Guide:Diablo Player's Guide to Path of Exile
This is a guide on the subject of getting started in Path of Exile from a Diablo player's perspective.
Last updated on February 11, 2022.
If you've played a lot of Diablo 3 and/or Diablo 2/LOD (or any other ARPG), here's a quick and dirty guide that will get you playing Path of Exile in no time!
Pay model
Path of Exile is a free free-to-play game supported by microtransactions and supporter packs. Microtransactions do not provide direct in-game advantages. The items available in the store are nearly all cosmetic, the only exceptions being additional/utility stash tabs and character/guild slots.
Supporter packs can be considered similar to Kickstarter backer tiers, with various tiers offering different rewards, such as microtransaction points, unique pets, the ability to work with the developers to create a unique item, etc.
Skill gems
Skills in Path of Exile take the form of gems to be socketed into items. The skills in PoE aren't class-specific -- any class may use any skill, but a skill gem must be socketed into an equipped item to use that skill. Gems are either active skill gems or support gems. Active skill gems represent skills you actively use, while support gems augment those active skill gems when linked.
Examples:
FireballFireballProjectile, Spell, AoE, Fire
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (6-25) Mana
Cast Time: 0.75 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Effectiveness of Added Damage: 370%
Projectile Speed: 1040
AoE Radius: 9Unleashes a ball of fire towards a target which explodes, damaging nearby foes.Deals (9-1640) to (14-2460) Fire Damage
25% chance to Ignite enemies
Base radius is (0.9-1.4) metres
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Base radius is (0.01-0.2) metresPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
linked with 
Lesser Multiple Projectiles SupportLesser Multiple Projectiles SupportSupport, Projectile
Icon: l
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 130%Requires Level 8Supports projectile skills.Supported Skills deal (15-6)% less Projectile Damage
Supported Skills fire 2 additional Projectiles
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Supported Skills deal (0.5-10)% increased Projectile DamageThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
and 
Increased Area of Effect SupportIncreased Area of Effect SupportSupport, AoE
Icon: E
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 130%Requires Level 38Supports any skill with an area of effect.Supported Skills have (30-49)% increased Area of Effect
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Supported Skills deal (0.5-10)% increased Area DamageThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
fires multiple fireballs that explode in a larger than normal AoE- Link
Life Gain on Hit SupportLife Gain on Hit SupportAttack, Support
Icon: h
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 130%Requires Level 8Supports attack skills.(6-44) Life gained per Enemy Hit with Supported Attacks
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
(0.5-10) Life gained per Enemy Hit with Supported AttacksThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
to 
CleaveCleaveAttack, AoE, Physical, Melee
Level: (1-20)
Cost: 6 Mana
Attack Speed: 80% of base
Attack Damage: (125-237)% of base
Effectiveness of Added Damage: (125-237)%
AoE Radius: 20The character swings their weapon (or both weapons if dual wielding) in an arc, damaging monsters in an area in front of them. Only works with Axes and Swords.When Dual Wielding, Deals 60% Damage from each Weapon combined
(2-75) to (3-113) Added Attack Physical Damage
+(0-1) metre to radius
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
+0.1 metres to radius per Nearby Enemy, up to a maximum of +1 metrePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
gem to regain life for every enemy hit by Cleave. - Combine
Detonate DeadDetonate DeadSpell, AoE, Fire
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (5-20) Mana
Cast Time: 0.60 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Effectiveness of Added Damage: 160%
AoE Radius: 22Requires Level 4Targets a corpse, and deals spell damage to enemies around the corpse, as well as causing the corpse to explode, dealing fire damage. The explosion is not affected by modifiers to spell damage and cannot be reflected.Deals (15-798) to (22-1197) Fire Damage
Explosion deals base Fire Damage equal to (6-7.9)% of the corpse's Maximum Life
Base radius is (2.2-2.6) metres
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
(0.75-15)% chance to detonate an additional corpsePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
with 
Spell Totem SupportSpell Totem SupportSupport, Spell, Totem
Icon: T
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 200%Requires Level 8Supports spell skills that are not triggered. Instead of casting that spell, you will summon a totem that casts the spell for you.Supported Skills deal (49-40)% less Damage
Supported Skills will summon a Totem which uses that Skill
Totem lasts 8 seconds
Supported Skills have 40% less Cast Speed
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Supported Skills have (0.5-10)% increased Totem Placement speedThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
to have a totem which casts the spell for you so you can focus on other things. - Link
Ice SpearIce SpearCritical, Spell, Projectile, Cold
