Free-to-Play Release
Path of Exile 2 launches in December and transitions to free-to-play.
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Key Points
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A bug that had plagued players since the early access launch—causing stutters and odd area reloads—was fixed earlier, signaling ongoing polish ahead of 1.0.
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Path of Exile 2 has already drawn millions of players across all platforms during its two-year early access phase.
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The 1.0 patch is expected to be the largest update PoE 2 has seen so far and will mark the start of long-term support that could extend well into 2027.
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The registration campaign offers rewards such as exclusive effects and a pet; signups are open through December 10 PST, and you can register without a Path of Exile account, with a code emailed to you after the full release.
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At full release, Path of Exile 2 will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Path of Exile 2 is leaving early access on December 11, 2026, and going fully free-to-play. Grinding Gear Games announced the 1.0 launch date at Gamescom, bringing the sword-wielding Duelist class and the final story acts to the action RPG. The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
The milestone marks nearly two years since Path of Exile 2 started early access in 2024. Millions of players have already tried the game during this phase. Grinding Gear Games is running a registration campaign through December 10 PST, offering exclusive cosmetic rewards and pets to new players who sign up before launch.
Duelist Class and Swords Arrive in Full Release
Version 1.0 will introduce the Duelist, the first class that wields swords in Path of Exile 2. GameRant reported that the class comes with new skills and gameplay mechanics. The addition completes the roster of playable classes. Swords have been a highly requested weapon type since early access began.
The 1.0 update is shaping up to be the largest patch Path of Exile 2 has received so far. Developers are also finishing the final two acts of the campaign story. This will give players the complete narrative experience at launch.
Bug Fixes and Polish Before Launch
Grinding Gear Games has already squashed a persistent bug that plagued early access players for two years. The issue caused stutters and unexpected area reloads during gameplay. The fix signals that developers are actively polishing the game ahead of the 1.0 release date.
Free-to-Play Launch Across All Major Platforms
On December 11, Path of Exile 2 will be available on Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S at no cost. MMORPG.com confirmed the multi-platform rollout. Players can jump in on their preferred console or PC without paying an upfront fee.
Registration for pre-launch rewards closes December 10 PST. Players don't need an existing Path of Exile account to sign up. After the game launches, codes will be emailed out with cosmetics and a pet reward.
Years of Development Set for Continued Support
The 1.0 launch is not the end—it's the beginning of long-term post-release support. Grinding Gear Games has pledged ongoing updates and new content that could extend well into 2027. The company plans to keep adding features and balancing the game after December 11.
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