Path of Exile Crucible lets you risk it all for the ultimate weapon

pcgamesn.com:

The Path of Exile Crucible expansion has been revealed in detail, and the next big update for the hardcore, loot-driven RPG game asks you how far you’re prepared to go to build that perfect weapon. Path of Exile patch 3.21 is all about forging the power of “an ancient race of titans who once shaped the primordial surface of Wraeclast” into passive weapon skill trees, which you’re encouraged to push to their limits in search of the ultimate weapon.

The centrepieces of Path of Exile Crucible are the new ‘Crucible passive skill trees’ that can be put onto your weapons using Crucible Forges. These small, branching trees can grant you up to five passive skills, which can include everything from simple damage bonuses to equivalents, to the notable passives from the main skill tree, or even effects akin to support gems – such as a bow that grants Lesser Multiple Projectiles to all socketed gems.

In order to make these, you’ll have to place your chosen weapon (or shield) into the Crucible Forge and charge it up. As you do so, you’ll see molten lines creeping out and forming into shapes that will spawn enemies; the longer you charge, the more experience you’ll earn towards leveling up the skill tree, but you’ll have to be able to defeat the full wave of enemies to actually claim your reward.

Crucible Forges can be used in party play, too, with multiple players able to charge up the Forge for their own benefits – although GGG head Chris Wilson tells us “Crucible encounters get really hard – maxing [the charge] out would be basically instant death.” In classic Path of Exile fashion, then, you’ll have to balance out the risk of the encounter versus your potential reward.

Making just one Crucible passive tree is only the beginning,