Grinding Gear Games Unleashes Torrent of Path of Exile 2 Early Access Details, Including Endgame Fun

When it comes to the action roleplaying adventures, the folks over at Grinding Gear Games know their way around the genre. From creating an interesting world full of danger and intrigue to delivering combat systems that feel amazing to engage in, the upcoming release of Path of Exile 2 is rightfully exciting players. Now, we know exactly what to expect when the game releases in Early Access on December 6.

Set 20 years after the original Path of Exile, players are tasked to track down the Seed of Corruption to thwart the Count of Ogham’s plans to harness its power and execute those who defy him. On their journey, they’ll encounter fearsome foes, meet strange entities, and forge unlikely bonds to stop the devastation from plaguing Wraeclast. Explore the dark forests of Ogham. Traverse the barren plains of the Vastiri Desert and delve into the jungle ruins of Utzaal, an ancient Vaal city.

Revealed recently at GGG Live, you can look forward to six different classes with unique Ascensions, an in-depth progression system with an accompanying passive skill tree, and an extensive endgame system that should keep you busy for a long time in Path of Exile 2, and that’s all in Early Access.

By purchasing one of the several Supporter Packs below, players can jump in this early December (prices in US$) on PC, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Epic Games Store:

Path of Exile 2 Characters

Offering six playable character classes at Early Access, players will also have access to two ascendancy classes upon end-game progression:

Monk
- Fast, furious, and deadly. Get in and out of combat swiftly with the Monk, who wields the Quarterstaff, or throw punches in quick succession Unarmed. The Monk has many mechanics that involve building up to help keep momentum in combat, which is helpful for boss fights.
  - Invoker: The Invoker wields elements with ease to utilize its power to become an Elemental Avatar. The Invoker is also a master of the Spirit, which allows him to use many abilities without lifting a finger.
  - The Acolyte of Chayula: Exchanges mastery of Spirit for Darkness, a resource that can be utilized to absorb and deal damage. Summoning power from the Breach, he trades elemental affinity for Chaos.

Path of Exile 2 Warrior — Savepoint Gaming

Warrior
- Prefer a slower-paced but harder-hitting melee in Path of Exile 2? The tough Warrior is the quintessential slam character who can dish out significant, chunky attacks to smaller enemies and break the armor of others.
  - Titan: The Titan focuses on stuns, slams, and beefy defense. Call upon your ancestors to boost your slams. Push your enemies to the ground and shrug off any attack.
  - Warbringer: This fearsome frontline fighter conjures ancestral spirits to pummel his foes and has a voice so powerful his Warcries can detonate his fallen enemies.
Ranger
- The Ranger has a few tricks up her sleeve and can shoot while on the go. With numerous escape skills in her arsenal, experience great swiftness and mobility with the Ranger in combat.
  - Deadeye: This expert marksman can take down foes with style. She moves as fast as the wind and can nock additional arrows with every draw.
  - Pathfinder: The Pathfinder is a master of flasks and poison. She can turn mana potions into chemical weapons and stack poisons to her heart’s content.
Mercenary
- The Mercenary wields a deadly crossbow that can be loaded with different ammo types, offering versatility, power, and mobility in Path of Exile 2.
  - Witchhunter: The Witchhunter specializes in taking down the most deadly of foes. With extra defenses against magic, and the ability to break the concentration of his enemies, he is ideally suited for slaughtering spellcasters.
  - The Gemling Legionnaire: Enhance your abilities by embedding Gems directly into your flesh. The Gemling Legionnaire can use more skills than any other class, and the more he uses, the more powerful he becomes.
Witch
- Summon an army of undead minions to your bidding. The Witch can cast powerful chaos spells and cause damage over time to her enemies – fans of the character may find that they’ll be able to summon more minions this time.
  - Blood Mage: Become a master of life energy. The Blood Mage uses her own life as a resource to bring destruction to her enemies.
  - Infernalist: Infernalist transcends the need for mana, instead building heat as she casts spells. With an Infernal hound at her side, she can even become a demon.