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (8-23) Mana
Cast Time: 0.70 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 7.00%
Effectiveness of Added Damage: 130%
Projectile Speed: 1000Requires Level 12Launches shards of ice in rapid succession. After travelling a short distance they change to a second form, which moves much faster and pierces through enemies.Deals (22-568) to (33-852) Cold Damage
Fires 2 Projectiles
Second form has 600% increased Critical Strike Chance
Second form has +(30-49)% to Critical Strike Multiplier
Second form has 300% more Projectile Speed
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Second form has +(2-40)% to Critical Strike MultiplierPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
with 
Greater Multiple Projectiles SupportGreater Multiple Projectiles SupportSupport, Projectile
Icon: P
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 150%Requires Level 38Supports projectile skills.Supported Skills deal (35-26)% less Projectile Damage
Supported Skills fire 4 additional Projectiles
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Supported Skills deal (0.5-10)% increased Projectile DamageThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
and 
Elemental Proliferation SupportElemental Proliferation SupportCold, Fire, Lightning, Support, AoE
Icon: S
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 110%Supports any skill that hits enemies, or could otherwise apply elemental ailments.(0-19)% increased Duration of Elemental Ailments on Enemies
Elemental Ailments inflicted by Supported Skills spread to other enemies within (1.2-1.5) metres
Supported Skills have 20% chance to Freeze, Shock and Ignite
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
(0.5-10)% increased Duration of Elemental Ailments on EnemiesThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
to fire multiple ice projectiles which freeze enemies and have the freeze effect spread to nearby foes.
Early on, you'll mainly get active skill gems as quest rewards or as purchases through the accessories vendor (sell page 2) after completing certain quests. You'll also find them as a normal item drop. Even though any class can use any gem, the selection of gems offered to you as a reward or for purchase will depend on your chosen class.
As you fight, both active skill gems and support gems gain experience and can be leveled up to increase the gem's potency. Gems stop gaining experience at level 20, and pushing them higher will require more exceptional means, like Vaal Orbs or 
Empower SupportEmpower SupportExceptional, Support
Icon: +
Level: (1-3)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 130%Supports any skill gem. Once this gem reaches level 2 or above, will raise the level of supported gems. Cannot support skills that don't come from gems.+(0-2) to Level of Supported Skill Gems
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
This Gem gains (5-100)% increased ExperienceThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
. Gems must be socketed into an equipped item for them to gain experience when you fight.
You may also choose not to level up a gem in some cases:
- You are not yet able to satisfy the increased stat requirements of the higher gem level.
- You cannot yet support the increased mana cost of the higher gem level.
- The active skill gem has a linked support gem with a max supportable gem level requirement.
- You want to pass it on to another character which might be lower level.
There are three overarching categories, represented by colors, of active skill and support gems:
- Red colored gems, which require mostly strength.
- Green colored gems, which require mostly dexterity.
- Blue colored gems, which require mostly intelligence.
As the gems level up, their respective attribute requirement amounts will increase as well.
Each support gem has a set of conditions associated with it. When you mouse over it, these conditions are listed in the green text of the gem's description. You can use these to determine which support gems can affect which active skill gems. For example, 
Fire Penetration SupportFire Penetration SupportFire, Support
Icon: V
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 130%Requires Level 31Supports any skill that hits enemies, making those hits penetrate enemy fire resistance.Supported Skills Penetrate (20-34)% Fire Resistance
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Supported Skills deal (0.5-10)% increased Fire DamageThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
supports any skill that hits enemies and causes those skills to penetrate enemy resistances. FireballFireballProjectile, Spell, AoE, Fire
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (6-25) Mana
Cast Time: 0.75 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Effectiveness of Added Damage: 370%
Projectile Speed: 1040
AoE Radius: 9Unleashes a ball of fire towards a target which explodes, damaging nearby foes.Deals (9-1640) to (14-2460) Fire Damage
25% chance to Ignite enemies
Base radius is (0.9-1.4) metres
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Base radius is (0.01-0.2) metresPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
deals fire damage by hitting enemies. This means that the Fire Penetration support gem will affect the active skill Fireball and improve Fireball's fire damage. Support gems do not directly affect other support gems.
