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.
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 are the go to "Fast Mapping" add-on because they add monsters to the map and provide powerful buffs to assist in rapid map progression (like Acceleration Shrines for Movement Speed).
Strongboxes are a great choice for any Rapid Map completion Atlas Strategy as they are quick to open and clear for bonus monster kills and loot. The Cartographer Strongbox can also provide additional Map drops.
Essences sell quickly and easily on the Currency Exchange and are a great profit-boost for Rapid Map Clear strategies. Be careful, however, with stacking Essence modifiers before your build is strong! Essence Rare Monsters can easily become miniature uber bosses.
Delirium is well-suited to a rapid map clear strategy. It adds additional monsters and some significant extra loot per map based on clearing quickly. Splinters and Currency drops are easy additional profit per map.
Delirium Strategies can also be modified with the Unique Idols:
- Unending Nightmare (Delirium Fog Doesn't Dissipate).
- Perceived Greatness (+1 Deli Reward on Map Completion).
Ensure you account for the effects of these Uniques in your Mod choices on your regular Idols.
Even if you don't plan on Delving, through Sulpite Intoxication each pile or chest of Sulphite can speed up your map clears with improved Damage, Movement Speed, and Resistances. You must activate each bonus through specific modifiers as well as add a chance for Niko to spawn on your Map. Alternatively, you can use Sulphite Scarabs and save Idol modifiers on Niko spawn chance.
Sulphite can also boost profit with no extra effort by getting the modifier: "Sulphite Veins and Chests in your Maps have (3–5)% chance to also contain an equal amount of Azurite". With this, you can buy Resonators from Niko and sell them on the Currency Exchange for a profit.
Smuggler's caches don't help your Atlas progression but they can provide you a near passive income per map. Selling Rogue Markers on the Currency Exchange is easy money. More profit can be made selling Heist Contracts and Blueprints (especially revealed ones) — though this is more time consuming and requires a bit more knowledge (or guesswork) for pricing.
Betrayal does slow down your progression but most players want to unlock Betrayal's Veiled Bench Crafts for themselves to use (rather than trust other players to craft for them). Modifiers for Betrayal are included as an option for this reason — and because Betrayal can also be quite profitable and provide a lot of experience for Gem and Character Levels!
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.
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
Prefixes
- Your Maps have a (35–50)% chance to contain an additional Shrine
Suffixes
- (30-40%) increased Duration of Shrine Effects on Players in your Maps
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(35–50)% chance to contain a Strongbox
Suffixes
- Strongboxes in your Maps have (50–70)% increased chance to be a Cartographer's Strongbox
- Strongboxes in your Maps have (50–70)% increased chance to be an Arcanist's Strongbox
- Strongboxes in your Maps have (50–70)% increased chance to be a Diviner's Strongbox
Prefixes
- Your Maps have (35–50)% chance to contain an additional Imprisoned Monster
Suffixes
- Imprisoned Monsters in your Maps have (8–12)% chance to have an additional Essence
The additional Essence modifier is quite a good one to stack up to 100%, especially when combined with other Essence mods on other Idol types.
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(15–25)% chance to contain a Mirror of Delirium
Suffixes
- Delirium Encounters in your Maps have (6–10)% chance to generate an additional Reward type
- Delirium Bosses in your Maps drop (20–30)% increased Simulacrum Splinters
- Delirious Monsters Killed in your Maps provide (10–20)% increased Reward Progress
- Delirium Monsters in your Maps have (5–10)% increased Pack Size
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(15–25)% chance to contain Niko
Suffixes
- Sulphite Veins and Chests in your Maps have (3–5)% chance to also contain an equal amount of Azurite
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(15–25)% chance to contain Jun
Suffixes
- Immortal Syndicate Members in your Maps are (40–60)% more likely to be accompanied by their Leader
- Immortal Syndicate Members Executed in your Maps have (40–60)% chance to gain an additional Rank
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(15–25)% chance to contain a Smuggler's Cache
Suffixes
- Smuggler's Caches in your Maps have (35–45)% increased chance to drop Blueprints
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.
Prefixes
- (5–8)% chance for one Monster in each of your Maps to drop an additional connected Map
There are no notable suffixes.
Prefixes
- Your Maps have a (60–80)% chance to contain an additional Shrine
Suffixes
- (25–35)% increased Effect of Shrine Buffs on Players in your Maps
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(60–80)% chance to contain a Strongbox
Suffixes
- Strongboxes in your Maps have (40–60)% chance to be guarded by an additional Pack of Monsters
- (15–20)% increased Quantity of Items contained in Strongboxes in your Maps
Prefixes
- Your Maps have (60–80)% chance to contain an additional Imprisoned Monster
Suffixes
- Monsters Imprisoned by Essences have a (20–25)% chance to contain a Remnant of Corruption
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(30–45)% chance to contain a Mirror of Delirium
Suffixes
- Delirium Fog in your Maps dissipates (2–5)% slower
- Delirium Monsters in your Maps have (15–25)% increased chance to drop Cluster Jewels
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(30–45)% chance to contain Niko (to pair with Sulphite Intoxication)
Suffixes
- You Gain (8–12)% increased Movement Speed per stack of Sulphite Intoxication.
- Bugged on trade but does exist and is very powerful.
- This search can show them if you scroll down.
