Ruthless is the best way to learn PoE (in my opinion)

[@Machiney]

your arc version could syngerize with orb of storms (which you getin with a shadow in act 1 in mud flats), later on you get conductivity for more single target

[@Wallsh]

I totally forgot to include orb of storms you are 100% right pinning you and your awesome correction of my tired brain

[@michaelschmidt145]

I love your enthusiasm, keep up the great content! I started PoE in 3.22 and dabbled around to get to know the game but didn’t make it past Act 10 in normal. I have been playing Ruthless seriously in 3.23 and I haven’t had this much fun in an arpg since the original D2 days. The simplicity and challenge of Ruthless is so smooth and immersive. You and Smhee are my go to PoE content creators!

[@Wallsh]

That is incredible! Keep on grinding its awesome to see people experiencing ruthless and thank you!

[@MrPaparazzit]

thanks man ! ruthless has been a blast so far and the only version of the game that I don't get bored of. As other people said, build videos for ruthless are scarce and it's always cool to see what builds are at least decent to test or have fun with.

[@Wallsh]

Ruthless is PoE to me now, like without Ruthless I don't know if I could go back to bench league. I kind of hope build guides stay scarce for ruthless as I think it goes against its nature in a way. I feel like it is most important to be flexible and willing to adapt or come up with your own solutions here. However I do think its nice just to be able for people to share their characters with others in R so they can try to roll it in their own way. Keep grinding, new league soon hopefully!

[@MrPaparazzit]

@@Wallsh Totally agree, I learned way more things (especially the skill tree by playing ruthless and going for a basic minion build without looking any guide. Thats why I liked your video cuz its more of a build presentation than a step by step guide and there is just enough infos so I can use it as inspiration for a reroll :)

[@tomstoffelsound]

thank you so much for this video. I have given poe several tries and ruthless has been the only one that has really captivated me. that being said, 99% of the content out there is on standard (non-ruthless) guides and strategies. it really helps to have content like this video to help me learn and feel like I am not wasting all of my time making super stupid decisions (which is one of the main downsides of PoE). Thanks again!

[@Wallsh]

so happy this video helped you! Ruthless is a great place for new players and even people that have played a long time. its like a totally different game! Just roll with the punches, good luck league start tomorrow!!!

[@Paradise_xo]

Thanks for this video man. Starting out on ruthless was the best decision I could have made.

[@Wallsh]

I’m glad you found your way to ruthless!! Just remember to keep grinding ;D

[@bigmack70]

Ruthless is the most fun I've had with PoE in many years. It is much closer to the experience I fell in love with back in 2013. I do not like the direction the main game has gone, where item drops do not matter unless you find one of the rarest items/currencies in the game.

[@Wallsh]

I cant wait for next league, hopefully we keep Ruthless forever I never want to go back

[@Bob_Pro100]

в 2009 были аналогичные настройки , без контента. игра была и остаеца КАЛОМ спустя 15 лет

[@Wayleran]

I loved this video mainly because of the overall idea behind it. It encourages new players or casual players to embrace something that seems daunting but in actuality is rather accessible and rewarding if you approach it with a positive perspective. Nice video! P.S. - If I could make an observation since you seem to be new to creating videos and were a bit nervous (which is understandable) don't stress out too much and apologize for misspeaking etc. :) You actually have a really comforting voice and a great demeanor and delivery. I'm not an expert but I wanted to give you this "advice" for whatever it's worth and also throw in some compliments because I really liked how you described things and delivered the information. Hope this helps and I'll look forward to more content.

[@Wallsh]

Wow thank you! I really want Ruthless to be a place for anyone to come and have fun and I think its a great place for new players

[@Wayleran]

@@Wallsh I'm a PoE vet for 10 yrs now but haven't played in the last couple years really and I'm about to get into Ruthless now because it sounds like EXACTLY what I feel PoE is lacking and moving away from. I'm watching a bunch of your vids right now! Thanks. :D

[@Wayleran]

@@Wallsh Oh btw do you have a community or anything setup for the next league? I'd love to hang out with some ppl doing Ruthless for the first time at a league start.

[@Wallsh]

@@Wayleran I have a discord (still semi new) we have had some nice discussions and good times in VC. I am rarely in there since im on PoE grinding/recording but I would eventually like to have a nice chill ruthless chat

[@nursejim2129]

Might be millions of things to do... but... you cannot make the SWF players cry. We all know that's what the world needs. Be kind. Save the world.

