Path of Exile 3.28 Patch Preview: Major QoL Updates, Atlas Rework Theories, and Hidden Easter Eggs

The upcoming 3.28 expansion for Path of Exile is set to be revealed in just a few days, with launch scheduled for March 6. As always, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has packed the teaser footage with both obvious improvements and subtle Easter eggs that may hint at something much bigger-possibly even sweeping Atlas changes.

In this breakdown, we'll cover the confirmed quality-of-life updates, campaign additions, Ritual and Lab improvements, and then dive deep into the Atlas speculation that has the community buzzing.

Favorite Trades and Stash Access: Massive Quality-of-Life Upgrades

One of the most noticeable updates in 3.28 is the ability to favorite trades. If you frequently convert Vines to Chaos or make other repetitive exchanges, you can now mark those trades as favorites. They'll appear in their own dedicated category, reducing friction and saving valuable time during mapping sessions.

While GGG hasn't clarified whether there's a limit to the number of favorites, the interface suggests either a generous cap or potentially unlimited scrolling.

Even more impactful is the addition of a direct stash access button within trade windows. This removes the need to reposition Faustus next to your stash or constantly shuffle inventory. It's a simple addition, but one that dramatically improves flow, especially during league start.

Landmark Rooms in the Campaign: 20 New Buff Opportunities?

GGG confirmed the addition of 20 "Landmark Rooms" throughout the campaign. These appear to function similarly to hidden bonuses found in past acts, like guaranteed uniques or side-objective rewards.

One example shown was Kuya Island in Act 6, where defeating certain enemies grants tattoos (specifically Kohama-themed tattoos). This raises interesting questions:

·Are tattoos being introduced earlier in the campaign?

·Will different zones offer themed tattoo rewards?

·Could these rooms include fixed 5-links or guaranteed crafting currency?

While speculative, Landmark Rooms could significantly smooth early progression, especially for league starters.

Divination Card Hand-Ins: Fewer Clicks, Faster Turn-Ins

Divination card hand-ins have received a streamlined update. Previously, players had to:

1. Control-click the card.

2. Click trade.

3. Control-click the reward.

Now, you simply control-click the card, and the process completes automatically. Even better, the next hand-in replaces the previous reward instantly.

Given how many lower-value cards exist today, this change dramatically reduces repetitive strain. For players farming sets like Chaotic Disposition (5 Chaos Orbs), the saved clicks alone are a welcome relief.

Labyrinth Changes: No More 50/50 Transfigured Gem RNG

One of the biggest build-impacting changes affects transfigured gems. Previously, if a gem had multiple versions (like certain spell or attack variants), you had to gamble on a 50/50 outcome.

In 3.28, you can now choose which version you receive.

This is huge for builds using:

·Ball Lightning

·Spark

·Detonate Dead

·Bone Shatter

·Various Golem setups

·Penn's Brand variants

League starters relying on specific transfigured gems will now have a smoother early progression path with less RNG friction.

Ritual Improvements: Clearer Completion and Vessel Usage

Ritual mechanics also received meaningful updates:

·A border indicator shows when all Rituals are complete.

·A pop-up notification confirms full completion.

·Ritual Vessels can now be applied directly to altars (similar to currency on strongboxes).

These changes eliminate confusion and improve map pacing. Ritual remains one of the most consistent sources of mid-tier Path of Exile Items, so increased clarity improves efficiency for players specializing in Ritual farming strategies.

Shrine Prioritization: A Subtle but Important Fix

Clicking near a shrine will now prioritize activatingit, even through enemy hitboxes.

This is especially impactful for Divine Shrines, which previously required precise clicking through invulnerable enemies. It's also beneficial for Gold Shrines or lesser-used shrine types that players oftenignored due to inconvenience.

The Atlas Easter Egg: Are Map Tiers Being Removed?

Now we get to the truly interesting part.

In the teaser footage, several currencies are conspicuously missing from the Currency Exchange window:

·Orb of Horizon

·Harbinger Orb

·Scouting Reports (entire category)

These three items share one critical commonality: they interact with map tiers.

·Orb of Horizon rerolls maps within the same tier.

·Harbinger Orb upgrades maps to a higher tier.

·Scouting Reports reroll tier-based Kirac missions.

If all three are absent, it raises a bold possibility:

Is the Atlas Tier System Being Reworked or Removed?

Players have long criticized the Tier 16 to Tier 17 difficulty spike. Sustainability and reward scaling have been controversial.

GGG has historically implemented massive endgame overhauls in single expansions:

·Atlas introduction

·Atlas Passive Tree

·Watchstone system

·Loot reworks

A tier-system overhaul would not be unprecedented.

One theory suggests difficulty could become opt-in - similar to modifier stacking in roguelikes - allowing players to manually scale risk and reward instead of relying on rigid tier progression.

If true, this could significantly impact the endgame economy and how players generate high-tier Path of Exile Items.

A reworked Atlas could either:

·Increase accessibility and reduce demand for buying currency, or

·Raise difficulty ceilings, increasing the incentive to buy POE Currency to push extreme content.

The economic implications are massive.

Skill Bar Easter Eggs: Buffs or Nerfs Incoming?

GGG is known for embedding clues in skill bars and buff icons.

Notable details from the teaser:

·Kinetic skills on display (possible bow meta shift?).

·Multiple bows are shown in the inventory.

·Slam-oriented gear in the background (potential nerfs?).

·A visible Headhunter belt (confidence boost for mapping builds?).

While speculative, these visual hints often foreshadow balance changes.

Final Thoughts: Is 3.28 a Quiet QoL Patch or a Massive Endgame Rework?

At face value, 3.28 introduces substantial quality-of-life improvements:

·Trade favoriting

·Faster divination turn-ins

·Lab gem selection

·Ritual improvements

·Shrine prioritization

But beneath the surface, the disappearance of key Atlas currencies suggests something far bigger may be coming.

If map tiers are reworked or removed entirely, this could be one of the most significant endgame updates in years.

With the official reveal just days away, anticipation is high. Whether it's a structural Atlas overhaul or simply clever misdirection, one thing is certain: 3.28 is shaping up to be far more than a routine patch.

Stay tuned for the full reveal-and prepare your league starter accordingly.