Path of Exile 3.27: Keepers of the Flame guide
With Path of Exile 3.27: Keepers of the Flame on the horizon, the PoE community is abuzz with speculation. Each new league brings a shift in the meta, shaking up skill viability, ascendancy choices, and loot priorities. While Grinding Gear Games is famously tight-lipped about every single number change until patch day, certain trends, leaks, and past patterns allow us to make some educated guesses about which skills, classes, and items will see the spotlight—and which may be left in the ashes. Here's my gut-feeling forecast on what PoE players can expect from 3.27.
Skills Set to Ignite: Buffs That Could Spark New Favorites
Every league introduces at least a handful of skill buffs that dramatically alter the meta, and Keepers of the Flame seems poised to continue that trend. Based on past updates, skills that have been underperforming for seasons often get minor but meaningful buffs.
Likely Buff Candidates:
Blade Vortex -Though traditionally a staple for casters, Blade Vortex has seen inconsistent performance with certain support gems. A slight base damage boost or improved AoE scaling could push it back into top-tier viability.
Flameblast -Its high burst potential makes it a candidate for damage scaling adjustments or reduced mana costs. Even minor tweaks could revive this skill for league starters.
Cyclone -Cyclone has often been the poster child for melee buffs. With PoE's recent melee focus, expect some QoL changes like reduced movement penalty or increased damage scaling with multi-strike setups.
Buffed skills often dictate the early meta, especially for leagues emphasizing speed-running content. If GGG leans into ignite-based mechanics (hinted by the league title Keepers of the Flame), we may see a fiery resurgence of damage-over-time builds across caster and melee classes alike.
The Nerf Bat Swings Hard: Skills and Mechanics Facing the Flames
Where there are buffs, there are inevitably nerfs. Grinding Gear Games rarely lets over performing skills dominate the ladder without intervention.
Skills Likely to Face Nerfs:
Summon Raging Spirit (SRS) -SRS has been a top performer in past leagues. Nerfs could include lower minion damage or reduced minion lifespan, especially if new fire-themed minions are introduced in the expansion.
Toxic Rain -The DOT-heavy meta has made Toxic Rain a perennial contender. GGG may adjust damage scaling or projectile count to diversify top-tier picks.
Essence Drain/Contagion -If ignite synergies are the league's focus, ED/Contagion might see slight nerfs to DOT overlap to balance fire-focused builds.
Mechanics aren't safe either. Certain legacy interactions, like Golem AI or minion pathing exploits, could be tightened, forcing players to rethink defensive strategies. Expect these adjustments to subtly nudge the meta without breaking beloved skill archetypes.
Ascendancy Overhauls: Who's Getting the Glow-Up?
GGG loves giving classes "glow-ups" that revitalize old ascendancies or elevate niche builds into viable competition. Based on leaks and past trends:
Elementalist -Likely to receive buffs to ignite proliferation and elemental exposure synergy. This could firmly position Elementalist as the fire-themed king of 3.27.
Slayer -Small tweaks to leech or bleed interaction could make Slayer even more dominant in melee-heavy league starts.
Occultist -Potential improvements to chaos damage over time and energy shield mechanics could make Occultist a dark horse contender for league ladder dominance.
These ascendancy overhauls often cause mid-league meta shakes, giving veteran players reason to experiment with builds that have historically underperformed.
Item Shifts and Uniques Going Core: Loot Table Wildcards
No league is complete without a reshuffled loot table, and Keepers of the Flame is no exception. Anticipate the following:
Fire-Themed Uniques -Expect old-school ignites like Infernal Mantle or Pyre to see buffed base stats or inclusion in drop tables.
New Crafting Options -GGG is known for layering league mechanics with crafting. Likely changes in affix weights or unique spawn rates will encourage experimentation with rare fiery builds.
Legacy Unique Rotations -Some previously neglected uniques could see a revival, adding unpredictability to farming strategies.
Players who adapt early to these changes will have a distinct advantage, especially when it comes to leveling efficiently or targeting endgame bosses with optimal gear.
Economy Flames: Currency Fluctuations and How to Prep
League starts always send PoE's economy into a frenzy, and Keepers of the Flame will be no different. Buffs to certain skills or items can drastically shift currency demand, making early preparation critical.
Predicted Trends:
Exalted and Divine Orbs -Likely to fluctuate with early demand for crafting league-start items.
Essences and Fossils -If crafting emphasis centers on ignite or fire-based mechanics, these currencies may spike.
Skill Gem Reroll Items -Expect higher trade activity as players chase perfect support gem setups for the new meta.
Savvy players will stockpile versatile currencies and scout early leagues for undervalued uniques that may become meta-defining once buffs go live.
Wrapping the Torch: What Keepers of the Flame Means for PoE's Soul
At its core, Keepers of the Flame represents PoE's eternal philosophy: challenge the meta, reward adaptability, and ignite creativity. Every buff, nerf, and ascendancy tweak shapes how players interact with the game's vast, intricate systems. Players willing to experiment with new skills, ascendancy perks, and loot rotations will have the chance to dominate the league ladders—and set the tone for the Season 3.27 meta.
While gut-feeling predictions aren't infallible, the hints are clear: fire and ignite will be central, some beloved mechanics may take hits, and item shifts will reward forward-thinking traders. Keepers of the Flame promises another thrilling season of PoE strategy, experimentation, and chaos—the perfect opportunity for both veterans and newcomers to leave their mark on Wraeclast.