Path of Exile 2 drops you into a grim world full of monsters, loot, and a staggering amount of complexity. Whether you’re a returning fan or a brand-new player, chances are the game has already humbled you a few times. The formula of the game might seem familiar on the surface, but truth be told, this game is unique and can prove to be quite difficult for your average gamer. In this list, I wanted to mention a few pointers that I wish I knew before I started my adventure with PoE2.
A very important facet of this game is the many currencies that there are in it and what they all do. It can be quite difficult to acquire most of these however, luckily, you get most of them through trustworthy third-party sites. For instance, you can buy divine orbs PoE 2 thanks to the folks over at skycoach among most of the game’s currencies. With our very first pointed out of the way, let’s get on to the rest of the list!
Your first character will probably be a learning experience
Path of Exile 2 has more build depth than most ARPGs combined. Between skill gems, passive trees, support links, ascendancy classes, and gear modifiers, your character’s power is a moving target. It’s easy to waste points, equip gear that actively hurts your performance, or miss powerful synergies.
Your first character is a learning tool. Don’t worry about getting it perfect. The campaign is designed to be completable with almost anything, and you’ll learn more from failure than you will from reading dozens of guides. Treat your first run like a test drive, not a permanent investment.
Movement skills are vital
Getting around in PoE 2 is more dangerous than ever. Many bosses and enemies telegraph their attacks, but you’ll need fast reactions to dodge them. Standing still equals death in higher-level content. Always keep a movement skill gem on your bar — Dash, Blink, Leap Slam, etc. Upgrade its support tree for faster cooldowns, longer range, or additional charges. Mastering mobility is very important for both dodging attacks and chasing down important targets among many enemies!
Gear upgrades
Not all gear upgrades are obvious. Just because you got it last doesn’t mean it’s better than what you already have. An item might offer more armor, but lower your resistances. A wand may boost damage but kill your mana regen. Use the “Advanced Mod Descriptions” (press Alt or a toggle key) to see exact stats so you know what you’re giving up!
The passive skill tree
PoE 2 retains the iconic passive skill tree, and it’s still massive. But with more intuitive paths and better filtering tools like a search bar, so it’s more tempting to wander around the skill tree and see what’s there, but be careful. You don’t want to accidentally follow a leveling path that doesn’t make sense for your character. A strong build focuses on synergy. If you’re a melee damage dealer, don’t waste points on spell crit. If you’re a summoner, don’t chase life leech nodes. Every point should reinforce your core identity.
It’s important to ask yourself if what you’re picking makes sense for your build and if it’s something you really need.
Vendors and crafting
Many players overlook vendors and early crafting in favor of pure drops, which is a mistake. Vendors often sell valuable skill gems, utility flasks, and even base gear upgrades at key breakpoints.
Learn the crafting basics early:
– Transmutation Orbs: Turn white items into magic ones.
– Augmentation Orbs: Add a second stat.
– Essences: Force specific mods into your gear.
You don’t need to craft endgame gear right away but learning how to create a decent weapon or ring with resists can make early progression smoother.
Flasks are extremely important
In PoE 2, flask usage is no longer just an item you use when you’re low on health. They now have specific attributes, charges, automation options, and mod-based enhancements.
Upgrade flasks regularly because outdated flasks restore too little life to be useful. Look for flasks that:
– Remove bleeding, freezing, or curses.
– Trigger automatically under certain conditions.
– Restore charges on critical hits or kills.
Flask synergy is one of the most underrated tools in the game, and managing it well can be a decisive factor in carrying you further into the tougher areas of the game.
Campaign
Don’t rush yourself to finish the Path of Exile 2 campaign too soon since, if you are deeply invested in the game’s story, you might be left feeling a bit empty or unfulfilled as there isn’t an end yet. Unlike other ARPGs that push you to endgame, PoE 2’s campaign is full of story, side areas, mini-dungeons, and hidden loot. While the temptation to blast through acts is strong, doing so means skipping valuable XP, crafting materials.
Take your time to explore side zones for unique encounters and gem upgrades, experiment with skills you find. Even if they’re not meta! Try out different support links before settling on a final build.
All of this will help you feel more fulfilled and ready for hitting the endgame when you get there. Take your time!
Dying
Path of Exile 2 is a very punishing game! Specially at the start. Whether it’s a failed dodge, a misread modifier, or just a poorly rolled map, death is part of the learning process.
And it’s not a sign you’re doing something wrong.
Every death teaches you something: what mechanics you didn’t notice, where your defenses are lacking, or what bosses require specific countermeasures. Even experienced players die frequently in PoE 2. It’s part of the design.
Every single time you get killed in this game is a learning experience. Is it your build that’s not working? If that’s the case, you can look up guides for better builds for your class. Or maybe it’s your playstyle. There are plenty of resources to teach you to play better as well! Whatever the reason is, you will learn it quick by studying what keeps taking you out.