Attack skills generally take weapon damage into consideration. Spells, traps, spell-casting totems, and mine skills usually do not (like Diablo 2).
There are many skill and support gems, and more are added every league!
The maximum number of possible linked sockets is six. This means one active skill gem can usually be supported by a maximum of five support gems. Six-linked items are expensive and hard to come by. Most support gems raise the mana cost or mana reservation of the active skill(s) they are linked with.
For future reference: some keystone passive skills are also available as support gems. If you want their effect for only some of your skills, for example, 
Point Blank SupportPoint Blank SupportProjectile, Attack, Support
Icon: b
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 110%Requires Level 18Supports projectile skills.Supported Skills' Projectile Attack Hits deal up to 30% more Damage to targets at the start of their movement, dealing less Damage to targets as the projectile travels farther
Supported Skills deal (0-38)% increased Projectile Damage
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Supported Skills deal (0.5-10)% increased Projectile DamageThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
.
Classes
There are currently seven base classes to choose from. As mentioned, skills are not tied to classes, unlike Diablo: however, the class chosen will impact the supporting bonuses the character is able to provide to their skills. Due to the amount of skill customization, there's little guidance on the "best" way to play a class (many people have posted their builds on the Path of Exile forums, however, and it's a good place to start).
The main differences between classes are: how your hero looks, what their starting attributes are, their position in the passive skill tree and their ascendancy class.
Note: Scion must be unlocked in Act 3 in order to select her during character creation.
| Type | Name | STR | DEX | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INT | Witch | 14 | 14 | 32 |
| STR | Marauder | 32 | 14 | 14 |
| DEX | Ranger | 14 | 32 | 14 |
| STR/INT | Templar | 23 | 14 | 23 |
| DEX/INT | Shadow | 14 | 23 | 23 |
| STR/DEX | Duelist | 23 | 23 | 14 |
| STR/DEX/INT | Scion | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Starting (HP, Mana, Evasion Rating) = (50, 40, 53) for all classes. Each level up gives a passive skill point but also
The most exclusive difference between the classes is their choice of Ascendancy class. In later acts, completing The Labyrinth will allow you to choose one of three Ascendancy sub-classes. Each of these classes grant access to powerful and unique passives to ultimately specialize your characters. While the choices in each Ascendancy are still versatile enough for any build to take advantage of, it's advisable to take a look at them first if you have a certain type of build in mind. Unlike base class, it is possible to switch Ascendancies, although it takes a fair amount of effort.
The level cap is 100, but a maximum of 123 Passive skill points can be obtained. However, most builds are made using between 100 and 110 skill points, and planning a build with all 123 points is not a good idea. Leveling past the storyline content is arduous, and your character will need to be more or less complete to navigate the endgame.
Passive skill tree
- The official website provides an overview of the skill tree.
Characters gain a passive point per level, with which they can select nodes containing statistical bonuses. However, these nodes are organised into a large sequential tree – quite unlike the Paragon Level system of Diablo 3. The tree may seem a little intimidating at first, but it may make things easier to realize that there are a few main types of nodes:
- Class Starting Areas: These areas are where you'll be starting your character. The nodes where you begin are often powerful, and there's absolutely nothing keeping you from heading toward another class's nodes later on! It's not a bad idea to scan your neighbors' starting nodes to see if they'll be useful for your build.
- Clusters: Some nodes are grouped together in clusters, on a carved stony disc. All the nodes on the disc share a common theme, sometimes indicated with a central icon.
- All clusters also have a notable passive, a special node rimmed in gold that is more powerful than normal nodes. Due to these powerful bonuses, they are important targets of a character build. Together with the other passives leading up to them, they can become quite powerful.
- Once you take a notable passive, you can allocate a point into one mastery passive from the category based on what stat the cluster grants. Mastery passives are generally more desirable for their more unique properties than a raw stat boost, making them powerful when built around.
- Paths: Approximately 30% of the skill tree is composed of nodes that grant +10 to one of the three base stats. Calculate efficient paths around the tree to reach clusters and Keystones, as these are relatively useless. Any savings on pathing will help put more points into the other types of nodes. Even if this makes the initial route to some groupings somewhat circuitous, every single passive point counts.
- Keystones: Special and very powerful nodes that change a game mechanic for your character. For example:
- Resolute Technique: Your hits can no longer be evaded, but you'll no longer deal Critical strikes.
