User:Bloonpauper/New Player Guide: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:06, 15 August 2023

This is a guide on the subject of introducing new players to Path of Exile.

Last updated on WIP‎.

This is a guide for new players to Path of Exile. No previous experience in any game is required. This guide is intended to be read alongside playing the game - its contents are listed in chronological order of appearance. However, it is not a walkthrough. Seeking an exact guide is not necessary and may be harmful in some situations, but for those interested they may find a reliable content creator on youtube and follow their guides. Any questions not answered by this guide are best asked on the official Discord server.

League selection

The first choice for any new player is to choose their league. A league is effectively the world within the character operates - it is impossible to interact with players or items inbetween leagues, unless it is the character itself that is changing leagues.

It is recommended for first-time players to choose the current challenge league (Crucible at time of writing) and to not select the Solo Self-Found, Hardcore, or Ruthless optional gamemodes.

Solo Self-Found (known as "SSF"): Players in an SSF league cannot join parties with other players or trade with them. Due to the presence of trading in the game's balance, SSF is significantly harder than trade leagues, especially for inexperienced players.

Hardcore (known as "HC"): Players in an HC league will be migrated to their respective SC (Softcore) league on death.

Ruthless: All item drops are far scarcer, many items and passive skills are significantly weaker, and many mechanics are not available. Significantly harder than non-Ruthless. For those overwhelmed by the complexity of the base game, playing in Ruthless may be advisable. Choose at your own discretion.

A visualization of how challenge leagues interact with permanent leagues.

There are two types of leagues: permanent leagues, and challenge leagues. Standard League is the main permanent league; as the term "permanent" suggests, it has been running since the release of the game and will continue indefinitely. As a result of running for so long, it is plagued with vast wealth accumulation, balance issues and a stale economy.

Challenge leagues are introduced every 3-4 months. For those who exclusive play challenge leagues (the vast majority of the player base), they represent a total reset - everyone starts off with the same footing. Along with new unique items, monsters, areas, and balance changes, challenge leagues also introduce a "League Mechanic" exclusive to the league and not available in Standard. At the end of a challenge league's duration, all its characters and items will be moved to Standard.

Class selection

Unless you are following a specific guide, there is no wrong class to choose. Path of Exile offers an unrivalled level of character customization. As a result, there are very few class-specific skills, no class-specific items, and no class-specific playstyles. Any class can do whatever they want. It is recommended to choose whatever class you want - there is no wrong choice.

The Twilight Strand

The Twilight Strand is the very first area in the game. Much of this is covered by the in-game tutorial. However, it introduces several complicated mechanics that may need further explanation.

First, pick up the weapon on the ground next to you. Each class will encounter a different weapon.

Duelist

The Duelist can find a normal Rusted SwordRusted SwordOne Handed Sword
Physical Damage: 4-9
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.55
Weapon Range: 1.1 metres40% increased Global Accuracy Rating lying the ground next to them. A complete breakdown of its stats can be found below.

Item name box: the colour of this box signifies the rarity of the item. White = Normal, Blue = Magic, Yellow = Rare, Orange = Unique. Rarities are discussed later.

Base type: this item’s base type is Rusted SwordRusted SwordOne Handed Sword
Physical Damage: 4-9
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.55
Weapon Range: 1.1 metres40% increased Global Accuracy Rating. A weapon's item type determines its weapon type, base damage, base critical strike chance, base attack speed, base weapon range, and implicit(s).

Weapon type: this item’s weapon is One-Handed Sword. An item’s weapon type determines it compatibility with certain skill gems and support gems, as long with its modifier pool.

Base damage: this item's base damage is 4-9 physical damage. Attacks with this weapon will use this as their base damage. This is generally the most important stat for attack weapons.

Base critical strike chance: this item’s base critical strike chance is 5.00%. Attacks with this weapon will use this as their base critical strike chance.

Base attack speed: this item’s base attack speed is 1.55 attacks per second. Attacks with this weapon will use this as their base attack speed.

Base weapon range: this item’s base weapon range is 11 units of distance. Melee strike attacks with this weapon will use this as their base range.

Implicit modifier: some base types have implicit modifiers inherent to them. In this case, Rusted SwordRusted SwordOne Handed Sword
Physical Damage: 4-9
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.55
Weapon Range: 1.1 metres40% increased Global Accuracy Rating has increases your accuracy. Accuracy increased your chance to hit enemies with hits.

Base type’s art: all normal, magic, and rare items of this base type will have the same art. Unique variants will have unique art.

