Comprehensive Beginner's Guide to Path of Exile 2

PoE 2 Beginner's Guide: Getting Started in Path of Exile 2

Greetings, Exile! Welcome to our comprehensive beginner's guide for Path of Exile 2.

Path of Exile 2 is among the most intricate ARPGs available, often leaving newcomers feeling overwhelmed by its depth and complexity. Don’t worry—this guide is here to help. In the following chapters, we’ll explore everything you need to know to start your journey in Oriath. Ready to dive in? Let’s begin!

Getting Started in Path of Exile 2

Getting started in Path of Exile 2 is a simple process. Upon launching the game and logging in, you’ll arrive at the character select screen, where you can view all your existing characters. If it’s your first time playing, you’ll need to create your first character, known as an “exile.”

Next, you’ll see the game mode selection screen. Here, players can choose between Standard and the Temporary Challenge League. Additionally, you can select from various playstyles:

• Softcore: The default mode.
• SSF (Solo Self-Found): Trading and grouping with other players are disabled.
• Hardcore: Death permanently deletes your character.
• Ruthless: A highly punishing mode with significantly reduced loot availability.

We’ll explore each of these game modes in detail later in the guide.

After selecting your game mode, it’s time to choose your class. Path of Exile 2 offers a diverse array of classes, each with unique specializations. In the next chapter, we’ll delve into the available classes, explain ascendancies, and provide a list of the best classes for beginners, along with tips on how to pick the perfect starter class for your PoE 2 journey.

PoE 2 Classes & Ascendancies

Path of Exile 2 boasts one of the widest selections of classes and playstyles, enhanced by its unique ascendancy system. When creating your character, you can choose from 12 classes: Marauder, Warrior, Ranger, Huntress, Witch, Sorceress, Duelist, Mercenary, Shadow, Monk, Templar, and Druid.

Each class has three ascendancies, serving as specializations that unlock a small passive skill tree with unique modifiers and effects. To access ascendancies, you must complete Ascension Trials, which become available starting in Act 2.

Classes in Path of Exile 2

The class system in Path of Exile 2 works differently from most ARPGs. Instead of being tied to a predefined skill set, the primary differences between classes lie in their starting location on the passive skill tree and their base stats. This flexibility allows you to experiment with unconventional builds, such as a spell-casting Warrior or a gun-wielding Witch. With a solid understanding of the game or guidance from build guides, Path of Exile 2 empowers players to explore creative playstyles.

The chosen ascendancy is the key factor in defining your build archetype, which we’ll discuss in the next section of the guide.

Ascendancies

Class ascendancies unlock a small passive skill tree that focuses on specific effects, offering players creative freedom no matter their choice. While exact details about the ascendancies for each PoE 2 class remain limited, they are expected to align more closely with specific archetypes compared to Path of Exile 1.

Best Class for Beginners in PoE 2

If you’re wondering which class is best for a new Path of Exile 2 player, you’re not alone. In this section, we’ll guide you through selecting the perfect class to start your adventure, listing the top choices for beginners to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable introduction to the game.

Path of Exile 2 Class Tier List and Choosing Your Starter Class

Using the tier list below, our in-depth analysis of Path of Exile 2 classes will help you select a character that offers an exceptional mix of fun, flexibility, and ease of use:

Tier	Class	Reason
S-Tier	Witch	Easy to play; minions handle most of the damage.
	Druid	Highly durable; excels at crowd control and debuffing enemies.
	Sorceress	Long-range caster; Ignite provides accessible gameplay; Freeze adds defense.
	Templar	Very tanky; simple builds; performs well even without top-tier gear.
A-Tier	Shadow	Resilient and easy to play; DOT and trap-based gameplay.
	Marauder	Durable through ascendancies; versatile playstyles with strong damage.
	Warrior	Simple, survivable gameplay.
	Mercenary	Excellent endgame scaling; unique bow/crossbow mechanics; engaging to play.
	Duelist	Strong melee class; balance of tankiness and damage through ascendancies.
B-Tier	Ranger	Fragile early game; excellent endgame scaling with great damage potential.
	Huntress	Hybrid melee/ranged class; requires managing multiple skills.
	Monk	Melee caster/attack hybrid; may need combos for optimal damage.

