ReedmoorbookThis is a feedback video on the biggest problems with defensive balance in Path of Exile 2 that need to be addressed in 0.5. I look at the relationship between active and passive defensive layers and the unmet expectations of players when making and playing their builds.
I offer a few suggestions on changes that can be made but ultimately its an analysis on the problems that I see and why they exist.
I welcome any feedback, whether you agree or disagree in the comments but just remember, as always, be kind, it's just a game.
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:19 Overview of Problems 06:01 Why are defences not balanced? 07:00 Active & Passive Defensive Layer Overview 11:11 Build Archetypes 15:38 Max Hit vs. EHP 18:16 The Glass Cannon Meta 20:45 Content Types & Gameplay 24:15 Dodge Roll 26:49 Melee vs. Ranged Gameplay 30:02 Boss Gameplay 31:30 Player Deaths and Punishment 33:58 Summary 34:45 Outro
Thanks to youtube.com/@BlazeworksTV for making the thumbnail for this video, he's a great creator and a standout in the POE 2 community.
POE 2s BIGGEST DEFENCE PROBLEMS must be solved in 0.5Reedmoorbook2026-04-14 | This is a feedback video on the biggest problems with defensive balance in Path of Exile 2 that need to be addressed in 0.5. I look at the relationship between active and passive defensive layers and the unmet expectations of players when making and playing their builds.
I offer a few suggestions on changes that can be made but ultimately its an analysis on the problems that I see and why they exist.
I welcome any feedback, whether you agree or disagree in the comments but just remember, as always, be kind, it's just a game.
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:19 Overview of Problems 06:01 Why are defences not balanced? 07:00 Active & Passive Defensive Layer Overview 11:11 Build Archetypes 15:38 Max Hit vs. EHP 18:16 The Glass Cannon Meta 20:45 Content Types & Gameplay 24:15 Dodge Roll 26:49 Melee vs. Ranged Gameplay 30:02 Boss Gameplay 31:30 Player Deaths and Punishment 33:58 Summary 34:45 Outro
Thanks to youtube.com/@BlazeworksTV for making the thumbnail for this video, he's a great creator and a standout in the POE 2 community.
Galvanic Shards for clear, Stormblast Bolts/Shockburst Rounds for single target. Will try out hybrid evasion/armour with deflect. If he survives into endgame I will probably transition to gemling to see how it feels with the new alternative quality bonuses for the lightning skills.
Galvanic Shards for clear, Stormblast Bolts/Shockburst Rounds for single target. Will try out hybrid evasion/armour with deflect. If he survives into endgame I will probably transition to gemling to see how it feels with the new alternative quality bonuses for the lightning skills.
Galvanic Shards for clear, Stormblast Bolts/Shockburst Rounds for single target. Will try out hybrid evasion/armour with deflect. If he survives into endgame I will probably transition to gemling to see how it feels with the new alternative quality bonuses for the lightning skills.
discord.gg/7dG6dJb4eySlay The Spire 2 | Rotating Streak: 5+ | Ascension 10Reedmoorbook2026-07-28 | Waiting for THC league to start so playing some STS 2, seeing how far I can get with a rotating streak, started the stream on a 4 win streak with Necrobinder next up.HCSSF Endgame | Galvanic Tactician | POE 2 0.5Reedmoorbook2026-07-26 | Time to start fresh on HCSSF, going to be building a lightning based tactician to practice for THC league at the end of the month, this will be the base character for HCSSF, no solid build plan yet, I just pick up defensive and crossbow nodes and hope for the best. Galvanic Shards for clear, Stormblast Bolts/Shockburst Rounds for single target. Will try out hybrid evasion/armour with deflect. If he survives into endgame I will probably transition to gemling to see how it feels with the new alternative quality bonuses for the lightning skills.
discord.gg/7dG6dJb4eyHCSSF Fresh Start | Galvanic Shards Tactician | POE 2 0.5Reedmoorbook2026-07-07 | Time to start fresh on HCSSF, going to be building a lightning based tactician to practice for THC league at the end of the month, this will be the base character for HCSSF, no solid build plan yet, I just pick up defensive and crossbow nodes and hope for the best. Galvanic Shards for clear, Stormblast Bolts/Shockburst Rounds for single target. Will try out hybrid evasion/armour with deflect and the new nodes. If he survives into endgame I will probably transition to gemling to see how it feels with the new alternative quality bonuses for the lightning skills.
