Path of Exile 2 Leaves Early Access Free-to-Play on December 11, With the Duelist Joining the Roster
Grinding Gear Games has set the date. Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access on December 11, 2026, launching as a free-to-play release simultaneously on PC, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Epic Games Store. GGG made the announcement during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live 2026, closing out nearly two years of Early Access that began in December 2024.
The Duelist: A New Sword-and-Shield Class
The headline addition is the Duelist, Path of Exile 2’s first dedicated sword-and-shield class. GGG describes it as specializing in fast, adaptable melee combat, built to fight with both swords and shields rather than the two-handed and spell-focused kits that have defined most of the game’s Early Access classes so far. It’s the twelfth class in Path of Exile 2’s lineup, and the first entirely new one added since Early Access launched.
The Campaign's Final Two Acts
The full release also brings the campaign’s final two acts, closing out the story that Early Access has only told half of so far. GGG hasn’t detailed act names, bosses, or layouts yet, but confirms the 1.0 campaign will be a complete, self-contained story for the first time.
Pre-Register Rewards and What It Means for Early Access Buyers
Players who register on the official Path of Exile 2 website by December 10 can claim community milestone rewards tied to sign-up numbers, including exclusive cosmetic effects and a pet. GGG hasn’t said what happens to existing Early Access purchases once the game goes free-to-play, so if you bought in during Early Access, it’s worth keeping an eye on official channels as December 11 gets closer.
What to Play Before December 11
In the meantime, the game you can play right now is still built on patch 0.5.1, the “Runes of Aldur” branch that’s been live since the summer. If you want to get a head start before the Duelist and the final acts arrive, we’ve rounded up the strongest classes and ascendancies in that patch in our Path of Exile 2 best builds guide.
Path of Exile 2 is available now on Steam, with our discounted Path of Exile 2 PC key available if you haven’t picked it up yet. If you’re planning to spend December exploring Wraeclast, a Steam Wallet Code (US) is worth having ready for whatever launches alongside it.
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