Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.3.0 has just been released. How are you feeling about it? While PoE series is known for its complex systems, the developers haven’t simply increased the difficulty to increase player frustration with this update. Instead, they made some game-wide adjustments to make the overall difficulty easier to get started and the build types more diverse.
While some new mechanics like Sprinting will require some getting used to, Patch 0.3.0 aims to reduce the discomfort of overly complex monsters and increase player autonomy in build setups, ultimately improving overall balance and reducing difficulty.
So, based on the new changes introduced in The Third Edict update, POECurrency.com is sharing seven tips to help you enjoy POE 2’s early stages and transition smoothly to the endgame. Whether you’re a beginner just getting into the game or a seasoned player looking to optimize your gameplay, these tips can help you save time, currency, and frustration!
1. Use The Search Bar On The Skill Tree To Plan Your Build
First, POECurrency.com would like to mention a new quality-of-life feature: the search bar on the passive skill tree. You can now search for keywords related to your build, such as Fire, Freeze, or Minion, to more effectively plan your build.
After searching, all skill nodes with that keyword will light up, allowing you to quickly identify which ones will truly benefit your character. This feature can save you a ton of time, saving you from endless scrolling and missing out on crucial passive skills.
2. Prioritize Trials With Lower Difficulty
There are multiple Trials hidden throughout POE 2 0.3.0 campaign. You can choose to challenge any of them and earn Ascendancy Class and additional passive skill points. However, I recommend avoiding Gauntlet Trials during your first Trial, as these rooms are slower and more challenging.
You can focus on easier rooms, such as Escape Trial and Ritual Trial. This way, you’ll be able to complete Trials faster and more safely. This is one of the easiest ways to easily complete early challenges and avoid unnecessary deaths.
Remember that in these Trials, you should prioritize safety over rewards, which makes them easier to complete. If you still can’t complete your first Trial, you can continue playing the campaign, level up a few more times, and then attempt the challenge again.
3. Prepare Boots With Good Movement Speed Affixes
Next, with the addition of Sprinting feature in patch 0.3.0, which attempts to address the issue of players experiencing excessively long movement times between groups of monsters, it’s crucial to look for boots that significantly increase movement speed, especially early in the campaign. These will not only affect your base movement speed, but also your Sprinting speed.
Since it’s still early in Rise of the Abyssal League, the prices for these items aren’t too high yet, so it’s recommended to check vendors regularly to find boots with a good Movement Speed Affix for the minimum amount of PoE 2 currency. This will make your campaign run faster and feel smoother.
To quickly find boots with movement speed bonuses at vendors, simply search for “Movement.” Any boots with movement speed bonuses in the vendor or your inventory will be highlighted, which is very convenient.
If you’re currently running low on currency, it is recommended that you buy POE 2 currency at POECurrency.com. As the game progresses, the prices of these popular equipment will definitely increase, and it will not be a cost-effective deal to obtain them at that time!
4. Organize Your Hideout And Liquidate Your Inventory
It’s always good to keep your Hideout organized, especially keeping your crafting table and map equipment within easy reach. A cluttered Hideout can often slow your progress. This can save you a lot of time in the long run, especially in the late game when you’re trying to use your time as efficiently as possible.
Also, once you unlock Currency Exchange, liquidate any loot you find immediately. Since most equipment in Path of Exile 2 is traded in Exalted, Chaos, and Divine Orbs, exchanging your random currency for these standard currencies makes trading and upgrading easier.
5. Gold Farming
In POE 2, gold is a new, account-bound currency that can be used to exchange items from vendors, gamble, re-specify skill trees, and more. While its functionality isn’t as extensive as POE2 currency, it still helps streamline the early game for new players, making basic trades easier while still providing more end-game benefits for experienced players.
If you’re running low on gold, you can collect Waystones. They’re easy to obtain and sell well. Waystones are the most reliable way to accumulate gold in Path of Exile 2, especially in the endgame, when currency exchange is frequent. To increase your chances of finding Waystones, specialize in Atlas’s passive skills, which all increase their chance of dropping Waystones.
Another reliable method is to run Castaway, a unique new treasure and pirate-themed map in Atlas, which replaces your loot with gold.
Alternatively, you can specialize in Cartographer’s Strongboxes, which not only allow you to run the map but also sell them for gold as needed.
6. Don’t Hoard Old Socketables
This is strictly a rule of thumb, as you progress through the game, stronger versions of Socketables begin to drop in the campaign and endgame, while weaker versions stop dropping.
While you can upgrade weaker Socketables at Reforging Bench, keep in mind that some upgraded Socketables have level requirements, so be careful in case you can’t use your items after socketing them.
7. Reallocate Skill Points
Finally, when you resurrect The Hooded One in POE 2 patch 0.3.0, he allows you to identify all your items at once, eliminating the need to use Scrolls of Wisdom on each one individually.
Additionally, The Hooded One allows you to redistribute passive skill points using gold. While higher levels increase the cost, it’s generally very affordable, especially in the early game. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with different passive skills as you progress.
Those are some tips and tricks we recommend keeping in mind during the early stages of Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.3.0. Regardless, armed with these tips, you’ll be able to more easily navigate the early game and make more informed decisions when crafting your build. Good luck!