As we started the Path of Exile 2 Early Access about 3 months ago, there are many details players should know about the PoE2 full release date, league structure, character transfer, economy reset, class, and more.

Path of Exile 2 Full Release Date - When Does PoE2 Full Game Launch?

Path of Exile 2 will likely see a full release between late 2025 and early 2026, approximately 12-24 months after its December 2024 Early Access launch. GGG originally suggested a 6-12 month Early Access period, but development scope and the need for comprehensive testing suggest this will extend longer. The timing may also strategically position around Diablo 4's expansion cycle, potentially targeting early 2026. This extended timeline allows GGG to complete all six campaign acts, implement comprehensive endgame systems, and ensure proper balance before the full launch.

If you're eager to jump in, the Early Access period will already offer a substantial experience, but the full game will deliver the complete vision that GGG has planned.

Path of Exile 2 Leagues & Seasons Schedule

PoE 2 will maintain the same league structure as its predecessor, with 3-month temporary leagues running approximately four times per year. Each Path of Exile 2 league introduces new gameplay mechanics, balance changes, skill redesigns, and integrated endgame systems. Players start fresh in each league with new characters and empty stash tabs, creating a reset economy and progression experience. This allows GGG to implement significant changes without disrupting permanent progression. Even during Early Access, PoE2 is following this model, with the upcoming 0.2.0 patch bringing an economy reset with balance changes, though not technically called a league yet. When fully released, PoE2 leagues will include more extensive content additions similar to PoE1's established pattern.

Path of Exile 2 Economy Reset

When Path of Exile 2 fully launches, there will be a complete economy reset separating Early Access from the final game. PoE 2 currency, items, and characters from Early Access will not transfer to the main game's Standard league but instead remain in a separate Early Access realm. This isolation prevents potentially broken or unbalanced items discovered during testing from affecting the long-term economy. As with PoE1, temporary league characters will migrate to the main Standard league upon league completion, but Early Access characters will remain permanently separated. This approach prevents Early Access players from having economic advantages over new players joining at full release, ensuring a level playing field for trading and progression in both the main Standard league and the inaugural post-release temporary league.

Path of Exile 2 Early Access Character Transfer

Early Access characters will not be deleted upon full release, but they will be isolated in their own separate Early Access Standard server. This means players can continue playing their EA characters indefinitely within this specific server, but cannot transfer them, their items, or their progress to the main game. While some players have compared this to Diablo's realm system and expressed disappointment about the separation, GGG has confirmed this is their approach to maintaining game balance. For players concerned about wasted progress, it's worth noting that any MTX purchases and stash tabs acquired during Early Access will transfer to the full game.

Will Path of Exile 2 wipe on release? 

No, there will be no character wipes during the Early Access phase of Path of Exile 2. Players can continue to progress without losing their characters. When the game officially launches, characters from the Early Access will not be wiped either. You will have the opportunity to create new characters in the standard league, while their Early Access characters remain in their own league.

What to Expect in Path of Exile 2 Full Version?

The current Early Access version includes 3 acts (of the planned six), 6 character classes, and 12 ascendancy classes. Despite being incomplete, many players report it already offers 100-200 hours of enjoyable gameplay. The full release of PoE 2 will add the remaining three acts, complete the campaign storyline, and likely introduce additional character options and endgame systems. While waiting for a full launch provides a more complete experience, playing during Early Access offers the benefit of learning complex systems ahead of time. Players purchasing EA now receive $30 worth of points for quality-of-life improvements like stash tabs, which work in both PoE1 and PoE2. The next major update (0.2.0) is expected in March 2025, bringing new weapons (swords and axes), unique items, and balance changes, making it a good entry point for new players.

Path of Exile 2 Classes & Ascendancy 

As of the Early Access phase, players can choose from six playable classes (Warrior, Monk, Sorceress, Ranger, Witch & Mercenary), in addition to the six classes currently available, Druid and Huntress are expected in the next patch, Path of Exile 2 will introduce the remaining classes when it launches, including Duelist, Marauder, Shadow & Templar. There will be 12 character classes available in the full game. 

Each class will also have access to Ascendancy classes, which are specializations that allow players to further customize their characters. In Early Access, each class has two Ascendancy options, with plans to expand this to three for each class upon full release.