Two years after its initial Early Access release in December 2024, Grinding Gear Games’ massive free-to-play action RPG Path of Exile 2 is finally due for its full launch, with version 1.0 landing on 11 December 2026.
Announced via a trailer at Gamescom 2026 Opening Night Live, Path of Exile 2’s 1.0 update adds the remaining Acts of the game’s campaign, so players can finally play through its complete narrative, with the studio also teasing a “massive pile of other content and changes”.
The most notable addition to the 1.0 update, however, lies in the game’s new class, the Duelist. This marks Path of Exile 2’s first sword-wielding class, allowing players to control the battlefield through fast, aggressive and adaptable melee combat armed with a sword and shield.
The Duelist also comes with his own unique backstory, with the official character description from Grinding Gear Games reading, “Raised as an orphan in the slums, the Duelist trained relentlessly for a place in the Grand Arena, where he sought vengeance. Forced to flee during the Fall of Oriath, he now fights on behalf of those unable to defend themselves.”
Path of Exile 2’s full release comes after years of massive content updates for the game, including Dawn of the Hunt in March 2025, which introduced the Huntress class, The Third Edict in August that year, which saw the debut of the game’s first official league, and Return of the Ancients in May this year, which featured a massive overhaul to its endgame. Now, the title is finally close to being feature complete, although the studio will undoubtedly keep supporting the title with updates for a long time to come.
Path of Exile 2 1.0 will launch on 11 December 2026, with players now able to register online in advance for a chance to secure exclusive rewards, with bigger rewards unlocking as more players sign up.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
