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Path of Exile 1 – Patch Notes 3.26: Secrets of the Atlas

Welcome to the official breakdown of Patch 3.26 for Path of Exile 1, the "Secrets of the Atlas" expansion. Below you'll find a complete and detailed list of all gameplay changes, gem adjustments, item reworks, and ascendancy updates introduced in this patch. This article follows the exact order of the official patch notes released on June 5, 2025.


This guide covers all of the Path of Exile 3.26 patch notes, including changes to gems, unique items, endgame systems, and more.

Patch notes 3.26 – Secrets of the Atlas logo
Patch Notes 3.26: Secrets of the Atlas

Player Balance and Skill Gem Changes


Player Balance:

  • Intensity Stacks are now lost every 0.5 seconds while Moving (previously every 0.25 seconds).

  • The Arcane Surge Buff now provides 20% increased Cast Speed (previously 10%).


Skill Gem Changes:

  • Animate Guardian: Animated Guardians now retain their items when they die. However, if your Animated Guardian dies you cannot summon an Animated Guardian again in that area (unless that area is a hideout).


  • Bane of Condemnation: Now has a Base Cast time of 0.8 seconds (previously 0.6), with a Mana cost of 14 at gem level 1 (previously 10), scaling up to 27 at gem level 20 (previously 20). Now deals 70.8-1341.7 Base Chaos Damage per second at gem levels 1-20 (previously 59.3-1075.5).


  • Blade Blast of Unloading: Now has 5% more Damage per Blade Vortex Blade at all gem levels.


  • Blade Blast of Dagger Detonation: If two Daggers are Equipped, each contributes 60% as much Added Damage at all gem levels (previously 50%).


  • Blade Flurry of Incision: Now has 180% base Attack Speed (previously 160%), and 61-111% Effectiveness of Base and Added Damage at gem levels 1-20 (previously 58-99%). Now has 40% more Critical Strike Chance for each Stage (previously 35%). Quality now provides +0-40% to Critical Strike Multiplier while at max Stages (previously 0-5% more Critical Strike Chance for each stage).


  • Blade Trap of Greatswords: Now has 147-220% Effectiveness of Base and Added Damage at gem levels 1-20 (previously 120-180%), and now has a Cooldown time of 6 seconds (previously 8).


  • Blade Trap of Laceration: Can now also be used with One Hand Axes. It no longer has 40-59% more Damage with Bleeding at gem levels 1-20, and now has Bleeding inflicted by this Skill deal Damage 50% faster at all gem levels. Now has 180-260% Effectiveness of Base and Added Damage at gem levels 1-20 (previously 140-180%). Quality now provides Bleeding inflicted by this Skill deals Damage 0-10% faster (previously +0-20% more Damage with Bleeding).


  • Blade Flurry: Now has 68.2-125.1% Effectiveness of Base and Added Damage at gem levels 1-20 (previously 60.6-111.2%), and now has 25% more Damage with Hits and Ailments for each Stage (previously 20%). Quality now provides 0-20% more Damage while at max Stages (previously 0-5% more Damage with Hits and Ailments for each stage).


  • Blade Vortex of the Scythe: Now has a Base Cast time of 1.2 seconds (previously 0.8), a Mana cost of 14-36 at gem levels 1-20 (previously 10-26), and 300% Effectiveness of Added Damage at all gem levels (previously 200%). Now has a Base duration of 0.8 seconds (previously 0.6), and now deals 28 to 48 Physical Damage at gem level 1 (previously 22 to 32), scaling up to 1353 to 2030 at gem level 20 (previously 902 to 1353). Quality now provides 0-20% more Physical Damage (previously Base Duration is +0.0-0.2 seconds).


  • Bodyswap of Sacrifice: Explosion now deals base Fire Damage equal to 19-29% of the Minion’s maximum Life at gem levels 1-20 (previously 15-24%). Quality now provides explosion deals base Fire Damage equal to 0-5% of the Minion’s maximum Life (previously 0-4%).



