How to Team Up With Friends - Path of Exile Multiplayer Guide
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain everything you need to know to play Path of Exile with friends, from basic party setup and mechanics to advanced multiplayer strategies and considerations for the endgame. Whether you're brand new or returning for a new league, this guide will ensure you and your friends get the most out of your multiplayer experience.
Why Play Path of Exile Multiplayer?
Before diving into the mechanics, it's important to understand the benefits of multiplayer in PoE:
Increased Efficiency: Clear content faster with combined DPS and specialized roles.
Loot Sharing: Strategically trade and share loot to help each other progress.
Synergy Builds: Some builds shine when played alongside complementary friends' builds.
Easier Bosses: Certain bosses become more manageable with more players.
Social Experience: Simply put, it's more fun to experience Wraeclast together!
However, PoE multiplayer comes with trade-offs, such as increased monster health and difficulty scaling, which we'll cover shortly.
How to Play With Friends in Path of Exile
Step 1: Add Friends on Your Friends List
Open the Social Menu: Press the "S" key by default or click the social icon in the bottom-right UI.
Navigate to the Friends Tab: In the menu, there's a tab dedicated to managing friends.
Search and Add Friend: Enter your friend's Account Name (not character name) and send a friend request.
Once accepted, you'll see their online status and character.
Step 2: Form a Party
Right-click your friend's name in the friends list and select "Invite to Party."
Alternatively, if they're nearby in town, right-click their character directly and invite them.
Upon acceptance, you'll see their portrait appear on the left-hand side of your screen.
Step 3: Join Instances Together
Synchronize Instances: When a party member enters an area, others can Ctrl+Click the entrance portal to choose the same instance.
If a member is already inside a zone, you can right-click their portrait and select "Teleport to Player" to join them directly.
Step 4: Party Settings
Access the party interface via the social menu.
The Party Settings allow you to manage:
Loot Allocation Mode: Determines how loot is distributed (explained below).
Visibility: Allows parties to be private or public (joinable by others).
Understanding Loot Allocation Options
When playing multiplayer, how loot drops is critical to a smooth experience. PoE offers multiple loot allocation settings:
Free for All: Everyone can pick up any item instantly. This is chaotic but fast.
Short Allocation: Items are assigned to specific players briefly, then become free-for-all.
Permanent Allocation: Items are permanently assigned to specific players. Prevents "ninja looting."
For playing with trusted friends, Short or Permanent Allocation is generally preferred to ensure fairness.
Multiplayer Scaling Explained
PoE dynamically adjusts difficulty in multiplayer:
Monster Life Increases: More players = higher monster health. For example, in a full 6-player party, monster health can scale up significantly.
Monster Damage Scaling: While not as steep as health scaling, monsters also deal more damage.
More Loot: The quantity of item drops increases, but not necessarily the rarity.
Example:
Solo: 100% monster health
Duo: ~50% extra health
Full party (6): ~300%+ monster health
This means that efficient multiplayer requires coordination and synergized builds to ensure you're not slowing down due to tougher enemies.
Best Ways to Play With Friends
1. Campaign Leveling Together
Playing the campaign with friends is enjoyable but comes with pace challenges:
Stick Together: To benefit from XP sharing, stay within proximity.
Split Pushing: One strategy is to have one person speed ahead to set waypoints while others follow.
Communication is Key: Synchronizing quest completions avoids confusion.
2. Mapping and Endgame Farming
The Atlas of Worlds (Maps) is where multiplayer really shines:
Rotations: Take turns opening maps to share costs.
Specialized Roles: One player can focus on damage, another on curses or support auras.
Experience Share: Players within map proximity share experience.
3. Boss Fights
Fighting endgame bosses (Sirus, Maven, Uber Elder) is easier with friends, but be prepared:
Coordination: Boss mechanics are tougher with multiple players.
Build Balance: Having one glass cannon and one tankier build helps survive mechanics.
Loot Sharing: Discuss how loot will be distributed before the fight.
4. Delve, Heist, and Other Leagues
Some content like Delve and Heist can be done in multiplayer, though:
In Delve, only the instance creator can upgrade the crawler, but others can help clear mobs.
In Heist, stealth is harder with multiple players, but combat phases become easier.
Multiplayer Build Synergy
To maximize efficiency, friends can coordinate synergistic builds:
Auras and Buffs: A character specializing in auras (Guardian or Necromancer) can supercharge DPS characters.
Curses: Cursebots apply multiple curses, debuffing enemies.
Support Totems: Builds using Decoy Totems or defensive skills can draw aggro.
Magic Find: A dedicated magic find player boosts overall loot drops.
This strategy is more common in endgame farming parties, especially in profitable rotations.
Trading and Sharing Gear
In Path of Exile, direct trading between party members is instant and free:
Right-click a player in your party and choose "Trade."
Trade windows allow secure exchanges with item previews.
Useful for quickly giving gear upgrades, Path of exile currency, or crafting materials.
Cross-League and Cross-Platform Play
League Restrictions
You can only party with friends on the same league (e.g., both in Standard, or both in current Challenge League like Crucible or Trial of the Ancestors).
Cross-Platform
Currently, Path of Exile does not support cross-platform multiplayer.
PC, Xbox, and PlayStation have separate servers and ecosystems.
Tips for a Smooth Multiplayer Experience
Communicate via Voice Chat: Discord or other platforms improve coordination.
Avoid Lag: More particle effects and mobs in multiplayer can strain weaker PCs.
Sync Waypoints: Ensure everyone has key waypoints unlocked to avoid delays.
Backup Progress: Hardcore players should be extra careful - death in multiplayer is permanent in Hardcore.
Respect Play Styles: Not everyone enjoys the same pace - set expectations early.
Common Multiplayer Pitfalls to Avoid
Experience Leeching: Staying too far from the action means no XP.
Loot Disputes: Always agree on loot rules before engaging bosses or maps. You can also buy POE currency to share with you friends.
AFK in Maps: Don't idle during endgame maps - it endangers the team.
Unequal Power Levels: If one friend is overgeared, they may trivialize content, reducing the experience for others.
Final Thoughts
Playing Path of Exile multiplayer with friends is one of the best ways to enjoy the game's intricate mechanics and brutal challenges. While solo play offers its own rewards, teaming up allows for faster progress, better loot, and a richer social experience.
With proper communication, understanding of scaling mechanics, and strategic build synergy, you and your friends can conquer the harsh world of Wraeclast together - whether that means blitzing through maps, farming endgame bosses, or just enjoying the complex world of PoE.