In Path of Exile 3.30: Covens of Umbra, the new Wickerman system allows players to steal powers from defeated bosses. By collecting special items called Viscera, you can customize your Wickerman and gain powerful bonuses for your character.
How Does the Wickerman Work?
The Wickerman is a new character-enhancement mechanic connected to the Covens of Umbra challenge league.
To construct your Wickerman:
- Encounter Coven enemies and obtain Fates.
- Apply Fates to empower the area’s boss.
- Defeat the empowered boss for a chance to obtain its unique Viscera.
- Visit the Wickerman in a town or hideout.
- Attach the Viscera to your Wickerman to gain its bonuses.
Every campaign boss and Atlas map boss has a unique Viscera, encouraging players to farm different encounters.
Wickerman Viscera Types and Effects
The Wickerman can equip four body-part categories: Head, Upper Limb, Torso, and Lower Limb.
Here are four examples shown in the PoE 3.30 preview:
| Viscera | Slot | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Voltaic Skull | Head | 21% of Physical Damage Converted to Lightning Damage |
| Ancestor’s Club | Upper Limb | Strike Skills which target additional enemies can do so from 29% further away |
| Greater Distended Stomach | Torso | Eat a Soul when you Consume the Corpse of a Rare Monster |
| Scholar’s Leg | Lower Limb | 9% increased Bonuses gained from Equipped Gloves |
These bonuses demonstrate how the Wickerman can support different builds, including elemental conversion, strike skills, corpse interactions, and equipment scaling.
How to Obtain Better Viscera
Viscera comes in three tiers, with higher-tier versions offering more powerful bonuses.
The strongest versions are obtained through endgame content, making boss farming an important part of character progression.
Additionally, Grim Fates allow players to empower Pinnacle Bosses and obtain special Pinnacle Boss Viscera.
Why Is the Wickerman Important in PoE 3.30?
The Wickerman introduces another layer of character customization beyond the traditional passive skill tree and equipment.
Its biggest advantages include:
- Build customization: Select Viscera effects that complement your skills.
- Boss farming incentives: Target specific bosses to obtain desirable bonuses.
- Endgame progression: Pursue stronger Viscera from increasingly difficult encounters.
- Additional character power: Gain bonuses through a separate progression system.
For example, physical-to-lightning conversion could benefit elemental builds, while increased strike targeting distance could improve melee clearing.
Summary
The Wickerman system in PoE 3.30 transforms boss encounters into opportunities for character progression.
Instead of defeating bosses only for equipment and currency, players can collect their Viscera and use their powers.
With unique Viscera available from campaign bosses, Atlas bosses, and Pinnacle Bosses, the Wickerman could become an important part of build optimization in the Covens of Umbra league.
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