- Point Blank: Makes your projectile skills deal more damage the closer the target is, but less damage the further away it is.
- Zealot's Oath: Converts all sources of life regeneration to energy shield regeneration.
Every class has a specific starting area on the skill tree. Starting at the top and working clockwise, there's the Witch, the Shadow, the Ranger, the Duelist, the Marauder, the Templar, and finally the Scion at the center. Most characters usually spread themselves out from one area to another, depending on the nodes available and the bonuses relevant to that player and the skills they have chosen to play with.
Plan ahead, for there are no full respecs in Path of Exile (except when a major patch changes the skill tree). Respec points are available through completing quests and spending 
Orb of RegretOrb of RegretStack Size: 40Grants a passive skill refund pointRight click on this item to use it.
currency items, but these are pricey. If you find yourself built in a corner, it can sometimes be quicker and easier to just reroll (start over).
Jewels
There are some nodes in the passive tree that can socket Jewels once allocated. Jewels are in a nutshell, passive skills as items. They generally won't be a major part of your build early on. Non-unique jewels can be crafted to provide a wide range of bonuses, making them very flexible. Some unique jewels affect or are affected by nearby passive nodes within a specified radius. There are also threshold jewels that can augment specific skills, for example 
Overwhelming OddsOverwhelming Odds
Crimson JewelLimited to: 1
Radius: Medium(10-15)% increased Global Physical Damage
With at least 40 Strength in Radius, Hits with Cleave Fortify
With at least 40 Strength in Radius, Cleave has +0.1 metres to Radius per Nearby
Enemy, up to a maximum of +1 metreEven as the tide turned, and victory swiftly became impossible,
The legionnaires of Lioneye's Watch stood their ground and fought on,
Every last man dying a brutal but honourable death.Place into an allocated Jewel Socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket.
improves CleaveCleaveAttack, AoE, Physical, Melee
Level: (1-20)
Cost: 6 Mana
Attack Speed: 80% of base
Attack Damage: (125-237)% of base
Effectiveness of Added Damage: (125-237)%
AoE Radius: 20The character swings their weapon (or both weapons if dual wielding) in an arc, damaging monsters in an area in front of them. Only works with Axes and Swords.When Dual Wielding, Deals 60% Damage from each Weapon combined
(2-75) to (3-113) Added Attack Physical Damage
+(0-1) metre to radius
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
+0.1 metres to radius per Nearby Enemy, up to a maximum of +1 metrePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
. The outermost jewel sockets can support cluster jewels, which grant an entire cluster of passives.
Resource management
Flasks are idiosyncratic to Path of Exile. While they resemble refillable potions with multiple doses, that wouldn't explain the differing way they are used in this game. Flasks mainly refill when each enemy is killed, unlike the purchased stacks of potions in Diablo 2 or the cooldown in modern Diablo 3. Flasks work over time and can be used in combat. This means it is possible to sustain flask usage if enough monsters are killed quickly enough.
Flasks can replenish life and mana over time, as to be expected, but certain flasks provide offensive, defensive, or speed bonuses for a period of time instead. As Flasks store multiple doses there is some flexibility in the timing of their use.
Finally, as Flasks are permanent items, so they can be modified to give them special bonus modifiers like other equipment and gear. For example, you can expand their storage, give a life potion the ability to heal instantly, or add other bonuses such as removing and gaining immunity to ailments while they're active - one of the easiest way to combat them. They can also be modified to be automatically used when a certain condition is met or enhance their effect at the cost of preventing them from gaining charges during the flask effect.
Treat your flasks as gear, and be sure to be choosing, upgrading, and crafting your flasks as you go.
Recovery
Each character starts with Regenerate 1.8% of Mana per second and no life regeneration.
Life and mana leech have a maximum rate cap, which prevents healing more than 20% of your maximum life/mana per second without upgrades.
There is also energy shields that act as a health buffer that regenerates after not taking damage for a short time. Chaos damage will bypass energy shields, however.
Currency items
There's no gold in PoE. Items are sold to and bought from players and NPCs by trading for a variety of currency items.
Any loot you find but have no use for can be sold to a vendor. Vendors will trade you 
Scroll FragmentsScroll FragmentStack Size: 5A stack of 5 fragments becomes a Scroll of Wisdom.
, 
Transmutation ShardsTransmutation ShardStack Size: 20A stack of 20 shards becomes an Orb of Transmutation.
