We’re going to be talking a bit about Pinnacle Atlas Bosses. So, why am I talking about this? 

You may have noticed that we haven’t had any new Atlas Bosses added to the game in quite a while. And that’s because the released Atlas expansions did have a reliable pattern at least. 

Expansion Cycle 

This has been the case ever since the Conquerors of the Atlas expansion, which introduced the Hunter, Redeemer, Crusader, and Warlord conqueror bosses as well as the Awakener of Worlds to the Atlas endgame along with huge changes to the Atlas map progression, including the introduction of Watchstones to modify Atlas regions.

This update was introduced to the game alongside the Metamorph League in patch 3.9. Then every four leagues following 3.9 would include a massive Atlas expansion alongside its league release. 

3.13 brought the Echoes of the Atlas expansion alongside the Ritual League. This Atlas expansion introduced the Maven as a new Pinnacle Boss along with the Maven’s Invitations and all of the the Maven’s Crucible encounters and the first iteration of the Atlas Skill Tree.

Then, four leagues went by again and the Siege of the Atlas expansion was released in patch 3.17 alongside the Archnemesis League. This was the largest Atlas expansion today. It introduced four new Atlas Bosses, including two Pinnacle Bosses, the Eater of Worlds, and the Searing Exarch and their sub bosses - the Infinite Hunger and the Black Star.

The small Atlas Passive Tree that was introduced in 3.13 was replaced with a Gigantic Atlas Passive Tree, allowing players to pursue any type of content that they liked in the endgame. A brand new gear influence system with all new POE Currency types was introduced and a new Atlas of Worlds with a reworked progression system, including Voidstones.

Then, four leagues went by again and Crucible League 3.21 didn’t include an Atlas expansion. 

ExileCon

Why didn’t patch 3.21 introduce a new Atlas expansion alongside the Crucible League? 

Well, the odds are almost definitely lies within ExileCon. You see, it’s very likely that GGG wanted to hold off on the Atlas expansion. So, they could hype it up ExileCon just like they did at the 2019 ExileCon with the Conquerors of the Atlas expansion. 

Therefore, I’d say it’s quite likely that the 3.22 league will come alongside a massive Atlas expansion, which will add new Pinnacle Bosses and change or build on a lot of its endgame systems. That’s what GGG’s forum post was alluding to when they said you’ll be wanting to play 3.22. 

Many thought this might mean that Path of Exile 2 or its beta was getting a secret launch in this league’s law. But being realistic, this was very wishful thinking. 

Also Read: POE 3.21 Herald Of Thunder Elementalist Build - Hot Autobomber

Path Of Exile 2

But why didn’t ExileCon happen before the Crucible League?

Well, GGG are trying to balance the tightrope between the release cadence of the current game and the marketing for Path of Exile 2.

Only they know how far along the development of Path of Exile 2 actually is. So, their timing of ExileCon is very specific. They’re ready to show it off now. But they may not have been ready to show it off four or five months ago.

POE 3.22 Atlas Expansion 

So, what can we expect from an Atlas expansion in patch 3.22?

I’m sure GGG will find a way to make the Atlas Passive Tree even more impressive somehow, and we may see another overhaul to the progression of the Atlas of Worlds or just some new additions that build on what we already have.

But one thing that we may have a good idea on is the new Atlas Bosses. Because the bosses always follow the theme of the Core Supporter Packs. This was true for the 2020 Core Supporter Packs, which each followed their respective conqueror with the top tier pack, the Orion Supporter Pack being based around Sirus, Awakener of Worlds.

Then, the 2021 Core Supporter Backs that were introduced prior to the release of the Echoes of the Atlas expansion followed the theme of previous league content. But the top tier pack, the Atlas Core Supporter, was heavily Maven themed, and these packs were released for purchase an entire month before patch 3.13 was launched.

Then, the last set of Core Supporter Packs we had before the ones we have now is the 2022 Core Supported Packs (which were released in December 2021) were also based around those new Atlas Bosses. These bosses would be added five weeks later in the Siege of the Atlas expansion: 

• The Nullifier Supporter Pack based on the Infinite Hunger 
• The Annihilator Supporter Pack based on the Black Star
• The Ravager Supporter Pack based on the Eater of Worlds 
• The top tier pack (the Incinerator Supporter Pack) based on the Searing Exarch

So, it’s very likely that the current supporter packs are a window into the future for the new Atlas Bosses we may be fighting in 3.22, right after ExileCon. And any one of these or all of these packs could represent a new boss. 

But I really do believe that not only is 3.22 going to be a huge league for Path of Exile. With it following ExileCon, I’m sure GGG will have plenty of surprises at their sleeves. But I also think it’s going to introduce a massive Atlas expansion to the game as well. And this is also likely to be the final Atlas expansion before Path of Exile 2, which could mean we’ll be getting some hints as to the direction we’re going in for the next chapter of the game.

Diablo 4 is hot. The reason why I want to mention it is that I think it is the biggest rival of Path of Exile as an ARPG. Of course, no matter what game you want to play well, you must have a certain currency base, and Diablo 4 is no exception. So, if you want to dominate Diablo 4, you have to prepare enough Diablo 4 Gold. Only in this way, you can achieve rapid leveling, buy and upgrade equipment, make powerful builds, etc.