Path of Exile 2 is an upgraded version of the popular game known for its depth and complexity. Grinding Gear Games has introduced new classes, improved game mechanics, and significantly expanded the content. This December, early access will become available, allowing players to dive into a reimagined world. Whether you're a veteran of the first game or new to the series, PoE 2 is an excellent choice for anyone who loves deep and engaging gameplay.

Path of Exile 2 Early Access Release Date

Path of Exile 2 enters early access on December 6, 2024. This period is expected to last at least six months, during which the developers will add new content and make improvements based on player feedback. This marks the first opportunity for players worldwide to dive into the revamped world of Wraeclast. Early access will allow players to explore the game and provide valuable feedback to the developers at Grinding Gear Games, helping shape the future of the project.

To join early access, players need to purchase supporter packs, which not only grant access to the game but also include exclusive cosmetic items and bonuses. This period is an excellent chance for fans to test the initial content, explore the first three acts of the campaign, and begin crafting unique character builds.

Path of Exile Classes

The game will feature 12 base classes, each with unique abilities and playstyles. At the launch of early access, scheduled for December 6, 2024, the following six classes will be available:

In the new game players will encounter six unique classes, each offering distinct features, playstyles, and customization options. Class selection is based on three primary attributes: Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. These attributes determine the character's abilities and unlock access to three subclasses, providing additional mechanics and skills.

WarriorThis class is designed for those who favor raw strength and devastating strikes. The Warrior's primary attribute is Strength, making them a master of heavy weapons, especially two-handed maces. Warriors can withstand significant damage and deliver powerful area attacks, making them indispensable in battles against large groups of enemies.

Warrior Subclasses:

• Warbringer enhances war cries, turning them into a key strategic tool, and can transform totems into powerful spirits.
• Titan focuses on powerful strikes and has the ability to stun enemies, making them ideal for battlefield control.

MonkThe Monk is a hybrid of Dexterity and Intelligence. This class combines physical attacks with elemental magic, offering a particularly versatile playstyle. Monks use staves and excel at high mobility, allowing them to quickly reposition and avoid dangerous attacks.

Monk Subclasses:

• Invoker specializes in summoning magic, enabling them to call creatures for support in battle.
• Acolyte of Chayula offers unique abilities tied to chaos, emphasizing unconventional tactics.

MercenaryThe Mercenary is a versatile class that combines Strength and Dexterity. They excel in handling crossbows, utilizing various types of ammunition for maximum effectiveness. With high mobility and adaptability, the Mercenary easily adjusts to different combat scenarios, whether it’s precise enemy elimination or swift maneuvering.

Mercenary Subclasses:

• Witch Hunter is designed to counter magical enemies, using arcane barriers and suppressive abilities.
• Gemling Legionnaire harnesses magical gems to enhance their attacks, adding devastating power.

SorceressThe Sorceress is a class for those who love elemental magic. She wields fire, ice, and lightning to annihilate her enemies. This class is perfect for players who prefer ranged attacks, combining powerful spells to deal significant damage. The Sorceress can also mix elements to create devastating ability combinations.

Sorceress Subclasses:

• Stormweaver focuses on lightning-based attacks, increasing critical damage.
• Chronomancer manipulates time, slowing enemies and resetting ability cooldowns, providing a strategic advantage.

RangerThe Ranger is a master of ranged combat, emphasizing speed, precision, and crowd control. Their primary weapon is the bow, allowing them to strike enemies from a distance. High mobility makes this class an excellent choice for dynamic battles, especially with the new game mechanics introduced in Path of Exile 2.

Ranger Subclasses:

• Deadeye enhances ranged attack damage and accuracy, turning the character into a lethal sniper.
• Pathfinder focuses on nature-based abilities, improved flasks, and excellent control of the battlefield.

WitchThe Witch is a class specializing in occult magic, including necromancy, curses, and blood magic. She can summon hordes of undead, cast bone spells, and apply curses to enemies, making her ideal for players who prefer a strategic and controlling playstyle. While her defenses may be weaker compared to other classes, she compensates with powerful spells and the ability to control the battlefield through her summoned minions and debuffs.

