Getting Started - Path of Exile for TOTAL Beginners

This a guide for TOTAL Beginners in Path of Exile, and will help you get started on the right foot, understand your options when creating a character, and help you get past the first major hurdle all players face when starting to play the game - not running in horror at the first sight of the passive skill tree. This video on Getting Started is more of a new player orientation video that focuses on basic information and general principles, rather than telling you exactly what to do step by step.
Subsequent guides in this 4-part series will cover additional information and mechanics to help you beat the main story campaign completely on your own without using any build guides, help you get unstuck if you hit a wall in your progressions, and help you transition into the post-campaign endgame. Feel free to skip around between the videos as needed; links to each part will be down below as they come out.
This video is up to date for the 3.23 Affliction League of Dec. 2023.
CONTENTS:
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Series Table of Contents
02:35 Development Cycle / Leagues
03:39 Challenge League Mechanics (Limited Time Only?)
04:05 Effect on Challenge League Characters
05:08 Standard or Challenge for New Players
06:42 (Standard Stash) Cleanup Needed on Aisle 13
07:39 Hardcore or Not? (Hint: Not)
08:12 Solo Self Found (Great - But Save it for Later)
09:08 Core Attributes
11:04 Passive Skill Tree Regions
12:29 Types of Passive Skills - Basic, Notable, and Keystone
13:31 Mastery Passive Skills
14:09 Jewels, Cluster Jewels, and Search Function
15:11 Character Classes - Introduction
17:00 Marauder Class - Juggernaut, Berserker, Chieftain
17:46 Templar Class - Inquisitor, Hierophant, Guardian
18:33 Witch Class - Necromancer, Elementalist, Occultist
19:30 Shadow Class - Assassin, Saboteur, Trickster
20:20 Ranger Class - Deadeye, Raider, Pathfinder
20:57 Duelist Class - Champion, Slayer, Gladiator
21:54 Scion Class - Ascendant
22:30 Getting Started - Make Your Own Build vs...
23:05 Follow a Build Guide
24:15 General Tip #1 - Reasonable Expectations
25:25 General Tip #2 - Read LOTS of Stuff
26:16 General Tip #3 - Enjoy the Story
27:00 Conclusion and Outro
Links to other guides in the series:
Beating the Campaign: • Beating the Campaign -...
Getting UnStuck: • Getting UnStuck - Path...
Entering EndGame: • Entering the EndGame -...
Full Playlist: • Path of Exile Guides
Links to Other Useful Information:
Wiki: www.poewiki.net/wiki/Path_of_... (Don't use the fandom one - it's outdated and just...bad)
Enki's Lightning Conduit Elementalist (successor to his Arc build) - If after watching this video you want to follow a build guide, I recommend starting with this one. I'll list more beginner-friendly build guides in a pinned comment of the 4th video (once it comes out):
www.pathofexile.com/forum/vie...
To use build guides or work on your own builds outside of the game, you'll need the Path of Building application, which I'll talk about more in the 4th video. Here's the link to get it:
pathofbuilding.community/
* * * * * * * * * *
Path of Exile is a free-to-play* online ARPG developed by Grinding Gear Games, and is available on PC and certain consoles. Interested in trying it out? Check out these links:
www.pathofexile.com/
store.steampowered.com/app/23...
Graphical assets, sound effects, and music used in this video are from Path of Exile, and are used consistent with the game's Terms of Use:
www.pathofexile.com/legal/ter...
Nothing in this video is sponsored by Grinding Gear Games, and the commentary and information in this video do not represent the opinions or positions of any other entity whatsoever, unless they happen to agree with me, which is pretty likely.
* Although the game is technically free-to-play, there is a cash shop, and if you end up wanting to really get into the game, you're going to need to at least buy a couple of stash tabs. More on that in the 4th video.
Also, I really can't believe I was able to get the character name NewbieMcNewbSauce, who will return...

[@The800pa]

Finally, after 1800 hours someone explained me all the ascendancies. Thank you very much for that one!

[@salendrak]

Welcome!

[@saartnomsky4523]

how did u not know after playing over 1k hours, i haven't even finished installing the game yet

[@The800pa]

@@saartnomsky4523 1.) the game aint telling you 2.) the guides i've watched didnt tell me (mainly because i watched build guides)

[@sobo5476]

1000 hours played, I'm still clueless.

