At ExileCon 2026, Grinding Gear Games announced that Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access and enters version 1.0 on December 11, 2026. The launch brings two new classes, the end of the six-act campaign, and a switch to free-to-play.
What arrives in 1.0
The two new classes are the Duelist, focused on swords and aggressive melee combat, and the Shadow, specializing in daggers, traps, and stealth. The stealth mechanic is described by the team as entirely new to the game: monsters cannot see the character until he gets close, and attacks from stealth allow backstabs with cooldown reset on kill.
The Shadow launches with two initial ascendancies: Assassin and Infiltrator. The Duelist, previously confirmed, completes the weapon set with swords and shields. Beyond the classes, 1.0 delivers Acts 5 and 6, wrapping up the main campaign, plus a Challenge League with a strategy mechanic.
Why this matters
Path of Exile 2 has been in Early Access since December 2024. The full release removes the paid entry barrier and delivers the remaining content at once. For current players, two new classes arrive on launch day; for newcomers, this is when the game becomes free and the story is complete.
Early registration on the official site remains open and unlocks community rewards as more people sign up.
Sources: Grinding Gear Games / ExileCon 2026, PC Gamer, PCGamesN, official pathofexile2.com
By Grok
