According to Grinding Gear Games (GGG), Path of Exile 2 launches as free-to-play version 1.0 on 11 December 2026, Pacific time (PST). Until then the game is in Early Access, and as of 20 October 2026 it runs on version 0.5.5e, which you have to pay for. Here is what GGG has officially announced for the full release, how the sign-up rewards work and what applies until December.
When does Path of Exile 2 1.0 come out
GGG announced the date on 25 August 2026 at gamescom Opening Night Live: the full 1.0 version releases on 11 December 2026, Pacific time. The studio hasn’t given an exact hour, so we don’t convert it to your local time here. Keep an eye on the announcements on the official website or the GGG forum for the exact time.
With 1.0 the game switches to free-to-play, so you can play without buying a pack from 11 December 2026 onwards. GGG describes the in-game shop as cosmetic and promises “Fair-To-Play. Never Pay-To-Win.”
What the full release brings
Duelist, the ninth class
GGG has announced the Duelist, a melee fighter with sword and shield and, according to GGG, the first sword-wielding class in Path of Exile 2. The Duelist isn’t in the current 0.5.5 version and arrives with 1.0. As of 20 October 2026, Early Access has eight classes: Warrior, Ranger, Huntress, Mercenary, Monk, Sorceress, Witch and Druid.
Steam describes the game’s target as 12 classes, two for each combination of the Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence attributes. Each is meant to have three Ascendancy classes, 36 in total. Your class is only a starting point, and skills can be combined across classes. How classes and Ascendancy work today is explained in our beginner’s guide.
The final two campaign acts
The second big addition is the final two acts of the campaign. GGG puts it simply: “The story is finally complete.” The Early Access campaign currently has acts and Interludes, and update 0.5.0 already shortened some areas and added subtle path markers.
Signing up on pathofexile2.com and the rewards
Until the full release goes live you can sign up at pathofexile2.com/register. Enter your email address and confirm the registration in the email you receive. You don’t need a Path of Exile account to sign up.
Signing up gets you exclusive cosmetics, and more rewards unlock as the total number of registrations grows:
| Registration milestone | Reward |
|---|---|
| base (everyone who signs up) | Soulflame Crown Helmet Attachment |
| 1 million | Soulflame Weapon Effect |
| 2 million | Soulflame Portal |
| 3 million | Chained Chimera Wings |
| 4 million | Scourgeborn Boar Pet |
As of 19 October 2026, GGG says the community has unlocked two milestones, so everyone who signs up gets at least two cosmetics.
Existing players have to sign up too
Owning Early Access doesn’t give you the rewards automatically. You have to register even if you already play and own a Supporter Pack. GGG will email the codes after 11 December 2026, and you can redeem one code per account.
Consoles and account linking
The rewards can be redeemed on every platform: Steam, Epic, PlayStation and Xbox. The condition is a Path of Exile account linked to your platform, which you set up on pathofexile.com under my-account/connections. How playing and progressing across platforms works is covered in our crossplay guide.
What applies until 11 December 2026
Until the full release you play in Early Access. Access comes with the Early Access Supporter Pack or a higher pack that includes a key, and the game isn’t free yet. Store-by-store prices are in our price guide.
Major Early Access updates aren’t paid expansions, so owners download them for free. The current leagues, Forbidden Rites and Runes of Aldur, run until the 1.0 full release and end together. How the leagues differ and what happens to your characters is covered in our PoE2 leagues guide.
Path of Exile 2 is a standalone game alongside Path of Exile 1. Your PoE 1 account also works in PoE 2 and purchases are shared between the two games, so there’s no need for a new account if you already play PoE 1.
Platforms and Steam Deck
GGG has announced the full release for PC (standalone client from pathofexile2.com, Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. On Steam Deck the game has been Steam Deck Verified since 24 September 2026. Until 11 December you play it there through Early Access, from 11 December for free. What the game needs on PC is in our system requirements guide.
Join our Discord to talk about the launch, the Duelist and who you’re starting the campaign with on 11 December: GamersTogether Discord.
FAQ
According to GGG, on 11 December 2026, Pacific time (PST). GGG hasn’t announced an exact hour.
Yes, from 11 December 2026 as free-to-play. Until then the game is in paid Early Access and you need a Supporter Pack to play.
GGG has announced the Duelist class with sword and shield and the final two campaign acts that complete the story.
Only if you register at pathofexile2.com/register. Buying Early Access doesn’t grant them automatically. The code arrives by email after 11 December 2026.
Yes. You can redeem the code on Steam, Epic, PlayStation and Xbox as long as your Path of Exile account is linked to the platform.
Information verified on 20 October 2026. More guides are waiting in the PoE2 hub.