Why One Premium Stash Tab Should Be Free in Path of Exile 2

Hello, Exiles and GGG Team,

As we approach the launch of Path of Exile 2, I wanted to bring up a point that many in the community might be feeling: the premium stash tab system and its implications for new players and the broader community.

While I understand the importance of supporting the game via microtransactions, I believe that offering one premium stash tab for free would be a fair and beneficial move for both new players and the game’s economy.

Here’s why:

1. A Core Feature for Organizing Loot and Trading

The Premium Stash Tab is not just a luxury item—it is a core tool for managing the massive amount of loot in Path of Exile. The ability to customize, label, and make items visible for trading is crucial, especially in a game that relies so heavily on its player-driven economy.

While new accounts start with 4 basic stash tabs, they are insufficient for organizing loot as the game progresses. A premium stash tab, with features like public listings and customization, becomes almost necessary to effectively engage in trading and manage an expanding inventory. Given the sheer amount of items in the game, it’s unfair to expect players to pay for this essential functionality—particularly for new players who are still trying to grasp the game’s mechanics.

2. Encouraging New Players to Engage with the Economy

One of the biggest appeals of Path of Exile is its player-driven economy. Without a premium stash tab, players are severely limited in their ability to trade effectively. This can discourage new players from getting involved in trading, which is a key part of the endgame. Offering one premium stash tab for free would lower the barrier for new players and provide them with the opportunity to engage more deeply with the economy without being pushed into microtransactions too soon.

Not every player will want to pay for extra stash tabs. By making one premium stash tab free, you’re allowing new players to interact with the trade site and organize their loot without feeling like they’re being forced to spend money right away. It also helps reduce frustration for those who are hesitant about committing financially early on in their journey.

3. Fairness in Inventory Management

Inventory management is a fundamental part of Path of Exile. The frustration of constantly running out of space or struggling to organize your items can quickly become overwhelming. Without access to premium stash tabs, players are left to juggle items across basic tabs, which leads to clutter and confusion. One free premium stash tab would solve this problem, allowing all players to organize their loot more effectively, regardless of their ability or willingness to purchase additional tabs.

4. Microtransactions Still Play a Significant Role

I understand that Path of Exile 2 relies on microtransactions for its funding. However, one free premium stash tab would not threaten the core of this system. Players who want more storage space or customization can still purchase additional stash tabs, skins, or other cosmetics. The key is to provide players with the basic tools to enjoy the game fully, and the premium stash tab is a significant part of that experience. By offering this tab for free, GGG would demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that all players can engage with the game fairly, without feeling locked out of essential features.

5. Building Long-Term Player Loyalty

One of the strengths of Path of Exile has been its loyal player base and the developer's reputation for being player-friendly. By making a premium stash tab available for free, it would show that the team is committed to enhancing player experience and reducing the paywall for essential features. This would foster goodwill and likely increase the number of players who stick with the game long-term. Even though microtransactions are part of the business model, player trust and satisfaction should remain the top priority.

6. Aligning with the Community’s Values

The Path of Exile community has consistently valued fairness and accessibility. Many players come to PoE because it offers a deep, rewarding experience without requiring them to spend money upfront. One free premium stash tab aligns with the values of accessibility and fairness that have made PoE a beloved game in the first place. Players would be much more likely to support the microtransaction system if they felt the core mechanics of the game—such as organizing and trading items—were accessible to everyone.

~~~ Conclusion ~~~

In conclusion, offering one premium stash tab for free is not only a reasonable gesture, it’s also a way to level the playing field for all players, especially those new to Path of Exile 2. It would improve the player experience, enhance the game’s economy, and build stronger community goodwill without undermining the revenue model of the game.

I believe this approach would reflect well on both Path of Exile 2 and the developer’s ongoing commitment to providing a fair, accessible, and player-friendly experience.

Thank you for considering this suggestion, and I look forward to seeing Path of Exile 2 continue to evolve into an even better game!

Sincerely,

It is (will be) a free to play game. I don't think paying for stash tabs is a problem. Skip the Starbucks for a day and buy a stash tab.

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ZeroObstacles#0245 wrote:

It is (will be) a free to play game. I don't think paying for stash tabs is a problem. Skip the Starbucks for a day and buy a stash tab.

It is more about being unable to trade at all via the website, a core and basic functionality in my opinion.

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urs#2736 wrote:

unable to trade at all via the website, a core and basic functionality in my opinion.

Not done this in a long time, but it may not work just now until closer to launch and they dedicate the PoE2 web page to the game instead of linking back here

So atm in PoE1 you don't need a premium tab, you make a listing in the trade section of the forum and the trade sites take listings from there, all the tab dose is make the process easier.
You can also post in trade chat and sell from there

So, no they don't need to give you a free premium tab, you already got the game and every future expansion for free...the least you can do is give a little back.

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lagwin1980#2224 wrote:

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urs#2736 wrote:

unable to trade at all via the website, a core and basic functionality in my opinion.

Not done this in a long time, but it may not work just now until closer to launch and they dedicate the PoE2 web page to the game instead of linking back here

So atm in PoE1 you don't need a premium tab, you make a listing in the trade section of the forum and the trade sites take listings from there, all the tab dose is make the process easier.
You can also post in trade chat and sell from there

So, no they don't need to give you a free premium tab, you already got the game and every future expansion for free...the least you can do is give a little back.

For early access people who paid at least 30$ for the game, the customer is still unable to list the items he has at all, unless he spends GOLD in micro transaction ? The basic function is severely limited despite paying for the game. They want you to spend the GOLD for core aspects like trading. This is not good at all. Trading should be free on the website as basic game feature.

For people who come after and benefit from free game - why restrict basic functionality of game behind paywall ?

Maybe instead of a premium tab - they should simply allow one or all of the normal tabs to become public to be able to sell items and help the player economy and interaction.

Trading in game is much harder, you can't expect millions of people spamming the trade chat or global chat ? The trade within the site is much easier. It is like a database.

Are you saying this game isn't even worth $1.50 to you

No.

This will be a free to play game, just like the first game and like with that, you can do just fine with the basic stash and tabs, extra/premium ones are not required for you to progress/do well.

Besides, if you absolutely must have extra space, then pony up few bucks during the monthly sales or stop hoarding all the junk you pick off the floor?

Given how much fucking garbage they have piled into POE1, i can only assume they plan on the very same for POE2, its pretty evident they have tried to *persuade" (cough cough, all these fucking shards, LOLOL! alteration shards, fucking worthless space consumption) people to buy tabs... it really is bordering on p2w, when a free account with no money spent, is seriously at a disadvantage. But hey, many will argue against it, it is what it is, thats just a fact.

But yea, i agree, but i feel it should be even more extreme now, as in , all the core mechanic tabs that you have to buy, bullshit, they should be free. And yea, i have many many many tabs, and mucho mtx, still don't care. Thats my feelings.

I completely disagree, it's cheap and you don't really need it until you reach end game. Also the game is supposed to be Free to Play.

The game is build around trading. They should have a tab that is locked into trade only that cannot be configured any other way. It would at least introduce players to the concept so they feel comfortable and are willing to buy more tabs.

It could even be a special tab that is only a 4x4 or something small. And when the user first clicks on this strange tab they get a pop-up tutorial on trading.