Path of Exile is basically a completely free to play online game, basically like Diablo 2.5 but only online ( no offline content). They are currently in Closed Beta, but anybody can get an invite if they register, and if you want to increase your chances of getting one then post on the forum. If not, the Open Beta will most likely start around June to July.
There are very interesting changes and additions here. For one, the whole passive skill system is available for every class, but each class starts nearer the more useful skills for them. Your spells/abilities will be available once you have a skill gem needed for it and put it in the correct socket in any of your socketed items. You will be allowed to remove and add them anytime you want, so the customization level here is amazing. The skill gems level up with the experience you gain from your character ( meaning you don't have to specifically use the gems, just keep them on you).
Note: the game looks better now than in the trailer. The trailer was from pre-CBT gameplay.
Their business model is similar to LoL, meaning there will be only visual purchases and nothing that gives a player any sort of ingame advantage:
Originally Posted by Path of Exile
Completely free to download and play. Supported by ethical microtransactions.
Path of Exile is completely free to play - no upfront costs or monthly fees are required to enjoy 100% of the game content.
To fund the development and maintenance costs of the project, we plan to let players purchase aesthetic perks for their characters such as:
Additional character animations (for example, taunts or PvP victory animations)
Dyes and item skins
Alternate spell effects
Social pets
We will also offer some optional paid services such as:
Inter-realm/inter-account character transfers
Character renaming
You’ll notice nothing in the list above confers an actual gameplay advantage.
Path of Exile Classes
Originally Posted by Classes
Path of Exile has three attributes, around which we have placed the character classes. There are six character classes total and five have been announced so far. Strength (Red): The Marauder
Strength confers raw brute power, and is represented on weapons by high base damage. Strength armor pieces grant physical damage reduction. Monsters aligned with Strength generally hit hard and take many blows to defeat. Our announced Strength character class is the Marauder. Dexterity (Green): The Ranger
Dexterity confers agility in combat, and is represented on weapons by faster attack speeds. Dexterity armor pieces grant the ability to evade enemy blows more often. Monsters aligned with Dexterity are nimble and difficult to hit, often attacking from a distance or with multiple weapons. Our announced Dexterity character class is the Ranger. Intelligence (Blue): The Witch
Intelligence confers knowledge – of both arcane magic and deadly combat techniques. It is represented on weapons through improved critical strikes. Intelligence armor pieces grant the wearer a mystical energy shield which protects them from blows and can recharge when they are out of combat. Monsters aligned with intelligence are often weak spell-casters who can be dangerous if not immediately dealt with. Our announced Intelligence character class is the Witch. Strength/Dexterity: The Duelist
The Duelist is a hybrid character class that excels at both Strength and Dexterity skills. Strength/Intelligence: The Templar
The Templar is aligned with both Strength and Intelligence.
Characters, monsters and items can also be aligned with multiple attributes at once. For example, a staff weapon is generally about 70% strength and 30% intelligence. It differs from a maul (which could be 100% strength) because it is better at scoring critical strikes, but doesn't hit for as much raw physical damage.
There are three playable “hybrid” character classes in Path of Exile. The Duelist and Templar have been announced so far.
Players can use any items or skills, providing they have enough of the relevant attribute requirements. There is the flexibility to dabble in unaligned attributes in order to use off-class skills and items. However, it is generally more efficient for players to invest in the attributes appropriate to their character class.
Path of Exile official FAQ
Originally Posted by FAQ
1. When will Path of Exile be released?
We haven't announced a specific release date, but we entered public Closed Beta in August 2011 and are gradually expanding the pool of testers until we're in Open Beta (likely to be in early 2012), and then release.
2. How do I sign up for the beta?
By creating an account on the site. We will be picking beta users from the set of people who are signed up. This account also allows you to post in our forums and use community features.