, 
Alteration ShardsAlteration ShardStack Size: 20A stack of 20 shards becomes an Orb of Alteration.
or 
Alchemy ShardsAlchemy ShardStack Size: 20A stack of 20 shards becomes an Orb of Alchemy.
for it, depending on the rarity of the sold loot. These shards and fragments are of low value, but can be combined into orbs and scrolls that have a use in crafting items. See the vendor recipe system for more information.
These are the most important currency items for beginners to know about:
 Scroll of WisdomScroll of WisdomStack Size: 40Identifies an itemRight click this item then left click an unidentified item to apply it. |
Identifies an unidentified item |
 Portal ScrollPortal ScrollStack Size: 40Creates a portal to townRight click on this item to use it. |
Opens a portal to town |
 Orb of TransmutationOrb of TransmutationStack Size: 40Upgrades a normal item to a magic itemRight click this item then left click a normal item to apply it. |
Upgrades a normal item to a magic item |
 Orb of AlterationOrb of AlterationStack Size: 20Reforges a magic item with new random modifiersRight click this item then left click a magic item to apply it. |
Changes all the affixes of a magic item randomly |
 Orb of AugmentationOrb of AugmentationStack Size: 30Augments a magic item with a new random modifierRight click this item then left click a magic item to apply it. Magic items can have up to two random modifiers. |
Adds a random affix to a magic item without a prefix or suffix |
 Orb of AlchemyOrb of AlchemyStack Size: 20Upgrades a normal item to a rare itemRight click this item then left click a normal item to apply it. |
Upgrades a normal item to a rare item |
 Orb of ChanceOrb of ChanceStack Size: 20Upgrades a normal item to a random rarityRight click this item then left click a normal item to apply it. |
Upgrades a normal item to a random rarity, (magic, rare, or unique) |
 Chromatic OrbChromatic OrbStack Size: 20Reforges the colour of sockets on an itemRight click this item then left click a socketed item to apply it. |
Changes the color of sockets randomly |
 Jeweller's OrbJeweller's OrbStack Size: 20Reforges the number of sockets on an itemRight click this item then left click a socketed item to apply it. The item's quality increases the chances of obtaining more sockets. |
Changes the number of sockets randomly |
 Orb of FusingOrb of FusingStack Size: 20Reforges the links between sockets on an itemRight click this item then left click a socketed item to apply it. The item's quality increases the chances of obtaining more links. |
Changes the links between the current sockets randomly |
 Orb of BindingOrb of BindingStack Size: 20Upgrades a normal item to a rare item with up to four linked socketsRight click this item then left click a normal item to apply it. |
Upgrades a normal item to a rare item with up to four links |
There are many more currency items, see the currency page for a full list. It is advised not use any currency until you know its value, since the more valuable currencies can be traded to other players in exchange for items. Trading with players is done most commonly with the valuable 
Chaos OrbChaos OrbStack Size: 20Reforges a rare item with new random modifiersRight click this item then left click a rare item to apply it.
s and 
Exalted OrbExalted OrbStack Size: 20Augments a rare item with a new random modifierRight click this item then left click a rare item to apply it. Rare items can have up to six random modifiers.
s.
The best items in the game are often crafted with the use of currency. The most valuable/rare piece of currency in the game is a 
Mirror of KalandraMirror of KalandraStack Size: 10Creates a mirrored copy of an itemRight click this item then left click an equipable non-unique item to apply it. Mirrored copies cannot be modified.
.
Attributes and stats
Attributes (STR, INT, DEX) are gained only from item affixes and passive nodes. Leveling up gives no stat bonuses.
Each additional 10 attribute points give:
| 10 strength = +5 HP, +2% Melee Physical Dmg |
| 10 intelligence = +5 Mana, +2% Energy Shield |
| 10 dexterity = +20 Accuracy, +2% Evasion |
The defensive stats are:
| Armour, which mitigates incoming physical damage from a damaging hit, proportional to how much Armour you have compared to damage taken. |
| Evasion, which is a chance to avoid a damaging hit from attacks, it is entropy-based to avoid streaky results. It is also affected by accuracy. |
| Energy shield, which grants extra hit points that rapidly regenerate after not taking any damage for a short time. |
| Resistances, which mitigates incoming elemental and chaos damage. |
| Block, which is a chance to block a damaging hit. |
| Spell Suppression, which has a chance to halve spell damage hits. |
The offensive stats are:
| Accuracy, which is a measure of your chance-to-hit your target(s) with attacks. |
| Damage, which indicates how much damage you will inflict with each attack/spell, on your target(s), if your attack/spell is successful. |
| Attack speed, which is how quickly you can repeat each attack. |
| Cast Speed, which is how quickly you can repeat each spell cast. |
| Critical strike chance, which is how high your chance is to perform a critical strike |
| Critical strike multiplier, which is how much more damage your critical strikes do |
Body armour and shields can have movement penalties (typically the heavier ones).