[@Bob_Pro100]

800а бот или мульти ак афтора.

[@TOOTHLESS666]

This guy needs a medal for best beginner introduction

[@salendrak]

I humbly accept this honor 😁

[@TOOTHLESS666]

@salendrak path of exile is a bit more unforgiving then diablo

[@PrederNationteam74]

I legit don’t understand still

[@user-ul3jc6ge9y]

I remember when I 1st saw skill tree and my jaw dropped lmao

[@salendrak]

That was my reaction too!!

[@magicschoolbus4450]

PLEASE make more of these salendrak. You are by far the MOST underrated KZbinr. You’re videos are clean, thorough, and informative. The amount of effort I see in these videos is the same as other KZbinrs with millions of subs. You even got me to start playing PoE with this vid. Keep up the good work!

[@salendrak]

There is no greater compliment to a guide-making content creator than that the guide they made got someone to play the game. Thanks!! 😁 And yes - at least three more of these are on the way. They're already scripted, and just need to get put together, which I hope to do over the next few weeks!

[@advenchura]

@@salendrak +1 on this comment, I have just signed up for PoE as a result of watching this :)

[@salendrak]

@@advenchura Awesome! Part 4 will be out within the next 5 days!

[@advenchura]

@@salendrak yesss, going on the first hour I played I'm gonna need it! 😂

[@goldstinger325]

@@salendrak Woolie is why I gave it another try, but I didn't even get off the beach in my first attempt. I saw the skill tree and just dipped out. This helped a LOAD getting back into it. I'm excited to see what other games you cover in the future, you've got my vote

[@dajekotlyar4408]

Me, who never played PoE and never will: yeah, Sal, tell me more!

[@salendrak]

I appreciate you!! 😁

[@callmekrismael7023]

I just like hearing him talk about games he likes 😊

[@salendrak]

@@callmekrismael7023 I has the enthusiasms!!

[@NafenX]

Now is a really good time to give it a go

[@saudalzft6317]

ironic daje

[@APMParis]

That introduction is basically me every few months trying to get into it 😂

[@salendrak]

You're not alone!

[@shintruth2716]

Honestly it's not that complex if you just want to finish the 10 acts. Just choose what kind of weapon you want to use, what kind of skills you'd find fun to use, and then just pick the big nodes on the passive tree that looks like it will help you with that.

[@Jimlifts1]

This is EXACTLY what I needed coming into this game. Thanks so much

[@salendrak]

You're most very welcome!!

[@Manzcar1]

nicely done. I played back in 2015-2017 haven't played since but in this league. really loved how you did this guide.

[@salendrak]

Thanks!! I've found that the vast majority of content creators that post on KZbin for Path of Exile seem to be primarily streamers, whereas I'm primarily a well-edited video maker. Ends up with quite a different viewing experience in my opinion!

[@LudoTechWorld]

I tried this game several times, and each time my experience was exactly what is described in the 15 first seconds of this video, so now I feel compelled to watch the rest of it!

[@salendrak]

Go for it!! That initial learning curve isn't so bad once you understand some of the basics, and the game really is a lot of fun!!

[@Biomirth]

As someone coming back after maybe 5 years away from the game this was awesome. You're so organized in your presentation it's just right for my refresher course.

[@salendrak]

Welcome back to Wraeclast!!

[@gamerairways]

Amazing video! I'm just starting out with POE this Crucible league, and I never really got into it because of how overwhelming it all is. This is exactly the kind of beginner video I was looking for. Very well explained and detailed, I'll check out the others too! Thanks!

[@salendrak]

Happy to be of service! Pro tip - don't bother with the Crucible Mechanic during the campaign. So far it's looking like a waste of time!

[@Beedulgi99]

I just want to say thank you so much for this series Sal. I just started PoE yesterday and I was so confused and lost until I went through your videos. They explain the game SO WELL to beginners! I'm having a blast now trying out different builds and gem combos :)

[@sithras9278]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya! I started today too

[@salendrak]

Awesome! Happy to have helped ease you into the game!!

[@sithras9278]

@salendrak your tips are definitely working. I am flying through the acts, entering 6th, which I heard is where the the difficulty spikes. Me resistances and hp/es are ready though!

[@optionalboss3706]

absolute champion, first timer and this covers so much of what i was hunting for

[@salendrak]

Thanks - hope it helps!!

