Path of Exile 2 is set to expand upon the foundation of its predecessor, offering players an even deeper and more complex action RPG experience. While the game has always been known for its rich, loot-driven progression and vast itemization, Path of Exile 2 introduces a new level of complexity and customization, especially when it comes to the in-game shop. Whether you are a new player just beginning your journey in Path of Exile 2, or a veteran returning for the next chapter, understanding what to prioritize in the shop can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.

The in-game shop in Path of Exile 2 offers a variety of cosmetic items, quality-of-life improvements, and convenience features. While some items are purely cosmetic, others can be crucial for improving your gameplay efficiency and providing powerful boosts to your progression. In this article, we'll discuss six of the most important things you should buy first when diving into Path of Exile 2 to get the most out of your experience.

1. Stash Tabs

One of the first things any serious player should invest in is stash tabs. In Path of Exile 2, as with its predecessor, the game's inventory management system can quickly become overwhelming, especially as you begin collecting hundreds or thousands of items. Stash tabs are essential for organizing your loot, ensuring that you don't waste time searching for items, and allowing you to better manage your build's progress.

Premium Stash Tabs: These are highly recommended because they not only increase your storage space but also give you the ability to label and categorize items by tags. This can be incredibly useful for players who want to organize their loot based on various criteria (e.g., crafting materials, currency, specific item types). Premium tabs also allow you to sell items directly to other players, making them an important tool if you want to optimize Poe 2 trade and currency farming.

Specialty Tabs: Some stash tabs are designed for specific types of items. For example, Currency Stash Tabs are designed to store your in-game currency (like Orbs, Chaos Orbs, Exalted Orbs, etc.) and prevent them from cluttering up your regular stash. Divination Card Tabs allow you to neatly store and track divination cards, which are important for certain crafting recipes and rewards. These tabs are an excellent way to streamline your inventory and make your playing experience less stressful.

Why Buy First: Stash tabs are an essential part of Path of Exile 2 for both organization and efficiency. Without them, you will quickly find yourself overwhelmed with inventory space issues, making it difficult to progress effectively. Investing in stash tabs early will save you a lot of frustration and give you the space you need to collect loot, currency, and crafting materials.

2. Premium Microtransaction Items

While purely cosmetic, premium microtransaction items can be a great investment if you want to add a personal touch to your character and enjoy the aesthetic aspects of Path of Exile 2. These items include skins, character effects, weapon skins, and visual effects that can customize your character's appearance.

Cosmetic Armor Sets: These are purely visual items that transform your character's appearance without affecting gameplay. For players who appreciate a visually appealing experience, these armor sets can be a fun way to stand out in the world of Path of Exile 2.

Weapon and Skill Effect Skins: If you're invested in a particular weapon type or skill, these items can dramatically change how your attacks look and feel. For example, changing the visual effects of your spells can provide a more satisfying experience as you mow down enemies.

Why Buy First: While premium cosmetics don't give you a direct advantage in gameplay, they can significantly enhance the visual appeal of the game, making your journey more enjoyable. Furthermore, purchasing these items helps support the developers, which is a win-win for both you and the game's future development.

3. Character Slots

As you progress in Path of Exile 2, you'll likely want to experiment with different character builds. The game's vast array of skill trees and customization options means that players can easily lose themselves in the pursuit of creating different character types. To make this process easier, investing in extra character slots is a wise move.

Additional Character Slots: Each account comes with a few default character slots, but if you want to play multiple builds simultaneously or try out different classes, you will need to purchase additional slots. This allows you to maintain separate characters for different playstyles without needing to delete or overwrite existing ones.

Why Buy First: Having extra character slots can improve your overall flexibility and allow you to explore different classes and builds without restarting the game from scratch. It's especially important if you're planning to test out multiple builds to see what works best for your playstyle.

4. Increased Map Stash Tab

In Path of Exile 2, mapping is a key component of endgame progression. As you explore the world, you'll eventually reach the endgame where you will engage in mapping to gain valuable loot, experience, and crafting materials. The Map Stash Tab is essential for organizing your maps and ensuring you have easy access to them when needed.

Map Stash Tab: This specialized stash tab allows you to store and organize your map items, such as Atlas Maps, Map Fragments, and Map Scarabs. Instead of cluttering your regular stash tabs with maps, the Map Stash Tab will give you a dedicated space to keep your maps neatly organized. It also helps track your progress and allows you to quickly locate the map you want to run next.

Why Buy First: The Map Stash Tab is crucial for players who want to dive deep into endgame content and mapping. It streamlines the process, making it much easier to progress through the endgame without losing track of your maps or becoming overwhelmed by inventory clutter.

5. Currency Stash Tab

As you venture through the game, you'll accumulate a wide variety of currency items (cheap POE 2 Chaos Orbs, Exalted Orbs, etc.), which are essential for crafting and trading. Without a dedicated Currency Stash Tab, you'll quickly find your stash full of these items, making it hard to manage them efficiently.

Currency Stash Tab: This tab is specifically designed to help you store and organize your currency items. It auto-stacks similar currency items, making it easy to find the exact item you need. This tab also allows you to easily track your currency, which is invaluable when crafting, trading, or upgrading gear.

Why Buy First: Organizing your currency early is essential for managing your loot and crafting materials effectively. The Currency Stash Tab will allow you to keep track of your wealth without constantly sorting through a cluttered stash.

6. Bonus Experience or Quantity Boosts

In Path of Exile 2, progressing through the game's vast skill trees and leveling up your character can take considerable time and effort. While this is part of the core appeal, many players opt to purchase bonus experience boosts or increased item quantity through the in-game shop to speed up the process.

Experience Boosters: These microtransactions temporarily increase the amount of experience you gain from kills or quests, allowing you to level up faster and access endgame content more quickly.

Item Quantity Boosters: These provide a temporary increase in the number of items that drop from slain enemies or completed quests, increasing your loot rewards and speeding up your farming efforts.

Why Buy First: If you want to progress through Path of Exile 2's expansive content faster, these boosts are an effective way to make your journey smoother and more rewarding.

Conclusion

When playing Path of Exile 2, managing your inventory, experimenting with different builds, and progressing through endgame content can be a challenge. Fortunately, the in-game shop offers several items that can significantly improve your overall experience. By investing in stash tabs, extra character slots, map stash tabs, and currency tabs, you can stay organized and efficient throughout your journey. Additionally, purchasing cosmetic items and experience/item quantity boosts can enhance your enjoyment of the game while speeding up your progression.

Ultimately, the items you buy first in Path of Exile 2 depend on your personal playstyle, but these six purchases will provide a solid foundation to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and efficient journey through the game's complex world.