Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt – A First Look at the Exciting New Update

We attended Grinding Gear Games’ Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt press event to get an exclusive look at the upcoming update. Known as the “0.2.0 patch,” Dawn of the Hunt is the first major content update for Path of Exile 2 and promises a wealth of new features and improvements for players.

Mark your calendars! Dawn of the Hunt launches on April 4th. This update brings a brand new class, Tower stages, a revised mapping system, new Ascendancies, skill trees, and exciting Endgame content. You can find the complete and detailed patch notes on the official Path of Exile website.

# Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt Introduces the Huntress Class

The headline feature of Dawn of the Hunt is the addition of the Huntress, the first new class since the game’s early access launch. The Huntress is a versatile class, proficient in both melee and ranged combat. Specializing in spear combat, the Huntress can deliver powerful long-range attacks or engage in devastating close-quarters battles. And yes, those spears are throwable!

The Huntress:

One of the first skills you’ll gain with the Huntress is the Whirling Slash ability. This skill creates a tornado around your character, blinding nearby enemies. Stepping outside the tornado will cause it to explode, dealing damage to foes caught in the blast. The Huntress’s ability to seamlessly transition between melee and ranged combat makes her a unique and compelling addition to Dawn of the Hunt. She also wields elemental spear attacks, such as Lightning Spear, which arcs lightning between enemies, and explosive spears for devastating area-of-effect damage.

A key feature of the Huntress is her ability to tame beasts. As a hunter, you can subdue and tame creatures to fight alongside you as companions. However, you can only have one companion at a time, so carefully consider your choices and make the most of your skill tree. This update will introduce 20 new skills specifically for the Huntress.

# New Ascendancy Classes

Dawn of the Hunt also brings new Ascendancy classes, unique specializations for your characters. The Huntress will receive two new Ascendancies, and three existing classes will gain new Ascendancy options as well. In total, five new Ascendancy classes will be added with the update.

# What’s New in the Endgame?

Path of Exile 2’s Dawn of the Hunt aims to provide a smoother progression experience. The “Tower” system is undergoing significant changes based on player feedback. The number of Towers has been reduced by approximately two-thirds, but those that remain will be significantly more powerful. To compensate, the drop rate of Tablets used to run higher-tier maps in these Towers will be increased.

New crafting options are also being added, along with changes to runes that allow for the acquisition of higher-tier mods.

Upon reaching the Endgame, Doryani will task you with “Cleansing Corruption” to make the land habitable. This quest requires you to clear 15 maps.

Prepare to face off against “Rogue Exiles,” exiled characters who feel like you’re battling real players. These challenging opponents will use your own skills against you, pushing your abilities to the limit.

There will be 12 different Rogue Exiles to discover.

Dawn of the Hunt introduces four new unique chests. Opening these chests will unleash enemies you must defeat to claim your loot.

To address rising death rates in the Endgame, a new feature will allow players to resurrect and return to the map where they died. At the start of the Endgame, players will have a total of six resurrection attempts per map. However, the number of resurrections will decrease as more modifiers are added to the Waystone.

# Early Access Leagues

A common question surrounding the Dawn of the Hunt update is whether these features will be available in early access leagues. Developers have confirmed that all of the update’s content will be available in early access leagues, allowing you to experience the new features with your existing characters.

Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt – A First Look at the Upcoming Update

We had the chance to attend a press event hosted by Grinding Gear Games and get a sneak peek at Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt! This massive update, also known as the “0.2.0 patch,” is the first major content drop for Path of Exile 2, and it’s packed with exciting additions. Here’s what you can expect:

# Release Date: April 4th

The Dawn of the Hunt update arrives on April 4th and brings a brand new class, Tower stages, a revamped mapping system, new Ascendancies, skill trees, and Endgame content. Full and detailed patch notes will be available on the official Path of Exile website.

# Introducing the Huntress Class

Dawn of the Hunt marks the first new class added since the beginning of Early Access: the Huntress. This versatile class excels in both melee and ranged combat, specializing in spear combat. Unleash devastating long-range attacks or get up close and personal with powerful melee strikes. And yes, those spears are throwable!

# Huntress Skills and Abilities

The Huntress starts with the Whirling Slash ability, creating a whirlwind around your character that blinds enemies. Stepping outside the whirlwind causes it to explode, dealing damage to nearby foes. This hybrid melee/ranged playstyle sets the Huntress apart.

She also boasts elemental spear attacks. Utilize Lightning Spear to chain lightning between enemies or use explosive spears for potent area-of-effect damage.

# Taming Beasts as a Companion

A core feature of the Huntress is her ability to tame monsters. As a true hunter, you can subdue creatures and use them as companions. Keep in mind you can only have one companion at a time, so carefully consider your choices and your skill tree build. The update launches with 20 new skills specifically for the Huntress.

