Key Bindings & Shortcuts for Keyboard Controls in "Path of Exile 2" — Quick Reference
This guide organizes the default shortcuts available for keyboard & mouse controls in the hack-and-slash staple "Path of Exile 2 (PoE2)", following the flow of gameplay from movement methods (WASD/click-to-move) through combat and UI operations. It also explains the logic behind keybinding layouts and offers tips for customizing bindings toward more comfortable, easy-to-reach finger positioning.
Posted at: 2025.12.24
Table Of Contents
Basic Controls
Path of Exile 2’s basic controls are primarily based on moving with mouse clicks, but you can also assign movement to the WASD keys in the settings.
Since preferences vary here, it’s best to choose whichever you like.
Because the keybindings are a bit different from those in typical action games—such as for attacking and swapping weapons—it might take some effort to memorize them at first, but once mastered, they enable fast, responsive control, so start by learning the basic controls thoroughly.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Movement method: Mouse click movement | Move with Left-Click (Mouse 1 / Left-Click) |
| Movement method: WASD movement | Move with W / A / S / D |
| Use flask in slot 1 | 1 |
| Use flask in slot 2 | 2 |
| Dodge roll | Space |
| Attack in place | Shift |
| Weapon swap | X |
| Item pickup key | F |
Skill Activation
Skills are assigned to left click, the QWERTY row keys, and combinations with Ctrl.
Because it’s a bit quirky, it may feel confusing until you get used to it.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Skill 1 (the first assigned skill) | Left-Click |
| Skill 2 | Middle-Click |
| Skill 3 | Right-Click |
| Skill 4 | Q |
| Skill 5 | W |
| Skill 6 | E |
| Skill 7 | R |
| Skill 8 | T |
| Skill 9 | Ctrl + Q |
| Skill 10 | Ctrl + W |
| Skill 11 | Ctrl + E |
| Skill 12 | Ctrl + R |
| Skill 13 | Ctrl + T |
| Limited Skill 1 | 6 |
| Limited Skill 2 | 7 |
Utility
Utility keybindings include a surprisingly large number of frequently used actions, making them the next set of commands to learn after mastering the basic controls.
Because the bindings and commands are not easy to associate (they aren’t based on initials, for example), it may take some effort until you master them.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Minion control | ' (Apostrophe) |
| Detonate mines | D |
| Highlight items and objects | Alt |
| Toggle highlight | Z |
| Switch skill set | Ctrl |
| Show item details | Alt |
| Compare item details | Shift |
Interface
PoE2 has many panels to open, so learning shortcuts that let you “jump straight to the screen you need”—such as I (Inventory) and P (Passive)—will help you operate smoothly.
If you also learn Tab (Overlay Map) and Space (Close UI), it will be easier not to get lost during combat and your pace won’t slow down.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Chat | Enter |
| Map overlay | Tab |
| Options | O |
| Character screen | C |
| Social menu | J |
| Ladder screen | L |
| Inventory | I |
| Challenges / Achievements | H |
| Cosmetics | K |
| Paid item list | N |
| Events | B |
| Quests | U |
| Passive skill tree | P |
| Atlas skill tree | Ctrl + U |
| Cosmetic shop | M |
| League interface | V |
| League panel | ' (Apostrophe) |
| Help panel | ; (Semicolon) |
| Skills panel | G |
| Close all UI | Space |
Other
For the other keybindings, memorizing camera controls is quietly useful.
For screenshots and similar actions, it’s fine to look them up when you need them.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Take a screenshot | F8 |
| Zoom camera in | Page Up |
| Zoom camera out | Page Down |
| Show performance stats | F1 |