The Reckoning: Path of Exile 2’s Next Update Delivers a Massive Overhaul and a Revolutionary New Way to Trade

In the unforgiving world of Path of Exile 2, where the grind is as sacred as the loot, the next major update, titled The Third Edict, is poised to be a game-changer. Landing on August 29, 2025, this isn’t just a simple patch; it’s a foundational overhaul that introduces a new campaign act, a massive list of buffs and nerfs, and, perhaps most importantly, a revolutionary new way to trade while the other player is offline. This update is a clear signal from developer Grinding Gear Games (GGG) that they are listening to the community, addressing long-standing pain points, and are committed to creating a truly definitive ARPG experience.

The anticipation for this update has been immense, fueled by a series of cryptic teasers and a recent content reveal livestream. The community has been abuzz with speculation, but the official details confirm that this patch will be a major step forward for the game, still in Early Access. The new content, balance changes, and quality-of-life improvements are designed to make the game feel more fluid, more rewarding, and, for the first time, to make trading a far less tedious affair. It’s a move that will likely satisfy both the hardcore players who crave deeper systems and the casual players who have been put off by the game’s historically cumbersome trading mechanics.

The Karui Archipelago: A New Campaign Act and Interludes

The centerpiece of The Third Edict is the addition of a new campaign act. Act 4, set in the Karui Archipelago, promises a non-linear journey across a series of islands as you hunt down pieces of an ancient weapon. This new act is a significant addition, introducing over 100 new monster types, 12 new bosses, and a dynamic, player-choice-driven narrative. The developers have stated that you can sail to any of the eight islands you choose, which offers a level of freedom previously unseen in the campaign. Furthermore, the dreaded “Cruel” difficulty has been removed, and instead, players will progress through three mini-acts, or “Interludes,” that will bridge the gap between the end of Act 4 and the endgame. These interludes, which add approximately 20 new zones and 12 new boss encounters, will be a temporary solution until future acts are released, and their content is planned to be recycled into the endgame later on.

A Massive Balance Overhaul and Quality-of-Life Improvements

Beyond the new content, The Third Edict is packed with a staggering number of balance changes. GGG has focused on a “foundational” overhaul, with a mix of new skills and buffs to existing ones across all classes. The goal is to make combat less restrictive and more fluid. For instance, the Ranger class is getting major improvements to its cold skills, while the Warrior is seeing a huge swathe of buffs to fire and shield skills. A new “Deflect” mechanic has been introduced for Dexterity-based characters, offering a second layer of defense on top of evasion. A new “Sprint” mechanic, reminiscent of Diablo 2, has also been added to speed up traversal, though you’ll be knocked prone if you get hit while sprinting. The biggest change, however, is to Support Gems. The long-standing limitation of only being able to use each Support Gem once has been removed, allowing players to support multiple skills with the same gem, opening up a world of new build possibilities and combo-heavy playstyles.

The Dawn of a New Economy: Offline Trading Arrives

For many players, the most impactful change of all is the introduction of a new asynchronous trading system. This feature, which has been a top request from the community for years, will finally allow players to trade items even when they are offline. Here’s how it works: players will be able to list items for sale on a new Merchant’s Tab in their hideout. Other players who find the listing on the game’s trade site can then visit the seller’s hideout and purchase the item from a new merchant NPC, even if the seller is offline. This revolutionary change is a direct response to the frustration of the old system, which required both parties to be online and often led to missed trades. While there are still some caveats, such as the need for players to price items individually and a new gold cost for purchasing certain items, this marks a monumental shift in the game’s economy. It’s a move that promises to reduce the “busywork” of trading and make the acquisition of new gear far more seamless and enjoyable.

With a new campaign act, a sweeping list of buffs and quality-of-life changes, and a long-awaited trading feature, The Third Edict is shaping up to be a true turning point for Path of Exile 2. It’s a clear message that GGG is not only listening to its players but is also willing to make significant, and sometimes controversial, changes to improve the game. As the community prepares for the launch, the excitement is palpable, and for the first time in a while, it feels like the future of Wraeclast is brighter than ever.