Path of Exile

Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame launched on July 24, 2026, introducing a wealth of new content, including a challenge league, a new Ascendancy class for the Scion, and an expansive endgame system. This update followed the Mirage expansion which released on March 6, 2026, adding a new league and various features, while the Keepers of the Flame expansion set the stage for this year's content in late October 2025.

• New Expansion: The Curse of the Allflame expansion introduced perilous Voyages beneath the frozen seas of Wraeclast, along with new unique items and the Luminary Ascendancy class.
  • Challenge League: The expansion featured a new challenge league and a collection mechanic for determining encounters and rewards.
• New Content: The Mirage expansion brought a new league, unique items, and a host of new skill gems, including Holy Hammers and Shield of Light.
  • Unique Items: New unique items, including Abyssal Jewels and spellcasting crabs, were added in both expansions.
• Gameplay Changes: Significant overhauls included a complete revamp of the Atlas and mapping systems, along with new mechanics for Abyss encounters and a rework of the Legion rewards.
• Balance Adjustments: Over one hundred spells received rebalancing to enhance differentiation among damage types, alongside various adjustments to Ascendancy classes and encounter mechanics.
• Seasonal Events: The Return of the Ancestors event launched on June 25, featuring mechanics from the Trial of the Ancestors and introducing new Tattoos, while the Legacy of Phrecia event began on January 29, 2026, offering alternate Ascendancy classes.

Path of Exile: Secrets of the Atlas launched on June 12, 2025, delivering a substantial expansion that introduced a new endgame storyline, three new endgame bosses, and a fresh challenge league. This period also marked the introduction of 19 new Ascendancy classes as part of the Legacy of Phrecia event, significantly expanding gameplay options.

• New Endgame Content: The Secrets of the Atlas expansion added:
  • A new endgame storyline.
  • Three new endgame bosses.
  • A new challenge league.
• Ascendancy Classes: The Legacy of Phrecia event introduced 19 new Ascendancy classes, replacing the previous classes and offering players diverse build possibilities.
• New Systems: The Renown System was implemented, allowing players to gain Renown by defeating Mercenaries, which affected encounters with tougher enemies.
• Gameplay Adjustments: Players can now respec their Ascendancy classes by redoing an Ascendancy Trial, requiring zero points allocated, enhancing build experimentation.
• Seasonal Events: The Zizaran’s Class Gauntlet Event began on July 31, 2025, featuring challenging conditions and modifiers for players to compete against each other.

Path of Exile: Settlers of Kalguur launched on July 28, 2024, introducing an array of new content including a new Ascendancy class, the Warden, and the Settlers of Kalguur Challenge League. This period also marked the launch of three expansions on December 31, 2023, enhancing the game significantly with new gameplay mechanics and features.

• New Content:

  • Warden Ascendancy Class: A new class focusing on Elemental Attacks and Tinctures launched with Settlers of Kalguur.
  • Settlers of Kalguur Challenge League: Introduced resource gathering mechanics and familiar characters.
  • Three Expansions: The expansions Crucible, The Trial of the Ancestors, and Affliction launched together, adding substantial new gameplay elements.
  • New Skill and Support Gems: Several new gems were introduced in Settlers of Kalguur, expanding build possibilities.

• Gameplay Improvements:

  • Endgame Content Enhancements: Significant updates to endgame mechanics, including new encounters.
  • Auto-Battler Style Mechanic: Introduced in the Trial of the Ancestors, adding a new layer of strategy.
  • Couch Co-op Feature: Path of Exile 2 introduced couch co-op, allowing players to enjoy the game together locally.

• Major Balance Changes:

  • Massive Balance Overhaul: Drastic changes were made to Melee Skills, Block, Rage, Warcries, and other gameplay systems on July 28, 2024.

• Seasonal Events:

  • Zizaran's Class Gauntlet Event: Hosted by community streamer Zizaran, this event featured challenging bosses and a prize pool starting on February 2, 2024.
  • Twitch Drops for Affliction Launch: Players could earn exclusive rewards by watching streams during the Affliction launch.

• Quality of Life Improvements:

  • QoL Enhancements in Trades: New features were introduced to streamline trading, such as splitting currency stacks.

Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors launched on August 18, 2023, bringing a new league and expansion packed with exclusive cosmetic effects. This year also saw the Crucible expansion debut on April 7, introducing powerful passive skill trees for weapons and a host of new content, including new support gems and unique items.

• Major Content Drops:

  • Trial of the Ancestors League launched on August 18, 2023, featuring new mechanics and exclusive cosmetics.
  • Crucible Expansion launched on April 7, 2023, introducing the Titan's Crucible and new crafting mechanics.
  • The Forbidden Sanctum Expansion launched on December 9, 2022, adding new gameplay features and challenges.

• New Content:

  • Druid Class introduced in Path of Exile 2 during the Trial of the Ancestors expansion.
  • New Support Gems added in the Trial of the Ancestors, enhancing gameplay strategies.
  • 49 Unique Items introduced across multiple expansions, including new unique relics and skill gems.

• Gameplay Mechanics:

  • Crucible Passive Trees mechanics were implemented, allowing players to forge passive skill trees onto weapons.
  • Ruthless Game Mode debuted, increasing item scarcity and difficulty for a more challenging experience.
  • Asynchronous Group SSF Events introduced, enabling competitive play with unique rules.

• Balance Changes:

  • Rebalanced Over 100 Unique Items, adjusting their effectiveness and gameplay impact.
  • Seismic Trap nerfs and various adjustments to skill and support gems to enhance game balance.

• Seasonal Events:

  • Trial of the Ancestors Boss Kill Event engaged players in competition for exclusive prizes, adding a layer of excitement to the league.

