Path of Exile 2: Sidekick Features & Installation Guide

In Path of Exile 2, the Sidekick system introduces a brand-new way to enhance your gameplay experience, allowing you to summon powerful allies to fight alongside you in the dangerous world of Wraeclast. These companions not only provide extra support in combat but also come with unique features and abilities tailored to different playstyles. This guide will walk you through the Sidekick system, its features, and how to install and make the most of it in Path of Exile 2.

What is the Sidekick System?

The Sidekick system in Path of Exile 2 allows players to summon and recruit sidekicks, who are AI-controlled companions that assist you in combat. These sidekicks offer a variety of benefits, including:

• Combat Assistance: They fight alongside you, helping to clear enemies and deal with bosses.
• Buffs and Debuffs: Some sidekicks provide useful buffs to enhance your damage, defense, or survivability. Others may debuff enemies to make them more vulnerable.
• Unique Skills: Each sidekick has its own set of skills, adding a layer of strategy and customization to how you approach different encounters.
• Item Sharing: Sidekicks can equip items, including weapons, armor, and accessories, which you can equip, swap, and upgrade to suit your playstyle.

Key Features of the Sidekick System

1. Diverse Sidekicks with Different Roles The game offers a variety of sidekicks, each with different roles:
   • Tanky Sidekicks: These companions have high survivability, drawing aggro away from you and soaking up damage.
   • Damage Dealers: These sidekicks specialize in dishing out high amounts of damage, focusing on offensive abilities and critical strikes.
   • Support Sidekicks: These companions provide buffs and healing, helping to keep you alive and boosting your overall effectiveness in battle.
   • Hybrid Sidekicks: Some sidekicks combine aspects of multiple roles, offering versatility to suit various builds.
2. Leveling and Progression Sidekicks can level up as you progress through the game, becoming more powerful and unlocking new abilities. As your sidekick gains experience, they may also become capable of equipping better gear or learning new skills.
3. Unique Abilities and Skills Every sidekick has unique abilities that can be activated during combat. These abilities often synergize with different playstyles, allowing you to create powerful combinations of skills. For example:
   • Some sidekicks might buff your critical hit chance or increase your attack speed.
   • Others might provide crowd control abilities like stunning or freezing enemies.
   • Certain sidekicks can summon minions or deploy traps, adding more depth to the combat.
4. Sidekick Affinity In addition to their abilities and gear, sidekicks also have affinities that influence their behavior and the types of bonuses they provide. These affinities can be aligned with different elements (Fire, Cold, Lightning, Chaos, etc.) or specific character traits (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence).
5. Cooperative Play The Sidekick system shines in cooperative play. In group scenarios, sidekicks can assist other players in the party, creating opportunities for powerful combos and synergies. Whether you’re playing solo or with friends, sidekicks make your journey more dynamic and exciting.

How to Install and Use the Sidekick System

1. Unlocking the Sidekick System The Sidekick system becomes available after completing a specific milestone in the game’s main story or after reaching a certain level threshold. You will be introduced to the system through a quest or special NPC, who will explain how to summon, manage, and upgrade your sidekick.
2. Recruiting a Sidekick To recruit a sidekick, you will need to visit a specific Sidekick NPC in the game world or a special hub where you can choose your companion. The NPC will offer a variety of sidekicks for you to choose from, each with their own skills and affinities.
   • Choosing the Right Sidekick: Based on your build and playstyle, choose a sidekick that complements your strengths. If you’re playing a damage-focused build, you might want a tanky or support sidekick to help keep you alive. If you’re more defensive, a damage dealer or hybrid sidekick can add extra firepower.
3. Equipping and Upgrading Sidekicks Once you’ve recruited a sidekick, you can equip them with items like weapons, armor, and accessories. These items can be obtained from loot drops or crafted to improve your sidekick’s performance. As your sidekick levels up, you may need to upgrade their equipment to keep up with the increasing difficulty of the game.
4. Using Sidekick Abilities in Combat Each sidekick has a set of abilities that can be activated during combat. These abilities can often be triggered manually or set to activate automatically under certain conditions.
   • Activate Sidekick Abilities: You can bind your sidekick’s abilities to specific keys or use in-game settings to have them activate automatically when certain conditions are met.
   • Strategize: Pay attention to your sidekick’s role and abilities, especially when facing tough bosses or large crowds of enemies. Use them strategically to create synergies with your own abilities.
5. Managing Sidekick Affinity and Loyalty Sidekicks have loyalty and affinity systems that affect their performance and the buffs/debuffs they provide. As you bond with your sidekick, you can unlock more powerful abilities and synergistic effects.
   • Bonding with Your Sidekick: Through certain activities like leveling, completing specific quests, or fighting alongside them, your sidekick’s loyalty and affinity with you will grow.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Sidekick System

• Diversify Your Sidekick Choices: Depending on the challenges you’re facing, switch between different sidekicks for specific situations. For example, if you’re up against tough bosses, a tanky or damage-dealing sidekick may help you.
• Upgrade Regularly: As you level up and obtain new equipment, be sure to keep your sidekick’s gear upgraded. A well-geared sidekick can make a significant difference in tough battles.
• Explore Synergies: Experiment with different sidekicks to find the ones that complement your build and playstyle. Some sidekicks may work better with certain elemental or damage types.
• Play with Friends: If you’re playing in a group, coordinate with your friends’ sidekicks for added synergy. For example, one player can use a support sidekick while another uses a damage-dealing one, creating a balanced team.

Conclusion

The Sidekick system in Path of Exile 2 adds a fresh and buy poe 2 currency layer of strategy to the game. With a variety of companions to choose from, each offering unique skills and abilities, sidekicks allow you to customize your playstyle and tackle even the most challenging content with greater ease.

Whether you’re going solo or playing with a group, sidekicks will prove to be invaluable allies in your journey through Wraeclast. Make sure to experiment with different sidekicks, upgrade them regularly, and find the best fit for your character to maximize their potential.

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If you want to know more, you can read this article: Path of Exile 2 Currency Guide