Path of Exile 2 Beginner's Guide

Here's what you need to know to give you a head start into Path of Exile 2.

Game Guide by Ornstein on Dec 10, 2024

If you're like me when I first started, Path of Exile 2 can be quite overwhelming with all its systems, complicated mechanics, and limitless potential. Fear not, for what I will share with you is knowledge gained from 20 hours of playing. This will be a new player's guide or for those who just acquired the game and are trying to get started with the campaign.

The Enigma of Support Gems

The first lesson learned was about the value of Support Gems. Those useful little enhancements can be put into your skills to dramatically change their benefits, even their attributes. Early on, you're restricted to two support gems per skill, but as you go further, you will come across artifacts that let you add more slots. Trust me, you'll want to keep an eye out for those.

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Building up Skill Gems is just a tip - hovering over a skill only shows a few options. Dive into categories: Strength, Intelligence, and Dexterity to view and choose even more possibilities. Don't settle for merely the basics. Experiment with new combos. They are game-changer skills.

Keep in mind you cannot use two copies of the same support gem on different skills. This makes you think carefully about your picks. Also, your attributes—Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence—lock in which support gems you can use efficiently. I would say just stick with your dominant attribute. If you are in a Strength class like a Warrior, stick with strength-based gems, for example. Take it from me; it's not worth spreading oneself too thin over traits early on.

Mastering Attributes & Skill DPS

Learning how to use attributes is the key to learning DPS. Early on in my journey, I learned how easy it is to put points into everything, but it's best to stick with your primary attribute. When you are confident, you can swap to secondary ones if your build needs that.

I found the DPS indication on the skill screen very useful. This nifty feature changes in real time as you switch between gear, weapons, and support gems. Watching my DPS go up (or down) helped me know whether a specific loot piece was really an upgrade. Of course, DPS is only one of the many elements that go into selecting gear; the goal is to kill enemies fast enough for smooth progression.

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Grind For Gems & Side Quests

Skill gems, the glittering rewards for our toil, are doled out at random. Farming bosses or elite monsters can reward additional gems, but don't get caught in the grind. More powerful gems are your reward as your character levels up, so making your way through the main campaign is your best bet for accessing more potent powers.

I cannot stress this enough: completing side quests is important. Most of them reward you with permanent buffs, passive skill points, or other useful things. Doing them as you level up is a good way to reinforce your character since they are usually in places you will be in anyway.

Meeting The Hooded One

Ah, the hooded one! An hour or two into the game, I met this mysterious NPC. He became my go-to for identifying items—for free. That saved me a lot of gold. Even better, he allows you to Respec Points in your passive skill tree. Early in the game, respec fees are acceptable, so I experimented freely to discover a build that worked for my play style. Respec charges do, however, rise with your level, so be prepared in this respect when reaching high levels.

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Farming Boss and Stagger Mechanics

There were times when I just felt stuck, my gear unable to keep up with the challenges ahead. That was when I learned about boss farming. Revisiting bosses, even at lower levels, helped me get better gear, especially rare stuff. It helped me skip many frustrating roadblocks.

Now, about Stagger. There's a tiny bar under the health indicator that fills up to show stagger growth. Fill it up, and the enemy will temporarily be stunned and left vulnerable, and your damage will increase. Skills and Support gems can increase stagger buildup, so it's a great strategy for tough fights.

Ascendancy Classes: A Definitive Choice

In Act 2, I reached a watershed moment: the Ascendancy Trial. It unlocked a class-specific passive skill tree for me. Each class has two possible Ascendencies, and picking one seemed like it was going to be important because it was a permanent choice. I carefully read the descriptions and considered the benefits before making a decision.

The actual trial was challenging. I had to leave it, come back a few levels later, and try again to progress through it. If you have difficulty, don't worry; you can always come back later on. You receive more trials as you progress with Ascendancy skill points, so keep an eye out for those.

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The Social Aspect of Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 has more than single-player adventures. Once I knew how the social structure worked, I was easily able to invite people to a party with me. If I pressed "J," it opened up the party menu, where I could invite friends by typing their player names. From there, we made guilds, partied, and took on the game together. Being able to explore with other players was a whole different experience than playing alone.

Finally...

Path of Exile 2 is full of consumable items. First, I didn't know what to do with all of them. My advice is to just put them in your stash until you get a better feel for how the game works. They'll be useful later on when creating and enhancing equipment.

As a new player, focus on advancing through the main campaign. Many questions—like how to get higher-tier gems or access better gear—will be answered as you progress, and your resolve will strengthen naturally. Try not to min-max too much in the early game and just enjoy the ride; the game will develop naturally.

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