Path of Exile (PoE) is a dense, complicated, but incredibly rewarding action RPG. With ten years of challenge leagues and a myriad of mechanics, getting started can be overwhelming. This guide aims to help you navigate PoE smoothly, from your first steps to the endgame Atlas of Worlds.

First Steps and Picking a Build

Every three months, Grinding Gear Games releases a new patch and challenge league. All existing characters move to legacy servers called Standard, and everyone starts fresh. New players should start with a league-starter build, focused on:

    Reliably clearing content into the endgame.

    Doing so with minimal resources.

At the start of a league, currency is scarce, and items are expensive. Look for up-to-date league starter build guides. Recommended builds might include:

    Toxic Rain Trickster

    Righteous Fire Inquisitor

Tools to Help You

    Path of Building (PoB): A powerful utility for simulating and tweaking your build offline.

    Loot Filter: Use FilterBlade to sync your account and streamline item drops, focusing on useful items.

Microtransactions

Path of Exile is free to play, but investing in a few essentials will enhance your experience:

    Currency stash tab

    Premium stash tabs

    Map tab and fragment tab (for endgame)

These help organize your inventory and make trading easier.

The First Five Acts

PoE starts with no conventional currency. Instead, you use orbs, each with unique functions, as currency and crafting tools.

Key Orbs

    Transmutation Orbs: Make regular items magical.

    Fusing Orbs: Link item sockets.

Keep an eye on the value of orbs via MMOexp, focusing on Chaos Orbs as the standard currency.

Vendor Recipes and Useful Gear

    Vendor recipes: Learn to trade specific items for useful orbs.

    Early game gear: Prioritize life, resistances, move speed, and damage.

Ascendancy Classes

Complete Trials of Ascendancy to unlock your class specializations:

    First trial in Act 4

    Additional trials at levels 55, 68, and 75

Acts Six Through Ten

After defeating Kitava in Act 5, your resistances drop. Trade with other players to upgrade your gear:

    Path of Exile trade: Use this site to find items that boost your resistance and damage.

Cap elemental resists (75) and improves chaos resistance.

Pantheons

Unlock and use Pantheon powers to enhance your survivability and adaptability.

The Atlas of Worlds

Maps are your endgame, each generating a new level. Complete the atlas objectives to unlock points and improve your map drops.

Gear Check

Post-Act 10, ensure your gear is still strong. If struggling with currency, farm the Blood Aqueducts for:

    Humility cards: Exchange for a Tabula Rasa.

    Chaos recipe: Sell a set of rare items to get Chaos Orbs.

Handling Walls and Challenges

If you hit a wall in your progress:

    Check life and resistances: Ensure they’re capped and high.

    Gem links: More linked sockets drastically increase damage.

    Debuff awareness: Understand how to counter common debuffs (e.g., bleed stops if you stop moving).

    Movement skills: Use skills like Flame Dash or Blink Arrow for mobility.

    Flask management: Transition from life and mana flasks to damage and defense flasks.

Final Thoughts

Path of Exile has a vast array of content, including league mechanics, master missions, and pinnacle bosses. Use this guide as a starting point to explore the game and gradually master its complexities. Enjoy your journey in Oriath, and hope you get more Path of exile currency to have the best experience!