Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access for its 1.0 full release on Friday, December 11, 2026 (Pacific), going free-to-play with Acts 5 and 6, two new classes (Shadow and Duelist), the Conquerors of Wraeclast league, and a large endgame pass. The original Path of Exile also gets the Covens of Umbra league on November 13. Here is the verified schedule, what each class brings, and how it sits next to GTA 6’s November window.
Last checked on November 7, 2026. Official Dates and headline features come from Grinding Gear Games’ ExileCon 2026 reveal (Nov 6) as covered by PC Gamer, MMORPG.com and Steam news. Where outlets disagree on ascendancy names, we flag it.
Path of Exile 2 1.0 at a glance
| Item | Detail | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Full release | December 11, 2026 (Pacific) | Official |
| Business model | Free-to-play at 1.0 | Official |
| Campaign | Acts 5 and 6 complete the story (~24 new areas, 18 new bosses per MMORPG.com’s ExileCon notes) | ExileCon |
| New classes | Shadow and Duelist | Official |
| Launch league | Conquerors of Wraeclast (base-building / siege elements) | ExileCon |
| PoE1 next league | Covens of Umbra — November 13, 2026 | Official |
Shadow and Duelist: what we know
Official Both classes ship with 1.0. The Shadow is the stealth / dagger / trap fantasy; the Duelist is the dual-wield / glory fantasy.
- Shadow: stealth (monsters do not see you until you are close; resets on kill), a shade distraction, a Darkness resource, and traps that can wait until you leave stealth. PC Gamer reports Assassin (returning) plus a new Infiltrator ascendancy; some other ExileCon write-ups list Saboteur instead of Infiltrator — treat the second ascendancy name as Reported until GGG’s patch notes lock it.
- Duelist: previously teased; ExileCon added more on the Knight fantasy (squire companion, banners, glory spenders such as a mounted charge) alongside Weapon Master-style options. Exact final ascendancy kit: confirm in GGG notes at launch.
New weapon types tied to the classes include daggers (Shadow) and swords (Duelist), with new skill gems and supports.
Conquerors of Wraeclast and the endgame pass
ExileCon The 1.0 league mixes ARPG mapping with army / stronghold play: recruit mercenaries, siege camps, pick a faction (Ezomytes, Maraketh or Karui in coverage), and eventually fight over a shared endgame map. GGG also pitched 25+ new maps, dozens of new skills, passive-tree work, and a large unique-item pass (new + reworked). Treat exact counts from secondary write-ups as Reported if they are not on a GGG blog post you can open.
Where this sits next to GTA 6
GTA 6 launches November 19. PoE1’s Covens of Umbra lands November 13 — six days before GTA 6. PoE2 1.0 is December 11, three weeks after GTA 6. If you are clearing storage for the 212 GB GTA 6 preload on November 10, you still have room to plan a PoE1 league start mid-month without overlapping the GTA 6 unlock weekend. Full November calendar: November 2026 game releases.
Frequently asked questions
When is Path of Exile 2 1.0?
Friday, December 11, 2026, Pacific time, per Grinding Gear Games at ExileCon 2026.
Will Path of Exile 2 be free?
Yes. At 1.0 it leaves Early Access and becomes free-to-play.
What new classes arrive with 1.0?
Shadow and Duelist, announced at ExileCon 2026.
When is the next Path of Exile 1 league?
Covens of Umbra launches November 13, 2026.