PoE 3.25: All You Want to Know about the Settlers of Kalguur

“Wraeclast is a cursed land. You’d have to be mad to settle here. And yet… Welcome to Kingsmarch! It’s not much yet, but with your help, we can erect the greatest city Wraeclast has ever seen! We’ll need resources. And savvy planning. Soon we’ll attract settlers, craftsmen, fortune seekers, Pirates. If we prevail… Our ships will be heavy with Gold! We hope to achieve the impossible. We hope to build… A home.”

Path of Exile 3.25: Settlers of Kalguur launches on July 26, 2024, across PC and console platforms. Players will assist Kalguuran settlers in establishing Kingsmarch township while developing trade networks between Wraeclast and the Kalguuran homeland.

1. Respec with Gold

The 3.25 update fundamentally transforms character respecification by introducing Gold as the primary currency for passive skill point adjustments. This represents a significant departure from the previous Regret Orb system, which often created resource bottlenecks for players experimenting with different build paths. Gold-based respeccing provides immediate accessibility benefits, particularly for newer players and those in early progression stages who previously faced significant barriers to build modification.

Strategic respec planning becomes crucial – players should accumulate Gold reserves during leveling to enable mid-campaign adjustments. Common mistakes include overspending on minor tweaks early or failing to account for respec costs in overall currency management. For optimal results, reserve approximately 15-20% of your Gold for potential respec needs, especially when transitioning between Acts or entering endgame content.

Advanced players can leverage this system for specialized strategies like temporary skill point allocation for specific boss encounters, then reallocating for mapping efficiency. The Gold system also integrates with currency exchange, allowing players to convert excess currency items into respec-capable funds through the new market system.

2. Currency Exchange Market

Path of Exile 3.25 introduces a revolutionary Currency Exchange Market that enables asynchronous trading of currency items without requiring simultaneous player presence. This market system eliminates the traditional limitations of direct player-to-player negotiations, creating a more efficient and accessible trading environment for all player levels.

Market functionality operates through listing systems where players can post currency items with specified exchange rates. Other participants can browse available offers and complete transactions at their convenience, dramatically reducing the time investment traditionally associated with currency conversion. The system naturally stabilizes exchange rates through transparent pricing visibility and competitive listing dynamics.

Pro tip: Monitor market trends during peak play hours for optimal exchange rates, and avoid listing large quantities that might temporarily depress market values. The exchange market particularly benefits solo players and those with limited playtime who previously struggled with currency acquisition through traditional trading channels.

For maximum efficiency, establish target exchange rates for common currency conversions and set up automated buy/sell orders when possible. This approach mirrors efficient trading strategies found in other complex game economies while tailored specifically to Path of Exile’s unique currency ecosystem.

3. Warden Ascendancy Class

Replacing the Raider ascendancy, the Warden introduces a completely new approach to elemental attack specialization within the Ranger archetype. This class emphasizes nature-themed combat mechanics through two distinctive new skill types: Barkskin and Tinctures, each offering unique tactical advantages.

Barkskin functions as a defensive enhancement that provides flat damage reduction, making it particularly valuable for glass cannon builds seeking survivability. Tinctures provide flask alternatives through temporary buffs that can be strategically timed for maximum combat effectiveness.

Optimal Warden builds typically focus on elemental damage scaling while leveraging Barkskin for defense. A common mistake is over-investing in Tincture duration without considering cooldown synchronization with other skill rotations.

Advanced players should experiment with Tincture combinations that synergize with specific weapon types and support gem setups. The class particularly excels in endgame scenarios where elemental penetration and defensive layers become increasingly critical for success.

For players transitioning from other ascendancies, the Warden offers a fresh playstyle that rewards strategic buff management and elemental specialization. This makes it an excellent choice for players who enjoyed the Raider’s speed but desire more tactical depth and defensive options.

4. Gladiator Rework

The Gladiator ascendancy receives comprehensive mechanical updates that enhance its specialization in counter-attack strategies, bleed effects, and aggressive melee mechanics. The rework introduces new passive skills specifically designed to improve the synergy between these combat elements while maintaining the class’s distinctive identity.

Counter-attack mechanics now feature improved trigger conditions and damage scaling, making them more reliable in high-intensity combat scenarios. Bleed mechanics receive quality-of-life improvements and damage amplification opportunities through the new passive tree options.

Strategic consideration: The updated Gladiator performs exceptionally well in prolonged engagements where bleed damage can accumulate and counter-attacks trigger frequently.

Avoid the common pitfall of neglecting block chance, which remains crucial for counter-attack effectiveness. The rework positions the Gladiator as a top-tier choice for players who prefer reactive combat styles that punish enemy aggression.

For players familiar with the Class Guide mechanics, the Gladiator offers a familiar yet refined approach to melee combat that rewards precise timing and strategic positioning.

5. Massive Melee Rebalance

Path of Exile 3.25 delivers the most substantial melee combat overhaul in recent memory, with all melee skills receiving an average 70% damage increase. This systematic rebalancing addresses long-standing community concerns about melee viability in the current meta while preserving class identity and playstyle diversity.

The damage boost applies across all melee skill gems, with particular attention given to previously underperforming abilities that now feature completely reworked functionality. The changes aim to create genuine build diversity where melee options compete effectively with spell and ranged alternatives.

Underutilized skills like Cleave, Dual Strike, and Heavy Strike receive not only numerical improvements but also quality-of-life enhancements and mechanical refinements.

Pro tip: Re-evaluate all melee skills in your repertoire, as previously dismissed options may now represent optimal choices for specific content types and playstyles.

Advanced players should consider how the melee rebalance interacts with other system changes, particularly the new Weapons Unlock strategies, as weapon choice now carries even greater significance for melee performance.

6. Endgame Improvements

The expansion significantly enriches Path of Exile’s endgame through multiple complementary systems designed to extend player engagement and provide meaningful progression goals. New boss encounters like Sasan, the Bandit Lord introduce fresh challenges with unique mechanics that require specialized strategies and build adaptations.

Map Device Slots now expand to six available slots, enabling dramatically more complex and rewarding map combinations. This expansion allows for sophisticated crafting strategies and specialized farming approaches previously impossible with fewer slots.

Strategic implementation: Plan your Map Device combinations around specific farming goals – whether targeting currency, unique items, or experience gain.

A common mistake is underestimating the strategic importance of slot combinations and failing to optimize for specific content types.

The endgame improvements work in concert with other system changes, creating a more cohesive and rewarding progression experience from early mapping through the most challenging endgame content.

For comprehensive endgame planning, consult our Complete Guide for detailed strategies on maximizing these new opportunities.

Conclusion

Path of Exile 3.25: Settlers of Kalguur represents a transformative update that addresses multiple aspects of the player experience while introducing compelling new content. The changes collectively create a more accessible, balanced, and engaging game environment suitable for both veteran players and newcomers alike.

The introduction of Gold-based respeccing lowers barriers to build experimentation, while the Currency Exchange Market revolutionizes player trading dynamics.

The Warden ascendancy and Gladiator rework inject fresh strategic possibilities into character development, while the melee rebalance ensures competitive diversity across combat styles.

Strategic priority: Focus on understanding the new Gold economy early, as it impacts multiple systems including respeccing, trading, and currency management.

Implementation timeline: Allow 2-3 weeks to fully adapt to the new systems and optimize your gameplay approach accordingly.

No reproduction without permission：GameCDjnh » PoE 3.25: All You Want to Know about the Settlers of Kalguur Path of Exile 3.25 introduces Gold respecs, new Ascendancy classes, and major combat rebalancing for enhanced gameplay