# New Ascendancy Classes

Expect new Ascendancy classes to further customize your characters. The Huntress receives two unique Ascendancies. Additionally, three existing classes will get a new Ascendancy each, bringing the total to 5 new Ascendancy classes in Dawn of the Hunt.

# Endgame Improvements: Tower System, Mapping, and More

Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt aims for a smoother progression, especially in the Endgame.

* Tower System Changes: Based on player feedback, the number of Towers has been significantly reduced (by about one-third). However, the remaining Towers are much stronger. To compensate, the number of Tablet mechanics to access higher-tier maps within the Towers has been increased.
* Crafting and Runes: New crafting options are being introduced alongside rune updates to help players obtain higher-tier mods.
* Cleansing Corruption: Upon reaching the Endgame, Doryani will task you with “Cleansing Corruption” to make the land habitable. This requires clearing 15 maps.

# Rogue Exiles: Face Off Against “Players”

You’ll now encounter Rogue Exiles, AI-controlled enemies designed to mimic the experience of fighting a real player. These enemies use player skills and provide a unique challenge.

* 12 Unique Rogue Exiles: Each with their own distinct builds and strategies.

# New Endgame Loot

* Four New Unique Chests: Each one containing enemies you must defeat to claim the treasure within.

# Endgame Death Mechanics Revamp

Changes are being made to address the high death rates in the Endgame. A key feature is the ability to revive and return to the map where you died. At the start of the Endgame, players receive 6 total revival attempts per map. However, adding more modifiers to the Waystone will reduce the number of revivals available.

# Dawn of the Hunt in Early Access Leagues

All of the new content and features in Dawn of the Hunt will be available in the Early Access leagues. This means you can experience everything the update offers with your existing characters.

# Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt – First Look and New Features!

We had the chance to attend the Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt press event, courtesy of Grinding Gear Games, and we’re excited to share all the new features and updates coming to the game! Dawn of the Hunt, also known as the “0.2.0 patch,” will be the first major content update for Path of Exile 2. Let’s dive into the details:

Dawn of the Hunt Release Date: April 4th!

This 0.2.0 update brings a brand new class, Tower stages, a mapping system overhaul, new Ascendancies, skill trees, and exciting Endgame content. You can find the full and detailed patch notes on the official Path of Exile website.

New Class Alert: Meet the Huntress!

The biggest addition in Dawn of the Hunt is the Huntress, the first new class since the early access launch. This class is a master of both melee and ranged combat. The Huntress excels at using spears, allowing for long-range attacks or powerful close-quarters damage. Yes, you can throw those spears!

Huntress Key Features:

* Whirling Slash: Your starting skill, creating a damaging vortex around you that blinds enemies. Leaving the vortex causes it to explode, dealing even more damage.
* Hybrid Combat: Seamlessly switch between melee and ranged attacks.
* Elemental Spears: Unleash elemental devastation with Lightning Spears (chain lightning between enemies) and explosive spears (area-of-effect damage).
* Monster Taming: As a true hunter, you can tame and use beasts as companions! You can only have one companion at a time, so choose wisely and optimize your skill tree.
* New Skills: The Huntress launches with 20 brand new skills to explore.

New Ascendancy Classes!

Expand your character specialization with new Ascendancy classes. The Huntress receives two unique Ascendancies, and three existing classes will also gain a new Ascendancy option. Dawn of the Hunt adds a total of 5 new Ascendancy classes to the game.

Endgame Updates: What to Expect

Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt aims for a smoother progression experience, especially in the Endgame.

* Tower System Changes: Based on player feedback, the number of Towers has been significantly reduced (approximately one-third fewer Towers). However, these remaining Towers are now much stronger. To compensate, the drop rate of Tablets (needed to run higher-tier maps in Towers) has been increased.
* New Crafting Options: Expect fresh crafting possibilities and changes to Runes allowing for higher-tier mods.
* Cleansing Corruption: When you reach the Endgame, Doryani will task you with “Cleansing Corruption” to make the land habitable. This involves clearing 15 maps.
* Rogue Exiles: Prepare to face “Rogue Exiles,” AI-controlled enemies that mimic real players, using their skills to challenge you.
* There are 12 different Rogue Exiles to encounter.
* New Unique Chests: Dawn of the Hunt introduces four new unique chests, each containing enemies you must defeat to claim the loot.

Endgame Death Mechanics Reworked

The developers are addressing the increased death rates in the Endgame. Now, when you die, you’ll be able to resurrect and continue from where you left off on the map! You’ll start with 6 revival attempts per map upon entering the Endgame. Adding more modifiers to the Waystone will decrease your number of revivals.

Early Access League Availability

Good news! All the new content and features in the Dawn of the Hunt update will be available in the early access leagues, allowing you to experience everything with your existing characters.