Path of Exile Patch 3.27 shakes up the meta, bringing significant improvements to underperforming Ascendancies and skill gems, while applying targeted nerfs to a handful of once-dominant setups. Overall, the update rewards active, flask-focused, and crit-oriented builds, while pet-based and auto-scaling builds take a slight hit. Here's a detailed look at the winners and losers of this League.Don't wait for victory-buy your POE currency and start ruling the kingdom!

Ascendancy Buffs:Builds on the Rise

1.Pathfinder

Pathfinder continues to shine as a top-tier starter, particularly for flask-centric builds. Master Distiller received major upgrades to flask bonuses:

Bismuth Flask:25% Elemental Resistance penetration (up from 20%)

Diamond Flask:250% increased Critical Strike Chance (up from 150%)

Amethyst Flask:37% of Physical Damage as Extra Chaos Damage (up from 25%)

These enhancements make Pathfinder even stronger for elemental and chaos builds that rely heavily on flask usage, rewarding players who optimize their gear and Path of Exile items for maximum effect.

2. Necromancer

Necromancers rejoice as Corpse Pact now scales faster, granting 4% increased attack and cast speed per corpse consumed. This change accelerates the stacking potential, improving the efficiency of corpse-dependent skills such as Reap, Volatile Dead, and Detonate Dead, and creating smoother, faster-paced gameplay.

3. Assassin

The Assassin sees one of the most dramatic overhauls. Focused on poison, critical strikes, and consistent uptime, the reworked Unstable Infusion now triggers a Level 30 Assassin Mark on every critical hit, maintaining near-constant mark uptime. Along with enhanced power charge generation, Assassin builds like Poison Blade Vortex and Venom Gyre now excel as crit-based poison powerhouses.

4. Cyclone

Cyclone finally catches up after previous underperformance. The skill now deals 20% more base damage at all gem levels, boosting both early-game and endgame performance. With broader melee balance improvements, Cyclone Slayers and Champions return to competitive viability.

5. Exsanguinate & Reap

Physical Damage over Time builds receive a boost with 15% increased base Physical DoT damage per second. This solidifies Exsanguinate/Reap Occultists and Tricksters as strong choices for mapping and bossing alike, offering consistent performance without excessive investment.

6. Hexblast

Hexblast strengthens its niche role in curse-focused builds. It now deals 200% more hit damage and 90% more ailment damage against Hexed enemies (previously 150% and 60%). While the 2-second cooldown remains, burst potential is now exceptional, benefiting self-curse and Doom builds significantly.

Biggest Nerfs:The Patch Hardest Hits

1.Trickster

Tricksters take multiple blows this patch:

Spellbreaker:No longer provides spell suppression

Soul Drinker:Loses 20% increased Attack and Cast Speed while leeching Energy Shield

One Step Ahead:Reduced action speed

Heartstopper:Slight buff, but remains weak

These changes may push Trickster out of top-tier League starter territory, encouraging players to explore more defensive or hybrid alternatives.

2. Elementalist

The Liege of the Primordial nerf cuts Golem buffs in half (50% cap, down from 100%), directly affecting Golemancer builds. While Elementalist remains strong overall, minion-based damage and survivability have dropped considerably.

3. Blink Arrow – Prismatic Clones

A favorite for budget-friendly mapping, this variant suffers severe reductions:

Clone duration reduced from 20s → 5s

Clone damage reduced by 20%

Still viable for early mapping, it is no longer a top low-investment starter.

4. Poisonous Concoction

Even with Assassin buffs, Poisonous Concoction sees its peak chaos damage lowered:

Added Chaos Damage:22–537 to 33–806 (down from 30–716 to 44–1073)

The skill remains fast and self-sustaining but loses dominance in high-tier maps.

5. Volcanic Fissure of Snaking

Once one of the most explosive skills, VFoS has been toned down:

No longer targets enemies hit by previous fissure explosions

Loses 50% more Area of Effect bonus

Clear speed and single-target damage have dropped sharply, limiting its high-tier viability.

Patch 3.27 favors active, flask-based, and crit-oriented builds, giving them a noticeable edge in both mapping and bossing. Meanwhile, pet-centric and auto-scaling builds face minor setbacks. Whether you're planning to upgrade your Path of Exile items or stock up on cheap POE currency from MMOexp for future Leagues, this patch reshapes the meta and sets the stage for a dynamic and exciting new season.