Path of Exile 2: Unpacking What Carries Over From Your PoE Legacy

The burning question on every Exile’s mind: what exactly travels with you when Path of Exile 2 finally arrives? The answer, in short, is almost everything you’ve invested in regarding microtransactions (MTX), including stash tabs. That means all those hard-earned cosmetics, character effects, and those oh-so-essential stash tabs you’ve accumulated since 2013 will be available in both Path of Exile 1 and Path of Exile 2. Think of it as a shared cosmetic and storage locker accessible from either game. This commitment from Grinding Gear Games (GGG) ensures your long-term support and dedication to the Path of Exile universe is respected.

Diving Deeper: The Shared Platform and Exceptions

GGG has consistently emphasized a shared platform between PoE 1 and PoE 2. This shared platform means that any MTX purchased on your account will be accessible across both games, barring a few specific exceptions. Jonathan Rogers, one of the game directors, clearly stated that anything you’ve purchased or will purchase in the future will be usable in both games, unless it’s hyper-specific to the content of one of them.

What does “hyper-specific” mean in practice? Imagine a unique cosmetic designed specifically for a new class in PoE 2 that has no equivalent in PoE 1. For example, if PoE 2 introduces a playable bear form, any reskins specifically for that bear form wouldn’t work in PoE 1 because that form doesn’t exist there. This is a logical exception, ensuring compatibility and avoiding visual oddities.

Why This Matters to You

This decision is crucial for several reasons:

• Preserves Investment: It safeguards the financial investment players have made into Path of Exile over the years. Players can continue to use their favorite cosmetics without feeling forced to repurchase them.

• Encourages Future Spending: Players are more likely to purchase new MTX knowing they will benefit from them in both games.

• Creates a Unified Experience: The shared platform fosters a sense of continuity between the two games, despite their separate campaigns and endgames. This makes transitioning between PoE 1 and PoE 2 feel seamless.

Understanding the Two Separate, Yet Connected, Games

It’s essential to grasp that while your MTX and stash tabs carry over, Path of Exile 1 and 2 are distinct games. Initially conceived as a major update, PoE 2 evolved into a standalone title with its own campaign, endgame systems, classes, and balance.

Think of it this way: you’ll have the option to play the original Path of Exile 1 campaign (complete with all your MTX), and you can experience it with the graphical and engine improvements implemented for PoE 2. Alternatively, you can delve into the brand-new PoE 2 campaign with its own unique storyline and challenges.

It is important to note that while the games share your purchases, there will be no crossplay or crosstrade. This is because they are separate realms due to the way both Sony and Microsoft have their licensing requirements setup.

What Doesn’t Carry Over?

While almost everything cosmetic-related transfers, there are some notable exceptions related to gameplay progression. For example, your characters, completed challenges, and league progress will not be shared between the two games.

Each game will have its own separate:

• Character progression: You’ll start fresh with new characters in PoE 2.

• Challenge completion: Challenges must be completed independently in each game.

• League progress: League progress is specific to each game’s respective leagues.

This separation ensures that each game has its own distinct identity and encourages players to engage with both experiences independently.

Path of Exile 2: More Than Just a Graphical Upgrade

While the graphical enhancements in Path of Exile 2 are significant, the changes go far beyond mere visuals. The game introduces:

• A new campaign: Experience a completely new storyline and world to explore.

• New classes: Six new classes offer fresh playstyles and build possibilities, supplementing the original classes of PoE 1 for a total of twelve.

• New Ascendancies: Every new class has three new Ascendancies, resulting in 26 ascencies in total.

• A revamped skill system: Experience the new skill gem system that supports skill customization and development.

• An overhauled endgame: Engage with a new endgame system designed to provide long-term challenges and rewards.

These changes solidify Path of Exile 2 as a distinct experience, making it more than just a graphical update to the original game.

The team at GGG are committed to making Path of Exile an excellent game with valuable learnings. If you would like to read more about the importance of learning from playing games then head over to the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will my stash tabs from PoE 1 transfer to PoE 2?

Yes, all your stash tabs will carry over to Path of Exile 2. You’ll have access to all your existing storage space in both games.

2. Will my MTX purchases from PoE 1 be available in PoE 2?

Absolutely! With very few exceptions, all your MTX purchases will be usable in PoE 2. This includes character effects, weapon skins, armor sets, and more.

3. What are the exceptions to the MTX carryover?

The only exceptions are MTX that are hyper-specific to content existing in only one of the games. For instance, a skin for a Druid’s werebear form in PoE 2 would not be usable in PoE 1, as the werebear form does not exist in PoE 1.

4. Do I need to repurchase MTX for PoE 2 if I already own them in PoE 1?

No, you do not need to repurchase any MTX. Your existing purchases will be available in both games.

5. Will my characters and progress from PoE 1 transfer to PoE 2?

No, your characters and progress will not transfer. PoE 2 is a separate game with its own progression system. You’ll start with a new character in PoE 2.

6. Will PoE 1 be replaced by PoE 2?

No, PoE 1 will continue to exist as a separate game with its own leagues and content updates.

7. Will PoE 2 be free-to-play?

Yes, Path of Exile 2 will be free-to-play, just like the original Path of Exile.

8. When is the release date for Path of Exile 2?

The Closed Beta for Path of Exile 2 will be available on June 7th, 2024. There is no confirmed release date for the full game as of now.

9. Will there be crossplay between PoE 1 and PoE 2?

No, there will be no crossplay between PoE 1 and PoE 2. They are entirely separate realms.

10. Will PoE 2 have new classes?

Yes, Path of Exile 2 will introduce six new classes, including Monk, Huntress, Mercenary, Sorceress, Warrior, and Druid.

11. Will PoE 2 have a new endgame system?

Yes, Path of Exile 2 will feature a brand new endgame system separate from PoE 1’s endgame.

12. Will stash tabs be shared between leagues within PoE 1 and PoE 2?

No, stash tabs will not be shared between leagues. However, the same tabs that you purchased will be available for use within any of the leagues you decide to play.

13. Will PoE 2 overwrite PoE 1?

No, PoE 2 will not overwrite PoE 1. You will be able to choose to play either game.

14. Will there be new ascendancy classes with PoE 2?

Yes, there will be 3 new ascendancy classes for each of the new classes that will launch with Path of Exile 2. In total there will be 26 ascendancy classes.

15. Will microtransactions still be available in PoE 1?

Yes, both PoE 1 and PoE 2 will have an in game store where you can purchase microtransactions. Purchases from both games will be available to use in both games.

In conclusion, the transition to Path of Exile 2 is designed to be as seamless as possible for existing players, especially when it comes to their cosmetic investments. While the games are separate entities with their own progression and content, the shared MTX and stash tabs ensure that your dedication to the Path of Exile universe is rewarded and recognized. So, continue to customize your Exile, knowing that your efforts will carry over to the next chapter!