GGG posted the full 3.30.0 patch notes for Path of Exile 1 Covens of Umbra. The league launches November 13 (PST). The biggest changes are in the endgame. Scarabs are gone, replaced by Threads, the Atlas tree is rebuilt with 150 points, and 31 maps rotate in and out. The skill and character-tree changes are small.
Summarised from GGG's 3.30.0 patch notes.
Scarabs are now Threads
- Scarabs are removed. There are 10 Threads, one per league mechanic: Abyss, Bestiary, Betrayal, Blight, Breach, Expedition, Incursion, Legion, Ritual and Ultimatum.
- Put Threads in the Map Device to add that mechanic to the map. You can use up to 8. Each extra Thread raises the chance of strong random effects for that mechanic.
- Frayed Thread is a new currency that gives a random Thread.
- Your old Scarabs convert to a matching Thread or a Frayed Thread. Veiled Scarabs become Frayed Threads.
- Those 10 mechanics no longer appear at random in maps. You bring them with Threads, or run maps in a Shaped Region. There are now 10 Shaped Regions, one per Thread type, and each gives its maps free Threads.
A new Atlas tree
- The Atlas passive tree is completely rebuilt. You now start in the centre and work outwards.
- 150 points in total (was 138). The Maven, the Searing Exarch, the Eater of Worlds and each Maven Invitation now give 2 points. The Uber Elder gives 4.
- Every primary league cluster is reworked. Delve and Heist clusters are gone. The old Scarab clusters became Thread clusters, and many Scarab effects now live on the tree.
- Removed keystones: Crop Rotation, Endless Tide, Lucid Dreams, Meticulous Appraiser, Refiner's Bargain, Synthesised Stability.
- New keystone: Phantom Anomalies. Unwavering Vision is reworked.
Maps
- 31 maps return to the Atlas, including Academy, Crimson Temple, Dig, Necropolis, Pen, Shore, Spider Forest, Villa and Wasteland.
- 31 maps leave it, including Alleyways, Arachnid Tomb, Beach, Courthouse, Foundry, Toxic Sewer, Vault and Waterways.
- Rare maps can now roll suffixes that add a Mirage, the Viridian Wildwood, a buried Sentinel, a Beyond Evocator or a Mirror of Delirium.
- Delirium Orbs now reforge a rare map with a Delirious percentage, from 5 to 50% per orb and up to 100%.
- Allflame Embers are now currency you use on a map, and there are three new ones.
Mirage goes core, Atziri moves in
- Mirages now appear in maps in every league. Saresh is a much harder fight.
- Atziri has taken over the Temple of Atzoatl. Most Vials no longer drop, and their uniques now come from Temples with a Cradle of Creation.
- Harvest, Betrayal, Expedition, Ritual, Bestiary, Heist and Ultimatum each get their own changes. See the notes.
Loot works differently
- Item Rarity on monsters now affects what kind of item drops. High rarity means fewer common items like Scrolls of Wisdom and more valuable currency. GGG's Covens page adds that rarity on maps and monsters improves all drop types.
- Rarity on your gear was weakened for finding Magic, Rare and Unique items. It now affects the chance to find tiered items.
- From Act 6, Magic and Rare items can drop with an Item Tier from 2 to 5. A higher tier gives better modifiers.
- Many rarity sources are lower, some by about 40–50%.
Characters, skills and items
- No passive skill tree section in these notes, only two bug fixes. The big tree change is the Atlas.
- New skills: Arcane Link (Intelligence) and Fireball of Radiation (transfigured).
- New items: 11 uniques, a new jewel base (Mycelium Core) and Essence of Trickery.
- Reworked uniques include Doedre's Tongue (Covens encounters only now), Femurs of the Saints, Malachai's Loop, Shadowstitch, Shavronne's Wrappings and Doryani's Invitation.
- Ascendancies: the Reliquarian's notables are reshuffled. Small changes to the Pathfinder, Warden, Trickster and Luminary.
- Skill balance is light: Flame Link, Pact of Beidat, the Golems, Winter Orb, and the Transfusion and Vaal Sacrifice supports.
The league
The notes cover the Covens mechanic in brief: choose Fates for area bosses and build your Wickerman from Viscera. There are 40 challenges (plus 8 in Ruthless), with a Totem Pole hideout reward. For how the league works, read our lesson.
On PoE Source
- Covens of Umbra lesson — the league, Fates and the Wickerman
- The 3.30 reveal
- Our PoE 1 Atlas tree viewer updates when GGG publishes the 3.30 tree data. Strategies built on Scarabs will be marked as 3.29.
Summarized for PoE Source; see official sources for full details.
Images: Grinding Gear Games, from the 3.30.0 patch notes and the Covens of Umbra page.
Sources: Content Update 3.30.0 — Path of Exile: Covens of Umbra (GGG, official) · Covens of Umbra (GGG, official)