As someone who’s lost countless hours mapping, crafting, dying, and cursing in Wraeclast, Path of Exile’s latest update, 3.26: Secrets of the Atlas, genuinely caught my attention. PoE’s been in a weird limbo lately-overshadowed by its own sequel and the ARPG arms race with Diablo 4 and Last Epoch. But with this sweeping endgame overhaul and the fresh Mercenaries of Trarthus league, Grinding Gear Games is making a clear statement: PoE 1 isn’t just alive-it’s back in the fight.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Grinding Gear Games |
| Release Date | June 13, 2024 |
| Genres | Action RPG, Hack & Slash, Free-to-Play |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
Let’s start where it matters: the endgame. PoE’s late game has always been both its greatest strength and its biggest hurdle. With 3.26, we’re seeing a full-throttle return to form—map sequences called ‘threads of memory’, new pinnacle bosses, memory strand crafting, and refreshed Atlas passives. Seasoned players will appreciate that the system isn’t some one-off gimmick; it’s integrated, repeatable, and, crucially, designed to keep theorycrafters tinkering for months. As a long-time player, I can say this is the kind of innovation that keeps PoE’s endgame leagues ahead of the competition.
The new Mercenaries of Trarthus challenge league introduces something we honestly haven’t seen in PoE before: persistent companions. Not only can you duel them for loot, but hiring them actually changes enemy strength and rewards, making for a risk/reward twist that feels much more than tacked-on. The integration of gold (from Settlers of Kalguur) as a core currency is a bold move—one that makes trading and crafting more accessible but might spark debate about PoE’s famously complex economy. It’s a gamble, but in my book, shaking up a decade-old formula is exactly what keeps a live service game fresh.
What really stands out, though, is the new update schedule. PoE 1 and PoE 2 will now alternate major content drops every four months, guaranteeing a league every two months. This is huge for players burnt out by long content droughts. Instead of the original being left to languish while the sequel hogs the spotlight, both games get space to breathe and innovate. If GGG can stick to this cadence, it’ll put both titles in a position to thrive rather than cannibalize each other’s audiences—a remarkable feat when most studios would have just sunset the original.
I’m also happy to see a huge bundle of QoL improvements hit at once. Features like inventory expansions, better vendor UI, automated Breach loot, and proper gamepad targeting may seem minor, but anyone who’s stuck with PoE for years knows how much these things matter. It’s clear GGG has taken veteran complaints seriously. The Betrayal rework is particularly overdue—fewer resets and less tedium finally make that content worth engaging with again, and the new Allflame Embers add a much-needed extra layer of endgame loot chase.
Of course, I’m not blind to the risks. Introducing a gold economy and more powerful crafting could upset PoE’s carefully balanced itemization and trading scene. We’ve seen new systems break things before—and the endgame’s always a delicate beast. Still, GGG’s track record for responding to community outcry gives me some confidence they’ll adapt quickly if something gets out of hand.
If you’ve been wondering whether to come back to PoE after drifting to other ARPGs, this update is your invitation. It’s a clear signal that the original game isn’t just a testing ground for PoE 2—it’s still evolving, still hardcore, and still worth your time. For newcomers, the new mercenary system lowers the barrier for solo players and introduces more guided progression—a smart move that might finally help more folks survive their first trip through Wraeclast.
Most importantly, PoE 3.26 isn’t resting on nostalgia or recycling old ideas. It’s an ambitious update that meaningfully expands what the endgame can be, all while setting up a content pipeline that keeps the game relevant in an era where ARPGs are more competitive than ever.
We’ll see how the meta settles and whether the new systems land as intended, but for now, it’s hard not to admire GGG’s willingness to shake things up a decade in. For the first time in a while, it feels like PoE 1 has a real future—alongside, not behind, its much-hyped sequel.
TL;DR: Path of Exile 3.26 is more than just a new league—it’s a statement that the game remains the king of ARPG endgame depth, delivering a fresh challenge for veterans and a better starting point for newcomers. With regular updates now promised for both PoE 1 and 2, Wraeclast just got a lot more interesting for everyone.
Source: Grinding Gear Games via GamesPress