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Quick summary
content-update-0-3-0-the-third-edict-was-the-campaign-and-systems-overhaul-that-most-older-guides-warn-about-it-added-act-4-removed-cruel-difficulty-inserted-three-temporary-interludes-that-push-characters-to-level-65-and-launched-rise-of-the-abyssals
its-single-most-disruptive-mechanic-change-was-the-support-gem-overhaul-the-rule-that-one-support-could-only-be-used-once-per-character-was-removed-supports-could-be-repeated-multiple-supports-gained-tiers-and-eleven-new-supports-were-added
- act-4-added-cruel-difficulty-removed
- three-interludes-bridge-to-level-65
- rise-of-the-abyssals-league-launched
- support-gem-overhaul-removed-one-per-character-limit
- support-tiers-added-11-new-supports
- large-character-balance-essence-atlas-endgame-item-skill-changes
Historical context
Path of Exile 2 Early Access — 0.3.0 (The Third Edict)
All 'current' statements below are measured against client 0.5.4e.
before-0-3-0-the-campaign-ended-differently-and-support-gems-were-scarcer-per-character-the-third-edict-flattened-that-scarcity-and-re-structured-the-end-of-the-story
0-3-1-covered-separately-later-reworked-the-endgame-tablet-system-so-some-endgame-claims-here-were-refined-again-after-0-3-0
- 0-3-0-campaign-support-overhaul
- 0-3-1-endgame-tablet-rework-see-separate-page
Impact dashboard
Campaign
RestructuredAct 4 added, Cruel removed, three Interludes to L65. Old 'Acts 1-3 then Cruel' flow is gone.
Support Gems
OverhauledOne-per-character limit removed; Supports repeatable; tiers added.
League
NewRise of the Abyssals introduced Abyssal content that later fed the 0.4.0 Abyss-core promotion.
Balance
Large sweepBroad character balance pass touching most skills and ascendancies.
Crafting / Endgame
ChangedEssence, Atlas, Endgame, Item and Skill systems all adjusted; Tablet rework followed in 0.3.1.
Campaign impact
Support Gem overhaul
Removed one-per-character limit
A Support could previously be socketed only once per character. 0.3.0 removed that restriction.
Supports can repeat
The same Support can now appear in multiple links on one character.
Support tiers
Multiple Supports gained an additional tier, expanding scaling options.
11 new Supports
A batch of new Supports was added, several tied to the reworked systems.
Rise of the Abyssals impact
Abyssal content
IntroducedRise of the Abyssals brought Abyssal encounters that 0.4.0 later promoted to core.
Downstream
Fed 0.4.0The 0.4.0 Abyss-core promotion traces back to this league.
Crafting & Endgame impact
Essence changes
Essence acquisition and use were adjusted as part of the crafting pass.
Atlas adjustments
Atlas progression and rewards were re-tuned.
New Currency, Omens, Uniques, Maps
0.3.0 shipped new currency, Omens, Uniques and map types.
Endgame system changes
Broad Endgame adjustments; the Tablet system was reworked again in 0.3.1.
Then vs Now
Campaign endgame
Pre-0.3.0: replay on Cruel Difficulty after Acts 1-3.
0.3.0+: Act 4 + three Interludes to Level 65, no Cruel.
Support Gems
Pre-0.3.0: each Support usable only once per character.
0.3.0+: Supports repeatable, tiers added, 11 new.
Abyssals
Pre-0.3.0: no Rise of the Abyssals league.
0.3.0+: league launched; 0.4.0 promoted Abyss to core.
Returning player checklist
Unlearn Cruel Difficulty
Cruel was removed in 0.3.0. Any guide telling you to 'run Cruel' is obsolete; use Act 4 + Interludes instead.
Re-plan Support links
The one-per-character Support limit is gone; old 'only one of this Support' layouts under-use links.
Expect a re-tuned campaign to L65
Three Interludes now bridge Acts to Level 65; leveling routes changed.
Re-check Endgame after 0.3.1
Tablet/Atlas rules were reworked again in 0.3.1; don't stop at 0.3.0 claims.
Current applicability (0.5.4e)
| Mechanic | Status | Current rule (0.5.4e) | Superseded by | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Act 4 + Interludes | Still current | The 0.3.0 campaign structure (Act 4, no Cruel, three Interludes to L65) remains in 0.5.4e. | — | Campaign guide |
| Support one-per-character limit | Removed | Removed in 0.3.0; Supports are repeatable in 0.5.4e with tiers. | 0.3.0 | Support Gem page |
| Rise of the Abyssals league | Changed later | The league ran in 0.3.0; its Abyssal content was promoted to core in 0.4.0. | 0.4.0 (Abyss core) | Abyss farming guide |
| Endgame Tablet rules | Changed later | 0.3.0 Endgame changes were refined by the 0.3.1 Tablet rework. | 0.3.1 | Atlas / Tablet guide |
Affected content queue
| Content | Type | Trigger | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campaign guide | Guide | Act 4 + Cruel removal + Interludes | Rewrite leveling route; remove Cruel. | Reviewing |
| Support Gem page | Skill | One-per-character limit removed | Document repeatable Supports and tiers. | Queued |
| Old Cruel-specific builds | Build | Cruel removed | Re-validate progression assumptions. | Queued |
| Atlas / Tablet guide | Guide | 0.3.0 Endgame + 0.3.1 Tablet rework | Consolidate with 0.3.1 changes. | Queued |
Historical video
YouTube
0.3.0 The Third Edict — overview
What to watch for: 0.3.0 reveal; note Cruel removal and Support overhaul, which are still current.
Open source ↗FAQ
Is Cruel Difficulty still in the game?
no-cruel-was-removed-in-0-3-0-the-campaign-now-goes-acts-1-3-act-4-three-interludes-to-level-65
Can I use the same Support in multiple links now?
yes-0-3-0-removed-the-one-per-character-limit-supports-are-repeatable-and-several-have-added-tiers
What happened to Rise of the Abyssals?
it-was-the-0-3-0-league-its-abyssal-content-was-promoted-to-core-in-0-4-0-so-abyss-now-appears-in-regular-maps
Sources and verification
Act 4, Cruel removal, Interludes, Support overhaul, Rise of the Abyssals, balance and system changes.
Endgame Tablet rework that refined 0.3.0 Endgame claims.
Community-compiled current-state data for campaign and Support changes.
Information is compiled from public web sources and in-game observations; some visuals are original editorial diagrams. External information and images remain the property of their authors or platforms; contact us for removal requests.