Grinding Gear Games has officially confirmed that Path of Exile 2 update 0.4.0 - The Last of the Druids - launches on December 12th, bringing the long-awaited Druid class, new endgame features, balance changes, and system refinements. Early trailers hint at a sizeable content drop, but many of the game's core systems still lack the polish or depth players expect. With community feedback at an all-time high, update 0.4.0 represents a major opportunity for GGG to address long-standing issues that are holding the endgame back.

Below is a full breakdown of the four most important systems that Path of Exile 2: The Last of the Druids needs to overhaul-including Trials, the Atlas system, Delve, and performance stability.

Trials, Atlas, Delve & Performance: What PoE 2 0.4.0 Must Fix

1. Trials of Ascendancy - Overly Punishing, Unfair, and Disconnected

Path of Exile 2's new Trials of Ascendancy were designed to replace PoE 1's trap-filled labyrinths with skill-based combat encounters. However, the current Trials feel inconsistent, overly punishing, and disconnected from the rest of the game's systems.

The Honor Problem in the Trial of the Sekhemas

One of the biggest pain points is the Honor mechanic, which reduces your Honor score each time you take damage-even from small, unavoidable hits. Many builds simply cannot avoid chip damage, making the system feel like it punishes build choice instead of rewarding skill.

When you die in a Trial, the consequences are severe:

·You lose all loot gained during the run

·You lose all currency acquired

·You restart from the beginning with no recovery options

While PoE is known for high-stakes gameplay, this level of punishment feels outdated in an era where the rest of the game encourages fast, smooth progression.

Trial of Chaos - Mechanics That Don't Belong

The Trial of Chaos includes mechanics rarely seen anywhere else in the game, such as:

·Random petrification effects

·Forced mobility lockouts

·Heavy weakening curses

These elements appear suddenly and without clear telegraphing, making encounters feel chaotic rather than skill-driven. The lack of familiarity also makes these fights feel disjointed, as if they were pulled from a different ARPG entirely.

Difficulty Driven by RNG Instead of Skill

Trials vary wildly in difficulty depending on:

·Your build archetype

·Randomized room layouts

·Modifier combinations

High-evasion builds often breeze through encounters, while armor-based or slower builds struggle regardless of player mastery. This inconsistency undermines the idea that the Trials are fair, competitive challenge modes.

If update 0.4.0 does not address these issues, Trials risk becoming one of the most disliked systems in PoE 2's early lifecycle.

2. Atlas System Overhaul - Currently Too Narrow and Restrictive

The Atlas system is a central pillar of Path of Exile 2's endgame-but in its current form, the system imposes severe restrictions on player choice.

Only 40 Atlas Points = Limited Creativity

Players currently only receive 40 Atlas points, forcing them to:

·Lock into one narrow optimal route

·Ignore entire sections of the Atlas

·Repeat the same farming strategies endlessly

This restricts creativity, experimentation, and builds diversity-especially for players farming Path of Exile 2 Currency through specialized strategies.

Atlas Tree Needs More Build-Defining Options

Players consistently request:

·More branching passive choices

·More distinct farming specializations

·Additional unique Atlas notables

·Better synergy with other endgame systems

PoE 2 could benefit greatly from the more expansive, flexible Atlas design of PoE 1. With 0.4.0 introducing the Druid class and new progression paths, an Atlas update feels both timely and necessary.

3. Delve - Lacking the Depth and Strategy of PoE 1

Delve was one of Path of Exile 1's most beloved endgame systems, providing infinite depth scaling, biome rewards, and resource management. In PoE 2, Delve feels stripped-down and directionless.

No Strategic Decision-Making

PoE 1's Delve featured meaningful choices:

·Whether to push depth or explore biomes

·When to spend Sulphite

·How to plan efficient traversal routes

PoE 2's Delve, by comparison, feels like a series of disconnected nodes with little strategic weight. Players simply move forward without planning or resource management.

Lack of Integration With the Atlas

PoE 2 attempts to unify endgame systems around the Atlas-but currently, Delve remains an island with minimal synergy or progression overlap. This isolates it from the rest of the endgame and reduces replay value.

What Delve Needs in 0.4.0

For Delve to reach its potential, update 0.4.0 needs to deliver:

·A deeper, more engaging progression loop

·Stronger ties to the Atlas system

·Meaningful biome-based rewards

·Difficulty scaling that rewards high-end play

These improvements will especially benefit players pushing depth farming strategies or looking to buy POE2 Currency to scale endgame builds.

4. Performance Optimization - The Most Urgent Fix Needed

Despite improvements, performance issues remain one of the biggest concerns leading into 0.4.0.

Players continue to report:

·Frame drops in dense enemy packs

·Stuttering during seasonal mechanics

·Crashes in high-population zones

·Poor stability on console versions

For a fast-paced ARPG, consistent performance isn't just a quality-of-life feature-it's critical for fair gameplay and hardcore character viability.

Why Optimization Must Be a Priority

A smoother, more stable engine impacts:

·Endgame bossing

·Hardcore leagues

·Seasonal player retention

·Build variety

·Overall combat responsiveness

With the massive Druid update arriving, GGG cannot afford for performance issues to overshadow new content.

Conclusion: What Path of Exile 2 0.4.0 Needs to Deliver

As Path of Exile 2 prepares for the December 12th launch of The Last of the Druids, players expect more than just a new class. To meet community expectations, update 0.4.0 must deliver:

·A fair, skill-based Trial overhaul

·A flexible, rewarding Atlas system

·A deeper, more strategic Delve experience

·Major performance improvements across all platforms

If Grinding Gear Games addresses these critical areas, PoE 2 will enter 2025 with significantly stronger endgame foundations-and renewed player excitement for the seasons ahead.