In Path of Exile 3.26, the Mercenaries of Trarthus League brings an entirely new set of Trarthus gems - transfigured versions of existing skills, obtainable exclusively through defeating mercenary NPCs. With a total of 11 new gems, these offer unique mechanics and build opportunities that set them apart from their original counterparts. Here we are going to rank all the Trarthun gems, including an early analysis of their potential.
Path of Exile 3.26 Best New Trarthus Gems Ranked
In the Mercenaries of Trarthus League, players gain access to a new set of skill gems called Trarthus gems. These are essentially a new name for transfigured gems, but with a crucial difference: they can only be obtained by defeating mercenary NPCs in combat. Unlike other transfigured gems, they cannot be received from the Divine Font in the Labyrinth.
From the item filter post released, a full list of the new Trarthus gems was revealed, 11 in total. With several of them already detailed, here's a tier list and thoughts on the currently known gems.
1. Spectral Shield Throw of Trarthus (S Tier)
This version of Spectral Shield Throw (SST) introduces a new mechanic: the shield projectile pierces all enemies until it reaches its target destination, where it stops and unleashes projectiles in all directions. Unlike the original SST, which releases shards with each enemy hit, the Trarthus version releases shards once at the destination.
The gem has lower scaling from armor and evasion on the shield and a higher attack time. While it seems to maintain strong mapping capabilities by clearing packs effectively, it likely struggles with single-target damage due to the lack of shard shotgunning. The new mechanics may not be compelling enough to replace the original SST for most players.
2. Siege Ballista of Trarthus (S Tier)
Siege Ballista of Trarthus is a unique take on totem skills. It summons multiple totems in a ring, all pointing inward toward a target location. Each totem fires once before despawning.
This design diverges from traditional totem play styles, which rely on totems lasting for a duration. Instead, this skill is short-lived and burst-focused, requiring constant casting.
Combined with atlas tree passives and fast placement speed, this setup can enable two waves of ballistas to fire consecutively. This makes the gem a strong contender for Hierophant builds focused on totem damage and dexterity scaling.
3. Heavy Strike of Trarthus (S Tier)
Heavy Strike of Trarthus plays identically to the normal Heavy Strike gem, with only numerical differences, except it can only be used with a staff. It shares the same mana cost, attack speed multiplier, and base damage as the original gem.
However, this version includes the Crown of Eyes modifier: Increases and reductions to spell damage also apply to attack damage from this skill at 150% of their value. It also adds 2% chance to deal double damage per 10 Intelligence. These are powerful modifiers for scaling damage.
While the quality stat is currently unknown, it's worth noting that the normal Heavy Strike provides 20% chance to deal double damage at 20% quality. Based on current numbers, this version would need around 300 Intelligence to match the double damage chance.
A powerful build idea for this gem includes a triple attribute stacker, utilizing uniques like Shaper's Touch, Cyclopean Coil, and the Pillar of the Caged God staff. Bloodthirst support gem could also help scale flat damage. This is an ideal setup for a second or third character, where investing significant currency is viable.
4. Dark Pact of Trarthus (S Tier)
Dark Pact of Trarthus casts damage around the caster and causes Ruin to be gained. When the seventh Ruin is inflicted, the skill sacrifices 50% of the caster’s life to deal 400% of that sacrificed life as chaos damage. All Ruin is then removed. This gem introduces a unique self-sacrifice mechanic with a high-risk, high-reward playstyle. However, it also deals 50% less damage with ailments, limiting certain build options.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward gem with an interesting rotation. The self-sacrifice mechanic adds depth, but the 50% less damage with ailments limits its ignite/poison potential. Still, it stands out as one of the more innovative gems.
5. Spectral Throw of Trarthus (S Tier)
Spectral Throw of Trarthus fires projectiles in a circle. It’s essentially another Spectral Helix, but as a trap. It throws a trap which, once triggered, fires many spectral copies of your melee weapon. They fly out in all directions and then return to where the trap triggered, spinning and damaging enemies in their path. When dual-wielding, each trap will randomly use either the main or offhand. They return, which is all Spectral Throw does. It fires five projectiles. This is probably good, has to be.
6. Sunder of Trarthus (A Tier)
Sunder of Trarthus creates a slow-moving wave that damages enemies in a sequence of areas. Enemies hit by the wave release shockwaves that damage nearby enemies. When the wave hits a target or terrain, it can re-aim up to two times toward other enemies. It is usable with maces, scepters, axes, staves, and unarmed. While the base damage is lower than the original, it has strong clearing potential. If interactions with the Hydrosphere work as expected, it could become a powerful chain-clearing skill. Otherwise, its value may be limited to basic clear.
7. Spectral Helix of Trarthus (A Tier)
Spectral Helix of Trarthus throws a trap that, once triggered, fires a spectral copy of the melee weapon in a spiraling path. The projectile bounces on walls, damaging enemies along the way. Dual-wielding causes random use of either main or offhand. Instead of projectile count, the number of spirals is adjusted, with 4.25 helixes as the base, the same as the original. Trap throwing speed is reduced by 25% when using two-handed weapons. This version resembles Blade Vortex in feel and may find use in niche trap builds.
8. Chain Hook of Trarthus (A Tier)
Chain Hook of Trarthus throws chains at up to nine targets in range. Hit targets grant one Rage. The maximum chain limit is six. Chains attach to targets and, when broken by moving out of range, snap to deal area attack damage around those targets. The mechanic is unusual, requiring the player to throw, move away, and then trigger explosions, and may appeal to mobility-focused Rage builds.
9. Wave of Conviction of Trarthus (B Tier)
This version of Wave of Conviction pulses outward in a circle from the casting location, then returns, damaging enemies again. It lacks area of effect stats but includes duration, which likely scales the radius of the pulse. The new take is ideal for mapping, where scaling duration increases the skill's effective area. For single-target, reducing duration may allow faster return and consolidated damage bursts. It’s a fun and visually appealing skill, but balancing duration for both mapping and bossing will be key. Lack of exposure also means it’s not a direct replacement for the original skill.
10. Blast Rain of Trarthus (B Tier)
Blast Rain of Trarthus fires a single arrow upward, causing it to rain fire at the target location. The arrow deals area damage and releases a burning wave that applies a burning debuff to enemies on impact. With a base damage of 2700, it appears designed for ignite-based builds. Though the mechanics are unusual, it could be viable in elemental DoT-focused setups.
11. Storm Call of Trarthus (B Tier)
While the physical conversion and added DoT ground effect make this different from standard Storm Call, the base mechanics remain slow and clunky. It has a longer cast time, life cost, and delayed damage, which are all negatives. Compared to other physical DoT spells like Reap or Vaal Reap, this gem is clearly outclassed, especially since boiling blood areas do not stack. It lacks a clear niche and doesn't offer meaningful advantages in either mapping or bossing.
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