In Path of Exile 3.26, the Secrets of the Atlas league has brought a lot of changes that make the Atlas Tree more important than ever, especially for players focusing on Delve and Betrayal. Both playstyles offer unique ways to progress and gather loot, but they demand careful planning in how you allocate passive points across the Atlas. Deciding how to split your investments between Delve-focused nodes and Betrayal-related unlocks can make a huge difference in mapping efficiency, boss farming, and resource gathering, and it really affects how smoothly your endgame experience plays out PoE 1 Currency.

For Delve, the Atlas Tree emphasizes nodes that improve Sulphite farming and increase both the quantity and quality of drops from the Abyssal Depths. Nodes like Frantic Mining, Shaping the Mountains, and Mining Byproducts are crucial for collecting Sulphite faster, which allows for deeper and more productive Delve runs. Other nodes that boost monster quantity and map quality also help by increasing loot drops and speeding up Sulphite gathering. Pairing these nodes with map modifiers and scarabs can make a big difference, letting you sustain long Delve sessions while maximizing the value of each run. Adding acceleration Shrines or other time-saving nodes also helps reduce expedition durations, making your farming more efficient overall.

On the Betrayal side, the 3.26 changes to the Syndicate mechanics have shaken things up. Mastermind management has been separated from safe house operations, and new rewards like mastermind fragments and Katarina encounters have been added. Effective Atlas Tree strategies for Betrayal focus on increasing the frequency of these encounters in maps, which lets players access powerful unveil rewards that can enhance weapons and gear with unique modifiers. Important nodes like Bribery and Effective Leadership increase Syndicate member spawns and intelligence gains, while nodes such as Pillage and Plunder, Test of Loyalty, and Lethal Extraction boost the impact and rewards of Betrayal missions. Investing in these nodes early can speed up item progression and crafting potential, making it a strong approach for players who like to chase high-quality gear.

Balancing between Delve and Betrayal nodes often comes down to your personal goals. Early in a league, a hybrid path can be very effective—taking key Kirac mission nodes for map completion and scouting bonuses while dipping into moderate Betrayal nodes to ensure steady Syndicate encounters. This setup provides a good balance between map sustain and consistent loot income, allowing you to gradually scale difficulty and rewards. As you gather more gear and resources, you can then specialize further, focusing either on deeper Delve progression or intensive Betrayal farming depending on what you enjoy most.

Boss encounters are another important aspect to consider. Nodes that increase the frequency and quality of Maven and Conqueror fights can be very rewarding, giving access to rare crafting materials and valuable currency items. Delve players benefit from boss-focused nodes that work well with Abyssal Depths content, while Betrayal players can prioritize nodes linked to Syndicate safe houses to obtain Katarina fragments and other specialized loot. Targeting these nodes strategically can improve your farming speed and the quality of rewards significantly.

Finally, combining map modifiers, scarabs, and Shrine nodes with the core Delve and Betrayal Atlas Tree choices can push your efficiency even higher Poe 1 Divine Orb. Better maps and scarabs increase monster density and drop rates, while Shrines can help speed up map clears. Upgrades to map quality, synthesis bonuses, and rare monster packs all complement the core Atlas Tree investments, making your overall strategy more flexible and adaptable to different league content. Mastering these layers allows players to maintain a steady farming rhythm, enjoy a variety of content, and make the most out of the revamped Delve and Betrayal systems in Path of Exile 3.26.