discord.gg/7dG6dJb4eyHCSSF Fresh Start | Galvanic Shards Tactician | POE 2 0.5Reedmoorbook2026-07-06 | Time to start fresh on HCSSF, going to be building a lightning based tactician to practice for THC league at the end of the month, this will be the base character for HCSSF, no solid build plan yet, I just pick up defensive and crossbow nodes and hope for the best. Galvanic Shards for clear, Stormblast Bolts/Shockburst Rounds for single target. Will try out hybrid evasion/armour with deflect and the new nodes. If he survives into endgame I will probably transition to gemling to see how it feels with the new alternative quality bonuses for the lightning skills.
discord.gg/7dG6dJb4ey3:24 Alt Campaign | Run&Gun build for Any Class | POE 2 0.5Reedmoorbook2026-07-05 | Using my "any class" Run & Gun alt leveling setup I ran 3 hour 24 minute campaign with all permanent buffs, for this attempt I'll be using druid which has a poor starting position on the tree for the run and gun play style.
I have not learned the layouts of the campaign so the run is based on the power of the build and some intuition on which direction to go through many previous campaign runs, I will likely get lost sometimes and I still don't know the most efficient packs to kill.
My previous fastest alt campaign run has been 3 hours 45 minutes.
discord.gg/7dG6dJb4eyEndgame Testing | Periphery Martial Artist | !discord !ninjaReedmoorbook2026-06-22 | final optimisations to get periphery comfortably doing 200% delirious
discord.gg/7dG6dJb4eyEndgame Testing | Periphery Martial Artist | !discord !ninjaReedmoorbook2026-06-21 | Figuring out my new build a periphery martial artist that uses ailment stacking with the new unique bow from ritual
discord.gg/7dG6dJb4eyBUTTERY SMOOTH mapping with Tornado Gemling | Endgame build guide | Path of Exile 2 0.5Reedmoorbook2026-06-21 | An endgame build guide for my quality and mana stacking tornado Gemling where I go over the key elements of the build and explain the choices I've made so you can make your own build.
This build has a buttery smooth mapping experience thanks to good damage and area coverage, massive temp chains effect and 50% block chance from svallin. It's not the fastest bosser but it'll handle anything you throw at it comfortably.
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Overview 03:47 Gear Setup 06:07 Skill Setup 11:03 Passive Tree 14:53 Reference Slides 18:27 Final Thoughts
Tags: PoE 2, PoE 2 Builds, PoE 2 Guides, Path of Exile 2, Path of Exile 2 Early Access, Path of Exile Return of the Ancients, Return of the Ancients Starter Builds, PoE 2 0.5.0, PoE 2 Return of the Ancients, Return of the Ancients Season, PoE 2 Pathfinder, Path of Exile 2 Gemling, GGG, Grinding Gear Games, PoE 2025, Path of Exile 2 Starter Builds, PoE 2 Starter Builds, PoE 2 Patch Notes, Mercenary, Gemling, Tornado, The Taming, Endgame200% Endgame Farming | Tornado Gemling Legionnaire | !discord !build !ninjaReedmoorbook2026-06-16 | Farming max juiced endgame maps with my new Gemling Tornado build that uses The Taming Ring, Runeseekers Call and quality stacking to clear maps easily with big tornados.RunNGun Xbow Pathfinder EVASION is GOOD | Endgame Build Guide | Path of Exile 2 0.5Reedmoorbook2026-06-16 | The final build video for my poison stacking crossbow pathfinder where I go over the key elements of the build and explain the choices I've made so you can make your own build.
I switched to pure evasion/deflect and the build feels very tanky now, it really only starts to struggle in the very hardest content with maxed out effectiveness and 200% delirious, even then with smart play it gets the job done.
