Path of Exile 2 is getting its first major update in early access.
Developer Grinding Gear Games has announced Dawn of the Hunt, the first major content update coming to Path of Exile 2 since its debut in early access last year. The update brings several reasons for early access players to return to the game before its full release, including the addition of a Huntress class, new ascension classes, and more endgame encounters. There’s also the small matter of over a hundred new unique items in-game for players to find, too.
Here’s a trailer for the update:
Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt update announced
Path of Exile 2’s new Dawn of the Hunt update is adding a new hybrid ranged and melee class: the Huntress. The Huntress can parry enemies and use a variety of elemental spear attacks to execute long combo chains. She can also fight either in close combat or from afar with a ranged spear throw, satisfying players who enjoy mixing things on the battlefield.
Dawn of the Hunt also expands on existing build options with five new ascendancy classes, two of which come with the Huntress herself: Ritualist and Amazon. The former has the Huntress wield blood sacrifice and plague as weapons, while the latter has her focus on precision and elemental attacks. The Witch is also getting a Lich ascendancy class, allowing her to throw out chaos and curses on the battlefield.
The Warrior is getting the Smith of Kitava ascendancy class, which allows players to focus on their smithing skills. Mercenary players will also be able to try out the Tactician, who brings a more militaristic edge to the battlefield while also earning players a robust income.
Several new skills are coming to the game, including 20 new spear skills designed for the Huntress. Two new skills are of particular note here: Raise Spectre allows players to trap and summon almost any monster in the game, while Summon Rhoa Mount allows them to summon a Rhoa to fight or mount. 100 new Support Gems are also being added with this update, changing the shape of current meta builds quite a bit.
100 new unique items are coming, focused on the mid-to-endgame portion of Path of Exile 2 in early access. New crafting tools are also being added to allow players to better mod their gear. More content includes Azmeri Spirit wisp encounters, eight new maps, four new unique strongboxes, four new corrupted essences, and more. The endgame has also been rebalanced significantly, with fewer and more powerful towers now available. This change takes aim at a recurring complaint regarding Path of Exile 2’s endgame: the amount of busy work it takes to grind content out.
Dawn of the Hunt launches in Path of Exile 2 on 4 April, 2025, at 12 PM PDT.
