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Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2)

League Guide and List of All Leagues

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★ League: Rise of the Abyssal ▶︎ The Third Edict
┗ Lineage Gems | Asynchronous Trade | Sprint
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┗ Check out the new Abyssal Lich ascendancy!

POE 2 - League Guide and List of All Leagues

Leagues are game modes in Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) that players can choose from based on their preferred playstyle. Check out our guide to learn what are leagues, how to choose a league, and a list of leagues in the game.

List of Contents

What are Leagues?

Game Modes With Different Mechanics

Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) List of Leagues

The game features two permanent leagues players can choose from: Standard and Hardcore. Each League has their own set of characteristics that work best depending on a player's desired difficulty and playstyle.

Game Modes Description
Standard The recommended way to play the game
Hardcore Hardcore mode increases the difficulty, making the experience more challenging.
Solo Self-Found Has the default difficulty, but cannot interact with other players.
Hardcore SSF Has the Solo Self-Found mechanics but with an increased difficulty.

Standard League

Standard League is the game's default league where players both new or experienced are most likely to join as there are no consequences for dying and players can trade freely with one another.

This game mode is ideal for most players as you can play through the game's content without having to be concerned over dying.

Hardcore League

Hardcore is suited for players that want a more challenging experience as there is a permadeath mechanic where dying anytime in this League will send your character to the Standard League, effectively losing access to the Hardcore League for that specific character permanently.

If PoE 2 brings over this game mode from the previous game, this is most likely what players can expect.

Solo Self-Found

Solo Self-Found is a game mode where you cannot interact with other players, disabling features such as trading. This is inteded for players who wants to play the game solo.

What is Solo Self-Found (SSF)?

Hardcore SSF

Hardcore SSF is a more difficult version of Solo Self-Found, and is intended for players wanting an even more challenging experience! There aren't any online features here as well, like trading, which may make it harder to acquire equipment.

Temporary Events with New Content

Similar to Seasons in other ARPG games, the same concept also exists in this game with Challenge Leagues. The duration of these leagues can vary while also having exclusive modifiers that isn't available in the permanent leagues.

Upon completion of a Challenge League, the character can then be brought over to either permanent league.

How to Choose a League

Choose Your League Before Creating a Character

POE 2 - Character Select screen

Players will have the choice of selecting their preferred League before they create their character. Do note that while you from Hardcore to Standard upon dying, there is no way of switching from Standard to Hardcore during a playthrough so be sure of your choice before creating a character.

List of All Leagues

All Available Leagues

League Duration
Standard Permanent
Hardcore Permanent
Dawn of the Hunt Temporary
(ends August 29, 2025)
Rise of the Abyssal Temporary
(starts August 29, 2025)

Path of Exile 2 Related Guides

PoE 2 Wiki Partial

Path of Exile 2 Guides

Path of Exile 2 Wiki Contents
Builds Partial Banner.pngBuilds PoE 2 List of ClassesClasses
PoE 2 Tips and TricksTips and Tricks Path of Exile 2 - All Bosses Partial BannerBosses
Path of Exile 2 WalkthroughWalkthrough POE 2 QuestsQuests
Path of Exile 2 - Gems Partial BannerGems Path of Exile 2 - ItemsItems
Path of Exile 2 - Weapons Partial Banner ImageWeapons Path of Exile 2 - Armors Partial BannerArmors
Path of Exile 2 - Accessories Partial BannerAccessories Path of Exile 2 - Passive SkillsPassives
Path of Exile 2 - SkillsSkills Path of Exile 2 - Trials Partial Ascension Trials
Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) Glossary Glossary Atlas of Worlds Atlas of Worlds
Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) Leagues Leagues Path of Exile 2 - Characters Partial BannerCharacters
PoE 2 - CosmeticsCosmetics Path of Exile - Shop Bundles and MicrotransactionsMicrotransactions
Spectre Partial Banner.pngSpectres Path of Exile 2 - UniquesUniques
PoE 2 Latest News and UpdatesNews and Updates -

## List of Recommended Guides
Path of Exile - How to Prepare For Dawn of the HuntHow to Prepare for Dawn of the Hunt POE 2 Best Stash TabsBest Stash Tabs to Buy
Best Class Tier ListBest Class Tier List POE 2 Best Stash TabsBest Stash Tabs to Buy
Path of Exile 2 - Which Class is Best For You?Which Class Should You Play? Easiest Class to Play.pngEasiest Class to Play
Path of Exile 2 - Twilight Order Reliquary Key Submission BoardTwilight Order Reliquary Guide and Sharing Board Path of Exile 2 - Loot Filters GuideHow to Use Loot Filters
Diablo 4 PlayerDiablo 4 Player's Guide to PoE 2 Path of Exile 2 - Best Minions to Summon.pngBest Minions to Summon
Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) Best Ways to Farm Currency Best Ways to Farm Currency Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) Best Unique Equipment Best Unique Equipment
Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) Best Charms to Use Best Charms to Use Path of Exile 2 - Best SpectresBest Spectres
Path of Exile 2 - Best CompanionsBest Companions List of SpectresList of Spectres
POE 2 - Spirit Quests and Bosses All Spirit Quests and Bosses -

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