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Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access for its 1.0 full launch on 11 December 2026, and it arrives free-to-play on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S the same day. The big-ticket additions are the remaining campaign Acts, the new Duelist class with swords, and the end of the Early Access leagues. Grinding Gear is showing more at ExileCon on 6–7 November, but the date, the free model and the platforms are already locked in.
Here is everything confirmed about the PoE 2 1.0 launch, what’s genuinely new, and which details are still up in the air — a single reference to keep ahead of 11 December. Details are from GGG’s announcements and launch coverage (Maxroll, Game8, Wccftech, Fextralife), as of 5 November 2026.
Everything confirmed at a glance
The facts Grinding Gear has locked in, and the ones still marked provisional.
| Detail | What we know | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | 11 December 2026 | Confirmed |
| Launch time | ~1 PM PST expected (GGG’s usual slot) | Unconfirmed |
| Price | Free-to-play (EA was $29.99) | Confirmed |
| Platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Confirmed |
| Launch cadence | Simultaneous on all platforms | Confirmed |
| New class | Duelist (swords) | Confirmed |
| Campaign | Remaining Acts added | Confirmed |
| EA leagues | Forbidden Rites / Runes of Aldur end | Confirmed |
| Full class roster | 12 planned; not all at 1.0 | Partial |
| Crossplay / cross-progression | Series tradition; 1.0 specifics | Expected |
| ExileCon reveals | More detail 6–7 Nov | Upcoming |
What’s new in 1.0
Version 1.0 is the jump from a partial Early Access game to the complete release, so the additions are substantial. The headline is the new Duelist class and swords — a weapon type and archetype the Early Access roster never had, opening fresh build space. Alongside it come the remaining campaign Acts, completing the story that Early Access only partly delivered, plus the endgame, leagues and systems that make up a full Path of Exile release. The Early Access leagues (such as Forbidden Rites and Runes of Aldur) wrap up as 1.0 begins, which is standard for a full launch that resets economy and league structure. Grinding Gear has also been reshaping how existing classes perform through its 0.5 “Return of the Ancients” update — described as the largest Early Access patch — so expect balance and system changes on top of the raw new content. ExileCon on 6–7 November is where more of this gets shown in detail.
The free-to-play shift
The single most consequential change at 1.0 is the move to free-to-play. Throughout Early Access, playing meant buying a Supporter Pack (listed at $29.99 on Steam); from 11 December that barrier is gone and anyone can download the full game for nothing on any platform. That mirrors the original Path of Exile, which has run free-to-play for over a decade on a model of optional cosmetics and stash-tab purchases rather than pay-to-win. The practical effect is a likely surge of new players at launch — both newcomers trying an acclaimed ARPG for free and lapsed players returning — which is exactly why GGG timed the full campaign, the new class and the free flip together. If you’ve been waiting to try PoE 2 without paying, 11 December is the day the cost drops to zero; if you already bought in during Early Access, you keep your Supporter Pack value.
Still unconfirmed
A few important details were not nailed down as of 5 November, and it’s worth being clear about them rather than guessing. The exact launch hour on 11 December isn’t official — GGG’s major patches usually go live around 1 PM PST, but the 1.0 server-open time is expected to be confirmed around or after ExileCon. The final class and Ascendancy roster is only partly known: the Duelist is in, but Grinding Gear has said not every planned class and Ascendancy will necessarily arrive at 1.0, so the full twelve-class vision may keep filling in afterward. How Early Access characters and the economy carry into 1.0 — what resets, what persists — is also awaiting official launch notes. And the ExileCon Twitch Drops reward list hadn’t been published. Treat all of these as open until Grinding Gear confirms them; we update this page as the official details land.
More PoE on EverythingEdinburgh: the 1.0 release date & is-it-free guide, our classes & Duelist guide, the ExileCon 2026 watch guide, and the best PoE 2 builds.
PoE 2 1.0 FAQ
Details are as of 5 November 2026, from GGG’s announcements and launch coverage (Maxroll, Game8, Wccftech, Fextralife). The launch hour, full 1.0 class/Ascendancy list, Early Access carry-over and ExileCon Drops were still to be confirmed — we update this page as GGG publishes them.
