PoE Arbitrary Tenets

Arbitrary Tenets

Arbitrary Tenets is an Atlas passive skill and Atlas keystone, specifically for the Ritual league encounter.

• Favours at Ritual Altars in your Maps randomly cost between 90% less and 80% more

AI Guides

In Path of Exile, Ritual encounters offer players the opportunity to accumulate Tribute by defeating waves of enemies, which can then be spent on powerful rewards at Ritual Altars. The Arbitrary Tenets Atlas Keystone introduces a unique twist to this system, adding an element of unpredictability to the cost of these rewards. For players who enjoy the thrill of uncertainty and the potential for great deals—or significant overpayments—Arbitrary Tenets offers a compelling challenge.

What is Arbitrary Tenets?

Arbitrary Tenets is an Atlas Passive Skill and Keystone designed specifically for players who engage with Ritual encounters in their maps. This keystone introduces a range of randomness to the cost of Favours (rewards) at Ritual Altars, causing them to fluctuate between significant discounts and steep price increases. The altered costs are retained even when rewards are deferred, adding a layer of strategy to how players manage their Tribute.

Key Features of Arbitrary Tenets:

• Randomized Costs: Favours at Ritual Altars will randomly cost between 90% less and 80% more than their standard Tribute price. This means that a reward that would normally cost 1000 Tribute could instead cost as little as 100 Tribute or as much as 1800 Tribute with Arbitrary Tenets active.
• Averaged Costs: While the costs fluctuate, they tend to average out over time, generally resulting in an average cost of around 95% of the original Tribute value. This means that, in theory, players could benefit from this keystone in the long run by spending slightly less Tribute overall.
• Deferred Rewards: Any altered costs are retained when deferring rewards, meaning that if a player chooses to defer a reward, its altered cost—whether discounted or increased—will carry over to future Ritual encounters.

Mechanics and Strategic Implications

Arbitrary Tenets introduces an element of randomness into the normally predictable Ritual reward system, making it a keystone for players who enjoy taking calculated risks.

1. Risk and Reward: The primary appeal of Arbitrary Tenets lies in the potential for significant discounts on Ritual rewards. A player might find a powerful item at a fraction of its usual cost, allowing them to make the most of their accumulated Tribute. However, there is also the risk that a desired reward will be priced well above its usual cost, forcing the player to either pay a premium or defer the reward in hopes of affording it later.

2. Cost Fluctuation: The cost of each reward at a Ritual Altar is determined randomly within the range set by Arbitrary Tenets. While this can lead to extreme discounts or surcharges, the overall effect averages out to be slightly favorable for the player, as the average cost is around 95% of the standard Tribute cost. This makes Arbitrary Tenets a potential net benefit, particularly for players who engage with many Ritual encounters.

3. Deferred Rewards Strategy: Because the altered costs are retained on deferred rewards, players can strategically choose when to defer items based on their Tribute availability and the current cost of the reward. If a valuable item is heavily discounted but unaffordable in the current Ritual, deferring it allows the player to save up for it in future encounters. Conversely, if a reward is overpriced, deferring it could allow the player to revisit it later when they have more Tribute available.

4. Impact on High-Value Rewards: For highly sought-after rewards, such as rare uniques or powerful crafting bases, Arbitrary Tenets adds an extra layer of strategy. Players must weigh the potential cost savings against the risk of the reward becoming unaffordable due to the random cost increase. This can make each Ritual encounter feel more intense and rewarding, as the stakes are higher when valuable items are on the line.

Practical Application

To make the most of Arbitrary Tenets, players should consider the following strategies:

• Tribute Management: Keep a close eye on your Tribute totals and be prepared to defer rewards if they are priced too high. With the potential for large discounts, it’s worth saving up Tribute in case a highly valuable item appears at a significantly reduced cost.
• Evaluate the Risks: Before committing to a purchase, consider the likelihood of encountering the reward again in future Rituals and whether the current price is worth the risk. If the reward is crucial to your build, it may be worth paying a higher price rather than risking the item becoming unavailable.
• Plan for Deferred Rewards: If you frequently defer rewards, plan your Tribute spending to ensure that you can afford these items when they reappear. The fluctuating costs may offer opportunities to acquire powerful items at lower prices, but only if you have the Tribute to take advantage of the deal.

Conclusion

Arbitrary Tenets is a fascinating Atlas Keystone in Path of Exile that introduces an element of randomness to Ritual encounters, turning the straightforward process of spending Tribute into a high-stakes gamble. By randomizing the costs of rewards, this keystone offers the potential for great savings but also carries the risk of encountering overpriced items, making each decision at the Ritual Altar more meaningful.

For players who enjoy taking risks and are willing to engage with the unpredictability of randomized costs, Arbitrary Tenets provides a unique and rewarding challenge. By carefully managing Tribute and making strategic decisions about when to defer rewards, players can maximize the benefits of this keystone, potentially acquiring powerful items at a fraction of their usual cost. If you’re ready to embrace the uncertainty and capitalize on the opportunities it presents, Arbitrary Tenets can turn your Ritual encounters into a thrilling game of chance in Path of Exile.