Path of Exile 2, developed and published by Grinding Gear Games, launched into Early Access on December 6, 2024. As a sequel to the original Path of Exile, this standalone title redefines many mechanics while preserving the essence of ARPG progression and gameplay.

Path of Exile 2 is renowned for its complexity and features one of the largest Skill Trees in gaming. This can be overwhelming for newcomers to ARPGs or those unfamiliar with Path of Exile's unique approach. Our comprehensive guide hub compiles all of Game Rant's coverage on PoE 2, from essential pre-play knowledge to detailed guides on game mechanics, currencies, progression, quests, bosses, and more.

This guide is continually updated to reflect new content introduced during the Early Access phase and the full release scheduled for 2025.

Getting Started & PoE 2 Beginner Tips
Before diving into Path of Exile 2, it's beneficial to understand the game's overarching mechanics, optimize your experience, and pick up some valuable tips to start off on the right foot.
These guides cover essential information about Path of Exile 2, such as the maximum level, estimated playtime to completion, availability of microtransactions, and answers to other common questions. Additionally, you'll find beginner tips tailored to help new players navigate the game's complexities.
This section also includes guides on in-game options and settings, including optimal PC graphics settings, basic combat controls like dodging and movement, and other resources to enhance your gaming experience.
- Game Information
  - Burning Questions, Answered
  - All Early Access Supporter Packs & Rewards
  - How To Change Character Leagues
  - How To Get Points
  - Best Stash Tabs to Buy
  - How Long to Beat
  - Biggest Improvements Over The First Game
  - Max Level & Leveling Milestones
  - Is There Level Scaling
  - How to Claim Early Access Twitch Drops
- Controls & Settings
  - Best PC Settings For Path of Exile 2
  - How To Dodge & Block
  - How To Change Weapons In Combat
  - How To Bind Skills
  - How to Change Movement Input
  - How To Link Items To Chat
  - How To Hide The Chat
  - How To Enable/Disable Crossplay
- Beginner Tips For PoE 2
  - 10 Beginner Tips
  - Where To Buy Scrolls Of Wisdom
  - What To Do With Extra Loot
  - Best Classes For Beginners, Ranked
  - How to Get Gold Fast
  - How To Play With Friends
  - What To Spend Gold On First
PoE 2 Game Mechanics & Systems
Path of Exile 2 boasts a rich tapestry of mechanics, crucial for players aiming to optimize their builds. While the game retains many elements from its predecessor, it introduces a host of new mechanics that give PoE 2 a fresh feel.
These guides delve into the core aspects of your character's stats, pivotal in-game mechanics for both combat and non-combat scenarios, and the innovative Skills and Sockets systems in PoE 2.
- Character Stats & Skill Points
  - Character Attributes, Explained
  - How To Get More Passive Skill Points
  - How To Respec Passive Skill Points
  - How To Use The Passive Skill Filter
  - Weapon Set Points, Explained
  - Spirit Resource, Explained
  - How To Increase Spirit
  - How To Increase Movement Speed
  - How To Raise Max Mana
  - Energy Shield Explained
  - What Does Accuracy Do
  - Best Resistances To Upgrade
- Gameplay Mechanics
  - How To Fast Travel
  - How To Identify Items For Free
  - How to Trade
  - All Ailments Explained
  - What Are Instances
  - How To Stun Enemies
  - How To Aim Skills
  - Armour Break, Explained
  - All Crowd Control Effects
  - How To Create & Join Guilds
  - How Does Arcane Surge Work
  - How Do Power Charges Work?
  - Death Penalty, Explained
  - How Do Herald Of Ice And Thunder Work
- Skills, Gems, Jewels, & Runes
  - How To Equip Support Gems
  - How To Get More Support Gems
  - How To Equip & Use Runes
  - Jewel Sockets, Explained
  - How To Get More Uncut Spirit Gems
  - How to Get Raging Spirits
Classes, Ascendancies, & Builds
In PoE 2, while players have the freedom to equip gear, Skills, and Passive Skills as long as they meet the necessary requirements, Classes form the bedrock of your build. Each Class begins at a different point on the Passive Skill Tree, steering players toward passives that synergize well with their chosen archetype.
Path of Exile 2 plans to introduce 12 Classes, with six currently available during Early Access. The Ascendancy system, already implemented, allows each Class to choose from powerful, permanent Skill Trees that complement the standard Passive Skill Tree.
These guides provide insights into the six (and future 12) Classes of Path of Exile 2 and the Ascendancy system, including an introduction to the system, recommended builds for each class, and class-specific tips.
- PoE 2 Class Guides
  - Best Classes, Ranked
  - Best Solo Class
  - How To Swap Mercenary Ammo Types
  - How To Summon More Minions
  - How Does Aftershock Work?
  - How Does Rage Work
- Ascendancies
  - All Class Ascendancies (& Ascendancy Nodes)
  - How To Unlock Ascension Classes
- PoE 2 Build Guides
  - Monk Leveling Build Guide
  - Tempest Flurry Invoker Build
  - Mercenary Leveling Guide
  - Sorceress Leveling Build