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:09 How the build works - Offence & Defence 06:18 Skill Setups - Clear & Single Target 9:50 Crossbow Crafting 12:06 Uniques 15:00 Rare Gear 16:12 Chance to Poison 17:24 Passive Tree Summary 18:12 Levelling through Campaign 19:26 What's next
Tags: PoE 2, PoE 2 Builds, PoE 2 Guides, Path of Exile 2, Path of Exile 2 Early Access, Path of Exile Return of the Ancients, Return of the Ancients Starter Builds, PoE 2 0.4.0, PoE 2 Return of the Ancients, Return of the Ancients Season, PoE 2 Pathfinder, Path of Exile 2 Ranger, GGG, Grinding Gear Games, PoE 2025, Path of Exile 2 Starter Builds, PoE 2 Starter Builds, PoE 2 Patch Notes, The Last of the Druids League, Ranger, Pathfinder, Armour Piercing Rounds, Fragmentation Rounds, High Velocity Rounds, Poison, Crossbow, EndgameReedmoorbook Live StreamReedmoorbook2026-06-16 | ...200% Endgame Mapping | Tornado Gemling Legionnaire | !discord !build !ninjaReedmoorbook2026-06-15 | Farming endgame with my new Gemling Tornado build that uses The Taming Ring, Runeseekers Call and quality stacking to clear maps easily with big tornados.0.5 Endgame & Optimisation | Tornado Gemling Legionnaire | !discord !build !ninjaReedmoorbook2026-06-14 | Farming endgame with my new Gemling Tornado build that uses The Taming Ring, Runeseekers Call and quality stacking to clear maps easily with big tornados.0.5 Speed Levelling a new character | Gemling Legionnaire | !discordReedmoorbook2026-06-09 | Speeding through campaign to setup a new build: Tornado Gemling Legionnaire0.5 Deep Endgame | Run & Gun Poison Crossbow Pathfinder | !build !discord !ninjaReedmoorbook2026-06-08 | Pinnacle boss farming, expedition farming, theory crafting the next build
Single target is still excellent on this build with very little investment, we craft a decent physical damage crossbow and use some cheap lineage gems and hit 1 million dps very easily. Clearing feels very good once we get chain on our attacks and progress was smooth through mapping.
Now I've shown that quest line pinnacles can be killed cheaply I'm going to start investing properly into the build to push it through endgame, I'll post a full build guide showing how far this can be pushed later this week.
Tags: PoE 2, PoE 2 Builds, PoE 2 Guides, Path of Exile 2, Path of Exile 2 Early Access, Path of Exile Return of the Ancients, Return of the Ancients Starter Builds, PoE 2 0.4.0, PoE 2 Return of the Ancients, Return of the Ancients Season, PoE 2 Pathfinder, Path of Exile 2 Ranger, GGG, Grinding Gear Games, PoE 2025, Path of Exile 2 Starter Builds, PoE 2 Starter Builds, PoE 2 Patch Notes, The Last of the Druids League, Ranger, Pathfinder, Armour Piercing Rounds, Fragmentation Rounds, High Velocity Rounds, Poison, Crossbow, Cospri's Will0.5 League Start T15s and Beyond | Run & Gun Poison Crossbow Pathfinder | !build !discord !ninjaReedmoorbook2026-05-31 | 0.5 is finally here, I'm progressing through early endgame while gearing up my build.
The build has been buffed overall and it already easily handled all the content in the game so I'm very confident it's going to be very strong in 0.5, we even have a lot more scaling options at the top end with new item bases, crafting options and power coming from the new runes of aldur league.
If you want to talk about the build or anything else you can come hang out with me, I'll be streaming every day for a few hours during league start week starting from Saturday. After league start week I"ll return to my normal schedule of Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays on: - twitch.tv/reedmoorbook - youtube.com/@reedmoorbook?sub_confirmation=1
Tags: PoE 2, PoE 2 Builds, PoE 2 Guides, Path of Exile 2, Path of Exile 2 Early Access, Path of Exile Return of the Ancients, Return of the Ancients Starter Builds, PoE 2 0.4.0, PoE 2 Return of the Ancients, Return of the Ancients Season, PoE 2 Pathfinder, Path of Exile 2 Ranger, GGG, Grinding Gear Games, PoE 2025, Path of Exile 2 Starter Builds, PoE 2 Starter Builds, PoE 2 Patch Notes, The Last of the Druids League, Ranger, Pathfinder, Armour Piercing Rounds, Fragmentation Rounds, High Velocity Rounds, Poison, Crossbow, Cospri's WillRun and Gun Poison Pathfinder | League Start Build | Reedmoorbook Path of Exile 2Reedmoorbook2026-05-27 | ...0.5 League Start Testing | Run & Gun Poison Crossbow Pathfinder | !build !mobaReedmoorbook2026-05-26 | Finishing testing my run and gun poison stacking crossbow pathfinder for the 0.5 league start.EVERYTHING you need to BUILD RUN & GUN in Path of Exile 2Reedmoorbook2026-05-26 | This is an overview that will give you a toolkit to help you level and build the various archetypes of Run & Gun in Path of Exile 2 on any class.
Using the information in this video you should be able to comfortably start playing run and gun and you'll understand the relative strengths and weakness of each setup. I give you general advice that you can apply yourself as you play through the campaign and head into endgame.
From these core ideas you can build a character and then use endgame focused guides to shape any character you want.
Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:10 Run & Gun Archetypes 09:00 Class Choices and Scaling 16:13 Starting anywhere on the passive tree 18:29 Support Gem Options 25:29 Good Spirit Reservations 28:04 Campaign Tips 30:58 Crossbow Progression 33:55 Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #poe2 #pathofexile2 #PathOfExile #arpg #buildguide #leaguestarter #leaguestart #poe2builds #poe2build #poe2guide0.5 League Start Testing | Run and Gun Crossbows | !mobaReedmoorbook2026-05-24 | Will be testing the various leveling setups for a 0.5 league start guide video and for my own plans when 0.5 launches.Relax and Fall Asleep while I read the POE 2 0.5 Patch NotesReedmoorbook2026-05-22 | Are you struggling to sleep? Perhaps you would just prefer an audio version of the full patch notes.
Either way I have you covered, relax and listen to a soft British accent calmly read to you over the next 2 hours while you sleep or get on with your chores.
Drift off while I read through the latest Path of Exile 2 patch notes and provide some of my own thoughts along the way.
Some people have told me this is ASMR but I'll let you decide.
If you want to come hang out and chat with me I stream on YouTube and Twitch on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #poe2 #pathofexile2 #PathOfExile #arpg #SleepStory #SleepAid #RelaxingStory #ASMR #Meditation #CalmingNarration #RelaxingSounds0.5 League Start Testing | Run and Gun Crossbows | !mobaReedmoorbook2026-05-19 | Will be testing the various leveling setups for a 0.5 league start guide video and for my own plans when 0.5 launches.0.5 League Start Testing | Run and Gun Crossbows | !mobaReedmoorbook2026-05-18 | Will be testing the various leveling setups for a 0.5 league start guide video and for my own plans when 0.5 launches.What Patch 0.5 MEANS for Path of Exile 2Reedmoorbook2026-05-18 | This video dives deep into everything we know about Path of Exile 2 patch 0.5 and what it means for the future of the game, providing a concise summary of 8 hours of footage across the reveal trailer and various interviews.
I analyse what has been revealed and talk about in the Q&A and developer interviews to come to a conclusion about what it means for the design of the game through to full release in December.
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Timeline 03:52 Linearity vs. Exploration 08:17 Player Agency 10:35 Combat Pacing 12:03 League Mechanics 22:13 Campaign Experience 25:05 Ascendancies 26:52 Uniques 29:51 Itemisation 31:30 Defensive Balance 33:26 Accessibility and QoL 34:56 Summary
If you want to come hang out and chat with me I stream on YouTube and Twitch on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #poe2 #feedback #pathofexile2 #PathOfExile #arpg0.5 League Start Testing | Run and Gun Crossbows | !mobaReedmoorbook2026-05-17 | Will be testing the various leveling setups for a 0.5 league start guide video and for my own plans when 0.5 launches.Build Randomiser | HCSSF | Forge Hammer Titan | POE 2 0.4 | !mobaReedmoorbook2026-05-10 | Getting a random build from Schwingy's build randomiser wheel to work in HCSSF.
I rolled Forge Hammer Titan, an actual good build!, so let's see if we can get this one through endgame. I'll be using skills from the mace tree until I get Forge Hammer at 33 and I think we'll be doing something with volcanic fissures and warcries to go with the fire theme.
Check out Schwingy's videos here for links to the randomiser: youtube.com/@SchwingyGamingBuild Randomiser | HCSSF | Forge Hammer Titan | POE 2 0.4 | !mobaReedmoorbook2026-05-05 | Getting a random build from Schwingy's build randomiser wheel to work in HCSSF.
I rolled Forge Hammer Titan, an actual good build!, so let's see if we can get this one to endgame. I'll be using skills from the mace tree until I get Forge Hammer at 33 and I think we'll be doing something with volcanic fissures and warcries to go with the fire theme.
Check out Schwingy's videos here for links to the randomiser: youtube.com/@SchwingyGamingBuild Randomiser | HCSSF | Incinerate Stormweaver | POE 2 0.4 | !mobaReedmoorbook2026-05-05 | Getting a random build from Schwingy's build randomiser wheel to work in HCSSF.
I rolled Incinerate Stormweaver, so I will attempt to get it running in the endgame. As it's a payoff skill I'll be using all the fire spells to make the build, it's going to be a slow campaign.
Check out Schwingy's videos here for links to the randomiser: youtube.com/@SchwingyGamingA BUILD MAKING GUIDE for Path of Exile 2 - EVERYTHING you need to get startedReedmoorbook2026-05-04 | This is build making guide that will give you the fundamental tools you will need to make your own builds. I use some of my own builds as a backdrop to give examples of problem solving in the game.
