Path of Exile 3.29 Is Reshaping League Starts | Abyss Rework Is Just the Beginning

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• Path of Exile 3.29 Will Bring The Shocking New Transfigured Skills and Potential Abyss Rework!

  Following the initial teaser on July 6, Path of Exile has released two additional videos regarding 3.29 league. One explicitly confirms the introduction of two new Transfigured Skills for the league, while the other, though more enigmatic, is speculated to hint at a rework of Abyss mechanic.

  Although the full reveal of Curse of the Allflame league is just two days away via livestream, speculating on the details beforehand is part of the fun! Let's break down the content of these new videos.

  

  What are the new Transfigured skills?

  As you know, skills in Path of Exile are typically acquired by equipping skill gems, but Transfigured Skills operate differently. They are essentially variants of standard skills that alter the original's functionality, mechanics, and other attributes.

  There are currently nearly 200 known Transfigured Skills; 3.29 league adds Holy Hammers of Spirals and Reap of Butchery to this roster.

  The most common way to obtain Transfigured Skills is by completing Labyrinth and using Divine Font at the end to transform a gem into a random Transfigured version.

  However, since Labyrinth farming is time-consuming, and obtaining a specific gem often requires repeated runs, a more convenient and direct method is to buy PoE currency on IGGM and trade for the specific gem you want on the market.

  Holy Hammers of Spirals

  The teaser reveals that Holy Hammers of Spirals is a Slam skill. By consuming accumulated Power Charges, you can summon hammers that rain down from the sky. Rather than a single impact, multiple hammers spiral outward and land in succession.

  Holy Hammers of Spirals can only be used when equipped with a mace, scepter, or staff. Additionally, consuming Power Charges for this skill will not reduce your count below the minimum Power Charge limit.

  It is worth noting that the skill effect shown in the preview is based on a Level 1 gem, which produces seven hammer impacts.

  In the actual 3.29 league gameplay, this effect may scale with the skill level, or potentially allow you to consume more Power Charges for a more powerful outcome.

  In terms of raw damage figures, this skill does not particularly stand out. Furthermore, its mechanic of converting 50% of physical damage to lightning damage requires reaching 100% conversion to be fully effective.

  

  Achieving this allows for the utilization of a wider range of damage-boosting methods while also granting immunity to physical damage reflection.

  It is worth noting that the falling hammers form a circular pattern where the individual impacts nestle together rather than overlapping.

  Consequently, we will likely have to wait for the new league to launch to discover how Increased AoE modifiers affect this skill.

  Reap of Butchery

  Standard Reap builds typically focus on maximizing its instant hit damage, often in conjunction with Mines, where DoT component is not the primary priority.

  Reap of Butchery differs by sacrificing cast speed and 40% of its instant hit damage in exchange for an 18% increase in base physical damage per second. Additionally, it benefits from a stronger Blood Charge bonus.

  This mechanic provides a damage boost when facing powerful single targets that require prolonged combat to defeat, allowing damage to ramp up as the fight progresses.

  As a result, during standard encounters, Blood Charge often remains at zero stacks. However, against exceptionally durable enemies that require multiple casts of Reap of Butchery, one can fully capitalize on this mechanic.

  In Path of Exile, each stack of Blood Charge increases the damage bonus provided by Reap of Butchery by 25%, meaning you gain a significant damage multiplier during extended battles.

  Another important point is that Reap of Butchery must be cast centered on the player, which prevents it from utilizing the synergistic benefits standard Reap gains from Spell Cascade.

  

  Ultimately, the core playstyle for Reap of Butchery revolves around fully maximizing its DoT capabilities.

  The video demonstration shows the skill manifesting as a dark red scythe that swings at high speed; notably, the scythe forms gradually rather than appearing instantly.

  Once initiated, however, it rapidly sweeps in a circle, capable of covering a full 360-degree arc, a feat standard Reap cannot achieve.

  However, Reap of Butchery cannot instantly kill enemies with its initial hit; to use this skill effectively, you need a tanky spellcaster capable of consistently facing enemies at close range.

