Path of Exile’s Incursion mechanics, introduced in the Incursion league, allow players to manipulate the past to create an optimal version of the Temple of Atzoatl. To maximize the rewards from the temple, you should aim to upgrade specific Incursion rooms to their highest tier (Tier 3). This guide will help you understand the mechanics and strategies needed to achieve this.
Mechanics of Incursion Rooms
Incursion rooms are small zones that players can explore during temporal incursions. Each incursion is a timed event where players must kill monsters to extend their time and gather Stones of Passage to unlock doors within the rooms. After completing 12 incursions, these rooms combine to form the Temple of Atzoatl.
Key Mechanics
Choosing Rooms and Architects: Before each incursion, Alva Valai will present you with two Architects and their respective rooms. You can choose which Architect to kill, influencing how the room changes or upgrades.
Stones of Passage: These stones are dropped by rare monsters and are used to unlock doors within the incursion rooms. Unlocking doors is crucial for creating pathways in the final temple layout.
Room Upgrades: Killing the non-resident Architect upgrades the room to the next tier. Killing the resident Architect changes the room to a different type based on the invading Architect.
Strategy to Upgrade Rooms to Tier 3
Identifying Key Rooms
Certain rooms provide significantly better rewards at Tier 3. These include:
Locus of Corruption: Allows for double-corruption of items.
Doryani’s Institute: Provides a Lapidary Lens for double-corrupting gems.
Wealth of the Vaal: Contains chests full of currency items.
Apex of Ascension: Allows for sacrificing unique items for more powerful versions.
Step-by-Step Upgrade Strategy
Plan Your Incursions:
Before starting, check the current temple layout and identify the rooms you want to upgrade.
Prioritize connecting important rooms to the central chamber to ensure accessibility in the final temple.
Execute the Incursions:
First Incursion: Focus on upgrading rooms rather than changing their types. Kill the non-resident Architect to increase the room’s tier.
Unlock Doors: Use Stones of Passage to unlock doors strategically. Ensure that key rooms are accessible from the central chamber.
Kill Efficiently: Quickly kill monsters to maximize the time available in the incursion. Use high DPS skills to clear rooms fast.
Repeat and Optimize:
Continue upgrading rooms in each incursion. Avoid changing room types unless it is to convert an undesired room into one of the key rooms.
If you encounter a desired room (e.g., Corruption Chamber) but need it upgraded, focus on killing the non-resident Architect.
Utilize Interface Shortcuts:
Use Control + Left-Click on Alva to view the temple progress and plan your strategy without navigating her dialogue.
Enter the incursion immediately and use hotkeys to view the room layout and architect outcomes, maximizing the planning time.
Example of Optimal Room Upgrade
Incursion 1: Encounter a T1 Corruption Chamber. Kill the non-resident Architect to upgrade it to T2 Catalyst of Corruption.
Incursion 2: Encounter T2 Catalyst of Corruption. Kill the non-resident Architect to upgrade it to T3 Locus of Corruption.
Subsequent Incursions: Focus on unlocking doors to ensure the Locus of Corruption is accessible in the final temple layout.
Time-Saving Tips
Planning: Regularly check your temple layout and strategize your incursions to minimize wasted attempts.
Quick Entry: Use the League Interface or Open Incursion Map hotkeys to plan your moves during the short grace period before the timer starts.
Delirium Synergy: If running maps with Delirium mirrors, note that Delirium fog pauses during incursions, allowing for efficient planning and execution.
By following these strategies, you can efficiently upgrade your Incursion rooms to Tier 3, ensuring the Temple of Atzoatl is filled with high-value rooms that offer the best rewards. Happy hunting, Exile!