To unlock the Atlas in Path of Exile, you need to complete the 10 acts of the game and defeat the final boss, Kitava. This will unlock the Epilogue and grant you access to the Atlas of Worlds. You can then start mapping and progressing through the end-game content.
Understanding the Atlas
To unlock the Atlas in Path of Exile, players need to progress through the game's progression system known as the Atlas of Worlds. The Atlas is a complex map system that serves as the end-game content in the Path of Exile. It consists of a series of interconnected maps that players can explore to hunt down powerful bosses and acquire valuable loot. The ultimate goal is to complete each map, defeat the powerful guardians, and eventually face the Shaper himself.
Acquiring the Atlas
The Atlas is automatically unlocked for all players once they complete the campaign and defeat Kitava in Act 10. After this point, players gain access to the Epilogue and can start their journey in the world of maps. To access the Atlas, players need to interact with the Map Device located in their hideout or in the Epilogue. By interacting with the Map Device, players can access the Atlas and start selecting maps to explore.
Unlocking the Atlas
When you first access the Atlas, you will notice that only a few maps are available for you to explore. To unlock more maps on the Atlas, players need to find and complete maps that are dropped as loot by monsters or in other maps. By completing these maps, players unlock adjacent maps on the Atlas, allowing them to progress deeper into the map system. It's important to keep in mind that maps have different tiers of difficulty, denoted by their level, and players are encouraged to start with lower-tier maps before tackling more challenging ones.
Exploring the Atlas
As you progress through the Atlas, you will encounter different map bosses, currency, and valuable items. It's important to explore different map regions to unlock the ability to fight map bosses and acquire special items. Players can also shape their Atlas by using Shaper's Orbs to influence the types of maps that can drop, allowing for more targeted farming of specific maps or items. Additionally, completing bonus objectives in maps, such as killing all the monsters or opening all the chests, can increase the chances of valuable item drops.
Challenges and End-Game Content
As players delve deeper into the Atlas, they will encounter more challenging map bosses and even the Elder and the Shaper, two powerful entities that control different regions of the Atlas. Defeating these bosses requires careful planning, powerful character builds, and strategic gameplay. By defeating these challenging bosses, players can acquire powerful items, including unique items and crafting materials, to improve their characters and tackle even more challenging content in the game.
Conclusion
Unlocking and exploring the Atlas in Path of Exile is a rewarding and challenging experience that offers a wealth of end-game content for players to enjoy. By following the progression system of the Atlas, acquiring and completing maps, and challenging powerful bosses, players can test their skills, acquire valuable loot, and continue to grow their characters in one of the most popular action role-playing games available today.