  There are many ways to boost survivability, crafting gear is a solid option, though it inevitably consumes a vast amount of currency.

  With 3.29 league yet to launch, now is the perfect time to join IGGM PoE Facebook Group. We'll be hosting giveaways irregularly, giving you the chance to win various orbs for free!

  Abyss mechanic rework

  Although the third Path of Exile 3.29 teaser is brief, seasoned players will recognize the glowing green background, a signature color scheme of Abyss mechanic. The title "They Rise Again" also seems to hint at the return of "Abyss".

  Since its introduction to PoE, Abyss mechanic has seen few changes and has struggled to attract player engagement, contrasting sharply with its popularity in PoE 2.

  

  This is largely because Abyss in the original game rarely offered highly compelling or rare rewards. While high-tier rewards in other mechanics are difficult to obtain, they at least provide a clear goal to strive for.

  Consequently, 3.29 league is expected to revamp Abyss rewards, allowing the mechanic to integrate better into the game rather than remaining in its current state of neglect.

  Expect an in-depth analysis of these new changes, alongside other content, during Path of Exile 3.29 livestream on July 16th. Be sure to tune in!

• Will ExileCon 2026 Reveal the Future Roadmap for Path of Exile? There Is More to Stay Tuned beyond just the New League!

  ExileCon, the premier event for Path of Exile, is finally set to hold its third edition in November 2026. Given that PoE 2 launched into Early Access in late 2024, the content at ExileCon 2026 promises to be even more extensive than that of 2023.

  While the event features a wide variety of activities, only a small number of players can make the trip to New Zealand to experience the in-person festivities.

  To avoid feeling too much FOMO while satisfying your curiosity about the game's future, you might want to focus on the rough roadmap for Path of Exile 1 and 2 that is expected to be revealed at ExileCon 2026.

  Based on this, one of the hottest topics in the community regarding ExileCon 2026 is the potential announcement of the full launch date for PoE 2.

  However, the original game launched earlier and likely boasts a larger fanbase; furthermore, this year marks the 20th anniversary of GGG, so it is only fitting that we see equally exciting updates for the original Path of Exile.

  Although the official schedule has only outlined the event's various segments so far, we can use this information, combined with the historical development of PoE 1, to speculate on the surprises that fans of the original game might encounter at the event.

  

  ExileCon 2026 schedule

  The event will take place from November 6 to 8, 2026 (Friday to Sunday, New Zealand Daylight Time).

  Most content will be livestreamed online, ensuring that players worldwide can stay up-to-date with the latest news and announcements in real-time.

  Aside from exclusive sessions reserved for VIP ticket holders, the content at ExileCon 2026 falls into three main categories:

  • Event-exclusive gameplay: Including hands-on demos of unreleased content for both PoE 1 and PoE 2, as well as in-person card game battles.
  • Live announcements and developer talks: Discussions on game mechanics and announcements regarding future updates or roadmaps.
  • Meet-and-greets with famous Path of Exile streamers and special racing competitions, where winners can take home a mystery grand prize.

  It is worth noting that there was a four-year gap between the first and second ExileCons; however, this time the event is being held a year early, likely to coincide with the studio's 20th anniversary and the anticipated late-2026 release of PoE 2.

  Current state of Path of Exile

  Although the development of the sequel disrupted the previously steady update cadence of Path of Exile leagues following 3.25 Settlers of Kalguur, the game regained its rhythm a year later with the return of 3.26 league.

  More importantly, the development of PoE 2 has not significantly compromised the quality of new leagues for the original game. In fact, the original game has proven more stable than the problem-plagued PoE 2, thereby solidifying its player base.

  Currently, 3.28 league and the new Return of the Ancestors event are ongoing, with 3.29 league, Curse of the Allflame, scheduled to launch on July 24.

  When that happens, you can buy PoE currency on IGGM to accelerate your progress in the fresh league where everything resets.

  What PoE 1 updates might be announced at ExileCon 2026?

  Information regarding the future roadmap for this game will likely be shared through announcements and interviews, making the live stream a must-watch event. Here are our predictions regarding potential PoE 1 updates.

