Grinding Gear Games has officially revealed Dawn of the Hunt, a major expansion for Path of Exile 2, set to launch on April 4, 2025. This update introduces a brand-new class, additional Ascendancy options, and significant endgame enhancements. With the release date approaching, players are diving into the details, sharing their excitement, and raising concerns about the direction of the game.
Introducing the Huntress – A New Predator in Wraeclast
The highlight of Dawn of the Hunt is the Huntress, a dexterous warrior wielding a spear and buckler, blending ranged spear throws with lethal close-quarters combat. Unlike traditional dexterity-based classes, the Huntress incorporates a stalking mechanic, where players can mark enemies and execute powerful finishing moves.
Her arrival brings two distinct Ascendancy classes:
- The Ritualist – A savage warrior who sacrifices creatures to enhance her own strength, absorbing their essence to amplify damage and defensive abilities.
- The Amazon – While details remain sparse, this Ascendancy is expected to specialize in agile combat and precise, deadly strikes.
The introduction of a new class has sparked excitement, with many players seeing it as a much-needed fresh playstyle. However, some remain skeptical about its viability in Path of Exile 2’s notoriously punishing endgame.
New Ascendancy Classes – Expanded Build Variety
Beyond the Huntress, existing classes are receiving new Ascendancy paths:
- Smith of Kitava (Warrior) – A brutal fighter who summons an anvil in combat, enhancing weapons or animating them to fight independently. This class introduces a unique mechanic where wearing plain body armor provides powerful buffs.
- Tactician (Mercenary) – Expected to emphasize strategic combat through traps, gadgets, and enhanced positioning.
- Lich (Witch) – While details are scarce, this Ascendancy is likely to focus on necromantic powers, siphoning life from enemies and resurrecting the dead.
Endgame Overhaul – Seven New Maps & Challenges Await
The expansion is bringing a major refresh to the endgame:
- Seven New Endgame Maps – These include The Fractured Lake, The Ezomyte Megaliths, and The Silent Cave, each featuring unique challenges and loot opportunities.
- Corrupted Nexus Maps – These offer encounters where players must purge corrupted entities, leading to significant rewards.
- Azmerian Wisps & Rogue Exiles – New modifiers and rogue enemies make battles unpredictable, adding more depth to encounters.
Players have long requested more engaging late-game content, and while these additions look promising, some feel that elements like the Azmerian Wisps are minor tweaks rather than true expansions of the gameplay loop.
Community Reactions – Excitement & Concerns
What Players Are Loving:
- “The Huntress looks sick. A spear class with mobility? That’s exactly what this game needed.” – Reddit User: ShadowofWraeclast
- “New Ascendancies mean new build variety. Really excited for the Lich, hope it’s more than just a necro rehash.” – Forum User: DarkArcanist
What Players Are Worried About:
- “The campaign combat is too slow compared to the endgame. I hope they address this instead of just adding more maps.” – Reddit User: GrimHex
- “Rogue Exiles are cool, but unless they’re really threatening, they’ll just be another thing to steamroll.” – Twitter User: @ExileFury
The community response is a mix of excitement and skepticism, with players eager to test the new content but wary of how well it will balance within Path of Exile 2’s evolving gameplay.
Final Thoughts – Will Dawn of the Hunt Deliver?
With Dawn of the Hunt, Grinding Gear Games is making bold moves to expand character customization and endgame longevity. The Huntress and her Ascendancies bring new ways to play, while the additional endgame maps and encounters add more replayability. However, balance remains a major concern, with some players worried that these updates won’t address fundamental pacing issues between the campaign and endgame.
As the expansion nears release, the community will be watching closely to see if Path of Exile 2 can truly redefine its identity and maintain the depth that makes it one of the most beloved ARPGs. One thing is certain—April 4 can’t come soon enough.
