Path of Exile 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Path of Exile (PoE), promises to take the action RPG experience to new heights. With its rich lore, deep mechanics, and complex build systems, Path of Exile 2 offers both returning players and newcomers a vast, immersive world filled with challenges, loot, and intricate systems. While the sequel shares some similarities with its predecessor, it introduces significant changes, particularly in its story, gameplay mechanics, and progression systems.

This guide is designed to serve as a comprehensive walkthrough for players looking to dive into Poe 2 trade. Whether you're new to the franchise or a seasoned veteran of Path of Exile 1, this guide will walk you through essential gameplay mechanics, the progression system, important story events, and tips for optimizing your character.

Getting Started in Path of Exile 2

As with the first Path of Exile, PoE 2 begins with the creation of your character. Choosing your class is the first major decision, and it will influence your gameplay experience significantly. PoE 2 introduces an expanded class system, with more choices than ever before. Here's a brief overview of the primary classes:

1. Ascendancy Classes

Each class has access to various "Ascendancy" subclasses, which grant different bonuses and abilities. Ascendancy subclasses in PoE 2 offer even more variety, allowing you to tailor your build for your preferred playstyle. Some of the core classes are:

    Marauder (Strength) – Focuses on raw power and physical combat.

    Ranger (Dexterity) – Specializes in ranged attacks, traps, and evasion.

    Witch (Intelligence) – Focuses on spells, elemental damage, and minion builds.

    Duelist (Strength/Dexterity) – A hybrid of strength and dexterity, excelling in melee and evasive combat.

    Templar (Strength/Intelligence) – A mix of physical and magical abilities, often used for elemental damage or tanking.

    Scion (All Attributes) – A versatile class with access to all three attributes (strength, dexterity, intelligence), making it ideal for hybrid builds.

2. Character Customization

The class you choose impacts your access to the passive skill tree, an essential part of PoE's progression system. This sprawling tree allows players to invest in a vast array of passive bonuses, such as increased damage, life, energy shield, and resistances.

    Skill Gems: Instead of traditional leveling through experience points alone, you'll need to equip “skill gems” into sockets on your gear. These skill gems provide active abilities, such as fireballs, summoning minions, or various elemental spells.

    Support Gems: Support gems modify the behavior of skill gems, adding effects like increased damage, elemental effects, or even additional projectiles. Combining these gems strategically is key to creating powerful builds.

Understanding the Story

Path of Exile 2 introduces a new, gripping storyline that occurs years after the events of Path of Exile 1. The plot revolves around an ongoing war between the gods and their servants, with humanity caught in the middle. The new narrative allows for a fresh experience, while still incorporating elements from the original game.

You'll journey through a variety of new zones, each with its own unique lore, enemies, and environments. Key factions, such as the Shaper and Elder, play an important role in PoE 2, but this game introduces even more powerful entities and conflicts.

As you progress through the main storyline, you'll unlock key areas and bosses, each designed to test your character's capabilities. Here's a general breakdown of the early-to-mid-game story structure:

Act 1: The Broken World

The game begins in the familiar starting zone, where you learn the core mechanics of combat and exploration. The early acts focus on introducing players to the larger conflict between humans, the gods, and the monsters that infest the world.

    Main Objectives: Your first set of tasks will involve exploring local areas, battling through hordes of enemies, and collecting valuable loot and experience. The first major boss is usually a Guardian of the Realm that tests your basic combat skills.

Act 2: Unraveling the Conspiracy

As you move into Act 2, the narrative becomes more complex, with twists that reveal the true scale of the world's conflict. This act introduces more deadly enemies and deepens the cheap POE 2 Orbs mystery behind the gods' conflict.

    Key Events: You'll encounter NPCs who provide you with quests that unveil the greater plot, while uncovering the secrets behind the Corruption that plagues the world.