  3.30 and more future leagues

  Barring any surprises, Path of Exile will maintain its league update schedule; therefore, 3.30 league is expected to launch on a Friday in late November or early December, likely November 27.

  Consequently, ExileCon 2026, taking place in early November, will probably offer a sneak peek at this league to build anticipation preceding the official 3.30 livestream.

  It is also worth noting that the launch of the 30th Version 3.0 league might signal the release of a major expansion for Path of Exile 1, ushering the game into 4.0 era.

  Such a move would inevitably bring about a complete overhaul of both the campaign and endgame content, once again revolutionizing your gaming experience.

  

  Integration with PoE 2

  To date, Path of Exile 1 and 2 have operated independently. However, even if you focus on just one title, community and forum discussions reveal not only shared overarching frameworks but also the fact that PoE 2 incorporates certain items from the original game.

  Consequently, at a significant milestone like late 2026, developers might use ExileCon 2026 to unveil special gameplay mechanics that bridge the lore and worlds of both titles, perhaps in the form of a lead-up league for PoE 2 1.0 launch.

  This approach would not only strengthen the bond between the two games but also encourage players dedicated to one title to give the other a try.

  Technical upgrades

  Since PoE 1 and 2 will continue to run in parallel for the long term, it is crucial to avoid a jarring disconnect regarding their underlying frameworks and gameplay feel.

  Therefore, alongside the promotion of PoE 2 1.0 at ExileCon 2026, we might see the integration of select technical improvements, such as smoother character animations or enhanced visuals, into the original PoE 1.

  In-game 20th anniversary celebrations

  These festivities may coincide with the full release of Path of Exile 2 and the aforementioned potential crossover content between the two games.

  As for the specific activities, they will probably revive popular, limited-time PoE 1 gameplay modes, much like the recent Return of the Ancestors event.

  With this in mind, we also recommend joining IGGM PoE Facebook Group immediately to win more Divine Orbs through giveaways before RoTA ends!

  In short, ExileCon 2026 promises to be a highly anticipated event. Adding to the excitement, BlizzCon 2026 is scheduled for September, where new details regarding Diablo 4 are sure to be revealed. Which title will capture more attention in late 2026? We shall see!

• Path of Exile 3.29 Curse of the Allflame First Teaser Revealed: What details can be inferred from this?

  A month ago, Path of Exile announced the launch date for 3.29 league and its reveal livestream. Just yesterday, the league was officially named Curse of the Allflame, and the first teaser was released alongside the announcement!

  So, what can we infer about 3.29 league from this teaser? How should you prepare for its launch? Let us break it down for you.

  

  When will Curse of the Allflame league launch?

  The league officially launches on July 24 at 1:00 PM Pacific Time. The current 3.28 league will end four days prior, on July 20 at 3:00 PM.

  If you are in the habit of wrapping up remaining tasks at the end of a league, make sure to mark your calendar, don't mistakenly assume there is no gap between 3.28 and 3.29 leagues!

  If you want to enhance your PoE 3.28 experience before it ends, consider joining IGGM PoE 1 & 2 Currency Giveaways on Discord for a chance to win plenty of free Divine Orbs!

  Additionally, the livestream for Curse of the Allflame league is scheduled for July 16 at 1:00 PM. We recommend tuning in on time if possible; not only will you get first-hand information, but you might also earn potential Twitch Drops rewards!

  

  What does the first teaser reveal?

  The teaser is thirty seconds long, though only about half of that time contains substantial content. It opens with a traveler sailing a small boat alone across pitch-black waters; the eerie green lantern he holds is the only source of light.

  Bathed in this light, the traveler senses a large creature swimming beneath the surface, yet when the camera shifts underwater, nothing appears to be there.

  However, just as the traveler holds the lantern over one side of the boat to investigate, a massive, ferocious fish suddenly emerges on the opposite side! It is clear that both the boat and the traveler are doomed to end up in the creature's belly.

  While it is difficult to discern the specific theme or mechanics of 3.29 league from this teaser alone, some players speculate it could be a combination of Boat league (3.25) and potential fishing-related gameplay.

