Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access on December 11, 2026 (PST), when Version 1.0 launches as a fully free-to-play action RPG. Grinding Gear Games confirmed the date during gamescom Opening Night Live alongside the Duelist, a sword-focused melee class arriving with the full release.
Version 1.0 also completes the campaign with its final two Acts. Grinding Gear Games is preparing broader changes across the endgame, character progression, skills and loot, although the studio has not yet detailed the entire launch package.
Path of Exile 2 Leaves Early Access on December 11
Path of Exile 2 entered paid Early Access on December 6, 2024. Almost exactly two years later, the December 11 launch will remove that entry requirement and move the sequel to the free-to-play model used by the original Path of Exile.
The full release is confirmed for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Grinding Gear Games describes December 11 as the game’s 1.0 launch rather than another Early Access update, formally ending the current development phase.
The date is already tracked in GameTechReport’s 2026 release calendar.
The Duelist Brings Swords to Path of Exile 2
Version 1.0 introduces the Duelist as a sword-focused melee class. Grinding Gear Games revealed the class at gamescom, confirming that swords will join Path of Exile 2’s playable weapon lineup with 1.0.
Path of Exile 2 ties weapon types closely to their own skills and build options. Swords have remained one of the conspicuous gaps in Early Access, and the Duelist fills that gap as the game reaches 1.0.
Grinding Gear Games has not used the announcement to confirm that every previously discussed class or Ascendancy will be ready on December 11. The Duelist is the class specifically highlighted for the full release, so the rest of the final roster remains unconfirmed for launch.
Version 1.0 Completes the Six-Act Campaign
The full release adds the remaining two Acts of Path of Exile 2’s campaign. The Early Access version currently contains four Acts, while Grinding Gear Games describes the finished game as having a six-act campaign.
December 11 therefore brings a clear endpoint for players who have been waiting for the complete story rather than entering during Early Access. Existing players will also have new campaign content before moving into the endgame systems that Grinding Gear Games continues to revise.
GameTechReport previously covered the game’s build guide subscription system, one of the tools added during Early Access to make complex character planning easier to manage.
Grinding Gear Games Still Has More of 1.0 to Detail
December 11 is confirmed, but the complete Version 1.0 patch is not. PlayStation’s gamescom overview says the full release will include major new content and updates across the campaign, endgame, character progression, skills and loot without breaking down every system change yet.
Grinding Gear Games has not yet said which other classes will be ready on December 11 or detailed the endgame, progression, skill and loot changes coming with 1.0. December 11 is already set to bring the end of Early Access, free-to-play access, the Duelist and the final two campaign Acts.
Grinding Gear Games has also opened pre-registration for Version 1.0 through December 10 PST, with cosmetic rewards tied to community registration milestones.
Sources: Grinding Gear Games; PlayStation Blog; RPG Site.