More Skill Gem Changes & Vaal Skill Changes


Skill Gem Changes:


  • Boneshatter of Ruin: Now has 100% Effectiveness of Added Damage at all gem levels (previously 120%), and now deals 94% of Base Damage (previously 113%).


  • Boneshatter: Now deals 94% of Base Damage at gem level 1 (previously 113%), scaling up to 135% at gem level 20 (previously 162%). Quality now provides 0–20% increased Stun Duration on enemies (previously 0–10%).


  • Caustic Arrow of Decay: Now deals 5.9 Base Chaos Damage per second at gem level 1 (previously 4.8), scaling up to 2187.5 at gem level 20 (previously 1635.1).


  • Caustic Arrow: Now deals 5.9 Base Chaos Damage per second at gem level 1 (previously 4.8), scaling up to 2187.5 at gem level 20 (previously 1635.1).



Vaal Skill Changes


  • Vaal Absolution: Now deals 37 to 55 Physical Damage at gem level 1 (previously 28 to 42), scaling up to 640 to 960 at gem level 20 (previously 479 to 719). Minions now deal 5 to 7 Physical Damage at gem level 1 (previously 4 to 6), scaling up to 95 to 143 at gem level 20 (previously 71 to 107).


  • Vaal Caustic Arrow: Now deals 5.9 Base Chaos Damage per second at gem level 1 (previously 4.8), scaling up to 2187.5 at gem level 20 (previously 1635.1).



Support Gem Changes & Ascendancy Reworks


Support Gem Changes:


  • Returning Projectiles Support: Now causes supported skills to deal 25–34% less Damage (previously 30–41%).


Ascendancy Changes


  • Elementalist – Shaper of Storms: Now provides “Your Hits always Shock” (previously 25% chance to Shock).


  • Pathfinder – Master Surgeon: Now causes “Recover 4% of Life when you use a Flask” (previously 1%).



Passive Tree, Unique Items & General Item Changes


Passive Skill Tree Changes:


  • The "Breath of Flames" cluster now grants +16% to Fire Damage over Time Multiplier (previously +10%).


  • The "Breath of Rime" cluster now grants +16% to Cold Damage over Time Multiplier (previously +10%).


  • The "Decimation" cluster now grants +16% to Physical Damage over Time Multiplier (previously +10%).


  • The "Corruption" cluster now grants +16% to Chaos Damage over Time Multiplier (previously +10%).



Unique Item Changes


  • Badge of the Brotherhood: Now has 10–15% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate of Travel Skills per Frenzy Charge (previously 6–10%).


Item Changes


  • You can now use the "Reforge a Rare item, keeping all Essences" crafting option from Harvest on items that have fixed modifiers from Eldritch Implicits.





CONCLUSION:

Patch 3.26 Secrets of the Atlas brings a solid wave of improvements, rebalances, and mechanical tweaks to Path of Exile 1. Whether you're a veteran chasing min-maxed builds or a returning player interested in new crafting and gem dynamics, this update delivers meaningful changes.


We highly recommend exploring the new support and Vaal skill reworks, adjusting your builds to take advantage of the DoT multiplier boosts, and revisiting unique items like Badge of the Brotherhood.

Stay ahead of the game by bookmarking this post and subscribing for future patch breakdowns!


Stay tuned here at PoE Builds for full patch breakdowns, league starter builds, and everything you need to dominate PoE 3.26. ♥






 
 
 

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What is Path of Exile?

Path of Exile or PoE is the current leader of Action RPGs, back in 2013 it brought a fresh and challenging experience with nearly infinite ways to build your characters. However, it wasn’t until December 2018, with the huge migration of Diablo Players due to the Diablo: Immortal announcement fiasco, that PoE emerged as the main ARPG on the Market. Since then PoE almost triplicates its content, announced the incredible Path of Exile 2, and served as inspiration for many great games such as Undecember and Torchlight: Infinite.


