Path of Exile 3.26.0d: Mssive Trade League Changes

If you're deep into Path of Exile's Mercenaries League, the 3.26.0d patch notes are worth a closer look. While they might seem minor at first glance, they pack a punch that could reshape the trade league economy. From tweaks to Mercenaries League mechanics to significant changes in map modifiers and crafting, there's a lot to digest. For those looking to stay ahead in Wraeclast, bookmark our site for the latest updates and check out our revamped PoE currency and items store for all your crafting and trading needs.

The patch kicks off with adjustments to the Mercenaries League, specifically targeting enemy mercenary skills. For instance, abilities like Shield Crush, Exsanguinate, and Static Strike have been nerfed to deal less damage. These changes aim to reduce frustrating spikes in difficulty, especially late in the league. While these tweaks might not dominate headlines, they address minor irritations that can make a big difference in your gameplay experience. Additionally, some challenge-related fixes were included to smooth out progression. These are the kind of quality-of-life updates that dedicated players will appreciate, even if they don't drastically alter the meta.

The Big Hitters: 8-Mod Maps and Orb of Unraveling

The real meat of patch 3.26.0D lies in two significant changes that have sparked heated discussions across the Path of Exile community.

One of the most significant updates targets maps influenced by the Originator's 8-mod corruption scarab. Previously, these maps dropped with eight guaranteed Tier 17 modifiers, which offered substantially more loot (and danger) compared to standard map mods. Now, maps generated post-patch will be Tier 16.5, with weaker modifiers and less loot potential. This nerf means maps created early in the league—specifically during week two—are now legacy items, holding a distinct advantage over newer maps.

This change has stirred debate. Some players argue it creates a “legacy wealth gap," where those who farmed early reaped massive rewards that are no longer accessible. Others see it as a necessary balance to prevent the economy from spiralling out of control. Historically, Path of Exile has seen similar issues. For example, in the Affliction League (3.23), a bug with Stygian Spires allowed players to generate excessive loot by stacking projectiles, a mechanic left unpatched for the entire league. Similarly, the Necropolis League saw quadratic scaling with Rogue Exile mods, leading to an economic boom but also a drop in player retention. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) seems determined to avoid a repeat in 3.26, stepping in mid-league to curb the exploit.

The second major change targets the Orb of Unraveling. Players discovered that this orb could upgrade crafted modifiers to higher tiers, a mechanic that offered incredible crafting potential. However, GGG has now patched this functionality, meaning orbs used moving forward won't have the same power. This nerf mirrors past interventions, like the hotfix to the Awakener's Orb in its debut league, which respected meta-mods but was quickly changed, or the Tainted Divine Teardrop in Scourge League, which briefly allowed elevating influence mods to Maven-tier levels.

While these mid-league nerfs are rare, they're not unprecedented. GGG's decision to act swiftly suggests a shift toward maintaining a balanced economy, even if it frustrates players who capitalized early.

These changes have already shaken up the trade league economy. The shift from Tier 17 to Tier 16.5 maps has reduced demand for rerolling high-tier maps, impacting the Divine Orb to Chaos Orb ratio. Initially, panic selling drove the ratio below 190, but it's likely to stabilize above 200 as the market adjusts. Players who stockpiled early 8-mod maps or used Orbs of Unraveling pre-nerf now hold a significant advantage, reinforcing the “exploit early, exploit often" mentality that some love and others loathe.