Path of Exile 3.26, titled "Secrets of the Atlas," is a major content update and Challenge League expansion released by Grinding Gear Games, bringing extensive changes to the endgame, Atlas mechanics, new league content, and significant balance adjustments. This patch marks a pivotal moment for the game, focusing on freeing the character Zana from the corrupting influence within the Atlas of Worlds, which serves as the culmination of the overarching storyline PoE Currency.

New League and Core Mechanics  
The 3.26 expansion introduces the "Mercenaries of Trarthus" league mechanic, allowing players to hire, fight alongside, and recruit mercenaries from a distant land. These mercenaries add a fresh strategic layer to gameplay, offering new ways to approach combat and build synergies. Alongside this, the patch brings a new Intelligence/Dexterity support gem called Focused Channelling, which significantly empowers channelling spells the longer they are cast, at the cost of increased mana consumption.

Atlas and Endgame Changes  
The Atlas of Worlds has been revamped with new mechanics and content. Tears into alternate realities have appeared within the Atlas, tied to the Originator trapped within its fabric. Players must track down these tears to uncover new secrets and challenges. The patch also introduces new map fragments, such as flame embers and map modifiers, that can be combined with scarabs to customize maps further. Additionally, the mastermind boss fight in the Immortal Syndicate content has been improved with fewer immunity phases and new rewards, enhancing the endgame boss experience.

Quality-of-life improvements include the ability to pause the game during most encounters (except pinnacle bosses), a small map inventory tied to the map device, and better notifications for special map events. Players can now reroll guardians and conqueror maps with different guardians, adding more variety to endgame mapping.

Balance and Skill Changes  
Patch 3.26 brings a broad rebalance of skills, ascendancies, and unique items. Several older or underused skill gems have been buffed, such as Bane of Condemnation, which now has increased base damage and mana cost, potentially making it more viable. Ascendancy classes have undergone reworks to refresh their playstyles and balance. The passive skill tree has also seen adjustments, with some major nerfs and buffs aimed at improving build diversity and balance.

New Items and Economy Additions 
The patch introduces new crafting orbs, including the Shaper's Exalted Orb and Elder's Exalted Orb, which add new influence modifiers to rare items, deepening crafting complexity. Memory Strands and related orbs (Orb of Remembrance, Orb of Unravelling, Orb of Intention) have been added, allowing players to manipulate Memory Influenced items and maps in new ways. Over 20 new unique items and 5 new divination cards have been added, some of which are exclusive rewards from dueling mercenaries, enriching the loot pool Divine poe 1.

In summary, Path of Exile 3.26 "Secrets of the Atlas" is a comprehensive update that revitalizes the endgame with new league mechanics, expanded Atlas content, and significant balance changes. It offers players new strategic options through mercenaries and crafting orbs while improving quality of life and expanding the game's rich lore. Despite some technical hiccups, it stands as a major milestone in the ongoing evolution of Path of Exile.