Grinding Gear Games is set to release a major update for Path of Exile 2 on April 4, 2025. Dubbed “Dawn of the Hunt,” this update introduces the new Huntress class, five additional Ascendancy options, and significant endgame improvements.
The Huntress Joins the Fray
The star of this update is the Huntress, a new class that wields spears with deadly precision. Designed for a hybrid playstyle, the Huntress excels at both melee and ranged combat. Her signature abilities include:
- Whirling Slash: Creates a damaging whirlwind that grows larger with consecutive uses
- Parry: Blocks incoming damage and stuns enemies
- Disengage: A quick backwards leap that interrupts enemy actions
The Huntress brings a fresh dynamic to Path of Exile 2’s combat, emphasizing constant movement and tactical positioning.
New Ascendancy Classes Expand Build Options
Dawn of the Hunt doesn’t just cater to new players - it also expands options for existing classes with five new Ascendancy choices:
Ritualist (Huntress)
The Ritualist harnesses blood sacrifices and plagues as weapons. Key abilities include:
- Corrupted Lifeforce: Infests enemies with volatile boils that detonate on death
- Ritual Sacrifice: Gain powerful modifiers by offering the corpses of Rare monsters
Amazon (Huntress)
The Amazon specializes in spear combat and exposing enemy weaknesses:
- Predatory Instinct: Reveals vulnerabilities in Rare and Unique enemies
- Elemental Infusion: Imbues weapons with elemental power based on consumed charges
Smith of Kitava (Warrior)
Masters of the forge, Smiths of Kitava can enhance weapons and customize armor:
- Against the Anvil: Imbues weapons with fiery destruction
- Armor Crafting: Freely modify Body Armor by connecting notables and adding bonuses
Tactician (Mercenary)
Former Blackguard Elites, Tacticians excel at controlling the battlefield:
- Suppressing Fire: Causes projectiles to Pin enemies in place
- Right Where We Want Them: Pinned enemies are unable to move or act
Lich (Witch)
Liches manipulate Chaos and Curses, sacrificing life for power:
- Life-to-Shield Conversion: Transforms life into Energy Shield
- Crystalline Phylactery: Dramatically empowers a chosen Jewel at the cost of increased Mana usage
Overhauled Support Gems and New Skills
The update introduces over 100 new Support Gems, significantly expanding build diversity. Notable additions include:
- Alignment: Rewards precise positioning for Bow attacks
- Haemocrystals: Transforms bleeding effects into explosive Vaal crystals
- Caltrops: Creates slowing hazards across the battlefield
Players can also look forward to the new Raise Spectre skill, allowing them to summon and control the souls of defeated monsters.
Endgame Improvements
Dawn of the Hunt brings substantial changes to Path of Exile 2’s endgame systems:
- Seven new endgame maps
- Revamped Tower and Tablet mechanics
- Introduction of Cleansed Maps and Bosses
- New crafting options, including Fracturing Orbs
- Reintroduction of the 6-portal system
- Atlas Passive Tree revamp
These changes aim to make the endgame more engaging and rewarding for dedicated players.
Other Notable Additions
- Azmerian Wisps: A new league mechanic
- Rogue Exiles: Challenging enemies that drop their equipment upon defeat
- Unique Strongboxes: Special containers with unique rewards and challenges
- Corrupt Essences: A new way to modify trapped Essences in maps
- Recombination crafting: Added to the Expedition mechanic
- Twilight Reliquary Keys: Unlock special chests containing foil versions of Unique items
Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt launches simultaneously on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Epic Games Store on April 4, 2025, at 12 p.m. PDT. With its wealth of new content and system improvements, this update promises to breathe new life into the game for both veterans and newcomers alike.