Path of Exile 3.28: Exploring All Newly Added Skill and Support Gems

Path of Exile 3.28: Exploring All Newly Added Skill and Support Gems

The 3.28 “Mirage” league delivers a major shake-up to the game’s gem system, introducing a wide range of new skill and support gems that push build creativity further than ever. Rather than simply increasing damage numbers, this update focuses on adding new mechanics, interactions, and playstyle options that significantly expand how characters are built and played.

Fresh Skill Gems in 3.28

This patch introduces both entirely new abilities and additional Transfigured Skill Gems, giving players more ways to customize their builds. Many of the new additions lean into divine and elemental themes, offering strong visual identity alongside unique mechanics.Don’t let a currency shortage hold you back—get your POE currency at MMOexp now and thrive!

Holy-Themed Skills

A key highlight of the update is a set of holy-based abilities designed around melee combat, area damage, and defensive synergy.

Some notable additions include:

Divine Blast (Str/Int): Fires a beam of radiant energy that explodes outward, making it effective for clearing groups of enemies.

Holy Hammers (Str/Int): Slams the ground to summon repeated hammer strikes from above, scaling with Power Charges for extended impact.

Holy Strike (Str/Int): Generates spectral allies on hit that assist in combat, adding sustained offensive pressure.

Shield of Light (Str/Int): Converts blocked hits into cone-shaped bursts of damage, blending defense with offense.

These skills are especially well-suited for melee-focused characters, hybrid builds, and players who enjoy combining survivability with consistent damage output.

New Transfigured Skill Variants

Transfigured gems return with even more variety in 3.28, offering alternate versions of familiar skills that dramatically change how they behave.

Examples include:

Shockwave Totem of Authority: Deploys a totem that emits repeated seismic pulses.

Static Strike of Gathering Lightning: Stores energy that releases chained lightning effects during attacks.

Charged Dash of Projection: Creates a controllable path that deals damage along its route.

Flamethrower Trap of Stability: Triggers traps that release sustained streams of fire.

Kinetic Fusillade of Detonation: Spawns delayed projectiles that explode for burst damage.

Orb of Storms of Squalls: Summons mobile storm orbs that reposition while attacking.

Shock Nova of Procession: Expands multiple lightning rings for layered area damage.

Storm Burst of Repulsion: Channels energy that detonates upon release.

Siphoning Trap of Pain: Applies chilling beams that deal damage over time.

These variations encourage experimentation, especially when paired with gear that enhances elemental damage, traps, or totem mechanics.

Exceptional Support Gems

One of the biggest innovations in Mirage is the introduction of Exceptional Support Gems. Unlike traditional supports that mainly increase stats, these gems alter how skills behave or introduce entirely new mechanics.

Some examples include:

Greater Multistrike Support: Enhances repeated melee attacks with improved targeting.

Hextoad Support: Changes how curse-based skills interact with enemies.

Bloodsoaked Banner Support: Improves banner effects, particularly in group scenarios.

Eclipse Support: Adds new interactions across multiple skill types.

Hiveborn Support: Expands the potential of offering-based strategies.

With more than 40 of these supports available, players can rethink existing builds or develop entirely new ones from the ground up.

Build Impact and Meta Shifts

The combination of new skills and advanced support options makes 3.28 one of the most flexible updates for build diversity.

Melee and Hybrid Builds: Holy-themed and lightning-based skills offer strong versatility for both clearing and bossing.

Trap and Totem Playstyles: New transfigured options provide fresh approaches for indirect damage builds.

Advanced Synergies: Exceptional supports unlock interactions that were previously unavailable, allowing niche builds to become viable.

At the same time, these changes increase the importance of high-quality gear and crafting resources, as players look to fully optimize these new mechanics.Unlock infinite possibilities by harnessing the power of buy Path of exile currency from MMOexp!