Witch Subclasses:

• Infernalist harnesses fire magic, turning battles into blazing infernos that incinerate enemies.
• Blood Mage uses their own blood to amplify spells, making this approach extremely risky but incredibly powerful.

Each of these classes not only offers a unique playstyle but also allows for deep customization, enabling players to tailor their character to their preferred gameplay. PoE 2 emphasizes variety and strategic depth, providing players with virtually endless opportunities for experimentation.

The remaining six classes, including Druid, Huntress, Marauder, Duelist, Shadow, and Templar, will be added in future updates. Each class features three unique subclasses, ensuring extensive customization and a wide range of build options.

Path of Exile 2 Content & Features

PoE 2 introduces a wealth of new content and features that elevate the game beyond its predecessor. From reimagined visuals to improved combat systems, Grinding Gear Games has rebuilt the game from the ground up to provide a seamless and immersive ARPG experience.

Initial Content of PoE 2

In the early access of Path of Exile 2, you will be able to explore a variety of locations, each uniquely designed with its own atmosphere and distinct character. Completing the first three acts of the campaign, which include these areas, is expected to take approximately 25 hours of gameplay. Among the new zones, the following stand out:

Dark Forests

A dense and ominous woodland where you will face wild predators and other intriguing and powerful enemies.

Perilous Ruins

Ruined temples and forgotten structures filled with deadly traps and guarded by ancient creatures. Exploring these ruins unveils fragments of the world's history and offers a chance to discover rare artifacts.

Snowy Mountains

Harsh peaks covered in snow and ice are inhabited by dangerous creatures. Players will need to overcome extreme weather conditions and fight enemies dwelling in icy caves and on rugged mountain trails. Speaking of weather, in PoE 2, weather conditions directly affect gameplay — in the case of snowy mountains, the cold will slow down your movement.

Desert Plains

Scorching sandy expanses where sandstorms rage. Players will encounter nomadic tribes, hidden oases, and wild predators fiercely defending their territories.

Underground Catacombs

Dark tunnels inhabited by the undead and ancient monsters. The catacombs hold secrets and valuable treasures, but you must be careful to avoid hidden traps.

New Skill Gems

The developers have added over 100 new skill gems in the new game, greatly expanding the possibilities for creating unique builds. These gems cover a wide range of playstyles, from powerful spells to melee abilities and support skills.

Examples of New Skill Gems:

• Earth Rupture: A skill that creates a fissure, erupting spikes that deal area damage. Perfect for clearing large groups of enemies.
• Electric Chain: A lightning skill that jumps from one enemy to another, increasing its damage with each jump. Great for dealing with tightly packed enemy groups.
• Phantom Weapon: A new summoning skill that calls forth floating swords to attack nearby enemies. Ideal for players who enjoy a summoner playstyle.

These gems not only complement existing mechanics but also introduce entirely new ones, making the process of build creation even more diverse.

Weapon Switching System

The game will also feature a completely revamped weapon switching system, allowing players to instantly swap between two pre-selected weapon sets. For example, you can use a powerful sword for melee combat and then seamlessly switch to a bow for ranged attacks.

How It WorksPlayers can preconfigure two weapon slots, allowing them to switch between sets instantly without any delay. This feature makes combat more flexible and dynamic. Each weapon slot can be linked to a unique set of skill gems, enabling players to adapt efficiently to different combat scenarios.

For instance, a player might use a one-handed sword for effective melee attacks and then switch to a bow equipped with the Spray Arrows skill to clear enemies from a distance. This addition introduces more strategic depth to battles, letting players adjust their tactics based on the situation.

Co-op ModePoE 2 offers both single-player and co-op modes. The single-player mode is perfect for those who enjoy solo gaming, focusing on their character, exploring the world, and diving deeper into the game’s mechanics. Meanwhile, the co-op mode provides opportunities to experiment with character combinations in a party, making boss fights a bit easier and more engaging.

Additionally, consoles feature local co-op (split-screen), where two players can play on the same device, each controlling their own character simultaneously. This option is ideal for shared gameplay on a single screen, making it a fun experience for smaller groups.