If you're stuck for something to do while you wait for the next league then its the perfect time to experiment with making builds, anything you learn will transfer to the next league and you'll get so much more out of each league.
Was this helpful? Do you want to see more content like this? Are you interested in my new project? Let me know!
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:34 A New Project 04:20 Constraints and Problem Solving 07:32 The Path to making your own build 09:53 League Starts 11:42 Build Making Tools 14:56 Example Build Overview - Warbringer 16:20 Build Making Areas 16:35 Offence 22:16 Defence 30:06 Mana 32:00 Utility 33:00 Optimisation 36:05 Gear Swaps 37:48 Funding Your Build 39:24 Crafting 41:12 Outro
Discord - discord.gg/7dG6dJb4ey ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #poe2 #buildguide #pathofexile2 #PathOfExile #arpg #guideBuild Randomiser | HCSSF | Incinerate Stormweaver | POE 2 0.4 | !mobaReedmoorbook2026-05-04 | Getting a random build from Schwingy's build randomiser wheel to work in HCSSF.
I rolled Incinerate Stormweaver, so I will attempt to get it running in the endgame. As it's a payoff skill I'll be using all the fire spells to make the build, it's going to be a slow campaign.
Check out Schwingy's videos here for links to the randomiser: youtube.com/@SchwingyGamingBuild Randomiser | HCSSF Incinerate Stormweaver | POE 2 0.4Reedmoorbook2026-04-29 | Getting a random build from Schwingy's build randomiser wheel to work in IJA league (semi SSF).
I rolled Prime Strikes Deadeye so I will attempt to get it running in the endgame using only deadeye, spear and mark skills (no cheating the shock requirement with thunderstorm).
Check out Schwingy's videos here for links to the randomiser: youtube.com/@SchwingyGamingBuild Randomiser | Primal Strikes Deadeye | POE 2 0.4 | IJA LeagueReedmoorbook2026-04-27 | Getting a random build from Schwingy's build randomiser wheel to work in IJA league (semi SSF).
I rolled Prime Strikes Deadeye so I will attempt to get it running in the endgame using only deadeye, spear and mark skills (no cheating the shock requirement with thunderstorm).
Check out Schwingy's videos here for links to the randomiser: youtube.com/@SchwingyGamingBuild Randomiser | Primal Strikes Deadeye | POE 2 0.4 | IJA LeagueReedmoorbook2026-04-26 | Getting a random build from Schwingy's build randomiser wheel to work in IJA league (semi SSF).
I rolled Prime Strikes Deadeye so I will attempt to get it running in the endgame using only deadeye, spear and mark skills (no cheating the shock requirement with thunderstorm).
Check out Schwingy's videos here for links to the randomiser: youtube.com/@SchwingyGamingPOE 2s BIGGEST CROSSBOW ISSUES must be solved in 0.5Reedmoorbook2026-04-26 | This is a feedback video on problems I still see with crossbow ammo skills that should be fixed in the 0.5 patch.
I offer a few suggestions on changes that can be made but ultimately its an analysis on the problems that I see and why they exist.
If you want to come hang out and chat with me I stream on YouTube and Twitch Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. I keep my schedule updated on both platforms.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #poe2 #feedback #pathofexile2 #PathOfExile #arpgBuild Randomiser | Primal Strikes Deadeye | POE 2 0.4 | IJA LeagueReedmoorbook2026-04-21 | Getting a random build from Schwingy's build randomiser wheel to work in IJA league (semi SSF).
I rolled Prime Strikes Deadeye so I will attempt to get it running in the endgame using only deadeye, spear and mark skills (no cheating the shock requirement with thunderstorm).Build Randomiser | Primal Strikes Deadeye | POE 2 0.4 | IJA LeagueReedmoorbook2026-04-20 | Getting a random build from Schwingy's build randomiser wheel to work in IJA league (semi SSF).
I rolled Prime Strikes Deadeye so I will attempt to get it running in the endgame using only deadeye, spear and mark skills (no cheating the shock requirement with thunderstorm).IJA League | Incendiary Shot Tactician | POE 2Reedmoorbook2026-04-15 | ...IJA League | Incendiary Shot Tactician | POE 2Reedmoorbook2026-04-14 | ...IJA League | Frostfire Tactician - Can Incendiary Shot work? | POE 2Reedmoorbook2026-04-08 | ...IJA League | Frostfire Tactician - Can Incendiary Shot work? | POE 2Reedmoorbook2026-04-07 | ...