[@RexTiredAF]

This was well put together and informative. I've downloaded and deleted this game half a dozen times after about an hour but recently feel I want to get into it. Can't wait for your next video.

[@salendrak]

That initial learning curve is pretty rough, but once you understand the basics, the game is a lot of fun! Also, the guide is complete - all 4 videos are posted! 👍

[@Maizan24]

Thanks for these. Going to watch through them. I played the game years ago and I'm getting back into it now and it's as overwhelming as ever. Definitely need to relearn a lot of things.

[@salendrak]

Welcome back!

[@webknows]

I don't know, this guy must be a teacher or a coach IRL... what a clear and concise explanation of everything. 10/10.

[@salendrak]

Neither, actually, unless being a parent counts 😆

[@webknows]

​@@salendrak that's the Challenge League of teaching and coaching!

[@salendrak]

@@webknows Right?! 😆

[@Chef_nerd2]

This saved my life. I love complex games and seeing the skill tree sold me. Just started playing yesterday and I greatly appreciate this very well spoken and thoughtful video.

[@salendrak]

Welcome to Wraeclast!

[@Chef_nerd2]

@@salendrak Thank you!

[@Camo_T]

Excellent video, this is by far the best one I've found on the topic

[@salendrak]

Thanks! Much appreciated!!

[@qaswaraalmshaqba4408]

me never heard of this game but fall in love from the first look thanks bro I am waiting for the coming videos

[@salendrak]

Awesome!! It's got a hella steep learning curve, but is really a lot of fun, and has a TON of versatility in terms of what sorts of builds you can play with!!

[@martakeczek6476]

Wonderful work, I started playing few hours with my boyfriend and just from character creation I felt like I did a big "oopsie" with those leagues....and then seeing how you do not unlock skills, but you get them from crystals....this is so different I wanna play more, but it does overhelm at the start. Your guide makes me feel more confident to try playing more and start doing better choices! :D

[@salendrak]

Thanks!! And yeah - the volume of choices you have available in this game can easily lead to analysis paralysis for sure!!

[@qaywsxedcrfvful]

im 4k hours in, and i still just follow build guides , so dont be hard onyourself if you want to follow a build guide!

[@petersonpierre107]

I just started playing PoE. This is a GREAT video for noobs: clear, thorough, and packed with info at a digestible pace. Thank you!

[@salendrak]

Welcome aboard!!

[@michaelholland6533]

This was greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

[@salendrak]

You're most very welcome!!

[@mrkekw4940]

very good video! As a new player coming to experiment crucible league in blind mode before next league and poe2, i thank you a lot for this 4 videos serie and cant wait to go deeper into the game with your important help ! Keep up the good work

[@salendrak]

Welcome to Wraeclast!

[@NotAurichu]

omg new beginners guide!! i haven’t played path to exile but def watching this vid. maybe it’ll inspire me to play it.

[@salendrak]

You should totally give it a try! I rather enjoy it!!

[@ins4nutty341]

I'm happy you're uploading again! I didn't know this game, happened to understand it in this video, so maybe...

[@salendrak]

You should give it a try!! Next video hopefully out later this week!

[@travishadden2376]

Thanks very much for the guides. They are the absolute best!

[@salendrak]

Thanks!!

[@yukitse6146]

You really love this game. The video is very informative and well paced enough for me, big dum dum, to understand what I'm getting myself into. Thank you very much for posting this. I'm looking forward to seeing the next few videos.😄

[@salendrak]

Glad I could help!

[@PlayVenture0]

Excellent guide. Best one I've found. Idk how this guy doesn't have more subscribers, he deserves it!

[@salendrak]

My theory is that I don't stick to just one game. What can I say - I'm easily distracted!

[@ezetimur]

Very useful and easy to get guide. Great contento man, thanks!

[@salendrak]

😁

[@bibsp3556]

I just finished your terraria guide, even as a long-time player getting back into it with the young one and needing a refresher, and they're great. Now, onto another one I wouldn't mind getting into! Keep up the good vids you deserve way more subs .

[@salendrak]

Thanks! Hope you enjoy PoE!!

[@km3710]

Thank you so much for this video. It was excellent. I am a Diablo 3 and Diablo 4 player, and struggle to understand the gearing/gem socketing part of PoE. I will be sure to watch your other videos, and I found this one very helpful. Thank you.

