Path of Exile 2 0.5 update is not just a small patch. From developer clues and data mining to hints in the current game, there’s a lot to unpack about what’s coming in next league. Here we'll talk about the PoE 2 Season 5 new class, new weapon types, new ascendancies, and more leaked and datamined news.
PoE 2 0.5 New Class (Predicted: Duelist)
All signs point to the Duelist being the new class in Path of Exile 2 0.5—and this is backed by both developer comments, data mining, and newly leaked in-game details. Right now, the game’s strength-dexterity hybrid class slots are only half-filled: the Mercenary is already in the game, and the Duelist would complete this pair perfectly. Datamines have revealed key details about the Duelist, including his core attributes and thematic identity.
The Duelist is a male class with balanced strength and dexterity, paired with lower intelligence—his base stats are 11 Strength, 11 Dexterity, and 7 Intelligence. True to his sword-wielding nature, his weapon of choice is exclusively swords, and he embodies a bold, stylish combat philosophy, as seen in his in-game line: “Life is all about making an impact. Leaving a mark. Simply surviving is not good enough. If you're not doing it with style, why fight at all? Put a sword in my hand. I'll give you a show you won't soon forget.” This line perfectly captures his playstyle—flashy, powerful, and focused on making every attack count. Developers have been asked about swords many times, and they’ve made it clear that swords will be added before the launch of PoE 2 in full. This is a huge hint, because the Duelist is closely tied to sword-based gameplay. Data miners have also found one-handed and two-handed sword bases in the game files, which confirms that swords are on the way—and the Duelist is the perfect class to pair with them.
If the Duelist arrives in 0.5, it will bring a versatile melee playstyle that many players have been waiting for. New melee skills are almost guaranteed to come with the class, including strike, retaliation, and bleed skills. Even the popular spin-to-win Cyclone skill could make a return, which would draw a lot of players back to PoE 2. The Duelist will also come with three ascendancies, just like other classes in PoE 2. These are likely to be Slayer, Gladiator, and Champion—but don’t expect them to be exact copies of the PoE 1 versions. Developers will probably rework them to fit PoE 2’s mechanics, or even create completely new versions that feel fresh and unique.
PoE 2 0.5 New Weapon Type (Predicted: Swords)
Swords are the most anticipated new weapon type in PoE 2 0.5, and they’re directly linked to the Duelist class. Based on current information, the potential release date of Path of Exile 2 Swords (and Duelist) is May 2026, along with Patch 0.5.0. As mentioned earlier, data miners have already found one-handed and two-handed sword bases in the game’s files, which means these weapons are already in development. Datamines have also uncovered detailed stats for various two-handed swords, along with key mechanics about sword-based combat.
Swords are melee weapons available in both one-handed and two-handed variants, and they require a combination of Strength and Dexterity to equip—aligning perfectly with the Duelist’s base stats. A key trait of sword attacks is their common association with elemental damage, adding another layer of build diversity for players. Additionally, specific two-handed sword skills have been leaked, such as Storm Blade and Energy Blade; Energy Blade, for example, boasts a 7% Critical Hit Chance, 1.6 Attacks per Second, a Weapon Range of 1.3, and adds Lightning Damage to attacks. Swords will fill a big gap in PoE 2’s current weapon lineup, which lacks a strong melee option for strength-dexterity hybrid builds. With the arrival of swords, players will be able to create builds that focus on fast, powerful melee attacks—something that’s been missing since the Early Access launch. Datamines have revealed a full roster of two-handed swords, each with unique stats and level requirements.
