Path of Exile 2 Update 3.22: Trial of the Ancestors and Full Evolution
Hey Exiles! Riding the wave of excitement from ExileCon, the 3.22 update for Path of Exile 2 (POE2) will arrive on the 22nd of March. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has packed this update with a ton of new content, refined mechanics and balance changes that'll shake things up. Whether you're a grizzled veteran who's conquered Wraeclast a hundred times or a fresh-faced adventurer just starting out, this update is designed to keep you entertained. Let's dive into the highlights and see why players are calling this the boldest chapter of POE2 yet.
Trial of the Ancestral League: Clash with Karui Legends
The crown jewel of 3.22 is the Trial of the Ancestors League. Imagine stepping into the afterlife of Karui and facing off against ten different tribes in a high-stakes, tournament-style brawl. This isn't just hack-and-slash mayhem - it's a test of strategy and finesse that will keep you on your toes.
Core gameplay: Build your tribal legacy
You'll face off against tribes scattered throughout each area, each with their own tricks up their sleeve. Some unleash devastating AOE barrages, while others summon totems or turtle up with beefy defences.
Defeat a tribe and you can recruit their warriors to your crew. They'll fight alongside you in later battles, adding a personal touch to what feels like a mercenary squad.
The endgame? Take down the champions of all ten tribes to claim exclusive league currency and rare loot that'll make your builds sing.
Tattoos: Ink your way to power
This league introduces a game changer: the Tattoo system. These sit on top of your skill tree, overwriting base nodes with powerful buffs that open up a world of build possibilities:
Attribute Tattoos: Think "+10 Strength" or "+5% All Resistances" - small boosts to fine-tune your stats.
Mechanic tattoos: Things like "10% more critical strike chance, but 5% less critical damage" - perfect for risky, rewarding playstyles.
Special tattoos: Whispers in the community hint at wild options like "Regenerate 1% health per second, but lose 10% movement speed", daring you to weigh the pros and cons.
Players are buzzing about how these could flip the script on builds - imagine a power-based tank slinging spells, or a fast duelist stacking Survival benefits.
What players are saying
The forums are alight with chatter about tattoo synergies with gems and equipment. Some say this could be the biggest change to character progression since the Ascendancy professions were dropped.
The Forbidden Sanctum: Endgame glory becomes permanent
Remember last year's Forbidden Sanctum? It stole the show, and now GGG is making it a permanent fixture in POE2's endgame. This roguelike dungeon crawl thrives on randomisation and nail-biting challenges.
What's new in the Sanctum?
Tougher enemies: New high-level enemies and trickier traps - like dodging moving lasers or outrunning timed explosions.
Revamped maps: Floors now branch out with more paths, allowing you to choose safe routes or dive into danger for bigger payouts.
Loot upgrades: Exclusive uniques are up for grabs, including rumours of a 'Sanctum Guardian Amulet' that could trigger random curses when you take a hit.
Why it's a game-changer
The Sanctum spices up your endgame options and caters to high-stakes thrill-seekers. Unlike standard maps, it's all about quick decisions and staying alive - expect it to become a go-to for daily grinds.
Classic leagues reborn: Legion, Delirium and Torment
GGG isn't just dropping new stuff - they've revamped three fan-favourite leagues to keep the classics going.
Legion
Beefier enemies: Legion mobs now hit harder and have 15-20% more health, but drop juicier rewards.
New Gear: Meet the Legion Commander's Crown, rumoured to juice up minions and extend your AOE range.
Hype Factor: The Legion has always been a hotspot for XP and currency farming - this tweak could make it king again.
Delirium
Thicker Fog: Delirium fog is denser, mobs spawn faster, and rare Delirium orbs drop more frequently.
Orb Buffs: Some orbs (such as the Rare Item Delirium Orb) now have additional attachments, making crafting a dream.
Player Vibes: Hardcore fans love the brutal intensity of Delirium - this could cement its elite status.
Torture
Smarter Spirits: Spirits now prefer to possess rare monsters, giving them more powerful buffs such as double damage.
Richer Drops: Possessed mobs may be more likely to drop Chaos Orbs or even Exalted Orbs.
Trade-off: Great for map-runners looking for efficiency, but it'll test your survival skills.
Mapping gets a makeover: Towers and tighter packs
Mapping is the heart of POE2, and 3.22 gives it a serious makeover.
New turf: Alpine Ridge and Sinking Spire
Alpine Ridge: A sprawling tower map with layers and hordes of enemies - ideal for AOE speedsters.
Sinking Spire: A tight, underground maze with dense mobs and high-value loot.
By the numbers: According to GGG, these maps contain 25% more monsters than standard T16s, with better drop rates to match.
General tweaks
Mob Behaviour: Enemies now bunch up, reducing stray skirmishes and improving the flow of combat.
New Affixes: Risky mods like "Monsters regenerate 2% health per second" will push your damage to the limit.
Balance overhaul: Skills, Uniques and the Meta
The 3.22 balance tweaks are poised to rewrite the meta - here's what's coming.
Skill Changes
Temporal Chains: Their slowdown on bosses has been reduced by 30%, forcing curse-reliant builds to pivot.
New Support Gems:
"Elemental Penetration Support": 10-20% elemental penetration for spellcasters and elemental hitters.
"Critical Strike Mastery Support: Pumps up crit chance and damage, possibly giving birth to new crit kings.
Unique revamps
Whispering Ice: Icicle damage increases by 20% and triggers an icy storm every third cast.
Voltaxic Rift: Chaos conversion increases to 75%, with bonus projectiles.
Meta Forecast
Curse-heavy defensive setups may take a hit, while elemental and crit builds may soar. Players are already planning league starts around new gems and tattoos.
What's on players' wish lists?
ExileCon sparked big dreams - here's what's trending.
Atlas Growth
Pinnacle bosses: Two new Karui-themed bosses are rumoured to be on the way.
Passive Tree Tweaks: Fans want end-game boosts, such as Sanctum or Legion bonuses.
Druid Dreams
Guesses: Shapeshifting into wolves or bears, nature spells, or summoning treants.
Odds: No confirmation yet, but GGG loves to pair big updates with new professions.
Quality of Life
Stash love: Auto-sorting is on the table.
Loot Clarity: Smarter filters to reduce screen clutter.
Why 3.22 hits are different
This isn't just more stuff - it's POE2 leveling. The strategic depth of Trial of the Ancestors, the retention of the Sanctum, and the refreshed old leagues all speak to GGG's commitment to keeping things lively. For an Early Access title, 3.22 feels like a leap towards something epic.
Gear up for 22 March!
The clock is ticking - Path of Exile 2's 3.22 update lands on the 22nd of March, unleashing a storm on Wraeclast. Whether you're clashing with tribes in Trial of the Ancestors or dodging traps in the Sanctum, there's never been a better time to return. Want an edge? Stock up on gear and currency now, and prepare for an adventure that'll redefine your exile journey!