[@salendrak]

Happy to be of service! And yeah, when you're first getting starting the systems in PoE are overwhelming, but once you get some knowledge and experience under your belt and know where to look for more information, it's not too bad!

[@EmoDragracer]

Dude this is exactly what I was looking for haha you've earned a sub :D

[@salendrak]

Thanks!!

[@vitorsilveira02]

This is such a nice video! Thank you very much for it. 🙏

[@salendrak]

My pleasure 😊

[@LeftysRage]

Nicely done. Best beginner video I have seen so far for PoE.

[@salendrak]

Thanks!!

[@jasonlaubscher191]

Thank you for this. I downloaded in PoE in 2020ish and did exactly what you stated. Took one look at skill tree and uninstalled. Started progressing through and enjoying it much more.

[@salendrak]

It's definitely one of those games where the initial learning curve can be overwhelming. But once you get the ball rolling, it really picks up speed and becomes an enjoyable game!

[@TheNerogarden]

You are awesome. Thank you so much for this!

[@salendrak]

Happy to be of service!!

[@FelipeDeLeo]

I have tried POE 3 times on different years and never got very far due to the confusion on everything. You did a very nice explanation. I got a nostalgia of ARPGs now while playing the launch of Diablo 4. I will try it again now thanks to your explanations and burnout/lack of content on D4.

[@salendrak]

There's definitely a LOT to learn about in PoE, but these guides should give you a pretty solid foundation to build from. Stay sane, exile!

[@felipecci]

Now that is a great tutorial. Thank you for this, sir.

[@salendrak]

You're most very welcome! And thanks!!

[@CoronaryArteryDisease.]

Great video, thank you for not focusing on builds, but rather the experience and having fun!!!!!

[@salendrak]

Amen brother, amen!!

[@CoronaryArteryDisease.]

@@salendrak 🙏

[@psyllerbeats2172]

watched all the videos for beginners.. this is top tier!

[@salendrak]

Thanks!!

[@BLACK.PANTHER.313]

I appreciate you making this video. You got a new sub

[@salendrak]

Thanks - much appreciated!!

[@plasmodesma7569]

First 10 seconds was me LOL. But I'm back and ready to learn. Looking forward to following this series!

[@salendrak]

Welcome aboard!

[@rayderrich]

Fantastic pacing for newer players, subscribed.

[@salendrak]

Awesome - thanks!

[@Twelveoglock1]

Very helpful thanks man!

[@salendrak]

You bet!!

[@sfabok]

So, I loved this series. One critical thing you missed however, which you touched on, but a new player would think doesn’t go any deeper, is the built in tutorial tool tips. Basically most players don’t even realize (this included myself in spite of playing for years) that the help menu next to the skill slots is a veritable wiki/encyclopedia of game systems and gameplay mechanics that’s updated as the game introduces these new mechanics. I only discovered it myself recently from a video similar to yours which was made to help new players with the game. I would suggest you amend this video and expand the tutorial section to include the help menu and mention how it continues to expand as gameplay mechanics are introduced. Ggg does a great job of explaining the confusing elements of these new systems (such as incursion) and I think it’s super powerful knowledge to have as a beginner. On a side note watching through all of these as an experienced player really makes me question recommending this game yo anyone…. It’s so darn complex that these videos trying to make it easier for a new player, could easily turn them away if they watched the videos back to yo back because the game is just THAT complex and has just that much stuff to learn. This isn’t your fault whatsoever, I think you did great. It’s just POE is deeep.. thus why I’ve been able to play nearly 3 years now on the same character/same build on standard and I’m still going.

[@salendrak]

Yeah, I think I mentioned it and put an on-screen note, but probably should have emphasized it more than I did. Sadly there's really no good way to go back in and edit something like that back into the video. Oh well!! But yeah - the game is definitely complex! That's really one of the things that I love about it, but I can totally see how that would turn off a lot of potential players. Lots of people just want a simple easy game to play, and PoE is anything BUT that!

[@sfabok]

@@salendrak yeah it’s complexity is really a double edged sword. If it didn’t have its complexity it wouldn’t allow players to play for so long and still keep them engaged. But it’s SO much for a new player that it can be more then overwhelming, especially if they’re exposed to the whole picture before they dive in. Usually that exposure happens at the skill tree and that’s only a part of the picture lol.

