Path of Exile 3.28 Update: League Reflections and Endgame Concerns

From controversial reworks to endgame stagnation and experimental systems like Idols, this update highlights both excitement and uncertainty surrounding the game's direction.

3.28 Announcement Timeline Brings Cautious Optimism

In recent years, Path of Exile 2 testing periods have sometimes disrupted the main game's content cycle. Extended PoE2 phases reduced development focus on the original game, POE currency, leading to shorter or less impactful leagues. A March announcement suggests a healthier balance between Path of Exile 1 and Path of Exile 2, especially with another PoE2 phase expected in April.

The earlier the announcement arrives in March, the more confident players feel that 3.28 will receive proper attention rather than being overshadowed by future projects.

The Breach Rework Controversy

One of the biggest talking points remains the controversial Breach rework introduced in recent leagues. Traditionally, Breach was one of Path of Exile's most polished and accessible mechanics. Players enjoyed opening breaches, collecting splinters, and running Breachstones in dedicated endgame encounters.

The rework replaced much of this flow with wall-based encounters and forced interactions, fundamentally changing how Breach functions. While some players tolerated the change, many felt it removed what made Breach enjoyable in the first place.

Unlike previous updates-such as improvements to Abyss-the Breach redesign stripped away player agency and replaced it with restrictive mechanics.

More importantly, the rework became mandatory in several league systems, including FCA, which further amplified frustration. Forced Breach encounters reduced variety and made farming feel repetitive.

Now, players worry about the future of Breach. With new art assets and structural changes already implemented, a full rollback seems unlikely. This raises uncomfortable questions: Will traditional Breachstones disappear? Will classic Breach be removed entirely? Or will GGG find a compromise solution?

For many veterans, preserving the old Breach experience is essential to maintaining endgame diversity.

League Starter Success: Kinetic Fuselot Ballista

Built on a Paladin/Guardian-style ascendancy with aura bonuses, the setup provided strong early-game power and excellent scaling.

The build benefited from free Wrath and Anger-style buffs, but its core strength remained viable even in the main game environment.

The Problem of Endgame Stagnation

While the Atlas Passive Tree was revolutionary when introduced in 3.17, its impact has gradually diminished.

Once players complete their Atlas passives, meaningful progression largely stops. Most farming strategies require only 30–40 points, after which choices become shallow or predetermined. Whether farming Legion, Essences, or Beasts, builds follow nearly identical paths.

Although early progression feels rewarding-focusing on map sustain and gradually increasing juice-late-game mapping lacks a sense of continued development.

Since its introduction in 2022, the Atlas system has seen only minor updates. New mechanics receive small clusters, but the overall structure remains unchanged. As a result, experienced players often reach "completion" quickly, with little left to strive for.Idols: A Glimpse of Extreme Progression

In contrast, the Free Shell League introduced Idols, which represent the opposite extreme of progression. Instead of passive trees, players customize mapping through powerful itemized bonuses.

Idols allow players to stack specific stats repeatedly, creating hyper-specialized farming setups. For example, a player can stack openable bonuses or monster density modifiers far beyond what the Atlas tree allows.

At the high end, Idol setups can cost hundreds of Divines, making them massive investments. For hardcore players, this provides long-term goals and meaningful progression.

However, this system has major flaws.

The Accessibility and FOMO Problem

Idols are expensive, difficult to obtain, and largely dependent on market availability. Because they cannot be easily crafted, players must rely on drops and recombination, leading to extreme price volatility.

This creates intense FOMO. Players who join late or fail to invest early often get locked out of profitable strategies. Without Idols, there is no baseline Atlas tree to fall back on, leaving casual players with limited income options.

Unlike scarabs or sextants, Idols do not have consistent supply. If a strategy becomes popular, prices skyrocket instantly. Even small content creator coverage can destroy affordability.

Why Idols Should Be Craftable

One potential solution is introducing full crafting systems for Idols. If players could alt-regal, fossil craft, or otherwise roll Idol modifiers, prices would stabilize.

Crafters would enter the market, setting consistent baselines for popular modifiers. Even if demand increased, supply could respond naturally.

Craftability would also restore agency. Instead of waiting for drops, players could actively pursue their desired setups.

Without this change, Idols remain vulnerable to market manipulation and extreme speculation.

Learning from Both Extremes

 Atlas Tree: Too shallow after completion

 Idols: Too extreme and inaccessible

The ideal system lies somewhere in between.

One possible solution involves itemized Atlas enhancements, such as jewel sockets at tree edges. These could allow limited customization without becoming mandatory.

If implemented carefully, such a system could provide long-term goals while preserving baseline accessibility.

Scarabs vs. Idols: A Cost Problem

Another comparison highlights why Idols feel refreshing despite their flaws. Scarabs are consumables, meaning players must constantly reinvest.

Expensive scarabs like Awakening or Containment often price players out of faster strategies. If returns aren't perfect, profits disappear.

Idols, once purchased, are permanent. Players can run cheap maps, spam content, or slow-farm without worrying about consumable costs.

This flexibility encourages experimentation and reduces pressure to maximize every run.

Path of Exile 2 Needs Structural Change

Although systems like temple building show promise, the overall experience feels underdeveloped. With Patch 0.5 bringing an endgame rework, there is an opportunity for bold experimentation.

Introducing experimental systems similar to Idols-perhaps in toned-down form-could help PoE2 discover what works long-term.

Sometimes, radical testing is necessary to refine better systems.

Looking Ahead to 3.28

Despite criticisms, excitement for 3.28 remains high. New league mechanics, balance changes, and endgame tweaks always bring renewed energy to the community.

The Free Shell League was enjoyable, but moderation remains key to long-term engagement.

Final Thoughts

Path of Exile 3.28 arrives at a pivotal moment. Players are eager for fresh content, improved progression, and meaningful long-term goals. The Breach rework controversy highlights the risks of unnecessary redesigns, cheap POE exalted orbs, while systems like Idols reveal both the promise and danger of extreme customization.

The future of PoE lies in finding balance-between accessibility and depth, permanence and flexibility, experimentation and stability.

With thoughtful design, 3.28 could mark another step forward in maintaining Path of Exile's status as the gold standard for ARPG endgames.