If you’ve tried playing Path of Exile 2 with your friend or spouse, you’ve probably seen the issues with the game’s co-op system. Please fix this GGG.

Path of Exile 2 has had an explosive debut getting over hundreds of thousands of players in its first month. And while the game already has a massive community and good player retention, its co-op system has been a big sore point.

The game has been one of the biggest hits in recent memory, but it has this big flaw. | Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games.

While the game offers crossplay and couch co-op, many issues have been reported by players. The reports include uneven loot distribution, lack of progression parity, and problematic level scaling. This has made playing with your friends very difficult and annoying, especially if you’re the higher level player.

Path of Exile 2 is very good, but it’s not without issues

There’s a surprising amount of problems here. | Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games.

One of the most glaring issues is the disparity in loot distribution during co-op encounters. Players have noted that mechanics like Breaches, Delirium, and Ritual favor the host, often leaving other participants empty-handed. In Ritual encounters, for instance, only the host can claim rewards. For a looter-focused game, this is a problem.

Visual clutter is another significant issue, particularly in larger groups. Builds like summoners flood the screen with effects, making it nearly impossible for teammates to see important mechanics or hazards. This lack of clarity can lead to repeated deaths, causing frustration and significant experience loss.

Players running builds reliant on specific mechanics, such as corpse consumption have often found that their strategies are made useless by their teammates. This has further made it another complication for players who want to co-op.

The game’s level-scaling system also has some problems. Designed to balance co-op sessions, it often leaves higher-level players feeling unfairly penalized. The nerfed damage output and survivability make even lower-level content difficult if you’re playing with a lower-level friend. This makes co-op play problematic between friends where one is already more experienced.

To make co-op more enjoyable, several changes have been proposed by the community. Shared rewards in loot-heavy mechanics like delirium and ritual, easier resurrection processes, and clearer visual cues during battles are high on players’ wish lists. Adjustments to Atlas progression and a more forgiving level scaling system could also help make multiplayer feel less punishing.

Grinding Gear Games will hopefully change and update these problems

The devs are on top of these issues. | Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games.

Despite these challenges, Path of Exile 2’s co-op experience is not without its redeeming qualities. Many players enjoy the camaraderie of running through the campaign with friends, and the game’s new guild stash and hideout features have been widely praised. These additions foster a sense of community and collaboration, even as other aspects of co-op gameplay fall short.

There’s hope that GGG will address these issues in future updates. The developer has a history of listening to community feedback and making improvements over time. With Path of Exile 2 still in its early access period, there’s a lot of time for changes that could transform co-op into a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Players are optimistic that upcoming patches will address concerns like loot distribution, progression scaling, and quality-of-life features.

The game has already demonstrated its potential, with high player retention rates and a strong launch that attracted over 500,000 concurrent players on Steam. For now, players who enjoy multiplayer gaming may need to exercise patience or stick to solo play to avoid the problems of co-op.

Have you tried co-op in Path of Exile 2? Let us know in the comments!