Patch 3.28 stands out as a major evolution in how skills and supports function. By focusing on mechanics rather than raw numbers, Mirage creates a more dynamic and customizable experience. Whether you’re refining a proven build or experimenting with something entirely new, the expanded gem system offers plenty of room to explore and innovate.

How to Finish the Love is Dead Quest in Path of Exile 3.27

How to Finish the Love is Dead Quest in Path of Exile 3.27

The Love is Dead quest in Path of Exile is one of the most emotionally charged moments in the game sprawling storyline.While it’s not a mechanically complex quest, it provides important lore connections, solid experience gains, and a Book of Skill reward-making it worth completing even for seasoned players replaying the campaign.Enhance your gaming experience with instant POE currency purchased through MMOexp!

How to Start the Love is Dead Quest

1.Once you reach Act 8, head to The Sarn Encampment-your main town hub for this chapter.There, speak to Clarissa, who will give you the quest.

2.Clarissa believes the Ankh, when used in an Azmerian resurrection ritual, can restore Tolman’s soul to his body.

3.She pleads with you to retrieve the Ankh from The Quay, a dangerous and corrupted area filled with undead enemies.Agree to help her, and your journey begins.

Quest Summary

Act:8

Starting NPC:Clarissa

Quest Locations:The Sarn Encampment-The Quay-Resurrection Site-The Sarn Encampment

Objectives:Retrieve the Ankh of Eternity and assist Clarissa in the resurrection ritual.

Final Boss:Tolman (resurrected as a zombie)

Reward:Book of Skill (1 Passive Skill Point and 2 Respec Points)

Step 1:Retrieve the Ankh of Eternity

Travel to The Quay, accessible from the eastern exit of The Sarn Encampment.The area is a maze of decaying docks and flooded pathways filled with undead, corrupted mariners, and imperial spirits.

Tips:It’s one of the more dangerous early Act 8 zones, so be prepared with crowd-control skills or defensive flasks.Equipping strong gear early-especially life and resistance-focused Path of Exile Items-can make this part much easier.

You’re looking for the Ankh of Eternity, which is always found deep within The Quay.It rests inside a shrine guarded by several packs of enemies, and sometimes mini-bosses or rare monsters can spawn nearby.

Once you pick up the Ankh of Eternity, your quest log will update, instructing you to bring it to Clarissa, who’s waiting in a nearby offshoot area called the Resurrection Site.

Step 2:Give the Ankh to Clarissa

After retrieving the Ankh, continue deeper into the Quay to locate Clarissa.Speak to her, and she’ll take the Ankh and immediately begin chanting the resurrection spell.

As Clarissa channels her energy into the ritual, it becomes clear that something is going horribly wrong.Instead of reviving Tolman as he was, the dark magic within the Ankh twists his body and soul, turning him into a corrupted zombie.

The ritual collapses, and waves of undead begin pouring into the arena.You must now fight for your life as Clarissa watches in horror.

Step 3:Defeat Zombie Tolman and the Undead

This battle unfolds in two phases.

First, you’ll face multiple waves of lesser undead-these are weak but numerous.

Tips:Keep moving, avoid being surrounded, and use AoE attacks or movement skills like Flame Dash, Whirling Blades, or Leap Slam to control space.

If your build feels underpowered here, consider improving your defenses or damage output by buy Path of exile currency and trading for better Path of Exile Items on the market.Even small upgrades-like adding more resistances or chaos mitigation-make this fight significantly smoother.

Tips for surviving the Tolman fight:

Maintain distance.Tolman melee attacks can chunk large portions of your health bar.

Avoid standing still.Keep circling the arena to prevent getting boxed in by adds.

Focus on Tolman last.Clear minions first to create breathing room, then concentrate your damage on Tolman.

Use resistant flasks.While mostly physical, some of his zombie adds deal chaos or elemental damage.

Once Tolman falls, the arena quiets.Clarissa will kneel beside his lifeless form, overcome with grief.

Step 4:Speak with Clarissa

After the battle, talk to Clarissa to continue the quest.

