Path of Exile 2 Confirms 1.0 Launch This Year, But Multiple Promised Classes Are Delayed

Breaking: Path of Exile 2 to Hit 1.0 in 2025, But Missing Key Classes

Grinding Gear Games has confirmed that Path of Exile 2 will reach its version 1.0 launch this year, though the full roster of previously announced character classes will not be available at release. The studio's game director and co-founder, Jonathan Rogers, made the revelation during a press briefing for the game's final early access patch, 0.5.0, titled Return of the Ancients, scheduled for late May. Read the background below.

Rogers stated: “We are committed to getting the 1.0 build out this year, but we had to make tough calls on scope. Not every class we initially envisioned will make it into the full launch.” This marks a significant shift from earlier promises that all 12 classes would be available at launch. The exact number of delayed classes remains undisclosed, but sources indicate at least two are affected.

What We Know So Far

Inverted pyramid summary: The most important fact is that Path of Exile 2 will go 1.0 in 2025, but the original promise of a full class lineup is broken. The studio is prioritizing stability and core systems over class quantity. This decision has sparked debate among the game's dedicated fan base.

Rogers added: “We want the 1.0 experience to be polished and balanced. Adding all classes would have pushed us into 2026.” The delayed classes are expected to arrive in post-launch updates, likely as part of the game's seasonal content model.

Background

Path of Exile 2 was announced years ago as a major expansion that evolved into a standalone sequel. The early access phase began with a subset of classes, and each major patch has added more. The 0.5.0 update, Return of the Ancients, will be the final major early access patch before the team shifts focus to the 1.0 release candidate.

The game director explained during the briefing: “We learned a lot from early access feedback, and that feedback pushed us to rework several class skills from the ground up. That rework takes time.” The studio has not specified which classes are delayed, but community speculation points to the Duelist and Shadow classes, which were seen as high-complexity designs.

Community Reaction

Fans on forums have expressed mixed feelings. Some praise the transparency, while others feel let down by the broken promise. A popular Reddit thread stated: “It’s better to have a smaller pool of perfectly tuned classes than 12 broken ones.” However, others worry about replayability and build diversity at launch.

What This Means

For players, the delayed classes mean that the initial 1.0 release will have a narrower set of character options compared to the original roadmap. This could affect the depth of endgame theorycrafting and team compositions. Grinding Gear Games has assured that the core gameplay loops, the new campaign, and the revamped skill system will be fully functional and engaging upon launch.

Rogers emphasized: “This isn’t a cut—it’s a recalibration. We’d rather deliver fewer, excellent classes than many mediocre ones.” The delayed classes will be introduced incrementally through free seasonal content, possibly starting with the first major patch after 1.0.

In the long term, this approach could mean a more stable and refined launch experience, but it also sets a precedent for future promises. The studio is betting that the quality of the final product will outweigh the disappointment of missing content.

Key Takeaways

• Version 1.0 is on track for 2025. Exact date not yet announced.
• Not all pre-announced classes will be ready at launch.
• Post-launch updates will deliver the missing classes for free.
• Final early access patch 0.5.0 arrives May 2025.

As the studio shifts gears toward the 1.0 release, fans can expect more details in the coming months. For ongoing updates, follow our breaking news coverage.