What makes PoE still great and reaching records of simultaneous online players even almost a decade after its launch? You might ask. Well, the main creator of the game, Chris Wilson once said “Path of Exile is a game designed to be played forever” and here’s why he’s right. First of all, as I said before, there are an unpronounceable number of possibilities you can make with your character. This by itself is already a reason for you to keep playing and playing.  But wait, there’s much more. Path of Exile counts with a New League, every 3 months. Those Leagues come with new Challenges, New Rules, New Items, New Skills, New Lore, New NPCs, and so on.

What is the Current PoE League?

Since December 9th we are facing the challenges of the The Forbidden Sanctum. This League has been very well received by the PoE Players, showing the best retention of all time.


The Current League will last until early April when we will start discovering the amazing contents of Crucible. We can rest assure that the New League will be worth playing and GGG will fix past leagues mistakes such as the overpowered Archnemesis Monsters, the reduced Loot and the Harvest Crafting.

What are PoE Builds?

Replaying Path of Exile is always a new experience, and surpassing the big challenges the game provides will fill your gamer's ego with a warm feeling, trust me. As you might be thinking, if there’re so many ways to build your character, it’s easy to screw it up. You are 100% right, but this also means that if you know what you are doing, you can also create very strong warriors to decimate that Endgame. That’s why is important that you know what are PoE Builds.


PoE Builds are when a most experienced player tries to explain how he created his Build, so others can follow its steps. When the game started you could only find those PoE Builds on the Offcial Path of Exile Forum. Unfortunately, most of those Builds were written by players without any didactic or respect for the newcomers. Using many acronyms and showing complete passive trees, those Build Guides were only meant for experienced Players to read.


After struggling (a lot) to understand and learn the game, I decided that PoE should be more welcoming to new players. I took matters into my own hands and start the Path of Exile Builds Youtube Channel and Website. There I always have a vast selection of PoE Builds that are easy to follow and understand. All of my PoE Builds are displayed without acronyms and provide passive trees step-by-step. 


If you are a beginner, don’t let people intimidate you saying that PoE is super hard. Just create a Character in the current League and follow one of my PoE Builds. Make sure that you are picking a Starter Build though, those are perfect for new players and for starting on a League. I wish you all the lucky on your drops! Happy Grinding

Why Poe Builds Matter?

Poe Builds matter because they can make or break a player's experience in Path of Exile. A well-designed Poe Build can help players progress more quickly, conquer endgame content, and compete in the game's challenging leagues. On the other hand, a poorly designed Poe Build can lead to frustration, wasted time, and an unsatisfying gameplay experience.

​

Who Benefits from Poe Builds?

All players, regardless of skill level or playstyle, can benefit from Poe Builds. Newer players can learn from experienced players and follow proven templates to optimize their characters, while more experienced players can use Poe Builds as a starting point to create their own unique builds. Hardcore players can use Poe Builds to push the limits of what is possible in the game, while casual players can enjoy the game at their own pace with well-optimized characters.

​

Understanding Poe Builds:

A successful Poe Build requires an understanding of the game's mechanics and a careful consideration of the player's desired playstyle. A good Poe Build should be able to handle a variety of content, including endgame bosses, while also being fun to play and easy to understand.

​

What Makes a Good Poe Build?

A good Poe Build should be able to handle a variety of content, including endgame bosses, while also being fun to play and easy to understand. It should also be optimized for the player's desired playstyle and should make use of synergies between skills, passives, and gear.

​

What are the Different Types of Poe Builds?

There are many different types of Poe Builds, including melee builds, ranged builds, spellcaster builds, and minion builds. Each build has its own unique strengths and weaknesses and can be optimized for different playstyles and content.

​

How Do I Choose the Right Poe Build for My Playstyle?

