Why SSF locked?

I have not played POE for a long time and created a new account through Steam. I'm only interested in SSF mode. But in order to play it, I have to go through act 3. Why should I do this? Is there a way to remove restrictions? Donate or something? It's very boring to spend time in a mode you are not interested in.

SSF mode only ever gets unlocked once you have freed the Scion in Act 3. This is by design. You only have to do it once.

I wasn't aware this limitation existed. Kinda silly, yeah. If anything SSF should be the default and trade leagues the "advanced" option (though even then it shouldn't be locked, so peeps can start the game with friends).

the reason for ssf being locked behind some normal gameplay is to make sure that players are aware that ssf is not the normal game difficulty but a much harder one.

80% of ssf posts being about ssf being too limited are proof enough that players don't really got that concept even with some normal gameplay experience.

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kaijyuu2 wrote:

(though even then it shouldn't be locked, so peeps can start the game with friends).

how do you play ssf with friends? the only option to do that is paywalled.