EZNPC Where to Start Path of Exile in 2026 Worth It
-
In 2026 it still feels a bit unreal that people are logging into the original Path of Exile with the same energy, even with the sequel sitting in early access. But the first game hasn't faded. If anything, leagues still pull players back like clockwork, and you can feel the buzz the moment you start planning a character and browsing where to buy poe items when you don't want to limp through the early gearing phase.
Why It Still Hits Different
PoE1 is chaos in the best way. It's fast, messy, and kind of rude about it. You'll load into a map, take two steps, and the screen is already a fireworks show. When your build finally clicks, you don't "fight" packs so much as delete them. That's the hook. It's not careful, it's not polite, and it doesn't wait for you to catch your breath. A lot of newer ARPGs try to slow you down for "meaningful combat," but PoE1 is still happy to let you become a walking disaster if you earn it.The Sandbox Is the Point
The depth is still the main event, and yeah, it can look ridiculous at first. The passive tree isn't "a tree," it's a whole transit system. But the freedom is real. You're not stuck in a neat little class box. You can run a spellcaster that bonks things, a bruiser that triggers spells, or some weird hybrid you swear will work this time. The gem links, supports, and crafting systems push you to tinker constantly. Most players end up doing the same loop: test an idea, hit a wall, tweak one thing, then suddenly it feels like a different character. That's not always comfortable, but it's why the game stays fresh.The Rough Edges Nobody Warns You About
PoE still doesn't teach well. You'll find out quickly that "figuring it out" often means a wiki, a build guide, and a few mistakes you can't undo cheaply. Bricking a first character is basically a rite of passage. The economy can be just as intimidating. Trading is powerful, but it's also its own mini-game, and farming currency can feel like you're doing chores before you're allowed to have fun. Some people love that hustle. Others just want to see their build online and start tackling Atlas bosses without spending nights price-checking everything.Getting to the Fun Part Faster
If you're the second type, there's no shame in taking a shortcut. Plenty of players use eznpc for buying game currency or items, mainly because it skips the awkward "I'm broke and undergeared" stage and lets you focus on mapping, upgrades, and league mechanics. The endgame is still absurdly wide, and it keeps rewarding curiosity—try a mechanic, spec into it, respec out, chase a different strategy, repeat. PoE1 demands effort, but when you're set up, it gives you that rare feeling that your choices actually matter.
