With the Settlers of Kalguur kicking off, it's time to optimize your Atlas Tree Strategy for Path of Exile 3.25, featuring the latest updates. This guide focuses on early, mid, and late-league atlas mapping strategies that will help you efficiently navigate the Atlas and ensure you're making the most of your map runs.
PoE 3.25 Best Atlas Passive Skill Tree Strategy Guide (Early, Mid, End League Map Farm Plans)
The Path of Exile 3.25 league, Settlers of Kalguur, brings several notable changes to the Atlas and maps, including new features for Divination Card visibility, additional Map Device slots, static life bars for bosses, and significant adjustments to Divination Card drop locations. The removal of league mechanic support on the Atlas passive tree and the introduction of new oils and anoint-only passives add further depth and complexity to the game. With these new features and changes, you will need to adopt new mapping and Atlas passive skill planning strategies for more effective farming in the new league. This may also involve exploring new maps and adjusting your character builds to capitalize on the new features and mechanics fully.
Main Changes to Atlas and Map in PoE 3.25 Settlers of Kalguur League
As usual, let's go over the key changes coming in the Path of Exile 3.25 patch that will effect the atlas passive tree planning and mapping in Settlers of Kalguur:
1. Divination Cards on Hover:
You can now hover over any map on the Atlas to see which Divination Cards can drop in that specific map. his feature will help players plan their farming strategies more efficiently by providing immediate visibility into potential card drops.
2. 6th Map Device Slot:
A sixth slot is being added to the Map Device. This additional slot will give players more flexibility and customization in their map modifiers, potentially leading to more varied and optimized map runs.
3. Static Life Bars for Bosses:
Pinnacle and act bosses will now have static life bars displayed at the top of the screen. This change will make it easier for players to track boss health during encounters, improving clarity and overall gameplay experience.
4. Changes to Divination Card Drops:
There are significant changes to which maps drop specific Divination Cards. For example:
Examples:
Grotto Map: Now requires map tier 12+ for the Primordial card and includes other cards like Sea of Blue, Tinker's Table, and Terrible Secret of Space.
Burial Chambers: The Doctor card may no longer drop here, replaced by cards like Brother's Gift, Summoner's Cursed Words, and Brony Battlemage.
Glacier Map: Includes cards like Mits White Out, Wolverine, and Chilling Wind.
Pojo's Asylum: Features cards like Army of Blood, Therat Tourist, Fiend, and Golden Era.
These changes will alter the farming meta, requiring players to adapt their strategies and possibly explore new map zones for their desired cards.
5. Removal of League Mechanic Support on Atlas Passive Tree:
The experiment of supporting the current league mechanic on the Atlas passive tree, as seen in 3.24, will not continue in 3.25. Players will no longer need to allocate passive points to support league mechanics on the Atlas, potentially freeing up points for other strategic uses.
6. New Prismatic Oil and Anoint-Only Passives:
Prismatic Oil, obtainable from Blighted and Blight-ravaged Maps, will be used for new anoint-only secret notables. This introduces new strategic elements to character builds, with potentially powerful and niche anoint-only passives that can define or enhance specific builds.
Best Atlas Strategies & Mapping Plans for Path of Exile 3.25 Settlers of Kalguur League
With the above changes in mind, now let's sort out some of the most effective atlas passive tree plans and mapping strategies for different farming purposes.
Since we have not yet fully implemented the new changes and mechanisms brought by the PoE 3.25 patch, we are only updating some general atlas strategies here. More strategies for this season's mechanisms will be updated later:
PoE 3.25 Best Atlas Progression Strategy for League Start
First of all, let's walk you through the Atlas skill tree for league start Atlas progression in Path of Exile 3.25. This strategy is designed to help you efficiently progress through the Atlas and ensure a smooth mapping experience. Once you have finished Act 10, it's time to start mapping. Below is a step-by-step progression strategy, focusing on key nodes and checkpoints to maximize your Atlas efficiency:
Key Nodes & Strategy:
Checkpoint 1: Initial Mapping Setup (15pts) - The Kirac Missions node ensures you have a steady supply of maps and missions, which is vital when you get stuck. Focus on unveiling items through Jun encounters to acquire valuable Bench Crafts and gain significant experience from Safehouses.