To choose the right Poe Build for your playstyle, you should consider the type of content you want to tackle, the skills you enjoy using, and the passive tree and gear that will complement those skills. You should also consider whether you want to focus on offense, defense, or a balance of both.

​

What are the Popular Poe Builds in the Current Meta?

The most popular Poe Builds in the current meta vary depending on the league and content. Among the popular include Cyclone Berserker, Arc Witch, and Toxic Rain Trickster. However, it is important to remember that popular builds are not necessarily the best builds for every player and playstyle.

​

Building a Poe Build:

Building a successful Poe Build requires careful consideration and planning. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a Poe Build:

  • Step 1: Choosing a Class

    • Choose a class that complements your desired playstyle and skills.

  • Step 2: Selecting Skills and Support Gems

    • Choose skills and support gems that synergize with your class and playstyle.

  • Step 3: Understanding Passive Tree and Ascendancy Classes

    • Allocate passive points in the passive tree and select an Ascendancy class that complements your chosen skills and playstyle.

  • Step 4: Creating a Balanced Poe Build

    • Balance offense and defense to create a well-rounded Poe Build.

    • Consider your desired playstyle, whether it is focused on dealing damage or survivability.

    • Allocate passive points and gear accordingly.

​

Advanced Strategies: Min-Maxing Poe Builds

Min-maxing is the process of optimizing a Poe Build to its maximum potential by fine-tuning every aspect of the character, including gear, passive points, and skill choices. This can be a time-consuming process, but it can greatly increase a player's chances of success in endgame content.

​

Poe Build Synergies:

Poe Build synergies involve using multiple skills and gear pieces together to create a powerful combination. Synergies can greatly increase a character's damage output or survivability, but they require careful planning and experimentation to implement successfully.

​

Making Poe Builds for Endgame Content:

Creating a Poe Build for endgame content requires careful consideration of the content's difficulty and the character's strengths and weaknesses. It may require specialized gear and skills that are different from those used in leveling or early game content.

​

Crafting Gear for your Poe Build:

Crafting gear for your Poe Build can greatly increase your character's power, but it requires knowledge of crafting mechanics and an understanding of the gear requirements for your chosen skills and playstyle.

​

Leveling with Poe Builds: Efficient Leveling Techniques

Efficient leveling techniques involve using specific skills, gear, and passive tree allocations to level up quickly and efficiently. This can include using AOE skills, prioritizing damage over defense, and utilizing certain leveling uniques.

​

Recommended Poe Builds for leveling:

Recommended Poe Builds for leveling vary depending on the player's chosen playstyle, but some popular options include Arc Witch, Cyclone Berserker, and Frost Blades Raider.

​

Tips for managing Poe Builds while leveling:

Managing Poe Builds while leveling can be challenging, but some tips include prioritizing movement speed, using leveling uniques, and planning ahead for passive tree allocations and gear upgrades.

​

Poe Builds for Different Playstyles: For Hardcore Players

for hardcore players require a focus on survivability and defensive mechanics. They may prioritize life or energy shield over damage, and they may make use of skills and gear that can mitigate incoming damage.

​

For Casual Players:

for casual players may prioritize ease of use and enjoyment over maximum power or optimization. They may make use of skills that are fun to play, or they may prioritize survivability over damage output.

​

For Solo Players:

For solo players may prioritize self-sufficiency and the ability to handle a variety of content alone. They may make use of skills and gear that allow them to handle multiple enemies at once, or they may focus on survivability and self-healing.

​

For Group Play:

For group play may prioritize party synergy and support. They may make use of skills and gear that buff allies, or they may focus on crowd control and AOE damage to complement other party members' skills.

​

Adjusting and Tweaking Poe Builds: When to adjust your Poe Build

Adjusting your Poe Build may be necessary when you encounter difficulties with certain content or when your chosen skills or gear are not performing as expected.

​

Understanding the Mechanics:

Understanding Poe Build mechanics, including how skills and support gems interact, can help you identify weaknesses in your Poe Build and make informed decisions when adjusting it.

