Path of Exile 2 1.0 Release: New Acts, Classes, League and Major Changes

Grinding Gear Games (GGG) is preparing to take Path of Exile 2 out of Early Access with its 1.0 Full Release scheduled for December 11, 2026 (PST). The launch will introduce the final two campaign Acts, two additional character classes, a new Challenge League, extensive passive skill tree changes, and a major overhaul of existing skills and Unique Items. More importantly, the game will become free-to-play, opening the door for players who have been waiting for a full release before entering Wraeclast.

However, version 1.0 is not simply the current Early Access experience with additional campaign content. The announcement at ExileCon 2026 on November 6 revealed changes that reach into character progression, build customization, itemization, and endgame activities. For existing players, this means revisiting established builds and preparing for a different progression environment. For newcomers, it offers a considerably more complete starting experience.

Here is how Path of Exile 2 1.0 compares with the current Early Access version and what players should understand before the December launch.

Path of Exile 2 1.0 Release Date and Current Early Access Status

GGG has confirmed that Path of Exile 2 will leave Early Access and enter its 1.0 Full Release on December 11, 2026, Pacific Time.

The game originally entered Early Access on December 6, 2024. Since then, GGG has expanded its campaign, introduced additional classes and Ascendancies, and continuously adjusted its combat and endgame systems.

As of November 11, 2026, the current Early Access branch is in the 0.5.5 update series, with the 0.5.5f patch released on November 6 and subsequent hotfixes. The 1.0 announcement therefore represents the next major development milestone rather than an ordinary seasonal update.

According to the official Steam Early Access information, the full release will also change the game's business model: players will no longer need to purchase Early Access access to start playing.

Feature	Current Early Access	Version 1.0
Release status	Paid Early Access	Full Release
Availability	Requires Early Access access	Free-to-play
Campaign	Four Acts	Complete six-Act campaign
New character classes	Existing Early Access roster	Shadow and Duelist added
Endgame	Existing Early Access endgame	New Challenge League and additional endgame content
Passive Skill Tree	Existing progression structure	Major overhaul with hundreds of new stats
Unique Items	Existing item pool	40+ new and 70+ revamped Uniques
Skills and Support Gems	Continuously adjusted during development	Additional skills and extensive Support Gem rebalancing

The distinction is important: Early Access has already developed into a substantial action RPG with a functioning endgame. Version 1.0 is intended to complete and significantly expand that foundation, not replace an unfinished prototype with an entirely different game.

Acts 5 and 6 Complete the Path of Exile 2 Campaign

One of the biggest additions is the completion of the main campaign.

The current Early Access campaign contains four Acts. Version 1.0 will introduce Acts 5 and 6, bringing the total to six and concluding the central storyline.

According to GGG's November 6 Full Release announcement, the new Acts will feature:

• 24 new campaign areas.
• 18 new unique bosses.
• More than 20 Champion Rare encounters.
• Additional environments, enemies, and campaign encounters.

The new storyline also brings players back toward Oriath as the conflict involving the Twilight Order and the Beast approaches its conclusion.

This is more significant than simply adding additional hours of campaign gameplay. In an ARPG, campaign progression establishes the foundation for character development, equipment acquisition, and the transition into endgame activities.

With six Acts available, new players will have a more complete leveling journey, while returning players will have another opportunity to explore the world and discover new encounters.

It also removes the need to judge the game's overall narrative experience based solely on its Early Access campaign structure.

Two New Classes: The Shadow and the Duelist

The addition of the Shadow and Duelist is another major reason why 1.0 could change how players approach character creation.

Both classes introduce different combat mechanics and weapon identities, expanding the available build possibilities.

Shadow: Stealth, Daggers, and Traps

The Shadow is designed around speed, stealth, and tactical combat.

Its defining feature is a new Stealth mechanic that allows the character to approach enemies without immediately attracting their attention. This creates opportunities to control engagement distance and initiate combat under more favorable conditions.

The class also introduces several distinctive tools:

• Daggers as its primary weapon identity.
• Eight new traps with different interactions.
• Gas and fire trap combinations.
• Shades that can deceive enemies and replicate attacks.
• Stealth-based approaches to enemy encounters.

The trap interactions are particularly interesting. For example, players can combine gas traps with fire traps to create additional offensive opportunities.

This gives the Shadow more than another conventional melee or ranged playstyle. Its mechanics encourage players to think about enemy positioning, trap placement, and the timing of engagements.

