Path of Exile Patch Notes | 3.29: Curse of the Allflame
Path of Exile 3.29.0 launches Curse of the Allflame, sockets drop color requirements, Mercenaries return, and the new Luminary Ascendancy debuts.
When is the next update?
Path of Exile rolls to its next season around December 7, 2026.
3.29.0: July 24, 202611 changes
The Path of Exile 3.29.0 patch notes launch the Curse of the Allflame league, sockets no longer require a matching color to slot a gem, the Mercenaries of Trarthus return as permanent companions, and the new Luminary Ascendancy builds a whole class around them. Track the live Path of Exile season countdown for the Allflame league.
TL;DR, 11 changes: 4 buffs, 2 nerfs. Biggest buff: Assassin base Critical Hit Chance 6% → 10%. Biggest nerf: Hierophant Ritual of Awakening damage per Summoned Totem 5% → 3%. Meta impact: self-cast casters, minions and crit-focused Assassins gain ground while Totem-stacking Hierophant and Kinetic Blast builds fall off; the socket-color change frees itemization broadly across every build.
Mechanics
- Socket colors no longer required to slot a gem, a matching color now grants +10% Quality instead of being a hard requirement buff
- Mercenaries of Trarthus reintroduced, recruit, equip and permanently customize a companion active
- Luminary, new Scion Ascendancy built around permanently recruiting and customizing a Mercenary active
- Abyss and Legion reworked active
- Curse of the Allflame deep-sea mechanic added, including a new Pinnacle boss active
- Reflection removed, replaced by a new Thorns damage system active
- Assassin Ascendancy base Critical Hit Chance increased 6% → 10% buff
- Non-Spectre minions (Raised Zombies, Golems, Summoned Raging Spirits, Summoned Skeletons) no longer pause while attacking, raising their DPS buff
- Frostbolt gains a 25% chance to Freeze; Critical Chance increased 5% → 7.5% buff
- Hierophant, Ritual of Awakening damage per Summoned Totem reduced 5% → 3% nerf
- Kinetic Blast significantly nerfed nerf
All Path of Exile patches
| Version | Date | Season | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.29.0 | July 24, 2026 | 3.29: Curse of the Allflame | , 11 changes: 4 buffs, 2 nerfs. Biggest buff: Assassin base Critical Hit Chance 6% → 10%. Biggest nerf: Hierophant Ritual of Awakening dama… |
| 3.28.0j | Jun 24, 2026 | 3.28: Mirage | Event-support patch: Silver Coins and all Trial of the Ancestors exclusive Tattoos added, Karui Afterlife Arena re-enabled. Return of the An… |