ExileCon isn’t all about Path of Exile 2. In fact, the new league for the first game has been revealed as Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors, and it will launch on August 18. The current PoE league, Crucible, has gone a little longer than usual due to the timing of ExileCon.
Trial of the Ancestors will feature a new league mechanic where you create a team to enter gladiator-style battles in a tournament setting. Like most PoE leagues, a plethora of new content will also launch with the new league.
Enter the Trial of the Ancestors
Gameplay-wise, the new league mechanic certainly looks unique. It appears players will set up their own team with unique skills and items to do battle against AI-controlled enemies. As you progress through the tournament your rewards will increase, urging you to create the best team for each fight.
I’ll be honest, the mechanic kind of reminds me of an auto-battler like Teamfight Tactics. Path of Exile is no stranger to releasing league mechanics that are heavily inspired by existing game genres. For example, the Blight league was essentially a tower-defense minigame and the recent Lake of Kalandra league introduced roguelike mechanics.
The trailer for Trial of the Ancestors also revealed the new content coming into the league:
- The Trial of the Ancestors League mechanic
- Passive skill tattoos
- New items
- 16 new Atlas Keystones
- Itemized Sanctums
- 14 new Support Gems
- Guardian ascendancy revamp
- All-new Chieftain ascendancy
The passive skill tattoo system looks like it enhances the existing passive tree. A revamp to the Guardian ascendancy and a complete rework to the Chieftain ascendancy are definitely a good move as the two are kind of in a rough spot. More concrete details pertaining to the league should release over the next few weeks as we get closer to the new league launch.
Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors will launch on August 18.