GGG's announcement also identifies two Shadow Ascendancy options: Assassin and Infiltrator.

Duelist: Sword Combat and Stance Management

The Duelist takes a different approach, focusing on swords, precise attacks, and combat timing.

Its new Stance mechanic allows players to empower sword attacks and transition between abilities during combat. Rather than relying exclusively on individual skill damage, the class encourages a more deliberate combat rhythm.

The two announced Duelist Ascendancies are Knight and Master-at-Arms.

For players who prefer direct melee combat, this addition offers another character identity to explore alongside existing options such as Warrior and Mercenary.

Together, the two classes expand the roster and introduce additional weapon and skill combinations that can influence future build diversity.

Conquerors of Wraeclast Introduces a Different Endgame Experience

Perhaps the most interesting addition outside the campaign is the new Challenge League, Conquerors of Wraeclast.

GGG describes it as a new endgame storyline centered on building an army, recruiting different units, and fighting against rival factions.

Rather than focusing exclusively on individual character progression, this system introduces a larger strategic layer.

According to the ExileCon 2026 announcement coverage published by Epic Games Store, the announced features include:

Feature	Announced Details
Army recruitment	Recruit soldiers, mercenaries, and powerful beasts
Army capacity	Command up to 1,000 units
Battles	23 battles
Fortress	Build and develop your own stronghold
Points of Interest	Unlock up to 70 locations
Additional progression	Side quests can introduce new troops
Faction conflicts	Work with players in your chosen faction against rival factions

This represents a different direction for Path of Exile 2's endgame.

Traditional ARPG progression revolves around improving an individual character through better equipment, skill combinations, and increasingly difficult encounters. Conquerors of Wraeclast adds another layer in which recruitment, army composition, and faction objectives become part of the experience.

The potential appeal is that players will have additional reasons to engage with the endgame beyond repeatedly completing maps and hunting for equipment upgrades.

However, it is important not to confuse the announced army system with a replacement for the existing Atlas-based endgame. GGG has presented Conquerors of Wraeclast as new content, not a confirmed removal of existing endgame systems.

Passive Skill Tree, Support Gems, and Unique Items Receive Major Changes

For experienced players, the most consequential 1.0 changes may actually be the adjustments to existing character-building systems.

GGG has announced a substantial Passive Skill Tree overhaul, introducing hundreds of new stats and changing how Jewel Sockets are positioned.

Previously, players could plan routes around individual Jewel Sockets while allocating passive points across the tree. In 1.0, all Jewel Sockets will be moved into passive clusters.

This changes how players evaluate the cost of reaching particular parts of the tree.

Instead of treating Jewel Sockets as isolated destinations, players will need to consider the surrounding cluster bonuses and whether the entire investment fits their build.

The impact could extend beyond individual passive choices. It may change popular leveling routes, endgame character optimization, and the relative value of certain passive clusters.

More Skills and a Support Gem Rebalance

GGG is also introducing additional skills for classes that previously had gaps in their available options, including Warrior and Witch.

Support Gems are receiving extensive rebalancing to make them more useful.

This matters because Support Gems are central to Path of Exile 2's build system. They determine how active skills behave and allow players to customize damage, utility, and other skill properties.

A significant rebalance could therefore affect many existing builds simultaneously.

Players should be cautious about relying on older build guides when 1.0 arrives. Even if a build's core skill remains available, changes to its supporting gems or passive allocations could alter its effectiveness.

New and Reworked Unique Items

Itemization is also receiving a substantial expansion.

The 1.0 announcement confirms:

• More than 40 new Unique Items.
• More than 70 existing Unique Items receiving reworks.
• Improved modifiers, skills, and visual presentation for reworked items.

This is particularly important for the game's equipment economy.

Unique Items can influence build viability, create new combinations, and provide alternative progression paths. Adding new items while revising existing ones gives players more reasons to reconsider equipment choices.

It may also change demand for particular item categories and crafting resources once the new economy begins.

However, GGG has not provided enough information to predict specific item prices or identify which Unique Items will become the most valuable. Those outcomes will depend on final item statistics, drop rates, build popularity, and player demand.

Existing Ascendancy Classes Are Also Being Reworked

The 1.0 update is not exclusively about introducing new characters. Several existing Ascendancies are receiving significant changes.

