Path of Exile dev "deeply sorry" for disrupted service during new league launch

The Path of Exile Secrets of the Atlas launch has largely marked a successful return for the free Steam ARPG, but it's not without issues. While it works on the next PoE 2 update, developer Grinding Gear Games addresses some of the disruptions affecting the Diablo rival's new season. It also lays out a handful of balance changes, with nerfs incoming for overpowered mercenary skills that are blowing up players in an instant, and some buffs for memory skills.

"Over the weekend we launched Path of Exile Secrets of the Atlas," GGG writes in a new community blog post. "We are so thrilled to see the number of people who joined us for launch day. Welcome back, Exiles." The new release, the first in almost a year for one of the best free Steam games around, has brought veteran players flooding back. Others are trying the original game for the first time after discovering the series through Path of Exile 2.

"Starting with the elephant in the room, unfortunately primarily our European servers but also servers across the globe have been facing a barrage of DDOS attacks," GGG says. "We understand that this issue has ruined such an anticipated launch for many players. This is unacceptable service and we are deeply sorry.

"We want to assure you that we are taking this very seriously and it is the highest-priority problem for our company to solve," GGG continues. "Due to the nature of these attacks, we're unable to provide a time frame on when it will be resolved but we do want to acknowledge that we do see the issue and are doing everything we can to mitigate this."

While the servers are being investigated by the backend team, GGG's balance specialists are planning responses to some early teething issues. Overpowered mercenary skills are the leading issue; the newly arrived, battle-hardened Trarthus mercs are the central feature of the new season, and they've gone over well as a dynamic system that offers lots of player choice.

You'll encounter mercenaries frequently, and can fight them to win powerful gear or to hire them as companions on your journey across Wraeclast. Unfortunately, GGG remarks that "a number of mercenary skills, especially once you get to the middle of the campaign, start to deal overwhelming amounts of damage to the player, often instantly killing you."

I've certainly caught a few such clips, with players who are running impressively tanky builds still being absolutely obliterated by a single skill that they should have been equipped to handle. This is frustrating for any player, but particularly galling if you're playing in the single-life hardcore league. "Expect a patch in the near future that puts all these skills more in line," GGG says. "This will not affect the mercenary balance when they are your ally."

Grinding Gear is also looking into improvements for the memory skills that are granted in the Atlas maps influenced by The Originator. This new endgame system grants you unique abilities that are used by spending memory petals, boosting your power or giving you ways to amplify the potential rewards from the monsters you're facing. GGG clearly feels they could be a little more impressive, however, so expect changes in the near future.

Love smashing your way through massive packs of beasties in the endless pursuit for loot? Here are the best games like Diablo on PC right now. Alternatively, take a look through our pick of the best RPGs in 2025.

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