Path of Exile 3.26 Teaser: The Originator
A new teaser for Path of Exile's 3.26 league is out. It thints at The Originator and Zana's search for atlas' origin. We'll likely explore its creation and search for someone called "The Originator." in a new Atlas of Worlds expansion.
The main images are a quill and a compass. The Clear text reads:
"For the first time in my life. I've found meaning. Purpose … A path has revealed itself … toward the Atlas. There are secrets buried there … And i must follow it … to find the Originator."
Visuals also show an old, ink-stained Map device. It feels like we'll be digging into the Atlas's past.
These tells indicate the story might be about Valdo (The Shaper), Zana and who or what made the Atlas of Worlds.
Is Zana coming back in 3.26?
The teaser text uses "I must follow it." While Zana is a strong candidate for who "I" might be (given her lore and expertise), the teaser itself doesn't explicitly name her. It could also be an old journal written by Valdo, a new character, or even a more abstract narrative voice.
Current lore status:
At the end of the Siege of the Atlas storyline, Zana departed, vowing to find a way to permanently deal with the Eldritch Horrors and prevent them from ever reaching Oriath or the Atlas again. Uncovering the Atlas's origins could be part of that. However, no one is more connected to the act of shaping and understanding the Atlas than Valdo. The phrase "secrets buried there" resonates with his obsessive exploration and manipulation of the Atlas. In his pursuit of knowledge and power within the Atlas, might have become aware of a more fundamental layer of its creation.
What 3.26 might bring
- New maps focused on the Atlas's creation. The Originator could be a new endgame boss.
- Unique items or other rewards for beating new endgame bosses.
- Possibly a system which might involve modifying the Atlas passive skill tree, or expanding upon the Atlas.
- New Atlas influences with nodes themed around the origins.
- New currencies and crafting methods.
3.26 timeline
GGG is aiming for a late June 2025 release for 3.26.
Many think it will be a new end-game boss and Atlas expansion. Even with some blurry text, the teaser seems pretty clear. Path of Exile 3.26 looks to be about the Atlas's beginnings, the hunt for "The Originator" will be the league's theme.
Written by: Crouching_tuna