​

Tips for tweaking your Poe Build:

When tweaking your Poe Build, focus on identifying specific weaknesses and making small, targeted adjustments rather than trying to overhaul the entire build. Consider your desired playstyle, the content you want to tackle, and the available passive points and gear.

​

What to do when your Poe Build doesn't work:

If your Poe Build 

is not working as expected, it may be necessary to start over with a new build or to seek advice from community resources such as Poe Build guides, tools, and forums.

​

Community Resources for Poe Builds: Poe Build Guides and Databases

Its guides and databases provide detailed information on different Poe Builds, including passive tree allocations, gear requirements, and playstyle recommendations. Some popular resources include PoeNinja, Path of Building, and official Path of Exile forums.

​

Tools and Calculators:

Its tools and calculators allow players to experiment with different gear, skills, and passive tree allocations to optimize their Poe Builds. Popular tools include Path of Building and PoE Planner.

​

 Streamers and YouTubers:

Poe Build streamers and YouTubers provide gameplay footage and commentary on different Poe Builds, allowing players to see the build in action and get advice on gameplay strategies. Some popular content creators include Path of Exile Builds, Mathilification and ZiggyD.

​

Communities and Forums:

Its communities and forums provide a space for players to share and discuss their Poe Builds, as well as to seek advice and feedback from other players. Some popular communities include the Path of Exile subreddit and the official Path of Exile forums.

​

Conclusion:

Poe Builds is an essential aspect of Path of Exile gameplay, allowing players to customize their characters and tackle the game's many challenges. By understanding Poe Build mechanics, selecting the right skills and gear, and seeking advice from community resources, players can create powerful and enjoyable builds that suit their playstyle and goals. Whether you are a hardcore or casual player, solo or group player, or focused on endgame content or leveling, there is a Poe Build out there that can help you achieve your goals in Path of Exile.

FAQ

What are the best classes in PoE?

- There is no good Answer to that Question. In Path of Exile the Build is way more important than the Class, because each one can do anything. You can have Witches with Axes and Marauders casting Spells.

How do you get good at PoE?

- Path of Exile is a very complex Game, the best way to get good is to follow Guides to learn the detailed Mechanics. After a few Hundred Hours you’ll be ready to make your own Builds.

What is the Easiest Class in PoE?

- The Witch. Most of the Easiest Builds are better when made with Witches, particularly Minion Builds. Totem Builds with the Templar are also Super Easy to play and Great for Beginners.

Will there be a Path of Exile 2?

- Yes, and it’s Awesome! It doesn’t have a Launch Day yet, but it looks like we are going to have a Beta on 2023.

How Long is Poe Endgame?

- In order to Complete your Atlas and Kill every single Endgame and Uber Boss, you can prepare yourself for over 500 hours of Fun Gameplay.

What can you do about Breachstones?

-  Use them on your Map Device to Face the Brach Lords and get some Valuable Items.

Is Path of Exile Noob Friendly?

- No. But you can have a Good Time Playing if you start following Build Guides to learn the Mechanics in an Easy way.

How Long is Path of Exile?

- You will take around 30 Hours to Complete the 10 Acts. Those Acts are Like the Tutorial of the Game. You can expect over 500 Hours of Gameplay if you want to check every aspect of the Endgame.

How do you Level Up Fast in Path of Exile?

-  First of all, you need to know what you are doing. Passing through the 10 Acts fast is the best way to improve your Leveling. Run through the Maps killing only blue monsters and making the necessary quests. This way you can reach Level 80 in just a few hours.

How do I get to the Syndicate Safehouse?

-  First of all, you need to get enough Intel about the Safehouse you want to go. To do that you need to interrogate the Syndicate Members. After you get enough Intel, talk to Jun and ask her to show the Investigation. There you’ll find a Button that opens a Portal to the Syndicate Safehouse.

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