Wait for the loading overlay
Let both game clients finish loading. Do not press A until the protected pairing window says READY. The loading status stays above the game windows while Ultimate waits.
Protected pairing
Pair every Ultimate character without mirrored controllers.
Ultimate 2.8.5 gates one client and one virtual player at a time, confirms character entry, then certifies independent movement before normal play.
Production tutorial UI
See the protected flow before you launch.
The slider follows the same loading, pairing, character-entry and Smart Focus stages shown by Ultimate.
Use default settings for PoE 2
If either configured client uses Steam, open Steam Library > Path of Exile 2 > Properties > Controller and select Use default settings. Do not select Disable Steam Input.
Pair Client 1 only when prompted
In 4P, the first isolated A press pairs P1 and the second pairs P2 after Client 1 passes its foreground gate. In 3P and split 2P, Client 1 pairs P1 only.
Confirm Client 1 characters
Use P1 focus to choose the first character. In 4P, switch Smart Focus to P2 and confirm the second character so both Client 1 characters enter the game.
Pair and enter Client 2
Ultimate moves to Client 2 only after Client 1 is ready. Pair P3 then P4 for 3P/4P, or P2 for split 2P, and confirm each character through the displayed focus prompts.
Let Ultimate return to P1
After Client 2 is in-game and pairing checks finish, Smart Focus returns to P1 before normal control begins.
Pass every movement check
Move the prompted character and confirm that no other character moves. If Client 1 Steam pairing fails, Ultimate opens the illustrated Use default settings guide and offers Retry movement check or Stop safely.
Keep the guide available
The pairing tutorial appears on game relaunch by default. After completing it once, choose a 24-hour reminder pause or disable reminders until you want the guide again.