Optimal PoE 2 Settings for Steam Deck

ARPGs and Steam Deck: The Unlikely Partnership

ARPGs like Path of Exile 2 and devices like the Steam Deck seem like a match made in gaming heaven. Battling hordes of baddies while lounging in bed, headphones buzzing with podcasts, sounds perfect. But how does Path of Exile 2 fare on Valve’s portable powerhouse? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty.

Path of Exile 2: Ride the Frame Rate Rollercoaster

Initially, Path of Exile 2 offers a so-so experience on the Steam Deck. Thankfully, it connects seamlessly without extra setup if you own it on Steam. Delightfully, the game’s UI supports the Steam Deck, mapping buttons to your hotbar. Sadly, the performance fluctuates wildly. Expect smooth action when only a few foes appear onscreen. Yet, brace for frame rate crashes to 20 FPS during enemy swarms. On average, anticipate roughly 40 FPS, dipping further in crowded hubs.

Granted, Path of Exile 2 is still in early access. Miraculously, it’s playable on the Steam Deck with room for future optimization before its 2025 full release. Similar tales grace Diablo IV’s transition from pre-release beta chaos to polished performance. While it hints at future improvements, keep expectations realistic for now.

Mastering Path of Exile 2 on Steam Deck

Optimization is essential if you plan to play Path of Exile 2 on Steam Deck. Untamed frame rate drops beg for careful setting tweaks. Try these settings for smoother gameplay: switch to Fullscreen Mode, use FSR Upscaling, and set Max Image Quality to Ultra Performance. Lower Sun Shadow Quality and Number of Lights and ensure Dynamic Culling is activated. A target frame rate of 38 works best.

The Steam Deck’s 1280 X 800 resolution hides these low settings’ visual impacts. FSR might blur edges, but it’s a noticeable improvement. Switching to DirectX12 might help some players, though results vary.

In performance pinches, lowering resolution boosts frame rates. Be cautious: smaller text can become unreadable. Especially mandatory for the always-online Path of Exile 2, ensure background downloads are paused. Streaming podcasts or downloading large games, though tempting, leads to significant lag.

Final Verdict: Is Path of Exile 2 Worth It?

Path of Exile 2 is playable but not ideal on the Steam Deck. For casual campaign play, it suffices. However, serious endgame grinding isn’t suitable here due to potential lags. If the Steam Deck is your sole gaming platform, Diablo IV is presently a smoother alternative for ARPG enthusiasts.

Hold off on making it your go-to on Steam Deck. Path of Exile 2 may evolve with updates, especially as the handheld gaming market expands. The rise of new devices promises exciting possibilities in the future. But for now, don’t invest based on uncertain performance improvements.