[@Wallsh]

Omg Jim go look at my steam wall for today lmfao

[@ulruc]

After playing in the recent gauntlet, I found out my regular softcore affliction necro to be so easy that it was boring. So I decided to challenge myself with a Ruthless run (in trade mode since it is my first time). Playing an Absolution / Herald or purity (got this one in trade) with Orb of Storms that apply Elemental Weaknesses through a Hex trigger. I am backing my absolution / purity minions with zombies, skeletons and a stone golem so it is a mini zoomancer. It is fun but as I am in T2 maps, I struggle to not get one shot (not enough armor on a witch). I just picked Mind over Matter and Eldritch Battery to see how it feel. But I'll soon run out of maps, unless I juice up mine with Affliction, which makes things even harder. Lots of fun and many angles, it is closer to hardcore than softcore to my opinion.

[@Wallsh]

Thank you for sharing this! Its pretty awesome that you gave ruthless a try, I think a lot of people have a very different understanding of what it is and never try. For map sustain I would say do not spend points on ANYTHING but map drop chance and shaping nodes for the +1% chance. once you get your map drops to 30% it will feel very nice, and of course the +1 chance above 50% will be a dream but that is much later. Good luck on your journey just keep grinding!

[@ulruc]

@@Wallsh I checked a few videos on how to map sustain and the opinions are split mostly in two: - Go full map drop chances as you said - Rush to WP and then use these points for map sustain & Kirac. I was trying to do the second one but I feel it might have been a mistake. I'll see how it goes. My plan on this Ruthless run was to do it until Last Epoch release in 2 days. So I have some time to try it out :)

[@akbop3749]

I kind of agree but 'muling' characters to certain acts is the least approachable decision iv heard in any arpg

[@Wallsh]

I understand that and honestly I shared that opinion for a while but it adds another layer of choice to the experience and I love it now.

[@nolongermatters4671]

Gotta say, I played to level 75 in POE following a deadeye guide, and I got bored of whizzing around one shotting everything pretty much, and stopped playing the game totally at the start of act 9. Granted, I have not done any endgame, so i cant comment on that. I played when POE first came out and remember it used to be very difficult, now either im better or the game has become far easier than its early days. I started playing ruthless SSF today and it just reminded me of D2 again and I am honestly loving, only got to the prison so far but it feels just a better game imo. I am glad I am trying it, so far it really doesnt seem "ruthless" just much less loot

[@Wallsh]

I am so glad you are giving it a try! The entire environment is different here especially in ssf but even in R trade. Just remember the more you put in the more you will get out of it Keep on grinding ty for writing!

[@godblessedxvi4594]

I agree with most of what you said in this video aside from recommending this for new players. As a relatively experienced player I think Ruthless is a bit excessive in what it strips way, but I appreciate the fact that it is an option and exists. I personally find in the current state the SSF environment is the best place for a new player to learn the game. You aren't bogged down by the inconveniences of Ruthless, and you still get a lot of the QoL they've added over the years and league mechanics to develop your builds as you learn what each mechanic offers (via time or watching youtube video guides). I think Ruthless with a "mentor" or guide of some sort as a new player could be a completely different experience than if you were to be completely new playing solo.

[@Wallsh]

the main benefit is the simplicity and lack of abundant/spammy content early on. You can just see and play PoE in a super simple way and then make it to maps and slowly have depth and complexity added. the acts themselves are a big part of why I feel this way. Honestly at this point I have seen dozens of new players start here and almost all of them come with the same story. The normal game being to bloated for them or requiring to many guide to play. Totally understand what you are saying and I really appreciate you explaining your thoughts and how you reached your conclusion. Either way regardless of what is easier for new or returning players we just all need to be welcoming to them. thanks for writing this!

[@godblessedxvi4594]

@Wallsh thanks for the response! I definitely think the game is extremely bloated. It's nice having so much content and variety, but almost overwhelming at times nowadays. I personally have not done a full ruthless playthrough yet as I'm having a hard time with the idea of going back to what feels like olden times haha. I can say the content feels purposeful in SSF, but I sometimes don't want to engage with certain mechanics which is unfortunate knowing things I need are locked behind those walls. Obvious benefit of being in trade league but the SSF/Ruthless modes are nice for being forced into engaging with the actual games mechanics instead of just only playing what you enjoy (which may or may not be profitable in trade). Ssf anything that gets you from point a to b in your journey feels meaningful due to scarcity

[@Wacck]

I feel a little better farming chamber of innocence now on glacial hammer since I've hit a wall on the innocence boss. Cheers!

[@Wacck]

Update: Just got on and beat him first try by teaching myself the mechanic with the statues to block the projectiles! Feeling very proud of myself. Cheers!

[@Wallsh]

nice glad to hear it! I cant wait to play GH im just waiting for a trauma. keep on grinding!

