Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- The Mirage expansion introduces new gameplay mechanics where players confront ancient Djinn within mirages - near-perfect copies of areas they reside, with choices of three desires for altered experiences.
- Players will encounter new challenges and rewards in the form of Afraad warlocks, Varshata, Saresh (a new endgame boss), and various new unique items, skills, and support gems.
- Significant updates have been made to the Atlas, including Zanas actions to reform it and address old restrictions, as well as the introduction of new Atlas keystones like The Paths Not Taken.
- Improvements have been made to various aspects of the game, such as currency exchange, easier item previews, automatic Prophecy Letter rewards, and optional campaign markers for additional rewards throughout Wraeclast.
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Get ready for “Mirage,” Path of Exile’s newest update, launching March 6th at 4 PM Brasilia time. Confront your destiny and explore the treacherous sands of time with a new league mechanic centered around encounters with ancient Djinn. These mirages duplicate and enhance areas on your map. The expansion also brings significant endgame updates, including an overhauled Atlas, a new Heir class, sacred abilities, improvements to gameplay and campaign progression, plus 40 new exceptional support gems. The Mirage League focuses on the Afraad, a cult of necromancers dwelling in the desert who have been kidnapping and imprisoning Djinn for their mysterious rituals. These rituals drain the Djinn’s energy, threatening ancestral forces tied to Maraketh history. Players will face imprisoned Djinn guarded by Afraad warlocks, ultimately confronting Varshata, an ancient Maraketh wizard determined to free them using her mirage powers.
In Path of Exile’s upcoming Mirage expansion, players will battle ancient Djinns within mirages—near-perfect copies of areas where the Djinns reside. Before entering one, Varshata offers players a choice of three desires: powerful modifiers that significantly alter the experience. Each desire is tied to one of the three Djinn secrets: Sand, Fire, or Water. Choosing a secret will cause monsters to drop coins related to it, which can then be used to corrupt maxed-out ability gems for random support effects. Mirages also allow players to replay endgame content like chests and legions twice with additional perks. The Afraad have twisted ancient Maraketh artifacts into new gear. By acquiring a restoration coin in Mirage, players can have Varshata restore these Afraad uniques to their original Maraketh forms. For example, the Fleshrender can be restored into Skysunder, a fire-reflecting Maraketh weapon that sets monsters ablaze. Players who antagonize the Afraad enough might attract the attention of Saresh, a new endgame boss who can be defeated for rare, exclusive loot. The update also introduces new skills and supports to combat these threats, along with new Transfigured Gems for previously lacking variants.
Balance adjustments have been made to Templar lineage classes and passives in the passive tree. Existing sacred abilities like Static Strike, Sacred Flame Totem, and Dominating Strike have been enhanced. Less-used ascension classes like Guardian and Protector have also been reworked to better fit the Templar archetype. A new ascendancy class for the Heir, the Reliquarian, is available for players interested in Phrecias Legacy events and those who want to play as an Oriath Academy scholar excavating relics in Wraeclast. This class offers more character-building flexibility than any other ascension class, with unique passive powers that will evolve with each expansion. Significant changes are coming to the endgame, stemming from Zana’s actions to reform the Atlas, similar to the War of the Atlas (3.1.0) expansion. She is restructuring the Atlas to address old restrictions and streamline time-consuming tasks. Specific changes have been made to the Atlas trees to benefit weaker cores. Scavenge and Plunder now have a chance to drop items with a Fractured Veiled Mod for union members. New Atlas keystones, such as The Paths Not Taken, double divination card drops but also introduce the possibility of unknown drops.
Exporting Kingsmarch has been improved with better ore and harvest rewards, a new port, and the ability to reroll favorites with gold. Ports now offer more specific tattoo and runic graft rewards, along with powerful new grafts like Runegraft of Fury (grants rage when using life flasks) and Runegraft of Resurgence (regenerates life with arcane waves). Awakened gems have been replaced with a new system that grants Void Stones after defeating fear incarnations, enabling all Alt bosses to drop over 40 new exceptional support gems. These new gems replace the old Awakening supports, providing transformative gameplay boosts rather than simple stat increases. Additional details will be released closer to launch; check the update notes for more information. The Keepers system is now the primary mechanic, replacing older breakage mechanics, and it has full Atlas Scarabs support, including new notables and keystones for hive-centric playstyles. Implant items are gone, but their powers persist in exceptional supports like Hiveborn (summons Lackeys) and Foulgrasp (Fissure Grab nod).
New Features in Path of Exile’s Mirage Expansion
Path of Exile’s Mirage expansion launches March 6th at 4 PM Brasilia time. Players can expect ancient Djinn encounters that create duplicated map areas, endgame updates like Atlas reform, a new Heir class, and over 40 new support gems. By defeating Afraad Warlocks guarding imprisoned Djinn, players can unlock the astral realm and choose one of Varshata’s modifier wishes before entering a mirage. New unique items, skills, and class balance adjustments are also included. The update also improves the Path of Exile experience with features such as currency exchange using favorite currencies, access to deposits while the interface is open, and easier viewing of sales history via item previews. Prophecy Letters now automatically grant their reward item, and there are over 20 new campaign markers and optional encounters with rewards to discover. As you journey through Wraeclast, be prepared for unexpected rooms, side passages, chests, and encounters. Exclusive cosmetic rewards can be earned through Mirage League challenges, support packages, and Treasure Passes.
In Case You Missed It
If you’re craving some free gaming adventures this holiday season, Ahmed Hassan’s recent post “Steam Gives You Two Excellent Games to Keep Forever and One to Try Immediately” Steam Gives You Two Excellent Games to Keep Forever and One to Try Immediately has got you covered. Dive into the chilling indie title Just Ignore Them before it goes back to paid on Monday evening, explore the vast world of Black Desert Online until December 18th, and don’t miss out on a limited-time trial for Path of Exile 2! Speaking of Diablo, Marcus Thompson’s recent post “You Had No Issue Turning Diablo into a Slot Machine” You Had No Issue Turning Diablo into a Slot Machine explores an intriguing social media exchange between Thomas Mahler of Moon Studios and former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, delving into the delicate balance between monetization and respect for gaming heritage. And in case you missed it, Jonathan Dubinski’s latest post from December 14, “Steam Offers Three Free Games, Two to Keep Forever, They’re Excellent” Steam Offers Three Free Games, Two to Keep Forever, They’re Excellent is a must-read for gaming enthusiasts, with his exploration of this week’s Steam offers, including Just Ignore Them and Black Desert, both available for free for a limited time. Plus, get a sneak peek into Path of Exile 2’s vast stat tree before it becomes purchasable!