Path of Exile’s next expansion, Keepers of the Flame, launches on October 31 (PDT), bringing new endgame content, mechanics, and long-awaited gameplay improvements. The update reimagines the legacy of the Breach League while introducing Bloodline Classes, Asynchronous Trade, new Uber Pinnacle bosses, and several quality-of-life updates.
Why it Matters: Keepers of the Flame is Path of Exile’s first-ever sequel league, expanding on one of the game’s most iconic themes. It not only revisits the Breach League’s lore but also modernizes the experience with new progression systems and features requested by players.\
Here’s what you can expect:
- The return of the Breach: Protecting Wraeclast – In Keepers of the Flame, players will meet Ailith, founder of the Keepers of the Flame, a secret order tasked with defending Wraeclast from invading Breachlords.
These beings emerge from a hostile realm intent on spreading their influence across the world. Players must protect Ailith as she channels the Flame to destroy Breachlord infestations, sometimes facing Unstable Breaches that unleash powerful enemies and bosses such as Vruun, Marshal of Xesht.
The endgame includes new Breach Hives—zones filled with Breach monsters and loot opportunities for high-level players. - The Genesis Tree and Grafts – At the Monastery of the Keepers, players will encounter the Genesis Tree, a mysterious creation engine that rewards progress through Breach encounters. It grants access to Grafts, new enhancements that merge with the body to grant skills or defensive powers.
Sixteen Grafts are available, including the Battering Uulgraft, which summons giant arms from the earth, and the Squalling Tulgraft, which creates a tracking ice tornado that fires ricocheting projectiles. As the Genesis Tree grows, it also produces Foulborn currency—items that mutate Grafts into more powerful versions. - New skills and supports – Keepers of the Flame introduces new Skill and Support Gems. One example is Kinetic Rain, a wand attack that covers the ground in unstable kinetic energy, damaging all enemies in its area. Another is Living Lightning Support, which adds living sparks as minions that shock nearby foes.
- Bloodline Ascendancy Classes – The update also introduces Bloodline Ascendancies, a new system allowing players to absorb the essence of defeated bosses and gain new powers. Ten Bloodline Classes are available, each tied to past leagues. Players can allocate points between their standard Ascendancy and their Bloodline Class, adding new layers of customization and build diversity.
- New Uber Pinnacle bosses – Keepers of the Flame includes three new Uber Incarnation boss encounters inspired by Zana’s memories. These battles can be accessed through fragments dropped by Tier 17 map bosses. Each attempt requires five fragments, with powerful rewards for those who overcome the challenges.
- Asynchronous Trade arrives – The long-awaited Asynchronous Trade system, first seen in Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict, is now part of the core game. Upon reaching Act 6, players can access Faustus, who now manages Merchant Tabs. Items listed there can be purchased directly by other players, even while offline, simplifying trading in Wraeclast.
- Quality of life and progression improvements – More than a dozen community-requested features are coming with this update. Heist Rogues now start at maximum level, while both the Atlas Passive Tree and regular Passive Skill Tree can now be reset instantly using Gold. Players can also directly switch to Augmentation Orbs while using Alteration Orbs.
- Challenge League rewards and supporter packs – The new league offers 40 challenges to complete. Finishing these unlocks the Keeper of the Flame Armour Set inspired by Ailith’s monastic order. Players earn armor pieces progressively, starting after twelve challenges.
To celebrate the launch, two new Supporter Packs—Champion of Theopolis and Verdant Magus—are available in three price tiers, each offering exclusive cosmetic effects.
Path of Exile: Keepers of the Flame goes live globally on October 31 (PDT). Players can explore the reimagined Breach League, build their Genesis Tree, and face new challenges that reshape the game’s endgame experience.
What are you most excited to try when Keepers of the Flame arrives this Halloween?
