Grinding Gear Games is gearing up to release the Path of Exile 2 update, “Dawn of the Hunt,” bringing a wealth of new content to the beloved action RPG. Fans can look forward to the introduction of the spear-wielding Huntress class, as well as an array of new sub-classes and a massive collection of updated and brand-new items. But players should brace themselves for what designer Rogers refers to as a “nerf fest,” targeting some of the game’s most dominant builds. “You might stumble upon new exploits that are outrageously broken, but don’t expect it to be the same ones causing mayhem in the past,” Rogers hinted.
The game is undergoing significant transformations partly because of how Path of Exile 2 handles classes differently. Unlike a game like Diablo, where classes have unique abilities, Path of Exile allows for a crossover of spells and armor among classes. This means that introducing a new class opens up a world of new skills and items for everyone.
Drawing inspiration from Diablo 2’s Amazon, the Huntress is all about mastering mid- to long-range spear attacks. Exciting new features include a rideable bird companion and the innovative ability to capture monster souls akin to Pokémon. Capturing these creatures brings their random powers into your control, potentially offering an immense variety of combat options—possibly numbering in the thousands or even millions.
Players of the Mercenary, Warrior, and Witch classes have new ascendancies to explore. The Mercenary can now become a Tactician, gaining the power to lead minions and ballistae. Warriors can enhance their arsenal on-the-fly as the Smith of Kitava, while Witches have the allure of raising an undead legion, all while embracing their own undead identity as a Lich.
This patch is jam-packed with updates, and more details will be rolled out as we approach the launch on April 4. Broadly speaking, the update seems to be widening the horizons of its endgame, refining new player onboarding, infusing more intentionality into item crafting, and easing the unforgiving nature of high-level dungeons by allowing retries after death.
Grinding Gear Games suggests that players treat this update like a fresh new season, starting with brand new characters, although all enhancements will roll out on the existing League or server. Staying the course with your current character? Be prepared for the possibility that your trusty build may no longer hold up.
