Path of Exile 2 is carving out a strong niche for itself with its diverse array of six initial base classes, attracting a significant number of players and consistently rolling out updates. Comparisons to Diablo 4 arise naturally, and as it stands, PoE 2 seems to be stepping into the spotlight, potentially overshadowing Blizzard’s latest offering.
Diablo 4, released over a year and a half ago, quickly became a cornerstone in discussions about action RPGs. In contrast, Path of Exile 2, though still in its early access phase for a little over a month, is gathering momentum with its growing content and evolving gameplay. It’s inevitable to draw comparisons between these two heavyweights, given their shared lineage tracing back to the legendary Diablo 2. They’re both striving to capture that nostalgic essence, but Path of Exile 2 might just come out ahead in this nostalgic race.
Diablo 4 launched with a solid lineup of classes—Sorcerer, Druid, Barbarian, Necromancer, and Rogue—all boasting extensive skill trees for customization. While the Spiritborn class from the Vessel of Hatred expansion offers a unique blend, fans are longing for the traditional Crusader or Paladin role. Path of Exile 2 seems poised to fill that gap sooner rather than later, potentially putting Blizzard’s ARPG in a bind.
Grinding Gear Games, the creators of Path of Exile 2, have struck gold with their launch, breaking into Steam’s top charts and amassing a hefty player base averaging over 400,000 concurrent users. Meanwhile, Diablo 4’s numbers are dwindling, even with the additions from its latest expansion not doing enough to keep players engaged. There’s a palpable demand for a seventh class like the Crusader or Paladin, which could reinvigorate interest.
The Crusader and Paladin, despite their differences, fall under a similar class archetype—a hole that Path of Exile 2’s Templar could effectively fill, given the series’ history. While Diablo 4 leaves fans speculating about the next class or expansion, Path of Exile 2 is seemingly on a clear trajectory to deliver these additions without much delay.
There’s chatter among fans that Diablo 4’s current theme, revolving around witchcraft in Season 7, might pave the way for bringing back the Witch Doctor or introducing a new spin on it. However, until any announcements are made, the introduction of a highly-anticipated Crusader or Paladin class remains in the realm of possibility, dependent on the timing of the next expansion.
As Path of Exile 2 continues to grow, adding classes like the Templar could steal the wind from Diablo 4’s sails if Blizzard doesn’t accelerate its plans. The ongoing support and enthusiasm for PoE 2 spell trouble for Diablo 4 if it doesn’t make timely moves to satisfy its player base.
Path of Exile 2 is not just a next-gen free-to-play action RPG but an expansive journey set in the treacherous land of Wraeclast. With twelve planned character classes, an engaging six-act campaign, and robust multiplayer features like cross-play and cross-progression, it promises an incredible gaming experience. As it stands, Grinding Gear Games is heavily backing PoE 2, and its momentum is something Diablo 4 can’t afford to ignore.
