Path of Exile Future Revealed at ExileCon 2026 With Massive Updates for Both PoE 2 and PoE 1
In a nutshell
- Path of Exile 2 launches in version 1.0 on December 11, bringing the final campaign acts, two new classes, and a strategy-inspired seasonal league.
- Path of Exile 3.30, titled Covens of Umbra, launches on November 13 and delivers a major endgame overhaul alongside new league mechanics.
- Grinding Gear Games reaffirmed its commitment to supporting both titles simultaneously, with significant seasonal content planned for each game
Grinding Gear Games used ExileCon 2026 to outline the future of both Path of Exile and Path of Exile 2, revealing major updates that will shape the franchise through the remainder of the year and beyond.
With Path of Exile 2 finally approaching its highly anticipated 1.0 launch and the original game receiving one of its biggest endgame revamps in years, fans of both titles have plenty to look forward to.
Path of Exile 2 Version 1.0 Launches December 11
The biggest announcement from ExileCon 2026 was the full launch of Path of Exile 2, which exits early access on December 11, 2026, and becomes free-to-play for all players.
Version 1.0 will complete the game’s main story with the addition of Acts Five and Six, featuring 24 new areas and 18 major bosses. Players will return to Oriath as part of the climactic conclusion to the campaign.
Two fan-favorite classes will also make their return:
- Duelist, specializing in sword-based combat
- Shadow, focused on daggers, traps, stealth mechanics, and tactical assassinations
The Shadow introduces a unique stealth system that rewards ambush attacks and trap combinations, while the Duelist’s Knight Ascendancy brings a customizable companion and powerful mounted combat abilities.
Conquerors of Wraeclast Adds a Strategy Game Layer
Launching alongside Version 1.0 is a new seasonal league called Conquerors of Wraeclast, which adds an entirely new strategic layer to the ARPG experience.
Players will recruit troops, manage resources, build their own strongholds, and wage war against rival factions. Massive battles, castle sieges, and faction-based territorial control will play a central role, giving the league a flavor reminiscent of classic strategy games.
The update also includes:
- New unique items and item reworks
- Passive skill tree updates
- Atlas progression refinements
- Additional support gems and skills
- Performance improvements and other gameplay enhancements
Path of Exile 3.30 Brings Covens of Umbra
While much of the spotlight was on the sequel, Grinding Gear Games made it clear that the original Path of Exile remains a major focus.
Launching on November 13, Path of Exile 3.30: Covens of Umbra introduces a new league centered around a centuries-old conflict involving the mysterious Witches of Umbra.
Players will collect and combine powerful Fates, enhancing boss encounters with greater risks and more lucrative rewards. The league also introduces the Wickerman, a new progression mechanic that lets players harvest trophies from defeated enemies and use them to strengthen their characters.
The league culminates in a confrontation against the formidable Coven Queen, with specialized modifiers and pinnacle boss encounters offering some of the strongest rewards available.
Massive Endgame Overhaul Arrives in PoE 3.30
Beyond the seasonal content, Version 3.30 delivers what Grinding Gear Games describes as a comprehensive refresh of the endgame experience.
A redesigned Atlas introduces region-based progression systems, while nearly every core league mechanic receives new modifiers, encounters, and rewards. Notably, the long-running Scarab system is being replaced with Threads of Creation, allowing players to customize and amplify specific endgame activities.
Other highlights include:
- A fully refreshed Atlas passive tree
- New interactions between league mechanics
- Mirage becoming a permanent core feature
- Updates to Harvest, Beyond, Bestiary, Expedition, Sanctum, Heist, and Temple systems
- Improved loot drops and item progression