[@miguelnegron7251]

@@salendrak I too enjoy POE complicity, it's a challenge for me which I have to use my noggin(brain). I love it and the best of all that it's basically free.

[@TexasRedOutlaw]

Heya, as a new player that just started, the only thing that would turn someone away I think is if PoE is just not their type of game. I havn't played many ARPG's before, but have played plenty of MMO's, MOBA's, and single player RPG games. So alot of the fundamental build knowledge is there where I understand what stats are probably best for different classes, and the Skill tree excites me with it's depth rather than scares me, since I know that the game will be massively customisable to what playstyle I want. It also helps with general mechanics like dodging enemy attacks, chugging flasks, and managing cooldowns. I go into the experiance with no attempt at min-maxing until I understand the game, it's not my job as a new player to learn the meta, it's my job to have fun and get hooked on the new game I'm playing

[@adeptusmechanicus1029]

​@TexasRedOutlaw excellent points and I very much agree with all of that. With an identical experience with previous genres of games as well.

[@kaliakoudis]

great guide. i think this will be the one that will make me get into path of exile finaly

[@salendrak]

Awesome!

[@brooxjohnston3339]

super helpful and took as much time as the download takes for the game

[@salendrak]

Perfect!! 😆

[@ajilepanda]

As a total PoE n00b and someone who tends towards playing as a (clutches pearls) *casual,* this is the first beginners guide that actually approaches PoE play for us newbies. I’ve only watched the first video in the series but plan on keeping them all pinned to the top of my playlist for future - and frequent - reference. Thank you!

[@salendrak]

Welcome to Wraeclast - and thankyou for the feedback! I really did try to get into the mindset of a total beginner for this one. And don't worry - though you won't be blasting straight to T16 maps and getting a mirror-tier build anytime soon (especially as a casual), there is still TONS of fun to be had in this game! Just be sure to set your expectations accordingly 😉

[@edvaedan9161]

@@salendrakfinally biting the bullet on PoE and this is exactly what I needed, thanks! Looking forward to the rest of the videos.

[@diomed011]

Nicely done, thanks for the help

[@salendrak]

😁

[@draicor]

just saw the first 10 seconds of this video, giggled, and subscribed lmao, keep up the good work mate😂

[@salendrak]

It's funny because it's true!! 😆 Thanks for the sub!!

[@Mehdi-pp7nf]

Excellent video ty !

[@salendrak]

You're most very welcome!!

[@goncalomendes2710]

Loved this video. I was kinda afraid of starting PoE but now Im loving it

[@salendrak]

Awesome!!

[@spacey_jones]

Really well done, thank you!

[@salendrak]

You're most very welcome!

[@lltagged]

Wished I had watched this before starting the game. Super-high production quality! Great job, sir! Will now go through the entire series since I just beat the campaign and now get pwned on the first tier map. 🤣🤣🤘🤘

[@salendrak]

Welcome aboard!!

[@gsk5349]

I've never played this game, but have always been interested. I downloaded it today, and this video helped me a lot. Good video, subscription added.

[@salendrak]

Glad I could help!!

[@HDdeiu]

Thank man!

[@salendrak]

Very welcome!!

[@pierrepellerin249]

So funny, in the first few seconds, you described my experience with PoE. But then, I realise going back to D4 which I got bored of cuz there's nothing to do past level 75, would still be boring. So, I searched PoE for beginner and am here. Let's begin...

[@salendrak]

You got this!!

[@VKOp1No3]

About the intro, the skill tree is what actually got me interested.

[@salendrak]

Same!! I took one look and found it super intriguing!!

[@GrixIol]

thanks alot man this helps a ton i was completley lost when i started

[@salendrak]

Welcome to Wraeclast!!

[@carlomaratta5636]

Here after seeing that Diablo 4 has the depth of a puddle, downloading game now and can't wait to start, and a great intro video, cheers.

[@salendrak]

Keep me posted on your progress and impressions of PoE - I'm really curious to hear a detailed perspective of someone who went from D4 to PoE!