3. What character classes can I play?
There are six character classes in Path of Exile, and we've currently announced five - the Marauder, the Ranger, the Witch, the Duelist and the Templar. These classes represent the attributes of strength, dexterity, intelligence, a strength/dexterity hybrid and a strength/intelligence hybrid, respectively.
4. What are attributes?
Our three attributes are strength, dexterity and intelligence. Path of Exile's character classes, items, monsters and skills (both active and passive) are designed around being aligned with some ratio of these attributes. For example, a short sword might be aligned with 50% strength/50% dexterity. This means that it would be most suitable for use by a strength, dexterity or hybrid character class. Similarly, a monster that is aligned with 100% intelligence would have its damage and armor values biased in favor of intelligence mechanics.
5. What's the difference between the character classes?
Besides the obvious aesthetic differences, the classes in Path of Exile are quite diverse. Each starts with different base attributes, and has a specific starting point in the passive skill tree. It's still completely possible to make a Marauder with lots of dexterity, or a Ranger with plenty of intelligence, but you'll be most effective sticking with your character's preferred attribute.
6. What does Path of Exile cost to play?
Path of Exile is 100% free to play, for everyone, forever. Our website will allow the purchase of many in-game perks and aesthetic upgrades, but all of these are completely optional, and players can have a complete, fulfilling gaming experience without spending a penny.
7. I still don't understand how it's free to play - what's the catch?
There is no catch at all, once you download the client you are free to play for as long as you like, with no charge. The purchasable perks do not convey any gameplay benefit, but help you create a unique look for your character and its fighting style.
8. What makes Path of Exile different from other games in the Action RPG genre?
Countless things make Path of Exile different, but here is a short list of the ones we feel most set us apart.
A gritty dark fantasy setting, supporting a hostile cutthroat atmosphere.
Free to play on online servers with persistent character storage in a secure economy.
A unique active skill system that will allow any class to use any skills in the game and augment/combine them how they see fit.
A haunting fixed-perspective 3D game world, constructed with incredible attention to detail.
Deep passive skill system that eschews the mere allocation of stat points when levels are gained
Incredibly complex and sophisticated item system with literally unlimited possibilities.
A random generation system for monster loot that is dynamic and tremendously exciting.
9. What platforms are supported by the game?
Path of Exile will initially launch with support for Windows. No Mac support has been announced yet, but it's something we'll investigate after release.
10. Will you support languages other than English?
Yes, we intend to support other languages once the game has been released.
11. Are there defined roles for players, like tanking, healing and sustained damage?
While we don't have concrete defined roles for any class, there's enough customization with passive and active skills that a player can focus on one type of play. A Marauder, for example, can load up on hit point buffing skills and taunts, and a Ranger could focus purely on offensive skills. We do not intend to have a dedicated healer role.
12. What is the level cap?
A level cap of 100 is currently planned, but players will find that they level up more slowly as they gain experience. You'll need to be very high level and be very well-geared to contend with the end game content on the hardest difficulty level. These diminishing returns mean that the game doesn't suddenly end when the player hits some arbitrary point. If a player wanted, they could improve a single character for years on end.
13. I really love PvP, do you support that?
Yes! In addition to the PvE content, Path of Exile will contain many PvP elements, including random arenas, a ranking system, seasonal ladders and unique PvP item rewards. The game has a tremendously fun and rewarding PvP experience.
14. What are the hardware requirements for Path of Exile?
Path of Exile is designed to run on a huge variety of systems, from an everyday laptop to a top of the line gaming rig. Our detailed art is designed to not only look great, but also reveal additional detail as the resolution is increased to the maximum of 2560x1600. Exact system requirements will be determined closer to release.
At the moment, you will need a Graphics Card with Pixel Shader 3.0 or higher, and a CPU that supports SSE2. At least 2GB of RAM is recommended, and older Integrated Graphics Cards will not run well.
If anybody is playing PoE, you can post here so I can add your PoE forum name below.
Current players:
Zalmoxis ( that's me obviously)
missuse
Unicornninja ( JellyNinja)