Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.3.0 Release Date & Content Update

What's up, exile fanatics? Hold onto your stackable inventory tabs, because Path of Exile 2 patch 0.3.0—The Third Edict—is shaping up to be the most hype-infused, content-packed update we've seen in early access so far. And yes, I'll get into every juicy detail, from the release date to Acts, leagues, sprinting, skill gems—plus I’ve got a little gold-for-currency tip: if you're looking to buy PoE 2 currency, consider checking out PVPBank early on—worth a quick peek, especially as gearing up might get wild once the patch drops.

PoE 2 Patch 0.3.0 Release Date: When’s the Drop?

Mark your calendars—not figuratively, literally. Patch 0.3.0, aka The Third Edict, launches August 29, 2025, across PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. One site even pins down the time: 1 PM PDT. That means, for us West Coasters, the lag time between hype buildup and actually playing it'll feel like seconds.

There’s also a free weekend boost—starting from August 29 through September 1, 2025, you can jump in for free (with progress carrying over if you already own Early Access). Perfect time to drag your exiled pals back in or test your new builds without dropping cash.

What’s Inside The Third Edict? The Content Rundown

So what’s actually included in this patch? A ton. Grinding Gear Games seems to have taken feedback seriously and loaded up this update with both new story content and the quality-of-life fixes we’ve been begging for.

Act IV: Ngamakunui Archipelago

The big headline is Act IV. You’re diving into the Polynesian-inspired Ngamakunui archipelago, made up of eight islands you can visit in any order—nonlinear exploration at its best.

Interlude Acts (Bye-Bye Cruel Mode)

No more crawling through Cruel difficulty. Instead, GGG replaces it with three temporary Interlude Acts—bite-sized quests that bridge you to endgame without replaying old content over and over:

• Interlude I: Ogham and Renly in Act I

• Interlude II: Vastiri desert meet-up with Asala

• Interlude III: Vaal descendants quest with Doryani

They’re temporary—the plan is to remove them once Act V arrives—though some elements (bosses, areas) may stick around for endgame.

Rise of the Abyssal League

Yep, Path of Exile 2 finally gets its first league, called Rise of the Abyssal. Expect expanding fissures, monster fights, unique rewards, new item affixes—and maybe even character surprises. A callback to the OG league system, but reworked for PoE 2’s world—and likely a big motivator to keep grinding.

Sprinting! (Finally 😅)

Movement complaints? Heard. They’ve introduced sprinting: after a dodge, hold the dodge key to sprint—until you take damage or use a skill. Adds pace to movement without turning the game into a blur.

Skill & Support Gem Overhauls + Lineage Supports

Every damage class and their builds are getting a look-over. Support gems are reworked. Plus, there's a new tier called Lineage Support Gems—ultra-rare, drop from specific bosses, and powerful as hell. There are 40 total to find.

Endgame: Maps & Bosses

Ready for maps? The patch brings 25 new endgame maps, stuffed with monsters and bosses—including uber versions of Act IV’s big bads.

Asynchronous Trade System

Trade gets a modern upgrade. Asynchronous trading lets you buy from someone’s hideout even if they’re offline. No more getting ghosted after promising to pay—this could be a game changer.

Veteran Gamer Take: Why This Patch Feels Like a Breath of Fresh Haunted Air

As someone who’s been speed-mapping like a madman since release, The Third Edict feels like GGG finally pulled all their good cards. You get:

• New campaign zones (Act IV)

• Quick side-quests to speed you to endgame (Interludes)

• A legit fresh league (Rise of the Abyssal)

• QoL improvements—sprinting, trade fixes, gem rebalances

Honestly, this is how you treat the player base right through early access—keep things new, keep things playable, keep things… fun. Particularly loving the asynchronous trade system—if only because watching people scramble to update trade listings in real-time is part of the charm, but knowing there's a fallback is clutch.

What It Ain’t (Yet)

Still no new class in 0.3.0—many hoped for the Druid, but that didn’t make the cut.

And release from early access is still out of reach—devs hoped for end of 2025, but that’s not happening. Several classes are still pending, campaign isn’t finished, balance isn't locked in.

TL;DR: Quick Table

Wrap-Up & Call to Action

Alright, y’all, that’s the lowdown on Path of Exile 2 patch 0.3.0 – The Third Edict. Big content, big quality-of-life leaps—it's a brilliant early-access update.

Whether you're hunting bosses in Act IV, sprinting across the island chain, or diving deep into Abyssal league mechanics, this patch looks geared to thaw out even the frostiest of exiles. And hey, if you’re trying to stay ahead on gearing, don’t forget to glance at PVPBank for buying Poe 2 currency—might shave you some grind time.

Now, let me know—what are you itching to test first when 0.3 goes live? Act IV exploration? Racing through Interludes? Building for Abyssal fissures? Elliott of builds could use some testing by us veterans.