Dual wielding grants:
- 10% more Attack Speed while Dual Wielding
Maximum block chance is normally capped at 75%, but this cap can be overcome to a certain extent, with certain items. If you would've been stunned, there's a blocking animation, otherwise the block is "free". Only Attacks can be blocked or evaded, unless you have Spell Block from passives or an item - for example, 
Saffell's FrameSaffell's Frame
Branded Kite ShieldChance to Block: 24%
Armour: (186-208)
Energy Shield: (38-43)
Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 59, 76 Str, 76 Int+4% to all Elemental Resistances(20-30)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
(20-30)% increased Spell Damage
+(20-30)% to all Elemental Resistances
+4% to all maximum Resistances
Cannot Block Attack DamageA swift mind solves problems before they occur.
.
Buffs & debuffs
There are various types of status effects in Path of Exile:
Charges
Charges grant stackable bonuses. By default, a character can have three of each charge, but the maximum number of charges can be increased. There are also certain skills that consume charges and skills that gain additional bonuses to charges.
Endurance Charge - Grants +4% to all Elemental Resistances per Endurance Charge, 4% additional Physical Damage Reduction per Endurance Charge.
Frenzy Charge - Grants 4% increased Attack Speed per Frenzy Charge, 4% increased Cast Speed per Frenzy Charge, 4% more Damage per Frenzy Charge.
Power Charge - Grants 50% increased Critical Strike Chance per Power Charge.
Ailments
Ailments are a secondary effect applied on hit and have its effect scale with the type of damage associated. Damaging ailments have a separate damage modifier and critical strike multiplier. They scale off the base damage of the hit.
Fire, cold, and lightning damage each have an element ailment associated with them. The non-damaging ailments have their effect proportional to the percentage of enemy ailment threshold the elemental damage did. Some passives and items grant a chance to apply and increase these effects.
Critical Strikes always apply elemental ailments.
Ignite - Deals a damage over time that deals 360% of Fire damage dealt from the hit that applied it over 4 seconds. Applied with Fire damage.
Chill - Slows down animation speed. Chill is always applied with Cold damage.
Frozen - Effectively a stun. Frozen enemies shatter when they die, leaving no corpse behind. Applied with Cold damage.
Shock - Target takes increased damage. Applied with Lightning damage.
These ailments aren't automatically applied on critical strikes. Only certain skills and item bonuses will apply these.
Bleed - Deals damage over time equal to 350% of the Physical damage dealt from the attack that applied it per second over 5 seconds. While moving, bleed deals triple the damage per second.
Poison - Deals 30% of the damage dealt from Physical and Chaos damage that applied it over 2 seconds in Chaos Damage. Poison can stack multiple times, and each stack has a separate 2 second timer.
Curses
Curses are powerful debuffs with varying effects, such as reduced elemental resistances, granting the attacker life and mana leech, and so on. Normally only one Curse can be applied at a time, but this can be increased through a notable passive and some unique items.
Curses are split into two categories: Hexes, which are applied in an area and gain increased effect when manually cast, and Marks, which can only affect one target at a time.
Stuns
Stuns are handled differently from other ARPGs. Instead of applying it for a set time, its length depends on the stun duration modifier.
When you play you’ll notice that your attacks interrupt enemies (or vice versa), which is actually considered a stun; the default duration is 350 ms.
Check out the stun page for more information.
Instances
All areas in Path of Exile are instanced. When you enter an area, a new instance is created. Once you leave the area, the instance will remain in its current state for 15 minutes for main areas - if 15 minutes passes with no players entering the instance, it will be closed. Entering the same area again will create a new instance with a new randomly generated map. Areas without side areas attached (any area with two or fewer exits) has a shorter timer and will only last 8 minutes while empty.