Endgame Content

Path of Exile 2 offers players seven unique endgame systems, each providing special mechanics and rewards. These systems include:

1. Ritual: This is a system where players activate altars, summoning waves of enemies. With each new round, the enemies grow stronger, and players can choose modifiers that increase the difficulty, but also raise the value of the rewards. Defeating the enemies grants rare and unique items that cannot be found in regular locations.
2. Breach: In this system, players will face temporary rifts that spawn waves of enemies. Successfully completing the event rewards players with valuable items, such as rare artifacts and resources for upgrading gear. Players can collect "Breach Splinters," which are used to open more challenging rifts with powerful enemies and better rewards.
3. Delirium: This is a mechanic where players enter a fog that enhances enemies and increases the difficulty. Enemies grow stronger with each step, and the further players progress in the fog, the more valuable the rewards become. The fog brings unique and rare items, but as players advance, the risks increase.
4. Expedition: In this system, players will explore archaeological digs, set explosives to open chests, and fight enemies that appear after the explosions. The more explosions, the greater the rewards. During the exploration, they will find valuable items guarded by monsters. The system also offers unique trading with NPCs, where players can exchange artifacts and rare items obtained during the digs.
5. Trial of the Sekhemas: This is a multi-level trial with four floors, each featuring unique rooms and bosses. On each level, players face different enemies and traps. The final floor contains the final boss. Completing the trial rewards players with valuable loot and access to additional endgame content.
6. Trial of Chaos: This is an endgame challenge where players choose one of three difficulty modifiers. Tasks may include defeating waves of enemies, surviving for a set time, or protecting objectives. Success rewards players with valuable loot, such as rare items. However, if the player dies or fails to meet the conditions, all rewards are lost, and the trial is failed.
7. The Burning Monolith: Challenging endgame event that requires players to navigate through a labyrinth guarded by powerful factions. To access the citadel, players must collect three keys by defeating the lieutenants and the leader of each faction. If any boss is not defeated, the attempt will fail.

Each of these systems adds depth and variety to the endgame, giving players numerous ways to test their skills and earn valuable rewards.

Seasonal UpdatesAfter release, the game will receive regular updates and leagues, introducing new mechanics, challenges, and content to keep players engaged and maintain variety in endgame activities.

PvP and Social FeaturesWhile the primary focus is on PvE content, the developers may introduce new PvP modes or competitive events, as well as expand guild functionality to enhance participation in endgame activities.

Path of Exile 2 Price & System Requirments

To participate in the early access, players need to purchase supporter packs, starting at $30 USD. These packs not only grant access to the game but also include various in-game bonuses such as unique cosmetic items and visual effects. It’s important to note that while the Path of Exile 2 price is fixed for early access, the full version of the game will remain completely free.

PoE 2 will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, catering to a broad audience. For players choosing Path of Exile 2 console, the developers have ensured optimized controls and high performance, delivering a smooth and immersive experience. Regardless of the platform—whether it’s Path of Exile 2 Xbox or another system—users will have access to the same features and functionalities.

Thanks to support for multiple Path of Exile 2 platforms, the game aims to be accessible to everyone while maintaining its high-quality standards on every device.

System RequirementsTo enjoy a smooth gaming experience in PoE 2, your device should meet the following requirements:

Minimum Requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 10
• Processor: Quad-core 2.8 GHz x64-compatible
• RAM: 8 GB
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 960 or AMD RX 470
• Storage: 100 GB of free space

Recommended Requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 10
• Processor: Octa-core 3.6 GHz x64-compatible
• RAM: 16 GB
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 2060 or AMD RX 5600XT
• Storage: 100 GB of free space (SSD recommended)

These specifications ensure stable performance and allow you to fully enjoy the game.

Conclusion

Grinding Gear Games has prepared an incredible amount of new features for players in Path of Exile 2 compared to the first game. Updated classes, new mechanics, and expanded content promise to make the game even more engaging and immersive. The character progression system, which allows for the creation of unique builds, along with a variety of endgame activities, will provide hours of exciting gameplay. We eagerly await when PoE 2 will reveal all its possibilities and offer players a new level of adventure in the world of Wraeclast.