Everything you need to get comfortable fast: leveling flow, resistances, gem links, flasks, loot filters, trading, and first atlas steps.
Five quick wins that make the biggest difference on a fresh character.
Pick a beginner‑friendly starter (see Starters); don’t chase complex combos day 1.
Install a loot filter before entering maps; test sounds and beams in town.
Cap elemental resistances (75%) before Act 6; re‑cap after Kitava (Act 10).
Bind flasks on comfortable keys; keep Quicksilver up while leveling.
Learn 4‑link → 5‑link → 6‑link progression and support gems that scale your main skill.
Stay moving, keep resistances capped, and scale your main skill through links.
Use movement skills and a Quicksilver Flask to keep momentum. Replace weapons every 5–10 levels; a good 4‑link beats a bad 5‑link. If you stall, craft “+elemental damage to attacks/spells” on a vendor wand/sceptre or buy a cheap leveling weapon.
By Act 6 you need 75% Fire, Cold, and Lightning resistance. After Act 10, penalties increase (−60%). Prioritize life on gear; a fresh mapper should aim for 3–4k life and 75% resists.
Your main skill scales through supports. Early goals: reliable 4‑link → 5‑link from a vendor recipe or cheap trade purchase. Keep gem levels updated and quality later when maps feel stable.
Filters, trading, and atlas habits that accelerate your first week.
Install a filter before you reach maps. Start with Campaign/Semi, then move to Strict once your screen clutters. Our NeverSink page covers install, strictness, and updates.
Open guide →
Install Awakened PoE Trade for fast price checks and clean whispers. Learn bulk selling for currency/fragment tabs and use templates for common searches.
Open guide →
Unlock your Atlas quickly: allocate early sustain notables, run your highest map, and favor mechanics that fit your build. Keep a small stash of scarabs to stabilize your map pool.
Open guide →Simple survivability layers you can set up in minutes.
Use a Quicksilver and a defensive flask early (Granite/Basalt/Jade). Roll “of Heat” (freeze) and “of Staunching” (bleed) until you have proper ailment mitigation on gear.
Freeze, shock, ignite, bleed, poison, and corrupted blood are deadly when under‑geared. Prioritize at least one reliable answer for each (flasks, pantheon, or gear).
Armor reduces hit physical damage; Evasion avoids attacks; Spell Suppression halves spell damage when capped. Pick the layers that match your starter and invest consistently.
Quick reminders that prevent the most deaths and wasted time.
A few captures to set the vibe for your first mapping sessions.
