Path of Exile: Ascend - 10 Crucial Tips for Novices

Its not a Diablo Clone
While inspired by Diablo, Path of Exile has evolved into its own unique game. Character builds are not as clear-cut as in Diablo games, and expecting a straightforward experience may lead to frustration.

No Traditional Currency:
Forget about gold or modern economic systems. Path of Exile operates on a barter system using orbs as its faux-currency.
Each orb has a function and can modify items, doubling as crafting materials. It's a unique economy, and expect a bit of Neanderthal economics in player trading.

Leagues Are the Way to Play:
After finishing the story or the standard mode, what's left? Leagues. These run on a 13-week cycle and add a new gimmick or mechanic to the game, keeping things fresh.
Each league offers specific rewards, and starting over with a new character is part of the challenge and excitement.

Expect to Mess Up Your First Character:
Your first character is likely to be a learning experience rather than a success story. The complex skill tree and skill gem system offer numerous ways to build your character, making it best not to take your initial attempt too seriously. Late-game challenges will likely squash your first character like bugs.

Massive Learning Curve:
Path of Exile doesn't hold your hand. Don't expect to learn everything in the game's "tutorial"; that's setting yourself up for disappointment.
You'll need hundreds of hours to truly understand the game. It's not just a play-until-you-finish-the-story kind of game. The real fun lies in creating a character build or skill combo,and reaching that point is an achievement in itself.

Prepare to Die A Lot in Late Game:
Managing expectations is key. The late game is significantly harder, with a considerable power creep increase. Sudden deaths are not uncommon, and the difficulty ramps up significantly from levels 1 to 80+.

Hold Off on Hardcore Characters:
While Path of Exile offers a "Hardcore" mode where character death is permanent, it's advisable for new players to avoid it initially. Save it for later when you're more familiar with the game mechanics and challenges.

Item Stat Descriptions Can Be Misleading:
Don't take item descriptions at face value. The game has its own lexicon, and understanding the difference between "more" and "added" can impact your character's survival.
Checking the game's wiki for detailed item descriptions and calculations is often necessary.

You need an SSD!
Path of Exile, though aged, boasts a rich history and has seen numerous updates. However, its game engine, while updated, may still seem a bit outdated. Late in the game, split-second timing becomes crucial, and installing a solid-state drive (SSD) can significantly improve your gaming experience.

If you haven't made the SSD leap, be prepared for potential frustrating deaths, especially around level 85 and beyond. Consider it an investment in your gaming sanity.
Also, ditch any plans to play on an old DSL broadband connection; a wired fiber connection is the way to go, especially for heists.