Instances you create are private and cannot be entered by other players unless they join your party. However, once a player has entered an instance, that instance remains associated with the player even if they leave the party. So it is possible to share an instance with non-party members in some circumstances. The exception to this is towns, which are always public, and cut-throat leagues, where all instances are public - meaning anyone can enter your instances at any time.
Those 15m/8m timers are subject to technical limitations. Those times may be lower on open weekends when the servers are rushed by more players than usual.
You can force the creation of a new instance by Ctrl+clicking on the entrance, or map waypoint, while interacting with a waypoint.
Game modes
There are currently 10 acts of increasing difficulty in the game. Acts are split into two parts, with Part II revisiting Wraeclast in a changed environment.
When you create a new character, you specify what league you want them to join, which is essentially the game type.
Currently, there are four permanent leagues: Standard, Hardcore, and the Solo Self Found (SSF) variants.
A new 'challenge' league is created every 3 months or so, which is split into 4 leagues:
- Standard league with the standard death rules.
- Hardcode league with the hardcore death rules.
- Standard League Solo Self Found with the standard death rules but no partying/trading.
- Hardcore League Solo Self found league with the hardcore death rules and no partying/trading.
These challenge leagues always have a unique mechanic on top of the standard or hardcore death rules. When these challenge leagues end (usually after three months), the characters in these challenge leagues return to their respective 'base' league type (standard, hardcore or the SSF variants) - along with all their inventory and stash items.
Characters in the hardcore challenge league are moved to the basic standard league when they die (just like in normal hardcore). Characters in the standard challenge league remain in that challenge league after they die (they are not moved to the regular standard league until the current standard challenge league ends).
Solo Self Found characters can be transferred to their base league with a click of a button.
Characters can be moved between leagues (usually towards the Standard league) when certain events happen. Usually, at the end of a ladder race/reset, characters are moved back to Standard so they can keep being played after the event. There are prizes for events, usually cosmetic microtransactions items.
Masters
There are five Master NPCs:
- Einhar:
- Missions will have you hunting special beasts.
- Einhar will assist you in combat and capture weakened beasts.
- Captured beasts are taken to the Menagerie, where they can be used for special crafting recipes via beastcrafting.
- Niko:
- Missions will have you finding and harvesting caches of Voltaxic Sulphite.
- Sulphite is used to delve in the Azurite Mine: an infinitely scaling dungeon.
- The Mines can contain special loot like fossils and resonators for modifiable crafting.
- Alva:
- Missions will have you go into incursions into the Temple of Atzoatl in the past.
- Incursions have a short time limit which is extended by killing enemies.
- You can find Stones of Passage to open paths and kill architects to change or enhance a room.
- After 12 incursions, you can enter the Temple of Atzoatl in the present time to loot it.
- Jun:
- Missions will have you dispatch members of the Immortal Syndicate.
- The encounter depends on the member's division.
- Once defeated, Syndicate members can be interrogated for intelligence of their safehouse's location, bargained for a reward, have them betray another member, or killed to raise their rank.
- Raise their ranks and shuffle their positions to maximize the reward you can get from raiding their safehouse.
- Syndicate members also drop Veiled items, which contain a mystery modifier that can be unveiled to unlock crafting recipes.
- Kirac:
- Missions will have you enter another map of your choosing and perform a task in it.
- Kirac is an important NPC in the post-game, who will help you obtain maps, progress in the Atlas, and give access to previous challenge league content.
Sometimes zones can contain master-related content, which has you perform a task for rewards.
Endgame content
Towards the end of the game, you may find maps. Maps are used in a Map Device to open randomly generated high-level areas. Maps can also be crafted like any other item in PoE, making it more difficult and rewarding.
Once you complete the quest after Act 10, you will be able to obtain your own map device. The Atlas visualizes the player's progress through the map content, with paths indicating what new maps can be discovered.
Players are encouraged to explore the Atlas as each map you complete adds an atlas passive point (if you complete the bonus requirements), allowing you to enhance master missions and Extra Content to make them more rewarding.
The Maven
In addition, by progressing through the Atlas, you will obtain the Maven's Beacon. With the Beacon activated, the Maven will witness the map boss fight and empower them, adding it to her collection when you defeat it. Once the Maven has witnessed enough unique bosses, you will obtain a Maven's Invitation, which takes you to an arena where you must fight all the previous bosses at once. Once you are victorious, you will obtain an atlas passive point for the first time you complete each Invitation.