How to Choose Your Starter Class in PoE 2

Picking the best starter class in Path of Exile 2 depends on your preferences, as class choice has minimal impact on builds. A good starting point is to browse a variety of builds and choose one that appeals to you, as it will determine your class. Alternatively, you can select a class or ascendancy first and then find a build that suits your preferred playstyle.

In general, most PoE 2 builds are straightforward, focusing on single-button skills, a movement skill, and buffs that don’t require constant upkeep except in challenging endgame content. While there are more complex builds, the difference in power is minimal, so an easier build will still perform effectively.

For more insights, refer to our detailed PoE 2 class tier lists.

Enhancing Your PoE 2 Experience

Next, we’ll explore third-party tools, websites, and community hubs to improve your Path of Exile 2 gameplay. While some of these resources may not be available immediately after release, the community is quick to update them. Rest assured, all the tools mentioned are 100% safe, comply with GGG's Terms of Service, and do not provide any gameplay advantages.

Third-party Tools for Path of Exile 2

In this section, we’ll explore a range of third-party tools for Path of Exile 2 that can enhance your experience in Oriath. These tools assist with crafting, planning and optimizing builds, pricing items or stash tabs, and even trading in bulk through community platforms.

Craft of Exile

Craft of Exile is the ultimate resource for crafting in Path of Exile 2. This tool provides a comprehensive suite of features, including a crafting simulator, price calculator, and modifier lists with their weights for each item type. Mastering this tool is key to improving your crafting expertise. It also offers accessible guides on using its features, making it a must-have for any player interested in crafting.

Path of Building

Path of Building is arguably the most essential third-party tool for Path of Exile 2. It is indispensable for sharing and analyzing builds from guides found online. The in-game stat calculator often overlooks buffs and effects, leading to discrepancies between displayed and actual stats.
This tool accurately incorporates all these factors, allowing you to customize your build, track stats, resistances, eHP, and DPS with precision. Path of Building ensures your build is fully optimized for any scenario.

Exilence

Exilence is a powerful community-developed tool designed to track your grind sessions and price entire stash tabs in bulk. Since Path of Exile heavily revolves around currency, this tool helps you calculate the total value of items collected during your farming sessions. This makes it easier to track progress toward purchasing key items or uniques for your build.

Awakened PoE Trade

While Exilence excels at pricing bulk currency and consumables, Awakened PoE Trade specializes in gear and unique items. This overlay tool allows you to check the price of any item based on its stats and modifiers. It also helps you organize stash tabs, create custom item filters, and bind actions like logout or text messages to hotkeys. Awakened PoE Trade is a versatile tool that simplifies many aspects of the game.

The Forbidden Trove (TFT)

The Forbidden Trove, or TFT, is a Discord server built by the Path of Exile community for trading. It facilitates the bulk buying and selling of items, currencies, and consumables, as well as offering crafting and service trades for in-game currency.
For trade league players, joining TFT is highly recommended. It saves significant time when stocking up on crafting materials, purchasing maps in bulk, or selling grind session loot without manually listing items on the trade website. TFT is an invaluable resource for efficient trading.

Leagues & Standard in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 offers two primary game modes: Standard and the Temporary Challenge League. Standard serves as a permanent realm, similar to Legacy mode in Diablo 4, while Challenge Leagues function like seasonal content in Diablo 4 and Last Epoch, where players start fresh. Let’s break down the positives and negatives of each mode.

