Path of Exile 2 1.0: release date and what changes

Date and platforms

Launch is set for Friday, 11 December 2026 on PC (Steam and Epic), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X. The exact time was not confirmed in the sources we checked.

Everyone already playing in early access keeps the existing content: 1.0 combines everything in the game with the new additions.

It becomes free to play

Early access required buying a supporter pack ($30). With 1.0 the game becomes free on every platform: register and play.

That should bring many new players in the first month, so the markets and the economy will be busier early on.

The Duelist class and swords

The headline addition is the Duelist, the game's first sword class. Grinding Gear Games says you can play the Duelist and its swords for free on PC and console.

Swords are a new weapon type. According to launch news, many sword skills are likely to arrive with 1.0, but that is not a confirmation yet.

What is still rumour

There are reports that 1.0 completes the campaign (Acts 5 and 6) and brings a new league, but Grinding Gear Games has not detailed it in the sources we checked, so we treat it as unconfirmed.

The interim 0.5.5 update has no date and is rumoured to relaunch the Runes of Aldur league mechanic with a fresh economy. Also only a rumour.

Marauder, Shadow and Templar appear as announced classes, but with no confirmation for 1.0 and no ascendancies revealed.

What to do before launch

Decide whether you want a melee, ranged or spellcasting class: our classes page compares the eight that already exist.

Read the gems guide, the system that confuses newcomers most: skill gems, support gems and Spirit.

Come back to this page: we will update it as Grinding Gear Games confirms more details.