The Path of Exile Allflame trailer confirms that version 3.29 launches on July 24, 2026. Grinding Gear Games is not simply adding a pirate coat of paint. Curse of the Allflame also targets several systems that have shaped the game’s endgame for years. Browse the latest gaming news for the wider release calendar.
Key points
- Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame was officially announced by Grinding Gear Games on July 16, 2026.
- Version 3.29 launches on July 24, 2026 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
- The Challenge League uses deep-sea Charts that can be linked into replayable Voyages.
- Version 3.29 makes Mercenaries of Trarthus core content and reworks Abyss, Legion and item sockets.
Quick answer: Curse of the Allflame launches a new deep-sea Challenge League on July 24. It also brings Mercenaries of Trarthus into the core game and reworks Abyss, Legion and item sockets.
Path of Exile Allflame trailer: what it shows
The trailer introduces Valerie, a corsair captain searching Wraeclast’s ocean floor for forgotten treasure. Players collect Charts, board the Sovereign, and dive into protected areas using Allflame lanterns. The setting has a strong identity, but the key is the gameplay loop behind it.
Charts can be connected into a Voyage, a larger expedition that players revisit for stronger rewards. Below deck, the ship’s heart can split an item into ghostly outcomes. One result can be kept. Ducats found on the seafloor can also alter items. That makes the league’s reward loop directly relevant to loot-focused players.
The official announcement from Grinding Gear Games frames the update as both a new league and a wider game refresh. That distinction matters. A good seasonal mechanic is welcome, but lasting endgame improvements are what keep players returning.
Gameplay confirmed by the official update
The Path of Exile Allflame trailer is supported by unusually detailed patch notes. Version 3.29 adds 15 new Unique items, new gems and new character options. Holy Hammers of Spirals, Reap of Butchery and Mana-Infused Staff are already named. The Pact gems offer extra power, but attach an Affliction to the deal.
Abyss receives the most obvious quality-of-life change. Players will no longer chase a crack across a map. Enemies feed the pit instead, then an abyssal force emerges. A new Abyss pinnacle boss joins that overhaul. It is the kind of change that could make an old mechanic feel deliberate again.
Mercenaries of Trarthus also become core content from Act 3 onward. Beat a mercenary in a duel and they can join as a temporary ally. The new Scion Luminary Ascendancy can maintain up to three hired mercenaries. Meanwhile, sockets become more flexible: gems can fit into any socket, while matching colours grant quality bonuses.
A broader fix for Path of Exile’s endgame rhythm
Compared with Mirage, the preceding league, Curse of the Allflame has a more ambitious role. Mirage is not moving into the core game. Allflame, however, launches its own seasonal system while carrying Mercenaries forward permanently. The Abyss changes also answer a longstanding pacing problem. Following a wandering crack backwards through a map was never a compelling form of difficulty.
For players, the main decision is not just which league starter will be strongest. Socket changes may affect how easily builds reach their desired layouts. The deep-sea mechanic will matter if its Voyages produce worthwhile rewards. League players have a clear reason to start fresh on July 24. Standard players should watch how the socket, Abyss and Legion changes interact with established characters and item collections.
Path of Exile Allflame trailer: platforms and release date
Curse of the Allflame is confirmed for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Path of Exile remains free to play. The official announcement does not list an expansion price, which matches the game’s long-running free league model.
The release date is July 24, 2026, using the PDT schedule stated by GGG. A precise European launch hour is not listed in the sources reviewed here. Players planning a league start should therefore wait for the final timing details rather than assuming a local midnight release.
The full 3.29 patch notes already cover Standard, Hardcore, Solo Self-Found and private league variants. Follow our news section as launch approaches. The reveal has supplied the systems; the opening weekend will reveal their real economy.
Questions still open before launch
- How powerful will the new Pact gems be in real builds? That answer will shape starter choices and early league prices.
- How rewarding will Voyages become after players optimise their Charts? Their returns will determine whether the league mechanic is essential or optional.
- How will new socket rules affect existing Unique items? This matters most to Standard players with established gear collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Path of Exile Allflame trailer show?It shows Valerie’s deep-sea expedition, Charts that form Voyages, Allflame lanterns, underwater treasure hunting and combat. The official update also confirms that the league includes an item-altering system using Ducats.
Yes. The official 3.29 notes confirm the Challenge League, its Charts and Voyages, Mercenaries of Trarthus, new gems, new Unique items and system updates for Abyss, Legion and sockets.
Grinding Gear Games lists PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. The game and its league update remain free to play. No separate expansion price is listed in the official announcement.
The official patch notes and the official trailer are the best references for final mechanics, launch timing and balance context.
Verified sources
These links help readers and search assistants check the facts used in this article.