Lake of Kalandra Expansion launched on August 19, 2022, bringing a wealth of new content to Path of Exile. This expansion introduced the Ruthless game mode, emphasizing extreme item scarcity, and revamped existing systems to enhance gameplay experiences.

• Major Content Drops:

  • Lake of Kalandra Expansion launched on August 19, 2022, available for free on PC and later for consoles.
  • Sentinel Expansion launched on May 13, 2022, with a console release on May 18, 2022.
  • Siege of the Atlas expansion launched on February 4, 2022, introducing new lore and mechanics.

• New Content:

  • The introduction of the Ruthless game mode announced on October 13, 2022, featuring extreme item scarcity.
  • Four new bosses added in Siege of the Atlas: The Black Star, The Searing Exarch, The Infinite Hunger, and The Eater of Worlds.
  • New unique items and divination cards related to the latest expansions, including the Poised Prism Unique Quiver and various new skill gems.

• Gameplay Mechanics:

  • A revamped challenge system in the Sentinel League offering greater rewards and introducing new unique item skins through Kirac's Vault Pass.
  • Removal of the Archnemesis Mods, streamlining the gameplay experience.
  • The introduction of an Atlas-wide Passive Tree, consolidating skills into a single system.

• Balance Changes:

  • Normalized rare monster encounters and adjusted spawn rates to improve game balance.
  • Various adjustments to Archnemesis modifiers, enhancing the overall gameplay experience by reducing overwhelming encounters.

• Seasonal Events:

  • Numerous events held, including the Lake of Kalandra Boss Kill Event and community-driven challenges like Zizaran’s Class Gauntlet, rewarding top players with unique prizes.

Path of Exile 3.16 Expansion launched on October 22, 2021, introducing significant new content and features, including the new Scourge League. Prior to this, the 3.15 Expansion released on July 23, 2021, bringing the Expedition League, which added new skills, bosses, and a variety of gameplay mechanics.

• New Endgame Boss: The Maven was introduced as a new endgame boss on January 15, 2021, offering fresh challenges for players.
• New Skills and Items: The Expedition expansion introduced 19 new skill and support gems on July 20, 2021, along with new stackable currency items like the Enkindling Orb and Instilling Orb.
  • New Active Skill Gems: Active skill gems such as Defiance Banner, Voltaxic Burst, and Summon Reaper were added.
  • New Bosses: New bosses like Olroth and Vorana were introduced in the Expedition update.
• Gameplay Adjustments: Key changes included the reduction of Atlas regions from 8 to 4, simplifying the endgame progression and requiring players to defeat fewer Conquerors.
• Balance Changes: A comprehensive balance overhaul improved core defenses, including buffs to Armour and Evasion, and introduced Spell Suppression as a new defensive mechanic.

Path of Exile: Heist launched on September 20, 2020, introducing new gameplay mechanics, content, and features. This expansion followed the Harvest update, which launched on June 19, 2020, adding extensive crafting options within the Sacred Grove. Delirium, another major expansion, launched on March 13, 2020, bringing a host of new mechanics and content that enriched the gameplay experience.

• Major Content Drops:

  • Path of Exile: Heist launched on September 20, 2020, featuring new Heist mechanics, including Rogues and Curio Display Rooms.
  • Path of Exile: Harvest launched on June 19, 2020, with new crafting options and the introduction of Oshabi, the Warden of the Sacred Grove.
  • Path of Exile: Delirium launched on March 13, 2020, featuring a new challenge league and the Cluster Jewel system.

• New Systems / Mechanics:

  • The Heist expansion introduced new gameplay mechanics such as Markers, Contracts, and Blueprints for enhanced Heist planning.
  • A revamped Atlas Influence System was introduced on March 1, 2020, improving how players engage with the endgame content.

• New Content:

  • Thirteen new Rogues were introduced with the Heist expansion, each possessing unique skills for Heist missions.
  • The Death Wish skill was added, allowing players to channel power into their minions.
  • Nine new skills and support gems were introduced in the Heist expansion, enhancing build diversity.

• Balance & Gameplay:

  • Significant reworks to Warcry mechanics were implemented, adjusting cooldowns and usage times for better combat dynamics.
  • Passive tree adjustments were made to support new mechanics and enhance gameplay variety.

• Seasonal Events:

  • The Zizaran's Awakener Kill Event on September 7, 2020, allowed players to compete for cash prizes by defeating The Awakener in Heist mode.

Path of Exile saw the release of the Divine Arcane Wings on October 18, 2019, introducing new weightless golden wings that leave a beautiful trail behind. This update also featured the introduction of Sister Cassia, a key NPC for the Blight league introduced on October 3, 2019, enhancing player interaction with new mechanics.

• New NPC: Sister Cassia became a central figure in the Blight league, guiding players through its mechanics and offering anointing options without needing to complete the Blight tutorial.
• Gameplay Changes: The Blight league marked significant gameplay adjustments, including:
  • Teal Oil became the most commonly used oil on Blighted Maps, affecting the luck of two Blight Chests.
  • Violet Oil increased item quantity by 30%, boosting its demand for valuable divination cards.
  • High oil consumption was noted, with nearly 60% of all oils used on Blighted Maps.
• Visual and Audio Enhancements: Sister Cassia's character design was revealed, reflecting her background, and she was voiced by Jodie Rimmer, adding depth to her role. Additionally, audio effects for various skills and items were updated, enhancing the overall experience.
• User Interface Improvements: The visibility of Blight Boss icons on the minimap was improved, helping players navigate encounters more effectively.
• Balance Adjustments: The description of the Breathstealer unique gloves was updated to clarify its interaction with Blighted Spores, ensuring players had accurate information.