Path of Exile, developed by Grinding Gear Games, is a highly engaging and complex action RPG known for its deep mechanics, intricate skill tree, and seemingly endless content. While the game offers nearly limitless replayability through its randomly generated maps and various endgame activities, players often wonder how long it takes to beat the main campaign. This article aims to address that question by exploring the time investment required to complete the main story, as well as the time needed to experience all the content Path of Exile has to offer, including challenge leagues.

How Long Does It Take To Beat the Main Story in Path of Exile?

Understanding the Main Story

The main story of Path of Exile is divided into ten acts, each filled with quests, dungeons, and boss fights. These acts take players through various environments, from the beaches of Wraeclast to the  Path Of Exile Currency ancient temples and bustling cities. The journey culminates in challenging encounters against powerful bosses, testing the player's skills and character build.

Average Time to Complete the Main Story

For a player who is familiar with action RPGs but new to Path of Exile, completing the main story can take anywhere from 20 to 30 hours. This estimate accounts for a relatively smooth playthrough without significant grinding or side activities.

Experienced players who are well-versed in the game’s mechanics and optimal routes can complete the main story much faster, often in 10 to 15 hours. These players typically know how to efficiently navigate the  POE Exalted Orbs maps, defeat bosses, and leverage their character builds to progress quickly.

Factors Affecting Completion Time

Experience Level: New players will spend more time learning the mechanics, experimenting with skills, and understanding the best strategies for progression.

Character Build: Certain builds can clear content faster than others. For example, a high-damage, fast-movement build will progress through the story quicker than a more defensive or complex build.

Play Style: Players who take the time to explore every nook and cranny, complete side quests, and engage with the game’s lore will naturally take longer to finish the main story.

Difficulty Spikes: Some boss encounters and areas can be particularly challenging, requiring multiple attempts and strategic adjustments, which can extend playtime.

Completing All Content in Path of Exile

Endgame Content

After finishing the main story, Path of Exile’s endgame content opens up, offering a multitude of activities designed to keep players engaged. The core of the endgame revolves around the Atlas of Worlds, a map-based system that allows players to explore randomly generated maps with increasing difficulty and rewards.

Mapping: Running maps is the primary endgame activity. Players can spend hundreds or even thousands of hours exploring the Atlas, farming for loot, and improving their characters.

Conquerors of the Atlas: This expansion added new endgame bosses known as Conquerors, which provide additional layers of challenge and rewards.

Sirus, Awakener of Worlds: The ultimate boss of the Conquerors of the Atlas expansion, defeating Sirus is a significant milestone in the endgame.

League Mechanics: Each new challenge league introduces unique mechanics and content. Engaging with these leagues can add substantial playtime as players start fresh and explore new features.

Average Time for Full Completion

Achieving full completion in Path of Exile, including mastering endgame content, completing all league challenges, and collecting rare items, can take an astronomical amount of time. For most dedicated players, investing 500 to 1,000 hours is not uncommon. The game's complexity and depth, combined with regular content updates, ensure that there is always something new to strive for.

Challenge Leagues

Path of Exile introduces challenge leagues approximately every three months. These leagues provide a fresh start for all players and feature new mechanics, items, and challenges. Participating in challenge leagues can significantly extend playtime, as players often strive to complete all league-specific challenges and earn exclusive rewards.

Hardcore and Solo Self-Found Modes

For players seeking additional challenges, Path of Exile offers Hardcore and Solo Self-Found (SSF) modes. Hardcore mode features permanent death, where a single mistake can end a character’s journey. SSF mode restricts trading and grouping, emphasizing self-sufficiency. Both modes provide unique experiences and can greatly increase the time required to achieve completion.

Time Investment for Different Playstyles

Casual Players: Casual players who log in a few times a week and play at a relaxed pace might take several months to complete the main story and start exploring endgame content.

Dedicated Players: More dedicated players who spend several hours a day can progress through the main story quickly and start engaging with the endgame within a week or two.

Hardcore Enthusiasts: Hardcore enthusiasts who play extensively, experiment with multiple builds, and participate in every league can easily invest thousands of hours into Path of Exile.

Conclusion

Path of Exile offers a vast and varied experience that caters to different playstyles and levels of commitment. The main story can be completed in 20 to 30 hours by new players, while experienced players can finish it in 10 to 15 hours. However, the true depth of the game lies in its endgame content, challenge leagues, and various gameplay modes, which can collectively require hundreds to thousands of hours to fully experience.

For those who enjoy the grind, the strategic depth, and the ever-evolving nature of Path of Exile, the game provides nearly endless replayability. Whether you are a casual player or a dedicated enthusiast, Path of Exile offers a rich and rewarding journey through the dark and intricate world of Wraeclast.