Path of Exile: Skill tree explained - here's how the system works

Path of Exile is strongly based on Diablo, but the biggest difference are the skills depending on the class. Our guide explains Path of Exile's skill tree and what it means for each character.

Many possibilities: In Path of Exile, every class has access to the same skill tree.

In role-playing games, class and skill usually belong firmly together. Path of Exile doesn't follow this rule and that provides flexibility.

Path of Exile: Skill tree with many possibilities

The skill tree in Path of Exile is large and can seem overwhelming at first glance. Yet the system is not complicated at all:

• The skill tree is displayed to each character completely identically and without restrictions. The choice of class determines where in the skill tree you start.
• From there you can move in any direction by assigning points.
• There are logical limits: For example, for a warrior class like the Maraudeur, the path to intelligence-based skills is further than for a magic class.

In any case, the skill tree contains only passive skills, those that improve their stats, but no directly applicable abilities. These are available in Path of Exile in the form of gems, and again, any class can basically use any skill, provided that the prerequisites (such as sufficient attributes) are met.Through this system, individual characters and customization as needed are possible - this is a difference from Diablo and many other role-playing games.