Building comparison
head to head
Path of ExilevsTorchlight II
Path of Exile asks more than Torchlight II, and the gap is optimization.
Path of Exile
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A theorycraft-dense ARPG about engineering builds through randomised loot and crafting.
Torchlight II
Optimization · Pure Optimization
A colorful loot ARPG where theorycrafting builds beats anything your hands do.
Path of Exile leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Torchlight II leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Path of ExileTorchlight II
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 3
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Path of Exile
Some dodge and reflex play, but build carries fights.
Torchlight II
Faster combat asks for dodging and skill timing
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Path of Exile
Mobs and bosses are scripted; no adaptation.
Torchlight II
Enemies are scripted swarms, never adaptive
Variance6 vs 5
Path of Exile leans a little harder on variance, though the gap is small.
Path of Exile
Loot, map mods, and crafting outcomes are heavily random.
Torchlight II
Loot rolls and random maps drive the chase
Optimization10 vs 8
Path of Exile leans clearly harder on optimization.
Path of Exile
Passive tree, crafting, and economy form near-infinite theorycraft.
Torchlight II
Skill trees and gear synergies decide character power
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.