In the upcoming Path of Exile 3.22 league, there's a new Keystone called Extreme Archaeology, and it's generating a lot of excitement within the community. Expedition, the mechanic this Keystone revolves around, is undeniably one of the most popular and loved league mechanics in the game. Let's take a closer look at Extreme Archaeology and what it brings to the table.

 

• Overview of Extreme Archaeology Keystone
• A Massive Change to Expedition Encounters
• The Importance of Range
• Impact on Your Playstyle
• Dealing with Damage Immunity
• Consider Multi-Damage Archetype Builds
• Conclusion

 

 

↖ Overview of Extreme Archaeology Keystone

The most significant aspect of this Keystone is the explosive radius increase, but there are a few crucial points to understand about how it affects Expedition encounters.

Keystone Effect：

• 200% increased Explosive Radius in your Maps
• 100% increased Explosive Placement Range in your Maps
• Expedition Monsters in your Maps spawn with an additional 10% of Life missing Number of Explosives is one

 

↖ A Massive Change to Expedition Encounters

Extreme Archaeology completely changes how Expedition encounters play out. Instead of placing multiple regular explosives, you now place one gigantic explosive at every chest or monster. Every Remnant in the blast radius of this massive explosion affects all the monsters within, making it incredibly powerful.

 

↖ The Importance of Range

The increased explosive placement range may seem less crucial, but it's more important than you might think. The one big bomb can now have some range outside of the detonator, affecting enemies beyond the immediate area. While it may not have a massive impact, it can be surprisingly useful.

 

↖ Impact on Your Playstyle

Players should be aware that with the Extreme Archaeology Keystone, all monsters will spawn at once instead of being staggered. This means you won't be able to fight them off in waves, and it might pose a challenge, especially during early league starts.

 

↖ Dealing with Damage Immunity

One significant downside to be cautious about is the increased life per Remnant for Expedition monsters. Additionally, the monsters tend to have a large aggro radius, and some may even have damage immunities. This could be problematic if your build focuses on a single damage archetype.

 

↖ Consider Multi-Damage Archetype Builds

To overcome the potential damage immunity issues, consider using a multi-damage archetype build. Builds that deal a fairly even amount of fire, cold, and lightning damage can be incredibly effective. A "Trinity" build, focusing on these three elements, is a suitable choice. This way, you won't have to worry about hitting a Remnant with an immunity to your primary damage type.

 

↖ Conclusion

Extreme Archaeology is an exciting Keystone that opens up new possibilities for players who love the Expedition mechanic. However, it's crucial to be aware of the changes it brings to encounters and how it might impact your build's performance, especially when dealing with damage immunity.

 

As the new league begins, consider your build carefully and choose one that can handle the challenges posed by the Extreme Archaeology Keystone. With the right approach, you'll be able to enjoy the Expedition mechanic to its fullest potential.