Path of Exile 2 Release Date: 1.0 Launches Free on Dec 11

Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access and launches as a free-to-play game on December 11, 2026 (Pacific time). Grinding Gear Games (GGG) announced the date at gamescom in August, then showed what version 1.0 adds during its ExileCon 2026 keynote on November 6.

Last checked: November 9, 2026.

Path of Exile 2 1.0 at a glance

What the 1.0 full release adds

GGG's ExileCon announcement lists these headline changes for December 11:

• The complete campaign. Acts 5 and 6 are new, finishing the story that Early Access players have followed through Act 4 and the Interludes.
• Two new classes: the Duelist and the Shadow. GGG first revealed the Duelist in a trailer at gamescom's Opening Night Live in August. The ExileCon announcement added the Shadow.
• A new endgame storyline on top of the Atlas systems that are already in the game.
• A new challenge league, Conquerors of Wraeclast. GGG describes it as sieging your enemies. As with every new league, it starts with a fresh economy.
• Large balance changes across skills and classes.

On its Steam Early Access page, GGG says the plan was always to add two more Acts, more classes and ascendancies, many more skill gems and items, and more endgame content. Its stated goal was to roughly double the size of the game between the start of Early Access and the full release.

Is Path of Exile 2 free to play?

Not yet, but it will be from December 11. Until then you need Early Access, which comes with a supporter pack. The Steam page says it directly: once the game leaves Early Access, it will be free-to-play.

Here is how access works right now:

On October 23, GGG said its original Early Access Supporter Packs would leave the store within a few weeks, to be replaced by five new packs. The official shop now lists Full Release Supporter Packs, and every tier includes either an Early Access key or a game key.

If you only want the finished game, waiting costs nothing. Supporter packs mostly buy cosmetics and shop points. GGG funds the game with cosmetics and stash tabs, the same model as Path of Exile 1.

What time does Path of Exile 2 1.0 launch?

GGG has given the date as December 11 PST. The announcements we checked don't name an hour yet.

For reference, the last three major updates all went live at 1 PM Pacific:

• The Third Edict: August 29, 2025
• Return of the Ancients: May 29, 2026
• Forbidden Rites: September 4, 2026

For recent updates, GGG also released a torrent for the standalone PC client the day before launch, and console players could download the patch early. Watch the official news page for the exact time and any predownload details.

Path of Exile 2 Early Access timeline

Each major update added content in large steps. For example, The Third Edict added Act 4 and the Interludes, The Last of the Druids added the Druid class, and Return of the Ancients overhauled the endgame.

What happens to the current leagues?

Two temporary leagues are running right now: Runes of Aldur, which started with 0.5.0, and the Forbidden Rites event, which started with 0.5.5. GGG's Forbidden Rites FAQ says both run until the 1.0 release and end together.

Conquerors of Wraeclast then starts fresh. If you want to race the new economy, plan on making a new character on launch day. Our Path of Exile 2 beginner guide and classes and ascendancies list will help you plan that character.

Sign up for the free launch rewards

GGG is giving free cosmetics to anyone who registers at pathofexile2.com/register before launch:

• Everyone who registers gets at least one exclusive microtransaction.
• More rewards unlock as the community hits registration milestones. If all four milestones unlock, everyone gets five in total.
• Codes are emailed after the December 11 launch. You redeem them on the Path of Exile website.
• Each account can redeem one code, and codes work on PC, PlayStation and Xbox once your account is linked to that platform.
• If you unsubscribe from the emails before the codes go out, you won't get one.

Path of Exile 1 isn't going away

Path of Exile 2 is a separate game, not a replacement. GGG still updates Path of Exile 1: its next expansion, Covens of Umbra, launches for free on November 13, 2026 (PST). You don't need to have played the first game to start Path of Exile 2.

Frequently asked questions

When does Path of Exile 2 come out of Early Access?

On December 11, 2026 (PST). That's the date GGG announced, and the Steam store page also lists "Leaving Early Access: Dec 11, 2026."

Is Path of Exile 2 free to play?

Yes, from December 11, 2026. Until then, playing requires Early Access, which comes with supporter packs that start at $30 USD on the official site.

Is Path of Exile 2 on PS5 and Xbox?

Yes. It's already in Early Access on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and GGG releases its content updates on consoles at the same time as on PC.

What new classes are in Path of Exile 2 1.0?

The Duelist and the Shadow. They join the eight classes already in Early Access: Warrior, Ranger, Huntress, Mercenary, Monk, Sorceress, Witch and Druid.

What is the Conquerors of Wraeclast league?

It's the challenge league that launches with 1.0. So far GGG has only said that you'll be sieging your enemies in it. Like every new league, it starts with a fresh economy.

Do I need to play Path of Exile 1 first?

No. Path of Exile 2 is a standalone game with its own campaign, and you can start it with no Path of Exile 1 experience.

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