Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.2.0g – Major Loot System Overhaul and Quality Improvements

The Grinding Gear Games team is responding directly to player feedback with Patch 0.2.0g, bringing one of the most impactful updates since the launch of Path of Exile 2. After many complaints about unrewarding drops and underwhelming loot systems, this patch introduces a complete rework of item rarity mechanics and improvements across various game systems.

Although the patch was briefly rolled back due to technical issues, GGG confirmed its redeployment for Thursday, May 1st (PDT). Let’s break down everything coming with this update:

Item Drop Rework – Focused on Quality, Not Quantity

GGG aims to reduce loot clutter by emphasizing Item Rarity over Item Quantity. They want each drop to feel meaningful, especially in challenging content. Here's what’s changing:

•  Unique bosses will no longer drop Normal items, except a few during the early acts.

• Rare Gold drops have been halved. When you roll a Rare item now, you're more likely to get Rare Equipment or Rare Currency. Gold piles are larger to balance the total gold received.

• Currency and utility item drops (like flasks, charms, runes) are much less likely to appear from high-rarity monsters. Instead, you'll see 20–30% more Rare Currency (Exalts, Alchs, Regals, etc).

• Tier 2 Rare items drop 4x more often, and Tiers 3–5 drop 30% more often.

• Tiered Magic items now drop 5x more often, with better affix filtering—higher tiers drop better mods more consistently.

• These changes significantly enhance the quality of loot across the game, especially in tougher encounters.

Important: To avoid making Player Item Rarity stats too powerful, GGG reduced the effectiveness of Rarity mods on gear and on Maps.

Unique Boss Drop Protection

Even with high rarity stats, bosses could still drop underwhelming items due to RNG. That’s changing:

• All Unique Bosses (except a few in Act 1) will now always drop a guaranteed Rare item.

• In the campaign, this guaranteed item only drops the first time you kill the boss. On maps, it’s guaranteed every time.

Azmerian Wisps – Finally Worth It

Wisps were underwhelming due to weak rarity scaling. That’s fixed:

• Monsters possessed by Azmerian Wisps now always drop a Rare item.

• A bug affecting the first Wisp in Grelwood was fixed, ensuring correct Rarity and Quantity stats.

Rare and Magic Chests – Much More Rewarding

GGG is making chests more exciting and worthwhile:

• Magic chests now guarantee at least a Magic item and have greatly increased Rarity and Quantity

• Rare chests guarantee at least a Rare item and are even more rewarding in Cruel and Endgame (up to +100%).

• Map mods no longer increase chest spawn chance but instead guarantee a fixed number of Magic or Rare chests.

Even with fewer chests spawning overall, the average loot quality is now much higher, especially in the Endgame.

Strongboxes – Boosted and More Consistent

Strongboxes now align with Rare Chests in power:

• Guaranteed Rare item, boosted Quantity/Rarity, even more in Cruel/Endgame.

• Researcher’s Strongboxes now drop Rare Currency more often.

• Item count is more consistent.

• Mods boosting Rarity were recalibrated (same effect, smaller displayed value).

Sekhema Trials – Better Key Rewards and Loot

After community disappointment, GGG made big changes:

• Bronze chests are now like Rare chests in the main campaign.

• Silver/Gold chests offer much higher Rarity and Quantity.

• Arcanist and Royal chests are more common and drop better loot.

• More chances to earn Silver and Gold keys instead of Bronze.

Trial of Chaos – More Valuable Rewards

Corrupted rewards were no longer appealing. Now:

• Higher levels of the Trial phase out Corrupted Rares and replace them with Rare Currency stacks.

• Monsters in the Trial no longer drop Corrupted gear.

Expedition – Better Loot, Fixed Bugs

Expedition chests were updated to match endgame loot quality:

• Magic and Rare chests now give better loot.

• Normal chests improved as well.

• Expedition Remnant mods now multiply correctly.

• Rewards from Remnants were buffed.

• Artifact drops doubled, and Exotic Coinage increased by 50%.

Delirium – Deeper Means Better Now

Going deeper into the fog is now worth it:

• Item Rarity per depth was significantly increased (about 2.5x higher than before).

Easier Access to Pinnacle Content

GGG also boosted access to endgame bosses:

• Breach Splinters drop 50% more often.

• Delirium Splinters drop 80% more.

• Ritual encounters are 50% more likely to offer a chance to meet the King.

Corrupted Nexus – Faster Atlas Progression

The Atlas tree just got easier to complete:

• Each Corrupted Nexus now gives 5 passive points.

• They’re now easier to spot on the Atlas, even in fog.

Conclusion:

Patch 0.2.0g represents a huge leap forward in player experience and endgame progression. By addressing the long-standing loot concerns and rebalancing core reward mechanics, Grinding Gear Games is showing clear dedication to their player base.

Stay tuned to PoE Builds for more updates, build guides, and expert insights as we dive deeper into Path of Exile 2!