Path of Exile (PoE), developed by Grinding Gear Games, is one of the most intricate and rewarding action RPGs on the market today. Known for its depth, complexity, and endless customization, Path of exile currency offers an experience unlike any other in the genre. However, for new players, stepping into Wraeclast for the first time can be overwhelming. This guide aims to demystify the early game and provide you with the essential knowledge to get started on the right foot.

1. Understanding What Path of Exile Is
Path of Exile is a free-to-play online ARPG that follows the loot-heavy traditions of games like Diablo II. Players are exiles, cast onto the dark continent of Wraeclast, where they must survive against monsters, unravel ancient mysteries, and grow in power.

What sets PoE apart is its staggering level of character customization. With a gigantic passive skill tree, a socket-based skill gem system, and multiple item crafting mechanics, it offers almost limitless build diversity. However, this freedom comes with a steep learning curve.

2. Choosing Your First Character
Each class begins at a different position on the passive skill tree and has access to different Ascendancy subclasses later on. For beginners, consider starting with one of the more straightforward classes like Marauder (for melee) or Ranger (for bow builds). These classes have more forgiving builds and easier leveling paths.

3. The Passive Skill Tree: Your First Big Hurdle
PoE's passive skill tree is a sprawling web of hundreds of nodes that affect your character’s stats and abilities. It can seem overwhelming at first glance, but here’s how to approach it:

Pick a build and stick with it. Use community guides from websites like POE.Ninja, Maxroll.gg, or the official forums. This will save you from wasting passive points on ineffective paths.

Understand keystones. These are major nodes that change how your character functions (e.g., Chaos Inoculation makes you immune to chaos damage but reduces your life to 1).

Plan ahead. Tools like Path of Building (PoB) are essential for visualizing and simulating builds.

Remember, PoE does not let you easily respec your passive tree. You get a few respec points from quests, but major changes require starting over.

4. Skill Gems and Links: Building Your Arsenal
In PoE, active skills are granted by Skill Gems that you socket into your gear. These gems can be leveled up and linked with Support Gems to enhance their effects. For example:

A Fireball gem can be linked with Faster Casting and Elemental Proliferation to increase cast speed and add AoE effects.

A Cyclone skill gem linked with Infused Channeling and Fortify becomes more defensive and powerful.

The colors of sockets (red, green, blue) correspond to Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence gems, respectively. The number and links between sockets are crucial for build functionality. Prioritize gear with 4-link setups early and aim for 5-link or 6-link as you progress into endgame.

5. Gear and Currency: No Gold, Only Orbs
PoE doesn’t use gold. Instead, it operates on a barter-based economy using currency items like:

Chaos Orbs – the standard trading currency

Exalted Orbs – high-value currency for endgame crafting

Orb of Alteration / Transmutation / Alchemy – used for modifying gear

New players often struggle with what to pick up. In general:

Pick up rare items (yellow) early on to vendor for crafting materials.

Use loot filters (like NeverSink's FilterBlade) to highlight valuable drops and hide junk.

Don't hoard gear. If it's not useful to your build, sell it.

Learn the basics of crafting bench modifiers via your Hideout, and use the vendor recipes (like the chaos recipe) to build currency.

6. The Campaign: Acts 1–10
The main story consists of 10 acts. Completing them brings you to the true endgame: the Atlas of Worlds. Don’t worry about perfecting your build during the campaign. Focus on:

Staying alive

Keeping your resistances capped (75% Fire/Cold/Lightning)

Using a build guide to streamline your passive skill tree and gem choices

The difficulty spikes in Act 5 and Act 10 due to resistance penalties. Use crafting to maintain capped resists or gear upgrades through trading.

7. The Endgame: Atlas of Worlds and Mapping
Once the campaign ends, the game really begins. The Atlas of Worlds is a vast network of maps (endgame dungeons) that scale in difficulty and reward.

Important concepts:

Maps are items dropped by monsters. They vary in tier, type, and modifiers.

Watchstones and Voidstones unlock higher-tier maps.

Atlas Passives allow you to specialize in certain league mechanics (e.g., Delirium, Legion, Harvest).

You can shape your endgame to focus on what you enjoy most: bossing, farming, crafting, or speed mapping. Progression through the Atlas is a deep and rewarding process.

8. Trading and the Economy
PoE has no in-game auction house, but it has an official trade website. You list items in public stash tabs and negotiate trades via whispers.

Tips for beginners:

Learn to price items by comparing on the trade site.

Use trade macros/tools like Awakened PoE Trade to check values.

Buy gear upgrades instead of relying only on drops.

Avoid scam trades and learn basic etiquette: always verify item rolls, socket links, and be polite.

9. Leagues and Seasonal Resets
PoE operates on a league system, where every few months a new challenge league starts. These introduce new mechanics, items, and content. Examples include:

Delirium – mirror dimension full of deadly monsters and rewards.

Heist – plan and execute loot-filled break-ins.

Sanctum – roguelike dungeon crawling.

New players should always start in the current league. This provides a fresh economy, a thriving community, and access to league-specific content.

10. Community Resources and Tools
PoE’s complexity means that external tools and community guides are essential:

Path of Building (PoB): Build planner

PoE Ninja: Economy and meta tracking

FilterBlade: Loot filter customization

CraftofExile: Item crafting simulator

Maxroll.gg: Beginner and meta build guides

Engage with YouTube creators like Zizaran, Mathil, or Ghazzy for visual guides and updates.

Conclusion
Path of Exile is a daunting but immensely rewarding game for those willing to learn its systems. As a new exile, your journey may start with confusion, but with the right guidance, it can quickly turn into one of the most engaging experiences in gaming. Whether you aim to slay gods, craft perfect gear, or dominate trade, Wraeclast has a place for you.

So pick your class, grab your first weapon, and take your first step into buy POE chaos orbs. Good luck—and remember, corruption is just opportunity in disguise.