[Unpopular Personal Opinion] SSF style gameplay is where I get the most fun out of the game

I know I don't have any true SSF character, but I finally managed to enjoy this game by playing in a "SSF" mentality, aka no trading nor partying.

I know this might come off as weird to the majority but the main thing that always turned me off from playing PoE was the seemingly mandatory trading and how everybody seems to push this playstyle into your throat, I get that most of you enjoy this style of gameplay more and that it's an "integral" part of the game for you, absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I just find it a tad bit disappointing that the SSF playstyle is not talked about more despite a seemingly present group that enjoy this playstyle over trade leagues.

Overall, I'm curious to know if I'm part of a very small minority, or part of just a silent group that generally stays in the shadows and play this way. Because PoE has just become much more fun for me, I love just building my character with what I find, much more satisfying for me personally.

also, sorry if my post is polluting this forum, I noticed that there is quite a bit of those recently but I really wanted to express these feelings of mine since this has kept me from playing this great game for so long

The whole "mandatory trading" thing is an excuse people use because they feel inside like they're cheating. You might as well have a character editor that just gives you the items you need to beat the game. There's no pride in that.

So they blame it on GGG rather than accept that it was their choice that caused that.

Trading isn't mandatory. It only makes the game progress about 100x faster... and I don't exaggerate, it's likely more than that. If you want to progress at that rate, you have to trade. I don't give a fig how fast I progress, so I don't.

You shouldn't worry about it being popular or not. You're a SSF player. You play in a community of 1... you. You're the most popular guy there.

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Shagsbeard wrote:

The whole "mandatory trading" thing is an excuse people use

No. The "mandatory trading" comes from their ambitions/time perspective. IF they are to reach certain points/achieve certain milestones in a certain amount of time, trading IS mandatory. It's all about how you play, and you know it very well.

Just stop. It all depends on playstyles, fun and goals, and not excuses.

You've reversed the implication. Not all implications are bijective.

You're saying that it's mandatory for some, while I'm talking about the claim that it's mandatory for all.

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Shagsbeard wrote:

You're saying that it's mandatory for some, while I'm talking about the claim that it's mandatory for all.

But you know as well as me that people are debating from their perspective. Even a monkey knows that reaching level 45 in a league doesn't require trading - and no one is claiming that. It's ALL based on "trading is mandatory, IF...". They know it, you know, everyone knows it. You're allowed to read between the lines.

IF you were to beat Uber Elder in two weeks, would that be possible for you without trading?

People are different. Set different goals. Different ambitions. Different amount of available play time. The "mandatory" part comes from a sum of that.

I understand. That's not what I'm referring to. You've reversed it.

I'm talking about the global claim that "trading is mandatory in PoE".

I've never played SSF, but I can imagine that "new league" feel being very attractive. That sense of accomplishment when a decent rare becomes a leap in power, the challenge posed when your character isn't geared to the max, instead relying on the best hodge-podge of items you could scrounge up in Wraeclast, rather than purchased on WraeBay.

Then again, if I played that way, I'd never be able to try out all the cool toys I know I'd never find on my own. Still, one day, I might take the SSF plunge... =^[.]^=

wraebay lol

ya you could probably try SSF at the start of the league, and regardless of your progression, make the decision that at half way in the league you migrate all to trade. that way you can finish your build or test out new toys and such

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Shagsbeard wrote:

I'm talking about the global claim that "trading is mandatory in PoE".

And you think that some people actually believe that? What, trading is required to make a character? To reach level 3? Hell, beat act 1?

That "global claim" IS based on "IF's". Always has been, always will be. Interpreting it word for word just looks... [Insert negative word here].

Important is if u having fun OP. Some ppl play poe trade simulator just cos is fun for them and some ppl like ssf cos they not in rush to nowhere like Shags for example;) some ppl do both.. I don’t have much of time to play. And I don’t like to play in low tier maps so for me trade is mandatory, otherwise I would probably never reach shaper with my luck. And there r some fun items and builds u probably never get hands on in ssf only cos RNG Is a bitch! I always do some sort of ssf if I start new league with new char, but later on if I start struggle I go and look for item I need.. and than keep playing.. It’s all depends on ppl and what is fun play for them..