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Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 · 1.0

Path of Exile 2 1.0: release date, free-to-play and everything we know

Grinding Gear Games has confirmed that Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access and fully releases on December 11, 2026 (PST), and that it goes completely free-to-play. At ExileCon 2026, GGG revealed two new classes, the Duelist and the Shadow, Acts 5 and 6 to complete the campaign, and the Conquerors of Wraeclast league. This page is updated as official details land.

ExileCon 2026 · 1.0 reveal

Nov 6, 12:30 PST

Nov 6, 12:30 PM PST · Twitch & YouTube

1.0 launch · free-to-play

December 11

December 11 PST · server hour not announced

Last updated:

Key dates

EventPSTVietnam (ICT)Status
Patch 0.5.5 and the Forbidden Rites league
GGG
Sep 4, 2026, 1:00 PM PDTSep 5, 2026, 3:00 AMOfficial
ExileCon 2026 — 1.0 full reveal (done)
GGG
Nov 6, 2026, broadcast 12:30 PM PSTSaturday Nov 7, 2026, 3:30 AMOfficial
1.0 patch notes
Output Lag
About a week before Dec 11, no date setEarly December 2026Reported
Launch registration rewards close
Path of Exile 2
Dec 10, 2026 (PST)Dec 11, 2026Reported
Path of Exile 2 1.0 launch, free-to-play
GGG
Dec 11, 2026 (PST), hour not announcedDec 12, 2026 early morning if servers open in the PST afternoon, as with past major launchesOfficial

What we know about 1.0

Fully free-to-play from December 11

Official

GGG: "Path of Exile 2 launches as a fully free-to-play action RPG on December 11 (PST)." Until launch day, the game remains a paid Early Access title.

GGG

New class: the Duelist

Official

The Duelist is a swordsman relying on speed and well-timed strikes, the first PoE2 class built around swords, with Stances (Ready, Sand and Blood). His Knight ascendancy brings a Squire companion and War Banners. GGG's announcement names Master-at-Arms as the second ascendancy, while its press release says it (as Master of Arms) arrives at a later date.

GGG (Steam)

New class: the Shadow

Official

The Shadow fights with daggers and Traps, a new weapon type, and brings a new Stealth mechanic: monsters can't see you until you get close. His two ascendancies at release are the Assassin and the Infiltrator.

GGG (Steam)

The full campaign: Acts 5 and 6

Official

1.0 adds Acts 5 and 6, completing Path of Exile 2's six-Act campaign.

GGG (Steam)

New league: Conquerors of Wraeclast

Official

The league that starts with 1.0 is built around large-scale warfare, castle building and territorial conquest.

GGG press release

Platforms

Official

PC (GGG standalone client, Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

GGG press release

Current leagues end at 1.0

Official

Forbidden Rites (0.5.5) runs until the 1.0 release and ends alongside Runes of Aldur. GGG's Early Access FAQ (2024) says Early Access characters are not wiped: they move to a league called Early Access and never go to Standard. GGG hasn't restated this for 1.0.

GGG

Pre-registration rewards

Official

Sign up at pathofexile2.com/register for launch news and milestone rewards that unlock as more players register before launch.

Path of Exile 2

Server-open hour

Unconfirmed

Not announced yet. This page will add the exact time as soon as GGG posts it.

GGG

Get ready for launch

Passive tree planner →

Plan your build, share it by link, import/export Path of Building.

Path of Exile 2 builds →

Builds by class and ascendancy.

Classes →

Every current class and ascendancy.

Skill gems →

Every skill gem with per-level stats.

System requirements →

GPU, CPU and RAM by FPS tier.

Frequently asked questions

When does Path of Exile 2 1.0 release?

December 11, 2026 (PST). GGG has not announced the server-open hour yet.

Is Path of Exile 2 free-to-play?

Yes. From the 1.0 launch on December 11, 2026, Path of Exile 2 is fully free-to-play on every platform. Until then it is a paid Early Access game.

What time is ExileCon 2026?

It streamed on November 6 at 12:30 PM PST on twitch.tv/pathofexile and youtube.com/@playpathofexile, where GGG revealed the 1.0 content. The recordings are on both channels.

What is the Duelist in Path of Exile 2?

A Strength/Dexterity swordsman arriving with 1.0, built around Stances. His Knight ascendancy was shown at ExileCon; the second, Master-at-Arms, is named in GGG's announcement, but GGG's press release says it arrives at a later date.

What is the Shadow in Path of Exile 2?

A Dexterity/Intelligence class using daggers and Traps, with a new Stealth mechanic. He arrives on December 11, 2026 with two ascendancies, the Assassin and the Infiltrator.

What platforms is Path of Exile 2 1.0 on?

PC (GGG standalone client, Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Can I play Path of Exile 2 without Steam?

Yes. GGG offers a standalone PC client from the official Path of Exile site. Steam buyers can link their Steam account to a GGG account to log in with it.

Will my Early Access characters be wiped at 1.0?

No, according to GGG's Early Access FAQ (2024): characters move to a league called Early Access and never go to Standard. GGG hasn't restated this for 1.0; this page will update when it does.

How do I get the launch registration rewards?

Register at pathofexile2.com/register before launch. Rewards unlock in milestones as more players sign up.

Update log

  • After ExileCon: added the Shadow (Assassin, Infiltrator), the Duelist's Knight and Master-at-Arms, Acts 5 and 6, the Conquerors of Wraeclast league, the patch-notes timing and Early Access characters.
  • Page created: 1.0 date, free-to-play, Duelist and ExileCon schedule confirmed from GGG announcements.

Sources