Clarissa vows to destroy the Ankh of Eternity forever so no one else suffers the same fate.She promises to return to The Sarn Encampment and thanks you for your help, though her gratitude is laced with sorrow.

Step 5:Return to The Sarn Encampment

Return to The Sarn Encampment and find Clarissa once more.She will thank you for helping her put Tolman to rest and reward you with:

Book of Skill-Grants 1 Passive Skill Point and 2 Passive Respec Points.

Experience for completing the quest.

Why Love is Dead Matters

1.It adds weight to Clarissa story arc-showing her transformation from hopeful survivor to someone broken by the cruelty of Wraeclast.

2.Beyond the lore, the Book of Skill reward is invaluable for any build, giving you a permanent passive point-something that makes the quest essential for every playthrough.

If you’re rerunning Path of Exile for the new league or simply experiencing the campaign again, don’t skip Love is Dead-it’s a haunting reminder that even in the pursuit of power, love and loss still define the human heart.

Path of Exile Ruthless Mode Guide

Welcome to the Ruthless Guide for Path of Exile. This comprehensive guide will navigate you through the challenging world of extreme item scarcity and intense gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned player seeking a new challenge or a newcomer looking for a thrilling experience, this guide has you covered. Get ready to embrace the brutality of Ruthless!

What is Ruthless in POE?

Ruthless in Path of Exile is a challenging game mode that introduces scarcity and heightened difficulty. It redefines the concept of endgame, making every milestone a significant achievement. Item drops are significantly reduced, making each discovery potentially game-changing. Rings, amulets, and belts are rarer, and crafting currency is scarce.

Finding rare items of desired base types feels amazing. Support Gems can only be found as random drops, adding excitement to their acquisition. Ruthless is a mode where overcoming difficulty feels highly rewarding, offering a nostalgic experience reminiscent of the early days of Path of Exile.

Read More: Path of Exile Classes Guide

Is it worth playing ruthless mode?

Looking for a challenge that pushes your limits? Enter Ruthless, a mode that separates the dedicated from the casual in Path of Exile. If you’re not intrigued by its intense gameplay, then the regular modes are your best bet. Ruthless shares similarities with Hardcore and Solo Self-found, appealing to players who relish the added constraints for an elevated gaming experience. However, it’s important to note that Ruthless isn’t a replacement for the regular Path of Exile.

It’s a mode designed specifically for a particular type of player seeking a heightened level of difficulty. Changes made in Ruthless won’t necessarily be implemented in the regular game; they cater to the distinct needs of this challenging mode. Ruthless follows the same rules as the regular game when it comes to microtransactions and is entirely free to play.

Contrary to what some might think, Ruthless hasn’t diverted significant development resources. It’s a passion project our senior designers have been nurturing during their spare time over the past 18 months, ensuring it doesn’t impact the progress of the main game.

Read More: Path Of Exile Trade Guide: When, Where, How

Prepare yourself for a journey defined by friction, tension, and anticipation. Ruthless embodies brutal difficulty, yet the satisfaction derived from conquering its challenges is unparalleled. In a world where your items are consistently below par, every item drop holds the potential to become a game-changing breakthrough.

Reimagining the traditional concept of Path of Exile’s endgame, Ruthless flips the script. The entire game becomes the endgame itself. Merely progressing through higher campaign acts, let alone venturing into maps, becomes a remarkable achievement. Items that were previously considered weak suddenly hold immense value, while high-level characters and exceptional rare items become symbols of prestige and accomplishment.

In the realm of Ruthless, items are a rarity. You might journey through Act Four without even equipping a pair of rings. But fear not, for every ring you discover represents a significant power boost, making each find all the more exhilarating.

Rarity takes center stage in Ruthless. Magic items are a rare sight, and even rarer are the coveted rare items. However, stumbling upon a rare item of the base type you seek is a truly thrilling experience, a testament to your perseverance in the face of scarcity.

