PoE2 Dawn of the Hunt

"Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt" is the first major content update for Path of Exile 2, an action role-playing game developed by Grinding Gear Games. It was released on April 4, 2025, at 12 PM PDT, and is available on PC and consoles as part of the game's early access phase. This update introduces a significant amount of new content, features, and improvements to enhance the gameplay experience.

Key highlights of the "Dawn of the Hunt" update include:

New Class: The Huntress - A dexterity-based, spear-wielding character that blends melee and ranged combat. The Huntress can parry attacks, tame beasts to fight alongside her (retaining their mods), and perform long combo chains, offering a dynamic playstyle. New Ascendancy Classes - Five new subclasses expand character customization: Ritualist (Huntress): Uses animal sacrifices and blood magic for power boosts. Amazon (Huntress): Focuses on precision, elemental damage, and critical strikes. Smith of Kitava (Warrior): Crafts buffs for weapons and summons animated weapon copies. Tactician (Mercenary): Commands the battlefield with suppressive fire and arrow volleys. Lich (Witch): Embraces chaos and undeath, sacrificing health for power. New Skills and Items - Over 25 new skills (e.g., Raise Spectre, Summon Rhoa), more than 100 new support gems, and over 100 unique items, including spears, bucklers, and charms, aimed at midgame and endgame progression. Endgame Improvements - Significant reworks to the endgame include fewer but more powerful towers (now consuming up to three tablets), seven new endgame maps with unique encounters, and new mechanics like Azmeri Wisps. These wisps enhance monsters and lead to challenging rare enemy fights with enhanced rewards. Crafting and Loot Enhancements - New crafting tools, such as over 20 new runes with scaling tiers, and a recombination mechanic for merging item mods, alongside unique strongboxes and rogue exiles that drop player-like gear. New League Option - While existing characters can access the content, a fresh "Dawn of the Hunt" league offers an economic reset for players wanting to start anew.

The update was fully revealed during a livestream on March 27, 2025, at 12 PM PDT, showcasing its scope and addressing player feedback from the early access launch in December 2024. "Dawn of the Hunt" aims to refine the game’s systems, expand build diversity, and improve the endgame experience, making it a pivotal step in Path of Exile 2’s development.