[@WhoGuyThat]

Excited to give my first real go tonight! I did exactly what you showed in the beginning of the video, saw the passive skill tree and noped out. Excited to follow your second video and use the tips to create my own decent build without a guide. I appreciate the concise, easy to follow video! Keep up the good work (:

[@salendrak]

Be sure to watch the 3rd one too - it's got tips to help you if you get stuck and to otherwise get ideas for a build without using a guide. Good luck!!

[@satanicrazgo616]

Your own build on the first playthrough? Gl soldier!

[@crashstarr6531]

I started the video thinking, 'maybe this game would be fun for my gaming group', and by the end, you had convinced me it would not. 'Ty it for the 10-20 hours some entire games last, then look into some actual new players guides to really get started' is possibly the most off-putting advice I've ever heard for a new player trying to get into a game. Not that the video was bad, it was quite informative. It just informed me that this game is not for me lol.

[@salendrak]

Hey - nothing wrong with that! This game definitely isn't for everyone, and if watching a short-ish vid can help you weed out something you probably wouldn't have liked, then I'll call that a win for both of us!

[@Musickkk]

That the best guides to any game I’ve ever seen in my life!

[@salendrak]

Thanks!!

[@Musickkk]

@@salendrak I mean, thanks to you, I finally started to play PoE, and I'm enjoying it. Cause complexity of this game really terrifying for new players. Act 2 so far, but still. Thought that I will just kill my time here till D4 season, but it seems that I gonna stay in PoE, especially after last D4 patch. At least till Baldurs Gate release.

[@adamkelly2118]

Just started yesterday thanks for this video

[@salendrak]

Welcome to Wraeclast!

[@alexanderbustamante4585]

New player here, killing time before D4. Thanks for the video!

[@salendrak]

Are you going to stick around for the 3.21 Crucible league?

[@alexanderbustamante4585]

@@salendrak yes!

[@nz-punisha]

I just started this game today and wow there's so much stuff it's quite intimidating and that skill tree is massive 😳

[@salendrak]

It is indeed massive! I personally enjoy learning all the stuff. It's part of the fun!

[@Ghettomonk3y]

Literally uninstalled a few weeks ago as you said, now im installing it again because you're helping me through it. Thanks

[@salendrak]

Nice! And just in time for the new league too!!

[@Hawksbane77]

As someone that has also been playing since Beta. I always go look at beginner guides to see if there is something that I may have forgotten about or anything I can learn from my fellow Exiles that have been playing as long as I have if not longer.

[@salendrak]

Aaaand did this hit the mark?

[@notedsinner3171]

So im here because i love D4 amd also own this but have never played it ! I need a game atm and this is it for now !

[@salendrak]

It's a good game to get into!

[@savonic2112]

Really want to give this game a go....great info

[@salendrak]

Go for it!

[@thatguy9088]

Thanks for the video. Just started the game a few days ago, currently in act 7 with a Minion focused Necromancer.

[@salendrak]

Nice!! I'm curious - as a new players did the videos help you understand stuff well, or was it just confusing? Have you seen the other 2 I've already published? I'm really interested to hear some new-player feedback!

[@thatguy9088]

@@salendrak They have been helpful to me. Especially the timestamps where I can jump to the part I am confused about. But they are helping me move along. My biggest worry is I just hope I don't get to the end only to find out the build I have in mind is bad. If I may make a suggestion, you might consider making videos about the side activities like the monster hunting, mines, and so on, and the rewards you can get from different activities, and maybe a video on where to go or what to do for certain materials, or what is the best way to get them. As an example, is there any certain best way to get Chaos Orbs, or are they 100% completely random? Thanks again for the videos.

[@salendrak]

@@thatguy9088 So I'm going to be completely honest - if this is your first character and you aren't using a build guide, chances are you'll be able to beat the campaign, but most likely will stall out pretty early as you start doing maps. The difficulty ramps up really fast in the endgame - that's just the way it is! BUT - making new characters, taking what you've learned from previous ones, is one of the best ways to learn the game, especially if you start following build guides. At some point I will probably make an overview of the various endgame activities you can do, farming strategies, etc, and will talk a bit about that in the video I'm currently working on. For the most part though, the best way to get good stuff is to just play the game, doing whatever you enjoy doing.

[@thatguy9088]

@@salendrak - Oh, I am using a build guide, but I learned that its from a bit ago and not current. It's the one button zombie build from 3.17 (I think?) and it hasn't been updated. I am not looking to do all of the hardest content with it, just a sensible return for worthy investment is good enough for me. I just don't want to finish the campaign and find out the build is D tier. B or C is good enough for me.

