level 70 content, why are level 20-30 items dropping? In a game where you are progressing through content to challenge higher content, I shouldn't be getting a level 20 mace drop when I'm looking for expert gear.

Personal Fix:

Limit gear to area level. Simply put, if I'm in a level 70 crypt map, then level 60-75 gear can spawn. Nothing above or below that except for unique items.

Thanks for taking the time to read through or comment!

About 1) Have you thought on using
Surefooted Sigil Jade Amulet?

Its a Unique with this specialty
`` +1 metre to Dodge Roll distance ``

Never tried myself, but idk it can affect I-frames

"

HeartBeat#6967 wrote:

About 1) Have you thought on using
Surefooted Sigil Jade Amulet?

Its a Unique with this specialty
`` +1 metre to Dodge Roll distance ``

Never tried myself, but idk it can affect I-frames

As it acts as a speed multiplier, maybe it would move the I-frames a little? But I am not sure. It's also a amulet which next to your weapon, is the one of most important slots due to the uniques/mods you can get on good crafted gear.
However even with that, the biggest issue is still the roll blocking on adds.