Path of Exile patch 1.3.0 detailed, due out next month

Torment

Grinding Gear has detailed the next content patch for their free-to-play ARPG, Path of Exiles. It contains words like, "Torment" and "Bloodlines," which is how you know the game isn't being plunged into a month-long peace-treaty. Instead, PvP is getting an overhaul, and new challenge leagues are being introduced.

A new video gives an overview of the Bloodlines Challenge:

In addition to Bloodlines, which synergises power between magic monsters, there is also a Torment Challenge. In it, your game will be haunted by loot-carrying spirits who can imbue nearby enemies with additional buffs.

Also on the cards are some big changes to the PvP game. "A major focus of this Content Update is to overhaul Path of Exile's PvP systems and introduce formal competitive events," writes Grinding Gear. "As we've learned from our successful racing scene, having prizes and news coverage of competitive play is critical. In addition to introducing seasons of tournaments, we've performed a lot of PvP-specific rebalancing that doesn't affect the regular game."

You can see a full run-down of the patch, which is due out on 12 December, over at the game's official site.

Phil Savage
Editor-in-Chief

Phil has been writing for PC Gamer for nearly a decade, starting out as a freelance writer covering everything from free games to MMOs. He eventually joined full-time as a news writer, before moving to the magazine to review immersive sims, RPGs and Hitman games. Now he leads PC Gamer's UK team, but still sometimes finds the time to write about his ongoing obsessions with Destiny 2, GTA Online and Apex Legends. When he's not levelling up battle passes, he's checking out the latest tactics game or dipping back into Guild Wars 2. He's largely responsible for the whole Tub Geralt thing, but still isn't sorry.