Sorceress
- Bending elements to her will, the Sorceress unleashes devastation and mayhem on her foes through elemental magic. This classic spellcaster weaves a flurry of elemental magic from afar.
  - Stormweaver: Become a master of the elements who can cast faster, hit harder, chill, and shock enemies en masse. The Stormweaver can even conjure devastating Elemental Storms.
  - Chronomancer: The Chronomancer wields powerful temporal magic to reset cooldowns, slow enemies in her presence, and even freeze time.

More character classes will be added to Path of Exile 2, and they will have as many skills and options as the ones for Early Access. As for skills, the title will feature hundreds of Skill Gems that grant devastating active skills.

Path of Exile 2 Endgame

The endgame in Path of Exile 2 includes countless areas in different biomes, powerful crafting, challenging bosses, unique encounters, and much more. As players progress through the endgame, they’ll gain special access to special passive trees, which can boost map rewards and change how various endgame mechanics work. While these trees make maps more rewarding, the difficulty level also rises.

Players will unlock the Cruel Difficulty mode upon completion, where they may experience gameplay once more in a much more challenging setting; monsters are more complex to kill but drop better loot in the Cruel Difficulty mode. Take heed, as there will be several surprises within the mode. Cruel Difficulty will be removed once Full Access has launched and replaced by additional Acts.

Some key highlights include:

Trial of the Sekhemas

Ascension in Path of Exile 2 requires the completion of great Trials, which you’ll find as you progress through the campaign. The Trial of Sekhemas is a grueling gauntlet with rogue-like mechanics to test your Strength, Will, Cunning, and Patience. Each room has its challenges to overcome and rewards to claim. On each floor, players have to fight powerful bosses that will test their limitations.

The Trial of Sekhemas scales all the way into the end game, adding more content, progression mechanics, unique rewards, and player power that can only be gained from the Trial.

The Trial of the Chaos God

While exploring the Vaal Jungle, players will discover the Temple of Chaos, which introduces another way of Ascending in Path of Exile 2. Entry to the Trial requires a token from a strange entity known only as the Trialmaster. As you enter each room of the Trial, the Trialmaster will fill it with hazards to test your commitment. After each room, you will need to make a choice. Take the rewards you have earned so far, or go double or nothing, increase your rewards, but take on more risk.

Expedition

Kalguurans settlers have discovered ancient burial sites with lost Verisium artifacts, and they want you to help dig them up—with explosives.

The Kalguurans have marked the locations where the relics can be found. Place explosives as best you can to dig up as many as possible. There is one problem: corruption has brought the corpses of their ancestors to life, so you might have to do a minor cleanup before you can reclaim the artifacts. You can also find Remnants, the destruction of which will further anger the restless dead. Each one you blow up will make subsequent monsters more powerful but also more rewarding.

Ritual

Ritual Altars are sacrificial sites built by the mysterious King in the Mists. Ritual Altars demand tribute. Every monster you slaughter in the circle will feed the Altar. After the sacrifice, touch it to begin the ritual. The monsters you just killed will be resurrected by the King in the Mists’ dark magic, and you must fight to survive.

The tribute you have offered to the altar can then be spent to buy powerful items.

Delirium

Some maps in Path of Exile 2 have been touched by insanity. A mysterious entity has taken a special interest in you. Step through the looking glass, and you will find your nightmares coming to life.

When you touch a Mirror, the mists of Delirium will spread out across the area, infecting your mind. You must stay within the mist to maintain the nightmare – which is as profitable as it is terrifying. Everything you kill will increase the rewards that drop. However, the deeper into the mist you travel, the stronger the monsters are. Be careful not to overstay your welcome.

Pinnacle

While mapping, you might come across a giant Fortress with a pillar of flame and ash rising from the centre that has emerged from underground. It is surrounded by an enormous maze riddled with danger. What mysteries await is for you to discover.

Many mechanics will appear in the endgame areas of Path of Exile 2. As players progress – they’ll be able to earn points to spend on upgrading their skill trees, allowing players to customize their endgame experience. There’s much more to be uncovered and unfolded once players complete the storyline campaign.