U4GM - POE 2: Is Mapping with Increased Pack Size Always Best for Profit?
In the ever-evolving world of Path of Exile 2 (POE 2), players are constantly seeking the most efficient and profitable ways to earn POE 2 currency. Mapping, a key aspect of the game’s endgame content, provides ample opportunities for players to maximize their earnings. However, the question arises: is mapping with increased pack size always the best strategy for making a profit? This article will explore the advantages and limitations of increased pack size in POE 2 mapping and help players determine if this approach is truly the most profitable one.
Understanding Increased Pack Size in POE 2
In Path of Exile 2, pack size refers to the number of monsters that appear in a given area. Increasing the pack size in a map means more enemies to kill, which generally translates to more loot drops. The concept is straightforward: the larger the pack, the more items you collect, and consequently, the more chances you have to acquire valuable POE 2 currency and rare items.
Many players believe that increasing pack size is the key to making a profit while mapping. After all, more monsters mean more potential loot. However, while this strategy can yield impressive rewards in certain scenarios, it is not always the best choice for every player or every map.
Advantages of Increased Pack Size
More Monsters, More Loot: The primary benefit of increased pack size is the sheer volume of enemies you will face. Larger packs lead to more loot drops, including rare items, currency, and crafting materials. This is especially true for high-tier maps, where the loot pool is richer, and the chances of valuable drops are higher.
Better Use of Clear Speed Builds: If you have a build that excels at clearing large groups of monsters quickly, increased pack size can be incredibly profitable. For example, builds that deal area-of-effect (AoE) damage, such as spellcasters or summoners, can rapidly clear increased packs and reap the rewards of faster map progression.
Boosting Delirium and League Mechanics: Certain league mechanics, like Delirium, benefit from increased pack size. Larger packs not only provide more monsters to kill but also offer more opportunities to interact with league-specific mechanics, boosting your chances of obtaining valuable rewards and POE 2 currency.
Limitations of Increased Pack Size
Higher Risk of Overwhelming Content: While increased pack size results in more loot, it also leads to more enemies. If you don’t have a build capable of quickly clearing large packs, you may find yourself overwhelmed, leading to longer map runs, potential deaths, and a slower path to profit. It's essential to balance pack size with your build's ability to handle it.
Reduced Loot Quality: With a larger number of enemies, the quality of loot drops may decrease. The increased number of monsters can lead to more common items being dropped, meaning that you might find a lot of low-value loot, resulting in less profit. In some cases, focusing on loot quality (such as item rarity and modifiers) might yield better results than just increasing pack size.
Increased Time Per Map: Larger packs can make the map runs longer. While more monsters may mean more loot, it also means that you’ll spend more time clearing content. If you don’t have the clear speed to back it up, you may end up spending more time per map than is necessary, which can reduce your overall profit per hour.
Diminishing Returns: At a certain point, increasing pack size no longer offers the same level of profit. If the pack size is too large for your current build, you may spend more time running around and killing enemies without seeing a significant increase in loot value. The key to profitability in POE 2 is not necessarily the number of monsters, but the efficiency with which you can clear them and the quality of the loot they drop.
When Is Increased Pack Size Worth It?
Increased pack size can be an excellent strategy for players who have optimized their builds for clearing large packs quickly. If your build excels in AoE damage, has high mobility, and can handle the larger number of enemies, this strategy can lead to substantial profits, especially if you're focusing on high-tier maps and league mechanics that benefit from increased pack size.
However, for players with less optimized builds, or those who struggle with survivability or clear speed, increased pack size may not be the best approach. In these cases, focusing on other strategies, such as targeting specific map modifiers or improving loot quality, might be a better path to earning POE 2 currency.
Is mapping with increased pack size always the best method for generating POE 2 currency? The answer is nuanced. While increasing pack size can certainly lead to more loot and potential profit, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Players need to consider their build’s strengths, map modifiers, and the overall time investment when deciding whether to focus on pack size. Ultimately, the most profitable strategy in POE 2 is one that maximizes efficiency and suits your playstyle.
By carefully weighing the benefits and limitations of increased pack size, you can tailor your mapping strategy to suit your goals, increasing your chances of earning more POE 2 currency and enjoying a rewarding gameplay experience.