Path of Exile's Betrayal League, introduced in December 2018 alongside patch 3.5, added one of the game's most intricate and long-standing systems: the Immortal Syndicate. Even years later, Betrayal remains a staple of endgame content, thanks to its rewarding mechanics, depth of customization, and the enduring popularity of veiled items.

This guide breaks down how the Betrayal system works in modern Path of Exile, including its core mechanics, how to manipulate the Syndicate board, and updates coming in Patch 3.26.

Betrayal League Mechanics Explained

Throughout your journey in Wraeclast, you'll meet Jun Ortoi, a Veiled Master investigating a secret organization known as the Immortal Syndicate. Her mission becomes your mission: track, interrogate, and dismantle the Syndicate's operations.

Syndicate Encounter Types

The Syndicate operates across four departments, each with unique encounter mechanics:

1. Transportation

·Syndicate members escort a caravan of cargo.

·Defeat them before they reach the destination.

·Expect reinforcements mid-fight.

2. Fortification

·Members are holed up in a barricaded outpost.

·Break down doors while avoiding defensive turrets.

·Fast-paced with tight quarters.

3. Research

·Enter an underground lab where members are destroying evidence.

·You must stop them before all intel is lost.

·High chaos and dense mob packs.

4. Intervention

·Syndicate strikes back!

·A surprise ambush during another map activity.

·Often, the most dangerous is due to a lack of preparation.

Syndicate Investigation: Your Strategic Toolbox

After every successful encounter, you're given dialogue choices for dealing with Syndicate members. These affect relationships, positions on the board, and intelligence gain.

Post-Encounter Options:

1. Interrogate

·Removes the member from future encounters for 3 turns.

·Grants intelligence to their department.

2. Bargain

·Accept a bribe or use what you buy POE orbs in exchange for release.

·Only available if one member is present.

3. Execute

·Kills the member, but increases their rank (up to 3 stars).

·Higher rank = more powerful safehouse rewards.

4. Betray

·Incites betrayal against another member.

·Creates rivalry, potentially destabilizing alliances.

The Syndicate Board: Structure and Strategy

The Syndicate consists of 18 members, all assigned to one of four departments:

·Transportation

·Fortification

·Research

·Intervention

Each member has:

·A position (underling, lieutenant, or leader)

·A rank (0 to 3 stars)

·A relationship with others (green = ally, red = rival)

Board Connection Colors:

·Green: Friendly connection

·Red: Rivalry

·Yellow: Shared department

You can manipulate the board by choosing different outcomes in encounters. For example:

·Move strong members into desired safehouses.

·Promote high-value members for better rewards.

·Create rivalries to weaken group cohesion.

Safehouse Progress:

Once a department hits 100% intelligence, Jun allows you to raid the safehouse.

Safehouse Raids

Safehouses are special dungeons tied to the four departments. When you raid a safehouse:

·You face all members assigned to that department.

·The leader's rank and the roles of others determine loot outcomes.

·You'll receive intelligence toward the Mastermind.

Safehouses yield:

·Veiled items with exclusive mods

·Crafting unlocks

·Map fragments

·Currency bundles

·Special signature mods from certain members

Mastermind Encounter: Catarina, Master of Undeath

Once you gather enough intelligence from safehouses, you can raid the Mastermind's Lair.

·Boss: Catarina

·Minimum level: 68

·Difficulty: Very high- bring a strong build and defensive layers

Tip: Catarina also drops veiled gear with high-end support gem level/quality mods/POE currency- extremely valuable for min-maxed builds.

Betrayal League in 3.26: Major QoL Updates

With the 3.26 update, Grinding Gear Games is implementing long-awaited improvements:

Unveiling Streamlined

·No need to visit Jun anymore.

·Right-click to unveil veiled items anywhere.

·Speeds up the entire crafting and mod-hunting process.

Unlocking Crafting Mods

·Previously, unveiling items was the only way to unlock veiled crafts.

·In 3.26, many veiled crafts are now available via endgame content, adding flexibility.

More changes to Betrayal will be revealed on June 5, 2025, including potential revamps to:

·Safehouse balance

· Catarina's boss's mechanics

·Drop tables and veiled mod availability

Tips for Maximizing Betrayal Rewards

·Atlas Passive Tree: Invest in Betrayal nodes to increase spawn rate and safehouse rewards.

·Use Betrayal Scarabs: Guarantees encounters in maps.

·Focus on High-Rank Leaders: Always execute to promote them.

·Avoid Interrogating High-Value Members: They won't spawn again for 3 turns, slowing progression.

·Stack Rivalries: Makes fights more chaotic but increases your options.

Conclusion

The Betrayal system in Path of Exile remains one of the most rewarding and mechanically rich league mechanics. Whether you're farming veiled crafts for endgame crafting, targeting specific Uniques like the Cinderswallow Urn, or just manipulating the board for fun, there's a deep strategy layer beneath every encounter.

With the upcoming 3.26 update, Betrayal will become even more accessible and rewarding, making this the perfect time to get familiar with the Syndicate and master the mechanics.