  What might 3.29 league look like?

  Based on that speculation, the first thing to note is that 3.25 league, Settlers of Kalguur, introduced a city-building mechanic centered around a harbor; players could manage workers, construct a town, and engage in maritime trade to generate income.

  As for fishing, Path of Exile has never had an explicit fishing mechanic, though players can farm rare fishing rods or specific gear to uncover hidden Easter eggs.

  Given fishing's status as a long-running meme in PoE, hardcore players are keen on hunting down these secrets, while casual players hope it might evolve into a standard gameplay feature that everyone can enjoy.

  The fish appearing in 3.29 league teaser certainly hints at the possibility of a dedicated fishing league. Regardless of what Curse of the Allflame ultimately entails, it has certainly ramped up community discussion.

  It is also worth noting that Allflame mentioned in the league title, already exists in the game as a required item for The Marooned Mariner quest, and its appearance matches the lantern held by the traveler in the teaser!

  Consequently, 3.29 league might tie into the key figure from The Marooned Mariner: Captain Fairgraves, found in The Ship Graveyard. Since players must kill him to complete the quest, the new league could potentially reveal more secrets surrounding his story.

  Another theory suggests that the fish in the teaser might hint at a monster-morphing mechanic or a new boss. As an item, Allflame could serve as a lure for monsters or a key tool to illuminate a path toward specific foes.

  Additionally, the visuals in the teaser may not necessarily reflect actual gameplay. For instance, Mirage League teaser featured only an hourglass, an image that bore little connection to the league's core theme.

  Thus, the above speculations are merely preliminary assessments; we will have to wait for further trailers or a livestream to confirm what 3.29 league will actually look like. That said, a combination of boats and fishing would certainly be fascinating!

  How can you prepare for 3.29 league?

  Before 3.28 league concludes, Return of the Ancestors event, which launched on June 25, will wrap up earlier, on July 15. So, if you haven't experienced it much yet, you should jump in now to avoid missing out on rewards.

  This event combines mechanics from two previous PoE events: Trial of the Ancestors and Legacy of Phrecia. You can try out Ascendancy classes not available in the standard league and engage in auto-battler-style gameplay.

  Additionally, as always, the economy and characters will reset when the new league begins (unless you choose to play in Standard League).

  Therefore, the best way to prepare, even before fully grasping the specific mechanics of 3.29 league, is to master fundamental farming and leveling builds or strategies.

  While these might not align perfectly with Curse of the Allflame mechanics, minor adjustments can help you progress much faster in the new league.

  That covers the details regarding Path of Exile 3.29 league. Be sure to plan your gaming schedule around the key dates we've mentioned so you don't miss out on any rewards or new features!

  ---

  Early in the new league, you might face resource shortages and farming difficulties due to unfamiliarity with new mechanics and the time required to craft builds. To overcome this, we recommend PoE currency for sale on IGGM!

  We offer a wide variety of orbs, allowing you to instantly upgrade your existing gear or acquire high-rarity items from the trade market!

• Path of Exile Return of the Ancestors Herald Penance Brand Build Guide: Mechanics, Defense & Damage Explained

  Return of the Ancestors event in Path of Exile Patch 3.28 is ongoing. During this event, most Ascendancy in the game have been replaced with special Ascendancy from Legacy of Phrecia. These Ascendancy classes will disappear after the event ends.

  Therefore, these special Ascendancy classes bring about entirely new builds. One such build, centered around Herald, is Penance Brand Build. Through a sophisticated mechanic, it sacrifices some ease of use for an extremely high damage ceiling and survivability.

  Next, I will introduce this build in detail.

  

  Herald Class Role

  Before introducing this build, you need to understand the special role of Herald.

  Herald, as a special Ascendancy designed for Witch in PoE's Return of the Ancestors, has a very pure design philosophy: completely abandoning traditional Aura Skills and instead maximizing the potential of Herald Skills.

  This means players can simultaneously activate multiple Herald Skills, such as Herald of Ash, Herald of Ice, and Herald of Thunder, with extremely low mana retention pressure. This allows players to deal very high damage.

