User:Bloonpauper/New Player Guide
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. While this guide may provide helpful information, it is not a walkthrough - it is recommended for those seeking exact guides on what to do to find a reliable content creator on youtube and follow their guides. Any questions not answered by this guide are best answered by 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.
There are two types of leagues: Standard League, and Challenge Leagues. Standard League has been running for a very long time - as a result it is plagued with large wealth accumulation (it will be effectively impossible for new players to catch up to those who have been playing for years), balance issues (legacy items end up in Standard) and stale economy (since most players already have built up wealth, they generally have no reason to trade).
Challenge Leagues are introduced every 3-4 months. They represent a total reset - everyone starts off with the same footing. Each Challenge League, along with new unique items, monsters, areas, and balance changes also introduce a "League Mechanic" exclusive to the league - not available in Standard. At the end of a challenge league's duration, all the characters and items in the league will be moved to Standard.
For the above stated reasons, 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 radio buttons. SSF, HC, and Ruthless (as they are called) are optional game modes. More information can be found on their respective pages.