Path of Exile 2 patch 0.3: New Act Structure and Path of Exile 2 Currency Sprint Feature

The upcoming Path of Exile 2 patch 0.3, titled The Third Edict, is set to change the way players experience the campaign. Two of the biggest community complaints-repeating the campaign under Cruel difficulty and the slow pace of traversal on oversized maps-are finally being addressed.

The update introduces a brand-new Act 4 with a non-linear campaign structure and a Sprint mechanic that gives players more control over movement speed. Together, these updates not only make the leveling process more engaging but also significantly faster.

Here's a breakdown of how the campaign flow will change with Act 4, how the new Sprint mechanic works, and what these adjustments mean for both casual and veteran Path of Exile 2 players.

Act 4 in Path of Exile 2: A Non-Linear Campaign Shake-Up

One of the defining features of Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict (0.3) is the addition of Act 4, which takes players to the Karui Archipelago. This marks a major milestone in the game's story progression and a clear shift from the linear Act design that defined earlier stages of the campaign.

Exploring the Karui Archipelago

In Act 4, players set sail from Kingsmarch to a series of eight unique islands. For the first time in Path of Exile 2, players are given the freedom to choose which island to explore first. This non-linear approach allows adventurers to tackle bosses, challenges, and monster types in their preferred order.

Each island contains new encounters, with 12 unique bosses and over 100 new monster types, giving the campaign a fresh sense of unpredictability. Returning fans may recognize some of these islands from early demo footage, but now they will be integrated fully into the main storyline.

The End of Replaying Campaign Difficulty Modes

Perhaps the most important part of Act 4 is not just its content but its impact on campaign progression overall. In previous iterations of Path of Exile, players had to replay the campaign multiple times across different difficulty modes (Normal, Cruel, and Merciless) before reaching the endgame.

With patch 0.3, Cruel difficulty is officially gone. Instead of forcing players to repeat content, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) is expanding the campaign through additional Acts and Interlude chapters that transition smoothly into endgame content. This is a massive quality-of-life improvement, reducing the grind and making the road to POE 2 Exalted Orbs for sale endgame much more engaging.