  In contrast, it offers a significantly different experience compared to Witch's standard Ascendancy class, Elementalist.

  Elementalist class has an advantage: its buff skill, Elemental Conflux, provides consistent application of Ignite, Shock, and Chill, greatly facilitating map clearing.

  However, Herald relies on kills to trigger Retribution talent to gain Elemental Conflux effect. When fighting single-target bosses, players may face the problem of not having Elemental Conflux effect available. This is one of Herald class's biggest disadvantages.

  Core Mechanics

  Having understood Herald's role, let's now introduce the core mechanics of Penance Brand Herald Build.

  Mechanism Introduction

  This build primarily utilizes a skill called Penance Brand of Dissipation. In Return of the Ancestors event in PoE Patch 3.28, you can obtain Transfigured Skill Gem for this skill through Divine Font in Labyrinth.

  Unlike the regular Skill Gem, it doesn't detonate when fully charged. Instead, it accumulates energy as the brand is activated, expanding its range and increasing Hit and Ailment Damage on branded targets based on the energy stacks.

  Additionally, this skill has a 50% Physical to Lightning base conversion, making it naturally suited for a lightning damage build. Igniting lightning deals massive damage.

  So, how do you ignite Penance Brand that inflicts lightning damage?

  The solution is to use the unique ring Stormfire. This ring allows the player to ignite their own Lightning Damage, the key to converting lightning damage into Ignite damage.

  Since Penance Brand of Dissipation already provides 50% Physical to Lightning, combining it with other talents or support gems that also have Physical to Lightning properties will convert the remaining Physical damage into Lightning, further expanding the damage range.

  Of course, other unique items with similar effects can also be used. If you lack such uniques, you can trade them with other players in-game using Currency.

  

  Increasing Ignition Chance

  However, Stormfire doesn't guarantee igniting lightning damage every time. To increase the success rate, players need to activate passive skills like Sealing Heat to increase the ignition chance.

  Additionally, you'll need Support Gem Combustion, which not only increases the ignition chance but also reduces the enemy's fire resistance after igniting, making it easier to deal more damage with the next attack.

  If the ignition chance is still not high enough, you can supplement it with other Notable Passive Skills.

  Through the above methods, you can establish a stable ignition chance and maintain high damage.

  Defensive Mechanics

  In PoE, a good build isn't just good at offense, but also at defense. Fortunately, Penance Brand Herald build from Return of the Ancestors event exemplifies this.

  Elemental Resistance

  This build achieves 90% Maximum Elemental Resistances - crucial for mitigating high elemental damage in the game.

  To achieve this level of defense, you need to wear the unique gear Melding of the Flesh and Aegis Aurora.

  The core effect of Melding of the Flesh is to copy your character's highest resistance cap to the maximum resistance cap for all elements, but this directly lowers the overall resistance cap.

  The core effect of Aegis Aurora is to provide a significant amount of Armor, while also providing +5% Maximum Cold Resistance.

  Additionally, enhancing Herald of Ice further increases your Maximum Cold Resistance. Combined with various other resistance-boosting gear and scattered maximum resistance affixes from the talent tree, you can raise your Cold Resistance cap to 90%.

  Increasing resistances requires a significant amount of Currency. If you lack Currency, you can join in IGGM PoE 1 and 2 Currency Giveaways on Discord, where we will randomly select participants to receive a large amount of Currency.

  

  Once you raise your Cold Resistance cap to 90%, due to Melding of the Flesh, your other elemental resistance caps will also be raised to 90%, thus creating a solid elemental defense barrier.

  Physical Damage Reduction

  In addition to elemental defense, Future Guilt passive skill in Herald's Ascendancy provides a unique means of reducing physical damage.

  Specifically, when you are affected by Herald of Purity, it provides an additional 15% physical damage reduction. This is extremely valuable damage reduction for spellcasters who lack armor stacking, effectively reducing the risk of instant death when facing heavy physical damage.

  This concludes the detailed introduction to Penance Brand Herald Build in Return of the Ancestors event of Path of Exile Patch 3.28.