Standard

Standard is the default game mode in Path of Exile 2, where progress is never reset. While it’s generally less popular than Challenge Leagues, Standard is ideal for players with limited time to play, as progress remains intact indefinitely. Additionally, for players who enjoy extreme min-maxing, Standard is perfect for continuously refining characters over the long term without the pressure of a time limit. Legacy items and builds also remain accessible in this mode.

Leagues

Leagues are time-limited game modes lasting 3 to 4 months, introducing new mechanics or reworking existing systems. Every League starts with a fresh economy, creating an exciting experience for both new and seasoned players. Leagues are the best opportunity to explore new builds and try out fresh ideas, as everyone begins on equal footing.

Best PoE 2 League Starter Builds

Selecting the best starter build for a League depends on many factors, including the constantly shifting meta influenced by buffs, nerfs, and game updates. Instead of focusing on specific builds, we recommend a few archetypes known for their reliability at the start of a League:

• Detonate Dead
• Trap builds
• Boneshatter builds
• Lightning Arrow

These builds are versatile and proven to perform well across various activities.

Next, we’ll explore additional "challenge modifiers" you can select when choosing your game mode.

SSF, Hardcore & Ruthless in Path of Exile 2

Solo Self-Found (commonly known as SSF), Hardcore, and Ruthless are optional game modes that can be selected alongside the Standard or League realms. Each mode has its own separate realm, meaning that players in a Hardcore League, for example, can only interact with other Hardcore League characters. Let’s dive into the details of each mode.

SSF (Solo Self-Found)

In PoE 2, SSF disables trading with other players, creating a single-player experience where you must rely solely on the items you find yourself. While this mode offers a unique and rewarding challenge, it demands extensive knowledge of game mechanics, making it unsuitable for new players or as a starting point for your first few characters.

Hardcore

Hardcore is the most punishing mode in PoE 2. While trading and interaction with other players are allowed, survival is paramount. Death in Hardcore results in your character being either deleted or transferred to Standard. Players in Hardcore focus heavily on defensive strategies, ensuring their builds can withstand the game’s toughest challenges without risking death.

Ruthless

Ruthless, though less punishing than Hardcore, is another challenging mode. In Ruthless, both the quantity and quality of loot are significantly reduced, leading to slower character progression. This mode forces players to make the most of every resource and harkens back to the gameplay style of older ARPGs like Diablo 2, offering a nostalgic and methodical experience.

With the "preparation" steps and game mode options covered, it’s time to delve into gameplay aspects, starting with leveling.

PoE 2's Campaign & Leveling

In Path of Exile 2, the campaign serves as a streamlined leveling experience, gradually introducing you to the game’s mechanics. The primary source of experience for your character is defeating mobs, with the amount of experience gained depending on the level of the monsters.

Campaign Overview

The PoE 2 campaign consists of six acts, each set in a different zone of Oriath, continuing the story from Path of Exile 1 after Kitava’s fall. Completing each act takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, and the campaign is mandatory for every new character, meaning you’ll need to clear all six acts each time you start fresh.

However, as you replay the campaign, you’ll become familiar with zone layouts and objectives, significantly reducing your completion time. While your first playthrough might take 30 hours, subsequent runs after a few characters can be completed in 10 to 12 hours.

How to Level Up Fast in PoE 2

Leveling up quickly in Path of Exile 2 is directly tied to the level and density of mobs. To optimize your XP gains:

• Kill all mobs you encounter without chasing down stragglers.
• Prioritize densely packed groups and magic or rare mobs, as they offer higher XP rewards.
• Avoid wasting time on elite mobs with difficult modifiers unless necessary.

Once you reach the endgame, you’ll unlock more efficient leveling options, which we’ll explore in the next section.

Best Activities for Leveling

After finishing the campaign and unlocking the endgame, you’ll gain access to maps—instanced zones filled with mobs, a boss, and various activities. Some activities, such as Breaches and Delirium Mirrors, are packed with mobs, providing massive XP gains in a short amount of time. These are highly recommended for maximizing your leveling efficiency.

