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Grinding Gear Games has once again expanded the dark, labyrinthine world of Path of Exile with Secrets of the Atlas, the latest expansion that transforms the endgame while weaving a new story thread into POE currency the Atlas itself. With new mechanics, unique bosses, items, leagues, and significant endgame revisions, this expansion marks a major step forward for players seeking fresh challenges in Wraeclast’s ever-evolving world.

This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of everything Secrets of the Atlas introduces—from narrative developments and gameplay systems to sweeping endgame changes and quality-of-life improvements.

A New Story Thread in the Atlas

At the heart of this expansion lies a mysterious new narrative centered on tears in reality that have begun appearing across the Atlas. These distortions are linked to an enigmatic figure known as the Originator, who has become entangled within the very essence of the Atlas. Players are tasked with investigating these rifts to uncover hidden truths and rescue what remains of lost memories.

During this journey, you will meet Eagon, a man of mysterious lineage who seeks the truth about his past. His investigations have revealed glimpses of Zana, a familiar figure to long-time players, trapped within these tears. By working alongside Eagon, players use his custom-built gauntlet to connect with Threads of Consciousness, strange thread-like manifestations of Zana’s memories that open dangerous portals.

These areas are unlike standard Maps. They are warped reflections of Zana’s memories, filled with Memory-influenced monsters carrying Memory Petals. Defeating these foes allows players to absorb and unleash unique combat abilities. Each map in a Thread culminates in an altar where players choose modifiers that carry forward, stacking challenges for subsequent encounters. The final map combines all previous modifiers and ends with a powerful boss battle—familiar figures twisted into dreamlike horrors by Zana’s distorted recollections. Victory over these foes unlocks deeper access to her memories, ultimately leading to three new Pinnacle bosses.

The Mercenaries of Trarthus League

Alongside the new story content, players can dive into the Mercenaries of Trarthus Challenge League, where they face off against hardened warriors for unique rewards. Upon meeting a mercenary, you are challenged to a duel. Before the fight begins, you can examine your opponent to gauge their strengths. Winning the duel provides three choices:

Hire the mercenary,

Take one of their items, or

Exile them permanently.

Some of the league’s exclusive rewards include new Uniques and items tied specifically to these duels, providing incentives to master the system.

New Items, Orbs, and Features

As expected, Secrets of the Atlas introduces a wealth of new items and mechanics:

Support Gem – Focused Channelling: A powerful Intelligence/Dexterity gem that enhances channeled spells, ramping damage over time at the cost of higher mana expenditure.

Shaper’s Exalted Orb and Elder’s Exalted Orb: Rare orbs that add Shaper or Elder influence, respectively, while granting powerful new modifiers.

Orb of Remembrance & Orb of Unravelling: Items that manipulate Memory Strands attached to equipment, either randomizing their number or consuming them to upgrade item modifiers.

Orb of Intention: Alters Memory-influenced maps, increasing Memory Strand drops but reducing overall loot.

In addition, over 20 new unique items, five new Divination Cards, and dozens of foiled map and unique options have been added, deepening the loot chase for veterans.

Quality-of-life improvements also feature heavily in this patch. Players can now pause the game in more scenarios, including during lag or disconnection (with certain high-stakes fights exempt). The Rogue Harbour is more accessible, guild management has improved, and new chat notifications keep players informed of rare events.

Major Endgame Changes

The endgame of Path of Exile has seen sweeping revisions in Secrets of the Atlas:

Atlas Memories removed: Existing memories and related items are gone, replaced with new mechanics.

Red-tier Kirac Missions reintroduce popular encounters from past memories.

Breach Splinters are now automatically collected and dropped at the end of encounters.

Scarab drops have been rebalanced, with higher stack sizes but lower frequency in high-tier maps.

Map pool adjustments: Several classic maps like Acid Caverns, Canyon, and Waterways return to the Atlas, while others like Burial Chambers and Fields are removed.

Pantheon system adjustments: Some bosses tied to Pantheon upgrades have changed.

Additionally, Tier 17 maps have seen adjustments to pack size, monster modifiers, and item rarity scaling, balancing difficulty and rewards.

