Season 3 Rises: Last Epoch Unleashes a Massive Minion Overhaul

The anticipation for Season 3 of Last Epoch has reached a fever pitch, and for players who love to command a horde of digital allies, the wait is almost over. Dubbed “Beneath Ancient Skies,” the new season, set to launch on August 21st, is bringing a massive and much-needed overhaul to the minion system. Eleventh Hour Games has listened intently to community feedback, and the result is a suite of changes that addresses core issues and introduces exciting new gameplay mechanics. From intelligent AI modes to powerful new companion abilities, the update is set to make minion-based builds not just viable, but a dominant force in the endgame. For fans of ARPGs and PC gaming, these changes are a game-changer that will fundamentally alter how they approach their next character build and potentially reshape the entire meta.

Smarter Hordes: The Arrival of Minion AI Modes

The biggest quality-of-life change coming to minion builds is the introduction of a toggleable AI system. Historically, minions in Last Epoch have operated in a “Protect Mode,” which, while effective for defense, often made them feel passive and unresponsive. With the new update, players can now switch between this default mode and a brand-new “Assassinate Mode.” This is a crucial distinction that allows for a level of control that minion-focused players have long been asking for. Here’s a breakdown of the new system:

• Protect Mode: This is the classic minion behavior. Minions will stay close to the player, prioritizing enemies that come within range. It’s a solid, defensive option for players who want a wall of bodies to protect them.
• Assassinate Mode: This new mode makes minions far more aggressive. They will target enemies from a longer distance, and, more importantly, they will prioritize rare enemies and bosses. This is a game-changing feature that addresses the frustration of minions “getting lost” or attacking irrelevant targets during crucial boss fights. The target prioritization is also “stickier,” meaning minions are less likely to switch targets, leading to more focused and effective damage output.

This simple but effective change is a testament to the developers’ commitment to improving the player experience. The ability to swap between these modes on the fly with a single keybind gives players a level of strategic depth that was previously missing from the minion playstyle.

Beyond AI: Major Buffs and Companion-Specific Updates

The improvements don’t stop at AI. The Season 3 update also brings significant buffs to minion scaling and addresses a long-standing issue with “snapshotting.” In the past, minion stats were locked in at the time of their summoning, leading to clunky gameplay where players had to resummon their minions after changing gear or passives. This has now been largely resolved, with minions’ stats correctly updating on the fly when gear or skill nodes are swapped. Furthermore, minion power scaling has been increased from 0.6% to 0.8% per player level. This seemingly small change has a huge impact, as a level 100 character’s minions will now deal 60% more damage and take 60% less damage (up from 45%), making them significantly more durable and powerful in the endgame. On top of these global changes, several Beastmaster companions have received exciting new abilities:

• Raptor: A new node allows the Raptor to become a “Dragon Raptor” and deal fire damage with a new “Fire Breath” ability.
• Scorpion: The Scorpion can now cast a version of the player’s specialized Maelstrom, creating powerful new synergies for Beastmaster builds.
• Bear: A new node allows the Bear to use the player’s specialized Earthquake skill, providing more crowd control and damage potential.
• Abomination: The Necromancer’s Abomination no longer loses health over time. It can now consume other minions to restore its health and gain new abilities based on what it consumed.

These minion-specific updates provide a massive amount of new build-crafting potential, encouraging players to experiment with different combinations and strategies. For minion-focused players, Season 3 of Last Epoch is shaping up to be a true golden age. The combination of smarter AI, powerful buffs, and exciting new abilities is set to redefine the minion playstyle and solidify the game’s position as a standout title in the ARPG genre.