Path of Exile is one of the most well-known ARPGs in the world, and it is also a free game. This means that you only need to spend a little time to register an account on the official website of POE before you can enter the game without paying extra. In fact, before officially entering the game and creating your character, you still need to make a choice-choose the one that suits you best in three different leagues. If you don't know anything about this, don't worry. Continue reading this guide, you will understand the main differences between these leagues.

Standard League
When you enter the selection interface, your default server is the ordinary standard league. This is the most original and pure Path of Exile game experience. The league has been in the game since the POE was released, and you can choose among three types of standard leagues. The default common standard league is very difficult, and beginners can learn and master basic game skills. Monsters in this league will not have any modifiers. Even if you encounter elite monsters or bosses, you have enough time to escape to a safe POE Currency place or return to the hub town before being killed. If you are an introvert and don't want to be harassed by other players during the adventure, you can choose the Solo Self-Found standard league, which can provide you with a single player experience, but you will also not be able to trade or form Team, you must rely on all the resources you need to live.
If you are an adventurous player and want to challenge more difficult players, POE also prepares a suitable server for you, which is Hardcore Standard League, which players usually call HC. Players can get better loot, but they will also face more difficult challenges. Once your character dies in HC, you will not lose anything. Your character, equipment, skill gems and legendary items will be retained, but the character will be transferred directly from HC to the ordinary standard league. HC forces players to survive as much as possible in stimulating battles and make full use of all resources for self-improvement. This is why the POE Currency and POE Items in HC are more valuable, because they are likely to save you from life danger and keep alive.
 
Challenge League
The Challenge League usually appears after the new expansion is released, and will only last for a few months. The most attractive part of the challenge league is that players can get unique loot, including the new POE Currency, POE Items and rare legendary items. Players can never find them in the standard league loot. The number of players challenging the league accounts for the vast majority of POE users. If you are a new player and like a lively game atmosphere, then I suggest you also choose to challenge the league. Don't worry about death, your character's death in the challenge league will not cause the game to fail, you will only lose part of the current EXP and you can continue to play in the challenge league. But your role will eventually be transferred to the standard league when the league ends.
After a period of waiting, POE will provide a new challenge league. Players usually continue to create new characters in order to try other classes or POE Builds, and collect newly introduced unique items. This process is not boring, modifiers and various new features will make every challenge to the league fun.

Private League
Players need to pay a certain fee to use the league. Its main function is to provide you and your friends with a dedicated private server to avoid disturbing POE Trade Currency others. You can extend the league time or increase the number of leagues by paying more. The default Private League can be used by up to 10 players freely, and the private server supports both standard leagues and challenge leagues.