Path of Exile’s 3.28 “Mirage” League features a new ascendancy: the Reliquarian, available for the Scion. This class arrives with a unique design, challenging players to rethink how their builds can benefit from powerful modifiers inspired by game's most famous Unique items—without actually equipping them. The new ascendancy breathes some fresh ideas into both league start and endgame build strategies, offering new approaches for those eager to try something off the beaten path.

This blog will give you a clear introduction to the Reliquarian's skills and mechanics, spotlight special gear and gems, then move onto starter build theorycrafting before touching on some early endgame possibilities.

PoE 3.28 Reliquarian Ascendancy Build Guide

Inspired by the Legacy of Phrecia’s exclusive "Scavenger" ascendancy, the Reliquarian lets you gain powers drawn from a rotating pool of Unique item effects. Unlike the Scavenger, the Reliquarian swaps its menu of options each league, so builds can feel different and fresh with every update.

What makes this ascendancy stand apart is that players pick a selection of "display" nodes, echoing three categories of Uniques: Armor, Weapon, and Jewelry. The result is a set of powers that interact in ways not possible with traditional itemization.

Reliquarian Skills (Minor Skills & Notable Skills)

The core mechanic of the Reliquarian is to let you access very specific, frequently build-enabling effects from Uniques, directly from your ascendancy, not your inventory. Each category (armor, weapon, and jewelry) offers a notable that emulates the power of several pre-selected Uniques, but only one may be chosen per category.

Some of the revealed (or speculated) nodes include:

• Victario's Influence: Grants stronger auras and increases Aura Gem levels, aiding aura-centric strategies.

• Jack, the Axe: Adds substantial bleed damage, giving a nod to classic axe bleed builds.

• Terminus Est: Provides Frenzy Charge generation for Flicker Strike, freeing up gear slots.

• Astramentis: Supplies a massive boost to all attributes, which is helpful for stat-stacking builds.

• Brass Dome: Offers high defenses, but with certain tradeoffs.

Reliquarian passives shift each league, and some effects may receive tuning (buffs or nerfs) based on power level. While the ascendancy offers up to five points to spend (or six if skipping jewelry), nodes from Reliquarian are unavailable to Forbidden Flame/Flesh jewels, keeping the class exclusive for Scions.

Reliquarian Gear (Uniques & Gems)

Since the Reliquarian’s design grants the main Unique item effects through ascendancy, it changes gear decision-making. Instead of being required to wear that crucial helmet or amulet, those bonuses arrive from your skill tree.

Still, certain builds may benefit from doubling up: stacking ascendancy effects with real Uniques. For example, combining the Astramentis node with the necklace itself amplifies all-attribute stacking for a huge stat pool. Similarly, stacking a quiver effect (pre-nerf Widowhail, later replaced) with a real quiver multiplied its benefits—though some of these interactions were quickly revised.

For gems, the reliance on Unique effects broadens your freedom:

• Aura setups love Victario's Influence or Brass Dome for extra levels and radius.

• Bleed builds look toward Jack, the Axe, sometimes mixing with gems like Bleed Support.

• Spell builds using Astral Projector shift nova spells to your mouse, like Glacial Cascade Mines or Volatile Dead.

• Minion builds can seek out main hand crit transfer from Maata’s Teaching.

Gem choices remain broad, as nearly any active skill can benefit, depending on the Unique powers you select.

Reliquarian League Starter Builds (Theorycrafting)

Early Reliquarian builds for league start are all about combining Unique effects for practical leveling. Here are a few promising starter options imagined for patch 3.28:

1. Aura Herald

• Nodes Chosen: Victario's Influence (Aura bonuses), Astramentis (+All Attributes), Prospero’s Protection (block and shield armor).

• Why Start Here: All-attribute requirements become easy, allowing flexible gear, while boosted auras make leveling and group play smoother.

2. Bleed Scion

• Nodes Chosen: Jack, the Axe (more bleed), Grace of the Goddess (offensive shield bonus), Heartbreaker (culling strike).

• Why Start Here: Leverages reliable bleed mechanics and solid offensive scaling right out of the gate. Works with any 2H axe or sword with bleed support.

3. Flicker Strike Scion

• Nodes Chosen: Terminus Est (Frenzy charge generation), Brass Dome (high armor), Warped Timepiece (cooldown manipulation).

• Why Start Here: Flicker Strike’s dependence on maintaining charges is lifted, so you’re free to use your favorite chest armor and push mobility to the limit.

4. Pyroclast Mine/Spell Stacker

• Nodes Chosen: Astral Projector (novas at cursor), Victario’s Influence (+2 Aura Gem levels), Heartbreaker (spell cull).

• Why Start Here: Allows fun spell play without needing Astral Projector ring, offers efficient clearspeed and safer screen-wide damage.

5. Minion Crit Specialist

• Nodes Chosen: Maata’s Teachings (minion crit chance scaling), Kitava’s Feast (leech for minions), Warped Timepiece (action speed tricks).

• Why Start Here: Synergizes with minion skills that reward high attack crit, like Dominating Blow or Animate Weapon.

Many of these starting setups offer a smoother path through early acts since you're not locked into strict unique requirements. Theorycrafters will want to mix and match nodes based on the league’s pool.

Reliquarian Endgame Builds (To Be Updated)

As more information comes available post-launch, expect this section to grow with powerful, efficient, and creative endgame builds using Reliquarian. Early impressions suggest:

• Stat-stackers double-dipping with Astramentis.

• Bow setups leveraging quiver effect amplification (as permitted by current nodes).

• Spell combinations built around nova repositioning (Astral Projector) combined with culling or gem level increases.

Since the ascendancy changes each league, some build-favorites may only be present for one expansion. Flexibility and creative planning will be the hallmarks of long-term Reliquarian success.