Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt is shaping up to be an exciting update, bringing tons of new features, from the addition of the Huntress class to the expansion of endgame mechanics and support gems. Here's a breakdown of what players can expect:

The Huntress Class

The Huntress is a unique hybrid class specializing in spear combat and elemental abilities. She brings a blend of ranged and melee attacks, with a focus on mobility, allowing her to dash in and out of combat while using her spear and buckler for various attacks like sweeps, stabs, and parrying. In addition, her ability to summon a Rhoa mount for mobility and attacks adds an exciting new dimension to gameplay. She also has a companion mechanic where she can tame a beast to fight alongside her, adding extra strategy to combat.

Ascendancy Paths for Huntress:

Ritualist: Focuses on blood sacrifice and the plague, with abilities that absorb the life force of rare monsters and explode in bloody boils.

Amazon: A precision-focused elite warrior class that harnesses elemental fury and can exploit weaknesses for devastating damage.

New Ascendancy Classes

Several other classes are getting new ascendancy paths:

Witch: Become a Lich, using her life to empower chaos and curses.

Warrior: Take on the Smith of Kitava path to forge weapons and armor with powerful elemental properties.

Mercenary: Ascend as a Tactician, using suppressing fire and supporting other classes with unique abilities like Unleash Hell.

New Support Gems and Skills

The support gems system in Path of Exile 2 is being expanded with over 100 new support gems, offering new possibilities for character builds. One standout addition is the Raise Spectre skill, allowing players to trap monster souls and summon them as spectres to fight for them. Additionally, new support gems like Caltrops, Retaliation, and Bleeds provide players with even more customization for their builds.

Rogue Exiles: PvP-like Encounters

A surprising new feature is Rogue Exiles, NPCs that have the same gear and abilities as players. They appear as unique encounters in endgame maps, and players must face off against them in PvP-like combat. Defeating a Rogue Exile rewards players with the gear they were using, creating a true player-versus-player experience.

Azmerian Wisps and Endgame Content

The Azmerian Wisps are new creatures in the game, associated with revered animals like bears and wild cats. Players will chase these wisps across the world, battling monsters infused with their powers and eventually facing off against unique bosses. The Azmeri Ranges, a dedicated endgame map, will feature multiple wisps and serve as a hotspot for these encounters. Players can also collect talismans from these encounters, which can be socketed into gear for powerful effects.

In addition to these new mechanics, there are several changes to endgame progression, including seven new maps, 10 new Atlas passives, and new corrupted maps that need to be cleansed. Players will have more diverse encounters and less busywork, making the endgame feel more rewarding and engaging.

Over 100 New Unique Items

Of course, no POE expansion would be complete without a huge influx of new Path of Exile 2 items. Over 100 new unique items are being added to the game, including intriguing items like The Coming Calamity Heroic Armour, which grants all three elemental herald skills without costing any spirit.

Release Date

Dawn of the Hunt is set to launch on April 4, 2025, for players who have purchased the Early Access Supporter Pack. This update will be available to all Early Access players at the same time, meaning no one will get early access ahead of others.

In the early access phase, POE 2 currency could involve some form of progression that differs slightly from POE 1, but if you're looking to start acquiring currency in POE 2 once it's available or looking for early access content to use, keep an eye on upcoming updates and marketplace systems.

Conclusion

Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt offers players a massive update full of exciting new content, from the Huntress class and new ascension paths to Rogue Exiles and Azmerian Wisps. Whether you're into PvP-like experiences, beast taming, or exploring new ways to optimize your endgame progression, there's plenty to look forward to in this expansion.