"Class balance" means jack squat

So after reading the patch notes and explanations again, there's something that hurt my brain and it's the concept of "class balance" in a game like POE. Really the classes are very loosely defined (basically just the starting position on the passive tree) and "class balance" seems a rather futile pursuit.

For instance, let's say that from GGG's perspective, you look at statistics and notice all the classes are picked about equally. What is the relevance of this "balance" if all those classes are playing caster builds, including marauders and duelists? Yeah, it doesn't really mean shit.

The only balance that one can try to achieve in this game is between different playstyles, and not so much classes, considering how easy it is for them to overlap.

Now if we're talking playstyles, then I have to say right now the balance is kind of a joke. I would like some hacking and slashing to be feasible in my hack and slash game, not just PEWPEWPEWPEWPEWPEW.

And to those who will undoubtedly claim "melee is fine l2p", I'll just say go watch any high level/competitive streamer and marvel before the GIANT CLUSTERFUCK OF PROJECTILES AND TOTEMS. Because right now, it's all this game is when you try to play competitively. And at some point it gets really old being pigeonholed into that giant clusterfuck of projectiles everywhere if you want to be competitive. There are only so many OMG EXPLOSIONS and projectiles one can see on screen at a time before it starts just looking silly and confused.

Now don't get me wrong I really want this game to be the best it can be, this isn't just gratuitous shit talking, but I'm really wondering if the devs actually see the same shit we see on those streams, aka the everlasting giant clusterfuck of projectiles? Don't you want other playstyles to be appealing or are we going to be looking at this forever because this is the grand design?

And if this is too long to read and I'm whining too much, just remember these two key concepts:

- HACK AND SLASH
- GIANT CLUSTERFUCK OF PROJECTILES


That's where this game needs "balance".

See also: utter lack of cool melee-oriented skill gems.
Half the classes in your game can potentially play melee guys, wake up. Ground slam isn't good enough.

I think you are overreacting. not everyone plays a caster, or even plays ranged.

Although PoE has an open passive tree and skill selection, with the increased stat requirements for skills/gear a lot of the "pewpew" builds aren't going to be nearly as easy to run or even viable in the new patch.


More melee skills are being added - see the post in the announcement section.