That, however, is where the poe trade similarity ends, as Path of Exile features a free-to-play version, and a completely different skill system which gives Path of Exile players so much freedom with their personality builds. No wonder Path of Exile players spend a lot of time dabbling with PoE money and PoE trading simply to perfect their characters.

Two unique Path of Exile features make the Path of Exile game's characters among the very customizable ones in the entire genre: skill gems and also the shared passive skill tree. In Path of Exile, classes do not learn active abilities by leveling up. Rather, characters have to use skill gems, PoE items which are slotted into gear so as to be used. Skill gems are color-coded and need to be put in slots of the same color.

They are also connected with a specific attribute, and need a specific quantity of a particular feature in order for them to be utilized. It's shared with all classes, but that doesn't mean all courses will be the same. To make them distinct from one another, courses begin in different points in the skill tree, depending on their class. By way of example, the Marauder starts out at a passive ability tree branch that is mostly about gaining Power and coping damage, while the Witch begins in a branch which raises Intelligence, Mana regeneration, and Energy Shield.

From these starting points, characters progress through the tree and find passive skills that will give them abilities outside their stereotypical capabilities of their course, be it a passive or stat boost that will let them equip certain skill gems. For instance, a Witch can branch out and learn skills that boost Attack Rate or Evasion, or find poe currency a increase in either Strength or Dexterity and utilize skill gems that require them.