PoE 2: Most Practical Tips for Beginners in Latest League

Path of Exile 2 is the hottest action RPG game today that offers deep mechanics,challenging gameplay and endless customization. The internet is brimming with detailed tutorials and videos that dive deep into the game’s systems. However, this guide focuses on lesser-known tips and tricks that you won’t find in most tutorials, designed to help you enjoy a smooth start. We'll explore practical settings, class choices, and gameplay tips in this article. Let’s dive in!

What’s New in PoE 2’s Latest Season

Every season in Path of Exile 2 brings a fresh shake-up, and this one’s no different. The devs hit a bunch of overpowered builds from last season with nerfs, so don’t just copy old guides—they might steer you wrong now. On the endgame front, the Atlas got a cool boost with seven new maps to explore. You’ll unlock them as you work through the campaign and climb map tiers. Since we’re still in Early Access, expect more details to drop as players dig deeper into the new content. Stay flexible and have fun experimenting!

Get Ready with These Setup Tips

Before jumping into Path of Exile 2, you’ll face a range of settings and options to configure. These seven tips will help you set up smoothly and start your adventure on the right foot.

1. Gateway

When logging in, choose the gateway with the lowest latency (ping). The choice of gateway only affects the latency but not the progress and trading. All gateways share the same data, you can trade and chat with other players worldwide.

2. Graphics

Adjusting graphics settings to match your PC’s capabilities can enhance your experience. Reducing detail levels, such as shadow quality, helps maintain smooth performance. High detail settings, while visually impressive, might lead to lag or crashes, particularly during combat when enemies’ particle effects strain weaker systems. For most players, moderate settings strike a good balance, though those with high-end PCs can opt for higher quality without issues.

3. Interface

As for the interface settings, you can set landscape transparency to the lowest and map transparency to the highest, then map zone to its smallest size. This makes the minimap clear and easy to read during gameplay, helping you navigate without squinting.

4. Screen Shake

Disable screen shake under display options if it bothers you. This feature triggers when monsters use ultimate attacks, causing the screen to jitter. For some, it’s immersive; for others, it’s disorienting. Turn it off if you prefer stability.

5. Item Filter

Go to Game > General and select an item filter suited to your progress. Early on, use a basic filter that highlights low-level skill gems and support gems. Don’t filter them out, as they’re vital for your initial build. As you progress, you can switch to stricter filters to hide clutter.

6. Movement

In the input settings, opt for WASD movement over mouse-based controls. PoE 2 demands precise dodging, and WASD gives you better control in hectic fights. That said, it’s a personal choice, just stick with what feels natural.

7. Server and Mode

About 90% of players start from the Standard mode. So choose Standard mode for your first playthrough. Hardcore mode, where death is permanent, is better for veterans. New seasons reset items in the new league but keep them in old ones. Join the new league for a lively community, even if it means starting fresh.

PoE 2 Classes Recommendation

Picking a class in PoE 2 isn’t just about raw power—new seasons nerf overpowered builds (BDs), so flexibility and survivability matter more than chasing last season’s meta. Here’s what to consider:

How do we rank classes for Newbies?

1. Survivability Over Damage

Our class rankings for Path of Exile 2 prioritize survivability, as staying alive trumps raw damage for new players. High survivability means high forgivingness, giving your damage time to come out. You can boost survival through shields, armor, life, and resistances.

Among these, Energy Shield stands out, it regenerates between hits, unlike life, which relies on limited flasks. So when it comes to survivability, we put extra weight on Energy Shield’s ability to keep you in the fight. Equipment can drive shield stats, so you can make any class work if you grab shield-heavy stuff. This makes class choice less rigid—focus on your playstyle. 

As for armor and evasion, people argue about them. I lean toward evasion: it’s RNG-based but can negate massive hits, unlike shields, which excel against small, frequent damage due to consistent mitigation.