Atlas Passive Tree Overhaul

The Atlas Passive Tree has also been updated with new clusters, keystones, and replacements:

New Notables like Lethal Extraction and Miner’s Strike shift focus on Syndicate intelligence gathering and resource appearances.

Memory-focused nodes such as Traumatic Experience and Remembered Kindness alter the likelihood of encountering different Incarnations within memory threads.

A new Keystone, Refiner’s Bargain, converts item drops and resources into new forms like Thaumaturgic Dust or Lifeforce crops, opening creative farming opportunities.

Settlers of Kalguur Integrated into Core

The beloved Settlers of Kalguur mechanic has now been added permanently to the game. Players can earn gold from slain monsters to pay workers, respec their passive tree, or trade on the black market. Workers can mine ores from maps, while shipping resources to Karui or Kalguuran ports yields powerful Tattoos and Runegrafts that enhance the Passive Skill Tree.

The Recombinator crafting system has also been refined, giving players more control over merging modifiers, albeit with new risks of item destruction.

Betrayal System Rework

The expansion introduces a full Betrayal rework, reshaping how players interact with the Immortal Syndicate.

The Mastermind boss fight is now separate from Safehouse mechanics, with fewer immunity phases and improved rewards.

Catarina can now drop Allflame Embers, special map fragments that add packs of unusual monsters.

Veiled Orbs are renamed Veiled Exalted Orbs, while Veiled Chaos Orbs make a return.

Safehouse rewards have been rebalanced, with leaders now guaranteed to be executed instead of offering more flexible options.

Crafting Bench recipes tied to unveiling items are now unlocked via new recipe objects in maps, streamlining progression.

Final Thoughts

Secrets of the Atlas is one of the most ambitious Path of Exile expansions in recent memory. By introducing new narrative arcs tied to Zana, deepening the endgame with Memory Threads, adding unique mercenary challenges, expanding itemization, and overhauling beloved systems like Betrayal, this update reshapes how players experience Wraeclast’s unforgiving endgame.

For veterans, the expansion offers a wealth of new strategies, bosses, and loot to POE divine orbs for sale chase. For newcomers reaching the Atlas, it’s the perfect time to dive in, as the game’s systems are now more interconnected and rewarding than ever.

The Founding Celebration in Skull and Bones is here, bringing special events, exclusive rewards, and a brand-new currency to collect. If you’ve been looking for a reason to set sail again, this limited-time event offers fresh challenges, returning cosmetics, and unique loot that can’t be missed.

How to Start the Founding Celebration

Your adventure begins with an invitation from Scurlock himself. To officially join the festivities, you’ll first need to secure a dedicated contract from Blackwood. Once you have the contract in hand, you’re ready to Skull and Bones Items dive into the celebration and start earning the new event currency — Silver Lions.

What Are Silver Lions?

Silver Lions are the exclusive currency for the Founding Celebration, and you’ll use them to purchase:

Epic and rare equipment

Blueprints from throughout Year One (some returning for the first time)

Exclusive cosmetics like the Illustrious Founding Set

New additions, including a ship, a pet, and fireworks

How to Earn Silver Lions

You can get Silver Lions in two primary ways:

Purchase with Sovereigns – If you have Sovereigns saved up, you can directly buy Silver Lions.

Earn through activities – Participate in in-game events and complete challenges to steadily earn more.

Event Activities That Reward Silver Lions

Weekly Challenges – Standard weekly tasks will award Silver Lions during the event.

Special Celebration Challenges – A unique set of challenges only available during the Founding Celebration.

World Events – All World Events except convoys will reward Silver Lions for participating and winning.

Recover the Exeter’s Cargo Mission – A high-risk, high-reward mission tied to the celebration.

The Recover the Exeter’s Cargo Mission

One of the most exciting parts of the event is the Recover the Exeter’s Cargo mission. Here’s the setup:

Salvagers have stolen the Exeter’s valuable cargo and are attempting to flee the Indian Ocean to sell their stolen goods. Your task is to hunt them down, sink the salvager convoy, and recover Exeter Chests.

