This week, we welcomed Path of Exile 2 patch 0.3.1, which introduces significant changes compared to previous versions. First, you no longer have to search for towers on the map. Towers now only clear the fog of war from the map and provide additional tablets upon completion.
This inevitably brings changes to the gameplay landscape. With the new farming methods, the most efficient ways to farm maps and the locations where you can earn more rewards have also changed. This means that previously easy farming activities may now become more difficult.
After testing and gathering player feedback, I've summarized some of my experiences. In this post, I'll share my experiences and recommendations regarding Precursor Tablets, Waystones, and Endgame.
Precursor Tablets
First, I'll discuss the changes to Precursor Tablets, as they are the most important and attract the most attention from players.
Previously, Precursor Tablets increased the difficulty and rewards of maps around certain towers, so they were only usable on towers. In PoE 20.3.1, this feature has been removed. Tablets can now be used on all maps.
It's important to note that tablets are now significantly different from before. They now have a 10-use limit, and once they are used up, they are destroyed. You can't use them on a map you've already failed, and you can only use one tablet per map.
If your Waystones have additional modifiers, you can open more tablet slots, but the maximum is three. What impact will this change have?
Rarity, quantity, and rare monsters are the most important factors for most players, as they are closely related to the quality and quantity of dropped items.
From the modifiers in PoE 2 0.3.1 patch data, you can see the following:
- Brimming modifier's effect on rare monsters was previously 10-15, but after the update, it has increased to 15-40.
- Collector's modifier's effect on rarity was previously 7-10, but is now 10-30.
- Plundering modifier's effect on quantity was previously 3-7, but is now 4-10.
Using rarity as an example, previously, if you had three towers and nine tables, each providing a 10% rarity boost, you'd get a 90% boost. However, this only applied to one map node.
Now, you have three buff tables. Each table provides a 30% boost, giving you a 90% boost. This means that the rarity of items on our Precursors' tables will increase, reducing the amount of map you need to farm.
As a result, after the update, the value of the items you receive will be higher than before. Therefore, when setting up your map, I recommend loading Waystones from Map Device first, then selecting the buff tables that increase rarity. This will increase the value of your loot and PoE 2 Currency.
Best Waystones
For Waystones, I think you need to invest as much Juice as possible, as the more you invest, the greater the reward.
In Path of Exile 2 0.3.1, the risk-reward ratio for Waystones has been increased. This means the more Juice you invest, the more items you'll receive, and the more useful items you'll receive.
However, please note that if your current skill level isn't very high, your build isn't very strong, and you don't have good clearing skills on a level 15 map, I recommend not overusing your map, as the chances of failure are high, and if you fail, you won't be able to use Tablets on that map.
Therefore, I recommend farming within your skill level, as this will maximize your loot. Therefore, I don't recommend using Waystones to gain quantity, as this will require a higher skill level.
If your equipment is already rare enough, you may not need to add buffs to Waystones. However, if you insist on adding them, that's fine. It will just increase the difficulty of the map.
So what if your map isn't high quality? The simplest solution is to trade it in for a more valuable map. However, this will cost you a significant amount of POE 2 Exalted Orbs.
Alternatively, you can upgrade your map yourself by enabling additional modifiers. Using Chaotic Rarity, you can upgrade the modifiers in the affected area, replacing them with modifiers that increase item rarity, thereby increasing the potential of your loot.
Also, Preserve Vertebrae can be used. It adds Desecrated modifier to rare Waystones, increasing the number of rare monsters.
Another item you should be aware of is Diluted Liquid Ire, which acts as a Liquid Emotion and can be used to modifier Waystones. This increases Magic Monsters by 20%, thereby increasing the drop rate of rare monsters.
Endgame Content
As mentioned above, a tower requires three Tables slots. However, if you add a Tablet with a special effect, you'll lose one slot. This reduces the benefits of using special Tablets.
It's no secret that the best way to farm Ritual is to use Ritual Unique Tablet.
However, this will reduce the item drop rate in the map you're viewing, negating all the tablet's benefits. This is more cost-effective than using it, so we don't recommend it.
The same applies to Expeditions. If you want to increase the fun of your Expedition exploration, you'll sacrifice loot in other parts of the map.
Another option is Delirium. Using Delirium on Waystones forces you to pass through a mirror, which will cause you to lose all Delirium buffs and approximately 30% of your extra rare monsters.
So, I think the best Endgame is Breach. Not just because of the unique tablet, but also because of the Irradiator Tablet. You can use it when you're strong enough. When used, it raises the map's level by one, increasing the difficulty but giving you greater rewards.
Another advantage is running two Irradiated Breaches. Now all items on the map are dropping, allowing you to quickly farm the map and get a lot of loot.
These are some of my experiences and suggestions from playing Path of Exile 2 patch 0.3.1. I hope you find them useful. If you have other ideas, please share them.
