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About Path of Exile
Path of Exile is an online Action RPG set in the dark fantasy continent of Wraeclast. Players assume the role of an Exile seeking power and revenge while navigating a harsh environment and a robust online economy. The game offers seven starter classes, a massive passive skill tree, and a deep item system built around tradable gems and orbs. It is free to play, with all microtransactions limited to cosmetics.
01 / THE GUIDE
Character Classes
Players begin as one of seven classes—Duelist, Witch, Ranger, Templar, Marauder, Shadow, or Scion—each starting at a distinct point on the shared Passive Skill Tree. The tree allows focus on class specialties or branching into other disciplines for hybrid builds.
All classes share the same tree, and Keystone passives, Masteries, and Jewel Sockets provide further customization, letting players shape unique combinations of offense, defense, and utility.
- Experiment with different tree branches early to discover synergies you enjoy.
- Use Jewel Sockets to add niche effects without committing to a full tree path.
02 / THE GUIDE
Skill Gem System
Skills are granted by equipping itemised gems, which can be combined with support gems to modify their behavior. Trigger gems add conditional effects, expanding the range of possible builds.
Gems are tradable, allowing players to acquire new abilities through the in‑game economy rather than fixed class abilities.
- Pair active gems with complementary support gems for stronger effects.
- Trade excess gems with other players to fund other gear upgrades.
03 / THE GUIDE
Item Economy
The game replaces gold with orbs that can reroll item properties. Items such as flasks and maps have persistent mods, and maps themselves are items that define end‑game challenges.
All trade is based on these orbs and other currency items, ensuring a player‑driven market without pay‑to‑win advantages.
- Collect and sell low‑value orbs to build a currency reserve for high‑tier trades.
- Identify valuable mods on flasks early to prioritize crafting.
04 / THE GUIDE
Atlas of Worlds
The Atlas is a collection of over a hundred high‑level map items, each with its own modifiers. Completing maps grants skill points for a dedicated Atlas Passive Skill Tree.
Exploring the Atlas reveals hidden bosses and challenges, forming the core of the end‑game experience.
- Focus on maps with modifiers that suit your build’s strengths.
- Earn Atlas skill points to unlock shortcuts that improve map efficiency.
05 / THE GUIDE
Ruthless Mode
Ruthless is an optional, more challenging mode featuring extreme item scarcity, limited crafting, and support gems that drop only as loot. The mode emphasizes tension and reward.
Players in Ruthless experience heightened difficulty, making each item drop potentially decisive.
- Prioritize survivability early to offset the reduced crafting options.
- Track dropped support gems closely; they become valuable resources.
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