Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt – All You Should Know About the Extensive 0.2.0 Update
After a lengthy period of eager speculation and expectation, the highly anticipated “Dawn of the Hunt” update for Path of Exile 2 has finally been launched. Developer Grinding Gear Games has unveiled the complete patch notes for update 0.2.0 — a substantial document that encompasses over 16,800 words and more than 40 A4 pages. But don’t fret — we’ve condensed the most crucial information into this detailed summary, allowing you to swiftly catch up on all the fresh content, systems, and gameplay modifications.
What Is “Dawn of the Hunt”?
“Dawn of the Hunt” marks the second significant content update for Path of Exile 2, introducing a multitude of new elements, such as a brand-new class, numerous new skills and items, and a total revamp of the endgame experience. It also initiates a new challenge league, offering players a chance to start anew and explore all the new mechanics in a competitive setting.
Key Features of the Update
1. New Class: The Huntress
At the core of the update is the debut of the Huntress, a valiant Azmeri warrior who brings a distinct playstyle to the game. This new class is crafted around agility, animal synergy, and bleeding effects. She possesses 20 brand-new skills that enable her to:
– Perform swift melee attacks
– Cause potent bleeding effects
– Summon and control animal allies during combat
The Huntress presents a hybrid playstyle that merges physical damage with beast mastery, making her a flexible and lethal addition to the lineup.
2. Five New Ascendancy Classes
Dawn of the Hunt introduces five additional Ascendancy classes — powerful subclasses that further refine your character’s capabilities. Two of these are exclusive to the Huntress, while the Warrior, Mercenary, and Witch each gain one new Ascendancy option. These new paths provide exciting new build possibilities and deeper customization for both veteran and new players.
3. Over 100 New Skill Gems
Customization remains a fundamental aspect of Path of Exile, and update 0.2.0 enhances this with the introduction of over 100 new Skill Gems. These gems bring in new mechanics, synergies, and playstyles, allowing players to test out innovative builds or augment their existing ones in imaginative ways.
4. Over 100 New Unique Items
An impressive addition of over 100 new Unique Items has been incorporated, primarily focusing on mid- and endgame content. These items grant powerful and often build-defining bonuses, many of which are designed to synergize with the new skills and Ascendancy classes introduced in this update.
5. Crafting 2.0
Crafting in Path of Exile 2 has undergone a significant transformation. The new Crafting 2.0 system presents several new features, including:
– Recombination: A feature returning from the initial game, this enables players to merge two items while retaining the best attributes of each.
– New crafting currencies and modifiers
– Improved UI and quality-of-life enhancements for item crafting
This system empowers players with increased control over item creation and development, simplifying the process of fine-tuning gear to match specific builds.
6. Endgame 2.0
The endgame experience has been extensively revamped in Dawn of the Hunt. Notable adjustments include:
– Enhanced respawn limit: Players can now respawn up to six times on standard maps.
– Dynamic landscapes: New unique maps feature shifting environments that change throughout gameplay, introducing new levels of challenge and strategy.
– Updated towers and tablets: These mechanics have been rebalanced and improved to offer more significant rewards and interactions.
– Additional endgame bosses and encounters
These updates aim to enhance the endgame, making it more engaging, rewarding, and accessible to a broader audience.
7. The Dawn of the Hunt League
In conjunction with the update, a new league — also referred to as Dawn of the Hunt — has been launched. This league provides a fresh economy and a clean slate for players to explore the new content. It includes:
– Standard, Hardcore, and Solo Self-Found (SSF) variations
– A complimentary passive skill tree reset for all existing characters
– League-specific challenges and rewards
Whether you’re a returning player or new to the game, the league serves as the ideal opportunity to dive into everything that update 0.2.0 has to offer.
Release Date and Accessibility
Dawn of the Hunt officially launched on April 4 at 9:00 p.m. All characters from Early Access are still accessible, allowing players to continue using them with the added advantage of a free passive skill tree reset. However, to fully embrace the new content and mechanics, joining the new league is strongly advised.
Where to Learn More
For those interested in delving deeper into the details, the complete patch notes are accessible