SSF scarcity feels legit. Seems to be the only legitimate arpg on the market.

I initially uninstalled PoE1. Only came back to it a few years later because of Ruthless. Both D4 and PoE2 released trailers years in advance promising meaningful gameplay and real tactical arpg combat. But I ended up avoiding D4 based on hearing bad things about it compromising its integrity to satisfy power levelers. The main campaign of an arpg is the main attraction for all users. Which should never be compromised for anything. I heard the opposite of PoE2 so I gave it a try. And it has been great so far.

I would like to ask the developers to explain how the game is being balanced between SSF and trade. Because I seem to be getting told all kinds of different information from different users.

SSF (or simply playing Standard without trading) feels perfectly fine in regards to drop rates and scarcity. Both modes are the same game. Just that one has trade. However, playing the game without trading (SSF) simply feels like I am playing a real arpg for a change. The loot I am getting is sufficient. Even if it was more scarce, it would be fine.

It just seems like SSF is more of a baseline in regards to balance. And Trade mode gives an advantage over that balance. Which would make it a bit imbalanced for the purpose of that advantage, but not outlandish. Rather than the notion of the game being balanced for Trade as the baseline, but SSF being the one imbalanced as if some kind of deficit. However, the balance in SSF is exactly what deficit and scarcity in a legitimate arpg would be closer to.

That aside. I am appreciative to have a legit arpg. And continue to hope it doesn't transmogrify and turn into a circus like other games. There is nothing more important to the vast majority of users than a meaningful progression experience. Where gameplay at each level is an actual challenge. Where loot and exp is never superfluous, but limited so that you have to work with what you have.

What do you mean by "balance between SSF and trade"?

They are the same except for trade and party. Same drop rate, same skills mechanics, etc.

Devs probably "balance" the game around trade league. SSF is just a challenge (harder). The same way that it is balanced around SC, while and HC is just a challenge.

SSF only exists because some people playing trade league started to make their own ladder and were using a "SSF" in front of the char's name for being able to filter it in the ranking.

Like this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/pathofexile/comments/5en3uy/unofficial_ssf_ladder_for_25_breach/).

Then later GGG made it a official ladder as there was a clear demand and it was easy to implement. So I doubt that really care about balance between trade and SSF and won't go out of their way to do anything about it and, in my opinion, they shouldn't. It was a player initiative after all, not GGG's.