Path of Exile – Beginner Guide

 

Okay, let's start at the most important part (it's also the first thing you need to do before actually starting the game) – choosing a class. Why is this always the hardest choice to make in any RPG?  Luckily for you, I’m here to help make this decision a bit easier for you. First, let’s take a look at what these classes are made of, then dive into what each class is capable of. (Ascendancy)

 

As with other MMOs, the three basic attributes for classes in POE are strength, intelligence, and dexterity. Every class is comprised of either of them or both (hybrid classes).

 

Strength represents your character’s physical power and ability to wield strength-based equipment and skills. The higher the strength stat, the higher your total health amount and melee damage.

 

Intelligence represents your character’s knowledge and makes it possible to wield intelligence-based equipment and skills. The higher the intelligence stat, the higher the mana and maximum energy shield.

 

Dexterity represents your character’s agility so that you can wield dexterity-based equipment and skills. The higher the dexterity, the higher the accuracy rating and increased evasion.

 

There are three base classes (only focuses on one stat: strength, intelligence, etc..) three hybrid classes (a mix of two stats), and a special hybrid class. Note that every of these classes, aside from the special-hybrid class, contains three ascendancies which are basically large power spikes you can achieve later on within the game. Let’s focus on the three base classes first. They are the Ranger, the Witch, and the Marauder. 

 

Ranger

 

The Ranger is a pure dexterity class. It is very squishy, yet quick and evasive and can deal massive damage from afar. Although it excels at range, this class is definitely more capable of close ranged attacks.

 

The Ranger can ascend to three forms-- Raider, Pathfinder, and Deadeye.

• Raider - Gets a lot of frenzy charges, onslaught, and tons of evasion. Its attack-based ascendancy allows it dishing out pain whilst avoiding damage.
• Pathfinder - Gives extra bonuses for extra chaos damage modifiers as well as flask bonuses. Really benefits for poison type builds additionally.
• Deadeye – Gives bonuses to projectiles with weapons such as bows, wands, daggers, and claws.

 

Marauder

 

The Marauder is a typical tank that can really pack a punch. This class focuses entirely on strength stats  and is good at using red gems, two-handed weapons and heavy armor. If you like running into a bunch of enemies and smashing everything with melee weapons, this will be the class for you.

 

This class ascends to three forms--Berserker, Juggernaut, and Chieftain.

• Berserker - Exchanges some tanky-ness for raw power. Including physical damage bonuses and extra life steal to help with sustainability. It also contains bonuses to Warcries which can immensely buff your abilities.
• Juggernaut - Adds more damage reduction doubling the effectiveness of this class’s tanky-ness.
• Chieftain –master of flame and fire like a phoenix. This form maintains tanky-ness while completely burning the world around you.

 

Witch

 

The Witch is the spell-caster who can rain storms on hordes of enemies (personally my favorite type of class) that excels in purely intelligence, blue gems, the use of wands, and owner of minions helping do your work  if you choose.

 

This class ascends to three forms-- Necromancer, Elementalist, and Occultist.

• Necromancer – Mainly commanding minions while also increasing their damage and sustainability.
• Elementalist - Good at using elemental skills such as lightning, fire, ice as well as damaging ailments during fight. The arc-witch is one of the most popular builds for beginners.
• Occultist – Offers pure power to damage over time skills affected by cold and chaos damage.

 

Now let’s take a look at the hybrid classes: Shadow, Duelist, and Templar. The hybrid classes excel at either strength/intelligence, intelligence/dexterity, or dexterity/strength.

 

Shadow

 

The Shadow is a mixture of dexterity and intelligence. Dagger, claws, and bows are all extremely deadly in the Shadow’s hands.

 

This class ascends to three forms--Assassin, Trickster, and  Saboteur.

• Assassin – Specializes in dealing more damage through enhancing its critical strikes. Amazing with poison skills.
• Trickster –Very effective with poison and other damage over time skills. Has  resilience passives such as Ghost Hands and Escape Artist, which makes it much more difficult for enemies to hit and allowing you to escape from a tricky situation.
• Saboteur - Excels in traps and mines skills. Allows a more unique playstyle in Path of Exile.

 

Duelist

 

 

The Duelist is your strength and dexterity hybrid class. This class can become quite tanky and deadly with attack skills.

 

This class ascends to three forms-- Slayer, Champion, and Gladiator.

• Slayer – Grants massive amounts of life leech which allows for immense sustainability in combat. Will also provide bonuses to critical strike damage, attack damage, and frenzy charges.
• Champion – Receives a permanent Fortify which is a physical damage mitigator and offers bonuses to Impale as well as Banner auras.
• Gladiator – Slays enemies using bleeding skills whether you’re dual wielding or have a shield. This ascendancy can be very tanky if you focus on shields and the blocking bonuses.

