Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access and reaches its 1.0 full release on December 11, 2026 (PST). Grinding Gear Games says it will be fully free-to-play, add the Duelist class and the final two campaign acts, and launch on PC, PlayStation and Xbox. Details such as the launch league and character plans have not been announced yet.
This guide collects only what Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has officially said about the 1.0 launch, and marks what is still unknown. It is current as of October 2026. For stats, leagues and the ladder, see the RankSurge Path of Exile 2 hub.
When does Path of Exile 2 1.0 release?
GGG revealed the date at gamescom Opening Night Live and posted the official announcement on August 25, 2026: "Path of Exile 2 launches as a fully free-to-play action RPG on December 11 (PST)." The GGG's 1.0 press release from the same day repeats the date and calls it the 1.0 Full Release.
GGG has not yet published an exact launch hour. Earlier launches were announced with a precise Pacific time, such as 11am PST for Early Access and 1 PM PDT for Forbidden Rites, so expect a similar post closer to the date. Treat any hour you see before then as a guess.
What did Grinding Gear Games announce for 1.0?
The press release lists three headline changes, plus "a massive pile of other content and changes" that it does not detail yet.
| Item | Status | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Release date: December 11, 2026 (PST) | Confirmed | Announcement and press release |
| Fully free-to-play | Confirmed | Announcement and press release |
| Duelist class, the first sword-wielding class | Confirmed | Press release and Duelist Deep Dive |
| Final two campaign acts, completing the story | Confirmed | Press release |
| PC, PlayStation and Xbox | Confirmed | Press release |
| Duelist Ascendancy classes | Not yet detailed | None |
| Launch league name and mechanic | Not yet announced | None |
| Endgame changes for 1.0 | Not yet detailed | None |
The Duelist is described in the press release as "A master of both sword and shield," built for fast, aggressive melee combat. GGG's 0.5.5 and Duelist Deep Dive post confirms the class and its weapon type arrive with 1.0 on December 11, and links a video preview. The two new acts bring the campaign to the six acts GGG always planned, after Early Access started with three.
Which platforms get Path of Exile 2 1.0?
The GGG's 1.0 press release lists PC through the standalone client, Steam and the Epic Games Store, plus PlayStation and Xbox. These are the same families of platforms that Early Access used: the Early Access FAQ from November 2024 named PC, Xbox Series and PlayStation 5. GGG also announced on September 24, 2026 that Path of Exile 2 is now Steam Deck Verified. A macOS version has not been announced for 1.0.
Will Early Access characters carry over to 1.0?
GGG has not posted a 1.0 specific answer yet. The best official statement is from the Early Access FAQ in November 2024, which said "No, there will not be a wipe" and "After launch the "Early Access" characters will still exist." That FAQ was written before Early Access began, so it is a promise about the game's plan rather than a 1.0 patch note. Expect GGG to confirm how existing characters, leagues and Standard are handled closer to launch.
Purchases are a separate question. The same FAQ says stash tab purchases made in Path of Exile 1 are available in Path of Exile 2 where relevant. GGG has not said anything that changes this for 1.0.
What happens to Runes of Aldur and Forbidden Rites?
Both current leagues run until launch. The official Forbidden Rites FAQ says "The current Runes of Aldur League is not going anywhere and will be running until the 1.0 full release," and that "Forbidden Rites will run until the 1.0 full release and will end alongside Runes of Aldur." Forbidden Rites is the 0.5.5 event league that started on September 4, 2026, with eight challenges and rewards that the 0.5.5 patch notes say are only obtainable in that league.
If you want those challenge rewards, finish them before December 11. For how leagues end and what the ladder tracks, read Path of Exile 2 Leagues and Ladder Explained.
How does the full release registration work?
GGG is running a pre-registration campaign at pathofexile2.com/register until December 10 (PST). The GGG's 1.0 press release says "The more players who register, the more rewards the community can unlock," including exclusive effects and a pet. The registration FAQ adds the practical details:
- You register with an email address and confirm it from the email you receive.
- Codes are sent after the game fully launches on December 11.
- Codes work on Steam, Epic, PlayStation and Xbox, as long as your Path of Exile account is linked to that platform.
- You can redeem only one code per account.
GGG has also said the Early Access Supporter Packs will leave the store "in a few weeks," to be replaced by five new packs. It did not give an exact date in that post.
What is still unconfirmed before launch?
A lot of detail is likely to arrive soon. The ExileCon 2026 post says ExileCon 2026 takes place on November 7 and 8 NZT, with the keynote streamed on Twitch and YouTube at 1PM PST on November 6, promising "big announcements." GGG has not said the keynote is about 1.0, but it is the next big official event before launch.
Until then, these points have no official answer:
- The exact launch time on December 11.
- The name and mechanic of the first 1.0 league.
- The Duelist's Ascendancy classes.
- Endgame, balance and crafting changes for 1.0.
- How Early Access characters and leagues migrate at launch.
Planning your first 1.0 character? Our Path of Exile 2 leveling guide covers the campaign basics that do not depend on a specific build.
Coming to RankSurge: a Path of Exile 2 ladder and character lookup is planned once Grinding Gear Games approves our API access. Until then, the Path of Exile 2 hub explains leagues, the ladder and 1.0. RankSurge is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grinding Gear Games in any way.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Path of Exile 2 1.0 release date?
Path of Exile 2 reaches its 1.0 full release on December 11, 2026, Pacific time. Grinding Gear Games announced the date at gamescom Opening Night Live and in an official forum post on August 25, 2026. An exact launch hour has not been published yet, so watch the official Path of Exile 2 announcements forum for the time in your region. Early Access remains live until then, and the current leagues run up to the launch.
Is Path of Exile 2 free-to-play at 1.0?
Yes. Grinding Gear Games says Path of Exile 2 launches as a fully free-to-play action RPG on December 11, 2026. During Early Access the game required a paid supporter pack or key, and GGG's original Early Access FAQ already said the game would be free-to-play once it left Early Access. GGG sells optional microtransactions, and it has said the Early Access Supporter Packs will leave the store and be replaced by five new packs.
Will my Path of Exile 2 Early Access characters carry over?
GGG has not published a 1.0 specific answer yet. Its Early Access FAQ from November 2024 said there would be no wipe and that Early Access characters would still exist after launch. That is the latest official statement on the subject. Expect confirmed details on how existing characters, leagues and Standard are handled closer to December 11, possibly around ExileCon 2026 in early November.
What new class comes with Path of Exile 2 1.0?
The Duelist. GGG describes it as the game's first sword-wielding class and a master of both sword and shield, built for fast and aggressive melee combat. It was revealed in a trailer at gamescom Opening Night Live in August 2026 and arrives on December 11 with the full release. GGG has shown a Duelist deep dive video, but the class's Ascendancy options have not been detailed in an official written post yet.
What platforms is Path of Exile 2 1.0 on?
GGG's 1.0 press release lists PC through the standalone client, Steam and the Epic Games Store, plus PlayStation and Xbox. Early Access launched on the same groups of platforms: PC, Xbox Series and PlayStation 5. GGG also announced in September 2026 that Path of Exile 2 is Steam Deck Verified. A macOS release has not been announced for the 1.0 launch.