Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict – Full Guide to Act IV, Buffs, Async Trading & Rise of the Abyssal

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If you stepped away from Path of Exile 2’s Early Access launch due to frustrating balance decisions, repetitive progression, or cumbersome systems, now is the time to return.

The Third Edict update (v0.3.0), launching on August 29, 2025, is a direct response to community feedback that fundamentally addresses the game’s biggest shortcomings.

Instead of piling on nerfs, The Third Edict shifts toward empowering players with sweeping buffs, a revolutionary Support Gem overhaul, a new defensive mechanic for evasion builds, and the long-awaited asynchronous trading system.

Here’s a full breakdown of why this patch is set to redefine Path of Exile 2.

1. A Philosophical Shift: From Nerfs to Widespread Buffs

Addressing the "Dawn of the Hunt" Backlash

Path of Exile 2’s first major update, Dawn of the Hunt, was met with community frustration. Instead of uplifting weak skills, it nerfed popular abilities, which led to a stale meta where only a handful of builds felt viable. Director Jonathan Rogers later admitted the team hadn’t given player feedback the attention it deserved.

The Third Edict Fix

This update flips that approach. GGG is buffing underused abilities and classes across the board, broadening endgame diversity without simply inflating top-tier builds.

  • Class-Specific Updates: Warriors no longer need heavy Accuracy investment for close-range builds, and underused ascendancies such as the Acolyte of Chayula are receiving reworks to make their core mechanics more viable.

  • Result: A drastically wider and more creative meta where players can experiment with builds that were previously unplayable.

Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict – Full Guide
2. Solving Defense: The New “Deflect” Mechanic for Evasion Builds

The Evasion Build Problem

Dexterity-based characters relying on evasion suffered from binary defenses — either avoiding damage entirely or taking full, devastating hits. This often left them vulnerable to one-shots, especially in hardcore modes.

The Third Edict Fix

Deflect introduces a new mitigation layer:

  • Converts a percentage of incoming hits into 40% reduced damage.

  • Scales up to 100%, smoothing out incoming spikes.

  • Preserves the identity of evasion builds while making them reliable for endgame survival.

Impact: This is a major buff for Rangers, Monks, and other Dexterity-based classes, giving them the survivability they always lacked.

3. The Support Gem Revolution: Unleashing Build Creativity

The Restrictive Old System

Previously, only one copy of each Support Gem could be socketed per character — severely limiting creativity and punishing experimentation.

The Third Edict Fix

This restriction is gone. Now:

  • Multiple Copies Allowed – Every skill can benefit from the same powerful support gems.

  • Tiered Support Gems – Regular, Greater, and Perfect tiers expand build depth.

  • Lineage Support Gems – 40 ultra-rare supports drop from bosses, offering unique, build-defining effects.

Impact: New possibilities like “poison on every skill” or hyper-specialized multi-skill builds can flourish, dramatically increasing long-term replayability.

4. The End of Trade Friction: Asynchronous Trading

The Old Problem

Trading in Early Access was clunky — requiring both buyer and seller to be online simultaneously. This led to AFK sellers, wasted time, and constant frustration.

The Third Edict Fix

The new asynchronous trading system lets players list items with a Merchant NPC, which buyers can purchase even if the seller is offline.

  • Faster, more efficient gearing.

  • Less time waiting in hideouts.

  • Smoother economy flow, especially in new leagues.

5. Beyond the Pain Points: Fresh Content to Explore

The Third Edict isn’t just about fixes — it brings major new content:

  • Act IV (Ngamakunui Archipelago) – Eight Polynesian-inspired islands, tackled in any order, with 100+ new monsters and 12 bosses.

  • Interlude Acts – Replaces “Cruel Difficulty” with three fresh side-stories, adding 19 new areas and 9 bosses.

  • Sprinting Mechanic – Hold dodge after a roll to move faster out of combat; but taking damage mid-sprint causes a stun.

  • Rise of the Abyssal League – Fight fissure-spawned Abyssal monsters, close rifts, and use “Bones” currency to craft gear with league-specific modifiers.

Conclusion: Wraeclast is Calling You Back

Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict isn’t just another patch — it’s a clear signal that Grinding Gear Games is committed to listening to its community.

With broad buffs, a new defensive system, streamlined trading, and expanded content, this update tackles the launch’s biggest frustrations head-on.

Whether you quit over the stale meta, frustrating defenses, or clunky trade systems, now is the perfect time to return.

📅 The Third Edict launches August 29, 2025 — alongside the new Rise of the Abyssal league. Veterans get a free passive tree reset, but starting fresh in the league will showcase the improvements at their best.

👉 Will you be returning to Path of Exile 2 for The Third Edict? Share your build plans below! 

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