[@romance_ch]

This is a fantastic guide and I loved hearing your thoughts. I'd like to hear your thoughts on what you would change for ruthless in 3.21 after your experience this league. I'm honestly not expecting much for patch notes next league. Maybe some bug fixing and re-introducing challenges but that's about it.

[@Wallsh]

I am totally using your idea for the next video thank you! Ya idk what there plans are but I hope for the best. I keep seeing people trying to convince GGG to add nerfed movement skills but I hope they stick to their guns and don't!!

[@romance_ch]

@@Wallsh Yeah, I hope they don't add movement skills back either. I think for the most part the game feels fair without them, with the exception of the infinite hunger fight. That fight feels unfair even with ms boots and quicksilver flasks lol.

[@Wallsh]

@@romance_ch ya definitely going to be talking about that in the next one. I am not at all saying Ruthless is perfect but it is amazing and the most fun I have had on this game in all my years of playing it!

[@synkadus]

i am proud to announce that for 10 years of game existing i never created softcore char. And with Ruthless mode existing i never creating standart hc char) idk what devs will do with it, i hope it will get more popular

[@Wallsh]

Here’s hoping!

[@Bob_Pro100]

популярна , как и засилие ботов рмтшников

[@giovannirobira7897]

I like ruthless, I agree with the point that poe throw too much itens in your screen and you actually don't care. Ruthless adds value to your progress and achievements. But I don't play ruthless haha I play ssf, but I can only play a couples hours each day, and I'm currently happy with the ssf progress. The new nerfs to ruthless doesn't sound fun to me. Im totally understand balancing and nerfing league contents, but the nerfs on the trees... Is a little to harsh (the atlas and ascendecies) 😊

[@Wallsh]

They buffed the Atlas tree but yeah they did nerf ascendancies pretty hard. I have to say though that makes ruthless even more fun to me, I love the unique changes it is getting! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and I totally get if you don't have a lot of time Ruthless can seem like an unlikely candidate. Would still recommend giving it a go sometime ;)!! Thanks for writing and gl in ssf!

[@PiethagorasTearem]

Been playing ruthless hardcore since last year as my first playthrough. Still havent beaten the game, on my 5th death. Its hard as hell.

[@Wallsh]

Respect though! Keep on grinding and good luck!

[@nikiforovvladimir7117]

Awesome guide! I have one question to you: how to lvl tree while lvling? What take first, second..?

[@Wallsh]

For which specifically? And thank you

[@nikiforovvladimir7117]

@@Wallsh I mean smth about lvling gems, what to pick for quest rewards, whichsupport gems we mostly need, which part of the tree we should go first, for example, witch/sabo build (cuz I wanna start 1 of these). Never played ruthless and in a few days it will be private SC ruthless league and I wanna try 1 of ur build:)

[@Wallsh]

@@nikiforovvladimir7117 its pretty situation tbh thats why I don't lock down specifics. you need to think of ruthless in a different way with poe. Look at everything, take what you need; use what you find.

[@danielnator123456]

i will try it this league. Let`s see what the fuss it about

[@Wallsh]

let me know how it goes! I will tell you though Ruthless is not good if you just want to play for a day or 2 and stop. its a game for a long stretch of playing. Growing an economy and figuring out how to overcome challenges without the normal solutions

[@Daniel-xv3nw]

even tho i found controlled destruction and nice leveling wands i dont find this mode very enjoyable tbh its so slow

[@Wallsh]

honestly with Ruthless its about time. Hard to explain but until you hit like yellow ish maps I don't think you get a real taste of the mode. With that said some people just know what they like and don't like so I understand if its not for you I respect you giving it a go regardless!

[@mberkerolcer]

Hey! can you please update the pob links. especially elementalist one. ty :)

[@Wallsh]

unfortunately with all of the massive changes to each ascendancy in ruthless I don't have the time right now but maybe later in the league I will! Or hopefully have a list of new potential starts we will see.

[@ResistMyMind]

@Wallsh i was trying to look up your characters via poe homepage but it seems to lead to another user with same name, its just that i dont use pob and it is easier for me to navigate, can you link your characters?

[@Wallsh]

www.pathofexile.com/account/view-profile/wallsh1

[@swiss7774]

I thought I was the only one thinking that ruthless is better for new players !

[@Wallsh]

im with you 100%. I think it's the most clean and plain environment to learn the game. You don't have to read articles and guides you can just play and use what you get!

[@jedhigh1443]

Played years ago when it showed up on console. Filling the d4 gap. Having fun on this mode in HC. Went to normal HC and was getting tons of stuff that made it easy. I’ve died a bunch learning the game and it’s been a blast. They should just make ruthless the strand to play. Other mode was like playing a d4 necro

[@Wallsh]

totally agree Ruthless is way better and 100% believe that it is the best way to learn the game. ONLY 5 DAYS TO GO!!

