What 3,437 Hours in Path of Exile Teaches Us About Buildcraf…

Ziegler's endorsement highlights Path of Exile's reputation for unmatched buildcrafting depth, which could draw more players seeking complex experimentation over simpler action-focused ARPGs.
Ziegler's endorsement highlights Path of Exile's reputation for unmatched buildcrafting depth, which could draw more players seeking complex experimentation over simpler action-focused ARPGs.
Key points - Joe Ziegler, former game director for Valorant and Marathon, has logged 3,437 hours in Path of Exile. - Ziegler calls Path of Exile the most freeform ARPG for buildcrafting and experimentation. - He enjoys Totem builds and one-button Whirlwind builds when feeling lazy. - Ziegler says Path of Exile 2 is more limiting due to its action-focused environment. - He still prefers the original Path of Exile over its sequel.
Timeline - During Ziegler's time at Riot: He led development on Valorant. - Later at Bungie: He served as game director for Marathon. - Recently: He told PC Gamer he has 3,437 hours in Path of Exile. - Path of Exile 2 Early Access: Despite glowing reviews, Ziegler still prefers the original game.
FAQ
Q: Who is Joe Ziegler? A: Joe Ziegler is a game director known for leading Riot's Valorant and later Bungie's Marathon. He's also a dedicated Path of Exile player with over 3,400 hours logged.
Q: Why does Ziegler prefer Path of Exile over Path of Exile 2? A: He says Path of Exile 2 feels more limiting because it's built around a more action-oriented environment, while the original offers more freeform buildcrafting.
Q: What builds does Ziegler enjoy in Path of Exile? A: He has a fondness for Totem builds and, when feeling lazy, one-button builds like Whirlwind. He enjoys experimenting with a variety of builds.
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