The Maven has special Invitations that require her to witness special boss fights. Endgame Invitations also drop Awakened Support Gems that are stronger support gems the Atlas and Crescent Splinters, which can be collected to challenge the Maven herself.
Eldritch Horrors
You also gain two different beacons that call upon the Eldritch Horrors, the Eater of Worlds and the Searing Exarch. Activating them draw their influence, adding invading monster packs to your map. They have a chance to spawn an Eldritch Altar which adds a dangerous modifier but also adds additional rewards. At first, you will need to simply use the beacons in increasingly higher tier maps to progress the questline, obtaining Invitations to challenge the bosses. After defeating them for the first time, you receive an Invitation every 14th and 28th map you complete with an Eldritch influence.
Eldritch mobs can drop stronger Eldritch currency that adds an implicit modifier to armor bases. You can have both a Searing Exarch and an Eater of World eldritch implicit modifier on one item.
Voidstones
Voidstones can be socketed into the Atlas to increase the base tier of all future map drops. With all four Voidstones, every map in the Atlas will drop as a Tier 16 base. They can also be enchanted with sextants to add additional modifiers to maps. You can obtain one from defeating the Searing Exarch, the Eater of Worlds, the Maven, and Uber Elder for the first time.
Uber Labyrinth
There is also the fourth difficulty of the Lord's Labyrinth. Unlike the first three Labyrinths, the trials are optional and solely done to obtain a Offering to the Goddess which grants you one admission to the Eternal Labyrinth, with a tougher and deadlier layout and an even stronger Izaro. Completing this version of the Labyrinth grants two additional Ascendancy skill points, as well as valuable treasure and the most powerful enchantments.
Other endgame challenges
Exploring corrupted zones or maps could let you find map pieces that open a realm to Queen Atziri, an optional, challenging boss. Defeating Atziri opens up a chance to obtain fragments used to face an even tougher version of Atziri. There are a few unique items that exclusively drop from Atziri, with the Uber version even more powerful exclusive unique items.
Occasionally, you can find maps that are affected by an influence, containing an extra boss. These include the Guardians of the Void, Elder Guardians, and the Conquerors. These bosses drop fragments that can be used to open portals to boss fights with the Shaper, the Elder, and Sirus, respectively. The Shaper and the Elder also drop additional fragments that are use to challenge both of them at once. Influenced maps and enemies can drop influenced item bases, which can roll special modifiers on them.
Many other endgame challenges from previous challenge leagues and expansions can be pursued as well, such as the hidden bosses in the Azurite Mine, the Syndicate Mastermind, the Breachlord's domains, a 4 or 5-way battle between the Legions in the Domain of Timeless Conflict, Blight-ravaged maps, Enriched Eternal Labyrinths, Simulacrum, and Synthesis bosses.
Hotkeys and GUI tips
| Ctrl+click to move an item into the selling window or stash. (does not work with guild stash) |
| Ctrl+Alt+click to post an item into chat. (Open chat window by pressing enter to mouse over linked items) |
| Shift+click on a stack of items to open the split stack interface. |
| Get a minimap in the options menu. (map transparency adjustable) |
| Shift+enter or a “#” for global chat. |
| Ctrl+enter for a whisper reply. |
| Ctrl+Shift+enter or a “%” for party chat. |
| “@” followed by a character name for whisper. |
| "$" for trade chat. |
| "&" for guild chat. |
| You can hide global, trade or guild chat by unchecking the corresponding option box at the top of the chat window. |
| /help displays a complete list of commands and a short description of each one. |
| /itemlevel will show the item level of the item you’re holding in your mouse pointer. |
| /oos will make the client try to resyncronise with the server (use when you are desynced). |
| /remaining displays a message on how many monsters remain in the current instance. |
| /hideout will take you to your hideout, provided that you are in a city instance and you already gained a hideout. |
| /passives will display all skill points acquired on the current character and where/how they were acquired. |
| Holding Control and clicking on an instance will give you the option to reset the zone. Use this sparingly as it increases the server load. |
| Holding Alt while mousing over an item in chat will display its corresponding item level. |
| Hold shift to attack in place. |
| Press X to switch between two weapon presets. |
| Press Z to show/hide item labels. |
| /afk [message] Autoreply to whispers that you are AFK with the text [message]. Performing any action, including chatting, will cancel AFK mode. |
| /dnd [message] Autoreply to whispers that you are DND with the text [message] and ignore all incoming messages. |