Path of Exile 2 is “redefining” its endgame with an all-new replace coming later this month.
Return of the Ancients, dropping on Could 29, introduces a staggering 50+ hours of “new endgame content material,” together with a brand new problem system, a number of highly effective distinctive gadgets, expanded crafting methods, and a totally reimagined Atlas Tree. We’re additionally getting two new Ascendancy courses — the Marital Artist and Spirit Walker — improved marketing campaign replayability, a brand new Construct Planner, and “quite a few quality-of-life options to help each step of your journey.”
We’re additionally getting 5 new storylines, 15 new formidable new bosses, together with 4 towering Pinnacles, and can get to discover new Ascendancy courses as both the Martial Artist or Spirit Walker.
Half of that “reshaped” endgame sees all 4 leagues now have new storylines, devoted crafting methods, and “expanded mechanics.”
As for the Atlas Tree? The passive tree has been “considerably redesigned,” and gamers can now unlock each node in the tree by finishing maps all through the Fortress. Many nodes now supply “significant multi-choice selections, permitting gamers to tailor their endgame expertise with out repeated respeccing.”
That is not all, although. Alongside the Atlas tree, a brand new system known as Masters of the Atlas introduces Ascendancy-style development for the endgame in which you’ll align with totally different masters — the instance given is Jado of the Order of the Djinn, or the monster hunter Hilda — with every providing distinctive, uneven bonuses that may be “swapped between maps at will, enabling build-defining bonuses.”
We’re additionally getting Challenges in Path of Exile 2, too. Gamers who full all eight challenges can gather the Knight of Aldur armour set, exhibiting off their prowess to different gamers through in-chat show and a “devoted hideout statue.” Fancy!
As thrilling as the new options are, there’s additionally a roster of 40+ new weapons, jewelry, and armors, and a laundry listing of quality-of-life enhancements, together with navigational landmarks and trails all through the marketing campaign, a live-search Atlas map, and a local in-game Construct Information system for group creators.
“Uncover long-buried truths beneath an unlimited historical fortress in Path of Exile 2: Return of the Ancients, the place a brand new period transforms the endgame and reshapes its very foundations,” the staff teases.
Final however actually not least, Return of the Ancients is now formally the closing main content material replace earlier than the full 1.0 launch of Path of Exile 2. “The studio will proceed to launch stability and polish updates alongside occasion leagues throughout this era,” developer Grinding Gear added. We’ll discover out extra about the full 1.0 launch, which continues to be deliberate for 2026, at ExileCon later this 12 months.
There’s extra — rather more! — so head on over to the official website for the full rundown.
“Path of Exile 2’s redefined motion and surprisingly fleshed-out endgame have gotten this sequel off to an thrilling begin, even in its predictably rocky early entry state,” we wrote in IGN’s Path of Exile 2 evaluate. It returned a ‘Nice’ 8.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and marketing consultant with 15+ years expertise working with some of the world’s largest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at (*2*).