[@kevin11humor]

Best guide on YT, others i found didn't explain nearly as much on actual stuff for begginers like the skill tree they just give opinionated/bias and very limited info on only the things they feel you need to know instead of just covering it all which is anoying af. Thank you!

[@salendrak]

I find it's always good to have a solid theoretical foundation before moving on to specific approaches. Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@alex_paksi]

I just started out and PoE is my first hack and slash type of game. Happily it really got the vibe to suck me in. What I really like is that your videos don't tell me what to do, I can play around on my own which I really enjoy, and your vids presets the system in a way that makes the fuck around and find out stuff pretty exciting. Keep up the greag vids you do! 😁😁

[@salendrak]

Thanks!! Personal experience is often the best teacher, and while following a detailed guide can teach you a lot, there are also lots of things you can learn using a DIY approach. So long as you're having fun - you're doing it right!

[@RaindancerAU]

So weird that for me, I saw the skill tree for the first time and recalled how much I loved FFX and smiled that finally another game took the concept and ran with it 😊

[@salendrak]

Yeah, first time I saw it I thought WOW - that looks amazing!

[@Zobe515]

FFX!!!!!!!!

[@Tainted-Phantom]

Second time I'm trying this game now. Personally I'm very happy I went with a build guide this time. No need to figure the skill tree out from the get go really opened up time to just enjoy the game itself and also allowed me to look at other things like gear and how currency can help you tweak the gear in a way that you can insert gems that you need. I see many people advice not to look up a build but after this experience I disagree. I'd advice to grab a guide, make sure it's made for beginners and once you get a basic understanding start tweaking things so you can see why build guides made things the way they made them.

[@salendrak]

Yeah, if you've played the game before and already have some familiarity with it, I think following a guide is a good way to go for sure!

[@Gidon147]

Thank you so much for these guides. I have played poe on and off for 6 years now, and this helps me get right back into the game. The biggest yes for me is your approach to non-guide skilling. "Get Guide" has, in my opinion, the same meme status as "Git gud" - the worst beginner's advice one can give, but the one that's thrown around the most often. The massive skill tree is THE defining catch for poe, I want to play PoE because I want to engage with that system and get creative with it. I'm not going to let a guide that tells me exactly how to spend my points take that away from me, and effectively remove more than half of what makes the game fun for me, even as a beginner. So your approach to guiding me towards right decisions without outright throwing a perfect build at me is exactly what I'm looking for. Cheers!

[@salendrak]

I think that's definitely a better way to really learn the game, but at some point (like when you get stuck or something) it can definitely be informative to look at guides and other players builds. But at the end of the day - play how you want! So long as you're having fun, you're doing it right!

[@marleylangsa]

This by far is the best TRUE BEGINNER guide.

[@salendrak]

Thanks!!

[@arashgrgsson3841]

tnx for this video ...i just made a witch intro in the game and im here to watch this guide and u said ur fav is witch and it makes me feel better playing poe cause i know i will find good stuff about it on ur channel too ... :)))

[@salendrak]

Glad I could help!

[@coachbayonnejoe]

This is amazing!

[@salendrak]

Thanks!!

[@islerenner]

Day 1 of PoE for me, glad I found this, thanks kindly.

[@salendrak]

Welcome to Wraeclast!

[@murilohenrique9115]

You're a life saver ✨❤ I love 😁

[@salendrak]

Thanks!!

[@penemurdoch4055]

I need an instruction book with Tabs and notes pages. Holy Cow!

[@salendrak]

Pop quiz at the end!!

[@imbluhdhound5656]

Actually as a new player and Diablo sh*tying the bed with updates and endgame, the skill tree is what drew me in , all I can say is thankyou , I’ve watched this video 6 times now

[@salendrak]

Repeat views? I love it!!

[@dirtyoliver1180]

I don’t play this game but love falling asleep to long beginner guide videos

[@salendrak]

PoE is definitely the right game for that! 🤣

[@radupavel5481]

thank you

[@salendrak]

Welcome! 😎

[@spearman4712]

I would have originally suggested following a build guide on a challenge league for a new player, but when I think about all of the new people I've watched get into this game, I think your advice is better. It kind of doesn't matter what league you start on your first character with unless you're trying to meet up with friends or specifically play the newest content, and it's more important to do what's fun which as a new player isn't always what's successful or viable.

