Many changes in Poe 3.13, some of these changes might seem like nerfs, but it’s more of a streamlining. GGG took into account the current mentality of players and their build propensity to make Ascendancy changes that would be most impactful. As the dev team put it, “in Echoes of the Atlas, we intended to streamline many of these passive nodes so that they were much simpler but more powerful. This meant removing many of these filler stats that didn’t impact builds in a meaningful way.”
Let's take a look at what changes Poe 3.13 changes have brought to the classes in the game.
Raider
Rapid Assault has been given a huge power increase thanks to the new Onslaught generation, along with phasing. That can be given to any build to get nearly 60% movement speed buff. Other buffs include a major shift towards more generalized buffs. Combine this with the other Evasion changes in other nodes, and it makes defensive builds on Phasing and Evasion much better.
This class got a major overhaul as well, removing some options, but adding new ones. The mastermind of Discord and other new nodes that give weaker but more general buffs to various elemental damage types. The new Exposure mechanic makes it much easier to handle figuring out what your build can and can’t do. Golem builds have lost a bit of potency thanks to the loss of Eli immunity though. So spellcaster builds are the way to go this league. This means to ignite and other DoTs will be very powerful.
Slayer
Headsman getting a bit of a power boost this patch is nice but only really for DoTs. There’s a little less utility to be found when fighting bosses, as the Culling mechanic relies on ads to work well. This will combine with other nodes as Impact and Overwhelm got boosted. The major nerf for this class is the reductions in Attack Speed and Damage to Brutal Fervour. But if you can get the Bleeds going hard enough, the 20% cull can help on some boss fights.
Gladiator
This class has been given a huge defensive buff. But overall, it’s probably the weakest of the big three “winners” this patch. It did lose some bleed DoT damage though, making Physical builds less viable on the nodes that are there.
Juggernaut
Nerfs to Undeniable in some ways harm it, and other ways focus the build. The gains from stat bonuses are now much more geared to just landing hits. There were also some targeted nerfs to Endurance Charges in some nodes. Overall, the changes look to put Jugg in about the same place as the last league, assuming builds are tweaked to the new changes. The loss of crit buffs will hurt some though.
Chieftain
Tasalio, Cleansing Water being gone is going to hurt Righteous Fire builds a lot. Yokohama, War’s Herald getting a minor buff as well is nice.
Hierophant
Hierophant is doing well this league for some builds. Power Charges get a numerical buff but don’t deal as much damage now, so it’s a trade. Illuminated Devotion getting nerfed, as well as a loss of Mana, makes MoM builds hurt a bit. Ritual of Awakening is another change that focuses the Hierophant to more spellcaster-oriented roles in Poe 3.13.
Berserker
A general buff to the basic numbers here. A power increase that’s slight but noticeable, making Attack Speed and Life Leech more powerful. The effects here are noticeable but not OP.
Guardian
Unwavering Crusade changes mean that it supports build time for the Guardian. Harmony of Purpose gives a bit of a buff to balance things out. Time of Need getting a moderate tweak makes it pretty interesting for Aura builds this league as well. Overall, it’s a pretty solid choice for most builds that was the same as last league.
Occultist
Profane Bloom got a buff, as did other nodes like Vile Bastion, powering up minions. Malediction and all other Chaos DoT nodes got nerfed though in terms of a multiplier. This was a pretty targeted change to certain Chaos builds but powered up Minions at least. Other Chaos builds relying on flat Chaos damage will be better off though, so it’s a buff.
Deadeye
The placement of Mirage Archers has changed, leading to some confusion. With a focus on more unique mechanics like Rupture and Gale Force, it’s a very big rework. Focal Point and Endless Munitions have been nerfed to focus their attacks on certain builds, removing general stat bonuses. Global Accuracy Rating and Attack Speed being removed might hurt, but it’s being balanced out by additions that improve Chaining and boosts to Mark effects.
With the release of Poe 3.13, the path of exile has many changes, and the characters in the game are more powerful, which may require a lot of Poe currency.
