We’ve combined both stories into one complete digest. From Mirage’s ground loot debate to Angormus’ historic speedrun – here’s everything you need to know.
📦 Part 1: Path of Exile 3.28 – Mirage League and the Eternal Ground Loot Debate
What Is the Mirage League?
The centerpiece of Path of Exile 3.28 is the Mirage system. When you’re in a map, you can encounter a Mirage – an “imperfect copy” of a section of your current map, complete with twisted versions of any league mechanics and objects inside its range.
Key features:
- Mirrors a portion of the map with altered mechanics
- About 90% of league mechanics work inside Mirage (exceptions: sub‑zones like Vaal side areas)
- Map bosses inside Mirage are augmented with “astral magic” – they have hazards and can drop enchanted maps
- Works with Blight, Delirium, and many other mechanics
What Do the Developers Say?
Game director Mark Roberts and designer Christopher ‘Octavian’ Laferriere sat down for an interview. A few highlights:
- Workload balance: Roberts admitted that splitting time between PoE 1 and PoE 2 was hurting his sanity. New designers (Octavian and “Andrew”) have taken over much of PoE 1’s workload. “It’s been an absolute savior of my sanity.”
- Octavian’s background: He has 16,000 hours in PoE 1 and is now full‑time on the original game. He loves mechanics that intertwine – and Mirage is his favorite.
Best Mechanics to Use in Mirage (According to Octavian)
The Ground Loot Problem – GGG’s Honest Admission
The debate about ground loot vs. crafting vs. chest drops is as old as PoE itself. Roberts calls it “a kind of ebb and flow situation.”
He reflects on past leagues like Necropolis and Affliction: “These things get crazy – often we just leave them for the league, or maybe we nerf it a bit… But it does kind of change people’s expectations of what they should be able to get.”
The problem is that PoE’s item drop system is incredibly complex. Roberts warns: “We have to be absolutely confident. Because if you break that, you brick everything. You have a little margin of error, but if you make the wrong decision and tilt something in the wrong place that’s really bad, you have a very short time window to correct that.”
“Long story short – we’re working on it. We’re aware of the problem. Yes, we need to work on improving ground drops, loot drops, drops from monsters, whatever you want to call it.”
Mirage will certainly help make ground loot feel more worthwhile, but it’s not a permanent fix. GGG is listening and plans more systemic changes.
Campaign Additions – Not Just Endgame
One of the most interesting tidbits: about 20 new side rooms are being added to the campaign. Each offers a small power boost if you find them. Some are obvious, some less so – but Octavian says they’ll all be found within a few days (“We’re not talking Fromsoft level”).
Roberts emphasizes that they want to keep the campaign fresh for players who don’t just map endlessly: “We want to make sure we retain a level of importance for the player base who just come back, play through the campaign, and then that’s it again.”
This is a shift from the “endgame, endgame, endgame” focus of recent years. Even mechanical leagues like Mirage will be paired with small campaign discoveries to keep the world feeling alive.
🏃 Part 2: Path of Exile 2 – Angormus Destroys Campaign Race Record (2:17:58)
While PoE 1 players are looking forward to Mirage, PoE 2’s Early Access scene is on fire. Veteran speedrunner Angormus just won an official GGG race event by completing the campaign to Tavakai (Act 4 final boss) in 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 58 seconds – on a Warrior.
The Run – What Made It Special?
Why This Matters
This is the first time a Warrior has claimed top spot in a high‑profile PoE 2 campaign race. Previously, other classes dominated. Angormus’ run proves that melee – often considered underpowered in early access – can be brutally efficient with the right build and routing.
Key optimization techniques:
- Perfect routing – skipping all optional content, using fast travel points cleverly
- Phase skips – bursting bosses before they can trigger mechanics
- Flask management – timing utility flasks for major boss phases
- Hybrid defense/mobility – Shield Charge as both gap closer and defensive repositioning tool
Community Reaction
Viewers on Twitch and social media praised the run as a “masterclass in efficiency.” Many noted how clean the execution was despite the live race pressure. The run has already become a reference point for anyone looking to optimize their own campaign clears.
