Path of Exile is incredible. It's totally free to download and play, and purchases only confer cosmetic benefits, so success is all about skill.

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I've been playing for a couple of years now, with a twist.
I only play hardcore; so when a character dies and loses hardcore status, I delete them and start again with a new one.

Maybe it's a throwback to an earlier, unforgiving time before checkpoints; but permadeath is just so much more rivetting. I haven't seen the second half of the game; and I won't see it until I've earned it.

When you've put 100 hours into a character and you've just kicked down the wrong door, damn.
That's some intense gaming.

So, in collaboration with @ratticus, I've decided to share the experience with you all, by holding a race.

From the 16th of Feb there'll be a countdown timer at pathofexile.com.
As soon as that hits zero on Friday March 2nd, eating and sleeping will become secondary considerations as we all start a brand new character in a brand new league, and begin chopping and hexing our way through Wraeclast.

Existing characters won't be able to play the new league, and all stashes will be empty (nobody gets a headstart by using previously acquired gear or experienced characters)

Exactly 7 days later, on the 9th of March; I'll be awarding the 100 steem based on highest level achieved by an active, eligible, hardcore character.

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Highest level: 50 steem divided equally
Second highest level: 30 steem divided equally
Third highest level: 20 steem divided equally

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If, for example, there are two players at lvl 43, one player at lvl 42 and three at lvl 40, those on 43 will win 25 steem each, the player at 42 will win 30 steem, and the players at lvl 40 will each receive 6.66 steem.

If a character has died, the lvl they got to is irrelevant.
The higher you go, the more you have to lose.
If you're way out in front it may even be worth resting your main and starting a backup character.

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Click here to sign up and start practicing for the main event.
Take note of your account name and make sure you've unticked the privacy options.

Home tab>My Account>Privacy Settings (on the right hand side of the page)

We'll want to track your progress publicly. (See my account/characters here.)

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When you open the game you'll want to create a new character.
Choose the red, Hardcore banner, and tick the 'Solo self found' button. (Solo self found means you can't join parties or trade with other players)

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Then choose your class. This decides where you'll start on the passive skill tree.

We'll need to see a 'Hardcore' character, with SHR_ at the start of their name.

SHR_ will be the prefix for your official characters in the race.
You may have others, but they're the ones who's progress we'll be watching.
NB: "Abyss" is the name of the current league, no news yet on the name of the one we'll be racing in.

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As to strategy, it's unavoidable that some players will actually be a group of friends sharing a login, and working in shifts; but this isn't necessarily a winning strategy.

The mouse is only ever in one hand; and if that hand only has a third of the experience acquired in getting to that point, it may end up spending more time texting apologies than slaying those jumping goat bastards.

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If your character dies, that's obviously a setback, but you can start again with somebody new.
It may seem that others have an unassailable lead, but they can die too.
It's quite possible that a mad dash for the finish line may be the undoing of one or many of your competitors.
Suddenly fourth place becomes first, and you join Steven Bradbury as one of my personal heroes.

If you're equipped to record and/or stream, please do so.
Use the tag #poecomp when posting. (Assuming you have time to post)
Glorious deaths are bittersweet and better shared. I've been there. I miss them too.

To enter;
Post your intention to compete, using #poecomp as the first tag.
Tell us about yourself. Are you a grizzled veteran, or an eager newcomer?
Will you be dealing physical damage up close and personal, or raising an army of the dead to fight on your behalf?
Will you lay traps, mines and totems to outwit the enemy, or stick 'em with poisoned arrows from a distance?
Are you going to charge headlong into each level, or take it slow and stay alive?

Get some practice in, clear your March calendar and start carbo-loading Doritos.

We're going to have a blast

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Edit: I initially included the requirement that a character be "SSF", this is not available at the start of a new league, so please disregard. Characters must be hardcore, and their name must start with SHR_, but those are the only requirements. Thanks to @holoz0r and @jimmybreeze for bringing this to my attention