  This class and this build are only available during the event, so if you're interested, go try it out!

• Path of Exile 3.28 Return of the Ancestors Wild Speaker ZDPS Build: How to Maximize Rewards Without Focusing on Killing Enemies?

  To keep things fresh in the well-explored 3.28 version before 3.29 league begins, Path of Exile has launched a limited-time event, Return of the Ancestors, which innovatively combines the classic Trial of the Ancestors event with Legacy of Phrecia.

  However, just like in a standard league, if you want to efficiently earn event rewards after mastering RoTA/ToTA mechanics, you need to choose the right powerful build. Here, we introduce Wild Speaker ZDPS build!

  

  Why choose Wild Speaker ZDPS build?

  First, it is important to understand that Trial of the Ancestors is essentially a Capture the Flag style game mode. If you die, you respawn after a timer expires; similarly, when you kill enemies, they respawn at their totems after a timer.

  Therefore, the winning strategy isn't about killing enemies, in fact, doing so can actually hinder your victory. The true objective is to destroy the enemy's totems.

  Killing enemies actually puts you at a disadvantage because they respawn at their totems, allowing them to attack you and prevent you from capturing the objective.

  Consequently, the ideal build for ToTA is one that prioritizes survivability, speed, and crowd control, ideally featuring stealth mechanics, while operating as a ZDPS build (one that doesn't focus on dealing damage itself). Wild Speaker ZDPS build fits this description perfectly.

  The combination of ToTA and LoP means you can utilize the 19 unique Ascendancy classes introduced in the latter within the gameplay of the former; Wild Speaker is one of these classes.

  RoTA offers a new way to earn currency, but maximizing your gains requires consuming currency to boost your character or build's power. So why not join IGGM PoE 1 & 2 currency giveaways on Discord right now for a chance to win free Divine Orbs?

  

  How to craft this build?

  To craft this build, you first need to unlock Void Sphere skill available to Wild Speaker. It manifests as a sphere you can throw onto the ground; it pulls enemies toward its center while dealing minimal damage.

  Its key function relies on linking it with Enhance Support to gain cooldown recovery speed; additionally, you should prioritize increasing its duration and skill AoE.

  To avoid excessive mana consumption, you can pair your setup with Inspiration Support or other cooldown recovery-related supports, such as Exceptional support gems introduced in 3.28 league.

  Additionally, you can incorporate Pacifism jewels to utilize their chance-to-flee effect on enemies, though this may not be effective against every enemy type in Trial of the Ancestors.

  If that proves ineffective, switching to Knockback Support is a viable alternative. When combined with GMP, Greater Fork, or Mirage Archer Support, a high enough firing rate allows you to maintain this knockback effect consistently.

  You should also utilize Haste, Grace, and Enduring Cry to gain buffs, Endurance Charges, and health regeneration. Furthermore, Phase Run provides invisibility, with the duration scaling based on the number of Frenzy Charges consumed.

  Next, consider adding Frost Wall as an optional skill and combining Enfeeble with Blasphemy Support or Temporal Chains.

  Theoretically, you could also achieve Temporal Chains effect by using a ring socketed with Mark on Hit Support or by equipping Mark of Submission.

  However, with just a small amount of mana reservation efficiency on your gear, you can easily combine these effects and run both Haste and Grace simultaneously.

  It is important to note that the core objective of this build is not raw damage output, but rather crowd control, damage mitigation, and maintaining extremely high movement speed. With all buffs active, your movement speed can reach approximately 400%.

  Greatwolf's Call allows you to share all Endurance, Frenzy, and Power Charges with allies; it also grants Tailwind to you and nearby allies while enhancing the potency of your own Tailwind buff.

  This is why using Enduring Cry is recommended, it generates Endurance Charges that can be shared with allies.

  

  Even if sharing is prevented by other mechanics, you can unlock Charge Mastery on the passive skill tree to extend Endurance Charge duration to 20 seconds, thereby boosting survivability.

  Finally, allocate points into Primal Instinct to achieve a 100% chance to suppress spell damage and significantly reduce the damage taken from suppressed spells.