2. Ranged Over Melee

For newbies in Path of Exile 2, ranged attacks—like bows, spells, or thrown weapons—give you a big edge over melee swings. You’re fighting from a safe distance, away from monsters’ claws and big hits, which means less panic-dodging and more room to mess up. Classes like Ranger or Sorceress let you blast enemies while staying out of trouble, making them super forgiving early on.

Beginner Class Rankings

Here’s a breakdown of beginner-friendly options:

1. Witch

The Witch summons minions to tank monster attacks and distract bosses. Even if bosses target you, minions keep dealing damage while you dodge. She has innate advantages with Spirit and Energy Shield, making her forgiving for newbies.
 

2. Sorceress

Her talent tree boosts Energy Shield, and a skill lets enemies drain mana before shield, then life. This layered defense ensures high survivability, ideal for players who want ranged magic with safety.

3. Monk

The Monk, a melee class, boasts strong survivability through talents that amplify Energy Shield and resistances. Recent updates keep him tanky, ideal for soaking hits. However, his close-range combat requires decent dodging skills, making him slightly less forgiving for novices but rewarding for those comfortable with positioning.

4. Warrior

The Warrior embodies melee strength, delivering powerful blows up close. His durability is solid, but fighting in the thick of enemies demands sharp reflexes to avoid heavy hits. For beginners confident in their movement, he’s a thrilling pick, though less forgiving than ranged or summoner classes without gear support.

5. Ranger

The Ranger thrives at a distance, picking off foes with bows or traps. Her ranged style keeps her safer, but low base defenses mean mistakes can be deadly without gear investment. She’s less forgiving for newbies.

6. Mercenary

The Mercenary’s crossbow-based combat feels clunky due to slow reloads, causing awkward pauses in fights. His Energy Shield is weaker than other classes, lowering survivability. For beginners, this unforgiving playstyle is tough to master, making him a risky choice until you’re familiar with game mechanics.

7. Huntress (Unranked)

The Huntress, a new ranged class, wields weapons like bows or spears, keeping enemies at bay, a forgiving trait for beginners. However, her mechanics remain unclear in Early Access, making her reliability uncertain. Until more details emerge, she’s a promising but risky pick for a smooth start in PoE 2.

Things to Watch out in Game

Mastering PoE 2 requires attention to details. Here are tips to avoid common pitfalls:

1. World Chat Channel

Right-click the chat to see your channel (e.g., “global /160”). If it’s quiet, switch to channels 1–5, where players are active. Spamming or posting inappropriate content risks a mute. Chat logs pile up in your cache, potentially causing lag—stick to a dead channel for solo play.

2. Life Flasks

Life Flasks aren’t infinite—each holds up to 10 charges, refilled by killing enemies. This is why Energy Shield’s auto-regen is clutch: it buys time between hits, unlike finite life recovery.

3. Trading Restrictions

Before level 25, you can’t trade items to others, but they can give you stuff. Use this to buy gear from veterans. Trading is key to fast progression—check the official site or third-party markets. Buy stash tabs to sell items for currency, then snag upgrades.

4. Side Quests

Open your map to spot skulls with an “X”—these optional quests grant permanent stat boosts. Unlock nearby waypoints to return later. Non-“X” quests are skippable.

5. Ascendancy

In Act 2, you’ll unlock your Ascendancy (subclass), enhancing your class with powerful perks. Don’t skip this quest—it’s a milestone.

6. Skill and Support Gems

Skill and support gems power your abilities—don’t waste them. Keep low-level gems for later build swaps; farming replacements is tedious.

Final Thoughts

Path of Exile 2 is a blast, but it’s a big world to dive into. Sure, our tips like picking forgiving classes like Witch or Sorceress, tweaking settings, or gearing for survivability, help you start strong. The web’s packed with awesome guides too, breaking down every trick in the book. But here’s the real deal: don’t feel tied to following every tutorial step-by-step. This game shines when you mess around, try new builds, and find what clicks for you. Make mistakes, swap skills, trade for quirky gear, it’s all part of the fun. Jump in, experiment, and carve your own path in Wraeclast.