Path Of Exile Onslaught

Ed Bradley

2 min read

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02-12-2024

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Path of Exile's Onslaught expansion, while not as monumental as some other leagues, delivered a significant injection of fresh content and refined existing mechanics. Released in 2019, Onslaught focused on enhancing the core gameplay loop with a new gameplay mechanic and improved itemization. This analysis will explore its key features and impact on the game.

The Core of Onslaught: The Essence of the League

The heart of Onslaught was, unsurprisingly, the Onslaught league mechanic. This involved encountering powerful, surging enemies that, upon defeat, granted temporary buffs. These buffs, ranging from increased damage and attack speed to movement speed and defenses, significantly altered gameplay. Successfully chaining these Onslaught encounters together allowed players to create powerful, fleeting bursts of damage and survivability. The strategic element lay in identifying and prioritizing these encounters to maximize the impact of the temporary buffs.

Impact on Gameplay

The Onslaught mechanic dramatically changed the pacing of the game. The short-term nature of the buffs encouraged aggressive playstyles, rewarding players who could effectively navigate challenging encounters. However, it also introduced a degree of risk. Failing to capitalize on the buff window could leave players vulnerable. The league encouraged a dynamic approach, demanding adaptability and swift decision-making.

Beyond the Onslaught: Itemization and Other Changes

Onslaught wasn't solely focused on the new league mechanic. The expansion also brought improvements to itemization. Several new unique items were introduced, adding diversity to builds and strategic choices. While specifics regarding the exact items would be quite lengthy, it's sufficient to state they added a welcome layer of complexity and experimentation to the already intricate itemization system within Path of Exile. Additionally, the expansion included quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes, further polishing the overall player experience.

Lasting Legacy

While the Onslaught league itself was eventually retired, its impact on Path of Exile remains. The design principles explored—introducing temporary power boosts to incentivize aggressive play and refine existing mechanics—continue to influence subsequent leagues and expansions. Onslaught served as a crucial step in the ongoing evolution of Path of Exile, demonstrating Grinding Gear Games' commitment to refining and expanding the core gameplay experience. Its lasting legacy is not in its unique mechanics, but in the valuable lessons learned and applied to future updates.