PoE3.26: Strongbox, Essence and Crafting Bench QoL
Time: 2025-06-04 by mmojugg Game: Path of Exile Guide Tags: Secrets of the Atlas
Path of Exile community is buzzing with excitement as the Secrets of the Atlas expansion (version 3.26) introduces game-changing quality-of-life (QoL) improvements. Among the standout features are the new quick-use currency systems for Strongboxes and Essences, designed to streamline your gameplay and make every moment in Wraeclast more efficient. Whether you're a seasoned exile or just starting your journey, these updates will save you time and clicks, letting you focus on what matters most—slaying monsters and collecting loot. For more tips and resources to elevate your PoE experience, consider bookmarking our site and exploring our PoE Currency & Item Store for all your in-game needs.
What's New with Strongboxes in Secrets of the Atlas?
Strongboxes have long been a staple of Path of Exile, offering thrilling encounters with monsters and rewarding loot. In the Secrets of the Atlas expansion, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has made interacting with Strongboxes smoother than ever. Here's how it works:
Quick-Use Currency Buttons: When you approach a Strongbox, a set of buttons will appear beneath its label, showing currency items in your inventory that can be applied. Click a button to instantly use the corresponding currency—no need to open your inventory. This feature is tailored to the Strongbox's state (e.g., normal, magic, or rare), ensuring you only see relevant options.
Safe and Efficient Design: GGG has taken care to exclude high-value currencies, such as Divine Orbs, from these quick-use options. This prevents accidental wastage, so you can craft Strongboxes confidently without burning through precious resources.
This QoL change is a game-changer for players who farm Strongboxes for Divination Cards, maps, or gear. No more fumbling through your inventory mid-map—every second counts when you're dodging ambushing monsters!
Essence Quick-Use: Corruption Made Simple
Monsters imprisoned in Essences are also getting a QoL overhaul. The new system applies to the Remnant of Corruption, a currency item used to modify Essence encounters:
Instant Corruption Application: Similar to Strongboxes, Essence monsters now display a button for the Remnant of Corruption (if you have it in your inventory). One click applies it directly, bypassing the need to open your inventory. This makes upgrading or modifying Essences faster and less disruptive to your map flow.
This update is particularly helpful for players farming high-tier Essences for crafting or trading. With fewer clicks, you can focus on strategy—whether that's corrupting for a chance at rare outcomes or chaining maps for maximum profit.
Crafting Bench QoL: Fewer Clicks, More Crafting
Beyond Strongboxes and Essences, Secrets of the Atlas brings another community-inspired improvement to the crafting bench. A suggestion from the Path of Exile subreddit sparked this change, and GGG delivered:
Control-Click Crafting: Instead of navigating through menus to apply bench crafts, you can now control-click to apply available crafts instantly. This is a massive time-saver, especially when spamming socket color crafts to get that perfect chroming setup.
This small but impactful change reduces the tedious clicking that has frustrated players for leagues. Whether you're crafting endgame gear or just tweaking early-game items, this feature makes the process feel seamless.
Why These Changes Matter
These QoL updates reflect GGG's commitment to listening to player feedback and refining the Path of Exile experience. By reducing the time spent on inventory management and crafting, you can dive deeper into the game's core loop: mapping, looting, and upgrading your build. These features are especially valuable in the fast-paced environment of a new league, where efficiency can make or break your early progression.
For example, Strongbox farming is a popular strategy for generating in-game currency, such as Chaos Orbs or Divination Cards. With the quick-use system, you can juice up Strongboxes (e.g., Diviner's or Arcanist's) faster, maximizing rewards without breaking your rhythm. Similarly, Essence farmers can corrupt monsters on the fly, increasing the chance of valuable drops like Shrieking or Deafening Essences.
Tips to Maximize the New Features
To make the most of these QoL changes in Secrets of the Atlas, consider these strategies:
Optimize Your Atlas Tree: Invest in Strongbox nodes early in the league to boost spawn rates and rewards. Nodes like Hidden Hoards and Researcher of Strongboxes are great for increasing loot from Strongboxes. For Essences, prioritize nodes that upgrade Essence tiers or duplicate Shrieking Essences for consistent profits.
Use Scarabs Wisely: Ambush Scarabs (Rusted, Polished, or Gilded) guarantee extra Strongboxes in maps, amplifying the benefits of the quick-use system. Pair them with Essence Scarabs of Ascent to stack rewards from both mechanics.
Carry the Right Currency: Stock up on Orbs of Alteration, Transmutation, and Augmentation for Strongboxes, as these are commonly used to craft desirable mods like increased item quantity or additional rare items. For Essences, always have a few Remnants of Corruption ready.
Focus on High-Value Strongboxes: Diviner's and Arcanist's Strongboxes are prime targets for crafting due to their potential for high-value drops like Divination Cards or currency. Save your premium currency for these.
FAQs About Strongbox & Essence QoL in Secrets of the Atlas
Which currencies can I use with the Strongbox quick-use feature?
The quick-use buttons display currencies like Orbs of Alteration, Transmutation, and Augmentation, depending on the Strongbox's state. High-value currencies, such as Divine Orbs, are excluded to prevent accidental use.
Does the Essence quick-use feature work with all Essence types?
The feature is specific to Remnants of Corruption, allowing you to corrupt Essence monsters instantly if you have the currency in your inventory.
How does the crafting bench control-click feature save time?
Control-clicking applies bench crafts directly, eliminating the need to select “Craft” from a menu. This is especially useful for repetitive tasks like socket color crafting.
Are these QoL changes available in Path of Exile 2?
These features are inspired by Path of Exile 2 but are being implemented in Path of Exile 1 for the Secrets of the Atlas expansion.
Should I spec into Strongbox or Essence nodes on the Atlas Tree?
It depends on your goals. Strongbox nodes are great for Divination Cards and currency, while Essence nodes excel for crafting materials. Both are viable early-league strategies.
Thanks for Reading
The Secrets of the Atlas expansion is shaping up to be a love letter to Path of Exile players, with QoL improvements that make farming Strongboxes, Essences, and crafting smoother than ever. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more guides, updates, and tips to dominate Wraeclast. Happy exiling!
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