 

Templar

 

The Templar is the strength and intelligence class. This class is useful for totem builds, brand builds, and can benefit from aura type builds making this guy a tanky spell-caster.

 

This class ascends to three forms-- Guardian, Inquisitor, and Hierophant.

Guardian –Can fill the role of support-based builds such as an aura bot which can grant allies an insane number of buffs. This class is not typically used for solo builds.

Hierophant - Excels at totem and brand builds which allows you to do a lot of damage from far away. Totems can also taunt enemies making it so that enemies hit them rather than you. This allows for more survivability.

Inquisitor - Gains elemental damage bonuses from spells and attack-based skills. Can also utilize more tanky-ness using life, energy shield, or a combination of both.

 

The Super-Hybrid Scion

 

 

To unlock the Scion, you first have to find her in Upper Sceptre of God in Act three and free her from the cage.

This class starts directly in the middle of the passive tree with easy access to the strength, intelligence, and the dexterity nodes. For new players, it is not recommended as it offers only one ascendancy form that mixes and matches different class archetypes which can be quite difficult to manage if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Her ascendancy form is called Ascendant.

 

So which class should you choose?

 

At the end of the day, it’s entirely up to you. It’s a daunting task and one I usually spend hours researching and choosing. Everyone has a preference. You either prefer smashing enemies face to face and up close or prefer taking out enemies from afar. That already should lead you in the right direction. Marauder if you prefer melee, ranger or witch if you prefer range. Or choose one of the hybrid classes if you want to mix and match. Just remember, the scion class is not recommended for first-time players.

 

How to get orbs in PoE?

 

Exalted Orbs are the most high-value PoE orbs that play a crucial role in the in-game economy. Their primary purpose is to craft high-end rare items. Because of this, it is regarded as the “gold standard” currency for trading between players, with many trade deals listed in terms of Exalted Orbs. Since the average player does not have the means to craft high-end items, the average player typically trades PoE Exalted Orbs for other valuable equipment instead of consuming them.

 

So how can you get these highly sought-after items?

Contrary to popular belief, the most popular way among exiles is to grind mobs from time to time. Yes, exalted orbs have a very low drop rate, but it can be dropped from any mob out there, and there are certainly some areas and certain mobs which should give you a far better chance of getting orbs, and definitely at a faster rate.

 

Typically, a good place to start farming is Burial Chambers. If you already have a high-level character, you can also try farming the Uber Elder. Keep in mind that to do that you already have to have completed 20 maps, but the rewards are damn well worth it.

 

To summarize, exalted Orbs are uncommon currency items that may be dropped by slain monsters, chests, and destructible containers. In addition, they drop from Arcanist's Strongboxes. You can also Buy PoE Currency from us at SSEGold.com.

 

Leveling tips:

 

As with any game, farming minions are always a great source to farm XP, especially on higher difficulties. There a few other things to do, however the list is long and needs its own guide. Also, this guide is for beginners – not endgame leveling. I will show you the most important ones, and the ones I use personally. Follow these tips and you will be on your way to endgame.

 

Act I: The Ledge – This area is mainly populated by skeletons and what’s easier than mowing down waves of slow-moving skeletons? There’s also a waypoint in the middle of the zone so you don’t have to spend too many Portal Scrolls if you wish to free up space in your inventory.

The best tip I can give you in this area is to run from one side to the other and clear all the ads. Also, if you can - run it a group. This makes it quicker to clear the area.

 

Act II: Fellshrine Ruins - There are actually a few areas which are equally good for grinding levels in Act II, but Fellshrine Ruins is one of the best. In Fellshrine it’s best to simply follow the road, and once you get to Crossroads exit just reset the instance. Rinse and repeat. If you don’t have Church Dungeon waypoints go to Crossroads and just follow the road east.

Monsters in Fellshrine mostly include skeletons and zombies which are both extremely easy to kill. If you come across a Hulking Titan, feel free to run past them if you find them too challenging.

 

Act III: The Docks - Ranged classes will have a field day here. There are tons of ledges to kill monsters from. Without a doubt The Docks is the best area for experience grinds in Act III on any difficulty. This is another area with zombies and skeletons, so you shouldn’t have a hard time.

Although Docks is a popular grinding spot amongst exiles, it isn’t the most optimal. The typical progression players do (especially in Merciless) is City of Sarn > Catacombs > Library > Lunaris.

 

Follow these tips and you should be on your way to power leveling your character in no time.

 

I hope you enjoyed this article and remember; you can always buy PoE orbs at SSEGold safely.