Path of Exile is a popular action RPG developed by Grinding Gear Games. Since its initial release in 2013, the game has received numerous updates and expansions, each adding new content and features. One of the latest updates to the game is 3.21: Crucible, which brings a host of new changes, improvements, and challenges. In this blog, we will explore whether or not Path of Exile 3.21: Crucible is worth playing by examining its new content, features, skills, items and more currency to farm.
The Crucible Mechanic in Path of Exile 3.21
For fans of lore, the new league has a lot to give. For instance, we discover that mighty Titans created Wraeclast long ago. You can forge the legendary abilities of these giants onto your weapons using the Crucible mechanic. You can give your weapons their skill tree, the so-called Crucible tree, in a typical Path of Exile way. In addition to its usual qualities, this fortifies your weapon or shield with potent modifiers.
Endgame Changes
New "Profane" variables have been added, and they can now be rolled on maps, logbooks, explore biomes, and heist contracts. These factors make monsters more physically destructive than Chaos and inflict withered for two seconds when hit. Your Critical Strike Multiplier per Power Charge has been decreased in lieu of the Eldritch Altar modifier that reduced your Cooldown Recovery Rate per Power Charge. The Atlas Passives for the Maven Invitation Item Quantity no longer each give a 3% increase in the number of items discovered in the Maven's Crucible.
They each now state, "Each map's final map boss has an 8% increased chance of dropping a Maven's Invitation (Tier 14+)." More Crescent Splinters have been dropped from Maven Invitations to reflect this shift.
An Enchantment for non-unique Maps that gives a 50% chance not to consume Sextant Uses has been added to substitute the Harvest Crafting Option that applied an enchantment to a non-Unique Map and prevented it from using Sextant charges. Grand Heists' replica unique item prizes no longer have an increased likelihood of spawning with more sockets or links than usual.
More Crafting Options
The 3.21: Crucible update introduces a range of new crafting options to Path of Exile, making it easier for players to create their desired items though you would need more currency for increased chances. These new crafting options include new base types for weapons and armor and new crafting recipes that allow players to modify and upgrade their gear.
The update also introduces Harvest crafting options to the core game, which allows players to plant and harvest seeds to craft powerful items. These new crafting options provide more depth and variety to the game's crafting system, allowing players to customize and optimize their equipment fully.
However, it may take some time for players to learn and adjust to these new crafting options, especially for those unfamiliar with the Harvest league mechanics.
Better Performance
The 3.21: Crucible update significantly improves the game's performance and stability, making it more enjoyable to play. The update introduces several optimizations, including better multithreading support, improved graphics performance, and reduced memory usage. These improvements lead to faster loading times, smoother gameplay, and a more stable game client overall. Additionally, the update includes several quality-of-life improvements, such as a new feature that allows players to preview their MTX (microtransaction) effects before purchasing them, making it easier for players to customize their characters. The improved performance and quality of life changes make Path of Exile 3.21: Crucible a more polished and enjoyable experience for new and veteran players.
New Skills and Items
The 3.21: Crucible update also introduces several new skills and items to the game, providing players with new ways to build and customize their characters. Some notable additions include new two-handed weapons, such as a new sword and a Warhammer, as well as new support gems that can enhance the power of existing skills.
Additionally, the update brings several new skill gems, including the Kinetic Bolt, a spell that launches a barrage of projectiles, and the Void Sphere, a spell that creates a vortex that damages enemies and disrupts their skills. These new skills and items offer players more options to experiment with and can help shake up the game's Meta. However, some players may find that the new skills and items require significant investment, like PoE Divine Orb, and may take time to utilize effectively and comprehensively.
Crucible Passive Skill Trees
You can upgrade your weaponry with Crucible Skill Trees. These skill trees include several passive abilities in a condensed tree that have benefits in addition to the attributes of the equipped weapon. You will earn experience for the chosen skill of an equipped weapon as you complete Crucible battles. Each column only allows you to choose one ability, and the passive abilities are arranged in a branching tree. When a skill tree is added to a weapon, it is randomly created. The amount and type of passive abilities might vary, and some passive abilities are gated behind minimum item-level restrictions.
Crucible Forge
The Crucible Forge is a zone-found item that may be used to provide weapons Crucible Passive Skill Trees, and experience for those skill trees. You "channel" the Crucible Forge for up to a few seconds after discovering it by choosing an equipped weapon and a passive skill on that same weapon's skill tree to gain experience. Every weapon you have equipped, including the one you are now using and any offset weapons, will give you a Crucible experience. Magmatic Orbs operate as an itemized Crucible experience, much like a Facetor's Lens does for gem XP.
Primeval Remnants
You can obtain Primeval Remnants through Crucible, items that resemble maps. Each Primeval Remnant is a rare unmodifiable item with various extraordinarily difficult mods. Geodes that drop in Crucible Encounters can be used to obtain the two tiers of Primeval Remnants. Modifiers in Primeval Remnants may provide extra unique benefits.
One outstanding prize "Contains an Extra Forge that can add a Crucible Passive Skill Tree to a Unique Item." This is the only method we know for adding a Crucible Skill Tree to a Unique Weapon.
Forge of the Titans
The Forge of the Titans, which is at the far end of the map, is the main prize from Primeval Remnants. You can combine the Crucible Skill Trees of two objects in the Forge of the Titans, but doing so will destroy one of the items. The unified skill tree will include random passives drawn from the two skill trees. Tier 2 Remnants have a Forge that allows you to mix Unique and Corrupted Items, but Tier 1 Remnants only have a Forge where you can combine the Crucible Skill Trees of uncorrupted Rare Items.
Unique Gear
Several Uniques can be acquired through Crucible, just like with all Leagues. The origin of these uniques is currently uncertain. The only non-weapon item that can have a Crucible Passive Skill Tree is El'Abin's Visage, making it special. Additionally, Widowhail, Stormseeker, Blood Price, Tainted Pact, and Ancestral Vision are non-weapon items with a crucible passive skill tree.
Final Thoughts
The 3.21: Crucible update for Path of Exile introduces new content, features, and improvements that make it a compelling addition to the game. With new endgame challenges, exciting new encounters, revamped crafting options, and improved performance, the update provides a fresh and enjoyable experience for new and veteran players. The update is a testament to the game's dedication to providing new and exciting content, and it's sure to keep players hooked for hours on end.