Completing this mission gives you:

A chance at premium cosmetics

A steady supply of Silver Lions

World Events and Convoys

While convoys don’t reward Silver Lions directly, they are still worth your time during the Founding Celebration. That’s because convoy ships drop special caches filled with:

Crafting materials

Celebration coins

Other useful loot for upgrading your ship and arsenal

If you want Silver Lions specifically, focus on non-convoy World Events, as these directly contribute to your event currency gains.

Where to Spend Your Silver Lions

Once you’ve built up a healthy stash of Silver Lions, it’s time to spend them at the Celebration Store. You’ll find it located under Scurlock’s statue in Sainte-Anne.

Inside, you can browse a wide range of rewards, including:

Weapon blueprints

Furniture for your base or ship

Cosmetics both new and returning

Limited-time celebration items

There’s also a Celebration Cache located near the statue, containing even more goodies for those looking to expand their collection.

Event Highlights and Tips

Focus on non-convoy World Events for faster Silver Lion farming.

Stack weekly and celebration challenges for maximum efficiency.

Take on the Recover the Exeter’s Cargo mission for premium loot opportunities.

Don’t forget about returning Year One items — this might be your only chance to grab them again.

Visit Sainte-Anne often to check Scurlock’s store for any limited-time rotations.

Final Thoughts

The Founding Celebration in Skull and Bones is more than just a festive event — it’s a golden opportunity to stock up on rare gear, exclusive cosmetics, and premium blueprints. Whether you’re sinking salvager convoys, completing special challenges, or hunting down treasure caches, there are plenty of ways to Skull and Bones Silver for sale fill your hold with rewards.

Sail fast, fight hard, and make the most of this celebration before the tide turns.

After more than a decade of development, Skull and Bones has finally sailed into the gaming world, but the voyage hasn’t been smooth. Once envisioned as a thrilling pirate fantasy, Ubisoft’s long-gestating naval adventure has become a bloated live-service title that replaces daring swashbuckling with a monotonous cycle of fetch quests and cargo hauling. Despite flashes of brilliance, Skull and Bones often feels like a ship without a rudder, drifting through a sea of unrealized potential.

A Promising Start — Quickly Washed Away

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot called Skull and Bones a “quadruple-A” game. And for a moment, you might believe him. The game opens with a cinematic final stand at sea, immersing you in Skull and Bones Items the chaos and wonder of pirate life. You're thrown into a starting area brimming with charm, where levels don't yet matter and the promise of adventure feels real.

But as soon as the live-service systems kick in, that sense of wonder vanishes. The starter hub — think Destiny 2’s Tower, only made of wood — is filled with lifeless NPCs and dull fetch quests. The main questline, led by Captain Scurlock, offers a smidge of purpose, but even that wears thin.

Infamy and Power, But at What Cost?

Progression in Skull and Bones revolves around increasing two stats: your Infamy Rank and Ship Rank. You gain Infamy through exploration, combat, and quests, which in turn unlocks better blueprints for ships and gear. Ship Rank, meanwhile, depends on your vessel’s components and weapons.

Unfortunately, the loop is stifled by a grind-heavy structure. The world is massive, filled with icons directing you to mine wood, ore, or other resources via simple minigames. Combat is mostly just a numbers game: better gear means a better chance at victory. The thrill of piracy gets lost in the busywork.

Sailing the Seas — More Chore Than Charm

Sailing should be the beating heart of a pirate game, but in Skull and Bones, it's just... tedious. Navigation mostly consists of adjusting sails and avoiding headwinds. You’ll spend more time watching your stamina bar than engaging in exciting ship maneuvers. Real-life sailing is complex and adventurous. Here, it's just a slow ride between chore points.

Even enemy encounters at sea offer only brief sparks of excitement — cannonballs flying, wood splintering, numbers popping — but it’s all skin-deep. Strategy is shallow. You hit the button to board a ship, and instead of a thrilling battle, you're treated to a cutscene and some bonus loot.

