Last Epoch Making Big Improvements to Minions in Season 3

Last Epoch has been steadily building a name for itself as one of the most exciting action RPGs in the genre, thanks to its blend of time travel, dungeon crawling, character customization, and high replayability. Released in 2024, the game has quickly carved out a dedicated fanbase eager for each new seasonal update. With Season 3 right around the corner, Eleventh Hour Games has revealed major improvements coming to one of the game's most beloved mechanics: minions.

Minion builds have always been a cornerstone of ARPGs. From the Necromancer in Diablo to pet-based Druids in Path of Exile, summoning companions to fight on your behalf is both satisfying and strategically deep. In Last Epoch, minion-focused classes like the Beastmaster and Necromancer have enjoyed strong followings, but players have long pointed out flaws in their AI, behavior, and usability.

That's about to change in Season 3, as Eleventh Hour Games introduces the Assassinate mode, an entirely new feature designed to give players more control over their minions. Combined with other upcoming updates to AI behavior, cosmetic systems, and even the Merchants' Guild, Season 3 is shaping up to be a milestone moment for Last Epoch.

The New Assassinate Mode

The most significant change for minion players in Season 3 is the addition of Assassinate mode. This new mode allows minions to prioritize targeting enemies from further away, with a particular focus on rarer enemies, elites, and bosses. For players who rely on their summoned allies to take down dangerous targets quickly, this feature will be a game-changer.

Previously, minions could often feel "scatterbrained," bouncing between low-priority enemies instead of locking onto a boss or elite that posed the greatest threat. The introduction of Assassinate mode directly addresses this frustration. With this system, players can now command their minions to operate with more purpose and efficiency, sharpening the edge of every minion-based build.

Visually, players will also be able to tell which mode their minions are using. Two crossed swords will appear next to a minion's portrait to indicate Assassinate mode, while a shield icon will represent Protect mode, the classic behavior in which minions stay close to the player. This makes it easy to toggle and recognize the behavior at a glance, adding clarity alongside functionality.

Improvements to Protect Mode and Target Prioritization

Protect mode is not being left behind, either. Eleventh Hour Games is making broad improvements to minion AI across the board. With the new update, minions will be less prone to abandoning a target mid-combat. Instead, they will focus more consistently on the same enemy, delivering sustained damage rather than spreading their attacks thin across a horde.

This change may sound subtle, but for minion-heavy builds, it represents a huge quality-of-life improvement. Players who have been frustrated by their summons constantly "resetting" their focus during large battles will now enjoy a much smoother combat rhythm.

Beastmaster Minions Getting Buffed

The Beastmaster class in Last Epoch has always stood out for its reliance on loyal animal companions. Season 3 brings specific upgrades to some of the Beastmaster's most iconic minions, ensuring they remain viable and exciting options deep into the endgame.

·Raptor: New skill nodes will give players more ways to customize and enhance this ferocious companion, allowing for greater damage output or utility.

·Scorpion: The Scorpion has often been seen as a situational summon. With new nodes, it is expected to gain stronger synergies and become a more consistent pick.

·Bear: The Bear, one of the Beastmaster's most durable summons, will receive new customization tools to expand its role beyond just tanking damage.

These updates reflect Eleventh Hour Games' broader commitment to refreshing older systems, ensuring that players never feel their favorite minions fall behind in power or utility.

Offline Cosmetics Finally Arrive

Another long-requested feature making its way into Season 3 is cosmetics in Offline Mode. Until now, cosmetics could only be used in online play, which frustrated many players who preferred offline sessions due to connection stability or personal preference.

With the new update, cosmetics will finally be available offline. The only requirement is that players configure their cosmetics at least once while connected online. After that, they can enjoy their cosmetic items in offline play without restrictions.

This addition may not directly affect gameplay, but it enhances immersion and personalization, both of which are key components of ARPG enjoyment.

Merchants' Guild Updates

Season 3 is not just about minions-there are also significant improvements coming to the Merchants' Guild, a faction that allows players to use Last Epoch gold to buy and sell items with unique mechanics.

Two important changes are coming:

1. Improved Filters: Shopping with the Merchants' Guild will become much easier thanks to enhanced filters. Players will be able to find the items they want more efficiently without endlessly scrolling through irrelevant gear.

2. New Tokens: Players will also gain access to a new token system that allows them to purchase items without paying favors or reaching certain rank thresholds. This should lower the barrier for newer or more casual players to access powerful gear through the Merchants' Guild.

These updates demonstrate the developers' ongoing effort to streamline progression and make every aspect of Last Epoch feel more rewarding.

Why Season 3 Matters

Each new season in Last Epoch has introduced features designed to shake up gameplay. Season 2, Tombs of the Erased, delivered new zones, endgame bosses, and additional content to keep players engaged. But Season 3 may be the most impactful update yet, particularly for the large portion of the player base who love minion builds.

The addition of Assassinate mode and improvements to AI directly address long-standing community complaints, while enhancements to Beastmaster minions ensure the class remains fresh and competitive. Combined with Offline Mode cosmetics and Merchants' Guild improvements, Season 3 is shaping up to deliver both gameplay depth and quality-of-life improvements in equal measure.

Final Thoughts

Minions have always been at the heart of ARPG design, embodying the fantasy of commanding powerful allies in the heat of battle. With Season 3, Last Epoch is taking a bold step toward refining and expanding this beloved archetype.

The addition of Assassinate mode ensures that minions will no longer feel clumsy or unfocused, while broader AI improvements make their combat presence smoother and more reliable. Beastmaster summons like the Raptor, Scorpion, and Bear are gaining fresh depth, while offline cosmetics and Merchants' Guild updates add much-needed polish across the board.

For players who have been waiting for minion builds to truly shine, Season 3 could be the update that redefines the experience. Whether you're a die-hard summoner or just someone curious about experimenting with minion mechanics, there has never been a better time to return to Eterra and buy Last Epoch gold and see what your companions are capable of.

When August 21 arrives, the battlefield will look very different-and for minions and their masters, it's about to get a whole lot better.