Path of Exile 2 Microtransactions Guide

I’ve played Path of Exile 2 since the beta and I still buy MTX—carefully. Here I explain what matters, why it matters, and how I spend my money so you don’t waste yours. I write this as a long-time player and I’ll be direct: some purchases save time, others are pure vanity. Choose deliberately.

MTX in PoE 2 use Points, bought with real money. As of March 3, 2025, Grinding Gear Games sells standard point bundles and periodic supporter packs. Prices below reflect typical store offerings and sale behavior observed across several leagues; there are exceptions depending on regional payment methods and occasional special bundles.

How Points usually break down (exact example)

Watch this: buy bigger bundles for better convenience. Here’s a clear table I used when budgeting.

Package	Points	Typical Price (USD)	Cost/Point
Small	50	$5	$0.10
Medium	200	$20	$0.10
Large	500	$50	$0.10
Bulk	1000	$100	$0.10

These rates were common in the store as of 2025-03-03. Don’t treat them as immutable law—sales change things.

What I buy first (and why)

Short answer: stash tabs. Long answer: stash tabs reduce friction in a way cosmetics don’t.

In my experience the order that gives the most tangible benefit is: currency tab, map tab, and a premium tab or two for trading. Why? Time saved. Less inventory tedium means more playtime and faster progression (especially if you farm a lot).

• Currency Tab (≈75 pts) — auto-stacks and auto-sorts currency. If you trade, this pays back in minutes saved per session.
• Map Tab (≈150 pts) — groups maps by tier; stops accidental map deletion and saves loadout time.
• Premium Tab Bundle (≈165 pts for 6) — allows public pricing for items. If you trade, it’s basically required.

There’s a quick calculation I use (code-style):

// rough ROI in minutes
saved_minutes_per_hour = 10;
hours_played_per_week = 8;
weeks_to_break_even = (cost_in_minutes/ (saved_minutes_per_hour * hours_played_per_week));

Cosmetics: how to think about them

Cosmetics don’t change your damage. They change how you feel while playing. I’ve noticed that feeling confident in a build can change how often I play it. That’s real value, if subjective.

Popular categories:

• Armor sets (320–840 pts)
• Skill effects (110–180 pts)
• Pets (65–250 pts)
• Hideouts and decorations (5–300 pts)

Surprisingly, pets and small effects often bring the most joy for the least money. Armor sets cost more but are visible everywhere—great for social scenes in town.

“If you want utility, buy stash tabs. If you want personality, buy cosmetics.” — my practical take

Supporter packs and first-time deals

Supporter packs usually offer points roughly equal to their dollar price, plus exclusive cosmetics. They rotate; some packs return, some don’t. The First Blood Pack (commonly $20) is widely recommended because it gives about 200 points plus an extra stash tab and a weapon effect—great first buy for new accounts (one-time purchase only).

Tier	Typical Price	Points	Common Contents
Aspirant	$30	300	Armor set, portrait
Champion	$100	1000	Armor set, pet, hideout

There’s a controversy here: supporter packs help fund the game, but some exclusive cosmetics create artificial scarcity that fuels collector spending. Honestly, I think limits are fine for funding; gouging isn’t.

Timing purchases: a simple plan

I follow a basic rhythm: buy First Blood if new, then wait for stash tab sales (every few weeks; note: GGG often runs tab sales around league starts and major events). Sales can cut tab prices 20–50%. Patience stretches your points.

1. First Blood pack (if new)
2. Wait for stash tab sale
3. Buy currency tab → map tab → premium tabs

There are exceptions. If you need a single cosmetic for an event or streamer collab, don’t overthink—a $10 buy for a few hours of enjoyment is sometimes worth it. Depends on your niche.

Hideouts and decoration philosophy

Decorating is a slow-burn hobby (I spend weekends tweaking mine). Premium hideouts cost 150–300 pts; decorations run 5–60 pts. If you craft frequently, a functional hideout with important crafting stations is more valuable than an elaborate throne room—though the throne room is fun, okay?

One odd insight

Counterintuitive but true: spending a little on cosmetics can increase your retention. If you love how your character looks, you’ll play longer. That’s not a lie; it’s behavioral economics in action.

Controversial point two: some veteran players hoard tabs and never use them efficiently. You can hoard—many do—but it’s wasted opportunity cost (and yes, I’ve been guilty of this).

Final practical tips (short)

• Check sales on exact dates like 2025-04-10 or 2025-07-18 (holiday/weekend promos often appear then).
• Buy stash tabs before cosmetics if you want efficiency.
• Supporter packs are good value if you want exclusive cosmetics and don’t mind the limited-time nature.
• There are exceptions—some tiny buys bring disproportionate joy.

Between us: don’t feel pressured to collect everything. Start with utility; add personality later. I’ll probably buy another set next league—because I like the look, not because I need it. You’ll find your pattern.

Happy hunting, Exile! 🎮