Path of Exile 2 is an Action Role-Playing Game developed and published by Grinding Gear Games that launched into Early Access on December 6, 2024. As a sequel to Path of Exile, PoE 2 stands as a standalone title, revamping many of the original game's mechanics while preserving the essence of traditional ARPG progression and gameplay.
Path of Exile 2 is known for its complexity, featuring one of gaming's most expansive Skill Trees, which can be overwhelming for newcomers to ARPGs or those unfamiliar with Path of Exile's unique mechanics. This comprehensive guide hub for Path of Exile 2 gathers all of Game Rant's coverage, from essential beginner tips to detailed breakdowns of game mechanics, currencies, quest walkthroughs, and much more.
This guide to Path of Exile 2 is an evolving resource that will be regularly updated to reflect new content introduced during Early Access and upon the game's full release in 2025.
Getting Started & PoE 2 Beginner Tips
Before diving into Path of Exile 2, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the game's meta, understand ways to enhance your gameplay experience, and pick up valuable tips to start off on the right foot.
These guides provide essential information about Path of Exile 2, such as the maximum level achievable, estimated time to complete the game, available microtransactions, and answers to other pressing questions. Additionally, they offer beginner tips to help new players navigate the game with confidence.
This section also includes guides on in-game options and settings, including optimal PC graphics settings, basic combat controls like dodging and movement, and other tips to optimize your Path of Exile 2 experience.
Game Information
Burning Questions, Answered
All Early Access Supporter Packs & Rewards
How To Change Character Leagues
How To Get Points
Best Stash Tabs to Buy
How Long to Beat
Biggest Improvements Over The First Game
Max Level & Leveling Milestones
Is There Level Scaling
How to Claim Early Access Twitch Drops
Controls & Settings
Best PC Settings For Path of Exile 2
How To Dodge & Block
How To Change Weapons In Combat
How To Bind Skills
How to Change Movement Input
How To Link Items To Chat
How To Hide The Chat
How To Enable/Disable Crossplay
Beginner Tips For PoE 2
10 Beginner Tips
Where To Buy Scrolls Of Wisdom
What To Do With Extra Loot
Best Classes For Beginners, Ranked
How to Get Gold Fast
How To Play With Friends
What To Spend Gold On First
PoE 2 Game Mechanics & Systems
Path of Exile 2 is a multifaceted game with numerous mechanics that are crucial for players to grasp in order to optimize their builds. While it brings back many familiar elements from the first game, PoE 2 introduces a substantial number of new mechanics, making it feel like a fresh experience.
These guides delve into the game's mechanics and systems, offering insights into your character's stats, core gameplay mechanics both in and out of combat, and the new Skills and Sockets systems in PoE 2.
Character Stats & Skill Points
Character Attributes, Explained
How To Get More Passive Skill Points
How To Respec Passive Skill Points
How To Use The Passive Skill Filter
Weapon Set Points, Explained
Spirit Resource, Explained
How To Increase Spirit
How To Increase Movement Speed
How To Raise Max Mana
Energy Shield Explained
What Does Accuracy Do
Best Resistances To Upgrade
Gameplay Mechanics
How To Fast Travel
How To Identify Items For Free
How to Trade
All Ailments Explained
What Are Instances
How To Stun Enemies
How To Aim Skills
Armour Break, Explained
All Crowd Control Effects
How To Create & Join Guilds
How Does Arcane Surge Work
How Do Power Charges Work?
Death Penalty, Explained
How Do Herald Of Ice And Thunder Work
Skills, Gems, Jewels, & Runes
How To Equip Support Gems
How To Get More Support Gems
How To Equip & Use Runes
Jewel Sockets, Explained
How To Get More Uncut Spirit Gems
How to Get Raging Spirits
Classes, Ascendancies, & Builds
In Path of Exile 2, Classes form the backbone of your build, despite the freedom to equip various gear, Skills, and Passive Skills as long as you meet the prerequisites. Each Class begins at a different point on the Passive Skill Tree, guiding players toward passives that synergize well with their archetype.
Path of Exile 2 plans to feature 12 Classes, with six currently available during Early Access. The Ascendancy system, already implemented, allows each Class to choose between powerful, permanent Skill Trees that enhance the standard Passive Skill Tree.
These guides explore the six (and eventually 12) Path of Exile 2 Classes and the Ascendancy system, providing foundational knowledge on Ascendancies, recommended builds for each class, and class-specific tips.
PoE 2 Class Guides
Best Classes, Ranked
Best Solo Class
How To Swap Mercenary Ammo Types
How To Summon More Minions
How Does Aftershock Work?
