Request for Less Overstimulating / More “Normal” Gameplay Options

I wanted to give some feedback and make a suggestion regarding gameplay pacing and visual intensity in PoE2.

Right now, a lot of builds feel extremely overstimulating — the screen is constantly flooded with effects like dozens of corpse explosions, tornados, chained procs, or mass summons. While I understand this has always been part of Path of Exile’s identity to some degree, it feels like every viable playstyle leans into overwhelming visual noise.

There doesn’t feel like much room for low-key, controlled, “normal” gameplay where I can move at my own pace and clearly read what’s happening on screen.

That’s why I really appreciate mechanics like Thorns-style gameplay — it feels grounded, readable, and deliberate. I’m reacting to enemies instead of watching the screen explode every second.

In Path of Exile 1, there were builds like Reaper, where you summoned a single, powerful entity that carried the build without flooding the screen. In PoE2, summon builds seem to require spawning large numbers of minions, which quickly becomes visually overwhelming.

What I’m hoping for is:

More viable playstyles that don’t rely on screen-wide effects

Builds focused on single powerful skills, summons, or mechanics

Options for players who enjoy slower, cleaner, more readable combat

Not everyone enjoys high-intensity visual chaos all the time, and having at least a few playstyles designed around clarity and pacing would make the game more accessible and enjoyable for players like me.

Thanks for taking the time to read — really loving PoE2 overall, just hoping for more variety in how we get to play it.

+1, I agree.

I know some older folks who did not switch from PoE1 to PoE2, because of this.

+1. I’m playing as sorceress this league and with a 5/6 skill rotation i cannot see anything that is happening on screen. Especially bad during Abyss encounters.

+1

plant-based druid. just few clicks and whole ground is invisible, being green+purple. I just cant see nor ground effects, nor marks of mechanics...

+1000

I don't feel the dopamine hit with screen explosion.
If anything, I feel like a bot that just clicks 1 button and picks up loot.

Let me please actually fight. Watch my footing, read monster movement, plan skills/actions and not just spam them. That's what makes me love the game.

Sort of Act 1 campaign, I really enjoy that.

+1