Path of Exile 2: Fate of The Vaal League mechanics, explained

Path of Exile 2’s patch 0.4 further dives into the Vaal civilization and introduces Queen Atziri as the new pinnacle boss fight. However, before reaching her, you need to navigate through the latest League mechanics coming to the game. The Fate of the Vaal League features an ancient Vaal Ruin, which is basically a customizable dungeon.

The Vaal Ruins are similar to Incursion from PoE 1. However, don’t worry if you haven’t played the previous game; this guide will teach you everything about the Fate of the Vaal League mechanics in Path of Exile 2.

All you need to know about Abyssal League mechanics in Path of Exile 2

Similar to the Abyss, you’ll encounter the new League mechanic soon after entering the first area from the Clearfell Encampment. The portal to the Vaal Ruins will be at the circular seal marked with five Soul Cores that charge as you slay enemies around. However, the seal won’t grant access to the ruins just yet.

To open the entrance portal, you’ll need to charge all five Soul Cores, which will take some time. Defeating enemies around it will only power one of five cores. The next area will retain the previously powered core, allowing you to charge another. Once all Soul Cores are powered up, the portal will manifest.

Vaal Ruins

Interact with the console to gain access to the Vaal Temple (Image via GGG)

The Vaal Ruins is a build-your-own dungeon. Upon entering, you’ll find a console with a partial map of the Vaal Temple and a few nodes that represent rooms and pathways. On one corner, there will be Atrizi’s chamber, which is the pinnacle boss encounter. After setting up the path, press ‘Run Temple’ to play the rooms you just placed.

Each time you enter the ruins, the console will grant a limited number of rooms to place on the map. After completing a run, it will randomly remove two rooms. However, since you get to place six with each new run, reaching Atziri won’t be an issue.

Upgrading rooms

Placing a room near others will let you know about its effects (Image via GGG)

As long as the rooms are connected to a path, you can place them anywhere, but to maximize the amount of loot, it’s important to upgrade them as well. To do so, you’ll need to have two rooms that complement each other side by side. For example, a commander's room will increase the rank of a garrison room when placed side by side with it.

To find out the synergy between the rooms, pick up a node and hover it over the highlighted areas on the map. If the adjacent room is related, it will show an increased level. Note that higher-level rooms lead to risky encounters, but they also have better rewards.

Fighting Atziri

Atrizi can drop exclusive Unique items (Image via GGG)

Simply reaching Atziri’s chambers isn’t enough to access the pinnacle fight in Path of Exile 2, as you first need to defeat the Temple Architect. After doing so, you’ll gain the ‘Royal Access Chamber’ node. Placing it on the Temple map is the only way to gain an audience with the Queen.

Once assigned, make your way to the Royal Access Chamber and use the portal to challenge the Queen of Vaal. Being a pinnacle boss means she’ll have a variety of exclusive Unique loot drops that are coming with patch 0.4.

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Edited by Mayank Singh Rathour