For a deeper dive into this topic, check out our PoE 2 leveling guide.

Next Steps: Gearing in Path of Exile 2

In the next section, we’ll explore Path of Exile 2’s gearing system, covering the essentials to help you optimize your gameplay experience.

Gearing Up in Path of Exile 2

The gear system in Path of Exile 2, like many other aspects of the game, is intricate. However, this guide simplifies the key concepts to make it accessible even for first-time players. Gear in PoE 2 is divided into two primary categories based on rarity: unique items and non-unique items (normal, magic, and rare).

Unique Items

Unique items feature preset modifiers, including some exclusive ones that cannot appear on other gear.

Non-Unique Items

Non-uniques can have up to six modifiers depending on their rarity. These modifiers are randomly assigned from a pool specific to the item type. Most builds in Path of Exile 2 utilize a mix of hand-crafted rare items and unique items.

Gearing During Campaign and Endgame

During the campaign, most of your equipment will come from mob drops or vendors offering items with useful early-game affixes. Once you reach the endgame, the majority of random drops will be suboptimal. At this stage, you’ll rely on trading with other players or crafting your own gear to meet your build's needs.

Understanding Skill Gems

Skill gems are one of Path of Exile 2’s defining features. Instead of class-specific abilities, skills are granted by equipable skill gems.

• Active Gems: Provide castable skills.
• Support Gems: Enhance or modify the functionality of active gems, such as increasing damage or altering abilities.

Each skill gem can be enhanced with up to five support gems, depending on the number of sockets available. The number of sockets can be adjusted using jeweler orbs. Skill gems do not have modifiers but can be leveled up using Uncut Skill Gems to improve their power.

Understanding Flasks

Flasks are crucial for character survival, split into two types: health flasks and mana flasks. These permanent items operate on a charge system:

• Restoration: Charges refill when you visit town or defeat magic/rare mobs.
• Modifiers: Flasks can have effects such as increased duration, reduced charge usage, or enhanced charge gain.

Additionally, there are Charms, items similar to flasks that prevent specific types of crowd control and grant immunity for a short time after activation. You can equip up to three different charms based on your needs.

Resistances in PoE 2

Resistances play a vital role in survivability. The game features five damage types: elemental (fire, cold, lightning), chaos, and physical. These are mitigated by:

• Elemental Resistance: Reduces fire, cold, and lightning damage.
• Chaos Resistance: Reduces chaos damage.
• Armor: Mitigates physical damage.
• Evasion: Grants a chance to completely avoid attack damage based on your evasion rating.

To comfortably progress through content, aim for:

• 75% elemental resistance for each type
• 0% or higher chaos resistance
• Around 80% physical damage reduction, potentially combined with evasion

Tracking and improving resistances starting from the campaign’s midpoint will significantly enhance your survivability.

For a deeper dive into this topic, refer to our PoE 2 gearing guide.

Next Steps: The Passive Skill Tree

In the next section, we’ll explore the complex passive skill tree that forms the foundation of Path of Exile 2’s character customization.

PoE 2 Passive Skill Tree

The passive skill tree in Path of Exile 2 is a hallmark of innovation in the RPG genre, featuring a web-like design with over 1,500 nodes shared among all 12 classes. There are six starting points on the tree, with two classes sharing each starting node.

Each time you level up, you earn a skill point, which can be allocated to any passive node connected to either the starting point or previously unlocked nodes. Additional skill points can be earned by completing side quests throughout the campaign.

Passive Nodes

The passive skill tree is organized into clusters of three to six nodes, divided into two types:

• Small Passives: These provide minor stat boosts without any unique effects.
• Large Passives: These offer either significant stat increases or unique effects that align with the cluster's theme.

Each cluster focuses on a specific theme, such as armor, fire resistance, or increased fire damage. Unlocking a large passive grants access to the Mastery Passive, which allows you to choose one modifier from a shared list of bonuses related to that cluster type. This flexibility adds another layer of customization to your build.

