The Best Idols for Atlas Progression and Map Sustain
Idols are proving to be very powerful for endgame farming strategies in Path of Exile 1's Legacy of Phrecia Event League — and with the proper Idol strategy you can even improve your Atlas progression and Map sustain. Idols provide larger bonuses than the Atlas Passive Tree, and you can stack idols to juice various endgame map mechanics to previously unseen degrees. However, using a random collection of Relics as you progress your Atlas can lead to multiple issues in your progression through Map tiers.
Map drop rates can suffer, making it more difficult to complete new maps or optimize the League mechanics you encounter. Mapping with random idols means you waste a lot of time for little rewards. It's exciting to see a Legion encounter next to a blight, Harbinger and a Breach while you're in a Delirium Fog but none of those things are boosted in any meaningful way. A more optimized Idol set speeds up your Atlas progression, Idol slot unlocks, and it also makes the process more profitable for your time investment along the way. This guide shows what Idol modifiers you can use for a fast Atlas Progression strategy and how to get them in PoE's Legacy of Phrecia!
Atlas Progression Strategy Overview
To build a good Atlas progression Idol set for fast and profitable mapping as you climb Map tiers you focus on Idol Modifiers that do the following:
- Explicitly add map drops or improve map drops.
- Add more monsters that can drop maps.
- Add general boosts to Item Quantity.
- Give you more Kirac Missions or Scouting Reports.
- Drop more Scarabs or Improve Scarab drops along with effects that improve Scarab use.
- Improve progression speed of Boss Encounters like the Maven, Searing Exarch and Eater of Worlds.
- Make the player faster and more powerful with effects like Shrines and Sulphite Intoxication.
- Add encounters and League mechanics that provide great profit for fast map runs (without slowing the player down).
- (Optionally) add other progression systems like Unlocking Betrayal crafts.
Focus on Idols with Core Map Progression modifiers first and then supplement them with Synergistic modifiers from the other Strategies that this guide details. It's a good idea to choose several of the supplemental strategies to focus on and choose which ones you want to skip so that you can build a set of more synergistic Idols. It's far better to have multiple Idols that focus on adding Strongboxes and then improving those Strongboxes than it is to add a little bit of every strategy.
Add-On Strategies
The following strategies slot in alongside your core Map drop boosts to help you progress faster and make Currency as you do. These carefully chosen mechanics don't slow you down too much (or they speed you up), or they provide crucial boosts to your progression via Currency or other unlocks.
Boss Progression
Boosting the speed at which you acquire progress towards major bosses allows you to reach some of the Atlas unlock goals faster — granting additional Idol Board slots! This includes:
- Progressing Maven-Witnessed Boss Fights.
- Gaining progress towards your next Searing Exarch or Eater of Worlds encounter.
Shrines
Strongboxes
Essences
Delirium
Sulphite Intoxication
Smugglers Caches
Betrayal Craft Unlocks
Pure Map Sustain Mods
If you only need guidance on the best Idol modifiers for Map Sustain and plan on using another farming strategy then here's the summary of what you can use:
- Minor Idols (Prefix): Tier 1-15 Maps found have (5–10)% chance to become 1 tier higher.
- Kamasan / Noble Idols (Prefix): (5–8)% chance for one Monster in each of your Maps to drop an additional connected Map
- Totemic / Burial Idols (Prefix): Final Map Boss in each Map has (4–6)% chance to drop an additional connected Map
- Conqueror Idols (Prefixes):
- (4–6)% increased Quantity of Items found in your Maps
- (2–3)% increased effect of Explicit Modifiers on your Maps per Explicit Modifier
- And in general: Anything that boosts Quantity and adds more monsters to your maps.
A Note on Stacking Modifiers
Ensure your Idol modifiers work together correctly and that you aren't wasting many Idols by attempting to stack a modifier that doesn't actually stack!
- "% Chance to Contain an Additional X" mods don't stack beyond 100%.
- For Example: 250% chance to contain AN additional is the same as 100% chance for AN additional.
- "Your Map Contains an additional X" does stack!