Crafting currency is a precious commodity in Ruthless. It’s not uncommon to find just a single Orb of Alchemy throughout the entire campaign.

However, this single orb can be a game-changer, allowing you to transform any base item of your choice into a rare item. Ruthless invokes a sense of nostalgia. Drawing inspiration from the early days of Path of Exile, we resurrected the name from its closed beta roots, as it was once the third out of four difficulty levels. The scarcity of items and the significance placed on support gems harken back to that bygone era, minus the frustrations of desynchronization.

How to play Ruthless in POE?

I guess you’re all about playing Ruthless now. So, now let’s check how you can do that. Just to be clear, I’m not going to school you over literally “how” you can play Ruthless. It’s all the same except for a few complications and that’s exactly what I will show in the upcoming sections. So, Let’s check in detail what you’re up against in the Ruthless mode.

Item Scarcity

A notable and immediate alteration in Ruthless lies in the scarcity of items. The abundance of items and PoE currency present in the base game is significantly reduced. Jewelry, in particular, becomes exceptionally rare, and it’s quite possible to progress through most of the campaign without acquiring any equipment in this mode.

Crafting undergoes a drastic transformation as well, with a substantial decrease in available currency and the absence of deterministic crafting materials like essences and fossils for fractured item crafting. Moreover, the absence of a crafting bench restricts the ability to add modifiers to gear through crafting.

Item Crafting

Ruthless introduces a challenging dynamic where the majority of your items are acquired through monster slaying. Unearthing magic, rare, and unique items becomes a daunting task, and crafting them proves even more arduous.

Crafting, in this mode, assumes a position of considerable luxury, warranting prudent usage for select items. The drop rate of crafting currency items has undergone a substantial reduction. The acquisition rate of crafting currency shards through item vending has been significantly diminished.

Master crafting remains inaccessible, with no means to access the crafting bench or discover recipe plinths. Certain valuable items like Veiled Chaos Orbs, Orbs of Binding, Orbs of Dominance, Influenced Exalted Orbs, and Awakener’s Orbs elude acquisition.

When an Influenced Item undergoes reforge or the Influenced Mod is removed, the item loses its influence. A significant portion of vendor recipes is unavailable, while a selection of new Ruthless-specific vendor recipes has been introduced.

Speaking of Items, if you’re interested in White sockets in POE, then our POE white sockets guide will come real handy to you.

Atlas System

Ruthless introduces significant alterations to the Atlas system, fundamentally reshaping the statistics of maps compared to the base game. Furthermore, the Atlas passive tree undergoes a redesign, reducing the rewards obtained per point invested.

Void Stones no longer grant a universal bonus to all maps, and each Void Stone does not elevate map levels. Additionally, the rewards from league content are noticeably less potent compared to those found in the base game. These modifications redefine the dynamics of the Atlas system, demanding a fresh approach to map exploration and progression in Ruthless.

Campaign Upgrades and Powerups

Navigating the campaign in Ruthless, given the diminished strength of your character, necessitates a deliberate and cautious approach. Emphasizing the pursuit of upgrades and power-ups becomes paramount during this journey. Consider engaging in farming expeditions within the Dried Lake, targeting the vulnerable monsters and formidable bosses who boast increased rarity and provide improved odds of acquiring rare items.

Additionally, investing time in exploring the Reliquary in Acts 5 and 10 proves worthwhile, as the interactive chests housed within offer opportunities to obtain additional items. By adopting these strategies, you can enhance your chances of progression and survival in the challenging realm of Ruthless.

Ending note

In conclusion, for those venturing into the world of Path of Exile as beginners, I hope this Ruthless guide has provided valuable insights and a glimpse into the challenging yet rewarding gameplay that awaits you. If you’re looking for more guidance on starting your journey, check out our comprehensive Path of Exile Beginner guide for essential tips and advice. May your adventures in Wraeclast be filled with excitement and triumph!