GGG has highlighted four examples:

Class or Ascendancy	Announced Changes
Mercenary	Fundamental changes to the reloading system
Infernalist	New demonic minion capable of casting assigned spells, up to three Infernal Hounds, and new Covenant skills
Blood Mage	New skills and curses, alongside changes to Corrupted Blood
Acolyte of Chayula	New companion capable of using Quarterstaff skills and a mechanic that transfers the character's soul into a clone

These changes demonstrate that GGG is using the full release to revisit existing character identities rather than simply adding more options on top of the Early Access roster.

For players who have already invested substantial time into a particular Ascendancy, this could be a reason to revisit their builds.

It also means that some established character guides may require significant updates after the full release.

What Happens to Early Access Characters and POE 2 Currency?

This is arguably one of the most important questions for existing players.

A full release and a new Challenge League do not automatically mean that every Early Access character will be deleted.

GGG's original Early Access FAQ explicitly stated that there would be no character wipes during Early Access. Existing characters would remain in separate Early Access leagues after launch rather than being transferred into the regular Standard leagues.

This distinction matters because character progression and league economies are separate concepts.

Players should understand three things:

First, existing characters are not simply being deleted. GGG's stated Early Access policy is that those characters remain available in their own Early Access environment.

Second, a new Challenge League provides a separate progression opportunity. Players who want to experience Conquerors of Wraeclast alongside everyone else should expect to begin with a new character rather than bringing an established Early Access character into the new league.

Third, existing currency and equipment should not be treated as guaranteed starting resources for the new league. Currency items, crafting materials, and valuable equipment accumulated during Early Access belong to the existing progression environment.

This has direct implications for players managing their POE 2 Currency.

In Path of Exile 2, currency items are not simply conventional money. They are also important crafting resources used to modify equipment and support character progression. Their practical value depends on supply, demand, item availability, and the current league economy.

A new league creates a fresh environment in which players must rebuild their currency reserves, acquire equipment, and establish new trading relationships.

For returning players, this is part of the appeal of a fresh league start. Everyone begins the new progression journey without relying on an established stockpile of Early Access resources.

For newcomers, it also means there is no need to compete against veterans who have accumulated months of equipment and currency in the existing Early Access environment.

Players who want to prepare should focus on understanding currency functions, item crafting, and equipment requirements rather than assuming that their current wealth will provide an advantage in the 1.0 Challenge League.

The exact migration arrangements and every detail of the 1.0 league transition should still be checked against GGG's final launch FAQ and announcements.

Will Path of Exile 2 Become Free-to-Play?

Yes. One of the most significant changes is that Path of Exile 2 will become free-to-play when it leaves Early Access.

Currently, players need Early Access access to enter the game. On December 11, 2026 (PST), that requirement will no longer apply to new players.

This is an important change in accessibility.

Players who were reluctant to purchase an Early Access key can wait for the full release and experience the game without paying an upfront purchase price.

The game will continue to support optional microtransactions, following the free-to-play business model established by the original Path of Exile.

The announcement also identifies the full release as a launch across the game's supported PC and console platforms, including Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

For existing players, the transition does not mean their previous Early Access purchase was unnecessary. They have already had the opportunity to participate in development, experience earlier content, and provide feedback before the full launch.

Is It Worth Waiting for Path of Exile 2 1.0?

The answer depends on what players want from the game.

For newcomers, waiting for 1.0 offers several clear advantages:

• A complete six-Act campaign.
• Two additional character classes.
• More comprehensive character-building options.
• A larger Unique Item pool.
• A new Challenge League.
• Free access without purchasing Early Access.

For current players, however, there is still value in playing before December.

Early Access provides an opportunity to understand the existing combat mechanics, experiment with different classes, learn how currency crafting works, and become familiar with the endgame.

That knowledge will remain useful even when the 1.0 balance changes arrive.

Nevertheless, players should avoid becoming too attached to specific builds or assuming that current item values and market conditions will remain relevant after launch.

The passive tree overhaul, Support Gem adjustments, Unique Item changes, and new league environment could significantly alter the optimal approach to character progression.

Ultimately, Path of Exile 2 1.0 is shaping up to be a substantial expansion of the game's existing foundation rather than a simple Early Access graduation. The completed campaign and free-to-play transition will make the game more accessible, while the new classes, strategic endgame league, and character-building changes give returning players meaningful reasons to start again.

With December 11 approaching, the most important thing to watch is GGG's final patch notes and league-specific information. Those details will determine exactly how the announced systems work and how players should prepare for the new Wraeclast economy.