A Pirate's Life: Fetch Quests and Fast Travel Points

The islands scattered across the map are often just fast travel points with traders dishing out more dull contracts. Side quests are repetitive and uninspired. Blueprints are crucial for upgrading your ship, but they’re hidden behind vendors across the world and require grinding Infamy to access.

Scurlock’s main questline ends with you likely underpowered for the next region. The game expects you to “catch up” by doing more contracts, gathering more mats, and grinding more Infamy — a slow, painful loop that rarely feels rewarding. You’ll spend hours sailing for minor stat boosts or slightly stronger cannons with different color rarities.

Endgame: Deliveries, Not Drama

If you manage to survive the mid-game slog, the endgame “rewards” you with... delivery jobs. Sugarcane becomes rum. Berries become opium. Deliver them across the sea — but beware! Fast travel is disabled, and AI pirate hunters are on your tail. The supposed tension falls flat. It's less Pirates of the Caribbean and more Amazon Prime: Ocean Edition.

Even the loot lacks imagination. No unique weapons with cool effects. No flashy gear that changes how you play. Just better stats and slightly improved firepower, if you're lucky. It's a live-service game that doesn’t understand the appeal of loot or the joy of being surprised by treasure.

Ship Customization: The One Shining Light

There is a bit of joy in customizing your ship. Larger ships allow for more weapons and even "furniture" like rope lockers or rigging stations that affect stats. Naming your ship, outfitting it with cannons, sniper rifles, or firebombs — it’s the closest Skull and Bones comes to fun. But even here, your crew is basically non-existent. You’re not a captain commanding a loyal team — you are the boat.

Multiplayer? Barely There.

Multiplayer in a pirate game should be a highlight — shared raids, massive naval battles, or treasure hunts with friends. But Skull and Bones feels like a ghost town. Even when the game suggests teaming up with others, no one shows up. Players drift in and out, and cooperative play feels like an afterthought.

Technical Performance and Bugs

Visually, the game looks good. Oceans are pretty, ship designs are solid, and explosions are flashy. But bugs are frequent. Menus freeze, ships vanish from the map, or UI elements fail to cheap Skull and bones items for sale cheap load. While not game-breaking, these issues add to the general sense that Skull and Bones still isn’t ready for prime time.

Final Verdict: A Treasure That’s Not Worth the Hunt

Skull and Bones had so much potential — a pirate MMO, filled with thrilling naval battles, loot, camaraderie, and oceanic wonder. Instead, it’s a lifeless grind dressed in a pretty sailcloth.

For players who love the idea of relaxing sea voyages and don’t mind repetitive delivery jobs, Skull and Bones might offer a meditative grind. But for everyone else — those seeking excitement, narrative, meaningful loot, or even just plain fun — this game is an empty chest at the bottom of the sea.

After spending over 30 hours sailing through the treacherous waters of Ubisoft's* Skull and Bones**, it’s clear the game demands more of your time than your skill. While it's not brutally difficult, the grind can wear on you—especially if you're eager to climb the ranks fast. This guide won’t remove the grind entirely, but it will help you avoid some early frustrations and optimize your time on the waves.*

1. Loot Everything—Yes, Even Rusty Nails

In Skull and Bones, everything you find can eventually be useful. Rusty nails, metal salvage, and other seemingly low-value junk are essential for crafting and repairs. You might think you have enough—you don’t. Pick up everything. Your future self will thank you.

2. Always Transfer Cargo to Your Warehouse

Every time you dock at an outpost or settlement, move all non-essential items (like crafting materials and trade goods) to your warehouse. This reduces cargo clutter, prevents over-encumbrance, and most importantly, protects your loot. If your ship sinks, anything onboard drops into the sea. If it's stored in your warehouse, it’s safe. Plus, when you craft gear or weapons, the game automatically pulls from Skull and Bones Items your warehouse inventory—so there’s zero downside.

3. Always Dock at Outposts

Outposts are more than just pit stops. Docking at one:

Unlocks fast travel to that location
Allows you to transfer cargo and repair your ship
Lets you interact with vendors, accept contracts, and more

Even if you have nothing pressing to do at an outpost, dock anyway. You’ll save time in the long run.

