Discover the new Huntress class, five Ascendancy classes, endgame tweaks, and more in the Dawn of the Hunt update for Path of Exile 2. Coming April 4th.
Path of Exile 2, the highly anticipated action RPG from Grinding Gear Games, is set to release one of its biggest updates yet – Dawn of the Hunt – on April 4th. This update introduces significant new content for both veteran and new players, including the debut of the Huntress class, five new Ascendancy classes, a host of new skill gems, a fresh approach to endgame content, and more. As one of the first major updates since Path of Exile 2 entered early access, this update promises to take the game to the next level. In this blog post, we’ll break down the exciting features and enhancements that will be part of the Dawn of the Hunt update.
The Huntress Class: A Unique Blend of Melee and Ranged Combat
One of the most exciting additions in Dawn of the Hunt is the Huntress class, a unique hybrid of ranged and melee combat. This class is designed to give players the ability to attack from a distance with powerful spear throws and close in for devastating melee strikes. The Huntress excels in mobility, weaving in and out of combat using a spear as both a ranged weapon and a tool for close-quarters attacks.
A standout feature of the Huntress is her Parry ability. This allows players to block incoming attacks and set enemies up for punishing counterattacks. In particular, one of her key skills, Disengage, becomes even more powerful after a successful parry. Normally, Disengage is a quick leap that damages enemies in front of the Huntress, but when triggered after a parry, it causes an explosive burst and grants a frenzy charge. This combination of skills makes the Huntress an exciting class to master, offering dynamic gameplay that requires both strategy and quick reflexes.
Grinding Gear Games has worked hard to ensure the Huntress feels unique by giving her the ability to mix whirlwind-style melee attacks with elemental spear throws. With this, the Huntress offers one of the longest and most complex combo chains in Path of Exile 2, making her an attractive choice for players looking for a versatile and engaging combat style.
Five New Ascendancy Classes: Expanding Build Options and Playstyles
In addition to the Huntress, Dawn of the Hunt brings five new Ascendancy classes, each adding depth to existing character builds. These new classes bring fresh abilities, synergies, and playstyles to the game.
- The Ritualist (Huntress Ascendancy) – The Ritualist introduces an exciting sacrificial mechanic. Players can absorb the power of fallen enemies or even sacrifice their own health to gain temporary boosts, allowing for a strategic balance of risk and reward.
- The Amazon (Huntress Ascendancy) – This class focuses on precision and critical hits. With skills like Predatory Instinct, which reveals enemy weaknesses, and Elemental Infusion, which adds explosive elemental damage to the spear, the Amazon is perfect for players who want to deal focused, high-damage attacks.
- The Lich (Witch Ascendancy) – The Lich allows players to sacrifice their health to enhance their energy shield, providing an interesting playstyle where the player must balance their health and shield to maximize their potential.
- The Smith of Kitava (Warrior Ascendancy) – The Smith of Kitava brings a unique mechanic to the table, allowing players to reforge their weapons before battle for devastating effects. The Smith can also craft armor with specific bonuses, enabling players to customize their defenses in interesting ways.
- The Tactician (Mercenary Ascendancy) – A master of battlefield control, the Tactician can pin enemies in place using Suppressing Fire and deliver devastating ranged attacks with Arrow Volley. This Ascendancy is perfect for players who enjoy controlling the flow of battle with powerful ranged abilities.
Each of these Ascendancy classes not only enhances the abilities of their base class but also opens up new possibilities for character builds and strategies, giving players more freedom to customize their playstyles.
New Skills, Mounts, and Summons: Expanding the Gameplay Experience
The Dawn of the Hunt update doesn’t just introduce new classes; it also adds new gameplay mechanics and features. One of the highlights is the Rhoa Mount, which players can summon to fight alongside them in battle. This mount provides both a combat advantage and a way to quickly traverse the world of Wraeclast. Players can also summon the Rhoa for an escape when the battle turns against them, making it a useful tool for both offense and defense.
Additionally, the Raise Spectre skill allows players to trap the souls of monsters and raise them as undead allies. This opens up new strategies for players who enjoy summoning minions to fight alongside them, further expanding the variety of playstyles available in Path of Exile 2.
With the introduction of the Huntress and her spear, there are also 20 new spear-based skills to experiment with, adding even more variety to combat. Along with this, players will gain access to over 100 new support gems and new unique items, giving them countless options for creating and fine-tuning their builds.
Endgame Enhancements: New Maps, Rogue Exiles, and Rebalances
The endgame content in Path of Exile 2 is also receiving a major overhaul in Dawn of the Hunt. There will be 8 new endgame maps, each with its own unique challenges and encounters. These maps offer fresh challenges and keep the endgame experience exciting for players who have already conquered much of the previous content.
A particularly intriguing addition is the Rogue Exiles. These AI-controlled exiles mimic human players, using the same skills and even equipping the same items. If you defeat these Rogue Exiles in combat, you’ll be rewarded with the items they drop, adding an additional layer of challenge and excitement to the endgame experience.
Alongside these additions, there will be several balance changes to the endgame. The number of towers will be reduced, and the area affected by Tablets will be expanded, requiring players to adapt their strategies accordingly.
Fresh Start or Legacy: How to Experience the Update
For those eager to dive into Dawn of the Hunt, Grinding Gear Games is offering two versions of the new league. Players can choose to either bring their existing Exiles into the new content or start fresh with a new Exile, experiencing the reworked skill tree and balance changes from the ground up.
It is recommended for most players to start with a fresh Exile, as the changes to class balance and the skill tree may make older builds less effective. This fresh start offers a chance to fully experience the new content and explore the changes in a new economy.
Mark your calendars for April 4th, as Dawn of the Hunt is sure to make your Path of Exile 2 experience even more thrilling.