Path of Exile 2 Early Access Release Date Revealed

Grinding Gear Games was present during Gamescom recently and you know what that means - more news about the upcoming Path of Exile 2. This time around, the developers focused don showcasing the early access to the game. Here’s everything we know so far about the game and its features.

Path of Exile 2 Early Access Release Date Revealed

As per the Gamescom stream, Path of Exile 2’s early access will be available on Nov. 15, 2024, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.  All players can try the game on its early access on Nov. 15 but lucky players will get to enjoy a closed beta for the game beforehand.

To gain access to the closed beta, you’ll need to purchase the full game already. We’ve yet to know what’s exactly available during the early access period but judging by the first game’s early access, we’re expecting a sizeable amount of content.

New Details Revealed For Path of Exile 2

New Boss Fights in Path of Exile 2

During the latest exploration of Path of Exile 2, we saw three new boss fights, including the Bow Engineer, a different version of the Perennial King—whom we already face once in Act 2, but now in a new arena with a different move set—and Gold Crush, a boss we've never seen before. 

There are definitely going to be more bosses for the game in the future but it’s good to finally see the rogues gallery come together.

Insights into Path of Exile 2's Story

While there wasn't a lot of new content revealed, story-wise, we did gain a few more hints about Lum Marius, who might be the main antagonist in Path of Exile 2. He appears to be the son of the Contessa, the one narrating the latest trailer from ExileCon 2023. 

Lum Marius seems to take on the role of the new Dominus, the leader of the Templars or another organization we'll be up against.

New Key Art Revealed

The new key art reveals more about the game, featuring the Iron Contessa in her wolf form, Lum Marius, the Perennial King, and a monster known as Zoad from Act 3. 

Additionally, there is a new, previously unseen creature. The artwork prominently displays five monsters, even though Path of Exile 2 has six acts. It's important to note that not all these creatures are act bosses; they're simply key figures that the developers want to highlight.

Possibility of Cinematics in Path of Exile 2

We also got hints that Path of Exile 2 might include tons of cinematics to support the story. The latest trailer, especially the shots of Lum Marius, doesn't seem to be fully rendered in-game, which could indicate a higher level of artistic investment in cinematic scenes. 

This is an exciting development, as many players have been eager for more immersive cinematics to elevate Path of Exile 2 to the next level, making it competitive with other great RPGs.

New Gem Information

The update at Gamescom provided us with a slew of new information, especially regarding gems. Path of Exile 2 has introduced changes in how gems are categorized, moving away from class-based to weapon-type-based gems. 

The new gem categories include Mace, Axe, Crossbow, Sword, Spear, Bow, Quarter Staff, Dagger, Elemental, Primal, and Flail. There's also an "All Gems" tab for easy access.

Primal gems are likely linked to shape-shifting abilities, and while we haven't seen the Druid in action, it's speculated that this class will utilize Primal gems. Additionally, new skills have been showcased, such as Spinning Inferno, Shield Wall, Stampede, Ancestral Warrior Totem, and Hammer of the Gods.

Gem Cutting Support

The gem-cutting support screen has also seen significant changes. Default weapon attacks can now be supported by support gems, and these support gems no longer consume mana. This change, revealed earlier in a Ziggy D interview, required extensive rebalancing of encounters in the game. It's a massive shift in gameplay, as all default attacks—whether with a mace, sword, or bow—can now benefit from support gems.

The new system also introduces a recommendation feature for support gems, helping both new and veteran players quickly identify which gems are most effective for their builds. This feature is a welcome addition, ensuring that players don't waste time pairing skills with ineffective support gems.

Mercenary Class Updates

We also learned about updates to the Mercenary class, thanks to insights from the community. Crossbows are now unified, and instead of using fire, ice, and penetration ammunition separately, these have been converted into different skills that can be supported. Players can seamlessly switch between ammunition types without changing weapons, making gameplay smoother and more intuitive.

The sound effects for crossbows have also been praised for their impact, adding to the immersive experience. For many, the Mercenary class is becoming a strong contender for their main character choice at launch.

Support Gem Capacity

Finally, it's worth noting that support gems in Path of Exile 2 now have capacity limits based on your character's attributes. The number of support gems you can equip will depend on your strength, dexterity, and intelligence. For instance, a character with high strength might be able to equip 27 strength-based support gems, but if their dexterity is low, they may only be able to equip one dexterity-based gem. This new mechanic adds another layer of strategic depth to character builds.

Excited For Path of Exile 2?

There are probably a few years left before we get the actual full game but it’s exciting to see that things are moving forward with the much-anticipated sequel. If you have PoE needs before it, don’t be afraid to contact us at RPG Stash for help!