Path of Exile 2: Third Edict Brings Massive Game Overhaul

Grinding Gear Games just revealed the next big chapter for Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict, launching on August 29, 2025! This next big update introduces Act IV, three interlude acts, the game’s first full League, sweeping reworks to skills, supports, and crafting, as well as a completely new trade system.

Further down is a “short” breakdown of everything revealed during the livestream. More details are also available in the official video or on the PoE 2 Third Edict website!

Act IV: Journey to the Ngamakanui Archipelago

After meeting Doryani in Act III, you will have to travel to the Karui archipelago of Ngamakanui in search of the Instrument of the Third Edict, the only weapon capable of stopping the Beast. Here is what to expect from the new act:

• Non-linear progression: Act IV lets you travel freely between eight different islands, each with distinct environments and bosses.
• Locations: From the serene beaches of Whakapanu Island to the volcanic Isle of Kin, every area comes with unique dangers and lore.
• Bosses: Dozen new bosses, including the Lord of Kin and Diamora, the Song of Death.
• New monsters: More than 100 new enemy types.
• Streamlined campaign: Once you reach Act IV, you no longer need to replay previous Acts to progress into the endgame.

Three Interlude Acts – Level 65 Endgame Access

To get rid of the old campaign repeat system, The Third Edict adds three mini-Acts as side stories that naturally bring players to Level 65, where endgame begins.

• The Curse of Holten – Return to Ogham, aid Renly, rebuild the village, and fight corruption.
• The Stolen Barya – Travel back to the Vastiri Desert and assist Asala in her sacred duty.
• Doryani’s Contingency – Climb a vast mountain to uncover secrets of the lost Vaal descendants.

Across these interludes, you can find:

• 19 new areas
• 12 new bosses
• 35 total new areas & 24 bosses when counting all Interludes

Major Combat & Skill System Overhaul

Support Gems Reworked

• No longer limited to one copy per character.
• Can stack multiple of the same Support Gem.
• Tiered system: Support Gems can be upgraded, gaining extra bonuses at higher tiers (e.g., +10% Cast Speed at Tier 3).

New Lineage Support Gems

• 40 new “Unique-like” support gems.
• Some drop globally, some only from bosses or pinnacle encounters.
• Build-defining power, available mainly in the endgame.

Skills & Balance Changes

• 150+ new passive tree clusters (~20 per class).
• Every class updated: new skills, buffs, and improved scaling.
• Defensive changes:
  • Block more reliable.
  • Armor now mitigates some elemental damage.
  • Accuracy buffed for smoother combat.
• Weapon updates:
  • Crossbows can reload without slowing movement.
  • Movement penalties reduced for casting/skills.
• Class improvements: Witch minions buffed, mercenary banners reworked, bomb cannons adjusted, new passive nodes added.
• Gameplay flow: More rewarding combos, higher damage potential, smoother builds.
• New universal mechanic: Sprinting – available to all characters. Activated by holding Dodge Roll; continuous sprinting until interrupted.

Rise of the Abyssal – Path of Exile 2’s First League

The Abyssal, thought long extinct, have returned through fissures spreading across Wraeclast.

• Mechanic: Defeating monsters drains energy, triggering Abyssal spawns.
• Scaling difficulty: Abyss events grow larger, with more monsters and rewards.
• Abyssal Depths: Explore underground, find troves, and face powerful Abyssal commanders.
• Bosses: 4 unique Abyssal bosses with their own exclusive items.
• Pinnacle Encounter: Destroy the Ancient Spire, obtain the Finger of the Lich, and challenge the terrifying Vessel of Kulemak.

Abyssal Rewards & Crafting

• Desecrated modifiers: Ancient bones drop from Abysses, allowing special crafting through the Well of Souls (introduced in Act II).
• Can transform modifiers with multiple options.
• Abyss modifiers also extend to Waystones, which will raise both challenge and rewards.

Endgame Updates

• 25 new endgame maps covering Act IV and Interlude content.
• New encounters: Sandstorms, Maelstroms, hidden Vaal Vaults.
• Each features Uber versions of Act IV & Interlude bosses, with exclusive Lineage Support drops.
• Atlas tree: Points gained earlier, some gated by pinnacle fights.
• Splinters: New system lets you select entry difficulty for Realm content.

Crafting & Itemization Changes

• High-tier currency: “Greater” and “Perfect” versions of classic currency (Chaos, Exalts, Regals, etc.) for stronger and more predictable crafts.
• Essences reworked: More specific modifiers, extra tiers.
• Exceptional items: Gear with extra sockets or higher-than-max quality, exclusive to top-tier zones.
• New uniques: Tied to Karui culture and The Third Edict’s themes. Some exclusives are locked to the Abyss League.

New Trade System – Asynchronous Trading

A long-requested feature finally arrives: Asynchronous Trade.

• How it works:
  • Unlock by defeating an island boss, then recruit NPC Ange to your hideout.
  • You can then set items for sale with your chosen price.
  • Ange manages the exchange even when you are offline.
  • Buyers are teleported to your hideout, where they can purchase directly or browse your stash.

This lets trading happen seamlessly without both parties needing to be online.

Release Date & Bonus Weekend

• Release date: August 29, 2025.
• Free weekend: Path of Exile 2 will be free-to-play for everyone from August 29 – September 1.
• Trailer: Watch below.

The Third Edict is the biggest update yet for Path of Exile 2, introducing an open-ended Act IV, three new interludes, the first full League, dozens of bosses, 25 added maps, and massive overhauls to nearly every system in the game. From sprinting and revamped supports to asynchronous trade and Abyssal horrors, this expansion completely changes both the campaign and the endgame.

The wait will not be long; The Third Edict arrives August 29!

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For more updates on Path of Exile 2 and upcoming content, head to our PoE2 main hub here.