Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has officially announced the release date for Path of Exile 3.29, the next major expansion! According to the official forum post by GGG on June 8, 2026, here are the key dates:
- GGG Live (Reveal Stream): July 16, 2026, at 1:00 PM PDT
- 3.29 League Launch: July 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM PDT
- Current League (Mirage) Ends: July 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM PDT
- A special event will also be hosted before launch—details to be announced soon.
If you're a new or returning player wondering what to expect and how to prepare for a new league in Path of Exile (PoE), this guide will walk you through the basics.
What Is a "New League"?
In Path of Exile, every few months, GGG launches a new Challenge League tied to a major expansion. A league is a fresh economy where all players start new characters with blank stash tabs and no shared items from Standard. The new league typically introduces:
- A new mechanic or gameplay system (revealed during GGG Live)
- New uniques, skill gems, or rebalances
- A set of 40 optional challenges with cosmetic rewards
The current Mirage league ends July 20, so now is the perfect time for newcomers to learn the ropes before the reset.
Choosing Your First Class
When creating a character in 3.29, you'll pick from seven base classes:
- Marauder – Strength-based melee (Tanky/Juggernaut)
- Duelist – Strength + Dexterity (Dual wield/melee DPS)
- Ranger – Dexterity-based (Bow builds, Evasion)
- Shadow – Dexterity + Intelligence (Traps, Crit, Assassin)
- Witch – Intelligence-based (Summoner/Elementalist)
- Templar – Strength + Intelligence (Casters/Hierophant)
- Scion – All attributes (unlocked later)
Beginner Recommendation: Start with Marauder (Juggernaut) for a simple Slam build, or Witch (Necromancer) for a minion army that requires less gear early on.
Core Gameplay Loop – What You'll Do
1. Campaign (Acts 1–10): Progress through story zones, defeat bosses, and collect Skill Gems & Support Gems.
2. Skill System: You don't have "class skills"—you socket Skill Gems into gear, linked with Support Gems to modify them.
3. Passive Tree: Massive hexagon skill tree—plan your build around a main damage skill.
4. Endgame – Atlas of Worlds: Run Maps, complete bonus objectives, encounter Elderslayers, Conquerors, and Pinnacle bosses.
5. League Mechanic: Each league adds a new endgame activity (to be revealed July 16!).
Essential Tips for New Players
1. Use the Official Trade Site:
pathofexile.com/trade — it's the main way to buy/sell PoE currency items safely.
2. Pick a Build Guide Early:
Follow a well-documented league starter from community sites (like poebuilds.cc or the official forum Builds section).
3. Don't Worry About "Ruining" Your Tree:
Respect costs are low early on; respec later if needed.
4. Enable Item Filter:
Download a filter (e.g., NeverSink's) so you only see valuable drops.
5. Join a Guild or Ask in Help Chat (/help)
PoE's community is very helpful!
How to Prepare for 3.29
1. Watch the GGG Live stream on July 16 to learn the new league mechanic and meta changes.
2. Clear stash space / consider buying premium stash tabs during the pre-launch sale (highly recommended for trading).
3. Review basic mechanics if you're brand new—watch a "PoE in 20 minutes" intro video.
4. Mark your calendar: July 24 = fresh start, new economy, new adventure!
Whether you're chasing the first-ever level 100, collecting MTX, or just here for the deep RPG systems, Path of Exile 3.29 promises another exciting fresh start. See you in Wraeclast!
