U4GM Should POE 2 Currency Drops Be Smart-Looted?

What Is Smart Loot and How It Could Affect POE 2Smart loot refers to a loot system where the items that drop are influenced by the class build or equipment needs of the player It is commonly used in action RPGs to reduce randomness and improve the quality of loot drops for each individual player In the context of Path of Exile 2 implementing a smart loot system for currency drops could dramatically change how players engage with the game economy and gear progression Currently POE 2 maintains a traditional loot system that emphasizes randomness and trade encouraging players to interact with the community and develop a deep understanding of item valueIf currency drops in POE 2 were smart-looted it would mean players receive currency that is more likely to be immediately useful to their builds or crafting goals For example a player focusing on critical strike builds might see more Regal Orbs and Exalted Orbs while another player working with elemental damage may receive more currency items related to elemental modifiers This system could reduce the frustration associated with chasing specific orbs and streamline the crafting experienceThe Impact on Trading and the In-Game EconomyOne of the defining features of the Path of Exile franchise has always been its intricate player-driven economy Trade plays a major role in how players progress especially in the endgame where crafting rare and powerful gear often requires large amounts of specific currency items Introducing a smart loot system for currency could potentially reduce the reliance on trade by increasing the drop rate of useful items tailored to the player's buildThis could have mixed results On one hand it would lower the barrier for solo players who prefer to avoid trade and still want a meaningful progression path On the other hand it could destabilize the market by reducing demand for certain currency items if players are consistently getting what they need This may lead to reduced trading volume and lower prices for commonly used orbs which could diminish the sense of achievement from acquiring and selling valuable itemsGameplay and Replayability ConsiderationsPath of Exile has always thrived on replayability driven by its unpredictable loot system which encourages players to adapt and innovate based on what they find Smart loot in the context of currency drops might reduce the thrill of unexpected discoveries and weaken the role of randomness that is central to the POE experience Currency drops are currently unpredictable which adds an exciting dynamic to each encounter and incentivizes repeated farming and build experimentationIf smart loot were applied to currency drops it might simplify progression in a way that shortens the overall gameplay loop Players might hit their gear and crafting milestones faster making late-game content feel less rewarding over time Moreover the community enjoys discussing and comparing drops and trading strategies which could be negatively impacted by a system that narrows the variety of drops a player receives over timeBalancing Smart Loot With POE 2 Design PhilosophyPath of Exile 2 is designed with complexity and freedom in mind Allowing players to craft their journey through a combination of skill trees unique items and customizable builds is what makes the game so compelling Introducing smart loot mechanics for currency drops would need to be handled with great care to avoid diminishing the intricate systems that define the game Ideally any changes would preserve the sense of randomness and reward while perhaps offering some mild influence over drop quality without fully automating the processDevelopers would need to ensure that smart loot does not remove the necessity for game knowledge and trade interaction but instead enhances the player experience in specific scenarios such as early-game progression or solo self-found leagues The implementation of such a system would need to align with the overall vision of POE 2 which prioritizes depth complexity and player agency