  This setup can push your suppression chance well beyond 150%. When combined with Acrobatics passive, you can further gain a 75% chance to dodge spells.

  Allocating Flash of the Teeth grants Cat's Stealth, making you harder to detect, thereby allowing you to re-enter a stealth state and providing additional damage avoidance.

  You can also acquire Avatar of the Hunt passive skill via anointing to boost evasion and movement speed; both stats are crucial for Path of Exile ToTA builds.

  Regarding gear, you can mix Evasion and Energy Shield bases rather than relying solely on pure Evasion gear. While pure Evasion works, a hybrid setup synergizes better with Ghost Dance passive skill.

  For the amulet, Replica Karui Ward is recommended, as it offers bonuses to both movement speed and AoE. It is also worth joining IGGM PoE Facebook Group; we may host giveaways related to RoTA in the future, helping you unlock more currency or gear!

  As for jewels, defensive options featuring stats like Life, Resistances, and Reduced Curse Effect are excellent choices. Finally, don't overlook Queen of the Forest body armor.

  This chest piece grants a 1% movement speed bonus for every 600 points of Evasion Rating (capped at 75%) while reducing base movement speed by 25%.

  This means you need to reach 45,000 Evasion Rating to consistently hit the maximum speed bonus. To ensure this remains effective, you need to maintain that cap even when your flasks are not active.

  What are the advantages of this build?

  Based on previous experiences with Legacy of Phrecia, Daughter of Oshabi is a popular class choice for crafting top-tier builds, as it provides access to excellent shrine buffs and gear.

  However, achieving the best results with this strategy requires a significant investment of currency and high-end gear. Additionally, Wild Speaker playstyle offers buffs to allies, benefits that Daughter of Oshabi cannot provide.

  Return of the Ancestors runs only until mid-July, so if you want to try out more builds and earn more rewards, be sure to act fast!

• Path of Exile 3.28 Return of the Ancestors ToTA Mechanic Guide | How to Easily Win Every Match?

  Path of Exile 3.28 Return of the Ancestors event blends Trial of the Ancestors (TotA) mechanic with Legacy of Phrecia League.

  Since Legacy of Phrecia League was held only recently, from January to February 2026, most players are still familiar with it. Trial of the Ancestors, however, debuted 2 years ago and features a rather intricate system, so many players have only a vague recollection of how it works.

  In essence, TotA resembles an auto-battler, but your character is no passive observer - you personally step onto the field and fight alongside your troops. Your ultimate objective is to win match after match and ultimately claim victory in the entire tournament. Although the surface concept seems simple, there is considerable tactical depth beneath it.

  

  Trial of the Ancestors Mechanic Rewards

  Before each battle, you choose your opponent. Each opponent offers different amounts of Favor and various currency rewards.

  Favor serves as a temporary currency that remains valid only throughout the current tournament. Once the tournament ends, all accumulated Favor resets to zero. You use Favor to recruit new troops, upgrade them, and acquire items, with these options spread across different Ancestors.

  The total Favor you gather directly influences your chances of winning the tournament - to secure the final victory, you will need a substantial stockpile.

  You need to weigh Favors against regular currency rewards. However, each Ancestor's reward is relatively small; you can buy PoE currency in IGGM. Choosing opponents based on the amount of Favors you accumulate will help you win more matches.

  Acquiring and Managing Favor

  When selecting Favor rewards, do not simply look at the numbers. Different troops require different amounts of Favor to unlock, and certain troops are only obtainable from specific NPCs. Therefore, you need to ensure that Favor you earn comes from Ancestors with whom you have already built a relationship, so that you can gradually unlock more powerful units.

  Favor Trading Mechanism

  There is one way to convert Favor between different NPCs: you acquire an item from one NPC and then trade it to another. Be aware, however, that you will only recoup half Favor you used to obtain that item. This 50% loss rate means you must plan your Favor allocation carefully.

  Win/Loss Reward Rules

  If you win a match, you receive Favor and rewards from the chosen row. Regardless of the outcome - win or lose - you always gain 250 Favor from Navali, which is enough to trade for one troop from her.

