Among MMO hack and slash games, Path of Exile series is undoubtedly one of the most attractive. The game’s meticulous environment, fascinating combat, and rich and complex content ensure that you can find MMORPG experience you are looking for.

According to the latest news, the game developer will launch an early access version of Path of Exile 2 on December 6, aiming to elevate many aspects of the game to a new level based on the first game. And both games will be running simultaneously, rather than putting the first game on hold, ensuring you can switch between what you want to experience at any time.

Although the solid performance of the first game has already made POE series well-received, the amazing changes in POE 2 will definitely further stimulate your interest. They will make the game more immersive and ensure it feels fresh and engaging for both new and experienced players.

Based on this, we will introduce to you the 5 most significant changes in the early access version of Path of Exile 2 compared to the first one.

1. Add Local Couch Co-Op Function

Previously, players have been hoping that the game official can add co-op cooperation function to POE series. Now it has finally appeared in the highly anticipated sequel, and it is not a onetime addition, but a long-term presence.

Based on this feature, you will explore the vast game map with friends or family in the same house without having to create another account. And couch co-op also means you don’t need an extra console or copy of the game when you’re trying it out for the first time.

Path of Exile was already a fun game to play with friends in the first game, and even more so when facing the same powerful boss on the same screen in POE 2. Thanks to the addition of couch co-op, Path of Exile 2 can attract more players to join the game, making the series more popular.

2. Integration Of Cross-Play And Cross-Progression

Although the benefits of cross-platform play may not be obvious to you, it is always popular with most people, especially the addition of local co-op mode, which will further bridge the gap between players.

And Path of Exile 2 not only introduces cross-platform play but also adds cross-platform progression, allowing you to use the same game character on different devices. Thanks to this change, you will not have to create a new character because of changing device, resulting in POE 2 Currency in your original account being nowhere to be used; and you can also go on adventures anytime, anywhere without restrictions.

This change is especially useful for players who want to play games on the go. Because being able to switch between various mobile gaming devices is a huge convenience after all. And with the development of technology, device types will become more and more abundant, so cross-platform games are a wonderful development.

3. Gold Will Replacing Shards

According to the current known information, POE 2 will set gold as the core resource and main currency of the game, which differs from the mechanism of the first game. As for the ways to obtain POE 2 Gold, it can be obtained from monsters you defeat or by selling items to suppliers.

In addition, the original Orb of Alteration and Orb of Scouring will be replaced by gold-centric mechanics, although Alchemy and Transmutation shards can still be obtained by disenchanting items.

This change in currency will mostly come as a change in the dynamics between you and vendors compared to the first game, and this change will make exchanging items a more versatile tool when selling high-quality gear. Get more bang for your buck.

In Path of Exile 2 Early Access, gold can also be used to redistribute passive points or gamble for a unique gear with random rarities. This change may make it easier for new players to adapt to the game, as the currency system will be easier to understand and learn than in the past.

4. Enhanced Gem Functionality Changes

In POE 2, the gem system will also face some major reforms. First, the weapon no longer contains gem slots, but provides an additional gem menu with 9 slots for inserting various skill gems. You need to find uncut gems in the game and apply skills of your choice to them, rather than looking for gems that already have skills on them like in the past.

In fact, the changes to the gem mechanics in Path of Exile 2 are designed to help you have more customization of your character and your character’s class. For example, compared with general damage buffs, auxiliary gems will provide more unique mechanisms based on skill and class differences after functional changes.

Ultimately, you’ll find that the changes to the gem system give you more control, allowing for greater customization while also giving each class and weapon more personality than before.

5. Flask System Upgrades

Compared to the first game, normal enemies in POE 2 will no longer drop resources to recharge your flask when defeated. Only killing unique or magical monsters will drop these resources. And you have to activate specific wells in towns to fully recharge the flask, rather than automatically recharging upon entering a town. This will force you to manage related resources more carefully.

Although some people are dissatisfied with these changes, considering that the early access version of Path of Exile 2 is a new game, its difficulty settings are bound to have some adjustments. And this adjustment is likely to revolve around changes like the flask system.

While you might be concerned that different types of flasks will be removed, it can be seen from the related trailer that aside from the changes regarding charging resources, the design of the flasks has been relatively unchanged, and there are even many flasks that will be returned from the original game (except for the removal of Quicksilver flasks).

While it’s currently uncertain how much of an impact these changes will have on POE 2, there’s no doubt that they are interesting developments. They signify the game developers’ goal is to give you a better gaming experience. So let us look forward to its official arrival!

In Path of Exile 2, Ranger returns with its speed and agility at its core. Players can shoot on the move and choose between ranged or melee combat styles to suit their personal play preferences.

