Sorted: How to "roll" maps in Path of Exile

I'm writing this as a companion piece to a video that I just put in the can about something that has become very much of a hot button topic since the release of the new Path of Exile expansion, Awakening. Completing maps, or mapping as most PoE players refer to it, is a process somewhat akin to the Nephalem Rift system in Diablo 3. In fact, Diablo 3 lifted a great deal of the features present in that system from Path's system, but alas, that's a topic for another time. Towards the end of the last difficulty of the game, a player can also find maps mixed in with the other loot drops that occur from killing monsters. When these maps are placed within a map device, six portals are opened up to a randomly generated instance full of more monsters and loot. Just like item crafting in Path of Exile, maps can be crafted as well. Crafting maps is a process by which you use currency items to add "affixes" to the map to increase the difficulty, but also increase the potential reward as well. Because Path of Exile's level cap extends all the way to level 100, but story line content is exhausted at level 70, a large portion of a high level character's time will actually be spent crafting these maps and then completing them to reach higher levels faster. However, with the release of the expansion, Grinding Gear Games instituted some changes to the map system to a great deal of chagrin.

Yes, this is an old screenshot, but you get the idea.

Without glazing your eyes over with the details, they basically added some higher level maps, rearranged some existing maps, and added a few new map affixes. Somewhat unexpectedly, they also divided the map into a three tiered system with the intent of having a lower level tier that provided a bit safer environment for new players to map in. Along with this, the middle and upper tier maps were made a bit more difficult to find and certain deadly affixes were relegated to being only found on these maps. While their intentions were certainly the best, it has created a good deal of negative sentiment from your average player who maps casually and doesn't want to be bothered with creating a stable base of maps to run on each level before advancing to the higher tiers. They run out of maps and are forced to run lower level maps again, and the frustration sets in. I definitely get that, so I've decided to write up this little guide post to perhaps help some folks along who might be stuck at certain map levels.

Probably the most important thing, to start, is something I've already mentioned: a strong base of maps. What that means is that you don't start running a map level until you've accumulated enough maps to ride out streaks of bad luck. RNG will be RNG and there will certainly be maps that you will run where you won't even sniff at a map drop. At times they might fall from the sky, or if you are very lucky, you might even nab one of the elusive cartographers strongboxes! (the dream) I typically don't advance to a map level until I have at least twelve to fifteen of that level of map. Slow and steady wins the race here folks, and if you want to make it up past the mid tier, you gotta sloooowwwwwwwwwww downnnn.

Secondly, if you can't afford to roll it, don't run it. Sure, that level 76 map looks mighty tempting sitting in your map stash tab. You can almost hear the thud of an exalt dropping in it. Unfortunately, many people rationalize running higher level maps without using currency on them for the express purpose of getting currency. It just doesn't make sense. This sort of thinking is somewhat like taking out a payday loan so you can go buy a lottery ticket. Instead of doing this, leave that map alone! Run some lower tier maps that you don't need to sink expensive currency into to maintain map levels. Starting with the mid map tiers, if you aren't at least using orbs of alchemy on your maps, you just simply won't sustain. Likely not even then! To effectively ensure getting map drops, you absolutely must run maps with as high quantity as you can get. 100% plus, ideally. This normally means an alch, four chisels, and vaal orbing.

Take a good long, hard look at your build. Think about what affixes it can and can't do. If you are rolling yellow maps and constantly find yourself road blocked by scary affixes and are struggling with deaths you might want to consider leveling a new character for the purpose of mapping. Everyone loves high damage builds that can pancake mobs in a hurry, but in my experience those builds are usually costly or dangerous. Hit up the forums, there are quite a number of great beginner builds that will perform admirably in maps regardless of what mods are rolled. (I recommend a blood magic dual flame totem build, btw!) If a large part of the reason we are running maps is to advance in levels so that we can do more difficult maps, but we are always dying and losing experience, what's really the point? It's frustrating to be forced into playing safe and conservative builds, I know, but the payoff is the long game. Once you've accumulated some currency and maps with your first build, you can build something much more aggressive next time! Oh, and that was the last tip! ;)

Have a question about mapping that I didn't really cover? Want to know more about some good beginner builds? Feel free to leave a comment here with your question or hit me up in game. SN:Nerdstalgicsigh