Welcome to the Beginner Guide for Path of Exile 2! This guide will equip you with the foundational knowledge you need to dive into the game, even if you're entirely new to the series. We'll highlight key differences between PoE 1 and PoE 2, while maintaining a focus on new players.

What is the Path of Exile?

Path of Exile is an action RPG set in a dark fantasy universe, where the core gameplay revolves around building a character, battling hordes of enemies, and collecting loot to grow more powerful. The Early Access for Path of Exile 2 is set to launch on November 15th, 2024. For details on how to join the Early Access, check out our PoE 2 Release Date article.

Note on Build Guides

Path of Exile is renowned for its complexity, which can be intimidating for newcomers. However, there's plenty of enjoyment to be had, even if you're not racing to the endgame or crafting overpowered builds.

Reasons to Follow a Build Guide:

Strength: Your character will likely be strong enough to handle most game content.

Efficiency: You won't need to spend as much time making decisions.

Experience: You'll get to experience more of the game faster.

Relaxation: Enjoy a more laid-back gaming experience.

Reasons Not to Follow a Build Guide:

Exploration: You want to learn about the game and enjoy figuring things out yourself.

Pacing: You're okay with taking your time.

Challenge: You accept that your character might not be as powerful as others.

Freedom: You have plenty of time to explore at your own pace.

Ultimately, enjoy Path of Exile in a way that suits you. As you play more, you'll grasp the intricacies of the mechanics and develop a better understanding of the game.

Game Modes & Leagues

In PoE 2, four base game modes have been confirmed:

Standard: The base mode with no extra rules. Trade with other players and play in parties.

Hardcore: Similar to Standard, but characters are moved to Standard upon death, giving you only one life.

Solo Self-Found (SSF): No trading or party play; everything is found by you.

Hardcore SSF (HCSSF): A combination of Hardcore and SSF—dying will move your character to SSF.

Additionally, there's a Ruthless mode, which reduces loot drops and increases game difficulty significantly.

You can migrate characters from SSF to Standard at any time (with or without stash loot). However, transitioning from Hardcore requires your character to die, making it a more permanent change.

PoE 2 Witch - Overview, Skills, and Guide

In Path of Exile 2, the Witch class returns as one of the six classes from PoE 1. With the introduction of the Sorceress class, the Witch now focuses more on chaos damage and summoning.

PoE 2 Witch Overview

The Witch class starts with the Intelligence (INT) attribute and is situated at the top of the passive skill tree. This area is rich in INT nodes, including those that enhance spell damage, minion damage, and energy shield.

Gameplay Focus

The Witch specializes in occult magic, using skills that summon an undead army or deal chaos damage through poisons and contagion. Notable changes have been made to enhance the summoning playstyle:

Spirit Mechanic: Spirit is a new resource that Witch players reserve for effects like auras or summoning minions. As you progress, you'll gain a larger pool of Spirit, allowing for a larger army.

Sceptre Weapon: The Sceptre will be the Witch's signature weapon, providing both skills and additional Spirit. Early on, it allows you to summon Skeletal Warriors and will likely have increased Spirit amounts as you advance.

Auto Revive: Most summoning skills auto-revive, reducing the need for constant resummoning. Temporary minions will not auto-revive, maintaining a balance in gameplay.

Commands: Players can now control the AI of their summons, directing them to specific locations, attacking enemies, or using unique skill effects through commands.

Skills Overview

Here are some notable skill gems associated with the Witch class:

Contagion: Infects a target, dealing damage over time; spreads to nearby enemies if the target dies.

Skeletal Warrior: Summons a skeletal warrior at the cost of Spirit.

Essence Drain: Fires a bolt that deals high single-target damage over time, spreading to nearby enemies if the target is infected with Contagion.

Unearth: Launches spikes from the ground in a cone; creates a temporary Bone Construct if it kills or hits a corpse.

Putting It All Together

While the Witch retains some similarities to PoE 1, numerous quality-of-life changes and unique mechanics offer a fresh experience. You can focus on summoning minions or explore a self-casting build centered around chaos damage.

PoE 2 Witch Ascendancy Classes

While details on the Ascendancy Classes are forthcoming, we anticipate three thematic options tied to the Witch's unique mechanics. These classes will likely enhance the Witch's capabilities in summoning and chaos damage, providing diverse pathways for character development.

Conclusion

As you prepare for the Early Access of Path of Exile 2, remember that the most important aspect is to enjoy the experience in the way that suits you best. Whether you lean towards following build guides or exploring the game on your own, you're bound to uncover the depths of Wraeclast and its intricate mechanics.

Keep Your Currency Reserves Intact

Make sure to manage your POE currency reserves wisely for critical moments in your journey. Enjoy your time in Path of Exile 2!