Path of Exile 2 Multiplayer Guide: Online and Local Co-Op Explained

Understanding Multiplayer Options in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 offers distinct multiplayer experiences, and understanding which one suits your setup is the first step toward a smooth adventure. Whether you are looking to team up with friends across the globe or play side-by-side on the couch, the game handles these scenarios differently.

Currently, multiplayer is divided into two primary categories: Online Co-Op and Local Screen Co-Op. Each comes with its own technical requirements and limitations. Before starting, ensure you understand how your account linking status affects your ability to play, as this is a frequent point of confusion for new players.

Online Co-Op

Requires two separate Path of Exile accounts running on two different devices. Accounts must not be linked to each other to play simultaneously. This mode allows for independent screen management and full control using your preferred peripherals.

Local Screen Co-Op

Requires one Path of Exile account running on a single device. You must use two controllers, as there is no keyboard and mouse support for the second player. Both players share the same screen—there is no split-screen functionality.

Setting Up Your Co-Op Session

The setup process differs significantly depending on whether you are playing online or locally. One of the most critical aspects to manage is your account configuration, especially if you have linked accounts across different platforms (e.g., Steam and console).

The Account Linking Trap

Many players attempt to use linked accounts to facilitate co-op, assuming they can play on two devices simultaneously. According to community reports, this will result in an error: "Someone is currently logged into this account." If you have linked your Steam account with a console account, you cannot use them to play together at the same time. To play online co-op, each player must use a distinct, unlinked account.

Local Co-Op Requirements

For those opting for "couch" co-op, the process is streamlined but comes with specific constraints:

• Controllers Only: Even on PC, the second player must use a controller. Keyboard and mouse support is generally limited to the primary player or single-player setups.
• Shared Screen: The game does not support split-screen. Players must stay within the same viewing area, which can lead to characters bumping into each other during intense combat.
• Character Management: All characters in local co-op belong to the same account.

Essential Party Mechanics

When you are in a party, the game provides several tools to manage the experience. These mechanics are designed to make group play fair, especially when there is a level disparity between party members.

Item Allocation

Managing loot is a common source of friction in multiplayer games. Path of Exile 2 allows the party leader to set allocation rules, ensuring that loot distribution matches your group's preferences.

• Free-for-all: Any item that drops is immediately available for anyone to pick up. This is high-risk but allows for fast-paced play.
• Short Allocation: Items are initially reserved for the player they dropped for, but become available to everyone after a short duration. This is usually the best balance for casual groups.
• Permanent Allocation: Items remain reserved for the designated player indefinitely. This is the safest setting to prevent accidental loot theft, though it can cause issues if a player's inventory is full and they cannot pick up a unique item, effectively leaving it on the ground for others.

Level Downscaling

One of the most helpful features for playing with friends who have different playtimes is level downscaling.

Tip

Why use level downscaling? If a high-level player joins a low-level friend, they might normally "one-shot" everything, stealing all the experience points (XP) and leaving the lower-level player under-leveled. With downscaling enabled, the higher-level player's stats are adjusted, ensuring the lower-level friend still earns the majority of the XP.

The party leader controls this setting. While the high-level player will still retain access to their abilities (making them powerful), the scaling prevents the severe XP penalty that would otherwise ruin the progression for the lower-level party member.

Navigating and Warping with Friends

Movement and grouping mechanics can feel unintuitive at first. Understanding how to navigate the map with your party is essential for efficient campaign progress.

Teleporting and Checkpoints

If you are in a party, you can click on your party member's icon in the social menu to teleport to their location, provided there is a checkpoint nearby. However, this is not always seamless. If you split off from your partner to explore a different path, you cannot warp to a checkpoint they discovered if you haven't touched it yourself.

The Town Portal Strategy

1. If you and your partner are separated, have the player who is further ahead or at the boss location drop a Town Portal.
2. The second player can then return to town and interact with that portal to warp directly to the first player's location.
3. This is a highly effective workaround for speedrunning the campaign or reaching bosses quickly.

Community-Reported Challenges and Workarounds

The community has identified several nuances and bugs regarding multiplayer, particularly in local co-op. Being aware of these can save you significant frustration.

The Map Device and Trading

Players have noted that in local co-op, the second player often cannot interact with the map device. Furthermore, trading can be cumbersome. If you are in local co-op, you may find that you cannot initiate trades easily. Players suggest that the party leader should handle mapping, and if you need to trade, you may need to teleport to a hideout and carefully manage the trade window timing.

Loot and Trial Issues

There have been community reports regarding the "Trial of Chaos." Some players have experienced issues where rewards are shared or bugged when playing as a group.

Warning

Trial of Chaos Looting Players have reported that in certain trials, the game may struggle to distribute rewards correctly between two players on the same account. In some instances, only one set of rewards drops, or the loot appears shared, which can be frustrating if you were expecting individual progression. It is generally recommended to tackle these specific trials solo if you encounter these issues.

FAQ

Can I play online co-op with a friend using my linked account on a different device?

No. If your accounts are linked, the game will prevent simultaneous logins on multiple devices. You must use two separate, unlinked accounts to play online co-op together.

Why does my high-level friend keep stealing all the XP?

This usually happens because level downscaling is disabled. The party leader should ensure the level downscaling option is toggled on. This adjusts the higher-level player's power and prevents the XP penalty for the lower-level player.

Can we use split-screen for local co-op?

No, Path of Exile 2 does not support split-screen. Both players will share the same camera view, which means you must stay close to each other to avoid being pulled off-screen or bumping into one another.

How do I pick up maps if I am not the party leader in local co-op?

In local co-op, the party leader is often the only one who can pick up maps. If the non-leader dies or cannot interact with the map device, it can be problematic. Some players have found that inviting a third player (online) and setting the allocation to "free-for-all" can sometimes allow the non-leader to pick up maps, though this is a workaround rather than a standard feature.