Last Epoch has just dropped a massive update announcement, and fans of the action RPG have a lot to be excited about. If you've been eagerly awaiting the next cycle, you'll be pleased to know that the wait is almost over. The update, launching on April 2nd, brings a wealth of new content, system overhauls, and quality-of-life improvements that promise to shake up the game's experience in major ways.

With a brand-new trailer generating plenty of hype and a sneak peek at what's coming, let's break down everything we know so far.

A New Endgame System: Test of the Erased

One of the biggest changes coming to Last Epoch is a major update to the Monolith system, which serves as the game's core endgame content. Traditionally, the Monolith system has been relatively straightforward, but this update appears to bring a new level of customization.

Players will now be able to modify Echoes, potentially allowing for a more tailored gameplay experience. This could mean the ability to swap between different Echo types, fine-tune difficulty settings, or even create unique encounters within the Monolith framework. While the exact details are yet to be revealed, this change is highly anticipated as it could make Last Epoch's endgame far more engaging and varied.

New Bosses and Encounters

The update also introduces several new bosses, including Monolith bosses, Echo bosses, and possibly world bosses. While we don't yet have full details on how they function, early previews suggest that these encounters will bring a fresh challenge to experienced players.

This could mean more intricate boss mechanics, new loot opportunities, and potentially greater variety in endgame fights. For those who love testing their builds against tough enemies, this is an exciting development.

Sentinel Rework: A Much-Needed Overhaul

The Sentinel class is receiving a long-requested rework. Previously, it was often regarded as one of the weaker classes, with only a handful of viable builds, such as spin-to-win setups and hammer-based skills. The update aims to breathe new life into the class, making it more competitive and enjoyable to play.

While we don't have specifics yet, we can expect adjustments to skill mechanics, new abilities, and possibly significant changes to how certain Sentinel builds function. This could make Sentinel a more viable and diverse choice for players.

New Gear Tier: Aexes

A brand-new item category called Aexes is being introduced. These items appear to be an alternative to exalted gear, potentially offering a unique set of stats or effects that set them apart from standard high-tier loot. Some speculation suggests that Aexes may not be compatible with exalted or legendary gear, meaning players might have to choose between different item types.

If implemented well, this system could introduce new ways to gear characters, allowing for a wider variety of builds. The previewed stats on these items appear to be more complex than usual, with special procs and effects that could shake up the meta.

Legendary Potential Crafting: Sacrificing for Power

Another major addition is the ability to modify an item's legendary potential through a sacrifice-based system. Players can take two items, sacrifice one, and alter the legendary potential of the remaining piece.

This system provides an interesting dynamic for gear progression. Instead of simply hoping for a perfect drop, players will have a way to invest in their existing gear, potentially leading to incredibly powerful results. However, there will likely be a level of randomness involved, keeping things balanced and preventing an overly deterministic crafting meta.

Expanded Endgame Crafting: New Runes

Crafting in Last Epoch has always been one of its standout features, and this update is expanding on that with three new runes:

• Rune of Weaving – Allows players to upgrade a reaver item without equipping it.

• Rune of Havoc – Enables tier manipulation of exalted mods, letting players re-roll a high-tier stat to another one on the item.

• Rune of Redemption – This lets players convert an unwanted exalted stat into a different one at random.

These runes add a new level of strategic depth to crafting. The ability to modify high-tier gear in precise ways means that min-maxing your build will now be more interactive and rewarding.

Cocooned Items: Mystery Gear with Random Rolls

A new item type called Cocooned Items is also being introduced. These items must be equipped to reveal their stats, potentially adding an exciting element of surprise and risk to gearing. This could be similar to the Weaver's Will mechanic, where the final properties of the item are not known until used.

Mastery Respec: More Flexibility for Builds

A long-awaited feature, Mastery Respec, is finally arriving. Players who feel locked into a build they no longer enjoy will now have the option to change their specialization without starting a new character. This is a major quality-of-life improvement and makes Last Epoch far more accessible to casual and experimental players.

Set Crafting: Customizing Set Bonuses

The update introduces a new system for modifying set items. While details remain scarce, it appears that players will be able to extract set bonuses and apply them in new ways. This could allow for unprecedented levels of build customization, breaking the traditional limitations of set gear.

Inventory Updates: Key Storage and Direct Dungeon Access

Two major inventory improvements are coming:

1. Dedicated key storage – Arena and dungeon keys now have their inventory tabs, freeing up valuable space.

2. Portal Charms – Players will be able to teleport directly to dungeon bosses, removing the tedious process of clearing the dungeon each time. This is a game-changer for farming specific legendary items.

WASD Movement Support

WASD movement is being introduced, a feature that fans have been requesting for a while. Initially dismissed by the developers, it appears they have reconsidered, following the trend of other ARPGs like Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4. This could provide a fresh movement option for players who prefer a more traditional control scheme.

Uber Pinnacle Boss: The Ultimate Challenge

For the hardcore players looking for the toughest fight available, the update will introduce an Uber version of the current pinnacle boss. This will be the ultimate test of Last Epoch Gold, skill and build optimization, likely featuring intense mechanics and massive rewards for those who can defeat it.

Final Thoughts

This update is shaping up to be a game-changer for Last Epoch. With major overhauls to the endgame, crafting, inventory, and class balance, it looks like the developers have been listening closely to player feedback. Whether you're a longtime veteran or a new player looking for a fresh ARPG experience, there's a lot to look forward to in this update.