- For example: 4 Idols with Your Map Contains an additional Shrine gives 4 Shrines minimum!
To build a set of Idols Shrine idols correctly, you would aim to get close to "100% Chance for an Additional Shrine" as possible. Then you would stack as many "Your Maps Contain an Additional Shrine" modifiers as you could. You would also improve those Shrines with various Suffix modifiers that do things like Increasing the Shrine Buff Duration and Effect and adding an Additional Random Shrine buff per Shrine.
Minor Idols
The smallest Idols shouldn't be overlooked. They are perfect gap fillers in your Idol board, and the small bonuses they provide can add up to make an impactful difference. Obtain these last to fill any gaps in your board and strategy — such as bumping a mechanic from a 60% chance to spawn up to 100%.
Recommended Loadout
- (Prefix) Tier 1-15 Maps found have (5–10)% chance to become 1 tier higher.
- (Prefix) Any x% chance for your maps to have an additional Shrine / Strongbox / Essence or other mechanic that you are focusing.
- (Suffix) (30-40%) increased Duration of Shrine Effects on Players in your Maps
- (Suffix) Your choice of profit-boosting strategy modifier, such as Strongboxes or Additional Essences.
If Minor Idols including the 1 Tier Higher Prefix are too expensive you can substitute it with Atlas Scouting Reports to help Reroll Kirac Missions or any "chance to contain an additional" modifiers. Alternatively, you can reduced the number of ideal modifiers you aim to search for (only looking for 2 good modifiers instead of 4, for example).
- Change the league to Hardcore, if needed.
- Adjust the "Count" number to adjust how good (and expensive) the Idols are.
- Uncheck any modifiers for mechanics you do not wish to run (or don't need more of).
- Disable the "Maps found have (5–10)% chance to become 1 tier higher" to obtain cheaper options.
- Input minimum or maximum amounts for any modifiers as needed.
Full Minor Idol Modifier List
Grouped by strategies you can find all modifiers recommended for Atlas progression. There are, of course, many more possible modifiers, but they have been omitted as they are better suited to specific farming strategies and would likely slow down your progression.
For Minor Idols, the +1 Map Tier modifier stands out, as does Strongbox, Shrines, Essences modifiers.
Core Map Progression
Prefixes
- (Recommended) Tier 1-15 Maps found have (5–10)% chance to become 1 tier higher
- (10–15)% increased Atlas Scouting Reports found in your Maps
Shrines
Strongboxes
Essences
Delirium
Sulphite Intoxication
Betrayal Craft Unlocks
Smuggler's Caches
Kamasan and Noble Idols
Kamasan and Noble Idols have the same modifier list, so buy whichever is cheaper or fits your board spaces better.
Recommended Loadout
- (Prefix) (5–8)% chance for one Monster in each of your Maps to drop an additional connected Map
- (Prefix) (20–25)% increased Blueprints found in your Maps (if doing Smuggler Stashes) OR "chance to contain an additional" modifiers.
- (Suffix) (25–35)% increased Effect of Shrine Buffs on Players in your Maps
- (Suffix) You Gain (8–12)% increased Movement Speed per stack of Sulphite Intoxication.
Note that the Movement Speed for Sulphite modifier (and several similar modifiers) are not working correctly on the Trade site currently and cannot be searched for easily. They do exist but are difficult to buy.
Full Kamasan and Noble Modifier List
Standout modifiers include the chance for a connected map drop, Effect of Shrines, and movement speed for Sulphite.
Core Map Progression
Prefixes
- (5–8)% chance for one Monster in each of your Maps to drop an additional connected Map
There are no notable suffixes.
Shrines
Strongboxes
Essences
Delirium
Sulphite Intoxication
Betrayal Craft Unlocks
Smuggler's Caches
Totemic and Burial Idols
Totemic and Burial Idols have the modifier list but different shapes, chose whatever is cheapest or fits your Idol board more easily. The modifiers on these Idols makes these one of your top priorities. As such, you should consider searching for — and equipping — these Idols first and then building the rest of your Idols around them.
