Grinding Gear Games has officially announced when Path of Exile 2 will leave Early Access, with the full 1.0 version launching on December 11, 2026. The announcement arrived during Gamescom Opening Night Live on August 25, alongside the reveal of the sword-wielding Duelist class and confirmation that the game’s final two campaign Acts are coming with the launch.
The December update will also mark Path of Exile 2’s transition to its planned free-to-play model, opening the action RPG to players without an Early Access purchase.
Path of Exile 2 Launches on December 11
Path of Exile 2’s 1.0 release date is December 11, 2026.
The launch will complete the game’s campaign by adding its final two Acts, bringing the storyline players have been progressing through during Early Access to its finished state.
Grinding Gear Games says the update will contain a substantial amount of additional content and changes beyond the completed campaign, though the studio has not yet provided a complete breakdown of everything arriving with version 1.0.
Most importantly, Path of Exile 2 becomes free to play with the December 11 launch.
The game will continue to be available across its supported platforms, including:
- PC
- Steam
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Epic Games Store
The December release comes roughly two years after Path of Exile 2 initially entered Early Access in 2024.
Duelist Is Path of Exile 2’s First Sword Class
Grinding Gear Games also used Opening Night Live to reveal the Duelist, introducing swords as a major new weapon option in Path of Exile 2.
The Duelist specializes in fast, aggressive melee combat and can combine a sword with a shield. This gives the class a mixture of offense and defense while providing options for dealing with both individual enemies and larger groups.
His arrival should also substantially expand build possibilities for melee-focused players, particularly those who have been waiting to create characters centered around sword skills.
A new trailer shown during Gamescom offered the first proper look at the Duelist and his combat style.
Who Is the Duelist?
Grinding Gear Games has also provided some background for the new character.
The Duelist grew up as a poor orphan in the slums before training to compete in the Grand Arena, driven partly by his desire for revenge. Following the Fall of Oriath, however, he was forced to flee.
His journey eventually turns him toward protecting people who cannot defend themselves, providing the narrative foundation for his adventure through Wraeclast.
From a gameplay perspective, the Duelist’s identity revolves around combining speed, swordplay, defense, and battlefield control rather than simply functioning as another heavy melee fighter.
Path of Exile 2’s Final Two Acts Are Coming at Launch
Version 1.0 will also introduce the final two Acts of Path of Exile 2’s campaign.
These additions will finally complete the main storyline after Grinding Gear Games gradually expanded the game throughout its Early Access period.
The final Acts won’t be the only additions included in the December update. Grinding Gear Games is promising considerably more content and changes for 1.0, although players will have to wait for future announcements to learn exactly what else is planned.
That leaves plenty of room for additional systems, balance adjustments, endgame changes, and other launch content to be revealed during the months leading up to December.
Players Can Register for Launch Rewards
Grinding Gear Games is also running a registration campaign ahead of Path of Exile 2’s full release.
Players can register through the official Path of Exile 2 website until December 10, one day before launch.
The campaign features community-wide milestones, with additional rewards unlocking as more people register. Announced incentives include exclusive cosmetic effects and a companion pet.
Rather than being based solely on individual progress, the campaign rewards the wider community for reaching higher registration totals before launch.
Path of Exile 2 Is Finally Leaving Early Access
Path of Exile 2 has been evolving steadily since entering Early Access in 2024, with Grinding Gear Games using the period to expand its classes, campaign content, systems, and endgame.
That Early Access period now has a definitive endpoint.
Path of Exile 2 launches in full on December 11, 2026, becoming free to play while introducing the Duelist and completing the campaign with its final two Acts. With Grinding Gear Games still holding back details about some of the additional 1.0 content, more announcements are likely as the December release approaches.
