Quote (Reezes @ Jan 2 2013 08:45am)
Path of Exile is 100 times better then D3, it might even compete and exceed D2 once they are finished. Better jump in and get prepared for release
As someone that has reached paragon 100 in D3 and has multiple 99s in D2, I would use exactly that phrase to describe PoE. I loved D2's ladder system, but path of exile has created an even better system:
After open beta is released, the hardcore and default realms will never be wiped. Instead, rather than having new ladders, new temporary realms will be created that feed into the default/hardcore systems when they end. These vary from 1-3 hour races to 1 week-3month races to cutthroat mode (Realm wide pvp enabled at all times in which kills cause equipment to drop). On top of that, hardcore players that die feed into the default realm.
As far as gameplay itself is concerned - the skill and passive system is completely unique and spectacularly designed. Equipment has red, green, and blue sockets. These can be used to socket skill gems of the corresponding colors. The sockets can be linked together allowing support gems to be used with the skills:
For instance, ice spear can be linked with the support gems "lesser multiple projectiles" causing you to fire 3 projectiles at the same time as well as "chain" causing hits to chain to 2 additional targets (You can link dozens of different support gems to it - those are just examples). The passive grid is already linked by an above poster. These 2 features allow for a massive number of unique builds, whereas a game like D3 pigeonholes you into using a few extremely generic builds that all vie for the same gear.
Finally, Path of exile does not use gold. The currency is strictly through different orbs used to manipulate items.
In conclusion: Definitely worth buying a beta key.