Path of Exile 3.26: Secrets of the Atlas- Release Date, Trailer, and Everything
Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has officially lifted the curtain on Path of Exile's long-awaited update: 3.26 Secrets of the Atlas. With an atmospheric teaser trailer, mysterious hints, and a release date confirmed, the community is buzzing with speculation and excitement, especially given the long drought since the last full league update.
Here's a full breakdown of the confirmed details and what we know so far about PoE 3.26: Secrets of the Atlas.
Path of Exile 3.26 Release Date & Reveal
GGG has revealed two important dates:
·June 5, 2025- 1 PM PDT: Official Livestream Reveal
·June 13, 2025- 1 PM PDT: Patch 3.26 Launch Day (PC)
These events will unveil the league mechanics, changes to the Atlas, and possibly some major shifts to the endgame structure. With the “Secrets of the Atlas” name, expectations are high for a sweeping expansion.
Secrets of the Atlas: What We Know So Far
Teaser Trailer & Lore Clues
The cryptic teaser trailer for 3.26 opens with a new, unnamed NPC who seeks help discovering the originator of the Atlas. This phrase suggests we're going beyond known characters like the Elderslayers or Mave, possibly diving into the true origins of Wraeclast's endgame structure.
A few seconds before the title reveal, rose petals drift across the screen- a visual motif long associated with Zana Caeserius, the former Guardian of the Atlas. Although she hasn't appeared prominently in recent expansions, this visual cue may hint at her return or a deeper dive into her backstory.
Atlas Expansion Incoming?
While GGG hasn't outright confirmed it, the Atlas-themed name and teaser strongly point to a major endgame rework or expansion. Based on past updates, if this is indeed an Atlas expansion, players can expect:
·New Atlas bosses or reworked existing ones
·Map pool or tier reshuffling
·Atlas tree changes and passives
·New endgame progression systems
·Loot and reward tuning
·Story content tied to the Atlas lore
Confirmed Quality of Life Changes in 3.26
GGG has already confirmed several exciting QoL updates, many of which address long-standing player requests.
Solo Pause Feature
Players playing solo will now be able to pause the game by opening the menu or switching to a full-screen interface. This change brings a long-awaited bit of relief for SSF and casual players alike.
Elder/Conqueror Map Re-Rolling
You will now be able to use POE chaos orbs of Horizons on special Atlas maps- named Elder, Guardian, and Conqueror maps. This change gives more control of thearming-specific bosses and content.
Map Device Inventory
A new mini-inventory for the Map Device is being added, allowing players to store maps and fragments inside it. This streamlines map running and saves inventory space- an especially welcome change for those who run hundreds of maps in a single session.
What to Expect at the Reveal
With the livestream coming June 5, players can expect:
·Full breakdown of the new league mechanic
·Atlas changes and endgame features
·New skills, support gems, and balance changes
·Item and crafting reworks (likely based on recent feedback)
·Patch notes and league launch roadmap
Final Thoughts: What Secrets Await?
After a long content gap and rising anticipation, Path of Exile 3.26: Secrets of the Atlas is shaping up to be one of the most impactful updates in recent memory. Whether it's a new league, a major lore reveal, or a full Atlas overhaul, all signs point to something big.
With Zana possibly returning, new mechanics hinted at in teasers, and long-overdue QoL upgrades finally arriving, PoE 3.26 might just be the refresh the endgame needs before the eventual transition to Path of Exile 2.
Stay tuned for the livestream on June 5, and prepare your stash tabs and POE currency, Wraeclast's secrets won't stay buried for long.