Path of Exile 2 early access finally kicks off today, perfectly timed for a debauched weekend of murdering monsters in Wraeclast. Pals, I will not be moving from my chair. My dog's gonna have to walk himself (don't worry, I'm not really this terrible). Early access—whether it's singleplayer, multiplayer or live service—usually means you shouldn't get too attached to your characters or campaigns. Full launch often means a fresh start. This is true of Path of Exile 2, as well, but that doesn't mean Grinding Gear Games is going to wipe everything.
If you're a PoE veteran, you'll likely be familiar with the league system. Leagues are essentially PoE's take on seasons, introducing new mechanics, loot and twists. At the start of a new league, you make a fresh character, and when the league is over they're moved over to the standard league—the one that never actually ends. You can consider early access its own league, but with one key difference: your characters will never be moved to the standard league.
