WHAT TO EXPECT From Your First 25 Hours in Path of Exile 2

Summary

With Path of Exile 2's Early Access launch just around the corner, this video breaks down what new players can expect from the game's structure, time investment, and character progression. The campaign spans three acts, taking roughly 25 hours to complete, with a focus on progressing through acts on normal and cruel difficulties. Players will gain skill and ascendancy points, with crucial decisions about passive trees and build customization along the way. This guide provides insights into difficulty scaling, resistances, and endgame content, ensuring players know how to approach their journey and enjoy the game, regardless of their experience level.

Takeaways

• 😀 Early Access for Path of Exile 2 (PoE2) starts on December 6, with a preload available 15 hours before the launch.
• 😀 The Early Access campaign will feature Acts 1-3 on Normal difficulty and a repeat of these Acts on Cruel difficulty.
• 😀 Players can expect to complete the campaign in about 25 hours, reaching level 45 by the end of Act 3 in Early Access.
• 😀 The game’s structure is split into three phases: the Early Access campaign (Acts 1-3), Cruel difficulty (Acts 1-3), and the endgame progression.
• 😀 After reaching level 45, players will progress from level 45 to 65 in the Cruel difficulty, with an additional 20 skill points from quests.
• 😀 In PoE2, players receive skill points and ascendancy points throughout the campaign. Each Act rewards passive skill points, with 55 skill points expected after the first 25 hours.
• 😀 Ascendancy classes will be available in Early Access with two ascendency options per class, and players will complete trials to solidify their choice.
• 😀 There will be a 10% resistance penalty when moving from Act to Act in higher difficulties, including Cruel difficulty, which makes the game progressively harder.
• 😀 Time estimates for progressing through Acts on Cruel difficulty suggest it may take 10-20 more hours depending on player experience.
• 😀 The game will scale from level 45 to 65 in Cruel difficulty, with players receiving further ascendancy points and skill points to strengthen their builds.
• 😀 The PoE2 endgame will allow players to experiment with and modify their builds, offering a variety of ways to optimize and refine their characters.
• 😀 Players are encouraged to enjoy the game their way, with no pressure to follow the internet's advice on the 'best' builds or playstyles.

Q & A

What is the expected playtime to complete the campaign in Path of Exile 2 Early Access?

The expected playtime to complete the campaign in Path of Exile 2 Early Access is around 25 hours, which will take you to level 45.

What happens after completing the Early Access campaign in Path of Exile 2?

After completing the Early Access campaign, you will repeat the campaign on a higher difficulty called 'Cruel,' which will take you to level 65.

What is the approximate time investment for new players to reach level 65?

New players can expect to spend roughly 40 to 50 hours to reach level 65, depending on their experience with ARPGs. Experienced players might finish it in 30 to 35 hours.

How is the structure of the Early Access version of Path of Exile 2 different from the final release?

In Early Access, only acts 1 to 3 are available on Normal and Cruel difficulties. The full release will include acts 1 to 6, with the Cruel difficulty removed after Early Access.

How many skill points can players expect to earn through the Early Access campaign?

Players can expect to earn approximately 55 skill points through acts 1 to 3, with 45 from levels and 10 from quests.

What are Ascendancy points, and how are they earned in Early Access?

Ascendancy points are special points invested in your Ascendancy class, which is chosen during the campaign. In Early Access, players will earn 2 Ascendancy points by the end of Act 3 and can later earn additional points.

How do difficulty scaling and resistance penalties work in Path of Exile 2?

As players progress through acts on higher difficulties (Normal to Cruel, etc.), they face a resistance penalty. For example, after Act 3, players will have a -30% resistance penalty by default, which increases as they progress through Cruel.

What is the significance of Ascendancy classes, and how do they affect character progression?

Ascendancy classes offer specialized builds and skills for your character. Players can choose between two Ascendancy classes in Early Access and can invest points to enhance their chosen class' abilities.

How does the time investment change when progressing through the Cruel difficulty acts?

For new players, progressing through the Cruel difficulty could take an additional 15 to 20 hours, while experienced players may take 10 to 15 hours, as they are familiar with quests and gameplay.

What are the recommended approaches for players new to Path of Exile 2?

New players should focus on learning the systems, progressing through the story, and experimenting with builds. There is no need to follow cookie-cutter strategies, as the game allows flexibility in creating and adapting characters.