Checkpoint 2: Shaping Nodes + Shrine (39pts) - Prioritize shaping nodes to ensure maps drop at higher tiers, and utilize shrines to gain powerful buffs for tackling tougher map tiers.
Checkpoint 3: Enhanced Jun Encounters (48pts) - Continue taking Jun nodes to maximize item unveils and experience gain, aiding in completing high-tier maps and further Atlas progression.
Checkpoint 4: Shrine Enhancements + Unwavering (62pts) - Enhance shrine effects and increase monster density for more loot and experience, helping to sustain map progression.
Checkpoint 5: Blight Encounters (79pts) - Focus on Blight encounters to earn stable currencies and additional map drops, ensuring continuous Atlas progression.
Checkpoint 6: Advanced Blight Setup (94pts) - Utilize enhanced tower damage to efficiently complete Blight encounters, making Blight farming easier and more rewarding.
Checkpoint 7: Additional Blight Rewards (113pts) - Increase the number and variety of reward chests in Blight encounters for maximum loot and profit.
Checkpoint 8: Searing Exarch + 100% additional shirne (127pts) - In the late game, ensure you are running Tier 15-16 maps, focusing on sustaining map progression and earning stable currencies.
Atlas Skill Tree Setup:
Map Sustain:
Selling Maps - Sell three of the same maps to the vendor to get a map one tier higher. Experiment with different combinations if you have more than three maps.
Kirek Missions - His shop refreshes with every completed mission, providing opportunities to buy new maps.
Orbs of Horizon and Harbinger Orbs - Use these to change map tiers and sustain progression.
PoE 3.25 Best Early Atlas Passive Tree for Map Sustain and Currency Farming
Since the last league, we have additional Atlas passive trees available, so you don't have to worry too much about spending currency on Orbs of Unmaking. The goal here is to go from your league start, your first T1 map, to finishing your Atlas, getting all the Voidstones, and unlocking your favorite map slots. This strategy focuses on a balanced approach to early map sustain, currency generation, and enhancing your mapping experience. Adjust and tweak based on your personal preferences and the league mechanics.
Key Nodes & Strategy:
1. Begin with Kirac Missions and Shaping the World - Kirac is very helpful early on as he offers free maps, often those you haven't completed yet. Don't forget the bonus objectives for map completion: Magic maps for white tier, Rare maps for yellow tier, Corrupted rare maps for red tier
2. Unwavering Vision - Disables scarab drops and juicing from Divine Vessels. Provides 20 Atlas passive skill points.
3. Shaping the World, Mountains, and Skies - Focus on nodes that increase the chance of maps dropping one tier higher.
4. Nico and Packed with Energy = Nico's sulfite buffs give increased damage, movement speed, and resistances.
5. Shrines - Additional power without spending currency, plus special shrines like Gloom Shrines.
6. Additional Map Sustain Nodes - Focus on nodes that increase the chance of additional connected map drops.
7. Ritual - Take nodes that enhance ritual encounters for additional currency and items.
8. Endgame Strategies - Once in T14+ maps, consider Searing Exarch, Guardian map sustain, and synthesized map drops.
Atlas Skill Tree Setup:
PoE 3.25 Atlas Passive Tree Strategy for Delve, Map Completion, Strongboxes
Now let's cover strategies for Delve, map completion, strongboxes, boss rushing, ritual mechanics, and altar farming. The first strategy focuses on early strongboxes for loot, Delve mechanics, and rapid map completion. It’s ideal for players who want a balanced approach between exploring the Atlas and delving into the mines.
Key Nodes & Strategy:
1. Starting Zone: Begin with nodes that enhance Delve, moving towards Frantic Mining. Optionally, grab Twice Tempted for additional strongbox benefits.
2. Early Map Completion: Move towards Shaping of the Mountains, Pack with Energy, and Guarded Hordes. Focus on nodes like Price of Progress and Cryptic Gateway for higher tier map drops.
3. Strongboxes: After establishing your Delve nodes, return to pick up strongbox nodes like Tamperproof and Secret Compartments.
4. Delve Enhancements: Continue with Sulfite Infusion and additional Delve nodes like Skittering Swarms for early scarabs.
5. Final Nodes: Complete the tree with nodes that boost map completion and loot, such as Trapped Carasses, strongbox nodes, and Chisel Perfection.
Atlas Skill Tree Setup:
Key Benefits:
Early map completion through increased map drop rates.
