After conquering the final boss of Act 3 in Path of Exile, you face a pivotal choice: embark on a new character journey with an innovative build or traverse the campaign anew in Cruel Mode. Your decision hinges on the enjoyment derived from your initial playthrough. If you relished every moment, prepare for an even wilder adventure ahead!
This guide aims to provide you with essential insights and strategies as you transition into Act 4, equipping you for the challenges that await.
1. Complete Essential Quests
The Importance of Permanent Buffs
While you may have taken your time during the main campaign learning the intricacies of the game, by the time you restart in Act 1, you’re likely to be well-acquainted with all that PoE 2 has to offer. Although Cruel Mode holds a reputation for being challenging, it can be remarkably straightforward—provided you’ve adequately prepared.
Before you awaken by the riverbank, ensure you’ve accomplished the following:
- Complete Spirit Quests in Acts 1 and 3 (such as King of the Mists and Ignagduk).
- Obtain Permanent Elemental Resistance buffs (from Sisters of Garukhan, Beira of the Rotten Pack, etc.).
- Collect your 12 Free Passive Points (from Crowbell and The Mighty Silverfist, etc.).
- Maximize your life buffs (e.g., from Candlemass).
- Acquire Venom Draughts from the Venom Crypt.
- Gather all four Ascendancy points from Trials.
While it’s possible to revisit previous acts once you begin Cruel Mode, prior preparation is key, as enemy scaling increases over time. Keep in mind that completing an act imposes a -10% penalty on your resistances.
2. Secure Your Build
Choosing Your Path in Cruel Mode
During the initial campaign, experimenting with your passive tree and swapping weapons is encouraged. However, upon entering Cruel Mode, it’s vital to have a clear build direction.
Refunding passive points through The Hooded One becomes increasingly expensive as your character levels up. Moreover, while reaching level 45 during your first playthrough is common, you can only expect to gain an additional 15-20 levels in your subsequent run—making quality gear essential for sustaining your character.
3. Optimize Your Gear
Prioritize High-Quality Equipment
At this stage, keen interest in online marketplaces is warranted. As you progress, while you might still upgrade weapons, certain items remain valuable regardless of your current level.
Using Exalted Orbs to procure unique gear can significantly boost your performance. For instance, Rangers might seek out Widowhail for a compatible Quiver, while Ice Monks can enhance their abilities with a Polcirkeln.
Notably, unique items scale with your build and damage, making them advantageous at any level. Consider acquiring rings and amulets that provide robust elemental resistances, as these will be crucial against the debuffs encountered after each act.
4. Encounter New Adversaries
Facing Fresh Challenges
Entering the Riverbank, you’ll quickly notice that the enemies have evolved; you’re no longer facing the same foes from your prior campaign. For instance, the daunting River Hag stands as one of these new threats. If cornered, feel free to sidestep rather than engage.
Take caution when encountering Rare enemies—defeating them is crucial, especially given their superior loot table in Cruel Mode. Your need for currency will escalate, so seize every opportunity to collect Exalted Orbs or valuable items.
5. Maintain Momentum
The Need for Speed
Although completing every quest and exploring every area was feasible on your first playthrough, this journey is distinctly different. To reach the Maps as swiftly as possible, invest in a good pair of boots to maximize your speed.
Aiming for boots with at least a 20% movement speed increase or unique boots like Wanderlust can make a significant difference. Focus on defeating large groups efficiently rather than engaging every enemy, and make a beeline for the designated Area boss.
Even if you feel slightly under-leveled, you shouldn’t encounter significant issues if your build is functioning optimally. Your second playthrough should take roughly one-third of the time compared to your first.
6. Avoid Unnecessary Detours
Efficient Gameplay
Remember that not every quest or boss behaves the same way in Cruel Mode:
- The King of the Mists does not yield 30 Spirit.
- The Trial of Sekhemas and Trial of Chaos only provide additional Ascendancy points under specific conditions.
This insight allows you to streamline your pathway through maps and focus more on acquiring Passive Points before advancing to subsequent areas. No need to waste time on bosses like Count Geonor or Jamanra this time around; they will feel significantly easier.
Stacking Passive Points is crucial—PoE2 excels at compounding small but impactful bonuses.
7. Conserve Your Currency
Building Wealth for the Future
Once you’ve solidified your build and potentially purchased a few items from the trading platform, prioritize saving your currency. This lesson is one worth learning early on.
Orbs like Exalted and Divine become vital resources in the endgame. If you’re planning to engage with maps—a recommendation I wholeheartedly support—retain any currency you encounter. Instead of impulsively applying Exalted Orbs to Rare gear, consider the possibility of acquiring superior items through trade for the same cost.
Keep an eye out for items with a dot after their title or labeled “Superior,”as these can yield Artificers Orbs and Blacksmiths Whetstones, respectively. Establishing this habit can yield rewarding dividends by the end of another run.
8. Organize Your Stash
Enhancing Inventory Management
For players who appreciate meticulous organization, this tip will resonate. As you progress through Cruel Mode, you’ll likely notice your Stash becoming increasingly cluttered.
Before indulging in cosmetics available in the in-game store, consider acquiring additional Stash Tabs first. Essential tabs you’ll want to consider include:
- Currency Tabs
- Premium Tabs
- Quad TAB
- Normal Stash Bundle
Utilizing Premium tabs for color-coded organization allows for effective sales in the marketplace. This strategy enables you to sell valuable Rare items and mix-into your currency reserve efficiently. Additionally, several Normal Stash Tabs can help you categorize your inventory. You might opt for separate tabs for Uncut Gems, Amulets, Charms, and unique items.
Although it may seem tedious, dedicating some time to organize your inventory will pay off significantly, saving you unnecessary rummaging time in the future.
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