Grinding Gear Games is planning some serious improvements to PvP in the next patch for Path of Exile.
Content update 1.3.0 is focusing on PVP, and is set to release on December 12, 5 PM PST. At the very top of the list of changes are the addition of two new Challenge Leagues, Torment and Bloodlines.
Torment is a standard challenge league, players face the challenge of the spirits of criminals protecting their ill-gotten loot. The spirits themselves actually flee, but in their wake their powers inhabit nearby monsters who you have to face. If they happen to strike rare enemies, the potential for valuable loot drops increase monumentally.
Bloodlines is for the hardcore player. Monsters come in groups with a shared Bloodlines ability that affects combat, sometimes even after all the enemies have expired. In general, however, the monsters in Bloodlines attack in synergy, requiring strategy to get through.
Each of these leagues have eight challenges, that each reward a Totem Pole decoration. If you happen to be one of the 1st 50 players who finish these challenges, you’ll actually earn a Torment/Bloodlines tshirt.
Also added in is Leo Redmane, Master of the Arena. Leo only provides PvP daily missions, and he doesn’t take up a slot in the hideout, so you can take his missions on on top of your regular masters.
Grinding Gear is introducing these time specific PvP tournaments as well:
· Free-for-all tournaments in Sarn Arena, which let you earn a point per kill and transfer you to an arena upon death
· Blitz tournaments, accomplished under a time limit
· Swiss tournaments, heavily regimented seven fight matches against players of equal ability
Grinding Gear is adding a new feature to induce fans who aren’t into PvP to try it out. There will be an option to create PvP only level 28 characters.
PvP tournaments are grouped into seasons, with different monthly themes. Weekdays will have blitz and free-for-all, and weekends will have the serious Swiss tournaments. Just competing in tournaments can allow players to accrue points for Alternate Art Unique Item prizes.
You can learn more about more changes, including bug fixes and patch notes, for Patch 1.3.0 here.