@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 First, pick up the [[weapon]] on the ground next to you. Each [[class]] will encounter a different weapon.
-===Duelist===
-<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
-[[Duelist]]: {{il|Rusted Sword}}
-<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
-<div style='float:left;width:33%;'>
- '''Item name box''': the colour of this box signifies the rarity of the [[item]]. White = [[Normal]], Blue = [[Magic]], Yellow = [[Rare]], Orange = [[Unique]]. [[Rarity|Rarities]] are discussed later.
-----
- '''Base type''': this item’s base type is {{il|Rusted Sword}}. A weapon's item type determines its [[weapon]] type, base [[damage]], base [[critical strike chance]], base [[attack]] speed, base [[weapon range]], and [[implicit]](s).
-----
- '''Weapon type''': this item’s weapon is [[One-Handed Sword]]. An item’s weapon type determines it compatibility with certain [[skill gem]]s and [[support gem]]s, as long with its modifier pool.
-----
- '''Base damage''': this item's base damage is 4-9 [[physical damage]]. [[Attack]]s with this [[weapon]] will use this as their base damage. This is generally the most important stat for attack weapons.
-</div>
-<div style=float:left;width:33%;'>
-[[File:Rusted Sword item box screenshot.png|400px]]
-<br>
-----
- '''Base critical strike chance''': this item’s base [[critical strike chance]] is 5.00%. [[Attack]]s with this weapon will use this as their base critical strike chance.
-</div>
-<div style=float:right;width:33%;'>
-<br>
- '''Base attack speed''': this item’s base [[attack speed]] is 1.55 attacks per second. [[Attacks]] with this weapon will use this as their base attack speed.
-----
- '''Base weapon range''': this item’s base weapon [[range]] is 11 [[unit]]s of distance. [[Melee]] [[strike]] attacks with this weapon will use this as their base range.
-----
- '''Implicit modifier''': some base types have [[implicit]] [[modifier]]s inherent to them. In this case, {{il|Rusted Sword}} has increases your [[accuracy]]. Accuracy increased your chance to [[hit]] enemies with [[hit]]s.
-----
- '''Base type’s art''': all [[normal]], [[magic]], and [[rare]] [[item]]s of this base type will have the same art. [[Unique]] variants will have unique art.
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-filler text
-===Marauder===
 <div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
-{{il|Driftwood Club}}
+===Duelist===
-<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
-<div style='float:left;width:33%;'>
- '''Item name box''': the colour of this box signifies the rarity of the [[item]]. White = [[Normal]], Blue = [[Magic]], Yellow = [[Rare]], Orange = [[Unique]]. [[Rarity|Rarities]] are discussed later.
-----
- '''Base type''': this item’s base type is {{il|Driftwood Club}}. A weapon's base type determines its [[weapon]] type, base [[damage]], base [[critical strike chance]], base [[attack]] speed, base [[weapon range]], and [[implicit]](s).
-----
- '''Weapon type''': this item’s weapon is [[One-Handed Mace]]. An item’s weapon type determines it compatibility with certain [[skill gem]]s and [[support gem]]s, as long with its modifier pool.
-----
- '''Base damage''': this item's base damage is 6-8 [[physical damage]]. [[Attack]]s with this [[weapon]] will use this as their base damage. This is generally the most important stat for attack weapons.
-</div>
-<div style=float:left;width:33%;'>
-[[File:Driftwood Club item box.png|400px]]
-<br><br>
-----
- '''Base critical strike chance''': this item’s base [[critical strike chance]] is 5.00%. [[Attack]]s with this weapon will use this as their base critical strike chance.
-</div>
-<div style=float:right;width:33%;'>
- '''Base attack speed''': this item’s base [[attack speed]] is 1.45 attacks per second. [[Attacks]] with this weapon will use this as their base attack speed.
-----
- '''Base weapon range''': this item’s base weapon [[range]] is 11 [[unit]]s of distance. [[Melee]] [[strike]] attacks with this weapon will use this as their base range.
-----
- '''Implicit modifier''': some base types have [[implicit]] [[modifier]]s inherent to them. In this case, {{il|Driftwood Maul}} has an implicit modifier that reduces the amount of damage needed to be taken by enemies for them to be [[stunned]].
-----
- '''Base type’s art''': all [[normal]], [[magic]], and [[rare]] [[item]]s of this base type will have the same art. [[Unique]] variants will have unique art.
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-Filler text
-===Ranger===
-<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
-[[Ranger]]: {{il|Crude Bow}}
 <div class="mw-collapsible-content">
+The Duelist can find a [[normal]] {{il|Rusted Sword}} lying the ground next to them. A complete breakdown of its stats can be found below.
 <div style='float:left;width:33%;'>
- '''Item name box''': the colour of this box signifies the rarity of the [[item]]. White = [[Normal]], Blue = [[Magic]], Yellow = [[Rare]], Orange = [[Unique]]. [[Rarity|Rarities]] are discussed later.
+'''Item name box''': the colour of this box signifies the rarity of the [[item]]. White = [[Normal]], Blue = [[Magic]], Yellow = [[Rare]], Orange = [[Unique]]. [[Rarity|Rarities]] are discussed later.
-----
- '''Base type''': this item’s base type is {{il|Crude Bow}}. A weapon's base type determines its [[weapon]] type, base [[damage]], base [[critical strike chance]], base [[attack]] speed, base [[weapon range]], and [[implicit]](s).
