While *Path of Exile 2* continues its early access development, Grinding Gear Games is once again showing that there’s still plenty left in the original *Path of Exile*’s tank. After so many years, it’s hard to imagine the dungeon crawler has any firsts left to offer, but the upcoming **Keepers of the Flame** expansion is set to change that. It will mark the first time *Path of Exile* features a direct sequel to a previous league.
The original *Path of Exile* Breach league first debuted back in December 2016. With so much time having passed since its release, a refresher is likely in order. This league introduced various breaches—portals leading to parallel realms, each filled with new and excessively powerful monsters. The core gameplay loop was to keep defeating monsters until the breach eventually collapsed upon itself.
Back then, the breaches were fairly unstable. However, the Breachlords have learned a lot since that time and have now managed to stabilize the gateways between worlds. This development sets the stage for a hostile invasion by the Breachlords and their forces, ushering in the era of the Keepers of the Flame.
### Introducing the Keepers of the Flame
The Keepers represent an order dedicated to protecting Wraeclast from the Breachlords. They grant players the power of the Flame, a vital force to help battle the increasing numbers of invading hive monsters making their way onto the exile continent.
Players will be tasked with entering the Mud Flats—their primary target—where the hive monsters are gathering. The goal is to defeat these monstrous foes and destroy the hives they are constructing by harnessing the cleansing power of the Flame.
### A New Challenge with Familiar Mechanics
The hiveborn breaches are essentially the same as those encountered back in 2016, but after nearly a decade of upgrades from the Breachlords, these portals now present a far greater challenge. Players can expect more powerful monsters as well as special conditions that must be met to prevail.
Mechanically, the development team has learned a great deal as well. They’re touting improvements such as an enhanced UI tracking system and a more satisfying victory sequence upon winning a breach encounter.
While **Keepers of the Flame** pushes the experience forward, the team emphasizes that they didn’t want to fix what wasn’t broken. Instead, their focus was on making marginal improvements to what was already a solid experience.
### Substantial Rewards and New Customization Options
Helping the Keepers of the Flame will grant players significant rewards. The Keepers will grant access to their **Genesis Tree**, a unique system that allows players to grow a variety of valuable rewards. These include currency, unique items, equipment, and an entirely new type of reward called **Grafts**.
Grafts are special implants that fuse directly to the wearer’s body, granting them power drawn from the Breach world itself. These enhancements can include new skills or potent stat buffs, opening up exciting possibilities for character customization.
Players will be encouraged to experiment with these new Graft abilities and combine them with their current builds to create characters with unprecedented power levels. However, there is an important caveat: Grafts cannot be modified by any currencies other than what is grown on the Genesis Tree.
### Fresh Skills and New Ascendancy Classes: Bloodlines
There’s even more to look forward to in *Path of Exile: Keepers of the Flame*. The update will introduce fresh skills, including an entirely new build focused on utilizing kinetic energy.
In addition, characters will have the ability to absorb skills from fallen bosses and convert them into new Ascendancy class options known as **Bloodlines**. This will add a new layer of depth to build customization and gameplay strategy.
Grinding Gear Games has announced that a full patch notes post will be released later today, detailing the ten different Bloodline classes players can expect to explore.
—
With *Keepers of the Flame*, *Path of Exile* is not only revisiting one of its most beloved leagues but also reinventing it with fresh content, enhanced mechanics, and exciting new ways to build your character. Whether you’re a veteran exile or a newcomer, this expansion promises to offer a thrilling adventure worth diving into.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146478/path-of-exile-keepers-of-the-flame-preview
