head to head
vs
Diablo IIIvsPath of Exile 2
Diablo III leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Path of Exile 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Diablo IIIPath of Exile 2
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 6
Path of Exile 2 leans harder on execution: Slower, more deliberate combat raises the mechanical precision demand
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance5 vs 6
Path of Exile 2 leans harder on variance: Drop systems and crafting RNG remain central to the experience
Optimization9 vs 9
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.