4. Buy Every Blueprint You Find Early

Crafting is at the heart of Skull and Bones, but you can’t craft anything without the corresponding blueprint. These can be found or bought at various vendors. Even if you’re not ready to use them, grab them when you see them. Having the blueprint early prevents long, unnecessary trips back to pick one up later when you actually need it.

5. Violence Pays Off

There’s no complex morality system in Skull and Bones—just a basic “wanted” mechanic. If you attack a ship, others nearby may retaliate. But once you deal with them or escape, your "infamy" resets. So don’t hesitate to sink every ship in sight, especially if they’re carrying valuable loot. You're a pirate, after all—act like one.

6. Stay Hydrated and Eat

Surprisingly, drinking water and eating food has real in-game benefits:

Water increases your sailing speed by ~4 knots
Food grants temporary buffs like improved stamina or damage resistance

Refill at outposts and stock up often. These little boosts are incredibly useful before combat or long voyages.

7. Play Co-op Strategically

Joining random players can be fun, but be cautious early on. In co-op, enemies scale to your group, even if your teammates are nowhere nearby. If you’re sailing solo, the difficulty bump might be more than you bargained for. Only team up if you plan to stick together and fight as a unit.

8. Use Your Spyglass Constantly

The spyglass is more than just a telescope. It lets you:

Tag enemy ships
Scan for cargo and see if a ship is worth attacking
Assess armor levels and the Infamy reward for defeating them

Always scout your targets before engaging—especially if you’re hunting specific materials or looking to maximize rewards.

9. Track Crafting Materials via the Map

When browsing blueprints at the blacksmith, you can track required materials. This will mark where to find them on your map. Often, these are linked to supply routes, which you can patrol to loot ships or visit ports for purchases.

This makes grinding materials far more efficient—you’re no longer aimlessly sailing, hoping you stumble across what you need.

10. Understand Progression Systems

Skull and Bones features two main progression tracks:

Infamy: Your pirate reputation. It unlocks contracts and blueprints but doesn’t affect your ship’s power. You’ll rise through ranks like Outcast, Scoundrel, Marauder, and eventually Kingpin.
Ship Rank: This determines your actual power level and is based on both your ship’s base stats and the equipment you install. Think of it like a gear score in an RPG.

Focus on both, but understand that Infamy unlocks opportunity, while gear determines capability.

11. Be Opportunistic in Combat

See another player fighting a boss or attacking a settlement? Jump in. You’ll share in cheap skull and bones boosting the Infamy and the loot—even if you only helped in the final moments. Similarly, when you’re taking on a settlement, don’t forget to use your spyglass to send a call for help. Other players can join, making the fight much easier and more rewarding.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Grind with Strategy

Skull and Bones may test your patience with its repetitive resource collection and crafting requirements, but smart play can make it significantly smoother. Loot everything. Prepare your ship. Pick your battles wisely. And above all—act like a pirate.

With these tips, you’ll rise through the ranks faster, waste less time on early mistakes, and find the joy in pillaging the high seas. The grind is real, but now you're ready for it.

Elden Ring brings a deeper focus on magic compared to previous FromSoftware titles, giving players the ability to wield devastating Sorceries and Incantations. Of these two, Sorceries stand out for their damage output and ranged abilities, scaling with Intelligence. Whether you’re aiming to create a pure sorcerer or a hybrid character, knowing which Sorceries to equip is essential for dominating the Lands Between.

If you're looking to tear through enemies and bosses with ease, some Sorceries stand out as Elden Ring Items overpowered choices. Here are some of the most powerful Sorceries that will help you do just that.

12. Night Maiden’s Mist

Location: Sellia, Town of Sorcery
Requirements: 14 Intelligence

Night Maiden’s Mist creates a thick silver mist that damages enemies and drains the caster's health as well. Though risky, this Sorcery can decimate enemies in seconds if used correctly. It’s available for purchase from Gowry in Sellia, after completing his quest.

11. Magic Glintblade

Location: Church of Vows, Liurnia of the Lakes
Requirements: 13 Intelligence

One of the first Sorceries you can get in Elden Ring, Magic Glintblade summons a floating sword that attacks enemies. It’s a great early-game option and can be bought from Miriel, Pastor of Vows, for 3,000 Runes.