Recommended Loadout
- (Prefix) Final Map Boss in each Map has (4–6)% chance to drop an additional connected Map
- (Prefix) Your Maps have (5–8)% chance to grant an additional Kirac Mission on Completion
- (Suffix) Maps from Strongboxes in your Maps are Duplicated (if stacking cartographer strongboxes)
- (Suffix) Immortal Syndicate Members in your Maps have (40–60)% chance to drop an additional Veiled Item (if farming Betrayal Crafts)
Alternative Prefixes like "An Additional Shrine" are very solid options, and may be better than trying to stack both recommended Prefixes together.
If you're not farming Betrayal Crafts or stacking Cartographer Strongboxes then simply take your choice of alternative suffixes from the lists below.
This search is set up to only try to find one of the Core Progression Prefixes, as aiming for both limits your options (and prices) too much. It seeks one of those modifiers with any 3 other recommended modifiers. Ensure you disable any you are not interested in!
Example Totemic and Burial Idol Trade Search.
Note that the damage for sulphite intoxication modifier is currently bugged and not showing on Trade Searches.
Full Totemic and Burial Idol Modifier List
The bonuses to Maps and Scarabs dropped by Map Bosses are particulalry attractive options. Also note that these Idols include modifiers formatted as "Your Maps contain an additional Strongbox" — these can stack! This makes these Idols the main way of truly stacking a particular modifer
Core Map Progression
Prefixes
- Final Map Boss in each Map has (4–6)% chance to drop an additional connected Map
- Your Maps have (5–8)% chance to grant an additional Kirac Mission on Completion
Suffixes
- Final Map Boss in each Map has (20–25)% chance to drop an additional Scarab
- Rare Monsters in your Maps have (40–60)% increased chance to drop Scarabs per Monster Modifier affecting them
Shrines
Strongboxes
Essences
Delirium
Sulphite Intoxication
Betrayal Craft Unlocks
Smuggler's Caches
Conqueror Idols
Conqueror Idols are big, rare and impactful. There are likely outside of the scope of most people's plans for simple Atlas Progression strategies but the options have been included here nonetheless. if you can find a reasonably priced one and fit it into your board then it can be very impactful. Especially noteworthy is the fact they can add 2 additional Shrines/Strongboxes/Essence monsters.
Example Conqueror Idol Trade Search.
This search is set up with a stricter first Count filter to find a Conqueror Idol with 1 of the best Prefixes and then a looser Count filter to fill out the rest of the modifiers. Reduce the count or omit the first filter if you want cheaper (but worse) options.
Core Map Progression
Prefixes
- (8–12)% chance on Completing your Maps to gain a free use of a random Map Crafting option
- (4–6)% increased Quantity of Items found in your Maps
- (2–3)% increased effect of Explicit Modifiers on your Maps per Explicit Modifier
Suffixes
- Scarabs found in your Maps are more likely to be less common varieties
- Map Device has (3–5)% chance not to consume Scarabs
Boss Progression
Shrines
Strongboxes
Essences
Delirium
Sulphite Intoxication
Betrayal Craft Unlocks
Smuggler's Caches
Video Guide
FAQ
Why Can't I Find Some Modifiers on the Trade Site?
Not all modifiers are listed on the Trade site for searching currently. The modifiers likely exist but this bug makes it difficult to search for them. You can use a NOT filter to remove modifiers you don't want to improve your chances of seeing the desired (but unsearchable) modifier.
Why Does PoEDB Have More Modifiers That Don't Seem to Exist
I'm Playing SSF, How Do I Get These Idols?
What Scarabs Can I Use with This Strategy?
Summary
With the correct strategy your Idols can give you increased chance to drop maps, make connected Atlas maps drop more often, and provide Scarabs, Kirac Missions and Scouting Reports to improve your Endgame Map sustain. Speed-boosting effects like Shrines and Sulphite makes your Map progression faster and quick League mechanics that favor speed mapping provides a steady stream of Currency while you climb through the Map Tiers. Build an Idol board using a combination of the Modifiers in this guide to improve your Atlas progression experience substantially!
Written by: ZIGGYD
Reviewed by: Crouching_Tuna, Tenkiei
