Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt Launches April 4, Featuring a New Class, Enhanced Endgame, and Extensive Gameplay Updates

Grinding Gear Games has officially announced the release date for Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt, a comprehensive content expansion scheduled to launch on April 4, 2025. The update will significantly enhance the popular action RPG experience by introducing the new Huntress class, additional ascendancy classes, innovative skills, advanced crafting options, and substantial endgame improvements.

Introducing the Huntress Class

The highlight of the expansion is the addition of the Huntress, the first new class introduced since the game's early access phase. The Huntress excels in both melee and ranged combat by utilizing spears, featuring unique mechanics such as throwable spears and dash attacks.

Key abilities include:

• Whirling Slash: A spinning melee attack that creates explosive whirlwinds.

• Twisters: Spear-based ranged attacks that interact dynamically with environmental effects.

• Parry and Disengage: Defensive maneuvers that reward precise timing and tactical counterattacks.

• Elemental Spears: Projectile attacks imbued with ice, fire, or lightning, enabling complex combinations and strategies.

• Blood Loss Mechanic: Special skills that capitalize on enemy bleeding effects, enhancing damage output.

Additionally, the Huntress introduces a Beast Taming system, allowing players to capture and command rare monsters, benefiting from their inherent combat modifiers.

Two New Huntress Ascendancy Classes

The expansion offers two specialized paths for the Huntress:

• Ritualist: Harnesses dark powers and rituals to manipulate corrupted blood, enhancing offensive and defensive capabilities.

• Amazon: A disciplined warrior adept in precise elemental combat, excelling at exploiting enemy vulnerabilities.

Expanded Ascendancy Options for Existing Classes

Three new ascendancy classes have been added for existing character types:

• Lich (Witch): Specializes in chaos and necromantic magic, sacrificing vitality for increased magical potency.

• Smith of Kitava (Warrior): Employs fiery forge techniques to craft powerful, destructive weapons.

• Tactician (Mercenary): Utilizes military tactics to outmaneuver opponents, enhancing both survival and offensive effectiveness.

New Gameplay Skills and Mechanics

Two additional skill gems have been introduced:

• Raise Spectre: Allows players to summon defeated enemies as spectral allies, expanding summoner build diversity.

• Summon Rhoa Mount: Provides a combat mount with offensive capabilities, improving mobility and tactical options.

Over 100 new Support Gems have also been included, further diversifying character builds by adding significant enhancements and modifications to existing skills.

Comprehensive Endgame Overhaul

The endgame content receives major updates, including eight new maps with unique mechanics and rewards, providing varied and challenging gameplay experiences. Notable examples include:

• The Fractured Lake: Features combat against mirrored enemies in shifting environments.

• The Phaaryl Megaliths: Tests player endurance with wave-based battles in a storm-enhanced setting.

Additionally, four new Unique Strongboxes have been introduced, each presenting specific risk-reward challenges:

• Ogham's Legacy: Features resurrecting enemies that become increasingly difficult.

• Ixchel’s Torment: Protected by chaos-imbued guardians, yielding powerful corrupted rewards.

New corrupted essences and crafting runes provide advanced equipment customization opportunities, and the appearance of Corrupted Nexuses introduces formidable bosses and rewards, offering cleansed maps with distinctive challenges.

Rogue Exiles and Azmeri Spirit Encounters

Players will now encounter Rogue Exiles, advanced NPCs equipped with player-like intelligence, strategic capabilities, and equipment usage. Additionally, the Azmeri Spirit mechanic enhances monster encounters, adding unpredictability and rewarding strategic engagement.

Streamlined Endgame Tower and Tablet Systems

The Tower system has been extensively streamlined, significantly reducing management complexity while enhancing strategic value. Towers now have fewer but more potent structures, and tablets can influence multiple areas simultaneously, reducing repetitive tasks and improving player agency.

Release Information and Availability

Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt will officially release on April 4, 2025. Players can anticipate substantial new content, extensive balance improvements, and deeper strategic gameplay, marking a significant evolution of the game.

What class or feature from Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt interests you most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.