Path of Exile 2's Early Access is finally here. Early Access - whether it's single-player, multiplayer, or online service - usually means you shouldn't get too attached to your character or game progress. The official release often means starting over. This is also the case with Path of Exile 2, but it doesn't mean Grinding Gear Games is going to wipe the slate clean.

If you're a long-time Path of Exile player, you'll probably be familiar with the season system. Seasons are essentially the "league" concept of Path of Exile, introducing new mechanics, new loot, and all sorts of new changes. At the start of a new league, you create a new character, and when the league ends, those characters are moved to the standard league - the one that never ends. You can think of Early Access as a separate league, but there's one key difference: characters you create in Early Access will never be moved to the standard league.

So there won't be a data wipe when Early Access ends, but all of your created characters, along with their loot, will be stuck in the Early Access league forever. Technically, this means you can still play with those characters. But be aware that you won't be able to play with anyone in the standard league or future leagues, and balance changes may end up ruining the Early Access league experience.