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Path of Exile, better known as PoE by many, is an amazing RPG experience despite not being as popular as its competitors. The game has had a cult following over the last couple of years, and it’s easily one of those hidden gems that you should try at least once.
As a game, PoE is often regarded as a complicated RPG with so many mechanics that new players become intimidated just by the idea of starting the game. If you’re new to PoE, then we’re going to give you a little boost with this quick beginner’s guide.
Creating Your Character
Believe it or not, one of the toughest choices you’ll need to make in PoE is creating a character. This process in itself is long and requires a lot of careful thinking. Let’s first start with picking a League.
League is basically a server where your character in PoE is made. A single character can only exist in one League at any given time. You also can’t interact with characters outside of that League. Here are your choices:
| League Option | Description | Duration |
| Standard | Base Path of Exile with no temporary mechanics. The economy never resets and dying results in an XP penalty. | Permanent |
| Hardcore | Similar to Standard but the game is harder – lower drops for rare items, harder crafting, etc. Dying results in an XP penalty and your character will be moved to Standard. | Permanent |
| League | Path of Exile with a new mechanic. The game’s economy resets after a set duration and characters are moved to Standard once it ends. Dying results in an XP penalty. | 3-4 Months |
| Hardcore League | Similar to Standard League but the game is harder – lower drops for rare items, harder crafting, etc. The game’s economy resets after a set duration and characters are moved to Standard once it ends. Dying results in an XP penalty and characters are moved to Standard League | 3-4 Month |
If you’re new, it’s best to start on a Standard playthrough to get a better feel of the game.
Next up, you’ll need to choose a class. What makes PoE different from other RPGs is that the class doesn’t dictate the skills you can use. It only dictates where you start on the skill tree. Of course, different classes start with different core attributes. Here are your choices.
| Class | Attributes | Builds |
| Marauder | STR | Best for melee-focused players. |
| Templar | STR/INT | Best for using Brands and Man-builds. |
| Witch | INT | Best players that want to sling spells and use minions. |
| Shadow | INT/DEX | Best suited for builds that rely on traps, damage-over-time, and triggered spells. |
| Ranger | DEX | Best for fighting at a distance. |
| Duelist | DEX/STR | Best for creating tank builds. |
| Scion | STR/DEX/INT | A balanced character that relies on passives. Great for beginners. |
Every class is available from the start so make sure to try them all out first.
Find A Build
Like other ARPGs, progression in PoE relies heavily on builds. While it’s good to mix and match, and try as many builds as you can, it’s best to focus your time on tried and tested builds. There are lots of websites that give you an idea of the best builds in PoE. Some that we recommend checking out are OverGear and PoE Vault. As you become more experienced in the game, feel free to create builds of your own.
Focus On The Main Campaign In Act I
The first Act of PoE is basically an introduction to the game’s world and mechanics. It’s very linear but the rewards for completing the quests are helpful in the early stages of the game. While there are a lot of other things to do in PoE’s first act, focusing on the main campaign first is highly recommended. That said, keep these things in mind as well:
- Choose the Quicksilver Flask as your reward in the Mercy Mission quest. This gives you a great movement speed boost which is great all throughout the game.
- Always have one movement skill equipped at all times as this is your saving grace in sticky situations.
- In The Lower Prison, do the optional trap gauntlet. Finish this to get the Trial of Ascendancy. You’ll need this and five other trials to get your Ascendancy class.
- Before fighting the final boss of Act I, make sure to get a Sapphire Ring as it can help you with the fight. You can make one by selling a blue Skill Gem and an Iron Ring to a vendor.
Don’t Hoard
A common mistake made by newcomers in PoE is picking up everything they see on the ground. Your storage space in the game is fairly limited. Focus on grabbing rare items, currency, and jewels. To make it easier, you should install a loot filter as well.
Games like Diablo 4 are more lenient when it comes to inventory space so you’re used to hoarding. With PoE, you’ll need a different approach.
Get Help Whenever You Can
PoE is hard and it can be a lot easier if you seek help from friends who are also playing the game. You can play with them and share the loot you get along the way. Teaming is up is a great way to get a better feel of the game as others guide you through it.
Another way to get a competitive edge in PoE is by buying currency. You’ll need it for items and gear that will make progression through the early stages of the game a lot easier. There are lots of storefronts where you can buy PoE currency at low and reasonable prices.
PoE Is A Fun Time Waiting To Happen
With so many mechanics to consider and an ever-changing list of metas to follow, it’s easy to understand why a lot of players get intimidated by the idea of playing PoE. However, with this guide, you don’t have to worry too much about starting out in the game as we’ve just made it easier for you.