Grinding Gear Games has always prided itself on pushing boundaries, and with POE 2 Divine Orbs (PoE2), the studio is not holding back. The latest update, The Third Edict, is more than just another expansion; it’s the game’s first truly defining moment. From fresh campaign content to a complete overhaul of movement, trading, and crafting systems, this patch is setting the stage for how PoE2 will evolve as the spiritual successor to one of the most complex ARPGs ever made.
Let’s break down the ten biggest features of the update and why they matter for both veterans and newcomers.
1. Act Four and Interlude Acts: A Campaign That Respects Your Time
One of the most common gripes with Path of Exile 1 was the repetitive campaign grind. Players were often forced to replay acts multiple times on higher difficulties before reaching the real endgame. PoE2 fixes this with a smoother campaign flow.
Act Four has been added, complete with new bosses, maps, and rewards.
Interlude acts prevent the need to slog through the same story sections repeatedly.
Players will not need to replay Act Three twice or endure the “cruel campaign” progression system.
This shift makes the campaign more engaging and efficient, ensuring that players who love the story get a better experience while those eager for endgame content can get there faster.
2. Sprinting: A Game-Changer for Movement
Movement in Path of Exile has always been divisive. For years, players debated the sluggish feel of the campaign and maps unless stacked with movement speed gear and skills. The Third Edict introduces sprinting, a universal tool that speeds up traversal across both campaign areas and maps.
There’s balance here, of course. If you’re struck while sprinting, you risk getting knocked down—a hilarious but dangerous feature in hardcore mode. Expect plenty of clips circulating online of sprinting players falling to their doom.
For the first time, PoE feels faster and more fluid right from the start, which is a big win for accessibility.
3. Support Gem Changes and Build Diversity
Build diversity has long been the crown jewel of PoE, but in practice, many players gravitate toward a handful of dominant meta builds. PoE2’s update shakes that up.
Support gems can now be used across multiple abilities.
Entirely new skill gems are being introduced, spanning weapon types like bows, maces, and more.
Players will be able to construct far more varied builds without feeling shoehorned into the “flavor of the season.”
This change should break the monotony of seeing 50%+ of players spamming the same Lightning Spear setup. With more options, experimentation is not just encouraged—it’s viable.
4. Rise of the Abyssal: The First Full League
The headline feature of The Third Edict is the Rise of the Abyssal League, the first true league mechanic of PoE2.
Abyss monsters emerge from the ground in randomized encounters, spawning swarms of enemies and unique bosses.
A new pinnacle boss, yet to be fully revealed, will anchor this league.
Defeating Abyssal foes drops unique crafting materials and league-specific loot.
The mechanic doesn’t just boil down to “kill monsters in a circle.” Instead, it integrates unveiled mods and decision-making into crafting. For example, rewards may allow you to choose from multiple modifiers when enhancing items. This expands itemization in meaningful ways.
And as a fun side note—some of the Abyss monsters were voiced by members of the development team, meaning you might literally be slaying the devs themselves.
5. Atlas and Endgame Events
The endgame Atlas is the heartbeat of PoE’s replayability. But in its early state, PoE2’s Atlas has been criticized for being a bit too dry. The Third Edict spices things up.
New maps have been added to increase variety.
Atlas events now spawn dynamic challenges, including mini-bosses and environmental hazards.
Example: a typhoon event spawns mid-map, unleashing a jewel that teleports players into a new arena where a unique boss waits.
This is the kind of unpredictability and spectacle that endgame players crave. The Atlas is no longer just about grinding maps—it’s about chasing surprises.
6. Lineage Supports: New Chase Items
One of the most exciting new systems is Lineage Support Gems.
These are unique, more powerful versions of traditional support gems.
Roughly 40 different Lineage Supports will drop in the game.
Some will become true “chase items,” rare and highly valuable tools for min-maxers.
This addition ties directly into build diversity. Imagine not only unlocking new builds but also having unique gems that act as status symbols within the community. The hunt for these gems may very well define the league economy.
7. The First Uber Boss: Uber Arbiter
High-end players are always hungry for ultimate challenges. PoE2 introduces its first Uber boss with Uber Arbiter.
While it’s not entirely clear whether the fight is a rebranded high-tier version or a full mechanical overhaul, its existence establishes a critical precedent: Uber bosses are here to stay in PoE2.
For competitive players, this means one more mountain to climb—and one more badge of honor to earn.
8. Hollow Palm and Unarmed Builds
Few things get players more excited than flashy new builds. Enter the Hollow Palm unarmed build.
Based on the Monk archetype, this playstyle allows Bruce Lee–style martial combat.
The build doesn’t lock to one class; it’s accessible via nodes on the passive tree.
New uniques like Thunderfist enhance this playstyle, ensuring it’s more than a gimmick.
Unarmed builds are poised to become one of the most popular archetypes in PoE2, and they provide a fresh fantasy that hasn’t existed in the series before.
9. Crafting Overhaul: A True Endgame System
Crafting in PoE has always been contentious. For some, it’s a complex and rewarding pursuit; for others, it’s a frustrating money sink. The Third Edict completely reimagines it.
Key changes include:
Essences have been reworked.
New tiers of crafting currency, such as perfect and flawless versions of exalts, transmutes, and augments.
Sanctifying Divines, which modify rolls within a ±20% range, adding new risk-reward depth.
League-specific unveil mods and new unique modifiers.
The result is a crafting system that feels like a legitimate endgame pillar rather than a half-baked side mechanic. For those who love item creation, PoE2 is finally giving you the toolkit to truly experiment.
10. Asynchronous Trading: Shops Over Scams
Finally, the feature many players didn’t know they needed but will instantly appreciate: Asynchronous Trade.
Players can now set up their own shops, which operate whether they’re online or offline.
Other players can browse and purchase items seamlessly.
Once an item is bought, it is locked and cannot be price-manipulated.
If two buyers click at the same time, the system rewards the first player to arrive at the seller’s hideout.
This is not an auction house, but it does solve the frustration of spammy whispers, unresponsive sellers, and scams. Trading is now efficient, transparent, and fair—something PoE1 struggled with for years.
Why The Third Edict Matters
Taken together, these changes represent more than just another content patch. They demonstrate Grinding Gear’s vision for Path of Exile 2: a game that respects player time, broadens creative possibilities, and fixes long-standing pain points.
For casual players, sprinting, campaign improvements, and asynchronous trade remove friction.
For hardcore grinders, Uber bosses, Lineage Supports, and deep crafting systems provide fresh chases.
For everyone, Rise of the Abyssal introduces the first real taste of what leagues in PoE2 will look like.
Conclusion
Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict isn’t just another update—it’s the blueprint for the game’s future. By blending faster pacing, more meaningful endgame activities, and community-friendly systems, Grinding Gear Games is ensuring PoE2 evolves into something greater than its predecessor.
The ten features outlined here—new acts, buy POE 2 Divine Orbs, build diversity, Rise of the Abyssal, Atlas events, Lineage Supports, Uber bosses, unarmed builds, crafting overhaul, and asynchronous trading—form the backbone of an ARPG that feels ready to take the throne.
If PoE2 can maintain this momentum, it may not just redefine itself but also reshape the entire ARPG genre.