Last Epoch to get 'Item Factions', a unique item trading system for the ARPG

Last Epoch is closing in on a full release and it's going to be a big one for ARPG fans, especially if you weren't fussed by the latest Diablo. Now they've revealed what they call Item Factions, a unique system to allow item trading between players.

"Balancing a trade system is one of the most difficult challenges in a loot-based game, because it significantly impacts the item hunt for all players,” said Judd Cobler, Founder and CEO of Eleventh Hour Games, and game director on Last Epoch. “Players are often split over an economy that can add value to their items and builds, and the thrill of the hunt that leads to uncovering unique items. But with crucial feedback from our community, we’ve implemented a solution we believe satisfies both sides of the debate, and is a truly unique take on the action RPG trade debate."

The idea of Item Factions is to give players a choice in how they play, and it ties directly into the lore of Last Epoch too with a fair amount of depth to the feature. You get to pick between joining one of two:

• The Merchants Guild - grants the ability to trade items with other players through the Bazaar, and player-to-player.
• Circle of Fortune - grants boosts to items you find yourself through Prophecies, and passive bonuses.

So you get the best of both worlds available to players. Seems you won't be permanently locked into your choice either, but staying in one to rank up has various benefits.

Have a look at their explainer video below:

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Full update on it here.

Last Epoch leaves Early Access on February 21st, 2024. It has Native Linux support and is currently rated as Unsupported on Steam Deck, although it does work. Running it through Proton seems to be the best way to play though, as their Native Linux version has various graphical issues reported.

Available to buy on Steam.