Grinding Gear Games announced the "Return of the Ancients" update for Path of Exile 2 during a recent livestream.

This update, designated as Patch 0.5, represents the largest expansion in the history of the franchise [4]. It serves as a critical bridge for the title as it moves toward its full release, introducing significant content and mechanical overhauls designed to stabilize the player experience.

The update focuses heavily on the endgame, introducing an overhaul of the systems players encounter after completing the main campaign. To expand the world, the developer is adding five new storylines [1] and 15 new bosses [2]. These additions aim to provide more variety and challenge for veteran players.

Beyond combat and narrative, the studio is introducing two new Ascendancy classes [3]. These classes offer new ways to specialize character builds, providing deeper customization options. The patch also includes several quality-of-life upgrades to make the game more accessible to a broader audience [3].

This release is positioned as the final major update before the game exits its current phase. There are varying reports regarding the exact timing of the full release. Some reports indicate the 1.0 launch will occur later in 2026 [5], while others state the game will leave early access later this year [6].

The developer said the goal of this massive expansion is to refine the endgame experience and finalize the core systems. By implementing these changes now, Grinding Gear Games intends to ensure the game is polished before the official transition to version 1.0.

“The largest update in Path of Exile's history”

The Return of the Ancients update signals that Path of Exile 2 is entering its final polishing phase. By adding substantial content like new Ascendancy classes and an overhauled endgame, Grinding Gear Games is attempting to secure a stable player base and a balanced meta before the high-stakes transition from early access to a full 1.0 release.