~5 MIN
Intro
A deep dive into Fate of the Vaal, Atziri’s return, Vaal gems, Incursion speculation, and what this means for PoE 2’s future
When Grinding Gear Games dropped the Fate of the Vaal teaser, the community expected a normal “small preview”. Instead, it shook the entire theorycrafting scene. Not only does it hint at the return of Queen Atziri — one of the most iconic bosses in Path of Exile history — but it also suggests deep mechanical changes, potential new systems, and maybe even a genuine continuation of the storyline inside PoE 2.
This reveal isn’t “just another teaser.” It’s the clearest indicator yet that PoE 2 is about to enter its most ambitious phase: returning fan-favorite mechanics in fully reimagined form, pushing lore forward, and leaning hard into systems players have loved for more than a decade.
Let’s break down everything we know, everything we can safely predict, and why the community is buzzing.
What the Vaal Teaser Actually Shows
The reveal presents two massive clues:
1. A unique Vaal sword called Fate of the Vaal
A weapon tied directly to Atziri’s lore. Many players instantly wondered if this confirms swords as a new weapon class, though that’s still far-from certain.
2. Atziri herself — or a modern reinterpretation
The queen appears in cutscene-quality detail, communing with the Beast in what looks like a pre-fall Vaal moment. This visual alone sent the PoE community into meltdown — and for good reason.
What This Means for the Story — A Potential Act?
The biggest community question is simple:
Is PoE 2 about to receive a new story chapter tied to the Vaal?
The answer isn’t confirmed… but the teaser heavily implies something major:
- The voiceover references Vaal ritual themes.
- Visuals resemble late Act 3 lore (Doryani → Atziri → Beast).
- The title Fate of the Vaal suggests more than a mere side mechanic.
The theory gaining the most momentum:
A mini-campaign or extended story sequence bridging PoE 2’s new Act structure.
Even if it’s not a full act, it almost certainly ties into something larger than a normal league mechanic.
The Most Likely Scenario: Incursion 2.0
The strongest speculation is a reimagined Incursion system, because:
- Atziri → Vaal → Doryani → Time magic → Alva → Temples
All lore threads intersect perfectly. - Incursion already plays with “step into the past” mechanics.
- PoE 2 has already shown that several PoE1 systems are returning in new forms (e.g., Omnicorruption).
A modern Incursion could allow:
- Expanded temple encounters
- Large Vaal maps
- Boss layers culminating in Atziri
- New Vaal-themed monsters
- New spectres for summoners
- Time-travel sequences that matter
Everything lines up too cleanly to dismiss.
Confirmed by Implication: Vaal Skill Gems Are Returning
Vol/“Vaal” skills were defining features of PoE 1.
The teaser’s mechanics imply their return, and PoE 2 already has:
- Corruption
- Omnicorruption
- Vaal lore foundations
Expect Vaal skills to reappear in one of two possible systems:
1. The PoE1 System Returns
Regular skill + Vaal skill on the same gem
(e.g., Summon Skeletons + Vaal Summon Skeletons)
2. A New PoE2 System
Separate Vaal skills or Vaal supports
(much more flexible, and better for socket economy)
Either way, this update opens the door for extremely powerful ultimates that charge via soul mechanics.
Quick Refresher: How Vaal Soul Mechanics Work
For newer PoE players:
- Every monster killed generates souls
- Souls go to the closest entity capable of collecting them
- Once your Vaal gem is “full”, you can activate its super-charged version
- After activation, you enter soul gain prevention for a few seconds
Example:
If a melee ally stands closest, they get the souls. You won’t get them until they cap out.
PoE 2 could dramatically modernize this system — possibly making soul generation tied to actions, not just kills.
Why Atziri’s Return is a Big Deal
Veterans know: Atziri was the original “real” endgame boss in early PoE.
She was the foundation of:
- Hardcore boss progression
- Early meta builds
- The first super-chase uniques
- Vaal corruption as a mechanic
- The concept of Uber bosses
Her return symbolizes something bigger:
PoE 2 isn’t just a new game. It’s a successor built on the legacy players loved.
For minion players, this is even bigger — new Vaal-themed monsters = new spectres, new scaling options, new archetypes.
Possible New Additions This Teaser Points Toward
Here’s everything the community now believes is coming:
✔️ New monsters (highly likely)
The Vaal aesthetic suggests unique enemy families.
✔️ New spectres (very likely)
If there are new monsters, summoners get new toys.
✔️ Vaal skill gems (almost certain)
The teaser practically confirms it.
✔️ A revamped Incursion system (extremely likely)
All signs point toward it.
✔️ A possible story continuation (uncertain but plausible)
They wouldn’t show Atziri in a cinematic unless it mattered.
✔️ New unique weapons (confirmed)
The Fate of the Vaal sword is real — question is how deep sword integration goes.
Want Faster PoE 2 Progression?
If you’re planning to reroll for the new Vaal content or prep for endgame, these boosts will help you get ahead instantly:
- PoE 2 Divine Orbs – perfect for early gearing & crafting
- PoE 2 Exalted Orbs – reach strong crafting thresholds quicker
- PoE 2 Leveling Gear – smooth leveling for new characters
- PoE 2 Build Improvement Coaching – get your setup min-maxed for endgame
Final Thoughts — This Update Is PoE 2’s Turning Point
The Fate of the Vaal teaser shows one thing clearly:
PoE 2 is entering a much larger narrative and mechanical expansion phase than players expected.
This is not “just a league.”
This is not “just a teaser boss.”
This is the beginning of the Vaal era in PoE 2 — and likely the biggest reveal since the Druid showcase.
We’re getting:
- Story expansion potential
- Mechanical overhaul potential
- Vaal gems
- New monsters
- New builds
- New lore
- And possibly one of the most beloved bosses in ARPG history returning in modern form
PoE 2 is shaping up beautifully — and this update proves GGG isn’t holding back.