-----
- '''Weapon type''': this item’s weapon is [[Bow]]. An item’s weapon type determines it compatibility with certain [[skill gem]]s and [[support gem]]s, as long with its [[modifier]] pool.
-----
- '''Base damage''': this item's base damage is 5-13 [[physical damage]]. [[Attack]]s with this [[weapon]] will use this as their base damage. This is generally the most important stat for attack weapons.
-</div>
-<div style=float:left;width:33%;'>
-[[File:Driftwood Wand item box screenshot.png|400px]]
-</div>
-<div style=float:right;width:33%;'>
- '''Base attack speed''': this item’s base [[attack speed]] is 1.40 attacks per second. [[Attacks]] with this weapon will use this as their base attack speed.
-----
- '''Base weapon range''': this item’s base weapon [[range]] is 120 [[unit]]s of distance. Instead of using [[melee]] [[attack]]s, bows and [[wand]]s fire [[projectile]] [[attack]]s  so this is the base maximum distance that a projectile fired from this weapon will travel.
-----
- '''Base type’s art''': all [[normal]], [[magic]], and [[rare]] [[item]]s of this base type will have the same art. [[Unique]] variants will have unique art.
 ----
- '''Base critical strike chance''': this item’s base [[critical strike chance]] is 5.00%. [[Attack]]s with this weapon will use this as their base critical strike chance.
+'''Base type''': this item’s base type is {{il|Rusted Sword}}. A weapon's item type determines its [[weapon]] type, base [[damage]], base [[critical strike chance]], base [[attack]] speed, base [[weapon range]], and [[implicit]](s).
-</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-Filler text
-===Witch===
-<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
-Witch: {{il|Driftwood Wand}}
-<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
-<div style='float:left;width:33%;'>
- '''Item name box''': the colour of this box signifies the rarity of the [[item]]. White = [[Normal]], Blue = [[Magic]], Yellow = [[Rare]], Orange = [[Unique]]. [[Rarity|Rarities]] are discussed later.
 ----
- '''Base type''': this item’s base type is {{il|Driftwood Wand}}. A weapon's base type determines its [[weapon]] type, base [[damage]], base [[critical strike chance]], base [[attack]] speed, base [[weapon range]], and [[implicit]](s).
+'''Weapon type''': this item’s weapon is [[One-Handed Sword]]. An item’s weapon type determines it compatibility with certain [[skill gem]]s and [[support gem]]s, as long with its modifier pool.
 ----
- '''Weapon type''': this item’s weapon is [[Wand]]. An item’s weapon type determines it compatibility with certain [[skill gem]]s and [[support gem]]s, as long with its modifier pool.
+'''Base damage''': this item's base damage is 4-9 [[physical damage]]. [[Attack]]s with this [[weapon]] will use this as their base damage. This is generally the most important stat for attack weapons.
 ----
- '''Base damage''': this item's base damage is 5-9 [[physical damage]]. [[Attack]]s with this [[weapon]] will use this as their base damage. This is generally the most important stat for attack weapons.
+'''Base critical strike chance''': this item’s base [[critical strike chance]] is 5.00%. [[Attack]]s with this weapon will use this as their base critical strike chance.
 </div>
 <div style=float:left;width:33%;'>
-[[File:Driftwood Wand item box screenshot.png|400px]]
+[[File:Rusted Sword item box screenshot.png|400px]]
-<br><br>
-----
- '''Base critical strike chance''': this item’s base [[critical strike chance]] is 7.00%. [[Attack]]s with this weapon will use this as their base critical strike chance.
 </div>
 <div style=float:right;width:33%;'>
- '''Base attack speed''': this item’s base [[attack speed]] is 1.45 attacks per second. [[Attacks]] with this weapon will use this as their base attack speed.
+'''Base attack speed''': this item’s base [[attack speed]] is 1.55 attacks per second. [[Attacks]] with this weapon will use this as their base attack speed.
 ----
- '''Base weapon range''': this item’s base weapon [[range]] is 120 [[unit]]s of distance. Instead of using [[melee]] [[attack]]s, wands fire [[projectile]] [[attack]]s  so this is the base maximum distance that a projectile fired from this weapon will travel.
+'''Base weapon range''': this item’s base weapon [[range]] is 11 [[unit]]s of distance. [[Melee]] [[strike]] attacks with this weapon will use this as their base range.
 ----
- '''Implicit modifier''': some base types have [[implicit]] [[modifier]]s inherent to them. In this case, {{il|Driftwood Wand}} has an implicit modifier that increased the amount of [[damage]] dealt by your [[spell]]s. For spellcasters (i.e. those using {{il|Fireball}}), this is the only significant stat.
+'''Implicit modifier''': some base types have [[implicit]] [[modifier]]s inherent to them. In this case, {{il|Rusted Sword}} has increases your [[accuracy]]. Accuracy increased your chance to [[hit]] enemies with [[hit]]s.
 ----
- '''Base type’s art''': all [[normal]], [[magic]], and [[rare]] [[item]]s of this base type will have the same art. [[Unique]] variants will have unique art.
+'''Base type’s art''': all [[normal]], [[magic]], and [[rare]] [[item]]s of this base type will have the same art. [[Unique]] variants will have unique art.
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>