In an era dominated by sequel hype, Grinding Gear Games has proven that the original POE 3.28 Currency is far from finished. The March 2026 release of the 3.28 Mirage expansion has injected new life into the decade-old action RPG, and at the center of this renaissance is the Reliquarian Ascendancy for the Scion class . This new ascendancy is not just a set of passive bonuses; it is a rotating museum of the game's most iconic Unique items, offering a level of build flexibility rarely seen in the genre.

The Reliquarian Ascendancy fundamentally changes how players approach character building in Path of Exile 1. Unlike traditional ascendancies that provide static thematic bonuses, the Reliquarian allows the Scion to internalize the powers of specific Unique items without equipping them . The passive tree is divided into several display cases: Armour, Caster Weapon, Martial Weapon, and Jewellery . By investing Ascendancy points, players can, for example, gain the +60 to all attributes from the Astramentis Onyx Amulet via the Jewellery Display node, or the defensive layers of The Brass Dome body armour through the Armour Display .

The most exciting aspect of the Reliquarian Ascendancy is its dynamic nature. The specific Unique items available in these displays are intended to rotate with every new Challenge League . This design ensures that the meta for Path of Exile 1 will never stagnate. A build that is dominant in the current Mirage league, utilizing passives like the 40% chance for elemental resistances to count as 90% from Kiloava's Bluster, may require a complete rework in the next patch when different items are featured .

Beyond the sheer novelty, the Reliquarian enables synergistic power that is difficult to achieve elsewhere. Because the ascendancy grants the effects of items, these bonuses stack multiplicatively with your actual equipped gear. The PoEDB datamine confirms nodes that allow you to reserve life for powerful buffs via Jack, the Axe, or turn your equipped shield’s armor into a massive defensive layer with Prospero's Protection . Early community feedback on the Path of Exile forums highlights the class as a theorycrafter’s paradise, though players note that the node arrangement requires careful planning to reach the most powerful notables .

The 3.28 Mirage expansion and its Reliquarian Ascendancy represent a commitment to innovation in Path of Exile 1. As Grinding Gear Games continues to support the original game alongside its sequel, the Reliquarian stands as a testament to the infinite possibilities of Wraeclast, rewarding veteran knowledge with every league rotation .