Everything coming in Path of Exile 2’s Third Edict update

Path of Exile 2 took the world by storm when it released in early access. While the game offered much for players to do and explore, things eventually settled down when players started finishing all three acts in the game. With that, players started anticipating the next big update.

The good news is that the next big update is on the way. With Path of Exile 2’s Third Edict update on the way, players have a lot to look forward to, including lineage support gems, faster movement with springing, more endgame content, improved crafting, and more.

Here’s everything to know about the Path of Exile 2 Third Edict update, including all of the confirmed content and changes. Of course, if you’re looking to get the right start on the new update, we highly recommend you check out Eloking’s PoE 2 marketplace in case you find something you may need to take your character to the next level.

Act 4 amps up exploration

The new update brings Act 4, where Doryani continues to guide you in your search for a weapon against corruption. Unlike the first three acts, Act 4 is non-linear, letting you choose where to begin. It features 16 new areas and 12 new bosses to challenge and discover before moving on to the Interludes.

Cruel mode replaced by three Interlude Quests

Cruel Mode will no longer be available after Act 4. Instead, you’ll unlock three new Interlude Quests. Interlude quests are optional side stories that stay accessible until Act 5 arrives, guiding you toward the Endgame.

These quests introduce 19 new areas and 12 unique bosses. While the storylines are temporary, the locations and enemies you face will carry forward into Endgame. The three Interlude Quests are:

• The curse of Holten
• The Stolen Barya
• Doryani’s Contingency

If your character is already in the Endgame and you want to explore the new areas, return to the Act 3 town and speak with Ava to travel to Act 4. If your character is still in Cruel Mode, you’ll be moved to the end of Act 3, where you can continue into Act 4.

Faster movement with Sprinting

You can now sprint endlessly by holding the dodge-roll button. After a dodge, your character will break into a sprint, letting you outrun most enemies and travel faster. Be careful, though, as taking a hit while sprinting will cause you to trip. To avoid this, it’s best to use your skills when running into enemies to stop sprinting safely.

Rise of the Abyssal League

Start a new character to experience the new league, featuring the Abyssals. As you explore maps, fissures will open and release these creatures. Defeating them seals the fissure, and once all fissures in an area are closed, a pit will open and unleash more monsters.

Clearing all the monsters will seal the pit and reveal an Abyssal Armoury filled with valuable loot. Abyssals grow stronger by absorbing the enemies you defeat, making them tough to kill and more rewarding.

It’s important to note that the Rise of the Abyssal League’s mechanics are not yet part of the core game.

Lineage Support Gems

A new set of stronger support gems, called Lineage Support Gems, is being introduced. Like Unique Items, they offer powerful buffs and changes to your build, but can only be obtained from specific bosses. With this update, 40 Lineage Support Gems will be added.

Support Gems now have reusability and levels

Previously, support gems could only be linked to one skill at a time, but with the upcoming update, you can slot them into multiple skills.

Support gems are also upgrading, moving from 3 levels to 5, and some will gain higher tiers now as they level up.

Gameplay adjustments

Classes like Ranger, Warrior, and Mercenary are getting a range of buffs, updates, and new features. These include quality-of-life improvements such as the new Deflect stat and instant weapon switching.

The update adds around 150 notable skills to the passive trees, introduces the Monk’s Unarmed playstyle, and brings new weapons. Attribute requirements are now around 20-25%, giving players more options when building characters.

Additional Endgame mechanics

The Endgame is expanding with 25 new maps and several new enemies. You’ll also encounter fresh mechanics like Sandstorms and Maelstroms, which work like Citadels, requiring you to find mechanisms in nearby maps to unlock a hidden one.

Furthermore, difficulty will change too, as waystones will no longer provide good modifiers. Instead, all modifiers will be negative by default. However, upgrading your waystone will add tougher conditions while offering greater rewards.

New use for Simulacrum Splinters

Simulacrum Splinters have been replaced with Petition Splinters, which can be used at Realmgate to select your difficulty. Higher difficulties require more splinters, but this system lets players access the content much earlier.

Improved crafting with better control

Special Bones can now be found that imbue rare items and waystones with a hidden modifier. To uncover it, visit the Well of Souls in the new league, where you can choose one of the three possible modifiers.

A new currency, Hinekora’s Lock, lets you preview the future modifiers of imbued items. Combined with the new Exceptional quality tier, which appears on high-quality drops or items with extra slots, this currency becomes an invaluable tool for crafting the perfect gear.

Better endgame crafting

Essences now come in four tiers, each offering stronger guaranteed stats. Orbs also scale by tier, and new Omens will be added to Ritual content.

In-game Trading System

In Act 4, a new NPC named Ange will serve as the Merchant for the game’s trading system. You can hand her items and set a price from your Hideout, making them visible to other players. They can then teleport to your Hideout and purchase items directly using in-game currency and gold.

Note: If you had Premium Stash Tabs before The Third Edict, you can upgrade them into Merchant Tabs through the official site.

FAQs

What does Act 4 add in Path of Exile 2’s Third Edict update?

Act 4 adds 16 new areas and 12 bosses, with a non-linear design that lets players choose their path. It also replaces Cruel Mode with three Interlude Quests that introduce even more areas and bosses.

How do Interlude Quests work?

Interlude Quests are optional side stories that appear after Act 4. They remain accessible until Act 5 and bring new challenges that carry into the Endgame.

What is the Rise of the Abyssal League?

The Rise of the Abyssal League is a new seasonal event where fissures release Abyssal monsters. Defeating them unlocks an Abyssal Armoury full of loot. These mechanics are not yet part of the core game.