Path of Exile Passive Tree - Learn where to allocate points

In Path of Exile, every new player who opens the passive tree for the first time has no clue where to add points or what to do with it. This game's feature is so complicated that even more experienced players are struggling to find the right paths through the passive ability builds. We have been there, and luckily now we understand how it works. Read our guide to the passive tree in Path of Exile and learn how to add points to increase the power of your character.

Holy trinity

There are three main statistics in the Path of Exile: Intelligence, Dexterity, and Strength. Each of these statistics has a contribution to the power of your character. It can affect it directly by improving his capabilities and indirectly by allowing him to wear certain pieces of gear. Here is what each of the stats does:

• Intelligence (Blue): For every 2 points, adds 1 Mana and for 5 points 1% of Energy Shield.
• Dexterity (Green): For every 2 points, adds 2 Accuracy and for 5 points 1% to Evasion.
• Strength (Red): For every 2 points, adds 1 Life and for 5 points 1% Melee Physical Damage.

You might have noticed that when you open the character menu, Intelligence is at the top, Dexterity at the bottom right, and Strength at the bottom left. The same goes for the passive tree. On the top of the tree, you will find perks related to Intelligence, and on the bottom, there are Dexterity and Strength. Although it is a rule, you might also find occasional skill tree nodes that do not fit other nodes around it in random places at the passive tree.

On top of that, in the skill trees, you can find node Clusters that all revolve around a particular weapon, mechanic, or skill. In these Clusters, you will have to add multiple points into smaller nodes with lesser effect to unlock one large node that drastically improves certain parts of the player build. 

Some Milestones can be found in random places around the passive skill tree. Unlike Clusters, they do not provide a significant boost to character statistics, but they change the Path of building character. To give you an example - Elemental Overload will improve your Elemental Damage when you critically strike, and Blood Magic makes you spend Life instead of Mana on skills.

Starting point

Now that you know how the passive skill tree looks like it's time to ask an important question: "What is the role of classes?" If you have paid attention to the tree, you might have noticed that there are seven large circles with strange engravings scattered in random places around. Those are the character's starting points. Each of the classes in Path of Exile is almost the same. They might have small differences in looks and starting statistics, but they are mostly similar. The thing that differs one from the other is the point where it starts at the passive skill tree. Character build might require you to pick a specific class because it starts from another location in the passive skills tree than others. There are various character builds, so it is not a rule that every strength based build will require you to pick Marauder, and not every Intelligence-based revolves around Witches. The build path sometimes changes depending on your choices, so make sure that you choose a character league as well.

How to build your first character

As mentioned before, it is extremely tough to create a build for a character. Multiple factors like funding, equipment, character classes, gems, goal, and so on have to be considered. Only the most experienced players can create very effective passive builds that allow them to maximize a player's potential within a game. Because of that, we advise you to visit the official Path of Exile forums where you can find the best builds for a player character.

If you want to experiment with passive tree mechanics, you can do that as well, but keep in mind that passive tree paths created by you won't be as effective as those described by players who have spent countless hours in PoE Planner to prepare them. To begin, try planning a route on the passive skill tree that you are willing to take. Focus on choosing major passive nodes that give you the most significant boosts to your main weapon or crucial build mechanic. After that, you want to see what paths lead to these nodes and how can you benefit from taking different ones. If everything went smoothly, you will have for your own very first build made by yourself.

Resetting the build

It is possible in the Path of Exile to erase the previously made build. It is a very expensive process, especially on the older servers. Each passive skill refund has to be done separately with the Orb of Regrets, which are the rare currency drops. Most likely, you won't find enough of those during your gameplay, so if you want to reset your build, keep in mind that it will take a considerable amount of other resources. 

Your character class like Marauder, Ranger, Witch, Duelist, etc. cannot be changed after you start the game with it. Because of that if you are planning to switch build multiple times - consider picking a Scion class that allows combining multiple paths of character building. It is expensive to refund points of passive skills but it is still better than to start from scratch. Keep in mind that it is better to be a jack of all trades than to be master at none.

Summary

A passive tree is an indispensable element in the Path of Exile that allows for each build to be unique and special in their way. Players can create synergies between various passive nodes that haven't been used before and think of the new ideas on how to use them. This part of the game allows everyone to create something new, and because of that Path of Exile is a game with a lot of replayability. Without this part, the game wouldn't be the same.

On our site, we have got available articles and guides that can help you get better in gaming. Read about ascendancy classes of any level, search for interesting topics, share texts that you have loved the most, and follow us on social media for quick updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many passive skills are there in Path of Exile?

Characters can have up to 99 passive skill points.

How many nodes does the skill tree have Poe?

There are currently 1384 passive skill nodes in the tree; each costs one passive skill point.

What is a passive skill?

It is a skill that improves your stat passively (you don't have to use it, and it works).