[Path of Exile 2]Complete Beginner Start Guide | 0.4 “The Last of the Druids” League Compatible, Basics to End Game Super Detailed Strategy Thorough Explanation

Path of Exile 2 (PoE2) is a free online action RPG developed by Grinding Gear Games. The game entered early access in late 2024 as a sequel to Path of Exile. Version 0.4 “The Last of the Druids” league is underway. With the addition of the new class “Druid”, the variety of play styles has further expanded. For beginners, PoE2 is attractive because of its huge system and high degree of freedom in building. However, complexity also poses a hurdle.

This guide provides super detailed explanations from basic knowledge to end game mapping based on the latest information. We will take you step by step so that you can understand the depth of the game in the shortest possible time and enjoy the end content without frustration.

1. Overview of Path of Exile 2 and why beginners will love it

PoE2 is a hack and slash game set in the dark fantasy world “Wraeclast” where you play as a wanderer, defeat powerful enemies, collect powerful equipment and skills, and grow. The biggest feature is the unlimited freedom of building by combining skill gems and support gems. For example, even with the same skill, you can shift from a range attack type to a single high firepower type by simply changing the support gem. This system makes it so addictive that you want to create and challenge a different character each time. In addition, unique mechanics have been added to each league, and in the 0.4 league, exploration of the ruins of the Vaal civilization and new bosses have appeared as “Fate of the Vaal”. This makes it extremely replayable.

The first reason why beginners get addicted to it is the exhilarating feeling of reward. You can enjoy the excitement of picking up rare (yellow) or unique (orange) equipment from the items that drop every time you defeat an enemy. Furthermore, you can exchange them with other players using the trade system, so you can enjoy them both solo and multiplayer. The game begins with the campaign (story of Acts 1 to 3), and after clearing the game, moves to the end game Atlas map. Atlas is an infinite map pool, with higher tiers increasing difficulty and rewards, so you can keep playing for a long time. In fact, many beginners maintain their motivation by saying, “I want to become even stronger'' after clearing the Act.

In addition, PoE2's economic system mimics the real market, and currency items (orbs) form the basis of transactions. By understanding this, beginners will be able to make money (currency earning) more efficient and play more comfortably. There's also a thriving culture of build sharing, with popular builds available on sites like poe.ninja. The second reason I'm hooked is this build sharing culture. The flexibility of choosing whether to pursue your own original build or follow a professional guide is appealing. Overall, PoE2 is a game where your efforts are rewarded, and many people are becoming addicted to it after playing it for a week.

2. Character creation and optimal league/difficulty selection

On the character creation screen, first select your league. For beginners, we recommend “Current Challenger League” (currently 0.4 “The Last of the Druids”). Normal League (Standard) is permanent, but you will not be able to enjoy new content or limited items, so avoid it. Hardcore League (data disappears when you die) is for advanced players. Solo Self-Found (SSF: non-tradable, self-founded) is also good for practice, but start with a regular challenger that can be traded.

Next is the difficulty level. Start with the default “Normal” (normal difficulty) and automatically shift to “Cruel” and “Merciless” each time you clear an act. Avoid hardcore difficulty. Your character's appearance can be customized, but class selection is important (see below). Once created, enter a name to confirm. Once created, the class cannot be changed, so choose carefully.

The optimal selection point is “Challenger League with trade, normal difficulty''. This makes it easier to obtain items, and you can clear Act 1 in 1 to 2 hours. League-specific mechanics (Druid transformation and Vaal Ruins in 0.4) are learned naturally through tutorials. Immediately after creating it, use the town portal to return to town and check the quest. You can use the free identification service by talking to the Hooded One, which is a powerful tool in the early stages.

3. Learn basic operations and complete tutorial

The standard PoE2 operation is WASD movement + mouse aim, and traditional click movement is also available. For beginners, we recommend WASD. You can activate skills while moving, greatly improving your survival rate. Basic keys: WASD (movement), left mouse click (normal attack), right click (skill), 1-5 (skill bar), Tab (map display), I (inventory), P (skill menu), C (character), B (stash).

The tutorial (early part of Act 1) mainly focuses on operational explanations. The key is to fully explore the area. Collect all the cross icons (permanent reinforcement points) on the map and open the treasure chest. In the battle against the boss “Earl Geionor”, avoid ranged attacks and deal damage with melee or long range attacks. There is an experience penalty when you die, so use the flask frequently. The flask charge will be restored upon reaching the checkpoint.

To familiarize yourself with the UI, remember the HUD elements: lives/mana bar at the top, flasks/charms to the left, skills/quests to the right, and tab to zoom in on the map. After clearing the tutorial, you will receive a permanent buff in the Act 1 side quest. For example, passive points are added in Trial of Strength. To avoid making mistakes, go slowly at first and deal with the hordes of enemies one by one. At this stage, aim to reach level 20.