[@Bob_Pro100]

чуш полная. 7/8 героев подохнет у тебя изза кривых настроек сервака. в никуда потраченое время , не дающие никакой награды

[@seeess925]

Correct about ruthless standard being the best place for beginners. But there's some things off. Saying you don't have to stay there is just superfluous. You can make multiple characters and play other modes. So is the clause suggesting bit of a struggle. Also irrelevant. That any game. And in fact default. Next is mentioning about hardcore is not exactly correct. Because hardcore doesn't function like a difficulty setting in the same way as other games. It's the same game. It's not actually more difficult. And when you die you just go to standard. It would definitely be good to see an update about why beginners should start on ruthless. I'm trying to find a build for upcoming league in ruthless. If I'm playing for real I do my own build. But s side thing like league that I don't care to put much thought into, I rather go with a guide. I strongly suggest checking the ruthless reddit. There's a recent post about who should pay Ruthless. And a ton of detail in the responses about why play. Especially for beginners.

[@ericheideman7512]

are there any bow builds that could be starters?

[@Wallsh]

yes but the biggest issue with bows is like melee (though not as extremely) you need a good weapon or you will have a bad time

[@siencerealist9617]

Galvanic arrow is a very good starting skill imo. Scale the aoe and range with projectile speed on your tree and if you can use it with barrage support at some point, thats where it starts getting pretty juicy.

[@n8doggy733]

Your vid popped up in my feed, a nice vid but why would you recommend this for a new player? You have been playing PoE for too long friend 😂😂

[@Wallsh]

I strongly recommend it for new players, so far all the new players I sent to it loved it. It’s a very clear and straight forward way to learn the game

[@MadoXxis]

My message to new players: Don't fall for this, don't try starting on ruthless just start playing normal game you will see soo much more content than ruthless (in my opinion). nothing against Wallsh but startting poe on ruthless is very edgy

[@Wallsh]

not sure what you mean by edgy but I can tell you from experiencing it first hand more than a dozen times that it definitely works for a lot of people. Not everyone because nothing works for everyone but I still highly recommend it for new players.

[@MadoXxis]

​@@Wallsh Of course it depends. But even Chris himself would probably disagree. He didn't name it Ruthless without a reason, and for vast majority of players things like no movement skills or healing bosses would be to big of a stopper. Don't you remember ggg stating many times in podcasts that most of players drop out before regular brutus. I think few individuals who would fulfil your vision of new player enjoying ruthless are probably very talented or born power gamers. So i wouldn't recommend for most ppl. just try normal game first and remember its still early in ruthless existence and things might get more Ruthless.

[@lucian5096]

Yes ruth less is good

[@Wallsh]

agreed

[@iplayeveryting]

does templar get arc?

[@Wallsh]

nope gotta act 1 mule witch. honestly helps especially if you are new anyway, more gear chances. you only need to get to merveil which is fairly quick

[@Yadeehoo]

Ok but are you being honest with me ? :P

[@Wallsh]

Trying to be!

[@inceneration]

If you look at this from a new players perspective you would see that this would be the worst idea ever suggested. If you start out in Ruthless you will 100% lose interrest in the game before reaching act 2. Ruthless takes out all the aspects of the game which makes leveling easy and enjoyable. So Suggesting otherwise is just plain dumb. Majority of new players lose interrest in the game when they see how complicated a build actually is to make. Some are easy yes and others are hard as hell with mechanics that none of the in depths players has no clue of how works. All of these things are gone in Ruthless. You need to find your support gems which makes the game a pain for a new player. So all in all Ruthless is NOT a New player friendly enviroment. It is made for people who thought the normal version of PoE was too easy and they wanted a challenge. Not for new players.

[@Wallsh]

I have helped and tutored dozens of players in poe on fiverr, friends and just people I saw struggling in chat and almost all of them had the same problem with the game. They had to go read and Google ten thousand things before they could play. I think the kind of player you are describing is someone that just wouldn’t like path of exile in general. A lot of players I have met over the years on here just want to open path of exile and play. Not Google this, research that, find a Reddit post to explain X. I understand what you are saying but I disagree with you. Ruthless is the most clear straight forward version of the game possible. The standard game is horribly cluttered and bloated and feels overwhelming and impossibly tedious to a new player on average.

[@monkeygaming2859]

As a new player, i can confirm that I really enjoy ruthless. Have been playing for 2 weeks now and its been great.

[@Unflushablepiss]

Ruthless HC is the only way to go

[@Wallsh]

I’m not cool enough for that yo. What did you roll as for it? How’s it going?