Grinding Gear Games’ next major Path of Exile 1 expansion, version 3.30: Covens of Umbra, is scheduled for November 13 Pacific Time. The free update introduces a new challenge league and a broad refresh of the game’s endgame systems, including a replacement for Scarabs and a redesigned Atlas passive tree.
The expansion is the next major content release for the original Path of Exile, rather than a launch for Path of Exile 2. Grinding Gear Games revealed the update during ExileCon 2026 and has described it as a substantial change to how players approach maps and endgame progression.
Covens of Umbra introduces a new challenge league
The new league centres on a coven and its powerful queen. Players encounter covenites during their journey and can select a Fate for an area’s boss. Each Fate changes the encounter, increasing its challenge while also improving the potential rewards. The system is designed to let players choose how demanding they want a particular boss encounter to become.
Grinding Gear Games has also outlined a higher-difficulty version of the system for major Atlas bosses. These additional challenges are part of the league’s longer progression path and connect the new theme to the game’s established endgame structure.
Threads of Creation replace Scarabs
One of the most significant structural changes is the removal of Scarabs. They are being replaced by a system called Threads of Creation, which players place directly into the Map Device. Threads are intended to let players select a league mechanic for a map while adjusting the rarity and difficulty of its encounters.
The change is more than a new item category. Scarabs have been part of the game’s map-planning process, so replacing them changes how players prepare endgame runs and decide which activities to prioritise. Grinding Gear Games says the new system will also increase the chance of additional effects being applied to a selected mechanic.
The Atlas passive tree and loot systems are being refreshed
The Atlas passive tree is receiving a new layout with additional wheels, statistics and effects. The developer says some bonuses that previously came from Scarabs are being moved into the tree, giving players a different way to plan and guarantee certain map features.
Several existing endgame activities are also being adjusted. The official announcement lists changes to Mirages, Beyond encounters, the Sacred Grove, Gwennen’s services and Atziri’s place in the Temple of Atzoatl. The overall goal is to make the endgame feel different across more of its established systems rather than limiting the expansion to one new league mechanic.
Grinding Gear Games has also promised a significant loot rework. The announcement describes fundamental changes to how items drop, alongside new unique items. The full impact will become clearer once players can test the new systems in live maps.
Platforms, price and timing
Covens of Umbra is being offered as a free expansion across the platforms on which Path of Exile is available. The official announcement specifies November 13 in Pacific Time and names PC and consoles in its release information. The date is not an India-specific schedule, so players in India should use the game’s official announcements for the final local rollout and server-status information.
The expansion continues the original game’s free-to-play release model. Players do not need to purchase a separate expansion pack to access the announced league and endgame changes.
Why this update matters
Covens of Umbra is important because it changes several systems that shape long-term play. Replacing Scarabs, rebuilding the Atlas tree and reworking loot generation could alter how players organise their endgame routines. The new Fate system adds another layer of choice to boss encounters, while the wider adjustments touch multiple existing league activities.
For returning players, the update offers a new challenge league and a different endgame structure to learn. For newer players, it is a major refresh arriving within the game’s existing free-to-play framework. The most useful assessment will come after the expansion is live and the community has had time to test the changes.
Sources
- Grinding Gear Games: Official Path of Exile announcements (primary source)
- Path of Exile on Steam (platform and free-to-play listing)
- Inven Global: Path of Exile’s Covens of Umbra launches November 13 (independent coverage)
- SenseOS: Covens of Umbra and the Threads of Creation changes (independent analysis)
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