Path of Exile is an online free to play Action RPG, reminiscent of Diablo 2. It’s currently in Open Beta so expect bugs, server issues, and changes.
It has been stated that there will never be another wipe.
Links
As the game is in open beta and so much is subject to change, the information contained on these sites may become quickly outdated.
[ Official website | Wiki | Latest Patch Notes | Passive Tree | Forums | Events ]
To download the client create a free account and log into the website.
Getting Started:
- Diablo player’s guide to PoE
- General FAQ (READ THIS)
Items and Crafting:
Gameplay Information and Quests:
- Game Mechanics Thread (READ THIS)
Tools:
- GGPK Defragmenter (Specific instructions on page 2 of thread)
- DPS Spreadsheet and Calculator (forum thread)
- Passive Tree Builds Comparison
- Offline Skill Tree (forum thread)
Ladder Tracking:
Economy and Trade:
- Shops Indexer (forum thread)
Currency exchange rates:
(Note: Exchange rates are always in flux, do not take poeex as gospel)
- Lose a microtransaction item or CB stash tab?
General Info
The game’s installer can fool you into thinking that it froze or that it’s not doing anything. Be patient, especially in the case of “Allocating Space” or “Checking Resources”.
Most controls are listed in-game under either the keybindings section of the options or displayed on the UI, but there are a few worth knowing that are unlisted.
Chat Controls:
FAQs
Q: Is my build good?
A: No, get more HP. Never take Iron Reflexes and Acrobatics together. Chaos Inoculation and Eldritch Battery. Resolute Blows and anything crit-related. Don’t make a build based on more than 60 or 80 points.
Q: How do gems work?
A: Drag a gem onto a matching colored socket to equip it, and right-click on a gem to remove it from a socket. If they're equipped they get the same amount of experience that your character does. If the gem can level but hasn't then it doesn't gain further experience. Gems require you to have certain stats to be able to level up and use, and you can't use equipment that has a gem you don't meet the requirements for.
Q: How do flasks work?
A: By default you can press the 1-5 keys at the top of the keyboard to use whichever corresponding flasks you have equipped. Using a flask uses a certain number of "charges" that a flask has saved. Generally these charges are refilled by either killing enemies or by visiting a town, although certain effects on items or gems might allow you to refill your flasks by other means, such as giving you a charge when you crit.
Q: How do I buy stuff? Where do I get gold?
A: The game does not use gold, it uses currency items and a barter system for trading both with npc’s and other players. For a further introduction read this dev diary.
Q: What's the difference between Default League and Hardcore League?
A: A character killed in Hardcore cannot be accessed any more. Slain hardcore characters revert to the parent (default) non-hardcore league. This system encourages non-hardcore players to try the hardcore game mode, while still permanently removing hardcore characters from the economy when they die.
Q: How many sockets can an item have?
A: The amount of sockets an item can roll is determined by the base item type and its item level. To see the item’s level either hold alt while trading an item with another player or type /itemlevel while hovering over an item.
1H Weapons/Wands and Shields can have up to 3 Sockets.
Quivers cannot have any sockets.
2H Weapons and Bows can have up to 6 Sockets
Headgear, Boots and Gloves can have up to 4 sockets.
Chestpieces can have up to 6 Sockets.
Sockets by item level:
1 socket : 1
2 sockets: 1
3 sockets: 15
4 sockets: 28
5 sockets: 35
6 sockets: 50
Q: Is there crafting? Can I change the stats on items I find?
A: Yes and yes. Crafting is achieved by either modifying an item’s stats or by starting with a base item and modifying it with the many currency items. An example would be starting with a white item and using an Orb of Alchemy on it to make it a rare item and then using Chaos Orbs to change its modifiers or using Divine Orbs to roll better ranges on the item’s modifiers. Another example would be using a magic item with modifiers you really like and using a Regal Orb to make it a rare. For further information on what currency items do read the currency items list. You can craft a unique by using an Orb of Chance on an item with a unique counterpart. For instance, if you chance a sapphire ring, there is a slim chance you might get Dream Fragments. If you chance a Heavy Belt, there is a chance you might get Meginord's Girdle.
Q: This cool item I have won’t roll the color of sockets I want, I hate this game!
A: Items that are “meant” for a certain class (i.e. an item requires strength and int is “meant” for a templar) will typically roll the color sockets for that class with a lower chance of rolling the other colors. Another example would be you have a Coronal Leather (which is a pure dex piece), the odds of you rolling 5 Red Sockets on it are minuscule. It could take you as many as 1000 Chromatic Orbs and still not be able to get those colors, it’s still possible just not a very high (read: abysmal) chance.
Q: How do I get a vendor to change the items for sale?
A: Once every 24 hours (not sure what the exact time it occurs it) they reset. And every time you level the vendors change their wares. Also of course on server restarts.
Q: Do one handed passives work with dual wielding?
A: Yes.
Q: Am I ready to beat X boss?
A: If this is your first time around, this is usually a question of resistances. See the list of notable enemies and their elemental attack type at the bottom. For quick resistances, trading an Iron Ring and a gem to a vendor will give you a resistance ring. The resistance the ring provides corresponds to the color of the gem (red:fire, blue:cold, green:shock), and will always give between 20-30% resistance. Other than resistances, you just need to watch the boss and learn how to avoid their attacks.
Q: Is X passive worth it?
A: When you're asking about how useful a stat or perk is, this is generally a good guide while you're getting used to the game: Prioritizing bulk before damage is ideal as long as you can keep your flasks full by killing enemies quickly enough; in a game where the slightest misfortune can be the difference between surviving in Hardcore, consistency trumps potential every time so try to avoid basing a build around crit or evasion unless you know what you're doing.
Q: What's the difference between each class:
A: The only differences between the classes are their base stats and where they start in the skill tree. Yes, you can be a spell-tossing marauder or a tank shadow or a witch with a claymore, it's just going to give you a harder time when you're starting out and probably a few less-than-optimal nodes.
Q: How do I create a new instance without waiting?
A: CTRL+Left-Clicking on the entrance to an area or on the waypoint will bring up the option to create a new instance. This is particularly useful if farming a boss or specific area.
Q: Which bandit do I side with?
A: Typically most players side with Oak in Normal difficulty for the hitpoints and kill them all in each subsequent difficulty for the passive points. Ultimately the choice is up to you, do whatever you feel is the best for your character. For a complete list of outcomes in all difficulties refer to the wiki article.
Q: Is Chaos Damage a big deal? Do I need Chaos Inoculation?
A: As of right now, Chaos Damage is never too high. If you're really worried then you can grab a ring to cover the resistance or pick up an 8% node if you're right next to one. Chaos Inoculation was nerfed to no longer include the Energy Shield percentage.
Q: I play a summoner, which monsters are good to raise as a spectre?
A: Refer to the section Spectre Choices in the Minions article on the Wiki for a good list of suggestions. Also note that spectres keep their original monster-level.
Enemies and their Elements
This is a list of some of the problem enemies (work in progress), and what they try to kill you with.
Hailrake - Cold
Chatters - Cold
Brutus - Physical
Merveil - Cold
Fidelitas - Lightning
Vaal - Shock (primary), Cold and Fire (secondary)
General Gravicius - Fire
Piety - Ice (Archer Form), Fire (Melee Form), Lightning (Normal Form)