Path of Exile's 'Affliction' Expansion Makes a Beloved Mechanic Part of the Core Gameplay

Grinding Gear Games, the developer of the popular ARPG Path of Exile, has recently announced the game's next expansion, which is slated for release on December 8. The expansion is called Affliction and one of its highlights is that it will bring a beloved league mechanic to the core gameplay.

'Ultimatum' Goes Core

The league mechanic mentioned earlier is none other than the "Ultimatum" mechanic from Patch 3.14. For those who have not played Path of Exile during that time, Ultimatum lets players interact with an NPC called "The Trialmaster" while mapping. This non-playable character will challenge brave warriors to survive multiple waves of monsters to gain lucrative rewards.

Before the challenge begins, players will know exactly what item they're going to get. After each monster wave, players are awarded that item and will be given a choice on whether they want to continue with the challenge for even better rewards or collect their spoils so that they can be on their way.

Players who have been clamoring for this league mechanic to go core can finally enjoy it once it goes live on December 8. However, there are some important things that the Path of Exile community must know.

Other Changes

For one, Ultimatum replaces the existing Metamorph mechanic. Catalysts, which are items that typically drop from Metamorph bosses, will be acquired as a possible reward in Ultimatum.

In addition, Grinding Gear Games will introduce a new item called "Tainted Catalyst" which enables players to apply a random quality type on a corrupted ring, amulet, or belt when used.

Aside from that, the Metamorph nodes on the Atlas Passive Tree have all been replaced by Ultimatum nodes. With that said, players can allocate points to new notable passives, such as "Face the Ultimatum" which increases the chance to encounter the Trialmaster in maps by 15%.

Here are the other noteworthy changes players can expect with regards to the Ultimatum mechanic:

Ultimatum Encounters are now 10 rounds by default, though I sincerely hope you intend to last longer than 2 rounds.
You now have a chance to be teleported to The Trialmaster's Arena for the 10th round in areas with a level of 81 or higher, rather than this being guaranteed.
Ultimatum modifiers have been rebalanced, some new modifiers have been added and some previous modifiers have been removed.
Ultimatum modifiers that previously had 3 tiers of difficulty, such as Stormcaller Runes, now have 4 tiers of difficulty.
Monsters in Ultimatum Encounters no longer drop loot, other than The Trialmaster, though they still grant experience.
Vaal Aspects, previously known as Ultimatum Aspects, combine into a new Unique Jewel instead of the The Tower of Ordeals Map.
The Tower of Ordeals Unique Engraved Ultimatum Map can no longer be opened in a Map Device.
You can once again vendor 5 Inscribed Ultimatums for a new Inscribed Ultimatum.
Added a round count display between rounds in Ultimatum Encounters.
Kirac can now offer Map Missions to complete an Ultimatum, replacing Missions for constructing and slaying a Metamorph.
Kirac can now offer Maps for purchase with the "Area contains an Ultimatum Encounter" implicit modifier, instead of ones with the "Area contains Metamorph Monsters" implicit Map modifier.
Mysterious Incubators can no longer drop Catalysts.
Metamorph rewards from Heist, Expedition, Betrayal, Delirium, Legion and Eldritch Altars have been replaced with Ultimatum rewards.
Accelerating and Unstable Catalysts can now be obtained from Catalyst sources outside of Ultimatum encounters.
The Metamorph Stash Tab has been converted to an Ultimatum Stash Tab, which can hold 5000 of each type of Catalyst and 60 Inscribed Ultimatums.
The Metamorph Stash Tab Affinity has been replaced with Ultimatum.