Datamined PoE 2 Swords List
Corroded Longsword: Physical Damage 9-16, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.3 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3 (no level requirement)
Iron Greatsword: Physical Damage 13-23, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.35 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 6, 9 Strength, 9 Dexterity
Blessed Claymore: Physical Damage 19-32, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.3 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 11, 14 Strength, 14 Dexterity
Broad Greatsword: Physical Damage 25-42, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.25 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 16, 19 Strength, 19 Dexterity
Rippled Greatsword: Physical Damage 28-52, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.3 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 22, 24 Strength, 24 Dexterity
Arced Longsword: Physical Damage 31-58, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.35 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 28, 29 Strength, 29 Dexterity
Stone Greatsword: Physical Damage 40-67, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.3 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 33, 34 Strength, 34 Dexterity
Obsidian Greatsword: Physical Damage 49-73, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.25 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 36, 37 Strength, 37 Dexterity
Keen Greatsword: Physical Damage 45-94, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.3 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 45, 45 Strength, 45 Dexterity
Ancient Greatblade: Physical Damage 55-103, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.25 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 49, 49 Strength, 49 Dexterity
Flanged Greatblade: Physical Damage 51-106, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.3 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 52, 51 Strength, 51 Dexterity
Regalia Longsword: Physical Damage 61-92, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.35 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 54, 53 Strength, 53 Dexterity
Ultra Greatsword: Physical Damage 72-119, 5% Critical Hit Chance, 1.3 Attacks per Second, Weapon Range 1.3; Requires Level 65, 63 Strength, 63 Dexterity
Along with the new sword bases, we can expect new melee skills that are designed specifically for swords. These skills will likely include strike-based attacks, bleed effects, and retaliation moves, which will make the Duelist a dynamic and exciting class to play. Even existing melee skills might get updates to work better with swords, giving players more build options.
PoE 2 0.5 New Ascendancies: Arcane Archer (Ranger) & Wildspeaker (Huntress)
PoE 2 currently has eight classes, and four of them—the Ranger, Huntress, Monk, and Druid—are missing their third ascendancy. Leaks and developer hints suggest that 0.5 will add at least two of these missing ascendancies, along with the possibility of a hidden ascendancy. Most notably, datamines confirm that two new ascendancies have been added to the game files in the latest update: the Arcane Archer for the Ranger and the Wild Speaker for the Huntress.
1. Arcane Archer (Ranger’s Third Ascendancy)
An image of the Arcane Archer surfaced during a recent Q&A session and started circulating after the 0.4 update presentation. This ascendancy will completely change how the Ranger plays: instead of focusing on pure bow attacks, the Arcane Archer will blend bow gameplay with spellcasting. The Arcane Archer will use projectiles that behave more like spells than traditional bow attacks, making the Ranger a more flexible class. This means players won’t be locked into a single playstyle—they can mix bow attacks with spell effects to create unique builds. For example, skills like Lightning Arrow could get new spell-like properties, adding more depth to the Ranger’s toolkit.
2. Wild Speaker (Huntress’s Third Ascendancy)
Another leaked image shows the Wild Speaker, which will be the Huntress’s third ascendancy—one of the two new ascendancies confirmed in the latest game file updates. The image shows the Huntress surrounded by three Asmiri spirits: a bear, an owl, and a stag. This hints at a spirit-possessed playstyle, where the Huntress can summon or channel these spirits to gain new abilities. The Wildspeaker aligns perfectly with the possible return of the Bestiary league mechanic, as it focuses on companions and nature-themed abilities. It could allow players to summon spirit companions that help in combat, or grant buffs based on the spirits they channel.
3. Hidden Ascendancy
PoE 2 0.3 introduced a hidden ascendancy called the Abyssal Lich, which wasn’t advertised and was discovered by players. With 0.5 being a much bigger update, there’s a good chance we’ll get another hidden ascendancy. This ascendancy will likely be tied to one of the new systems or league mechanics in 0.5, and it will be up to players to discover it on their own.
Developers have had more time to work on 0.5 than any other Early Access patch, so the update is likely to be polished and feature-packed. While some changes are still speculative (like the hidden ascendancy or specific balance adjustments), all the clues point to 0.5 being bigger and better than any update we’ve seen so far.
