Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting ARPG launches in recent years. With a brand-new campaign, reworked mechanics, and fresh systems to master, both new and veteran exiles will face plenty of challenges as they step into Wraeclast again. While detailed build guides will always play an important role in the community, survival and progression often come down to the fundamental tips and strategies every player should know. Whether you’re diving in for the first time or returning after hundreds of hours in POE1, these core lessons will help you start strong.
1. Get a Loot Filter Immediately
One of the first things you should do is set up a loot filter. Head over to FilterBlade and grab a basic one—“regular” or “strict” is fine to begin with. A loot filter highlights important items like socketables, gems, and currency, while hiding the junk. Even if you don’t know why an item is highlighted, chances are it’s worth picking up. Later on, you can tighten the filter as you gain experience.
2. Understand Disenchanting vs. Selling for Gold
Early game, you’ll face a choice: salvage (disenchant) or sell.
- Disenchanting gives you shards and materials, useful for crafting sockets and resist fixes.
- Selling items for gold is often more flexible—you can buy gear from vendors, gamble for upgrades, or even trade through the auction house.
A smart strategy is to overlevel slightly before gambling. For example, certain powerful bows unlock at level 28. By waiting until then, you maximize your odds of hitting something valuable.
3. Stop Panic Rolling
Dodging is powerful, but overusing it can actually get you killed. Many boss attacks are easier to walk out of rather than roll through. Remember: rolls aren’t perfect invulnerability frames. Save your dodge for the moments that truly demand it.
4. Upgrade Your Weapon Often (If You’re Not a Caster)
For weapon-based builds—bows, maces, axes—your weapon is your damage source. Gems add some power, but nowhere near as much as your weapon base. Replace or upgrade your weapon consistently to avoid falling behind. Casters can rely more on leveling their skill gems, but weapon users must keep their gear sharp.
5. Use Weapon-Swap Passive Points
Your weapon swap isn’t just cosmetic—it has its own passive point allocation. Use it! For example:
- Main weapon: damage-focused passives.
- Swap weapon: curses or shock bonuses.
This flexibility lets you tailor different approaches to bosses and mobs without respeccing.
6. Equip Charms Early
Charms can make or break certain fights. For example, a cold charm will save you against enemies heavy on frost damage, while a ruby charm is nearly mandatory for fire-heavy bosses. Don’t wait—slot these in as soon as you can.
7. Roll Your Flasks Properly
Life flasks are weaker in POE2 compared to POE1, so roll them smartly. Look for “life charges gained passively”—this gives you steady sustain over time. Also, keep your flask levels updated; a level 16 flask won’t cut it when you’re level 30.
8. Reset Areas for More Power
Hold Control when entering a zone to reset it. This trick allows you to overfarm, hunt better gear, and prepare safely before pushing forward—especially useful in Hardcore. Progress when you feel strong, not just when the map says you should.
9. Don’t Skip Sidequests
Sidequests often reward permanent bonuses like extra resistances or skill points. Hovering over the minimap icons will show you what you’ve missed. These upgrades stick with you forever, so they’re worth the detour.
10. Stack Base Flat Damage Early
Flat damage (like “+1–4 Physical Damage” on an iron ring) is incredibly effective in the early game. Since your gear multiplies base damage, even tiny boosts drastically improve your DPS. Prioritize adding flat elemental or physical damage where you can.
11. Don’t Sleep on Auto Attacks
In Act 1, auto attacks are surprisingly strong. They cost no mana, scale well with base damage, and can carry you through rough spots while conserving resources. Combine them with early skill gems for efficiency.
12. Learn Asynchronous Trading (Starts in Act 4)
From Act 4 onward, trading becomes much smoother. You can buy items directly from other players—even if they’re offline—through an asynchronous shop system. Listing items is free, so feel free to stash unwanted gear at inflated prices just to save space.
13. Prioritize Life and Resistances on Armour
Early survivability boils down to two stats: life and resists. Cap your elemental resistances (75% by default) as soon as possible. Even small amounts of life regen can make a noticeable difference.
14. Read the Alt-Texts
Holding Alt on items and gems reveals extra details. Often, crucial mechanics are explained here—like hidden interactions or gem scaling. Don’t skip reading them, especially if you’re new.
Final Thoughts
While full build guides will have to wait until we get the complete skill tree, these tips will help you survive your first days in Path of Exile 2. Focus on fundamentals: loot filtering, gear upgrades, resistances, and economy management. Build knowledge comes later—survival comes first.
Prepare wisely, and remember: in Wraeclast, the exile who plans ahead lives longer.
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