Path of Exile 3.26: Biggest Winners & Losers
Time: 2025-06-13 by mmojugg Game: Path of Exile Guide Tags: Secrets of the Atlas
Path of Exile's 3.26 update, Secrets of the Atlas, has arrived with a treasure trove of changes that promise to shake up the meta. From powerful new buffs to some heavy nerfs, this patch introduces exciting content like new pinnacle bosses, a mercenary-style league mechanic, and a betrayal rework. If you're eager to dive into the new league, bookmark our site for the latest guides and check out our PoE currency and items store to gear up for the adventure ahead. Let's break down the biggest winners and losers of this patch to help you plan your next build.
Winners of Patch 3.26 Secrets of the Atlas
1. Golem Builds: A Powerhouse Reborn
Golems are stealing the spotlight in 3.26 with massive buffs to their utility and scaling. Flame Golem now boasts a 50% damage increase and 20% area of effect scaling, making it a versatile choice for many builds. Ice Golem offers enhanced crit chance and flat accuracy (420 at level 20), while Lightning Golem provides consistent attack and cast speed buffs with added mana regeneration. Chaos Golem trades its physical damage reduction for chaos resistance and a damage-over-time multiplier, ideal for DoT builds. Stone Golem now grants increased defenses alongside life regeneration, perfect for tanky setups.
The Elementalist ascendancy also got a significant overhaul. The Liege of the Primordial node now includes 100% increased golem buff effect, +2 maximum golems, auto-resummon after 4 seconds, and elemental damage immunity for golems. With just a few points, you can hit four maximum golems and 180% increased buff effect, making golem builds accessible and powerful for both new and veteran players.
2. Champion Ascendancy: Fortification Reigns Supreme
After a rough patch in 3.25, Champion is back with a vengeance. The Fortitude node now grants permanent maximum fortification, starting at 20% less damage taken from hits, which can scale up to 36% with uniques like Celestial Brace or Replica Badge of the Brotherhood. Combine this with the Unstoppable Hero node for up to 66% more armor, evasion, and attack speed, and Champion becomes a tanky powerhouse ideal for hardcore leagues. The synergy with Perseverance and Adrenaline nodes further cements Champion as a top-tier choice for survivability and damage.
3. Self-Cast Spells: A New Era of Casting
Self-cast spells received a major glow-up in 3.26, with many skills gaining 20-30% more damage scaling, particularly for channeling and chaos DoT spells. A new support gem for channeling skills offers up to 60% more damage, though it doubles mana costs, so plan your mana management carefully. The standout buff is the transfigured Righteous Fire of Arcane Devotion, which now grants up to 25% more cast speed at gem level 20. By burning maximum mana instead of life, this skill synergizes beautifully with Blood Magic, allowing you to maintain it with minimal investment in life regeneration. Self-cast builds are poised to dominate in 3.26.
Losers of Patch 3.26 Secrets of the Atlas
1. Frost Blades of Katabasis: A Fallen Star
Frost Blades of Katabasis was gaining traction in 3.25, but 3.26 delivers a devastating blow. The skill's hit damage has been gutted, leaving only its damage-over-time component viable. While not as popular as Lightning Strike, this nerf feels heavy-handed and may push players toward other melee options.
2. Archmage Hierophant and Ice Nova of Frostbolts
The Archmage Hierophant build, particularly with Ice Nova of Frostbolts, was a 3.25 favorite but takes a big hit in 3.26. The Archmage support gem lost 15% of its damage scaling, and Hierophant's Sanctuary of Thought node no longer offers a less mana cost multiplier, replaced by a 1% base mana regen. This change increases mana costs, creating more moments of vulnerability. Ice Nova of Frostbolts now expands from two frostbolts instead of four, severely reducing its AoE clear potential. While Archmage remains viable with skills like Ball Lightning, this build's glory days are behind it.
3. Lightning Strike: Still Good, But Humbled
Lightning Strike, a meta-defining skill in 3.25, faces a 50% less damage multiplier on its projectiles, alongside nerfs to the Returning Projectile Support gem. Specific builds like Slayer and Trickster also lose key tools: Slayer's Runesmithing enchantment for two-handed swords is gone, and Trickster's evasion and energy shield scaling took a hit. The Ephemeral Edge now deals 25-50% less damage, depending on its roll. While Lightning Strike remains playable, it's no longer the unstoppable force it once was.
Honorable Mention: Volcanic Fissure of Snaking
While not explicitly buffed, Volcanic Fissure of Snaking escaped the nerf hammer, making it a relative winner. With other melee skills like Lightning Strike and Frost Blades taking hits, this skill is poised to become one of the most popular choices in 3.26, offering strong damage and clear speed.
FAQs About Path of Exile 3.26 Secrets of the Atlas
1. What are the best builds for Patch 3.26?
Golem-based Elementalist, Champion with max fortification, and self-cast spell builds (especially with Righteous Fire of Arcane Devotion) are top contenders due to their buffs.
2. Is Lightning Strike still worth playing?
Yes, but it's less dominant. The projectile nerf and support gem changes reduce its power, but it remains viable for skilled players.
3. How do golems work in 3.26?
Golems provide enhanced buffs (e.g., damage, AoE, crit, defenses) that scale with buff effect. The Elementalist's Liege of the Primordial node makes them easier to maintain and more impactful.
4. Why was Frost Blades of Katabasis nerfed so heavily?
The nerf targeted its hit damage, likely to emphasize its DoT component and balance its growing popularity in 3.25.
5. What's new in the Secrets of the Atlas league mechanic?
The league introduces a mercenary-style companion system, allowing you to equip an NPC to fight alongside you, plus new pinnacle bosses and a boss kill race.
Thanks for Reading
Patch 3.26 Secrets of the Atlas brings a mix of exciting buffs and tough nerfs, setting the stage for a dynamic league. Whether you're theorycrafting a golem build or adapting to the Lightning Strike changes, there's plenty to explore. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more updates and guides to conquer Wraeclast!
Table of Content
Buy Path of Exile Currency