Path of Exile 2

Overview

Path of Exile 2 is Grinding Gear Games' standalone online action RPG, set years after the original game in the corrupted dark-fantasy world of Wraeclast. It entered paid Early Access on December 6, 2024 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

As of September 2026, update 0.5.5 and its Forbidden Rites event league are live. The Early Access build remains a work in progress, while the confirmed 1.0 launch on December 11, 2026 will make the game free to play.

Combat and Boss Encounters

Combat is more deliberate and movement-driven than in the original Path of Exile. Every character can dodge roll, attacks can be aimed while moving, and bosses rely on readable area attacks, positioning checks, and multi-stage mechanics rather than character statistics alone.

The campaign is built around frequent bespoke bosses. Death can reset a boss encounter, so learning an attack sequence, protecting recovery windows, and adapting a skill setup are central parts of progression.

Classes, Skills, and Builds

The current Early Access roster includes Warrior, Ranger, Mercenary, Sorceress, Witch, Monk, Huntress, and Druid. Druid can shift among animal forms, while the Duelist and swords are confirmed for the 1.0 launch. Grinding Gear Games' complete plan calls for twelve base classes and three Ascendancy specialisations per class.

Active Skill Gems hold their own Support Gems, allowing multiple heavily modified abilities in one build. A roughly 1,500-node passive tree supports dual specialisation, so selected passive points can switch automatically with different weapons or skill types.

Campaign, Leagues, and Endgame

The current build contains four campaign acts followed by an Atlas-based endgame of maps, bosses, crafting, and returning league systems. Fresh leagues reset the economy without deleting older characters; retired league characters remain playable in an appropriate Early Access league.

Forbidden Rites launched with patch 0.5.5 on September 4, 2026. It adds a fresh economy, eight challenges and exclusive rewards, while its wider Trial of Chaos improvements apply across the game. Forbidden Rites and Runes of Aldur are scheduled to run until the 1.0 release.

Co-op, Cross-Play, and Monetisation

Online parties support up to six players across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Two-player couch co-op is also supported, and cross-play plus cross-progression let the same characters move among supported platforms when the account has access to each client.

Early Access currently requires a qualifying supporter pack or access key. Version 1.0 will be free to play. The store sells cosmetics and account conveniences such as stash tabs rather than direct character power, and compatible Path of Exile purchases carry into the sequel; PlayStation ownership restrictions can affect access to purchases on other platforms.

Tips for New Players

• Build around one dependable damage skill first, then add Support Gems that clearly improve its damage type, area, projectiles, or resource cost.
• Treat boss attempts as pattern practice. Save the dodge roll for dangerous telegraphs instead of using it continuously and leaving yourself without a safe response.
• Prioritise maximum life and elemental resistances on campaign gear. A modest damage upgrade is rarely worth creating a major defensive weakness.
• Plan only the next cluster or two on the passive tree. Following a beginner build is useful, but understanding why each nearby node helps is more valuable than copying a distant endpoint.
• Choose the current league for its fresh economy and challenges. Existing league characters are moved rather than erased when a league ends, so experimenting does not require fearing a full account wipe.

System Requirements and Platforms

Path of Exile 2 is available through the standalone PC client, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It requires an online connection even when playing alone.

The Steam specifications describe the Windows version. Console performance features and online-subscription requirements vary by platform and storefront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Path of Exile 2 still in Early Access?

Yes. It remains a paid Early Access game until its confirmed version 1.0 launch on December 11, 2026.

Will Path of Exile 2 be free to play?

Yes. Grinding Gear Games says the full 1.0 release will be free to play. Early Access currently requires a supporter pack or valid access key.

What is the current Path of Exile 2 league?

Forbidden Rites launched on September 4, 2026 as a new event league alongside patch 0.5.5. Runes of Aldur also remains available until the 1.0 launch.

Which platforms support Path of Exile 2?

The supported platforms are Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. PC access is available through the standalone client, Steam, and Epic Games Store.

Is Path of Exile 2 available on macOS?

No macOS client is currently listed among the supported Early Access platforms.

Does Path of Exile 2 support cross-play and cross-progression?

Yes. Players can form parties across supported platforms and use the same characters across platforms, although Early Access requires access to each client being used.

How many players can play together?

Online co-op supports parties of up to six. Two players can also use couch co-op on one supported system and account.

Will Early Access characters be wiped?

No full character wipe is planned. League characters and items migrate to the appropriate Early Access league when their temporary league ends, though balance changes can alter builds.

Do Path of Exile purchases carry into Path of Exile 2?

Compatible cosmetics and relevant stash tabs are shared between the games. Platform ownership rules, especially on PlayStation, can limit where a purchase appears.

Is Path of Exile 2 an MMORPG?

It is best described as an online action RPG. It includes shared hubs, trading, leagues, and six-player co-op, but most combat areas are private instances rather than one seamless massively multiplayer world.