What This Means for PoE 2’s Meta
The Fate of the Vaal league is still active, and the massive 0.5.0 update is looming (late April / early May). Race events have become a key testing ground for builds. Angormus’ success shows that Warrior – specifically the Titan ascendancy – is currently very strong for speed content.
With no character wipes planned for the 0.5.0 transition, players can continue refining strategies. The upcoming patch promises major endgame changes and a new league, so the meta may shift again – but for now, the Warrior holds the crown.
⚖️ Comparing the Two Path of Exile Worlds
💬 BuyCarry Team’s Verdict (Final)
We’ve read both stories, talked to our own PoE experts, and here’s our consolidated take.
On PoE 1 – Mirage League and Ground Loot
The Mirage system is clever and fun – but it’s a band aid, not a cure. GGG admits that ground loot has been broken for years, swinging between “too rewarding” (Affliction, Necropolis) and “too stingy.” The complexity of the item system makes changes risky, but Roberts’ honesty is refreshing.
What we’d like to see:
- A dedicated ground loot pass that doesn’t rely on league mechanics
- More transparency about drop rates (even if not full numbers)
- A long‑term solution before PoE 1’s player base migrates fully to PoE 2
For BuyCarry clients: If you’re frustrated by loot RNG, our farming guides and currency strategies can help you work smarter, not harder. Mirage will add new opportunities – we’ll have updated routes day one.
On PoE 2 – Angormus’ Speedrun
This run is genuinely impressive. Sub 2:20 on a Warrior – a class many wrote off – shows that PoE 2’s depth is already staggering, even in Early Access.
Why it matters for the community:
- Proves that melee builds can compete with ranged/spell builds
- Gives Warrior players a clear blueprint to follow
- Raises the bar for future races (expect attempts to break 2:10 soon)
For BuyCarry clients: If you want to clear the campaign fast – whether for racing, league starts, or just to reach endgame – we offer coaching and carry services. Angormus’ route is now part of our training material.
Final Thoughts
Grinding Gear Games is in a unique position: balancing two massive ARPGs simultaneously. PoE 1’s Mirage league addresses loot concerns in a creative way, but the long‑term problem remains. PoE 2’s speedrun record shows that the sequel already has incredible depth and a thriving competitive scene.
Our advice:
- PoE 1 players: Try Mirage – it’s fun and the loot boost is real. But don’t expect a permanent fix.
- PoE 2 players: Study Angormus’ run. Even if you’re not a speedrunner, his routing and skill choices will make your campaign clears faster.
And as always – if you want to skip the grind, beat your personal best, or just learn the most efficient strategies, BuyCarry is here to help. Both Path of Exile games are better with a pro by your side.
🎮 Our Path of Exile Services
- 🌌 PoE 1 Mirage League Boost – Master the new mechanic, farm ground loot efficiently, and unlock enchanted maps with our pros
- 🏃 PoE 2 Campaign Speedrun & Coaching – Learn Angormus’ routing and skill choices, or let our racers clear the campaign for you
- ⚔️ PoE 1 & PoE 2 Endgame & Boss Carry – From Uber bosses to endgame mapping, our boosters handle the hardest content
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1: When does Path of Exile 3.28 Mirage league launch?
A: Exact date not specified in the interview, but it’s the next league after the current one – expected within weeks of the article (published ~1 month ago). - Q2: Will Mirage fix ground loot permanently?
A: No. GGG says it will help and certainly boost ground loot, but they’re aware of the long‑term problem and are working on a broader solution. - Q3: What’s the best class to use in Mirage?
A: No official recommendation, but Octavian (designer) loves Blight and Delirium inside Mirage – so builds that excel at those mechanics are a safe bet. - Q4: Is Angormus’ PoE 2 speedrun the fastest ever?
A: It’s the fastest recorded in an official GGG race event on a Warrior. There may be faster unofficial runs, but this is the current benchmark for competitive racing. - Q5: Will the 0.5.0 update reset PoE 2 progress?
A: No character wipes are planned for the transition to 0.5.0. Your current progress will carry over. - Q6: Does BuyCarry offer services for both PoE 1 and PoE 2?
A: Yes – we cover campaign rushing, endgame farming, boss carries, and build consulting for both games. Contact us for details.