Summary
The 3.29.1 patch has arrived with a mix of quality-of-life improvements, mercenary buffs, and a new ducat system. However, the much-anticipated abyss changes have left many players disappointed. While abyss chests received loot buffs, the core issue—abyss monsters dropping almost no loot—remains completely unaddressed.
This guide covers everything in the patch, what actually improved, and why the abyss changes fell short of expectations. To test the changes quickly, buy POE currency and gear up instantly.
New Ducat System: A Welcome Addition
What the Ducat Does
The patch introduces a new ducat that allows players to transform the implicit on an amulet into any other implicit. This adds a new layer of crafting flexibility and is a genuinely positive addition to the game.
Quality-of-Life Improvements
The patch also includes a number of small improvements and quality-of-life changes. While not game-changing, these adjustments make the overall experience smoother. The full patch notes are linked below for players who want to read the complete list.
Mercenary Buffs: Significant Improvements for Luminary Class
Early and Mid-Game Mercenaries
The patch buffs all mercenaries below item level 83. This means mercenaries used in early and mid-game content are now more powerful, with increased damage and survivability. For players struggling with a mercenary on a Luminary class, this should make a noticeable difference.
End-Game Mercenaries
Mercenaries at item level 83 and above (tier 16 maps) remain unchanged. The buffs are specifically targeted at the progression phase, not the endgame.
Influence Mercenaries
Influence mercenaries are now twice as common in tier 16 maps. This reduces the grind required to find a good mercenary.
Support Gem Additions
The patch also increases the number of supports that mercenaries have, making it easier to build a powerful mercenary compared to before.
Abyss Changes: The Good and the Bad
What Was Buffed
The patch buffed abyss chest rewards. Changes include:
Reduced appearance and number of drops from chests
Increased quality and quantity of rewards from abyss chests
Removed currency and scarabs from certain drop tables
Improved loot from greater abyssal chests, which now offer vastly superior loot compared to non-greater versions
The chests do feel better than before. They now drop a few chaos orbs and sometimes five to seven scarabs. It is an improvement.
What Was Not Fixed
Despite the chest buffs, the core issue remains: abyss monsters still drop almost no loot. In a tier 16.5 max-juice map with 230% quantity, 180% rarity, 136% pack size, and 76% more currency, an abyss crystal spawns over 100 monsters in a single spot. The loot dropped was effectively nothing—not even an alteration orb.
This is the current state of abyss. Despite GGG acknowledging earlier in the week that abyss "did not land in terms of reward, and in some cases combat and density," the patch did not address these issues. There were no improvements to the base loot of abyss monsters, no changes to their terrible quantity multipliers, and no adjustments to combat or density.
The Problem with Tile Loot
The abyss chest buffs continue a worrying trend: tile loot (loot from chests and containers) is being prioritized over monster loot. In 3.28, GGG acknowledged that players wanted more loot from monsters and less from tiles. They improved base loot accordingly. However, in 3.29, the game is reverting to the old system where almost all loot comes from chests, not from monsters.
This is a questionable decision. If players want to farm abyss, all their loot will come from chests, which is tile loot. The monsters themselves remain unrewarding.
Why Players Are Disappointed
Abyss Was a Favorite Mechanic
Many players, including myself, consider abyss one of the best mechanics in Path of Exile 2. Seeing it imported into PoE 1 in its current state—essentially worthless—is frustrating. The mechanic is fun, but the loot is not worth the time investment.
Broken Promises
GGG acknowledged the issues with abyss days before the patch and promised iteration to improve it significantly. The patch did not deliver on that promise. The base loot of abyss monsters was not touched.
The State of Abyss
To put it simply: abyss in 3.29 is in a terrible state. A fully juiced map with max quantity, rarity, and pack size produces almost nothing from abyss monsters. The chests are better, but they do not make up for the lack of monster loot.
What the Patch Does Not Address
Monster Loot
The base loot of abyss monsters remains unchanged. They have terrible quantity multipliers for reasons that are unclear. The patch does not explain why abyss is in this state or when it will be fixed.
Combat and Density
GGG noted that combat and density were issues with abyss. Neither was addressed in this patch.
Communication
GGG has not communicated why abyss monsters have such low loot multipliers. Without explanation, players are left guessing whether the current state is intentional or a bug.
Final Thoughts
The 3.29.1 patch brings some positive changes. The new ducat system is a welcome addition. The mercenary buffs for the Luminary class are significant and make early and mid-game progression easier. The abyss chest buffs are noticeable and appreciated.
However, the failure to address the core issues with abyss is disappointing. Abyss monsters still drop almost no loot. The shift back to tile loot contradicts GGG's stated goals from 3.28. Players who enjoy abyss are left with a mechanic that is fun to play but not worth farming.
For now, the best advice is to avoid abyss as a primary farming strategy. The chest buffs make it better than before, but the monsters themselves are still unrewarding. Until GGG addresses the base loot of abyss monsters, the mechanic remains a disappointment. Your POE currency is better spent on more reliable farming strategies.
