Path of Exile 2 1.0: Shadow Class, Acts 5 and 6, Dec 11

After two years in early access, Path of Exile 2 is ready for its big finish. Grinding Gear Games used its ExileCon 2026 showcase on November 6 to reveal everything coming in the 1.0 full release, and it is a lot: the Shadow class, the final two campaign acts, a new league built around armies and castles, and a sweeping overhaul of builds and endgame. The action RPG launches December 11 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S.

• Path of Exile 2 1.0 launches December 11 (PST) and is free to play
• The Shadow class arrives with daggers, traps, stealth and shadow clones
• Acts 5 and 6 complete the campaign, alongside the Conquerors of Wraeclast league
• The full game features 10 classes, 26 Ascendancies, 320+ skills and 150+ endgame maps

What's New in the Path of Exile 2 Full Release?

The Shadow is the headliner. It brings daggers into the game along with stealth, traps and shadow skills that summon clones to fight beside you, plus returning favorites like Blade Vortex and Fire Trap. It joins the previously announced Duelist, who introduces swords, stances and skills like Cyclone, and who now gets a regal new Ascendancy called the Knight. Swords can be two-handed, dual-wielded or paired with a shield, which opens a huge range of builds.

The campaign finally wraps up with Act 5, a return to the war-torn city of Oriath, and Act 6, completing the chase after the Beast. New bespoke rare monsters with their own looks and abilities populate the journey.

How Does the Conquerors of Wraeclast League Work?

This is where things get delightfully strategic. The 1.0 league adds base building: you recruit armies across more than 70 points of interest and fight 23 campaign battles, then grow a castle you upgrade with gold. Commanders can lead your recruits and even run maps for you. In the endgame you join one of three factions, the Karui, Ezomyte or Marraketh, and battle to control castles across the Atlas, unlocking fast travel, bonus item rarity and hunting grounds packed with rare monsters. Picture a dark-fantasy loot grinder crossed with a cozy kingdom builder, and you are close.

Builds, Uniques and Endgame Changes

Theorycrafters, start your spreadsheets. The update brings over 40 brand-new Uniques and more than 70 reworked ones, a major passive tree overhaul that moves jewel sockets into real skill clusters, and smarter support gems, including several elemental penetration gems merged into one. The Atlas skill tree is being trimmed from more than 300 nodes to roughly 70, and over 25 new maps join the endgame. Grinding Gear Games also promises performance improvements, and new supporter packs are available now.

Why This Action RPG Launch Is One to Watch

December is shaping up to be a feast for loot fans, and a free-to-play launch with this much content is a generous way to welcome newcomers. If you love the genre, catch up on the competition in our BlizzCon 2026 Diablo 5 reveal recap, and keep an eye on our gaming news hub for launch coverage.

Sources: PC Gamer — November 6, 2026; RPG Site — November 7, 2026.