- Thu Jan 22, 2026 4:28 am
#3295
Grinding Gear Games has dropped a surprise announcement that has long-time Path of Exile players buzzing: the Legacy of Fia event returns on January 29, bringing with it scrapped systems, experimental mechanics, and one of the most unusual endgame structures PoE has ever seen.
For veterans who remember the original event—and for newcomers curious about “what could have been”—Legacy of Fia is less a league and more a what-if sandbox where unfinished ideas finally get their moment in the spotlight.
What Is Legacy of Fia?
Legacy of Fia is an alternate-rule event that revives mechanics and systems that were once heavily developed but ultimately cut from the core game.
The most important additions include:
19 completely unique ascendancy classes
A full Atlas replacement called Idols
Global zone modifiers across the entire game
Buffed bosses and new encounter mechanics
This is not Path of Exile “with tweaks.” It's an intentionally unstable,with buy POE currency high-variance environment designed to push builds, economy, and player knowledge to the edge.
19 Experimental Ascendancies (With Balance Passes)
The headline feature is the return of 19 alternate ascendancies, many of which were never balanced for long-term play.
In the original Legacy of Fia:
Ancestral Commander dominated the meta
Entire archetypes were invalidated overnight
Interesting but risky options like Gambler were ignored
This time, GGG has confirmed a balance pass to prevent a single ascendancy from completely overshadowing the rest. That alone dramatically improves the event's replayability and build diversity.
Some ascendancies include:
6- and 8-point nodes that demand full investment
Nodes with powerful upside paired with neutral or negative prerequisites
Mechanics that would never survive in the core game
This is the kind of design space PoE rarely explores anymore—and that's exactly why the event is appealing.
The Atlas Is Gone — Welcome to Idols
Instead of the Atlas passive tree, Legacy of Fia introduces Idols, a system best described as jewels for your Atlas.
How Idols Work
Drop from map bosses (50% chance)
Added to the core loot pool
Cannot be crafted with normal currency
Can be recombined, at a significant gold cost
This creates a massive gold sink, especially for players chasing perfect setups.
Why Idols Matter
Idols allow extreme specialization. If you're willing to commit, you can juice specific content far beyond what's possible in the normal game.
However, lessons were learned from the past.
Broken, But Not That Broken (Economy Expectations)
The last time Legacy of Fia ran, it was infamous for:
Rogue Exile idol stacking
Hyperinflation
Trade league economies collapsing
Players looting double-digit Mirrors
That specific exploit has been completely removed.
That said, don't expect stability.
This event will still feature:
A highly volatile economy
Massive wealth gaps
Strong incentives for top-end power gamers
GGG seems fully aware of this, which is likely why Legacy of Fia will only run for three weeks. It's long enough to explore the systems—but not long enough for the economy to spiral beyond recovery.
Global Zone Modifiers: Danger Everywhere
Every zone in the game will now roll a random number of modifiers, scaling with area level.
Think of it as:
Permanent “risk scarabs”
Applied to every zone, not just maps
Some modifiers are removed (like reflect), but others can be brutal:
Physical damage added as extra elemental damage
Monster penetration
High-damage scaling combinations
These modifiers are expected to grant:
Increased quantity
Increased rarity
Increased pack size
In short: more loot, more danger, everywhere.
Bosses Get Meaner — Much Meaner
Legacy of Fia also buffs:
Campaign bosses
Pinnacle bosses
Some encounters may include mechanics inspired by Gauntlet events, such as:
Maven-style interference
Additional phases or pressure mechanics
On top of that:
All unique monsters enrage at low life
This makes Hardcore especially lethal. If you're looking for a serious challenge, this event delivers—but it will not be forgiving.
League Rules, Transfers, and SSF Concerns
Game Modes
The announcement currently lists:
Standard
Hardcore Solo Self-Found
The wording implies these may be bundled together rather than selectable independently. If intentional, this is almost certainly going to trigger backlash—particularly from Softcore SSF players—and may be revised.
Character Transfers
The event is not voided
Characters transfer to the parent league
Ascendancy points will be fully reset (these ascendancies don't exist in the base game)
Forbidden Flame & Flesh Clarification
Based on previous Fia events:
Forbidden Flame and Flesh still drop
They grant base game ascendancies, not Fia-specific ones
There will be no Forbidden jewels for Fia ascendancies
This is intentional. Some Fia ascendancies are balanced around extreme point investment and would be wildly broken if accessed indirectly.
Mystery Box Rewards (Nice, But Not the Reason to Play)
One mystery box at level 50
One mystery box at level 90
No duplicates per reward tier
As always, these are a bonus—not a reason to grind if the event itself doesn't appeal to you.
Console Players Rejoice: Full Platform Support
For the first time, Legacy of Fia will run on all platforms, including consoles.
That alone makes this a major event for a segment of the POE currency community that often misses out on experimental leagues.
Asynchronous Trade: The Wildcard
With asynchronous trade now in the game:
Idol collection is easier than ever
Market reactions will be instant
Streamer-hyped setups will skyrocket in price overnight
Expect:
Extreme volatility
Massive price swings
Fast booms and crashes
Less friction means more chaos—and in Legacy of Fia, chaos is the point.
Final Thoughts: A Short, Wild Ride Worth Taking
Legacy of Fia isn't meant to replace Path of Exile's core systems. It doesn't have the long-term staying power of the Atlas, and GGG knows it.
