How to Prepare for Path of Exile 3.26 – Best Tips Before the League Starts

Path of Exile Patch 3.26 is right around the corner, and if you're a veteran exile or a motivated first-timer, early preparation is the key to thriving when the league launches. With new mechanics like the Mercenaries League, Memory Threads, and powerful crafting orbs coming into play, players who walk in with a plan will have a massive head start.

This guide covers everything you need to know on how to prepare for Path of Exile 3.26, including stash setup, gold economy prep, build recommendations, and best early-game strategies. Whether you’re aiming to break into red maps on day one or flip Memory Petals for a fortune, these tips will keep you ahead of the curve.

1. Clean Up and Organize Your Stash Tabs

Before the new league drops, your stash should be as clean and functional as possible. Patch 3.26 introduces several new item types including:

• Memory Petals

• New orbs like Orb of Remembrance, Unravelling, and Intention

• Gold (from Mercenaries League)

Tips:

• Reserve at least two quad tabs labeled for league-specific items (e.g., "3.26 Currency", "Merc Gear")

• Move legacy gear or outdated crafting bases to remove clutter

• Consider investing in currency or map tabs if you haven’t already

Smart stash management means more time killing bosses and less time hunting for your Binding Orbs.

2. Set Up for the Gold Economy (Mercenaries League)

Gold is back! Path of Exile 3.26's Mercenaries League reintroduces gold as a key currency for hiring companions and navigating the black market.

Do this before launch:

• Learn basic gold-to-chaos values and trade rates

• Prep vendor recipes like Alchemy shards and Chaos recipe to kickstart your currency

• Plan a farm route focused on currency-rich layouts (Jungle Valley, Crimson Temple, Dunes)

Want a jumpstart? You can always buy PoE 2 currency safely from trusted sellers to skip the early grind and hire powerful mercenaries out of the gate.

3. Pick a Build That Thrives Early (With or Without Mercenaries)

Not every build plays nice with league mechanics, especially early on. Mercenaries are powerful but not always available in the first 30 minutes of play. 

Ideal 3.26 starter builds:

• Champion Slammer: Got buffed again and is tough to kill

• Summoner Minions: Don’t rely on gear and scale with levels

• Righteous Fire Juggernaut: Great for altar and Memory mapping

• Poison Pathfinder: Efficient mapper with great clear speed

Avoid heavily nerfed projectile skills (Lightning Strike, Splitting Steel) until further testing confirms their viability.
(Read our guide about Top Starter Builds for PoE 3.26)

4. Research and Preload Tools

Having the right tools can be the difference between efficient farming and wasting time.

Must-have tools:

• Path of Building (PoB): Fork update with 3.26 changes

• Loot Filter: NeverSink’s filter with Memory Petal tracking

• Awakened PoE Trade: Quick price checks and crafting help

• Exilence Next: To track your net worth throughout the league

Bonus: Prep a Memory Petal build planner for your altar-based progression.

5. Plan Your Atlas Passive Tree Route

Patch 3.26 reworks the endgame Atlas again, especially with the removal of Atlas Memories and the introduction of Threads of Memory.

Planning Tips:

• For altar farming: Spec into Shrines, Strongboxes, and Altars

• For bossing: Spec into Influence node clusters (Maven, Elder, etc.)

• For currency: Focus on Essences, Harbingers, and Kirac missions

Use tools like PoE Planner or the in-game tree to map out at least three progression phases: early yellow maps, red map sustain, and boss hunting.

6. Learn the Memory Threads System

The Memory Threads mechanic introduces chained map progression with powerful Petal-based skills and unique altar modifiers.

To prepare:

• Watch preview videos to understand Memory Petal abilities

• Practice hotkey usage for Petal skills (they act like flask effects)

• Favor high AoE and mobility builds to clear chain maps efficiently

Each Memory Thread ends in a unique boss encounter. Prepping resistances and single-target gems will help you survive these intense fights.

7. Prepare for New Crafting Currency

Crafting gets a big update this patch, with:

• Shaper's and Elder's Exalted Orbs (influence mods)

• Orb of Remembrance (adds Memory Strands)

• Orb of Unravelling (upgrades tiers)

• Orb of Intention (boosts Strand use at map cost)

How to prep:

• Hoard influence bases and fractured rares

• Watch crafting guides on using these orbs effectively

• Join Discords or communities focused on high-end crafting (like TFT)

A little knowledge goes a long way when you're trying to slam that perfect double-influenced chest piece.

8. Plan Challenge Objectives

PoE 3.26 has 40 league challenges with rewards:

• 12: Basic armor set

• 20: Enhanced VFX

• 28: Full armor effect

• 36+: Wings and totem pole hideout decoration

Tips:

• Pick 5–8 achievable challenges to rush during week one

• Use Reddit or community checklists to track progression

• Don’t forget Ruthless mode has its own challenge path

Completing challenges early can give your character that fresh look that screams "league start flex."

Dominate PoE 3.26 With Smart Prep

Path of Exile 3.26 is shaping up to be one of the most complex and rewarding leagues in recent memory. Between new systems, reworked bosses, and crafting innovations, players who prepare now will dominate the economy and the ladder.

Take the time to map your path forward, choose the right build, and understand the systems. And if you're short on time, there's no shame in speeding things up—you can buy PoE 2 currency from trusted sources like SSEGold and start the league with a serious edge.

Good luck, exile—see you on the Atlas!