Ruthless mode
This article describes new Path of Exile content released in version 3.20.0. Information may be missing or incorrect.
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Ruthless mode (also known as Hard Mode) is a character creation flag that significantly increases the difficulty and changes the playstyle of the game by opting in to extreme item scarcity and various other changes. It is expected to release alongside version 3.20.0 on December 9th, 2022, and its design is a pet project of Chris Wilson. An Alpha testing phase based on version version 3.19.0 is expected to begin in early November 2022, with invitations via sign-up.
Features of Ruthless mode will have little to no impact on the core gameplay of the rest of the game. It is intended as a testing ground for radical changes and experiments (such as mid-league buff/nerfs).
Overview
Ruthless can be selected by ticking a checkbox in the character selection screen. This is only available after rescuing the Scion in Act 3. A Ruthless character can only be created on initial character creation, but the Ruthless flag can be removed from a character at any time by migrating it into the corresponding regular league.
Ruthless characters will play in a separate league with their own ladder. Together with the flag, this results in the following restrictions: (note: exact features TBA. The current information is unconfirmed and subject to change)
- All items and currency drop rates are significantly reduced
- Vendors like Siosa and Lilly Roth no longer sell gems; they must be found in the wild[1]
- The Crafting Bench is disabled[2]
- Veiled items cannot be obtained[3]
- Flasks must be manually refilled by an NPC; they will not be refilled by entering towns or hideouts.[better source needed]
If the character is no longer SSF, it will be transferred to the non-SSF parent league permanently and the highest level reached within the ladder will be retained, however any further progress will not be accounted for.
It is also possible to migrate all characters and league progress to the non-SSF parent league. Though all Shaper and Elder influences are not transferable when migrating all, including The Elder itself when present on the Atlas.
Strategy
Since it is not possible to trade or interact with other players, it is of utmost importance that a Ruthless character (especially the first in a league) is able to clear all act bosses on its own and is able to survive without specific items.
On your first character:
- Skill gems that increase their power through gem levels (like spells and certain attacks) are preferable to attacks requiring weapons.
- Having the option to take resistance nodes on the tree can serve as a stop-gap until better gear resistance is acquired.
- Life based characters are generally more easy to acquire gear for than energy shield based characters;
- Characters gain life on every level up as well as through strength
- Life or strength rolls on gear are common.
Leather BeltLeather BeltRequires Level 8+(25-40) to maximum Life
or 
Coral RingCoral Ring+(20-30) to maximum Life
can be used to supplement the HP pool.
- Stash gear and skill gems that might be useful for other characters.
- Use a very lenient filter due to extreme item scarcity
- Avoid relying on specific drop-only unique items, as it may take a long time to acquire them through random drops.
- Divination cards can be a way to obtain specific items (including some unique items) that would otherwise be hard to obtain. (note: Div Card drop rates may also be significantly nerfed)
- Do not risk gambling with currency that may irreversibly change stats (Such as
Vaal OrbsVaal OrbStack Size: 20Corrupts an item, modifying it unpredictablyRight click this item then left click an item to corrupt it. Corrupted items cannot be modified again.
) on items that you cannot afford to lose.
History
Version history
| Version | Changes |
|---|---|
| 3.20.0 |