Path of Exile players generally concentrate on the current challenge league. Solo Self Found leagues are not available on Xbox One at launch.Įven though standard sounds like the default mode, it isn't.

Solo Self Found: These league variants lock the game to single player, preventing all trading and grouping.

These are generally available for three months, after which point any characters created for the challenge league will be moved to the standard league.

Challenge: These offer special prizes for completing league-specific challenges, with numerous challenges available to go after.

There are currently no Xbox Achievements for completing the game on hardcore, so only play hardcore if you really want the challenge. Note that hardcore leagues are less populated than non-hardcore leagues, and thus make it harder to group up and trade with other players. Should you die, your character will be demoted to the standard league.

This challenges players to complete the game without dying.

Hardcore: Standard and other league variants can be played in Hardcore as well.

Despite the name, standard is not the most populated league.

Standard: The basic game without any modifications.

There are several types of leagues, although not every type is available at all times. Leagues are game world variations that affect how the game plays. Also, the time-limited nature of leagues (which we'll describe below) and the likelihood that you might unwittingly create a flawed character build the first time you play all mean that you'll probably be creating new characters before too long anyway. Path of Exile provides an unusually high number of character slots, so you can play and switch between all seven classes if you so choose. Picking your first character is important, but not as big a deal as in other Diablo-style games. This makes her an advanced character, and she must be unlocked later in the game.

Scion: She can develop into any character build thanks to Path of Exile's skill system.

Shadow: A dexterous and intelligent fighter, he uses short-range weapons and traps during battle.

Marauder: A melee fighter with tremendous strength.

Despite being a glass cannon, the ranger is my class of choice.

Ranger: She uses a bow and is extremely dexterous, but can wield swords as well.

Witch: A female spellcaster with high intelligence.

Templar: Fires projectiles, including three balls of lightning at once and a chain lightning attack.

Duelist: He fights with melee attacks and can also summon an AI minion to fight alongside him.

The seventh, the Scion, can be permanently unlocked by rescuing her from a cage in the Upper Scepter of God area of Act 3. Path of Exile has seven playable characters, although only six are initially unlockable.

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