Every three months or so, we get a new challenge league for Path of Exile—its version of seasons. A fresh start with new characters, new items, new content, and another chance to roll the same Lightning Arrow Deadeye I did the first 30 times. What we don't get, however, especially in the last few leagues, are balance updates that shock the metagame. With the Affliction league, which starts next week on December 8, it looks like we're going to get just that.
In its stream yesterday, Grinding Gear Games released a ton of information. In Affliction, it’s done away with three separate systems: labyrinth item enchants (including helm!), alternate quality gems, and threshold jewels. These systems all did similar things by modifying the way a skill gem works in a substantial way. Instead, it’s replaced the equipment-enchanting Font at the end of the labyrinth with a gem crafting station which will allow you to power up, modify, or transfigure your gems. And these transfigured gems are wild.
