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If you thought the grind was over, Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict will pull you back into it faster than you can cast any skill. This major update brings the long-awaited Act 4 of the story, mini Acts that will help you reach max level without going through the campaign again, a rework of the Support Gem system, and much more. So, you’d better dust off your character, check that gear, and prepare for one of the beefiest updates we’ve had in the game.
Act 4 Arrives With The Third Edict Update
If you are tired of doing the same three acts repeatedly, that will finally change once Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict launches. Act 4 will arrive on launch day, giving players a non-linear adventure where they’ll decide which island to tackle first as they progress through this game’s story. However, many might wonder if they’ll need to repeat the four acts to reach the max level, and lucky for all of you, that won’t be the case.
Before the game’s official launch, we’ll have a new feature called mini Acts: The Interludes. This smaller narrative acts will allow players to reach max level while focusing on side stories that also feature new areas and bosses. One thing to keep in mind is that these mini Acts will disappear once the game fully launches, but all the content in them will remain in the game, meaning you can visit the areas and face the bosses. Furthermore, Act 4 will include over 100 monsters, 16 new areas, and 12 new bosses.
The First League for Path of Exile 2 Is Coming
The Rise of the Abyssal will be the first official league for Path of Exile 2, coming with The Third Edict update. Many veterans might already know the drill of these leagues: create a character, jump into a world with new modifiers and mechanics, and reap that loot while facing new dangers. In Rise of the Abyssal, players will close off fissures across the map and obtain loot as they delve into the Abyssal Depths. Furthermore, you can expect a new crafting system, league-exclusive items, three new bosses, and an Endgame Pinacle Boss.
A Trove of Quality-of-Life Changes
Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict will also bring many changes to core gameplay systems, and a few requested additions. For instance, Support Gems are getting a rework. The “one of each Support Gem limit” is gone. Players will now be able to experiment with even more powerful builds that synergize better. For instance, if you want to make a poison-based build, you can do so by using poison Support Gems only. Also, Support Gems will now have levels. You can upgrade your Gems to get more bonuses as they level up and even mitigate some of the downsides of certain Support Gems.
Speaking of Gems, Lineage Supports are also coming, which are a cut above normal Support Gems. There are 40 new ones coming with this update, and most are obtainable through boss fights.
Regarding movement, Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict will feature a Sprinting mechanic. Players will now be able to move faster across the map, which will make going through some zones a breeze. However, you can get knocked down by an enemy attack, so it is important that you learn when to cancel your Sprinting skill to avoid losing your momentum.
If that wasn’t enough, there are changes coming to the endgame, such as 25 new endgame maps with new monsters and bosses. Yet, one of the most iconic features of PoE is finally coming to the sequel: trading. The Asynchronous Trade system will allow players to purchase items even if the seller is offline.
Since there are a lot of things to try, Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict will welcome all players during its free-to-play weekend, which will run from August 29 at 1 PM PDT to September 1 at 1 PM PDT. This will be a great way to experience all of the new features, including the new Act and the Rise of the Abyssal league. So, if you’ve been looking for an excuse to return to this ARPG, now’s the perfect time to do so.
