I won't lie, I've hated this game in the past. I was a D3 player (yes laugh idc) I thought it didn't feel great and the tree was too complex and I didn't care. Multiple times over the years, something wasn't clicking with me.

Flash forward to a week before Diablo IV S1, and I give it a shot again with my original non-league character. I didn't bother with a guide, I played PoE off and on during D4 S1 just to see what all the fuss was all about. As I was playing I kept getting more and more hooked, every time I played I just learned there was something else and it was this repeated loop of excitement I haven't really felt in a bit in games.

A bit into D4 S1, I hit 65 and realized I was tired of running NM Dungeons with zero loot worth picking up, and played the aforementioned character until Ancestral league launched. I decided to play without a guide again, and started the league trying to make my first character better. To my surprise, I did it. I didn't really look up anything until I got to the Act 10, and by the end of Act 10 into Maps I realized my build was trash and (somewhat, im very stubborn) followed a build guide to learn more.

There is just so much in this game to sink your teeth into. Being able to spec into what mechanic you want to farm is so so good. Having multiple endgame mechanics to change up your farming is just so so nice. Farming currency/items is so satisfying. Leveling is satisfying. The game itself is, satisfying. I even don't mind restarting a build because I've ruined it, or the fact respec points are pretty low to start out, but even then, you can just farm for those. Also skill variety is just the chef's kiss.

For a free to play game that has a campaign that lasts 10 acts, I spent at least 100hrs before I bought any stash tabs. At that point I felt like what money I spent on them was completely worth it. It really is as good as they say it is.

Not to say the game doesn't have its issues, I think the game could explain things WAY better than it does. I'm not asking them to hide most of the tree until a certain level or make the game simpler, but there are so many things I've found out by word of mouth, which, unfortunately, makes it harder to go in blind. Deaths in the game are also not super clear, yes, there are times where it is my fault and i played badly. And then there are other times where I'm not sure what the hell actually just happened. I'm sure I'll grasp it eventually, but if there is anything I will complain about, its those two.

Give it a shot, I do think until Act 3 the game is a bit of a slog, but once you get to that act the game picks up and gets way better from there. If you are going to not follow a build guide, you may hit a wall, but I want to note that it is possible to get to "Earlygame" without knowing much. If you have already played multiple ARPGs before hand, it will definitely be easier to grasp. But be warned, you still have much to learn, tho if you enjoy building out your character or learning mechanics, that shouldn't be much of an issue either.

Looking forward to PoE2 :3
... Also looking forward to getting out of the tutorial soon, only 1k-10k more hours or so.

PS look at Zizaran's guides on youtube. you will need them.
PSS also get Path of Building Community Fork. you will need that also.

I won't lie, I've hated this game in the past. I was a D3 player (yes laugh idc) I thought it didn't feel great and the tree was too complex and I didn't care. Multiple times over the years, something wasn't clicking with me. Flash forward to a week before Diablo IV S1, and I give it a shot again with my original non-league character. I didn't bother with a guide, I played PoE off and on during D4 S1 just to see what all the fuss was all about. As I was playing I kept getting more and more hooked, every time I played I just learned there was something else and it was this repeated loop of excitement I haven't really felt in a bit in games. A bit into D4 S1, I hit 65 and realized I was tired of running NM Dungeons with zero loot worth picking up, and played the aforementioned character until Ancestral league launched. I decided to play without a guide again, and started the league trying to make my first character better. To my surprise, I did it. I didn't really look up anything until I got to the Act 10, and by the end of Act 10 into Maps I realized my build was trash and (somewhat, im very stubborn) followed a build guide to learn more. There is just so much in this game to sink your teeth into. Being able to spec into what mechanic you want to farm is so so good. Having multiple endgame mechanics to change up your farming is just so so nice. Farming currency/items is so satisfying. Leveling is satisfying. The game itself is, satisfying. I even don't mind restarting a build because I've ruined it, or the fact respec points are pretty low to start out, but even then, you can just farm for those. Also skill variety is just the chef's kiss. For a free to play game that has a campaign that lasts 10 acts, I spent at least 100hrs before I bought any stash tabs. At that point I felt like what money I spent on them was completely worth it. It really is as good as they say it is. Not to say the game doesn't have its issues, I think the game could explain things WAY better than it does. I'm not asking them to hide most of the tree until a certain level or make the game simpler, but there are so many things I've found out by word of mouth, which, unfortunately, makes it harder to go in blind. Deaths in the game are also not super clear, yes, there are times where it is my fault and i played badly. And then there are other times where I'm not sure what the hell actually just happened. I'm sure I'll grasp it eventually, but if there is anything I will complain about, its those two. Give it a shot, I do think until Act 3 the game is a bit of a slog, but once you get to that act the game picks up and gets way better from there. If you are going to not follow a build guide, you may hit a wall, but I want to note that it is possible to get to "Earlygame" without knowing much. If you have already played multiple ARPGs before hand, it will definitely be easier to grasp. But be warned, you still have much to learn, tho if you enjoy building out your character or learning mechanics, that shouldn't be much of an issue either. Looking forward to PoE2 :3 ... Also looking forward to getting out of the tutorial soon, only 1k-10k more hours or so. PS look at Zizaran's guides on youtube. you will need them. PSS also get Path of Building Community Fork. you will need that also.