PoE 2 Roadmap 2026 Guide: Patches, Classes and Full Release

Path of Exile 2 has officially entered the phase where everything starts to feel real. Early Access has been live since December 2024, and by the time we rolled into 2026, the conversation shifted from testing mechanics to one big question: when is PoE 2 actually launching in full. If you are like most long time players, you are not just looking for hype. You want timelines, patch expectations, class releases, and a realistic take on what Grinding Gear Games can actually deliver.

This PoE 2 Roadmap 2026 guide breaks down everything we currently know and realistically expect. That includes upcoming patches like 0.5 and 0.6, new leagues, unreleased classes, campaign progress, and the long awaited 1.0 full release. As a veteran player who has lived through delayed leagues, balance rollercoasters, and endgame overhauls, I am keeping this grounded and honest.

Quick side note before we dive deep. As PoE 2 systems continue evolving, gearing and crafting can get expensive fast. Some players choose services like PVPBank to buy PoE 2 currency early in a league to save time and focus on builds and content instead of endless farming. That is totally optional, but it is part of how many experienced players manage their time.

Did you know that Path of Exile league cycles have quietly influenced how other ARPGs schedule their own seasons over the last decade?

Where PoE 2 Stands Going Into 2026

Path of Exile 2 is currently in Early Access, but do not let that label fool you. The game already runs on a launch style seasonal schedule, complete with leagues, supporter packs, balance passes, and MTX rotations. Patch 0.4, released in December 2025, added the Druid class, shapeshifting mechanics, a new Ascendancy, and a Pinnacle boss. It also came with mixed feedback, especially around endgame balance and league scaling.

Heading into 2026, the focus is clear. Finish the campaign. Fix the endgame. Prepare for 1.0.

PoE 2 0.5 Patch Release Date and Expectations

The PoE 2 0.5 patch is expected to land in mid to late April 2026. This prediction lines up with previous patch cycles, even though the gaps have slowly stretched longer over time.

Patch history gives us a rough pattern:
0.1 December 2024
0.2 April 2025
0.3 August 2025
0.4 December 2025

Based on this, April 2026 makes the most sense for 0.5, especially since GGG will want to avoid overlapping with a PoE 1 league launch in late February.

What PoE 2 0.5 Is Likely to Add

The biggest expected feature is the long delayed endgame rework. This was originally planned for 0.4 but was pushed back. The current endgame struggles with a harsh risk versus reward curve where deaths are punishing and rewards require extreme difficulty scaling.

Other realistic expectations include:
Major mapping system changes
Atlas or endgame progression adjustments
Possibly Act 5 campaign content
Potential reveal of a new class such as Templar or Duelist

There is also strong speculation that swords will finally enter PoE 2, which would almost guarantee the Duelist class showing up in 0.5.

New PoE 2 Leagues in 2026

Leagues are still expected to follow a three to five month cycle, but 2026 may be different. To keep progress toward 1.0 moving, GGG may decouple league launches from major system patches.

That means we could see:
A league launching without a major endgame overhaul
Or a major patch landing mid league

This would be a big shift from tradition, but it might be necessary.

League quality is also under scrutiny. The 0.3 Abyssal mechanic was so well received it went core. The 0.4 temple building mechanic was far more divisive, especially at endgame. Many players would rather see fewer but more polished leagues than rushed seasonal content.

PoE 2 0.6 Patch Predictions

The PoE 2 0.6 patch is currently expected around August or September 2026. This patch is more flexible in scope, depending on how much work is needed for the full release.

Possible focuses include:
New playable classes like Shadow or Marauder
Additional Ascendancy classes
Trial of the Ancestors mechanic finally returning
Smaller scope content to reduce dev overload

Veteran players know that overstuffed patches often create more problems than they solve. A tighter 0.6 focused on one or two major systems may actually be healthier for the game.

New Classes and Ascendancies in 2026

Right now, PoE 2 has 8 playable classes. Four remain unreleased:
Duelist
Templar
Shadow
Marauder

The game director has confirmed that not all 12 classes are required for the 1.0 release. That said, community sentiment strongly favors launching with as many iconic classes as possible.

Most Likely Class Releases

Duelist is widely considered the safest bet for 2026, especially if swords are introduced. Templar is another fan favorite and would feel strange to exclude from a full launch window.

Ascendancies are another challenge. Not all classes currently have their full Ascendancy sets, and the dev team has admitted that some Ascendancies may launch in a simplified state and be reworked post launch.

Campaign Progress and Act Completion

The campaign is the biggest blocker for the PoE 2 1.0 release. Right now, the game has:
Four complete acts
A temporary Act 5

For full release, Acts 5 and 6 must be finalized. Many players believe Act 6 is shorter than the others and could ship alongside Act 5.

Possible rollout scenarios:
Act 5 launches in 0.5 or 0.6
Act 6 launches with 1.0
Both Acts launch together at full release

There is also ongoing discussion about a campaign skip option after one completion, though nothing official has been confirmed.

PoE 2 1.0 Full Release Date Predictions

The game director has said he is confident in a 2026 full release, but only if the quality is right. Community predictions range widely.

Optimistic estimates place 1.0 in late 2026, possibly around the holiday season. Conservative predictions push it into early 2027.

What most players agree on is this:
PoE 2 will not launch 1.0 without a complete campaign and a polished endgame.

Based on current progress, late 2026 feels possible but tight.

What Changes at Full Release

The biggest shift is free to play access. Early Access currently requires a thirty dollar supporter pack, though that value converts to in game currency for stash tabs.

At full release:
PoE 2 becomes fully free to play
Stash tabs from PoE 1 carry over
Only cosmetics and convenience items remain monetized
No pay to win systems

GGG has consistently upheld its ethical monetization stance, and there is no indication that will change.

Other expected full release changes include:
A new pinnacle endgame boss
Trade system improvements
Further performance optimization

Final Thoughts on the PoE 2 Roadmap 2026

The PoE 2 Roadmap 2026 is ambitious but realistic. Grinding Gear Games is clearly prioritizing long term health over rushed launches, even if that frustrates some players in the short term.

If you are planning your time, builds, or investment into PoE 2, 2026 is the year everything comes together. Expect meaningful changes, some growing pains, and a game that is steadily shaping into something special.

As always, patience pays off in Wraeclast.