A new Path of Exile 2 0.5.5 Forbidden Rites event is less about chasing a perfect damage number and more about getting through the awkward early days without draining every resource. Prices move fast, useful drops feel scarce, and plenty of players spend too much trying to fix a character that was never comfortable to level. A sensible starter lets you keep moving with ordinary rares, then put your POE 2 Currency toward upgrades that will still matter once maps open up. That's the real appeal of a fresh-start build: it works before the market has settled.
What Makes a Starter Feel Good
The first test is simple. Can the character clear the campaign without needing a specific weapon, a hard-to-find Unique, or a pile of expensive modifiers? If the answer is no, it's probably better as a second character. You'll also want a build that can deal with early bosses without standing still for ages. Clear speed matters, sure, but dying repeatedly in narrow campaign zones costs more time than a slightly slower skill ever will. Good starters usually have one thing in common: their core damage comes from skill levels, passive choices, and easy-to-replace gear. You can pick up a better wand, bow, or armour piece and feel an immediate difference. That flexibility is worth a lot when everyone is looking for the same upgrades.
Varasha Minions and Ice Shot Deadeye
Varasha Minions are a comfortable pick for players who want room to learn the event rather than wrestle with their build. Your minions do much of the fighting, which gives you time to watch boss patterns, step out of danger, and keep the pace steady. It's not flashy at the start, but it doesn't need to be. Basic defensive gear, minion-focused affixes, and regular gem improvements carry it a long way. That makes it especially handy for solo players or anyone who doesn't fancy competing for costly early items. Ice Shot Deadeye takes a different route. Most players will have an easier time levelling with Lightning Arrow, then swap once Ice Shot has the support it needs. The result is quick clearing, good mobility, and a familiar bow playstyle. Tornado Shot, Snipe, and Barrage can help fill gaps against tougher targets, so the build doesn't feel helpless when a boss survives the first volley.
Higher Investment Choices and Patient Levelling
Twister Spirit Walker can look tempting because its later map pace is ridiculous. Once the passive tree, weapon set, and key upgrades start lining up, it flies through packs. Early on, though, it can feel a bit underfed. Players who know which areas to farm and which upgrades to ignore may enjoy that climb, but it's not the relaxed option. Oracle Plants, often called Plant Daddy, is easier to recommend for a broader crowd. The skills arrive early, the gameplay is straightforward, and it can grow into a serious late-game character without demanding much on day one. Whirling Assault Martial Artist is another build with a strong payoff, although you need to accept a less direct levelling path before its main attack comes online. It has wide coverage, satisfying bursts, and several directions to take later. Hollow Form and Shattering Palm COC Martial Artist can also hit hard, but both feel better after you've built up a stash of useful equipment and know what you're shopping for.
Resource Decisions That Actually Help
Early spending is where many runs go sideways. It's easy to see a shiny upgrade, buy it, and replace it two zones later. Try to spend on things that solve a real problem instead: a weapon that raises your damage, boots that help you move, resistance pieces that stop sudden deaths, or a skill upgrade you'll keep for many levels. Frost Bolt Varasha is a decent example of a build that feels safe and clear-focused, but benefits noticeably from the right supporting items. Essence Drain Contagion Witch has a similar strength during the campaign. It spreads through packs beautifully and asks little of your gear, even if boss fights take longer. Neither choice is wrong. It comes down to whether you prefer calmer ranged casting or a quicker, more active pace. Don't feel pressured to copy the first expensive setup you see in trade chat. At the start of an event, the player who keeps a little flexibility usually progresses further.
Final Thoughts
There isn't one starter that suits every player. Varasha Minions offer a forgiving route with low gear pressure, while Ice Shot Deadeye suits players who want speed and responsive ranged combat. Oracle Plants provides a simple middle ground, and Twister Spirit Walker rewards people willing to build toward its stronger later form. Pick the character whose early gameplay you'll actually enjoy, not just the one with the loudest late-game claims. If you save POE2 Currency for lasting upgrades and replace weak gear with purpose, the move from campaign zones into maps will feel far less rough.