Dear Exiles, hot news here! The PoE 2 new expansion will launch soon. Let’s dive deep into everything Path of Exile 2’s monumental 0.3.0 update, “The Third Edict,” brings to the table. This is the most ambitious update yet, and it’s not just a patch—it’s a full-scale overhaul of systems, progression, and content. Below is a comprehensive breakdown, covering every major feature, change, and implication for players.
Overview: What Is “The Third Edict”?
Released on August 29, 2025, “The Third Edict” is the third major update to Path of Exile 2’s early access phase. It introduces:
● A brand-new Act IV campaign set in the Ngamakanui archipelago
● Three temporary Interlude Acts replacing the old Cruel difficulty
● A new seasonal league: Rise of the Abyssals
● Major gameplay and system overhauls, including sprinting, trading, and support gem changes
● Endgame improvements and passive tree reworks
Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has positioned this update as a response to nearly every major complaint from the community, aiming to revitalize PoE 2’s player base and progression systems.
Act IV: Ngamakanui Archipelago
The centerpiece of the update is the addition of Act IV, a non-linear campaign chapter set across eight Polynesian-inspired islands:
Island Highlights
● Whakapanu Island: Tropical and serene, but teeming with corrupted wildlife
● Isle of Kin: Volcanic terrain with fire-themed enemies and environmental hazards
● Kingsmach: The port city where your journey begins—hire a ship and set sail
● Other Islands: Each features unique biome, lore, and boss encounters
Narrative Arc
You’re tasked with aiding Doryani in locating an ancient weapon—the “Instrument of the Third Edict”—to combat the corruption spreading across Wraeclast. The archipelago’s non-linear design allows players to tackle islands in any order, encouraging exploration and replayability.
Interludes: Replacing Cruel Difficulty
GGG has officially removed the Cruel difficulty, which previously forced players to replay Acts I–III. In its place are three Interlude Acts, designed as side stories that bridge the gap to endgame:
Interlude I: Return to Ogham
● Assist Renly in a political conflict
● Features new zones and a boss encounter tied to Act I lore
Interlude II: Vastiri Desert
● Meet Asala, a desert mystic
● Introduces sand-based mechanics and mirage enemies
Interlude III: Lost Vaal Descendants
● Join Doryani in uncovering ancient Vaal secrets
● Includes puzzle-based zones and necromantic foes
These interludes are temporary and will be removed once Act V is introduced. However, their bosses and mechanics will be absorbed into the endgame.
Rise of the Abyssals League
The new league introduces the Abyssals, ancient undead beings created by forbidden necromantic magic. This is PoE 2’s first full seasonal league and includes:
Abyss Mechanics
● Fissures appear across Wraeclast, draining life from nearby monsters
● Killing affected monsters triggers Abyssal emergence
● Abyssals are enhanced by the powers they’ve absorbed
● Closing fissures reveals Abyssal Troves with loot and sometimes opens underground zones
League Design Philosophy
GGG aims to blend the Abyss mechanic from PoE 1 with Delve-style exploration, creating a hybrid system that rewards risk and depth. The Abyssals scale in complexity and power as you progress.
Sprinting Mechanic
One of the most impactful gameplay changes: sprinting is now available to all characters.
How It Works
● After a dodge roll, hold the dodge button to sprint
● Sprinting increases movement speed dramatically
● Taking damage while sprinting stuns the player briefly
● Using any skill cancels sprint mode
This change enhances mobility and pacing, especially in open-world zones and boss fights. It’s a bold move that shifts combat dynamics and traversal.
Trading System Introduced
Trading is now officially part of PoE 2, addressing a long-standing community request.
Features
● In-game trade board accessible from towns
● Item search filters and price history
● Secure trade window with preview and confirmation
● Trade chat channels for negotiation
This system is designed to streamline item acquisition without compromising PoE’s loot-driven identity.
Support Gem System Overhaul
Support gems have been reworked to improve clarity and build diversity.
Key Changes
● Gems now show exact numerical effects on linked skills
● Support gems scale with character level and gear
● Some supports now have active effects, like triggering buffs or debuffs
This overhaul makes theorycrafting more transparent and encourages experimentation.
Endgame and Atlas Passive Tree Changes
GGG has revamped the Atlas Passive Tree and endgame progression:
Atlas Tree
● More nodes added for Abyssal content
● New keystones for boss farming and crafting
● Improved UI for pathing and node preview
Endgame Zones
● Abyssal-themed maps added
● Interlude bosses now appear in endgame rotations
● New crafting materials exclusive to Abyssal encounters
These changes aim to make endgame more rewarding and less grindy.
Passive Skill Tree and Ascendancy Reworks
The core progression systems have been refined:
Passive Tree
● Node values rebalanced for smoother leveling
● New cluster jewels for Abyssal synergy
● Pathing options expanded for hybrid builds
Ascendancy Classes
● Several ascendancies reworked for better identity
● New ascendancy keystones added
● Passive refund granted to all players due to changes
These updates are especially impactful for returning players who want to respec and try new builds.
Itemization and Unique Items
GGG has added new unique PoE 2 items, rebalanced existing gear, and introduced Abyssal-themed loot:
Highlights
● Abyssal Rings: Grant necromantic bonuses and fissure interactions
● Karui Relics: Island-specific gear with elemental resistances
● Vaal Echoes: Rare drops from Interlude III with time-based effects
Item crafting has also been tweaked to accommodate new affix pools and Abyssal modifiers.
Bug Fixes and UI Improvements
The patch includes hundreds of bug fixes and quality-of-life upgrades:
Notable Fixes
● Skill targeting improved for AoE abilities
● Pathfinding bugs in Act III resolved
● UI scaling options added for 4K monitors
● Microtransaction previews now show full animations
Twitch Drops and Community Events
To celebrate the update, GGG enabled Twitch Drops during the August 20 livestream. Viewers received:
● Rare finishing effects
● Abyssal-themed cosmetics
● Passive tree respec tokens
Co-streaming was encouraged, and the event featured interviews with developers and content creators like ZiggyD.
Developer Insights and Future Plans
In interviews, game director Jonathan Rogers confirmed:
● A new class was planned but delayed—likely coming in 0.4.0
● The update aims to “solve every problem players are currently unhappy about”
● Act V is already in development and will replace the Interludes
GGG is committed to evolving PoE 2 based on community feedback, and “The Third Edict” is a major step in that direction.
Final Thoughts
“The Third Edict” isn’t just a content drop—it’s a statement. GGG has listened to its players and delivered a sweeping update that redefines progression, storytelling, and gameplay in Path of Exile 2. Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer, this is the perfect time to dive back in, explore the Ngamakanui archipelago, and face the rise of the Abyssals.
