Can you increase the difficulty? Game too easy now.

Hey,

So... the game has been far too easy for a while now. This is pretty sad. It sucks the fun out of it. Makes the gameplay too fast, leagues aren't active too long, all items are close to worthless. And now we're getting 2 more ascendancy points to make things worse...

Please increase the difficulty again. Reduce player damage, everybody is overpowered.
Reduce droprates. Increase master craft costs. It's far too easy to gear up and fix your resists.

Drastic changes are not going to happen I'm aware of that, but some adjustments are definitely needed. Otherwise the game will become more and more stale, and boring, as everything loses its meaning and value.

Thanks for reading.

EDIT: OK, so this thread kinda blew up - I totally didn't expect any serious discussion tbh, just made this as quick feedback for GGG. So initially I didn't go into any detail whatsoever explaining my points etc. Couple of things:

1) I'm NOT looking for self-imposed handicaps, I want THE GAME to challenge me!
This is in reply to things like: use less skill points/use weaker gear/or even, roll harder maps. No, that doesn't make sense. I want the game to be reasonably challenging for the vast majority of players AT BASELINE. Example: an act boss in Merciless(that you need to take out to progress) that keeps you on your toes is a healthy challenge. Something that's totally optional, is NOT. Rolling hard maps is also optional, it's just managing risk vs. reward, mostly.

I won't get into any specific build discussions because that's beside the point. I'm sure the devs are aware that PoE is way, WAY too complex for perfect balance to be attainable. That said, of course they should strive for a reasonably balanced game.
But, regardless of build/gear, the difficulty level of the game for your average PoE player has strayed so far away from what it used to be, it's hard to believe. Correct me if I'm wrong, but PoE was marketed from the beginning as a 'hardcore' and punishing, unforgiving experience. We barely see that anymore, as everything is killed in a blink of an eye even with mediocre build/gear.
I think it's sad that a core feature like that has been compromised. I understand that appealing to a wider audience helps GGG to expand their business, and that's okay. That's why I wouldn't ask, and frankly wouldn't expect any drastic changes. I'm asking for slight adjustments - if nothing else, to make up for the Ascendancy power creep.

2) The game is too fast. I explain why this is a problem.
Now, do I enjoy speed? Of course. BUT, here is the thing. The average killspeed in the game has gotten so quick, that mobs have no chance to even deal any damage.
Let me just quote somebody here from this thread, who put it very well:

"

Frankenberry a écrit :

Notice how people often complain about Frost- / Flame- / shockbearers + Volatile Blood + Reflect + Porcupines because those are almost the only thing left in the game that actually can hurt you... mobs dealing damage after you killed them. Because nothing ever gets the chance to actually shoot / hit you when we kill things as fast as we are currently.

3) Gearing up is too easy.
This is a huge topic but I'll try to keep it short. So, I think the biggest issue is master crafting. I've witnessed the perpetual decline of the value of items after Masters patch.
Before that, I remember often having to farm or trade, preparing for Merc Vaal to be capped on light res - a lot has changed since. Now you can just slap light res on a few items even with low level masters, if you have an issue, and you're good to go. This is convenient, no doubt, but removes the incentive for trading or stalling your progression a little bit.
There's a lot more to this but I don't wanna make it too long. Master crafting is insanely powerful, it's comparable to exalting, and the costs are too cheap.
Oh yea, there have also been changes over time such as making fusing links easier - these lead to players requiring little to no currency in order to get to maps; that's just not right and it really hurts the economy.
Also I understand that a lot of convenience changes are great for self-found players(I'm not into that but I pretty much only solo), and that's fine, but you have to acknowledge that this game puts a huge emphasis on trading, hence random loot.


I'm tired, I might add more thoughts later.
Thanks to everyone who kept it civilized and provided valuable input, appreciate it.

No.

don't worry op, with prophecy buffing trash uniques the game's only gonna get easier. i've now given up any hope of seeing improvements to difficulty. it seems like ggg favors the "more speed more power less threats to life" - ideology pretty strongly.

Use half of your skill points.

Stop playing cookie cutter meta builds.
/end thread

Just play CI without ES nodes, that should up the difficulty for you.

Too easy to gear up you say? Wear only magic gear, this way you could even take advantage of the jewel "Hidden Potential".

Think outside the box man :).

OK, to all the troll shitposters:

1) I don't play 'cookie cutter' builds. I've been playing summoner almost exclusively since open beta, when it used to be extremely gimmicky and inconvenient. I play what I enjoy and find cool.

2) I'm NOT looking for SELF-IMPOSED penalties. This must be difficult for you guys to grasp. Why would I penalize myself when everybody else will not, or most ppl will not. That makes no sense and also doesn't help the game overall! I want the game to be slightly more challenging for EVERYONE across the board. I don't think it's too much to ask for, and I also doubt you guys can bring any proper arguments to the table against it, especially considering the Ascendancy power creep.

It is quite obvious that the reason for this direction GGG has taken, is that they think the game appeals to a wider audience now, thus increasing revenue and the ability to grow the company. I do not necessarily agree with that, and I don't think the core features of this game - marketed as 'hardcore' and challenging from the start - should be compromised.

"

I_NO a écrit :

No.

Great arguments.

"

traax87 a écrit :

Stop playing cookie cutter meta builds.
/end thread

just make iw elemental hit pointblank totem build and enjoy, ye?


PS i quit, because it's too easy.
PSS beyond one love.

#MakePoEGreatAgain