[@salendrak]

Exactly! Rushing to endgame pinnacle bosses isn't the goal of the game, particularly for brand new players. Having FUN is - and for many people, that means exploring, experimenting, and just messing around and trying stuff!

[@gaopinghu7332]

Salendrak posting a video? Impossible!

[@salendrak]

Just you wait - I'm hoping to get the other 3 of this series out in the next 2 weeks or so!

[@gaopinghu7332]

@@salendrak nice.

[@YeahPete]

I remember playing when Voll was the final boss and all the enemies there were called enemy placeholder! I just came back to the game and just wow. The game seems even over my head now.

[@salendrak]

Oh, TONS has changed since back then. I started playing when Act 3 piety in Lunaris temple was the final boss!

[@Cons2911]

Thank you for this. I know I’m late but I want to play

[@salendrak]

Have fun in Wraeclast!

[@guyfromnj]

Great video.

[@salendrak]

Thanks!

[@guyfromnj]

@@salendrak you’re welcome. I jumped in last night and died so many times. Now I know why. I got bored with Diablo 4 and wanted to give Poe a try. I figured what could go wrong? How in depth could it really be… yeah, I now know. Makes me excited to make a new character and start over today when I get done work.

[@Eduardomscarvalho]

I played PoE briefly for a couple of weeks around 8 years ago. the recent D4 disaster made me come back looking for PoE and this video series is being VERY useful for me, thanks a lot!

[@salendrak]

Welcome back to the better ARPG! 😆 I'm still on the fence on whether or not I'll bother playing through D4. I barely made it through the main game of D3 before losing interest, and couldn't even be bothered to play through the expansion even though I had purchased it!

[@Eduardomscarvalho]

@@salendrak I was legit excited for it, I loved playing Diablo 2 as a kid and I really enjoyed playing Diablo 3 after Reaper of Souls, but the way they are handling D4 is just awful and uninviting. I always held PoE in high regard, but at the time couldn't really be bothered to properly understand its mechanics, and my pc was a piece of junk back them too, to make it worse

[@youngyn9018]

Thanks.

[@salendrak]

You're most very welcome - stay sane, exile!

[@1dozmos]

As a new player - thank you for this detailed and structured guide. 2nd time watching. thanks

[@salendrak]

Happy to be of service!

[@mynameisconfidential8173]

Legit my favorite youtuber of the last 10 years

[@salendrak]

Wow - thanks!! Much appreciated!!

[@thecatboss123]

Amazing, liked and subscribed lol

[@salendrak]

Thanks!!

[@bottle1211]

Seeing the passive map for the first time is the reason I started playing.

[@salendrak]

It's a very polarizing thing. Some people see it and instantly nope out, while others see it and are like, SIGN ME UP!!

[@rooster6115]

Caught that Jason Asano reference at the beginning... nice 😊

[@salendrak]

Damn. I have no idea who Jason Asano is or what would have been a reference attributed to him. Care to explain? LOL

[@rooster6115]

Oh, coincidence then. "... and besides making beginners guides is kind of my thing..." It's a common saying for the protaganist, Jason Asano, in the litrpg series "He Who Fights with Monsters". It's a fantastic audiobook series.

[@salendrak]

@@rooster6115well now I wanna check it out!! 😆

[@staubinmichael637]

Hi i start this game about a week ago and damn so much fun and thing to do 😊 i never touch diablo from now

[@salendrak]

I played the beta of D4 - that was enough for me! Plus I just have no interest in giving Blizzard any of my money ever again. They used to be a great company. These days - not so much so!

[@PsyeiDonn-ns7co]

This video just made me a Diablo player exclusively, download POE and I am about to start playing it now. Thank you.

[@salendrak]

This is the way.

[@Mjdemass]

I played a lot of hack n slashs in the last 2 decades and now it's time to face this mountain ( long term goal is to prep for PoE 2 ) Thank you for this perfectly crafted guide, now going to watch the other videos :)

[@salendrak]

Awesome! And yeah - there's gonna be a lot of hype building as we get closed to ExileCon and PoE2 for sure!!

[@Mjdemass]

@@salendrak I hope you'll make PoE 2 videos then because I suscribed :)