How Does Rage Work
Ascendancies
All Class Ascendancies (& Ascendancy Nodes)
How To Unlock Ascension Classes
PoE 2 Build Guides
Monk Leveling Build Guide
Tempest Flurry Invoker Build
Mercenary Leveling Guide
Sorceress Leveling Build
Rolling Slam Warrior Leveling Build
Warrior Leveling Guide
Witch Leveling Guide
PoE 2 Currencies & Gear
In Path of Exile 2, gear is a cornerstone of power progression. While powerful gear can be obtained as drops from enemies, the game also features a Crafting system based on various Currencies.
Currencies in Path of Exile 2 can enhance item rarity, add or reroll modifiers on gear, and offer many other crafting options. These guides provide detailed information on the PoE 2 Crafting and upgrade system, the different Currencies you can acquire and use, and strategies for farming gear and acquiring valuable items like Charms.
Upgrades & Improvements
How To Upgrade Item Rarity
How To Upgrade & Refill Potions
How to Add Sockets to Gear
How To Upgrade Armor & Weapon Quality
How To Reroll Gear Modifiers
PoE 2 Currencies
All Currency Items & Effects
How To Unlock & Use Salvage Bench
How To Unlock & Use Currency Exchange
How To Find Out Current Path of Exile 2 Currency Exchange Rates
How To Unlock & Use Reforging Bench
How To Get Orb of Chance
How To Get Divine Orb
How to Get Greater Jeweller's Orb
Gear & Equipment
How to Farm Gear Early
How To Get Uniques
Charm System, Explained
How To Equip & Upgrade Charms
Stellar Amulets Explained
How to Get Ingenuity Utility Belt
How to Get Hand of Wisdom and Action
Quest & Boss Walkthroughs
Upon its full release from Early Access, Path of Exile 2 will feature six Acts in its campaign, leading into an endgame that begins after completing Act 6. During Early Access, the game offers three Acts that are repeated on Cruel difficulty to transition players into the endgame and Atlas map progression.
Each Act presents players with quests to complete, bosses to defeat, and a narrative to follow until they reach the final boss and progress to the next Act. These guides provide detailed walkthroughs for the numerous quests and bosses encountered throughout Path of Exile 2.
All Main Quests and Acts
All Permanent Bonuses from the Campaign
Act One
Where To Find The Devourer (Treacherous Ground Quest)
Secrets In The Dark Quest Walkthrough
Where to Find Renly's Tools (Finding the Forge)
Where To Find Una’s Lute
How to Beat Draven, The Eternal Praetor
How to Beat Count Geonor, The Putrid Wolf
Act Two
Rathbreaker Boss Guide & Strategies
Ancient Vows Quest Guide
How to Beat Balbala
How to Beat The King in the Mists
What To Do With Golden Idols
Ascent To Power Walkthrough
Sisters of Garukhan Guide
Act Three
How to Use the Sacrificial Heart
Treasures of Utzaal Quest
How to Find and Beat Mighty Silverfist
What To Do With Mushrooms
The Slithering Dead Quest Guide
PoE 2 Endgame Guides
After completing all Acts in the main campaign (and again in Cruel difficulty), players in Path of Exile 2 unlock the endgame, introducing a variety of new mechanics and activities for continued progression.
While players can undertake various Trials to gain Ascendancy points, the Path of Exile 2 endgame is primarily driven by the Atlas system, which allows players to tackle Maps of increasing difficulty within an infinitely-generated overworld.
These guides provide in-depth information on the endgame systems of Path of Exile 2, including how to unlock the Endgame, the Atlas and its related mechanics, and other activities available after beating Cruel difficulty.
Endgame Tips & Mechanics
How To Unlock Cruel Difficulty & Endgame
Advanced Tips For PoE 2 Endgame
How To Get & Upgrade Waystones
How to Sustain Waystones While Mapping
Best Atlas Skill Tree Setup
How to Unlock Hideout
How To Find More Citadels
Endgame Features & Leagues
Atlas Of Worlds Guide – Maps, Events, & More
Realmgate Explained
Breach Guide – Passives, Rewards, & Tips
Delirium Guide – Fog Mechanics, Passives, & Rewards
Ritual Guide – Passives, Tributes, And Favours
Expedition Guide – Passives, Artifacts, & Rewards
Burning Monolith Explained
Trial of Chaos Guide
Trial of the Sekhemas Guide
Advanced PoE 2 Tips & Other Guides
While understanding the core mechanics and systems of Path of Exile 2 is essential for most players, some enthusiasts aim to push their experience to the next level.
These advanced tips for Path of Exile 2 cover topics that become relevant in the late or endgame stages. For instance, while Loot Filters are useful for mapping in the Atlas, they are less crucial during the campaign, where picking up almost everything for Gold is advisable. However, knowing what to keep and what to sell remains important.
Advanced PoE 2 Guides
How to Get XP Fast (Level Up Fast)
How to Use Loot Filters
How to Get Loot Filters on Console
Sidekick Features & Installation Guide
How to Use FilterBlade
Things You Should Not Buy From Merchants
Things You Should Not Sell To Merchants
How To Get More Character Slots