Direct player-to-player trades still exist — and with the market handling normal commerce, you’ll mostly use them for gifts, bulk deals, and trading with friends.
The oldest form of trading survived every patch: two players, one trade window. With the market and the exchange covering everyday buying and selling, direct trades are now the special-occasion tool — handing a leveling unique to a friend, splitting loot after playing together, or working out a deal the market can’t express.
The one scam that still works
Market purchases with the Secure Item button can’t be tampered with by design. Direct trades can. The classic move is the switcheroo: the other player puts the agreed item in the window, then swaps it for a lookalike just before you accept. The defense is boring and absolute — read the item in the window after the last change, every time. If anything was touched, read it again before accepting.
And the rule older than this site: never buy currency or items for real money. RMT sellers are the one group GGG reliably bans, and the buyers go down with them. Not on this site, not ever.
FAQ
When should I use a direct trade instead of the market?
Friends, gifts, bulk deals, and anything where you and the other player already agreed on terms.
Can I get scammed on a market purchase?
Secure Item purchases, no — the system completes the exact listed trade. Direct trades are where you keep your eyes open.
Is direct trading cross-platform?
Trading in PoE2 is fully cross-platform, including direct trades — platform doesn’t matter.
Updated for patch 0.5 — June 12, 2026