Strongboxes provide a steady stream of loot.
Delve cities as a secondary map source.
PoE 3.25 Atlas Passive Tree Strategy for Delve, Boss Rush, Ritual
This passive skill tree synergizes Delve, boss rushing, and the Ritual mechanic, which can be highly profitable. It’s designed for players aiming to maximize encounters and loot from rituals and bosses.
Key Nodes & Strategy:
1. Initial Nodes: Similar to the first configuration, start with Delve nodes and Frantic Mining.
2. Ritual Mechanics: Move towards Sacred Lands for increased ritual presence in maps. Continue with nodes that boost ritual rewards and efficiency, like Remnants of the Past and Sacred Devotion.
3. Boss Rush: Grab nodes like Conquered Conquerors for guaranteed conqueror map drops. Enhance boss encounters with nodes like Destructive Play and Remnants of the Past.
4. Final Touches: Complete the tree with Chiseled Perfection, Answered Appeals, and other ritual-enhancing nodes.
Atlas Skill Tree Setup:
Key Benefits:
Increased ritual encounters and profitability.
Guaranteed conqueror map drops for consistent boss farming.
Enhanced loot from ritual mechanics.
PoE 3.25 Atlas Passive Tree Strategy for Delve & Altar Farming
This setup focuses on Delve and altar farming, targeting map modifiers from Searing Exarch and Eater of Worlds for high-quality drops. Ideal for players who want to maximize item quality and quantity from alters.
Key Nodes & Strategy:
1. Delve Nodes: Start with your preferred Delve nodes, moving towards Frantic Mining and Sulfite Infusion.
2. Blocking Mechanics: Block undesired mechanics like Blight and Ultimatum if they don’t fit your playstyle.
3. Altar Farming: Focus on nodes like Rampant Growth and Eldritch Gaze for increased pack size and better alter outcomes. Enhance loot drops with nodes like Invasive Adversaries and Chiseled Perfection.
3. Final Enhancements: Add nodes for magic find, quantity, and rarity increases. Complete the tree with Searing Exarch and Wrath of Cosmos nodes for final map modifiers.
Atlas Skill Tree Setup:
Key Benefits:
High-quality and quantity item drops from alters.
Enhanced map modifiers for better loot.
Balanced Delve and alter farming strategy.
Should You Start PoE 3.25 with Bossing or Mapping?
With the new league coming up, many players are debating whether to start as a bosser or a mapper. Here, we’ll explain the pros and cons of each playstyle to help you decide, and we’ll share our choice at the end:
Why Bossing is Better at League Start:
1. Independence and Efficiency
One significant advantage of bossing is the independence it provides. You don't need to rely on others to help you kill bosses. In trade leagues, mappers often fall into the trap of being able to clear monsters but struggling with bosses. With a bossing build, you can self-farm your own watchstones without needing carries or friends, avoiding any embarrassment.
2. Early Profit Opportunities
Bossing allows you to kill Atlas bosses and map bosses much quicker, leading to faster Atlas completion. This means you can start farming Atlas bosses like the Eater of Worlds and Exarch earlier, making currency sooner.
3. Selling Boss Services
A significant profit avenue is using TFT to sell boss completion and boss services. This has been a lucrative market for years. Players who can't kill bosses themselves pay for boss carries. For example, you could earn substantial sums by carrying others through bosses like Uber Elder. Each carry can bring in significant currency, both from the service fees and the boss drops.
Why Mapping is a Better League Start:
1. Faster Progression
Mapping allows you to get into endgame maps quicker, clear maps faster, and complete the Atlas sooner. This results in more currency and more effective Atlas strategies.
2. Bulk Currency Selling
In the early game, bulk currency selling is highly profitable due to high demand and limited supply. Prices for resources like alterations are higher early on, providing a key way to build currency quickly.
3. Investment and Profit
Mapping can be as profitable as you make it. You can invest as much or as little as you want into maps. Efficiency and investment directly translate to currency. Additionally, farming your own resources makes crafting easier, allowing you to craft and sell items for additional profit.
Bossing or Mapping, Which One To Choose?
Your League start choice should ultimately be based on what you find fun. If you enjoy mindlessly farming content while watching Netflix or chatting with friends, mapping might be the better play style for you. If you love the dopamine hit of a good drop and want consistent currency from carries, then bossing is likely your best bet. However, the choice is yours.