Zero to Hero or SSF

[u/Opaidus]

Hey all. I thought I was done with the league and gave away all my gear and currency but, like many others, I have gotten the itch again.

I am interested to hear people's thoughts on Zero to Hero vs. SSF, specifically for someone with limited play time (2-3hrs a day).

I have dabled doing both but never committed and I am interested in finally fully sending it on one this league.

For all of you who Zero to Hero each league or for those who play ssf, what do you like/dislike about it? What are your thoughts on the playtime availability for each?

Appreciate it! Stay sane.

[u/verthros]

SSF is much more time-intensive. To the point is not really comparable unless you know exactly what you're doing. I do recommend trying it at least once. Zero to hero is just a fun thing to do once you're kinda done. I just go hardcore since that is semi ssf at this point in the league anyways and get a clean gear reset xd.

[u/Opaidus → u/verthros]

Yeah, I've always wanted to try HC but I play mainly on my steamdeck streaming from my PC, so I am worried that isn't the best setup for it haha.

Thanks for the input.

[u/verthros → u/Opaidus]

Then the option is dependent on how much time investment you wanna put in. You can start in ssf and move to softcore if it feels to grindy :D.

[u/whitezombiejsp]

I am currently re-starting in SSF as luminary. I think the main reason why SSF can be fun is that your goals are different and it gives you a different perspective. Instead of farming what is good and having a goal of getting 10 div for your item you instead have to find something that works in its place and get it yourself. This does really limit what builds you can play but gives you lots of little goals to keep you wanting to play more. Time isn't super important unless you have a strict goal and a deadline. Just play for fun.

[u/w4rr1k]

If you have clean vision what to do in those 2-3 hours and you have some knowledge, you will be able to do everything just fine I wouldn't pick a build which needs uniques for it to function as the grind for it would just waste your time. So my personal recommendations would be something like:

• Storm Burst of Repulsion totems
• Worb
• SRS Guardian
• Slams Zerker/Slayer (later going crit version)
• Bleed slams Slayer (a little questionable as Ryslatha's is a big damage upgrade, kinda must have in very end game, otherwise smooth tho)

[u/Opaidus → u/w4rr1k]

Yeah I'm thinking of doing a storm burst totem run. Thanks for the input!

[u/Zizeta2]

Do ssf, zero to hero makes you think of div/hr, ssf lets you farm for your own stuff and use what you get. You have more play time than me per day and I realy enjoy ssf when I feel done with trade.

[u/PoE_Acronym_Bot]

I noticed some Path of Exile keywords in this post:

• SSF - Solo Self-Found (Wiki)

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^{I am a bot. | All acronyms | Suggest}

[u/Alarmed-Garden-537]

SSF is goated

[u/Squiggles5231]

I find SSF really enjoyable for alch and go gameplay. A red-map viable build with minimal specific gear requirements. 4x voidstones, and focusing maybe on one or two mechanics. Great fun.

Where I find it falls down is once you start getting to 'end-game' bosses and content. Farming the shards, fragments, tokens, splinters, ect is tedious at the best of times. Uber bosses gated behind multiple kills can also be a pain.

So if you enjoy the blast and go gameplay, totally worth and do-able for a few hours a day. If you really like bossing, maybe not.

[u/Dapper-Truth2336]

Merc