Path of Exile 1 is kicking off May 2025 with a fresh round of private league events. These events come at a time when Grinding Gear Games is preparing for the 3.26 update, slated for release in June. Until then, players are being treated to a unique set of league templates that offer new challenges and gameplay options - all within a temporary but highly customizable environment.
The idea for May’s private league promotion appears to have been influenced by the success of Pox’s private league, which gained momentum after the Settlers League was extended indefinitely. Seeing the community’s enthusiasm, Grinding Gear Games decided to offer a more structured and varied private league system for the month.
Private leagues serve as a middle ground between Solo Self-Found (SSF) and Trade League. While SSF restricts all trading and Trade League allows extensive player-to-player transactions, private leagues offer a smaller, more manageable trade economy. This setup allows for better use of resources that might otherwise be hoarded or inaccessible in the broader economy.
Start Date: May 1, 2025
End Date: May 15, 2025 (subject to change)
These private leagues are free to join and create during this two-week event window. After the event ends, the special templates will no longer be available.
In these special private leagues, players can choose from a range of pre-configured templates. Unlike standard private leagues where you toggle individual mods, these events are built around full templates combining multiple features and mechanics.
Key Features
Free to join: No payment is required to participate.
Available for a limited time: These templates are only accessible during the event period.
Softcore and Hardcore options: Each template can be played in either version.
Not voided: Characters and items will persist after the event ends, though the destination (Standard or Settlers League) is still to be clarified.
Grinding Gear Games initially categorized the templates into:
Close to base game
Moderate changes with added difficulty
Wildly different experiences
However, an alternate way to group these is by gameplay impact:
1. Similar to the Base Game
These templates include small to moderate changes and are best for those who enjoy standard mechanics with a twist:
Settlers
Settlers + Idols
Settlers + Alternate Ascendancies
Settlers + Shifting Stones
Settlers + Idols + Kalandra
Settlers + Shifting Stones + Atlas Invasion (borderline category)
2. Risk-Reward Mechanics
These templates inject extra tension and excitement by introducing powerful mechanics that make encounters tougher but more rewarding:
Settlers + Necropolis
Settlers + Affliction
Settlers + Alternate Ascendancies + Sentinels
Settlers + Necropolis + Beyond
Settlers + Shifting Stones + Atlas Invasion (could also fit here)
Mechanics Breakdown:
Shifting Stones: Each zone includes one content-specific keystone (e.g., Expedition, Legion).
Atlas Invasion: Every zone spawns five random Atlas bosses. These are scaled to zone level but offer high loot potential.
3. Boss-Focused Difficulty (Gauntlet Inspired)
These templates are based on modifications used in the community-run Gauntlet event — without the hardcore-only restriction:
Gauntlet Boss Augmentations
Gauntlet Global Modifiers
Settlers + Free Ascendancies + Gauntlet Mods
This setup lets players experience tough boss fights without the added pressure of permanent death or strict SSF rules.
If you're looking for a challenging yet rewarding experience, the best private league to create is:
Why this one?
It offers a high difficulty level with improved boss fights.
You gain access to alternate ascendancies, adding build variety.
You avoid the limitations of hardcore or SSF rules, making it suitable for most players.
It provides a strong level of engagement without being overly punishing.
This setup is ideal for those who want to test their skills, enjoy new character options, and experience the Gauntlet-style gameplay in a more relaxed setting.
Creating a League:
You can invite players by their account name.
Share a request-to-join link for friends and followers.
Use an unconditional join link (best for public leagues since these events are free and not restricted by slot limits).
Tip: Avoid approval-based invites unless you're ready to manually manage every request — it can become a tedious process.
Coordination Tips:
Join community channels or Discord servers to find or promote private leagues.
The example league mentioned is run in global channel 16807, featuring alternate ascendancies and Gauntlet mods in a softcore trade format.
Will these templates be permanent?
No. They're limited-time offerings for the event period only.
What happens to alternate ascendancies and idols after the event?
They won’t become a core feature but could return in future events.
Are characters voided after the event?
No. They will transfer to either the Standard or Settlers League.
How do mechanics like Affliction and Sentinels work?
It’s expected that these will appear in 100% of zones, similar to their presence in tier 16+ maps. However, this could vary slightly based on interpretation.
The May 2025 private league event in Path of Exile 1 is a great opportunity to try fresh content combinations, test your skills against upgraded bosses, and enjoy a more balanced trading environment. With a wide range of templates and difficulty levels, there's something for nearly every kind of player - from the casual to the highly competitive.
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