Grinding Gear Games has officially confirmed that Path of Exile 2’s next major update—Version 0.3.0—is launching on August 29. This patch will introduce a brand-new League, complete with exclusive content, new systems, and the return of a fresh economy.
The announcement came via a recent forum post on the game’s official website, where the devs also confirmed that PoE 2 will stick to a quarterly League schedule, much like the original Path of Exile. That means players can expect new content roughly every four months going forward.
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A Look Back at PoE 2 So Far
Path of Exile 2 first hit Early Access in December 2024, and it launched strong—huge player numbers, great first impressions, and a gameplay loop that pulled people in fast. But since then, reviews have gotten a bit more mixed. Many players point to lackluster endgame content and a steep difficulty curve as the biggest pain points.
So far, PoE 2 has only had one League update, Version 0.2.0: Dawn of the Hunt, which dropped on April 4, 2025. That patch introduced the Huntress class and brought a bunch of changes, including new endgame systems, Atlas of Worlds tweaks, Unique Strongboxes, and new crafting tools like Fracturing Orbs and the Recombination system. While the changes were solid on paper, they didn’t quite keep the momentum going—player numbers dipped noticeably, and many longtime fans ended up going back to PoE 1.
What to Expect From Version 0.3.0
Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming 0.3.0 update:
- Release Date: August 29
- New League with exclusive content—you won’t be able to access it with Standard League characters
- New combat mechanics and bosses
- Fresh crafting options and rewards
- Separate economy and trade market only for items earned within the 0.3.0 League
More details are expected to be revealed one week before launch, so expect a full breakdown from GGG closer to the date.
Can Version 0.3.0 Bring Players Back?
It’s no secret that PoE 2’s player count took a hit after Dawn of the Hunt. The League’s higher campaign difficulty and slower pacing turned off a large chunk of the player base. While GGG has always pitched PoE 2 as a more methodical experience compared to the fast-paced chaos of PoE 1, the data suggests that players aren’t totally sold on that approach—at least not in its current form.
Whether Grinding Gear Games will pivot or continue doubling down on their vision for PoE 2 remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure—Update 0.3.0 is going to be an important one. If it can hit the right balance between depth, challenge, and fun, it might just be what PoE 2 needs to win players back.
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