Forging a New Path: Everything Confirmed for Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict

The highly anticipated “Third Edict” update for Path of Exile 2 has finally been fully revealed, and it’s a monumental moment for the early access game. Following a content livestream from Grinding Gear Games (GGG), a wealth of new information has been confirmed, showcasing a patch that is far more than a simple content dump. It is a fundamental re-imagining of core gameplay systems and a direct response to player feedback from the initial early access launch. From a new campaign act and the removal of the dreaded “Cruel” difficulty to a complete overhaul of the trading system, this update promises to be the definitive moment that pushes PoE2 toward its final form. This article will break down all the confirmed features, gameplay changes, and quality-of-life improvements coming in “The Third Edict,” set to launch on August 29, 2025.

1. New Acts and Campaign Structure

The most significant addition to the game is the continuation of the main story with Act 4, titled “The Karui Archipelago.” This act transports players to a series of eight distinct islands, a major departure from the linear campaign of the first three acts. The non-linear structure allows players to choose the order in which they explore the islands, offering a sense of freedom and replayability. This new act is packed with 100 new monster types, 16 new areas, and 12 new bosses, ensuring a fresh and challenging experience for players.

But the campaign changes don’t stop there. GGG has officially removed the controversial “Cruel” difficulty. This means players will no longer be forced to replay the first three acts to reach the endgame. In its place, the update introduces three temporary “Interlude” acts. These mini-acts are shorter, more focused story arcs that serve as a bridge from the campaign to the endgame. Each interlude is a self-contained side story with its own new areas and bosses, providing a less repetitive way to level a character and gear up for endgame content.

2. Gameplay and Quality-of-Life Overhauls

GGG has been listening to its community, and “The Third Edict” is a direct response to many of the game’s initial criticisms. One of the most-requested features, sprinting, is now officially a core mechanic. Players can now hold down the dodge button after a roll to enter a sprint, dramatically increasing their movement speed. This makes navigating the campaign and moving between combat encounters much faster and more fluid. However, sprinting comes with a risk: taking damage while in this state will cause you to be knocked down, leaving you vulnerable.

Another monumental change is the complete overhaul of the Support Gem system. The previous rule that limited players to one copy of a Support Gem per character has been removed. Players can now use multiple copies of the same Support Gem, allowing for greater build diversity and customization. This change is complemented by a new tiering system for Support Gems, with many gems now having five tiers instead of three, and a collection of 40 new “Lineage Supports”—powerful, endgame-only Support Gems that function like unique items and can completely alter how a skill works.

Other notable gameplay and quality-of-life changes include:

• Instant Weapon Swap: The delay on weapon swapping has been completely removed, allowing for more fluid combat.
• Defensive System Changes: A new “Deflection” mechanic has been introduced for Dexterity-based characters, allowing them to mitigate a portion of damage based on their Evasion.
• Crafting Overhaul: The crafting system has been re-imagined with new tiers for currency orbs and new systems like “Sanctified Items” and “Hinekora’s Locks” that provide more control over crafting outcomes.
• Attribute Requirement Reductions: The attribute requirements on both gear and skill gems have been lowered by approximately 20-25%, making it easier to meet stat requirements and experiment with different builds.

3. The New League: “Rise of the Abyssal”

As with all major Path of Exile updates, “The Third Edict” introduces a new league. Titled “Rise of the Abyssal,” this league is thematically similar to the popular Abyss league from the first game. In maps, players will encounter abyssal fissures that spawn hordes of new monsters to fight. Defeating these monsters will reward players with a new currency called “Bones” that can be used to apply “Desecrated Modifiers” to their items. This new crafting system will allow players to add unique affixes to their gear, creating a new layer of progression and item customization. The league will also feature new bosses and unique items to discover.

4. The Asynchronous Trading System

For many players, the biggest change of all is the new asynchronous trade system. This new system, which GGG has been working on for years, aims to solve the problem of having to be online to trade with other players. Players can now convert their Premium Stash Tabs into “Merchant’s Tabs” and set prices for their items. An NPC, Ange, will manage the transactions while the player is offline, eliminating the need for players to be present in their hideout to complete trades. This change is a massive quality-of-life improvement that will completely transform the trading experience and make it much more user-friendly.

Conclusion: A New Era for Path of Exile 2

The “Third Edict” update is a clear signal that Path of Exile 2 is not just a sequel but a completely new game that is committed to improving on the original in every way. The changes to the campaign, the new mechanics like sprinting and the reworked Support Gem system, and the revolutionary trading system all point to a game that is learning from its past and building a better future. The update is a monumental step toward the game’s final release, and it shows a clear commitment from Grinding Gear Games to listening to their community and creating a truly next-generation action RPG experience. For players who have been waiting for the right moment to jump into Path of Exile 2, the launch of “The Third Edict” on August 29 is the perfect opportunity to dive in and forge a new path in the world of Wraeclast.