What it does offer is:
Experimental design
Build diversity you won't see anywhere else
A dangerous, loot-rich world
Three weeks of pure PoE insanity
If that sounds fun, this is an event worth jumping into—because when Legacy of Fia ends, it's gone again.
For veterans who remember the original event—and for newcomers curious about “what could have been”—Legacy of Fia is less a league and more a what-if sandbox where unfinished ideas finally get their moment in the spotlight.
What Is Legacy of Fia?
Legacy of Fia is an alternate-rule event that revives mechanics and systems that were once heavily developed but ultimately cut from the core game.
The most important additions include:
19 completely unique ascendancy classes
A full Atlas replacement called Idols
Global zone modifiers across the entire game
Buffed bosses and new encounter mechanics
This is not Path of Exile “with tweaks.” It's an intentionally unstable,with buy POE currency high-variance environment designed to push builds, economy, and player knowledge to the edge.
19 Experimental Ascendancies (With Balance Passes)
The headline feature is the return of 19 alternate ascendancies, many of which were never balanced for long-term play.
In the original Legacy of Fia:
Ancestral Commander dominated the meta
Entire archetypes were invalidated overnight
Interesting but risky options like Gambler were ignored
This time, GGG has confirmed a balance pass to prevent a single ascendancy from completely overshadowing the rest. That alone dramatically improves the event's replayability and build diversity.
Some ascendancies include:
6- and 8-point nodes that demand full investment
Nodes with powerful upside paired with neutral or negative prerequisites
Mechanics that would never survive in the core game
This is the kind of design space PoE rarely explores anymore—and that's exactly why the event is appealing.
The Atlas Is Gone — Welcome to Idols
Instead of the Atlas passive tree, Legacy of Fia introduces Idols, a system best described as jewels for your Atlas.
How Idols Work
Drop from map bosses (50% chance)
Added to the core loot pool
Cannot be crafted with normal currency
Can be recombined, at a significant gold cost
This creates a massive gold sink, especially for players chasing perfect setups.
Why Idols Matter
Idols allow extreme specialization. If you're willing to commit, you can juice specific content far beyond what's possible in the normal game.
However, lessons were learned from the past.
Broken, But Not That Broken (Economy Expectations)
The last time Legacy of Fia ran, it was infamous for:
Rogue Exile idol stacking
Hyperinflation
Trade league economies collapsing
Players looting double-digit Mirrors
That specific exploit has been completely removed.
That said, don't expect stability.
This event will still feature:
A highly volatile economy
Massive wealth gaps
Strong incentives for top-end power gamers
GGG seems fully aware of this, which is likely why Legacy of Fia will only run for three weeks. It's long enough to explore the systems—but not long enough for the economy to spiral beyond recovery.
Global Zone Modifiers: Danger Everywhere
Every zone in the game will now roll a random number of modifiers, scaling with area level.
Think of it as:
Permanent “risk scarabs”
Applied to every zone, not just maps
Some modifiers are removed (like reflect), but others can be brutal:
Physical damage added as extra elemental damage
Monster penetration
High-damage scaling combinations
These modifiers are expected to grant:
Increased quantity
Increased rarity
Increased pack size
In short: more loot, more danger, everywhere.
Bosses Get Meaner — Much Meaner
Legacy of Fia also buffs:
Campaign bosses
Pinnacle bosses
Some encounters may include mechanics inspired by Gauntlet events, such as:
Maven-style interference
Additional phases or pressure mechanics
On top of that:
All unique monsters enrage at low life
This makes Hardcore especially lethal. If you're looking for a serious challenge, this event delivers—but it will not be forgiving.
League Rules, Transfers, and SSF Concerns
Game Modes
The announcement currently lists:
Standard
Hardcore Solo Self-Found
The wording implies these may be bundled together rather than selectable independently. If intentional, this is almost certainly going to trigger backlash—particularly from Softcore SSF players—and may be revised.
Character Transfers
The event is not voided
Characters transfer to the parent league
Ascendancy points will be fully reset (these ascendancies don't exist in the base game)
Forbidden Flame & Flesh Clarification
Based on previous Fia events:
Forbidden Flame and Flesh still drop
They grant base game ascendancies, not Fia-specific ones
There will be no Forbidden jewels for Fia ascendancies
This is intentional. Some Fia ascendancies are balanced around extreme point investment and would be wildly broken if accessed indirectly.
Mystery Box Rewards (Nice, But Not the Reason to Play)
One mystery box at level 50
One mystery box at level 90
No duplicates per reward tier
As always, these are a bonus—not a reason to grind if the event itself doesn't appeal to you.
Console Players Rejoice: Full Platform Support
For the first time, Legacy of Fia will run on all platforms, including consoles.
That alone makes this a major event for a segment of the POE currency community that often misses out on experimental leagues.
Asynchronous Trade: The Wildcard
With asynchronous trade now in the game:
Idol collection is easier than ever
Market reactions will be instant
Streamer-hyped setups will skyrocket in price overnight
Expect:
Extreme volatility
Massive price swings
Fast booms and crashes
Less friction means more chaos—and in Legacy of Fia, chaos is the point.
Final Thoughts: A Short, Wild Ride Worth Taking
Legacy of Fia isn't meant to replace Path of Exile's core systems. It doesn't have the long-term staying power of the Atlas, and GGG knows it.
What it does offer is:
Experimental design
Build diversity you won't see anywhere else
A dangerous, loot-rich world
Three weeks of pure PoE insanity
If that sounds fun, this is an event worth jumping into—because when Legacy of Fia ends, it's gone again.
- By jornw