In Path of Exile (PoE), maps are an integral component of the endgame experience, offering players the opportunity to engage in increasingly challenging and rewarding content after completing the main storyline. Here’s a detailed overview of the mapping system, its mechanics, and progression strategies:

Overview of Mapping in Path of Exile

What are Maps?
Maps in Path of Exile serve as special items that unlock portals to randomized zones filled with diverse monsters, formidable bosses, and valuable loot. They are central to the game’s endgame structure, facilitating ongoing character progression and exploration beyond the core campaign.

Getting Started with Mapping
To begin your mapping journey, players must fulfill the following initial steps:

1. Complete the Main Campaign: Players must finish the primary storyline of Path of Exile.
2. Unlock the Map Device: Upon reaching the Epilogue, Commander Kirac grants the Map Device, essential for engaging with maps.
3. Use the Map Device: Inserting a map into the Map Device opens a portal to a unique map instance, setting the stage for battles against monsters and bosses.

Accessing the Atlas of Worlds
After successfully completing your first map, you gain access to the Atlas of Worlds—a comprehensive, interconnected network of maps presented in a visually striking format. The Atlas allows for the strategic planning of your progression through the game’s diverse mapping content.

Key Features of the Atlas and Mapping

– Map Tiers: Maps are categorized into tiers from 1 to 16, with increasing difficulty correlating to their tier. Lower tiers are typically classified as white maps, mid-tier maps are yellow, and higher-tier maps are red. Higher-tier maps yield better loot and present more significant challenges.

– Atlas Layout: The Atlas is structured with nodes representing maps. Players begin at lower-tier maps and progress by completing connected maps on the Atlas. New maps drop based on the player’s current map level, promoting a natural progression system where only previously completed maps can drop as loot.

– Map Drops and Upgrades: Running maps reliably yields additional maps, typically of an equal or lower tier. Engaging with magic and rare monsters increases the chances of higher-tier map drops, while defeating bosses can result in maps that are up to two tiers higher than the current holdings.

– Voidstones and Passive Skill Tree: Players can enhance their mapping prowess by socketing Voidstones into the Atlas. These Voidstones elevate the tier of available drops. Furthermore, players can develop a passive skill tree associated with the Atlas to boost map rewards, challenge levels, and overall gameplay experience.

– Modifiers/Affixes: Maps can be modified using crafting currency, applying affixes that can boost both the difficulty and the potential rewards. Harder modifiers typically lead to increased monster strength but can also result in superior loot drops.

Differences in Path of Exile 2
Path of Exile 2 introduces notable changes to the mapping system:

– Maps Presented on the Atlas: Instead of receiving maps as drops, players interact with maps directly on the Atlas.
– Use of Waystones: Players utilize Waystones to enter maps, with the tier of the Waystone determining the map’s difficulty. Crafting options for Waystones offer varied challenges and rewards, aiming to streamline the progression process compared to Path of Exile 1.

Summary of the Mapping Progression Steps

1. Complete the Campaign: Finish the main storyline.
2. Unlock the Map Device: Acquire the Map Device from Commander Kirac.
3. Run Tier 1 Maps: Begin mapping to unlock the Atlas.
4. Progress Through Connected Maps: Complete maps to unlock higher-tier options and receive map drops.
5. Socket Voidstones: Enhance your Atlas capabilities and increase map tier availability.
6. Develop the Atlas Passive Tree: Tailor your gameplay experience by focusing on specific upgrades that suit your playstyle.
7. Continual Cycling: Regularly run maps, upgrade them, and venture into higher tiers for enhanced challenges and loot.

Conclusion
The mapping system in Path of Exile provides an expansive and dynamic environment for players to explore and progress. With its randomized layouts, intricate mechanics, and the ability to tailor challenges and rewards, mapping delivers a compelling endgame experience that encourages engagement and growth within the rich world of Path of Exile.