For long-time exiles and brand-new players, Path of Exile 2’s 1.0 full release marks a major turning point for the sequel. After years of early access testing, Grinding Gear Games is ready to deliver the complete campaign, fresh gameplay systems, a brand-new playable class, and shift the game to a fully free-to-play model. This guide covers every confirmed PoE 2 1.0 feature, major changes, release details, new league and key free-to-play notes you need before launch.
PoE 2 1.0 New League Release and Free-to-Play Guide
PoE 2 Version 1.0.0 launches on December 11, 2026, PDT. Starting on this date, PoE 2 no longer requires the $30 minimum purchase that was mandatory for early access. The game becomes free-to-play across all supported platforms, including Steam, standalone client, PlayStation 5 and Xbox.
All core gameplay systems are fully accessible without spending real money. This includes the full campaign, endgame Atlas, currency system, player trade marketplace, and all league content. The in-game microtransaction shop only sells cosmetic items and quality-of-life convenience features; there is no paywall blocking game progress, gear, or core mechanics. Future updates after 1.0 will also remain free for all players.
PoE 2 Character Migration
Characters you created during early access will be moved to a separate early access Standard realm once 1.0 launches. These old characters stay playable, but they cannot interact with new characters created after the 1.0 release. A clear realm split separates old early-access progress from the fresh post-1.0 game world.
PoE 2 1.0 New Class: Duelist
Duelist is the brand-new playable character class added in 1.0, built around sword combat. This male class starts with Strength 11, Dexterity 11, Intelligence 7, fitting its melee-focused identity. The Duelist’s core theme is impactful, stylish sword combat; survival alone is not enough, and fights should leave a lasting mark.
All three of the Duelist’s Ascendancy classes unlock at launch. Importantly, swords are not locked only to the Duelist. Any existing PoE 2 class can equip sword weapons, opening huge build variety. You can build a sword-wielding Monk, Stormweaver, Druid or Oracle, mixing sword attacks with shape-shifting or spell mechanics.
PoE 2 1.0 New Weapon Type: Swords (One-Hand & Two-Hand Swords)
Swords are the highly requested weapon archetype arriving with 1.0. Players get access to both one-handed swords and two-handed swords, plus sword-and-shield setups. This update comes with dozens of new sword-themed skills, covering elemental, blood, and sand mechanics. The famous Cyclone skill, known as the “spin to win” melee skill, joins the game alongside swords.
GGG has teased there may be more unique swords available than any other weapon type in PoE 2. Many of these unique swords come with built-in unique skills, adding extra build options beyond standard base skills.
PoE 2 1.0 Campaign & New Acts
The PoE 2 campaign is finished with the 1.0 release. During early access, players progressed through Acts 1–4 plus three temporary interlude mini-acts. These interlude zones, monsters and bosses will not appear in the main story anymore; instead, those areas and encounters are moved into endgame maps.
The completed main campaign adds new story content to finish the story, with confirmed new Acts. The full campaign will take players to Oriath, though the exact ending details remain partially unconfirmed ahead of ExileCon on November 7, 2026. ExileCon is the official event where GGG will reveal remaining unreleased details about 1.0.
PoE 2 1.0 New League & Endgame Changes
1.0 launches with a brand-new Challenge League. Full details of this league will be revealed at ExileCon, but GGG has confirmed the league adds new endgame bosses and further refinements to the endgame system.
The endgame has seen many iterations through early access patches, and GGG states the current endgame state is enjoyable for players. Alongside new bosses, 1.0 brings sweeping game-wide balance adjustments that were delayed from earlier patches. These large-scale balance changes are paired with the Duelist and sword release.
Major Balance & System Reworks in PoE 2 1.0
Support Gem overhaul: The support gem system gets a big rework. More support gems become useful on their own and create bigger changes to linked active skills.
Unique item pass: Almost every unique item in the game is reviewed and updated. The goal is to turn uniques into build-defining gear instead of items players mostly sell for shards.
Passive tree & Ascendancy fixes: Underperforming passive tree nodes and weak Ascendancy trees receive adjustments.
Attack time rework: Base added attack time on some skills such as mace skills will be reworked for better scaling, and in some cases this mechanic will be fully removed.
Trial of the Sekhema improvements: The Ascendancy trial known as Trial of the Sekhema will receive fixes. This trial uses an honor system; players lose honor when hit, and getting zero honor kicks you out. GGG recognizes this trial is unpopular and plans quality updates for it, though the full scope is not fully confirmed.
PoE 2 New Core Supporter Pack
Alongside the 1.0 release, a brand-new Core Supporter Pack will be available for players who want to support GGG. Supporter packs offer cosmetic rewards and extra microtransaction points, but they are completely optional and do not grant gameplay power.
How to Start Playing PoE 2 1.0?
Wait for the December 11, 2026 PDT launch. Download the game from your platform’s store or the official PoE 2 website ahead of time to preload files.
No purchase is required. Create an account and install the client directly.
Pick your character class, including the new Duelist, and begin the full six-act campaign.
Complete the campaign, unlock Ascendancy via trials, then move into the endgame Atlas and join the new challenge league.
Join trade, craft gear, farm new bosses, and experiment with sword builds across any class.
