This comprehensive guide to Path of Exile 2, a standalone sequel to the original Path of Exile, covers everything from beginner tips to advanced endgame strategies. Released into Early Access on December 6, 2024, PoE 2 significantly overhauls its predecessor's mechanics while retaining the core ARPG experience. This guide hub, constantly updated, will continue to expand as new content is added throughout Early Access and the full 2025 release.
Getting Started & PoE 2 Beginner Tips: This section provides essential information for new players, including game overview, optimal settings, basic controls, and crucial early-game strategies. Topics covered include:
- Game Information: Burning Questions, All Early Access Supporter Packs & Rewards, Changing Character Leagues, Obtaining Points, Best Stash Tabs, Gameplay Duration, Improvements Over PoE 1, Max Level & Milestones, Level Scaling, and Claiming Twitch Drops.
- Controls & Settings: Best PC Settings, Dodging & Blocking, Weapon Changes, Skill Binding, Movement Input, Linking Items to Chat, Hiding the Chat, and Crossplay.
- Beginner Tips: Ten Essential Tips, Wisdom Scroll Locations, Loot Management, Best Beginner Classes, Fast Gold Farming, Multiplayer, and Prioritizing Gold Spending.
PoE 2 Game Mechanics & Systems: This section delves into the intricate mechanics that define PoE 2 gameplay. Learn about:
- Character Stats & Skill Points: Character Attributes, Acquiring Passive Skill Points, Respecting Passive Skill Points, Utilizing the Passive Skill Filter, Weapon Set Points, Spirit Resource Management, Increasing Spirit & Movement Speed, Maximizing Mana, Energy Shield Mechanics, Accuracy, and Resistance Upgrades.
- Gameplay Mechanics: Fast Travel, Free Item Identification, Trading, Ailments, Instances, Stunning Enemies, Skill Aiming, Armor Break, Crowd Control, Guild Creation & Joining, Arcane Surge, Power Charges, Death Penalty, and Herald of Ice & Thunder.
- Skills, Gems, Jewels, & Runes: Equipping Support Gems, Obtaining More Support Gems, Rune Usage, Jewel Sockets, Uncut Spirit Gems, and Raging Spirits.
Classes, Ascendancies, & Builds: Explore the diverse classes, ascendancy systems, and build options available in PoE 2. This section includes:
- PoE 2 Class Guides: Best Classes (Ranked), Best Solo Class, Mercenary Ammo Swapping, Minion Summoning, Aftershock, and Rage Mechanics.
- Ascendancies: All Class Ascendancies & Nodes, and Unlocking Ascension Classes.
- PoE 2 Build Guides: Monk, Tempest Flurry Invoker, Mercenary, Sorceress, Rolling Slam Warrior, Warrior, and Witch Leveling Builds.
PoE 2 Currencies & Gear: Master the art of crafting and gear acquisition in PoE 2. This section covers:
- Upgrades & Improvements: Upgrading Item Rarity, Potion Upgrades & Refills, Adding Sockets, Upgrading Armor & Weapon Quality, and Rerolling Gear Modifiers.
- PoE 2 Currencies: All Currency Items & Effects, Salvage Bench Usage, Currency Exchange, Currency Exchange Rates, Reforging Bench Usage, Obtaining Orbs of Chance & Divine Orbs, and Greater Jeweler's Orbs.
- Gear & Equipment: Early Gear Farming, Unique Item Acquisition, Charm System, Charm Equipping & Upgrades, Stellar Amulets, Ingenuity Utility Belt, and Hand of Wisdom and Action.
Quest & Boss Walkthroughs: Detailed walkthroughs for quests and boss encounters across all three Acts (currently available in Early Access). This includes:
- All Main Quests and Acts and All Permanent Bonuses from the Campaign.
- Act One: Devourer Location (Treacherous Ground Quest), Secrets In The Dark Quest, Renly's Tools Location, Una’s Lute Location, Draven (Eternal Praetor) Boss Fight, and Count Geonor (Putrid Wolf) Boss Fight.
- Act Two: Rathbreaker Boss Guide, Ancient Vows Quest, Balbala Boss Fight, King in the Mists Boss Fight, Golden Idols, Ascent To Power Walkthrough, and Sisters of Garukhan Guide.
- Act Three: Sacrificial Heart Usage, Treasures of Utzaal Quest, Mighty Silverfist Boss Fight, Mushroom Usage, and The Slithering Dead Quest.
PoE 2 Endgame Guides: Strategies and guides for navigating the challenging endgame content. This includes:
- Endgame Tips & Mechanics: Unlocking Cruel Difficulty & Endgame, Advanced Endgame Tips, Waystone Acquisition & Upgrades, Waystone Sustainability, Atlas Skill Tree Setup, Hideout Unlocking, and Citadel Locations.
- Endgame Features & Leagues: Atlas of Worlds Guide, Realmgate, Breach Guide, Delirium Guide, Ritual Guide, Expedition Guide, Burning Monolith, Trial of Chaos Guide, and Trial of the Sekhemas Guide.
Advanced PoE 2 Tips & Other Guides: Advanced techniques and strategies for maximizing your PoE 2 experience. This section covers:
- Advanced PoE 2 Guides: Fast XP Gain, Loot Filter Usage, Console Loot Filters, Sidekick Features & Installation, FilterBlade Usage, Avoiding Merchant Purchases, Avoiding Merchant Sales, and Obtaining More Character Slots.
