Path of Exile 2 gets its final major early access patch on May 29

Path of Exile 2 is getting one last major early access update before its full 1.0 launch.

Grinding Gear Games has announced Path of Exile 2: Return of the Ancients, version 0.5.0, which launches on May 29, 2026. The update is being positioned as the final big content patch before the full release, which is still planned for later this year.

This is not a small update. Return of the Ancients adds more than 50 hours of endgame content, five new storylines, 15 new bosses, four Pinnacle fights, two new Ascendancy classes, a new League mechanic, and a rebuilt Atlas with more than 300 nodes.

The two new Ascendancy classes are Spirit Walker for the Huntress and Martial Artist for the Monk.

Spirit Walker uses animal spirits, including Stag, Owl, and Bear. These spirits can support different combat styles, and combining them unlocks Sacred Wisps that strengthen all spirits at once. The class can also tame beast bosses as permanent companions.

Martial Artist focuses on illusions, spectral bells, body runes, and stone based defense. It can echo attacks through Hollow Form Technique, shatter enemies with summoned bells, and use runic tattoos to socket runes directly into the Monk’s body.

The endgame is also being rebuilt around new storylines. The biggest addition is The Fortress, a massive precursor stronghold that becomes the central endgame structure. It includes new map mechanics, boss progression, Atlas Tree points, and a Pinnacle Boss at its core.

Grinding Gear Games is also changing how endgame bosses are accessed. First time boss access is now tied to dedicated questlines instead of random key drops, which should make progression clearer.

Other systems are getting major updates too. Delirium now has a visible depth bar and new mirror shard encounters. Breach gets a visible timer and an enraged phase if you keep it open long enough. Ritual introduces Aoife and the Wildwood through a multi map gauntlet. Masters of the Atlas adds an endgame specialization system built around three Atlas Masters.

Here is a quick look at the main additions:

The new League is called Runes of Aldur. It focuses on Ezomyte Runesmithing through a new NPC named Farrow. You find ancient Remnants with rune slots and fill them with your own runes to craft items. The twist is that the same runes that power your crafts also strengthen the enemies that appear.

The League also adds Runic Ward, a new defensive resource that works like a second life pool. It also fuels Kalguuran skills, a new class independent skill system that does not rely on mana or color requirements.

There are also more than 100 new crafting runes, 30 new monster types, 30 new rune modifiers, new currencies, unique weapon reforging, and ocean exploration through Expedition logbooks.

Quality of life is getting attention as well. Return of the Ancients adds an in game Build Guide system, instant trade market price checks with Shift Alt click, a Fragment Stash Tab, live search for the Atlas map, pinned tracking scrolls, improved campaign landmarks, and better campaign replayability.

The Atlas passive tree is now fully unlockable by completing maps in the Fortress. That means players can eventually spec into everything instead of being forced into one narrow path. Many nodes now offer multiple choices, letting you adjust bonuses without full respeccing.

Return of the Ancients sounds like a large reset for Path of Exile 2’s endgame. It adds new classes, deeper crafting, clearer boss access, more long term goals, and a much larger Atlas. If this is truly the final big update before 1.0, Grinding Gear Games is using it to test a much more complete version of what Path of Exile 2 is meant to become.