PoE 2 0.5 Release Date & Next League Season Leaks (New Class/Act/Content)

Path of Exile 2 continues to build its legacy in the ARPG space, with each update sparking conversations about its evolving systems, ambitious class roster, and the timing of its full launch. As the Last of the Druids is entering the third month and the endgame is tending towards mediocrity for some players, we are wondering: When is the next PoE 2 league season in 2026? Which new classes are on the horizon in the coming PoE 2 0.5 update? What content changes can we anticipate? This guide draws from recent community discussions, developer statements, and early access patterns to give you a clear view of what to expect from the PoE 2 0.5 league update in 2026.

PoE 2 0.5 Update - Next Season Leaks & Predictions (Release Date, Class, Act, League Content)

Since its early access launch in December 2024, Path of Exile 2 has steadily introduced new classes, campaign acts, and league mechanics. The Huntress arrived in 0.2, followed by the Druid in 0.4, bringing the total class count to eight. Seasonal leagues have delivered fresh gameplay and tweaks to endgame systems—yet much remains on the horizon as Grinding Gear Games (GGG) targets a full 1.0 launch for 2026.

GGG no longer publishes strict roadmaps after previous league delays and missed feature targets, but the studio has consistently aimed for a four-month league schedule. As early access continues, the focus is now on refining the campaign, expanding endgame options, and adding the remaining classes.

PoE 2 0.5 Season Release Date - When Is the Next PoE 2 League in 2026?

Looking at recent update history:

0.1: December 6, 2024
0.2: April 4, 2025
0.3: August 29, 2025
0.4: December 12, 2025

While GGG has aimed for a four-month cadence, the gap between 0.2 and 0.3 stretched closer to five months, highlighting the studio's willingness to adjust for development needs. The pattern now points to Update 0.5 launching in April 2026.

PoE 2 Fate of the Vaal End & Next 0.5 League Start

With each league lasting roughly three to four months, the Fate of the Vaal league (introduced in 0.4) is expected to conclude by early April 2026. The 0.5 league will likely begin immediately after, as GGG maintains its preference for this seasonal handoff. This approach also allows the studio to hit the lucrative holiday period with a major update each December, a timing they have openly described as non-negotiable given its importance for player engagement and revenue.

Why Not Sooner or Later?

Any significant shift, like pushing 0.5 to May, would throw off the December patch cycle, which GGG is keen to avoid. The company has also rejected the idea of skipping leagues to realign the timeline, instead choosing to stay on their four-month schedule with whatever content is ready.

PoE 2 0.5 Leaks & Predictions – What New Class & League Content To Expect in Next Season?

Next Classes After Druid

With the Druid class added in 0.4, the game now has eight classes. The remaining four: Duelist, Templar, Shadow, and Marauder, are expected to arrive throughout 2026. Jonathan Rogers has stated that reaching all twelve classes before 1.0 is no longer a strict requirement. Instead, the priority is a robust campaign and an engaging, balanced endgame.

Duelist: Strong indications suggest the Duelist may arrive with 0.5 or the 1.0 update, especially since GGG highlighted sword readiness as a milestone.
Templar, Shadow, Marauder: These may be introduced in later updates or even post-1.0, depending on development progress.

GGG’s class design is meticulous, as seen with the Druid, which essentially combined four forms into one. Each new class typically introduces unique mechanics and fresh ascendancy options, ensuring that every addition is a major event for the community.

Next League Content Predictions

Speculation around 0.5’s league mechanic is running high, fueled by data mines and developer hints. Community members and content creators have discussed several possibilities:

Delve Mechanic: Data suggests a strong likelihood that Delve-style gameplay, exploring endless depths with a focus on survivability and resource management, could return in a reimagined form. Many see this as the content type most needed in Path of Exile 2 right now, offering a contrast to the game's existing speed-focused mapping.
Blight: Some hope for a revised Blight mechanic, with true tower defense gameplay and deeper crafting elements. This could address current crafting system limitations, especially as Abyss (the current crafting focus) becomes less central.
Legion or Harbinger: Others think Legion, with its epic battles and unique loot, or Harbinger, with its map-altering orbs and shard-based rewards, could be next. Both would add variety and address gaps in the current endgame.
Trial of the Ancestors: There’s also talk about integrating the Tota mechanic as a fresh way to ascend characters, possibly introduced alongside a new class.

The consensus is that each league brings not only a new mechanic but also incremental improvements to class balance, crafting, and loot systems.

New Acts, Campaign and Endgame Expansions

Many expect Acts 5 and 6 to replace the current interlude acts, likely arriving with 0.5. These acts have been described as a priority following the Druid’s completion and the need for a stronger endgame loop. The long-promised endgame rework, delayed from 0.4, is now a top candidate for 0.5, aiming to address ongoing criticisms of the current mapping and progression systems.

More Updates Coming in PoE 2 (2026 and Beyond)

As Path of Exile 2 approaches its 1.0 release, several major additions are on the table:

Additional Classes: The remaining four base classes—Duelist, Templar, Shadow, Marauder—are slated to arrive, though possibly not all before 1.0.
Ascendancy Options: New ascendancy paths are being rolled out, with the Sorceress ascendancy debuting in 0.4 and more expected in future patches.
Campaign Acts: The full campaign will eventually replace stopgap interludes, creating a more cohesive story and progression.
Endgame Rework: A comprehensive overhaul of the endgame, including mapping, boss encounters, and loot systems, is still high on the agenda.
Feature Tweaks: Ongoing improvements to class balance, crafting, and trade systems will continue with each update.
Content Timing: GGG is committed to a four-month update cycle, with the December patch always anchored as the year’s highest-profile release.
PoE 2 1.0 Full Release: Although there was hope for a March 2026 full release, the current outlook suggests a later launch, possibly August 2026. GGG leadership has emphasized that a polished campaign and endgame are more important than reaching all twelve classes before leaving Early Access. Even so, adding new classes post-1.0 remains a strong possibility, providing future promotional opportunities and ongoing content for the game.

Jonathan Rogers has clarified that having all twelve classes is less important than delivering a complete campaign and satisfying endgame. The studio is open to launching 1.0 with as few as ten classes, reserving the rest for post-launch updates.

Path of Exile 2’s 2026 roadmap promises plenty of action for both new and returning players. With the Druid’s arrival, acts five and six in the works, and a suite of endgame improvements on deck, the year ahead is packed with anticipation. The next league, expected in April 2026, will likely offer another major class, a reworked endgame, and a new seasonal mechanic, possibly Delve or another fan-favorite, reimagined for PoE 2’s evolving systems.

Stay tuned to official channels for the live reveal and patch notes as the new league approaches. PoE 2’s journey through early access is far from over, and each update brings the game closer to its final, polished state.