Ranger can be challenging to deal with against fast-moving groups of enemies, but the developers aim to create a Legolas-like experience that emphasizes fast movement, high jumps, and the ability to retreat quickly. We’ve come up with an optimal Ranger build based on the skills and gems we know so far.

Ranger Overview

Ranger is known for its diverse range of arrows and shooting skills, which can be combined with unique elements, such as lightning, poison, fire, and frost, as well as using plants and vines. Although the specific build is up to the player, each element and skill can be combined to powerful effect.

One of the biggest changes to Ranger in Path of Exile 2 is the introduction of the mount Rhoas. After riding Rhoas, Ranger can shoot while moving at full speed, without being affected by movement speed like traditional shooting. This ability allows Ranger to quickly shuttle around the battlefield while maintaining efficient attack output.

Even more exciting, Ranger can also leap from the back of Rhoas, this mobility allows Ranger to quickly change position or escape danger. Rhoas will participate in combat by attacking monsters. Therefore, it is recommended that you spend some Path Of Exile 2 Currency to unlock Rhoas when you enter Path of Exile 2.

Ranger Abilities

• Lightning Arrow–Fires a shot of lightning.
• Frost Escape–Leaps back and shoots a freezing arrow at the ground.
• Sniper–Charges and releases a powerful shot that causes AoE damage if it hits.
• Lightning Rod–Shoots an arrow that attracts lightning to the ground.
• Stormcaller Arrow–Lightning falls from the sky and attacks the enemy, with a high chance of shocking, and the shocked enemy receives 30% more damage.
• Barrage–Enhances your next attack to fire three times.
• Electrocuting rod-Slows enemies by shocking them.
• Vine Arrow-Fires an arrow into the air that lands after a temporary delay, causing plants to pop up at the impact location. Sprouting vines that wrap around nearby enemies, poisoning and slowing them.
• Poison Bloom Arrow-Creates an exploding plant bulb.
• Poison Burst Arrow-A poison arrow that bursts on impact.
• Gas Arrow-Fires an arrow that bursts into a cloud of poison gas upon hitting an enemy or reaching the target location, applying poison to enemies inside.
• Plague Bearer-When using Plague Nova, stores a portion of all poison damage dealt, released, and applied to all nearby enemies. This skill uses a poison counter that, once at 100%, releases poison for damage.
• Rain of Arrows-Ranged damage and range.
• Sniper’s Mark-Marks a target, causing the next critical strike to deal extra damage and grants a frenzy charge.
• Detonating Arrow-Builds up energy before firing a flaming arrow that explodes at full charge on impact, causing an explosion in the surrounding area.

Skill Support Gems

• Multiple Projectiles Support-Fires 66% less damage but fires two additional bullets.
• Faster Projectiles Support-Increases projectile velocity by 30%.
• Chain Support-Each hit deals half the damage, triggers a chain, and each additional chain source increases the duration of the effect.
• Less Duration-Skill effect duration is reduced by 20%.
• Shock Spread-Supported skills have a 20% chance to also shock enemies within 2.5 meters of hit.
• Neural Overload Support-Electrocute primed enemies on hit.
• Frozen Nexus Support-Increases freezing effects on enemies by 400%, and creates frozen ground that lasts two seconds when freezing an enemy.
• Deep Freeze Support-Freeze effects applied by enhanced skills last an additional 0.5 seconds longer.
• Pierce Support-Pierces an additional target, but deals 30% less projectile damage.
• Corrosion Support-Poisons applied by enhanced skills break armor for 3500% of the poison damage dealt.
• Exploit Weakness Support-When an enemy’s armor is completely broken, skills enhanced by this deal over 50% more damage to them.

Best Ranger Build

With so many skills to combine and choose from, the variety of builds is seemingly endless. But whether facing a boss or a large group of enemies, combining plant attacks with poisonous skills is a good choice. You can use Poison Bloom Arrows to create plant bulbs that grow from the ground and deal continuous poison damage to enemies.

Vine Arrows work similarly to Poison Bloom Arrows, both of which grow plants after being fired at the ground. However, the difference is that Vine Arrows will spawn vines that wrap around enemies, poisoning them and slowing their movement speed. These vines can also pass additional poison to the entangled enemies. When used with Gas Arrows, hitting the target will create a gas cloud.

If aimed directly at plants, it can cause continuous poison damage to enemies and provide additional damage to plants. This combination is very effective against bosses and large numbers of normal enemies. It can also be used with Corrosion Support to break the armor of stronger enemies.

In addition to the above builds, as the release date approaches, we look forward to seeing more players explore and create their own best Ranger builds.