  - Rolling Slam Warrior Leveling Build
  - Warrior Leveling Guide
  - Witch Leveling Guide
PoE 2 Currencies & Gear
In Path of Exile 2, gear significantly impacts your progression. While powerful gear can be acquired through enemy drops, the game's Crafting system, powered by a variety of Currencies, offers another avenue for upgrading your equipment.
Currencies in Path of Exile 2 enable you to enhance item rarity, add or reroll modifiers, and more. Besides Currencies, other methods exist to upgrade your gear. These guides provide comprehensive insights into the PoE 2 Crafting and upgrade system, the various Currencies available, and strategies for farming gear and acquiring valuable items like Charms.
- Upgrades & Improvements
  - How To Upgrade Item Rarity
  - How To Upgrade & Refill Potions
  - How to Add Sockets to Gear
  - How To Upgrade Armor & Weapon Quality
  - How To Reroll Gear Modifiers
- PoE 2 Currencies
  - All Currency Items & Effects
  - How To Unlock & Use Salvage Bench
  - How To Unlock & Use Currency Exchange
  - How To Find Out Current Path of Exile 2 Currency Exchange Rates
  - How To Unlock & Use Reforging Bench
  - How To Get Orb of Chance
  - How To Get Divine Orb
  - How to Get Greater Jeweller's Orb
- Gear & Equipment
  - How to Farm Gear Early
  - How To Get Uniques
  - Charm System, Explained
  - How To Equip & Upgrade Charms
  - Stellar Amulets Explained
  - How to Get Ingenuity Utility Belt
  - How to Get Hand of Wisdom and Action
Quest & Boss Walkthroughs
Upon its full release from Early Access, Path of Exile 2 will feature six Acts in its campaign, leading into an endgame that begins after completing Act 6. During the Early Access phase, players can experience three Acts, which repeat on Cruel difficulty to transition into the endgame and Atlas map progression.
Each Act presents players with quests to complete, bosses to defeat, and a narrative to progress through until reaching the final boss and advancing to the next Act. These guides offer detailed walkthroughs for the quests and bosses you'll encounter throughout Path of Exile 2.
- All Main Quests and Acts
- All Permanent Bonuses from the Campaign
- Act One
  - Where To Find The Devourer (Treacherous Ground Quest)
  - Secrets In The Dark Quest Walkthrough
  - Where to Find Renly's Tools (Finding the Forge)
  - Where To Find Una’s Lute
  - How to Beat Draven, The Eternal Praetor
  - How to Beat Count Geonor, The Putrid Wolf
- Act Two
  - Rathbreaker Boss Guide & Strategies
  - Ancient Vows Quest Guide
  - How to Beat Balbala
  - How to Beat The King in the Mists
  - What To Do With Golden Idols
  - Ascent To Power Walkthrough
  - Sisters of Garukhan Guide
- Act Three
  - How to Use the Sacrificial Heart
  - Treasures of Utzaal Quest
  - How to Find and Beat Mighty Silverfist
  - What To Do With Mushrooms
  - The Slithering Dead Quest Guide
PoE 2 Endgame Guides
Once you've conquered all Acts in the main campaign (including the repeat in Cruel difficulty), you'll unlock the endgame of Path of Exile 2, introducing a range of new mechanics and activities for further progression.
While you can engage in various Trials to earn Ascendancy points, the endgame is primarily driven by the Atlas system. This system enables players to tackle Maps of escalating difficulty within an infinitely-generated overworld.
These guides delve deep into the endgame systems of Path of Exile 2, detailing how to unlock the Endgame, the intricacies of the Atlas and its related mechanics, and other activities available after beating Cruel difficulty.
- Endgame Tips & Mechanics
  - How To Unlock Cruel Difficulty & Endgame
  - Advanced Tips For PoE 2 Endgame
  - How To Get & Upgrade Waystones
  - How to Sustain Waystones While Mapping
  - Best Atlas Skill Tree Setup
  - How to Unlock Hideout
  - How To Find More Citadels
- Endgame Features & Leagues
  - Atlas Of Worlds Guide – Maps, Events, & More
  - Realmgate Explained
  - Breach Guide – Passives, Rewards, & Tips
  - Delirium Guide – Fog Mechanics, Passives, & Rewards
  - Ritual Guide – Passives, Tributes, And Favours
  - Expedition Guide – Passives, Artifacts, & Rewards
  - Burning Monolith Explained
  - Trial of Chaos Guide
  - Trial of the Sekhemas Guide
Advanced PoE 2 Tips & Other Guides
While most Path of Exile 2 players will find satisfaction in mastering the game's foundational mechanics and systems, some enthusiasts seek to push their gameplay to the next level.
These advanced guides for Path of Exile 2 cover knowledge that becomes crucial in the late or endgame stages. For instance, understanding Loot Filters can significantly enhance your mapping experience in the Atlas, although it's less critical during the campaign when you're picking up everything for Gold. Nevertheless, knowing what items to keep and what to sell remains invaluable.
- Advanced PoE 2 Guides
  - How to Get XP Fast (Level Up Fast)
  - How to Use Loot Filters
  - How to Get Loot Filters on Console
  - Sidekick Features & Installation Guide
  - How to Use FilterBlade
  - Things You Should Not Buy From Merchants
  - Things You Should Not Sell To Merchants
  - How To Get More Character Slots