Frustration with the Current EXP System for Solo Melee Players

The current EXP-loss system is downright frustrating. For melee builds that have to dive into close combat but don’t yet hit hard—because our levels refuse to climb—it’s brutal. Playing solo makes it even worse. I have no team, no friends to carry me, and the constant EXP loss makes progress feel impossible.

I understand wanting to keep the game balanced so players don’t finish too quickly, but making level-ups this slow just feels like standing still. Good gear I’ve worked hard to collect sits in my stash because I can’t meet the level requirements. Is the design supposed to force low-level players to be carried by high-level friends who farm all day and then breeze through lower areas? That makes no sense for those of us who want to climb on our own.

I’ve supported this game since Early Access, but at this point I might have to take a long break. I’ve tried farming for better loot and even copied top-player builds, but the Invoker class feels way too fragile. Compared to mages or archers—who can stand safely at range and still hit like a truck—Invoker is heavily disadvantaged. I admit the game still has plenty of fun aspects, but with the current EXP system, I’m seriously considering quitting.

With sadness i need to say, if you want fairness for the melees you should be playing this game. I wish they would consider melee when they design the game, BUT they just ignore it, just see how the f they did release even a pre-release version of the game without swords... no swords in a fantasy game...

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PATIPSa#1401 a écrit :

Is the design supposed to force low-level players to be carried by high-level friends who farm all day and then breeze through lower areas?

Most player rather a Melee or caster or ranger don't farm low level zones as it don't bring any exp any faster once they hit lvl threshold, in the endgame once you hit lvl 70 to 80 you should have at least a functioning build going on along with gears which has resistances. I am a melee player currently in lvl 95 and i died way less in endgame then I died in campaign + interlude, and i never get paired with any group to play.

Hihi,

One of the top 30 Warbringers on softcore here, picture for reference:

EDIT: Figured I'd also find it prudent to mention I'm a solo player as well, no guild carry, nothing. This is my league starting character and I've not made a new one



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Is there something in particular your Invoker is struggling with? Is it surviving, killing, or both?

If you give the details, we can probably figure it out, especially with Falling Thunder, LA Invoker, and Ice Strike Invoker being in such strong spots right now, I'm certain you probably have some unfilled gaps kicking around in your build that we can look at

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RipperCrock#4730 a écrit :

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PATIPSa#1401 a écrit :

Is the design supposed to force low-level players to be carried by high-level friends who farm all day and then breeze through lower areas?

Most player rather a Melee or caster or ranger don't farm low level zones as it don't bring any exp any faster once they hit lvl threshold, in the endgame once you hit lvl 70 to 80 you should have at least a functioning build going on along with gears which has resistances. I am a melee player currently in lvl 95 and i died way less in endgame then I died in campaign + interlude, and i never get paired with any group to play.

You might just have better gear than him, which is a matter of luck, not skill.
Melee in this game is literally the worst experience you can have in a game UNLESS you have been lucky with the gear or playing some unintended interaction.

I understand what you said, but your experience (neither the other players) doesn't nullify OP's. This is a problem for players that just want to experience the game without watching 30 mins videos explaining a build or read long confusing texts in third party websites.
The game should just be prepared to offer a good experience to them, too.

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ThreeBelowZero#2968 a écrit :

You might just have better gear than him, which is a matter of luck, not skill.
Melee in this game is literally the worst experience you can have in a game UNLESS you have been lucky with the gear or playing some unintended interaction.

I understand what you said, but your experience (neither the other players) doesn't nullify OP's. This is a problem for players that just want to experience the game without watching 30 mins videos explaining a build or read long confusing texts in third party websites.
The game should just be prepared to offer a good experience to them, too.

I'd call this a bit of a disingenuous stance to take. Every ARPG offers a learning curve, and PoE2, while simpler than PoE1, still has a very serious knowledge check. Part of the game is learning how to answer problems, and gearing is one of them. You're either intentionally or unintentionally disregarding that crafting exists in PoE2 and still has complexities to it, with the crafting being so deterministic in 0.3, it's really not a matter of luck but rather managing resources.