With this understanding of the passive skill tree, you're ready to start exploring the many customization options it offers. In the next chapter, we’ll delve into crafting, one of the most engaging and rewarding mechanics in Path of Exile 2.

Crafting Basics in Path of Exile 2

The crafting system in Path of Exile 2 is an exciting and interactive way to improve your character’s gear. The power of each item is determined by its affixes, which can be manipulated in various ways. At its core, crafting involves using different currency items in a specific order, combining these materials in the hopes of achieving a desired combination of affixes. However, each step is often subject to randomness, requiring multiple attempts and a fair bit of luck.

Affix Tiers and Item Levels

Each affix (modifier) on an item has multiple tiers, which determine the range of values the stat can roll. Higher-tier modifiers provide better values but are often restricted by the item level of the equipment. This means that achieving the highest tiers or rare modifiers is generally limited to items obtained in the endgame.

For those curious about how items and affixes are generated, here’s a brief explanation: each item has a pool of potential modifiers, each assigned a specific weight. When crafting or generating an item, these weights are added up, and a "dice roll" determines which modifiers and tiers are applied.

Crafting Outcomes

Using the various currency items in Path of Exile 2, crafting can result in several outcomes. These include:

• Guaranteeing specific modifiers.
• Increasing the likelihood of certain modifiers.
• Reducing or banning specific affix types from appearing.
• Randomly re-rolling modifiers to generate a completely new set.

Mastering crafting requires understanding how these currencies and outcomes interact to achieve the best possible results for your gear.

For an in-depth look at crafting, refer to our PoE 2 crafting guide.

Next Steps: Trading in Path of Exile 2

In the next section, we’ll explore the trading system in Path of Exile 2, covering the various methods of exchanging items in this ARPG.

Trading in PoE 2

Trading is a cornerstone of Path of Exile 2 for any player outside of SSF mode. Most of your items, crafting materials, endgame farming supplies, and more will likely come from trading with other players.

In Path of Exile 2, every item remains tradable, even after being crafted or modified. This opens up opportunities for players to earn currency by crafting and selling items while providing others with access to powerful gear without requiring in-depth crafting knowledge.

The New Trading System

Path of Exile 2 introduces a revamped trading system, including an auction house for stackable items. This feature allows players to instantly purchase stackable items like currency and materials, streamlining the trading process.

For non-stackable items such as gear, trading will still require direct player interaction through the trade window. However, the overall system is significantly improved compared to its predecessor.

The only limitation is that every transaction requires gold, which is account-bound and must be earned by farming monsters. This ensures that trading remains a balanced and fair aspect of the game’s economy.

Trading in Path of Exile 2 is set to become more accessible and efficient, offering players a seamless way to acquire and sell items. Whether you're crafting high-value gear or stocking up on supplies, mastering the trading system will be essential to your success.

We have also prepared a PoE 2 Trading Guide for those seeking more detailed information on the intricacies of the trading system.

As we near the conclusion of our PoE 2 Beginner’s Guide, it’s time to explore one of the final topics every newcomer should be familiar with: the endgame and available activities.

Path of Exile 2 End-Game Activities

Path of Exile 2’s endgame expands upon its predecessor's intricate systems, providing players with a variety of activities to explore after completing the campaign. These include maps, new and reworked endgame bosses, and revamped league mechanics from PoE 1, such as Ritual, Breach, and Delirium.

With redesigned league mechanics, new challenges in maps, and a completely overhauled boss system, Path of Exile 2’s endgame offers endless opportunities for customization and engagement. Players can tailor their experience to suit their preferences, creating a journey that’s both rewarding and enjoyable.

Maps

Maps are the foundation of Path of Exile 2’s endgame, featuring a progressive difficulty system through map tiers that allows players to advance at their own pace. These maps share similarities with systems in other games, such as Diablo 4’s pit, echoes in Last Epoch, or Diablo 3’s greater rifts.

