If you’ve ever tried to read through an entire set of Path of Exile 2 patch notes without your eyes glazing over, you’ll understand the feeling: the mixture of fascination, confusion, and the creeping realization that you may need an extra cup of coffee (or three) just to finish. For many players, the sheer density of these updates makes them easy to close without reading — but for others, diving head-first into every single line is part of the ritual.
Recently, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) dropped another meaty set of patch notes for the upcoming Path of Exile sequel. And when I say “meaty,” I mean the kind of patch notes that could double as a doorstop. Buried inside them are changes that reshape the game’s mechanics, alter the meta, and — in at least one case — delete a skill outright. Yes, sometimes the solution to a long-standing problem is… simply removing it entirely.
As I read through them, I had the help of PCG’s POE 2 Chaos Orbs, Russell Adderson — the man who voluntarily absorbs these changes like an exiled scholar reading the sacred scrolls. His verdict on one of the most surprising changes?
“HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAA… they literally couldn’t figure out how to fix Grim Feast so they just… REMOVED it.”
Pour one out for Grim Feast.
The Fate of Grim Feast
For those unfamiliar, Grim Feast was a skill in Path of Exile 2 that, while flavorful in concept, had some mechanical quirks. In theory, it was supposed to reward players for consuming corpses on the battlefield, granting benefits and feeding into certain dark necromantic builds. In practice, it was a balancing nightmare — powerful in niche situations, frustratingly weak in others, and a headache for developers trying to keep the game’s meta healthy.
The decision to remove it rather than endlessly tweak numbers speaks volumes about GGG’s current design philosophy. They’ve shown a willingness to make bold, decisive cuts to keep the game streamlined rather than bloated with underused or problematic mechanics. It’s a statement that Path of Exile 2 will not be afraid to throw out elements that aren’t working — even if it means breaking a few hearts along the way.
Adderson summed it up in typical gallows humor:
“Pour one out for Grim Feast. It didn’t die… it got deleted from existence.”
Patch Notes as a Cultural Phenomenon
Path of Exile has always been notorious for its War and Peace-length patch notes. The sequel is no different. These aren’t your typical “small bug fixes and performance improvements” kind of updates. No, these are tomes — sprawling encyclopedias of buffs, nerfs, reworks, and obscure changes that make you go, “Wait, was that even a thing before?”
In fact, parsing POE patch notes has become something of a cultural event in the community. Dedicated players dissect every line, theorycrafting how each change might ripple through the meta. Streamers host “patch note reading parties,” and Reddit lights up with threads debating the implications of even the tiniest adjustments.
Russell’s take on the reading experience?
“It’s like drinking from a fire hose. You’re going to drown in information, but if you survive, you’ll come out knowing ten times more about the game than you did before.”
Big Picture Changes
While the deletion of Grim Feast grabbed attention, the latest patch notes contained plenty of other noteworthy changes. Without going line-by-line (or we’d be here until next Tuesday), here are some of the headline adjustments that stood out:
Skill Rebalancing Across the Board
Many core skills have seen adjustments to their damage scaling, mana cost, or utility. GGG is clearly still in the process of shaping POE2’s combat pacing — trying to find that sweet spot where combat feels impactful but not overly spammy.
New Animation Timings
Some abilities now have adjusted wind-up or recovery animations. While this might seem minor, in a game like Path of Exile, animation timing can be the difference between dodging a boss’s attack and watching your character’s health bar implode.
Monster AI Overhaul
Certain enemies have had their behavior tweaked to make encounters more dynamic. Expect more dodges, counterattacks, and the occasional “why is this goatman so smart now?” moment.
Economy and Loot Adjustments
Drop rates for specific crafting materials and uniques have shifted. GGG appears to be experimenting with ways to make loot feel more rewarding while also preserving scarcity.
The Philosophy Behind the Changes
The removal of Grim Feast may seem drastic, but it’s actually emblematic of GGG’s broader design philosophy for Path of Exile 2. This isn’t just a sequel for the sake of more content — it’s a chance to rethink some of the inherited design baggage from POE1.
In POE1, certain skills and mechanics survived for years despite being largely ignored by the player base. In the sequel, GGG seems intent on cutting dead weight early. By removing underperforming systems before the game fully launches, they avoid the need for years of awkward retrofits and balance band-aids.
As Adderson put it:
“Better to kill a bad skill in beta than have it limp along for a decade.”
Community Reactions
Whenever major patch notes drop, the Path of Exile community lights up with reactions — some celebratory, some salty, and many delightfully sarcastic.
The Grim Feast removal sparked everything from mock eulogies to memes of the skill being “Thanos-snapped” out of the skill tree. Others took a more serious angle, debating whether removal is a sign of decisive design or a failure to solve balancing challenges.
On Reddit, one player joked:
“Grim Feast didn’t die, it ascended to the realm of skills that only exist in old YouTube build guides.”
Meanwhile, another argued:
“This is actually good. Skills that don’t work just get in the way. I’d rather see more focused design.”
Why These Notes Matter
Patch notes might seem like a niche obsession, but in a game like Path of Exile 2, they’re an early roadmap for where the game is headed. They reveal the developers’ priorities, their willingness to listen to feedback, and their readiness to make bold adjustments before launch.
They also give players a chance to prepare — whether that means rethinking a build, planning a new skill combo, or just accepting that their beloved niche playstyle may no longer exist.
For those deeply invested in POE2’s development, reading patch notes isn’t just about information. It’s about participating in an ongoing conversation between developers and the community. Every change sparks debate, every removal forces adaptation, and every buff inspires new theories.
Looking Ahead
With Path of Exile 2 Orbs still in testing, these kinds of sweeping changes are likely to continue. Skills will come and go, mechanics will be tweaked or overhauled, and the meta will shift repeatedly before launch day. If history is any guide, the patch notes will only get longer and more elaborate from here.
For the casual observer, that might be overwhelming. For the dedicated exile, it’s part of the thrill. Every change is a puzzle piece, and each patch notes release is another glimpse at the bigger picture GGG is assembling.
As Russell Adderson reminds me:
“It’s chaos now, but this is the chaos that builds the foundation of the final game. Enjoy the wild west while it lasts.”
Final Thoughts
Path of Exile 2’s latest patch notes are a perfect example of the game’s complex, ever-shifting development landscape. They showcase GGG’s willingness to take risks, trim the fat, and refine the game’s identity before launch. Yes, it means saying goodbye to skills like Grim Feast — but it also means a healthier, more focused game in the long run.
So, whether you’re the type to skim the highlights or the type to comb through every bullet point, one thing’s for sure: POE2’s journey from patch notes to full release will be anything but dull.
And as for Grim Feast? Well… in the words of Russell:
“Gone, but never forgotten. Actually, wait — give it two patches and half the player base will forget it ever existed.”
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