10. Glintstone Pebble

Location: Waypoint Ruins, Church of Irith
Requirements: 9 Intelligence

A staple for early-game sorcerers, Glintstone Pebble is a low-cost, high-speed projectile spell that delivers solid damage. It’s available to the Astrologer class from the start, but you can also purchase it from Sorceress Sellen or Thops for 1,000 Runes.

9. Cannon of Haima

Location: Converted Fringe Tower, Liurnia of the Lakes
Requirements: 32 Intelligence

This powerful Sorcery launches a massive magic cannonball at enemies, dealing huge AoE damage. It’s perfect for taking down groups of enemies or hitting targets hidden behind obstacles. To unlock it, you’ll need to solve a puzzle in the Converted Fringe Tower by obtaining a special Glintstone Key.

8. Glintstone Arc

Location: Waypoint Ruins, Church of Irith
Requirements: 13 Intelligence

Glintstone Arc is a great Sorcery for dealing with multiple enemies. It casts a wide arc of magic damage that can hit several foes at once. Like Magic Glintblade, it can be obtained from Sorceress Sellen or Thops, and is especially effective when ambushed by large groups.

7. Meteorite

Location: Royal Grave Evergaol
Requirements: 30 Intelligence

Meteorite summons a rain of meteors to crash down on enemies. This is one of the best Sorceries for dealing with large enemies or bosses. You can acquire it by defeating the Onyx Lord in the Royal Grave Evergaol.

6. Rock Sling

Location: Dragon Burnt Ruins, Limgrave
Requirements: 18 Intelligence

Rock Sling hurls three large rocks at your enemies, and is excellent for breaking through enemy defenses and dealing heavy damage. It’s a fantastic upgrade to Glintstone Pebble and a powerful early-game Sorcery that you can obtain from a chest in Dragon Burnt Ruins.

5. Meteorite Staff

Location: Street of Sage Ruins, Caelid
Requirements: 18 Intelligence

While not a Sorcery itself, the Meteorite Staff is an essential weapon for Sorcerers. It boosts Gravity Sorceries like Rock Sling and Meteorite, making them even stronger. It’s a great early-game staff, and cheap Elden Ring Items can be found near the Street of Sage Ruins.

4. Carian Piercer

Location: Caria Manor
Requirements: 27 Intelligence

Carian Piercer summons a magical greatsword that deals massive damage in a thrusting motion. This is a powerful Sorcery for those who want to combine ranged magic with melee options. It’s obtained after defeating Loretta at Caria Manor.

3. Terra Magica

Location: Academy Crystal Cave
Requirements: 23 Intelligence

Terra Magica creates a magic circle that buffs your Sorceries by 22% for 30 seconds. This is one of the best buffing spells in the game, and it can be obtained after defeating the Crystalians in the Academy Crystal Cave near Raya Lucaria Academy.

2. Great Glintstone Shard

Location: Waypoint Ruins
Requirements: 18 Intelligence

Great Glintstone Shard is a stronger version of Glintstone Pebble, offering increased damage at a longer range. It has a higher FP cost but is perfect for players who’ve increased their Focus Points. It’s available from Sorceress Sellen after delivering the Academy Scroll.

1. Carian Slicer

Location: Waypoint Ruins
Requirements: 10 Intelligence

For players aiming for a hybrid build or needing a close-range Sorcery, Carian Slicer is one of the best early-game options. It summons a magical sword that performs a combo of three quick slashes. It’s available for purchase from Sorceress Sellen for 1,500 Runes after giving her the Royal House Scroll.

Final Thoughts

In Elden Ring, mastering Sorceries can be the difference between defeating a boss and getting wiped out. Whether you're an early-game Astrologer or aiming for a late-game pure sorcerer, knowing the best Sorceries is essential. The Sorceries listed above are among the most powerful in the game, offering devastating magic to obliterate your enemies.

No matter what build you choose, these Sorceries will elevate your magic prowess and make your journey through the Lands Between that much more exciting.