User:Bloonpauper/New Player Guide
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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
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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: 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.
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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.