My build on a 60 exalt starting budget (From selling whetstones found in the campaign, I might add) went to T15 on the first day as a result of the crafting power in this league.

If PATI is thinking of quitting as a result of finding it difficult to progress their Invoker, it serves them better to actually answer the root of their problem, not reinforce the thought that it's a hopeless venture, because it's not.

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ThreeBelowZero#2968 a écrit :

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RipperCrock#4730 a écrit :

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PATIPSa#1401 a écrit :

Is the design supposed to force low-level players to be carried by high-level friends who farm all day and then breeze through lower areas?

Most player rather a Melee or caster or ranger don't farm low level zones as it don't bring any exp any faster once they hit lvl threshold, in the endgame once you hit lvl 70 to 80 you should have at least a functioning build going on along with gears which has resistances. I am a melee player currently in lvl 95 and i died way less in endgame then I died in campaign + interlude, and i never get paired with any group to play.

You might just have better gear than him, which is a matter of luck, not skill.
Melee in this game is literally the worst experience you can have in a game UNLESS you have been lucky with the gear or playing some unintended interaction.

I understand what you said, but your experience (neither the other players) doesn't nullify OP's. This is a problem for players that just want to experience the game without watching 30 mins videos explaining a build or read long confusing texts in third party websites.
The game should just be prepared to offer a good experience to them, too.

I am not saying Melee in poe 2 don't have issues, just stating what can be look at if a player is struggling to keep their character alive, yes in .3 the massive melee destroyer is the shadewalker abyss monster and i made a post about it a few day or a week or so ago, that dosent mean i stopped, if OP is playing in softcore, it's easier to find semi good to good gear to equip by simply just trading and in .3 unless op or anyone going for the best gears it's cheap to find good gears for the build they are going, also crafting is super good now to get the gears for yourself or for selling, heck finding one or two exceptional bases can bring you so much currency which can just make anyone powerful enough to handle anything in the game now. Gear check is where everything stands. No one should just think i reach endgame now i am fine, game has a lot of resistance mechanic going on which players need to find their sweet spot to find the mix and balance their dmg and resistance while gearing.

Edit: Forgot to mention, i am playing ice invoker, and the most expensive item in my gears is the boots for movement which cost me 2 div. Rest comes from crafting, and some early season trading.

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PATIPSa#1401 a écrit :

Invoker is heavily disadvantaged.

Invoker is one of the strongest classes in the game. Here is the build of the guy who posted his character:

https://poe.ninja/poe2/builds/abyss/character/MathiasSoul-7397/KriosTheKing

Without seeing your build, my guess is that the differences are things you don't consider important, like defense against critical hits, or defense against slows.

It's like chess. It isn't good enough to attack. You also have to stop what your opponent can do to you.

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DistributedAutomaton#5739 a écrit :

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PATIPSa#1401 a écrit :

Invoker is heavily disadvantaged.

Invoker is one of the strongest classes in the game. Here is the build of the guy who posted his character:

https://poe.ninja/poe2/builds/abyss/character/MathiasSoul-7397/KriosTheKing

Without seeing your build, my guess is that the differences are things you don't consider important, like defense against critical hits, or defense against slows.

It's like chess. It isn't good enough to attack. You also have to stop what your opponent can do to you.

Oh no no, I'm by no means posting that as a complaint about my build, my EHP in combat is actually way way higher than what's shown on PoE Ninja. I was just crediting top 30 to state that I can actually help if OP gives details

Edit: Wait am I totally misunderstanding something here, or are you just also using me as reference to help OP? Hahahaha

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MathiasSoul#7397 a écrit :

are you just also using me as reference to help OP? Hahahaha

^ That.

I think OP built a glass cannon and doesn't realize it.