Within maps, players encounter mob packs, league mechanics, and a boss at the end. In PoE 2, Waystones, which grant access to maps on the Atlas, can be modified like items and enhanced using Tablets and currencies such as Distilled Emotions.

Bosses

Pinnacle bosses in Path of Exile 2 are designed to test even the most experienced players, pushing their builds and skills to the limit in intense, high-stakes encounters. Most bosses feature four difficulty levels, providing challenges tailored to varying player strengths.

These bosses are also the exclusive drop locations for certain unique items, often some of the most powerful gear in the game. These highly sought-after items make every boss encounter a priority for players chasing the best builds.

Compared to the first game, bosses in PoE 2 have been significantly reworked, thanks to an upgraded game engine. This allows for more dynamic encounters with enemies that can feature multiple moving parts. These changes promise innovative and exciting fights unlike anything seen in other ARPGs.

Other Activities

In addition to maps and bosses, PoE 2’s endgame includes several unique activities.

• Trials: Initially introduced to unlock ascendancy points, trials can be enhanced in the endgame with Relics and Inscribed Ultimatums, transforming them into rewarding breaks from mapping while offering unique gameplay experiences.
• Expedition Logbooks: This activity allows players to team up with archaeologists to uncover ancient civilizations using explosives. Unearthed enemies must be defeated to claim valuable loot hidden alongside them.

Path of Exile 2’s endgame offers something for every type of player. Whether you’re chasing challenging boss fights or experimenting with unique activities, the possibilities are nearly endless.

FAQ

What is the best build for a beginner in PoE 2?

Selecting a beginner-friendly build in PoE 2 is straightforward. Browse a few build guides, and choose one that looks enjoyable to you. Most builds are designed to be simple, with one primary skill and minimal complexity, making enjoyment your top priority.

What is the most beginner-friendly class in PoE 2?

While all classes are balanced, starting with a Witch or Sorceress is recommended. These classes perform well with easily crafted gear, ensuring a smoother experience through the mid and late game.

Is PoE 2 suitable for beginners?

Path of Exile 2 has a steep learning curve but is beginner-friendly if you’re open to learning. With numerous guides and resources available, both beginners and veterans can enjoy the game.

What is the best solo starting class in PoE 2?

Based on PoE 1’s experience, the Ranger is an excellent choice for solo play in PoE 2. While its early game is challenging and requires optimized gear, it excels in speed and damage at all stages of the game.

What is a league starter in PoE 2?

In Path of Exile 2, "league starters" are builds designed for the early game of a new league. These builds are efficient for the first few weeks but may not scale well into the endgame.

How to pick a class in PoE 2?

Choosing a class comes down to personal preference. All classes have powerful builds, and the game’s limitless scaling allows any class to excel in the right hands.

What is the best gear for leveling in PoE 2?

The best leveling gear includes a Tabula Rasa, paired with uniques that offer high resistances and strong base damage to support early progression.

What is the best early game farming method in PoE 2?

The most efficient early-game farming method is "alch & go." This strategy uses minimal investment to clear maps quickly, leveraging the Atlas passive skill tree to ensure steady profits.

How to farm currency fast in PoE 2?

To farm currency efficiently, stay updated on the latest patch notes and farming strategies. League changes often dictate which methods are most lucrative.

How to get Skill Gems in PoE 2?

Unlock skill gems by obtaining Uncut Gems. These serve as the primary way to access new skills.

How to level up Skill Gems in PoE 2?

Skill gems can be leveled up by using higher-level Uncut Gems. The level of these gems is tied to the area level where they drop, naturally improving as you progress.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has provided you with the knowledge needed to begin your journey as an Exile and navigate the intricate systems of Path of Exile 2. While the world of PoE 2 may seem complex at first, with continued play and the help of guides and videos, you’ll soon feel confident in tackling Oriath’s most formidable challenges.