Path of Exile 2 has a firm date for leaving early access. The 1.0 version arrives on Friday, December 11, 2026, and the game becomes free to play across all platforms on that day. The launch also brings the long-awaited Duelist, the game’s first sword-wielding class.
Quick answer: Path of Exile 2 1.0 launches on December 11, 2026. You can play for free from that day on PC and console. To claim free launch rewards, register your email at pathofexile2.com/register before launch.
Release status and confirmed date
The status is Confirmed. Grinding Gear Games revealed the December 11, 2026 date during its Gamescom showing, ending nearly two years of early access. The game first entered early access on December 6, 2024, with a $30 buy-in.
| Detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Release date | Friday, December 11, 2026 |
| Status | Confirmed (full 1.0 launch) |
| Price at launch | Free to play |
| Platforms | PC (Steam, Epic), PlayStation, Xbox |
| New class | Duelist (swords) |
No specific launch time or time zone has been confirmed for the December 11 rollout, so plan around the date itself rather than a countdown to the hour.
What changes at launch: free to play
The biggest shift is the price. Early access required a paid pack to get in. From December 11, anyone can download and play Path of Exile 2 at no cost. Existing players keep their progress and gain access to the full 1.0 content, including the complete campaign and the expanded endgame.
You can find the game and wishlist or install it through the official Steam page. Console players can link accounts ahead of time so their rewards and progress carry over.
The Duelist and sword skills
The Duelist joins the roster at 1.0 as the sword class, ending a two-year wait for a proper sword archetype. It uses Strength and Dexterity and shares its starting point with the Mercenary, so you can branch into both melee and ranged options early on. A new weapon type also means a fresh set of skills built around swords.
At launch the game includes eight classes already live in early access: Warrior, Ranger, Huntress, Sorceress, Mercenary, Monk, Druid, and Witch. The Duelist expands that lineup. Some of the originally planned classes, such as the Marauder, Shadow, and Templar, are expected to arrive after 1.0 rather than at launch.
Patch 0.5.5 before 1.0
An interim update, patch 0.5.5, is expected to bridge the gap between now and the full release. It is tied to an economy reset that wipes accumulated currency so trade starts fresh, and it is rumored to bring back a league mechanic with a new twist. No release date for 0.5.5 has been confirmed yet.
How to claim free launch rewards
You get at least one microtransaction, with up to five unlocked if the community reaches all registration milestones. Each code works once and can be redeemed on any Path of Exile account you have access to. If you do not already have a Path of Exile account, you will need one to redeem the reward.
Note: If you unsubscribe from the emails before codes go out, the reward code cannot be sent to you. Keep the subscription active until distribution finishes after launch.
With the date locked to December 11, 2026, a free-to-play switch, and the Duelist finally in hand, the main things left to watch are the timing of patch 0.5.5 and whether any additional classes make the 1.0 cut. Registering early is the one action worth doing now, since it is the only way to secure the free launch microtransactions.
