I started leveling again on rampage (softcore) just for fun. I can't believe the increased amount of joy I actually have. Playing both hardcore and softcore 60+, I can actually say I enjoy softcore more. Literally, trying to insta-log out or alt+f4 didn't make me enjoy hardcore, but made me actually hate it. But sometimes the rush of barely surviving when I thought I was going to die really did get my heart pumping. So I can definitely understand the allure of hardcore.
In softcore, I can run in and just try some random shit, if I die, it sucks, but it's not a big deal. Losing XP is a decent enough penalty to make you not want to die at higher levels.
I haven't done any new end game content this new patch, but I saw the whole thing with hideouts and vaal orbs. Does it matter which master I choose for my hideout?
Also regarding vaal orbs, someone is "corrupting" their huge stockpile of shaavs for the perfect mod or something.
http://www.reddit.com/r/pathofexile/comments/2irc4l/corrupting_shavs_for_fun_and_profit/
Supposedly someone offered him 1500 ex for the perfect gloves he made or something. It's sort of confusing, if anyone can break it down, cause I am dumb.