Path of Exile 2 is getting its first big content update since entering Early Access, called Dawn of the Hunt. This free expansion will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on April 4, 2025, at 12 PM PDT, and brings a ton of new content to the award-winning action RPG. The update includes a fresh class, increased character variety, and a sizeable serving of endgame improvements. This patch is poised to fire up the hunt in Wraeclast just in time for the weekend.
The highlight of Dawn of the Hunt is the Huntress, the inaugural new class introduced since the game’s Early Access launch on December 6, 2024. This spear-bearing warrior combines melee and ranged combat into a smooth, unrelenting playstyle.
Banned from her native land, the Huntress pursues her prey with a merciless arsenal—consider spear tosses from afar and crushing close-range attacks. She has a special trick up her sleeve as well: a parry ability that stuns enemies, leaving them open to punishing counterattacks.
20 New Spear Skills
With 20 new spear skills, along with two showstopper abilities—Raise Spectre (call on monster souls to battle alongside you) and Summon Rhoa Mount (mount a bird-like companion into combat)—the Huntress is guaranteed to shake things up in build diversity.
However, the Huntress isn’t alone. The update brings five new Ascendancy classes to diversify your choices. For the Huntress, there’s the Ritualist, who offers sacrifices of enemies in exchange for temporary benefits, and the Amazon, a precise warrior who takes advantage of enemy vulnerabilities with elemental panache.
The current classes receive attention as well: the Witch receives the Lich (a de facto master of undeath), the Warrior receives the Smith of Kitava (a gear-forging behemoth), and the Mercenary unlocks the Tactician (a battlefield leader with suppressive firepower). These additions introduce new playstyles and depth to an already strong cast.
100+ new Support Gems
Outside of classes, Dawn of the Hunt adds heaps of content. There are more than 100 new Unique items, with a major emphasis on mid- and endgame levels, as well as 100+ new Support Gems to fine-tune your skills—imagine Haemocrystals converting bleeds into destructive crystals or Caltrops dropping the ground covered in dangers.
The endgame also gets a major glow-up: seven new maps (such as The Fractured Lake with its mirrored enemies), four Unique Strongboxes with high-risk rewards, and an overhauled tower system—less in quantity but more potent in action.
Tablets now impact twice the zones, and towers can use up to three at a time, minimizing busywork while pumping up the challenge with new bosses.
The patch also adds Azmerian Wisps, a new mechanic that is integrated into campaign and endgame. Pursue these ephemeral spirits as they buff surrounding monsters—leading to an upgraded rare enemy—and collect rewards such as socketable Talismans if you defeat them.
Throw in Rogue Exiles (aggresive NPCs with player-like abilities and lootable equipment) and a recombination crafting system based on Expeditions, and you have a recipe for limitless experimentation.
Since its Early Access release, Path of Exile 2 has risen to the 15th most-played game in Steam history, but it’s had its growing pains—technical issues and an undercooked endgame.
Dawn of the Hunt seeks to rectify those complaints, with Grinding Gear Games suggesting a new character start in the new league for the complete experience (though old characters can join in on the fun as well).
Full patch notes drop shortly, but the March 27 livestream from yesterday—presented by game directors Mark Roberts and Jonathan Rogers—provided enthusiasts with an in-depth look at what is to come.
With its release just a week away on April 4, Dawn of the Hunt is poised to evolve Path of Exile 2’s Early Access journey into something even meatier.
Whether you’re itching to test the Huntress, chase new loot, or conquer revamped towers, next Friday’s update promises to deliver. Tune up your gear and get ready—the hunt begins anew.