  Troops traded directly from Ancestors themselves possess special abilities, whereas Navali's troops have no unique skills and serve merely as cannon fodder.

  Combat Rules

  Each battle consists of two teams, with up to sixteen members per side plus a leader. On the tactical deployment screen, you can precisely position your forces.

  Each side's field is divided into four categories:

  • Front line: Attack category
  • Middle line: Escort category
  • Back line: Defenders category
  • Flanks: two flank positions on each side of the formation

  Totem Mechanics

  When you assign a unit to one of these positions, you are actually placing a totem. That totem serves as both the unit's starting point and its respawn location after defeat. The leader of each squad cannot have their starting point manually set - that is automatically assigned.

  Victory Conditions

  The core objective in every battle is to reach the enemy's side and destroy their totems. You do not destroy totems by dealing damage; instead, you channel them. Click on an enemy totem and hold the button - its life bar will deplete quickly. When it reaches zero, the totem collapses, and any enemy unit bound to that totem is eliminated as well.

  If you are hit by any enemy attack or spell while channeling a totem, you will be stunned for five seconds. Conventional anti-stun mechanics cannot shorten this duration. Damage over time does not trigger the interruption.

  This five-second stun is extremely dangerous because you are completely defenseless during that time and can easily be focused down by the enemy team.

  Note that dying in TotA does not count as a true death for your character - so the usual death penalty does not apply.

  If an enemy channels your totem, you may find yourself suppressed for a long stretch, and by the time you finally respawn, your own totem positions might already be thoroughly destroyed. This happens because your character and the enemy leader are each the strongest unit on their respective teams.

  When you attack a channeling enemy, or when an enemy attacks you while you are channeling, that also triggers a stun. However, NPCs suffer a much shorter stun duration than players, and only a hit - not damage over time - can interrupt a channeling attempt.

  Elimination

  A player or NPC is eliminated after losing two matches. Your first loss allows you to continue, but a second loss knocks you out. On the reward screen, a special symbol appears next to the name of any NPC who has already lost once.

  It is wise to prioritise opponents without that elimination marker and leave the near-eliminated ones for others to handle. You can also learn which Ancestors pose the greatest challenge to your build and actively avoid them. With some luck, other NPCs may eliminate them for you.

  

  How to Use Favor?

  Favor can be used on troops, items for troops, and field supplies. In the early stages, you should invest all your Favor into recruiting troops and acquire nothing else. Only after you have reached the later stages of the tournament and secured quality troops in every position should you start obtaining items.

  Items fit into slots next to your troops; when a troop takes the field, it gains not only its own inherent bonuses but also the effects granted by its equipped item.

  Field supplies occupy totem slots and prevent you from adding extra troops. They also expire after use, so they are not recommended. Concentrate your Favor on a few Ancestors rather than spreading it thinly across many. The more Favor you invest in a single Ancestor, the more powerful the troops you can unlock from them.

  How to Win in Trial of the Ancestors?

  The key to these battles is not how much damage you deal or how much you can absorb - it is crowd control.

  When a match begins, all enemy fighters rush toward your totem pillars and start channeling to destroy them. Since enemy units respawn after a short cooldown, killing them is not a lasting solution. The community has developed a strategy centered on Void Sphere.

  The idea is to cast Void Sphere in the center of the arena, creating a gravity well that pulls all enemy fighters inward and traps them, rendering them unable to act. During that time, you and your troops can safely destroy the enemy's totem pillars one by one.

  Creating a crowd-control build in PoE Return of the Ancestors requires investing in new skills and gear. Join IGGM PoE Facebook Group and participate in the currency giveaway; if you're lucky enough to win, you'll receive free currency to trade for whatever you need.

  DPS is not decisive in Trial of the Ancestors. No matter how high your rank, you do not need to stack elemental resistances or life; instead, focus all your efforts on strengthening your crowd-control capabilities.

  Trial of the Ancestors is the central mechanic of PoE Return of the Ancestors event, and some highly valuable tattoos and omens are obtainable exclusively through this system. If you master the matches and win consistently, the rewards will certainly not disappoint.