4. Thorough guide to class selection: Beginner recommendations and feature explanations

PoE2 has 8 classes (including Druid added in 0.4): Warrior, Ranger, Sorcerer, Witch, Mercenary, Monk, Huntress, and Druid. Each has an Ascendancy (powerful class-specific passive). Recommended for beginners are “Ranger (Dead Eye or Pathfinder)'', “Mercenary (Witch Hunter)'', “Witch (Lich)'', and “Sorcerer (Varashta's Apprentice)''. These have many long-range/area attacks, making it easy to conquer the Act.

• ranger: Bow/projectile specialization. Highly mobile and safe. Dead Eye is critical, Pathfinder is strong against poison/status abnormalities. Wipe out the small fry with a poison bow build in the early stages.
• Mercenary: Switch attribute bullets with crossbow. Strongest class Tier 1. Clean the area of ​​low HP enemies in the early stages.
• witch: Minion summons. Rich and stable. Spirit management is the key.
• sorcerer: Elemental magic. High range annihilation power.
• Druid (new): Transformation form (wolf/bear). Excellent versatility with Oracle Ascendancy. Popularity skyrocketed in 0.4 league.

Close-range warriors/monks focus on durability, but they tend to be surrounded by Acts, so I put them on the back burner. The trick to choosing a class is to match it to your play style (long range? Minion? Transformation?) and check the popular builds on poe.ninja. Earn 1 Ascendancy point for each class at Lv12, up to 8 points for clearing the trial.

5. Solidifying the foundation of battle: How to use flasks, charms, and skill gems

Flasks are basically red (life recovery) and blue (mana recovery). Charges are recovered by defeating enemies or checking points. In the early stages, improve quality (use gold at vendors) and prioritize equipping charge recovery speed mods. Hybrid flask (life + mana) is also effective.

Charms are permanent buffs that are automatically activated when conditions are met. Example: Shield when life is low, status abnormality removed. Increase slots with passives and prepare attribute resistance charms early.

There are two types of skill gems: active (attack/magic) and support (strengthening). Insert into equipment socket, support up to 6. Example: Increase range with Fireball (active) + Increased Area (support). Identify uncut gems (rare drops) with Hooded One. Check the DPS in the P menu. Skill automatic switch with weapon set (weapon set point in tree).

How to use it: In the early stages, look for 3-socket weapons and insert related gems. You can also buy vendors with gold. Imitate the best combos with the build guide (poe.ninja).

6. Optimization of equipment management and resistance/defense power

Equipment rarity: white (normal) → blue (magic) → yellow (rare) → orange (unique). In the early stages, yellow rare is prioritized, and life + resist mod is required. Goal: 75% resistance to all attributes (can exceed upper limit). Complement with ring/amu/flask.

Management method: Display the map with Tab and collect with socket (add runes with Artificer's Orb). Sorted by stash (B key): Currency/Map/Flask tab purchase recommended. Use gold for weapon gambling (vendor), and use free NPCs for identification. Yellow equipment drops will increase when defeating rare enemies (skull icon) with priority. Defense layer: Life > Armor/Evasion/Block/ES (Energy Shield).

7. Passive skill tree and ascendancy strategy

The passive tree is a huge tree, and you earn points each time you level up (over 100 in total with Act Clear + Quest). Use the search function to search for “bow”, “fire”, etc., and prioritize weapons/attributes/life nodes. Respec is possible with gold.

Strategy: Proceed radially from the class starting point, without hesitation. Secure over 20% of life nodes. Ascendancy is unlocked by clearing the trial (Act 2/3). Example: Ranger Pathfinder has poison/flask enhancement. Optimized with PoB (Path of Building) import of build guide.

8. Summary: Transition from campaign to endgame and golden rules for avoiding setbacks

Advance the campaign (Acts 1 to 3) to the boss “Doriyani” and collect all permanent buffs. After clearing, Atlas is released by clearing all cruel modes. The end game is T1-T16 challenge on Waystone (map). Tier up: Reforge/Buy and sell. Utilize events (Bleach/Delirium) and expand the map with Precursor Tower. Clear the boss map and get huge rewards.

Golden rules: 1. Maintain 75% resistance, 2. Search all areas, 3. Strictly follow the build guide, 4. Use trade (accumulate Exalt orbs), 5. Share stash by joining a guild, 6. Avoid death penalty (use portal frequently). Now you can reach Lv90 and conquer the end boss. The best part of PoE2 is the trial and error of building, have fun and become stronger. If you follow this guide, you can become a top player in 0.4 leagues. We will provide you with continuous updates.