Path of Exile 2 is set to expand significantly with upcoming updates, including the much-anticipated expansion, Dawn of the Hunt. This major content release promises to introduce a variety of features highly sought after by the community, particularly for endgame content. A standout addition is a new class that masterfully mixes melee and ranged abilities. Although no specific launch date has been confirmed for the full release of Path of Exile 2, players can look forward to numerous updates throughout 2025, each enhancing the existing gameplay framework.
Launching on April 4, 2025, Dawn of the Hunt will mark the first significant content update since the Early Access debut of Path of Exile 2 in December 2024. The developers are keenly aware of player desires and have responded accordingly. This expansion introduces an impressive array of features, including over 100 new Unique items, 20 new Runes, and 100 new Support Gems, which will significantly enhance character customization and build diversity. In addition, the expansion integrates numerous new endgame encounters, enriched maps, and revisions to the functionality of Towers. This substantial update is anticipated to arrive sooner than many may expect.
Release Date for Dawn of the Hunt
Availability on April 4, 2025
The Dawn of the Hunt expansion will be accessible to players starting at 12:00 PM PDT on April 4, 2025, across multiple platforms, including PC, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation, and Xbox.
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Given the breadth of changes introduced with this expansion, developers recommend that players consider creating a new character. While this is not mandatory, starting fresh may simplify the adjustment process due to significant balance revisions affecting skills, new Ascendancy classes, and changes to game mechanics such as the economy.
The Huntress: New Class Introduction
Melee and Ranged Attack Hybrid
The new Huntress class emerges as a formidable fighter, skillfully combining melee and ranged attacks through the use of spears and bucklers. Exiled from her homeland, she is always in pursuit of foes brave enough to challenge her prowess on the battlefield, proving to be a powerful adversary.
Her spear attacks boast some of the longest combo chains witnessed in Path of Exile 2, while the Parry ability facilitates counterattacks during combat, enhancing her versatility. The introduction of spears as a new base item complements her combat style, allowing for both melee assaults and thrown attacks. Furthermore, she employs bucklers to stun foes, creating openings for tactical counterattacks.
New Ascendancy Classes for Various Characters
Expanding Gameplay Options
Dawn of the Hunt introduces Ascendancy options for the Huntress while also adding new classes for the Witch, Warrior, and Mercenary. These additional Ascendancy possibilities enable players to tailor their gameplay experience according to their preferred strategies and playstyles, empowering them with new formidable abilities.
|
Ascendancy Class |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Ritualist (Huntress) |
The Ritualist channels dark energies through sacrificial rites, wielding blood and plague against adversaries. |
|
Amazon (Huntress) |
The Amazon excels in precision and fury, becoming an elite protector of Azmeri Elders through unmatched hunting prowess. |
|
Lich (Witch) |
The Lich manipulates unlife and chaos, utilizing her own vitality to empower her energies and unleash devastating curses. |
|
Smith of Kitava (Warrior) |
The Smith of Kitava forges powerful weapons, drawing strength from flame and anguish to unleash destruction. |
|
Tactician (Mercenary) |
The Tactician employs military strategies, merging ferocity with economic gain to vanquish Wraeclast’s monstrous threats. |
Ascendancy classes offer significant customization options that elevate characters for demanding endgame scenarios in Path of Exile 2. Players unlock these classes during the second act, fostering robust build strategies essential for thriving beyond the primary game content.
Endgame Content Enhancements
New Maps and Unique Items
While the expansion title Dawn of the Hunt prominently features the new Huntress class, it also includes a wealth of additional content and refinements for Path of Exile 2. The developers are actively addressing player feedback concerning the previous lack of endgame content.
New challenges are introduced through eight fresh maps, such as The Fractured Lake, which immerses players in a dynamic environment filled with formidable, mirrored Rare monsters. Furthermore, significant balance changes impact the use of Towers, with a reduction in their overall number but an increase in the potency of each remaining Tower.
With the adjustment to Towers, tablets can exert influence over a broader array of areas, enhancing strategic gameplay. A collection of >100 new unique items has been crafted specifically for mid and endgame experiences, ensuring that even seasoned players will find excitement in loot collection.
Coupled with this is the introduction of over 100 new Support Gems and 20 Runes, enabling further customization of gameplay mechanics. Players can look forward to forthcoming content updates featuring specialized socketable modifications, with the initial wave set to be showcased in the update following Dawn of the Hunt.
Though this expansion is extensive, with a multitude of changes to explore, it establishes only the groundwork for the continuous stream of new content anticipated in Path of Exile 2 throughout the year.
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