Path of Exile 2 Launch FAQ: Release Date, Free-to-Play, Crossplay, Preload, and PC Specs

Path of Exile 2 launches in full on December 11, 2026 (PST), when Grinding Gear Games will end Early Access and make the action RPG free to play on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Version 1.0 expands the campaign to six acts, completes the 12-class lineup, and adds considerably more endgame content. This guide covers the launch date, platforms, price change, Early Access progress, co-op, crossplay, PC requirements, download status, and what is still unconfirmed.

Path of Exile 2 key launch details

When does Path of Exile 2 fully release?

Grinding Gear Games says Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access on December 11, 2026, in the PST time zone. The studio has not published one worldwide unlock time, so the calendar date may appear differently in some regions or storefront countdowns. Until an hour is confirmed, players should treat December 11 PST as the official timing rather than assume a midnight local launch.

The December date is for the 1.0 release. Path of Exile 2 first entered paid Early Access on December 6, 2024, and Steam still labels the current build as an Early Access game. That earlier date is not the full free-to-play launch.

What platforms is Path of Exile 2 on?

Path of Exile 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The PC version is distributed through Grinding Gear Games’ standalone client, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. No PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or Nintendo Switch 2 version has been announced.

Grinding Gear Games has confirmed full crossplay and cross-progression across supported platforms. That means friends can form parties across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, while one account can carry gameplay progress between those systems. The studio’s console announcement also confirms couch co-op, and the game supports online co-op for as many as six players.

One account-level caveat remains important: platform commerce rules can limit where some purchased microtransactions are usable. Players moving between ecosystems should check the current account and purchase guidance before buying supporter packs or cosmetics on a second platform.

Is Path of Exile 2 free to play?

Yes. The complete game becomes free to play when version 1.0 launches on December 11. The packs sold before that date are paid Early Access supporter packs, not a required purchase for the final release. New players will be able to download the game without buying a base edition once Early Access ends.

Grinding Gear Games describes its model as “fair-to-play” and says Path of Exile 2 will not sell power. Optional supporter packs and cosmetic microtransactions will continue, and compatible purchases are shared with the original Path of Exile. The studio also plans to continue releasing expansions for both games.

The shift to free-to-play is the largest difference between buying in now and waiting for launch. A supporter pack grants current Early Access entry and its listed digital extras; it is not a preorder that must be redeemed to unlock version 1.0.

What happens to Early Access characters and progress?

Grinding Gear Games’ Early Access FAQ says characters will not be deleted. After launch, Early Access characters will continue to exist in a separate Early Access league rather than move into the new Standard economy. Balance changes may affect old builds, so a saved character can remain playable without necessarily working exactly as it did before 1.0.

Players who want to participate in the fresh launch economy or a new challenge league should expect to create a new character. Account unlocks and compatible microtransactions are separate from league character progression.

What does the full version add?

The current Early Access campaign contains four acts. Grinding Gear Games says the full game adds two more acts and roughly doubles the present amount of content through release. Version 1.0 is described as a six-act campaign with 100 distinct environments, 600 monsters, and more than 100 bosses.

The full class roster contains 12 base classes. Each has three Ascendancy specializations, producing 36 Ascendancy choices. The broader build system includes 240 active Skill Gems, 200 Support Gems, a 1,500-node passive tree with dual specialization, and hundreds of equipment base types.

The campaign is only the opening portion of the game. Path of Exile 2’s endgame uses a large map structure with multiple biomes, specialized passive trees, crafting, bosses, and reworked successors to league mechanics from the original game. Exact 1.0 patch notes, balance values, and the launch league rules have not yet been published.

Can Path of Exile 2 be played solo, online, or in couch co-op?

Path of Exile 2 can be played solo, in online parties of up to six, or in two-player couch co-op. Local co-op lets two people play on one account or sign into two accounts on the same console. Online play requires an internet connection, including for solo progression.

Crossplay removes the platform boundary for online groups. Cross-progression also lets a player continue on another supported system, provided the relevant accounts are correctly linked.

Path of Exile 2 PC requirements

These are the requirements currently shown on Steam. The 100 GB figure is available-space guidance, not a confirmed final download size, and it may change as the 1.0 client is finalized.

Will Path of Exile 2 have a preload?

Grinding Gear Games has not announced preload dates, client availability, or a final launch download size for the free-to-play release. Existing Early Access players already have a client installed, but they should still expect a substantial 1.0 update. New players should wait for platform-specific preload instructions rather than use the 100 GB storage requirement as an estimate of download traffic.

Path of Exile 2 launch FAQ

Do Early Access owners have to buy Path of Exile 2 again?

No. Version 1.0 is free to play. Existing players will update the client rather than buy a new base game.

Is Path of Exile 2 replacing the original game?

No. It is a separate game, and Grinding Gear Games says both titles will continue receiving expansions. For earlier franchise context, our archive includes the original game’s Fall of Oriath release-date coverage and a look back at Path of Exile: Ascendancy.

Is an exact launch hour confirmed?

No. December 11, 2026 PST is confirmed, but the studio has not announced a single worldwide unlock hour.

Are the final file size and 1.0 patch notes available?

No. Steam currently asks for 100 GB of free storage, but that is not a final download-size announcement. Full 1.0 patch notes are also still pending.

This guide reflects official store and developer information available on October 5, 2026. Launch timing, system requirements, and download details can change, so we will update it when Grinding Gear Games publishes new information.

Will you start Path of Exile 2 fresh at launch, or keep playing an Early Access character in its separate league?