The Shadow is one of two new classes coming to Path of Exile 2 with the 1.0 full release. He fights with daggers, traps and shades, and he brings a brand-new mechanic called Stealth. At launch he will have two Ascendancies, Assassin and Infiltrator. Everything below is based on what GGG had announced as of 9 November 2026; the full release is due on 11 December 2026. Until then you can’t play the Shadow, as he isn’t part of Early Access.
What kind of class is the Shadow
Grinding Gear Games (GGG) revealed the Shadow on 6 November 2026 at ExileCon 2026, where the studio showed the whole 1.0 release. He is the second new class for 1.0. The Duelist was announced earlier, on 25 August 2026 at gamescom, while the Shadow had to wait for ExileCon.
According to GGG, the Shadow stays out of sight and brings enemies down in three ways: daggers, traps and shades. Daggers and traps both arrive in Path of Exile 2 with him as new weapon types.
A quick note on his story: the Shadow is a descendant of the Perandus family and owes a debt to the dark god Prospero. GGG hasn’t shared more about his past yet, so you won’t find more here.
How Stealth works
GGG describes Stealth as a mechanic Path of Exile 2 hasn’t had before. The basics are simple:
- While in Stealth, monsters can’t see you until you get close to them.
- Stealth empowers your dagger skills and gives them extra bonuses.
- One of those bonuses, according to GGG, is creating shadow clones that distract enemies.
In practice, you get close to a pack of enemies unseen and open with an attack before they know you’re there. How long Stealth lasts, how you get back into it and what the bonuses look like in numbers, GGG hadn’t published as of 9 November 2026. We won’t guess.
Traps: a new weapon type
The Shadow’s second new tool is Traps. They aren’t an add-on to another weapon; GGG lists them as a weapon type of their own. Per the announcement, they work like this:
- You prepare your traps, ideally while in Stealth, when enemies can’t see you.
- They trigger automatically as soon as you attack.
- They explode in the order you threw them, so you decide the sequence and can set up a combo.
GGG says each trap interacts with at least three others, which leaves plenty of combinations. There will be eight trap types in 1.0. Their names and exact effects aren’t in verified sources as of 9 November 2026, so we don’t list them.
| Mechanic | What it does according to GGG |
|---|---|
| Stealth | Monsters can’t see you until you’re close; empowers dagger skills |
| Daggers | New weapon type; gains bonuses in Stealth |
| Traps | Prepared in advance, trigger when you attack, explode in throw order; 8 types |
| Shades | Third way of fighting; GGG hasn’t detailed it yet |
Shadow Ascendancies: Assassin and Infiltrator
An Ascendancy is a class specialisation. In Path of Exile 2 it’s a small tree of its own in the middle of the passive skill tree, filled with separate Ascendancy points. You pick it after completing a trial in the campaign. Our PoE2 beginner’s guide explains how the system works.
The Shadow will have two Ascendancies in 1.0:
- Assassin
- Infiltrator
One thing to keep in mind: GGG’s long-term goal is three Ascendancies per class, but both the Shadow and the Duelist will launch with only two. GGG hadn’t detailed what each Ascendancy does as of 9 November 2026, so there’s no passive breakdown or pick recommendation here. Builds for 1.0 simply don’t exist before launch.
When you can play the Shadow
The Shadow arrives with the 1.0 full release, which GGG has set for 11 December 2026 (Pacific time, PST). GGG hadn’t given a launch hour as of 9 November 2026. From that day Path of Exile 2 will be free-to-play, so you can try the Shadow without paying. Until 11 December you need paid access and only have the eight Early Access classes.
With the Shadow and the Duelist, the game will have ten classes. Marauder and Templar, part of GGG’s planned twelve, won’t be in 1.0. Our article on the Duelist class covers the other newcomer. What else the full release brings and how to sign up is in our full release guide.
Planning to start 1.0 as a Shadow? Join our Discord and meet other players getting ready for launch day: GamersTogether Discord.
FAQ
With the 1.0 full release, which GGG has scheduled for 11 December 2026 (PST). The Shadow isn’t in Early Access as of 9 November 2026.
Two in 1.0: Assassin and Infiltrator. GGG hasn’t announced a third one for launch.
While in Stealth, monsters can’t see you until you get close. Stealth also empowers dagger skills and gives them extra bonuses.
Eight in 1.0. Traps trigger automatically when you attack, explode in the order you threw them, and each one interacts with at least three others.
Yes. According to GGG, the 1.0 full release is free-to-play, so you can play the Shadow from 11 December 2026 without paying.
Information verified on 9 November 2026. More guides are in our PoE2 guides hub.