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(30–45)% chance to contain Jun
Suffixes
- Immortal Syndicate Members in your Maps are (120–160)% more likely to offer to Bargain for Items
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(30–45)% chance to contain a Smuggler's Cache
- (20–25)% increased Blueprints found in your Maps
Suffixes
- Smuggler's Caches in your Maps have (35–45)% increased chance to drop Blueprints
- Your Maps that contain Smuggler's Caches have a (25–35)% chance to contain an additional Smuggler's Cache
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
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
Prefixes
- Your Maps contain an additional Shrine
Suffixes
- Shrines in your Maps have (40–60)% chance to be guarded by an additional Pack of Monsters
Prefixes
- Your Maps contain an additional Strongbox
Suffixes
- Maps from Strongboxes in your Maps are Duplicated
- Currency Items from Strongboxes in your Maps are Duplicated
- Divination Cards from Strongboxes in your Maps are Duplicated
Prefixes
- Your Maps contain an additional Imprisoned Monster
Suffixes
- Imprisoned Monsters in your Maps have (12–17)% chance to have 3 additional Essences
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(40–60)% chance to contain a Mirror of Delirium
Suffixes
- Delirium in your Maps increases (35–50)% faster with distance from the mirror
- Delirium Fog in your Maps lasts (10–15) additional seconds before dissipating
- Delirium Rewards in your Maps have (8–12)% increased chance to give Delirium Orbs
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(40–60)% chance to contain Niko
Suffixes
- You Gain (30–40)% increased Damage per stack of Sulphite Intoxication.
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(40–60)% chance to contain Jun
Suffixes
- Immortal Syndicate Members in your Maps have (40–60)% chance to drop an additional Veiled Item
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(40–60)% chance to contain a Smuggler's Cache
Suffixes
- Smuggler's Caches drop (8–12)% more Rogue Markers for each Smuggler's Cache opened in the Area
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.
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
Suffixes
- Your Maps have (10–15)% chance to award double progress towards encountering The Searing Exarch
- Defeating a Map Boss while Witnessed by The Maven has (10–15)% chance to count as also Witnessing an additional random Map Boss
Prefixes
- Your Maps contain 1-2 additional Shrines
Suffixes
- Shrines in your Maps grant a random additional Shrine Effect
- Shrines in your Maps have (8–12)% chance to be a Covetous Shrine
Prefixes
- Your Maps contain 1-2 additional Strongboxes
Suffixes
- Strongboxes in your Maps are at least Rare
- Strongboxes opened in your Maps have (5–9)% chance to be openable again
Prefixes
- Your Maps contain 1-2 additional Imprisoned Monsters
Suffixes
- Imprisoned Monsters in your Maps have at least 1 Essence at the highest possible tier
- Using Remnants of Corruption on Imprisoned Monsters in your Maps replaces all Essences with one of the Essences on the Imprisoned Monster
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(45–70)% chance to contain a Mirror of Delirium
- Maps found in your Maps have (3–5)% chance to have layers of Delirium
Suffixes
- Delirium Encounters in your Maps have (8–12)% chance to generate three additional Reward types
- (20–30)% increased Stack size of Simulacrum Splinters found in your Maps
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(45–70)% chance to contain Niko
Suffixes
- You Gain +(2–3)% to all maximum Elemental Resistances per stack of Sulphite Intoxication.
- Likely does exist but is not searchable on trade.
- Voltaxic Sulphite Veins and Chests found in your Maps contains Doomed Spirits
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(45–70)% chance to contain Jun
Suffixes
- Immortal Syndicate Members in your Maps drop (100–200)% more Items when Bargained with for Items
- Completing your Maps grants (10–15) Intelligence for a random Immortal Syndicate Safehouse
Prefixes
- Your Maps have +(45–70)% chance to contain a Smuggler's Cache
Suffixes
- Blueprints that drop in your Maps have (10–15)% chance to be fully Revealed
- Your Maps that contain Smuggler's Caches have a (4–6)% chance to contain 6 additional Smuggler's Caches
- Smuggler's Caches in your Maps have (10–15)% increased chance to contain Blueprints for each Smuggler's Cache opened in the Map
- Huck accompanies you on opening the first Smuggler's Cache in each of your Maps
Video Guide
FAQ
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.
The likely reasons are either:
- Ruthless modifiers are different and may not exist in the regular league.
- Some modifiers may have been included in the game's code and datamined but may have been changed last minute.
In addition to random map drops, you can:
- Gamble at Faustus for Idols (Requires Kingsmarch Upgrades)
- Recombinate Idols that have some good modifiers together.
While Scarabs are not necessary for Atlas progression strategies like this, there are several great, low-investment options that can boost your progression and profits. Here's some examples:
- You can use Delirium Scarabs to add Delirium to maps, freeing up the Prefixes from Idols required to ensure a Mirror is in each map.
- Delirium Scarab of Mania make Delirium more difficult but more profitable.
- Domination Scarabs add 2 Shrines for little cost to speed up maps while adding more monsters for XP and loot.
- Domination Scarab of Apparitions is fun and adds extra Shrines to your maps. You should use the map crafting option if it is cheaper per Shrine added — or use both!
- Essence Scarabsadd 2 more Imprisoned monsters for Essence farming profits. Only use this Scarab if you are stacking a substantial amount of Essence modifiers on your Idols to ensure it is profitable.
- Betrayal Scarabs can ensure Jun appears in maps without needing Idol Prefixes for Betrayal farming.
Many other options exist, though they tend to be more expensive and better suited to dedicated farming strategies.
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
