Grinding Gear Games is rolling out Dawn of the Hunt, the first major content update for Path of Exile 2, on April 5 at 3 AM PHT. This expansion introduces a brand-new class, new Ascendancies, and significant gameplay changes that reshape how players engage with Wraeclast.
Why it matters: Path of Exile 2 is pushing its gameplay forward with fresh mechanics, deeper customization, and more intense combat. This update caters to both newcomers and longtime fans by expanding build variety and refining endgame challenges.
The Hunt Begins: Introducing the Huntress
The Huntress is the latest class to join Path of Exile 2, specializing in hybrid melee and ranged combat with her spear and buckler. She is built around fast, fluid movements, throwing spears from a distance before closing in for rapid melee strikes.
Her unique mechanics allow her to parry incoming attacks, stunning enemies before following up with powerful counterattacks. She can also disengage from fights with quick evasive maneuvers, maintaining relentless pressure on enemies.
Additionally, the Huntress can wield elemental spear attacks, extending her combo chains and dealing devastating damage. With high mobility and a versatile combat style, she offers a fresh way to experience the game.
Five New Ascendancy Classes
Dawn of the Hunt introduces five new Ascendancy options, allowing players to refine their playstyles further:
- Ritualist (Huntress) – Harnesses forbidden Azmeri traditions, sacrificing flesh and blood to wield corrupted lifeforce and plague-based attacks.
- Amazon (Huntress) – A precision-focused warrior who channels elemental power, excelling in swift, calculated strikes.
- Lich (Witch) – Masters undeath and chaos, tearing apart their soul to fuel dark energy and curses.
- Smith of Kitava (Warrior) – A brutal forger of destruction, channeling Kitava’s hunger into devastating attacks.
- Tactician (Mercenary) – A strategic battlefield specialist trained in Blackguard military combat, using tactical abilities to overpower enemies.
Expanding the Endgame: New Encounters and Mechanics
The update brings significant additions to Path of Exile 2’s endgame content:
- Eight New Maps – Featuring unique challenges, such as the Fractured Lake, where mirrored enemies shift reality, and the Phaaryl Megaliths, an overgrown jungle filled with rune-carved stones and ancient energy.
- Corruption Zones and Nexus Bosses – Corrupted areas have expanded, housing new bosses that embody the corruption itself. Cleansing these zones unlocks special modifiers and new rewards.
- Rogue Exiles – These enemies fight using player-like AI, dodging attacks, using skills intelligently, and equipping gear that drops upon defeat.
Dawn of the Hunt also significantly rebalances endgame progression:
- Towers have been reduced but are now much more powerful.
- Tablets now affect twice as many areas, and higher-tier maps increase their impact.
- Multiple tablets can now be consumed at once, making progression more efficient.
These changes remove unnecessary grinding while maintaining meaningful endgame challenges. Towers also spawn with all game mechanics and have their own bosses, further enhancing variety.
Over 100 New Unique Items and Enhanced Crafting
Dawn of the Hunt places a strong focus on mid-to-endgame loot, introducing a variety of new Unique Items. These rare weapons, armor, and accessories provide new synergies for different builds.
New crafting tools have also been added:
- 20+ New Runes – Players can now craft stronger mods onto their gear with multiple scaling tiers.
- Socketable Mods – Specialized crafting sockets provide further customization, with additional expansions planned in future updates.
New Skills and Support Gems
This update brings over 100 new Support Gems to enhance build diversity, modifying skills in new and creative ways. Some standout abilities include:
- Raise Spectre – Allows players to trap and summon almost any monster in the game, creating highly customizable undead armies.
- Summon Rhoa Mount – Calls a Rhoa to fight alongside the player, providing speed boosts and battlefield mobility. However, taking too much damage knocks players off, leaving them vulnerable.
- Haemocrystals – Converts bleed effects into explosive Vaal crystals.
- Caltrops – Adds slowing hazards to skills, allowing for crowd control and tactical positioning.
New Strongboxes and Corrupted Essences
The game now features four new Unique Strongboxes, each introducing high-risk, high-reward encounters:
- Ogham’s Legacy – Revives slain creatures with added modifiers, making each resurrection more challenging but also more rewarding.
- Ixchel’s Torment – Triggers ancient Vaal magic, unleashing Chaos-empowered guardians in exchange for unique, corrupted loot.
Additionally, four new Corrupted Essences—Hysteria, Delirium, Horror, and Insanity—offer unique crafting effects, including guaranteed double enchantments when using Vaal Orbs on belts.
Prepare for the Hunt
Dawn of the Hunt launches globally on April 4 (PDT), with Philippine servers going live on April 5 at 3 AM PHT. Players can dive into the expansion on PC, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Epic Games Store.
New leagues will provide a fresh economy and full access to the new content, though existing Early Access characters can also participate.
Are you ready to hunt, or will you become the hunted? Let us know your thoughts on Dawn of the Hunt in the comments.
