The intersection of celebrity and competitive gaming has rarely been as scrutinized as in the case of Elon Musk. For years, the tech mogul has woven his affinity for video games into his public persona, sharing achievements and engaging with gaming communities. While many have accepted his self-proclaimed feats, the release of Path of Exile 2 in the mid-2020s sparked a wave of skepticism that even drew commentary from his ex-partner, the musician Grimes. This controversy highlights the intense, data-driven nature of modern gaming communities and the difficulty of verifying high-level accomplishments outside of official, verifiable channels.
The Core of the Controversy: A Path of Exile 2 Claim
The debate ignited when Musk stated he had achieved level 97 in Path of Exile 2's hardcore permadeath mode, a notoriously punishing game mode where death is permanent. He insisted this was done without any third-party assistance. For the uninitiated, this claim is monumental. Reaching such a high level in this mode typically requires:
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Hundreds of hours of focused playtime.
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Deep, intricate knowledge of game mechanics, builds, and enemy patterns.
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A near-flawless execution, as a single mistake can erase all progress.
The gaming community's immediate reaction was one of profound doubt. How could someone with Musk's famously packed schedule dedicate the necessary, uninterrupted 20-hour grinding sessions that similarly ranked players reported? The skepticism was only amplified when it was revealed Musk had been temporarily removed from the game for performing "too many actions in short succession," a red flag often associated with the use of automated macros or other forbidden aids.
Grimes Enters the Chat: A Character Witness for Gaming
Amidst the growing online doubt, Grimes offered a firsthand account of Musk's gaming history. She didn't just vouch for his general interest; she cited specific, high-profile accomplishments:
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Diablo 4 Pioneer: According to Grimes, Musk was the first American player to successfully clear the supremely challenging "Abattoir of Zir" dungeon with the Druid class and finished that competitive season as the top-ranked player in the United States. She noted that records from the time support this claim.
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Strategy Game Savant: She also mentioned his high ranking in The Battle of Polytopia, a turn-based strategy title, where he reportedly even outperformed the game's own creator, Felix af Ekenstam.
Musk's response to this public defense was characteristically brief: a simple "Thanks." But for many, this testimony, while compelling for past games, did little to quell the specific doubts about his Path of Exile 2 journey.
The Livestream Evidence: Knowledge vs. Achievement
The most damning evidence against Musk's Path of Exile 2 claim came not from hearsay, but from his own livestreams. Viewers noted a jarring disconnect between the supposed expertise of a level 97 hardcore player and the gameplay on display. Critical knowledge gaps were evident:
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Mechanical Ignorance: He demonstrated little understanding of fundamental systems like using maps for end-game content or implementing loot filters to manage item clutter.
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Costly In-Game Errors: During a boss fight, he failed to use a mana potion when he ran out of resources (a cardinal sin for any experienced player).
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Questionable Loot Decisions: Perhaps most tellingly, he ran past extremely valuable currency items like Chaos Orbs and left a top-tier staff, an "Agony Pole Advanced Barrier Quarterstaff" with powerful modifiers, lying on the ground. These are actions virtually unthinkable for someone who had invested the hundreds of hours required to reach his claimed level. Could someone truly master the extreme difficulty of permadeath without grasping these basic efficiency and survival tenets?
The Multitasking Defense and Lingering Questions
A pivotal moment for skeptics occurred when Musk was seen actively playing Path of Exile 2 while simultaneously conducting a live, public discussion on social media with Alice Weidel, a prominent German politician. His supporters argued that a mind capable of running multiple billion-dollar companies could easily handle gaming while engaging in political discourse. They posited that his intelligence allows for a level of multitasking incomprehensible to the average person.
However, critics counter that Path of Exile 2, especially in hardcore mode, demands singular, uninterrupted focus. A momentary lapse in attention against a tough enemy can mean game over. The idea of casually chatting politics while navigating such perilous in-game territory seemed to many like proof the claimed achievement wasn't being pursued with the requisite seriousness. Is raw intellectual horsepower enough to override the muscle memory and hyper-focused situational awareness that hardcore action RPGs demand?
The Verdict of the Gaming Sphere
As of 2026, the controversy remains unresolved in the court of public opinion. The community is essentially divided:
| Camp | Argument | Key Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Skeptics | Musk's Path of Exile 2 claim is implausible. | Livestreams showing lack of basic game knowledge; the account suspension for rapid actions. |
| Supporters | Musk is a proven high-achiever in other games and can multitask. | Grimes' testimony of past achievements; his known intellectual capacity. |
| Neutral Observers | Past success doesn't guarantee present skill; evidence is conflicting. | Acknowledges verified Diablo 4 records but finds PoE2 gameplay footage unconvincing. |
The saga underscores a broader truth in today's gaming landscape: achievements are increasingly transparent and subject to community verification through streams, leaderboards, and data tracking. Unsubstantiated claims, regardless of the claimant's fame, face intense scrutiny. While Grimes provided credible support for Musk's historical gaming prowess, the specific case of Path of Exile 2 stands as a separate, unverified chapter. Ultimately, the episode is less about whether one billionaire is good at a video game and more about how modern gaming culture values provable skill and dedicated knowledge over unverified assertion. In a world where every click can be analyzed, can any high-stakes claim survive without clear, consistent evidence? For now, the question of Elon Musk's true Path of Exile 2 rank remains a mystery, locked behind a screen of conflicting testimonies and puzzling gameplay.