Grinding Gear Games Reveals Largest Path Of Exile II Update So Far, Return Of The Ancients

During a livestream today, Grinding Gear Games revealed Path of Exile 2’s next update, titled Return of the Ancients. The update is the largest in Path of Exile’s history – for both games. It introduces five new storylines and fifteen new bosses, as well as new Ascendancy classes.

In the free-to-play ARPG's new league, players will pick up the ancient art of Ezomyte Runesmithing, which will allow them to craft powerful items using Ezomyte Remnants containing special symbols. It won’t be without risk, however, as activating Remnant effectively summons any undead in the area and grants them powers based on the runes used to craft them. Defeating these enemies is the only way for players to claim their crafted item.

Return of the Ancients also makes some pretty big changes to the game’s Atlas system. When the update drops, the Atlas will have been transformed into a “fully explorable endgame world” with places waiting to be discovered. This includes a giant fortress that rises out of the ground, which players must explore to fight the corruption in the area. The fortress is just one of several endgame storylines available in the update. This is due to every boss in the game being tied to a dedicated questline.

Players can also look forward to a completely redesigned Atlas passive tree that allows them to unlock every node available by completing maps in the Fortress. This doesn’t mean that players will have the same exact atlas in the end, as some nodes will require players to make a choice about what they want out of them.

Other new additions in this update include the new Spirit Walker and Martial Artist ascendancies. Spirit Walker is the new ascendancy for the Huntress, which allows players to channel the primal power of the Stag, Owl, or Bear Azmerian spirits. This allows her to do things like summon stampedes, fight alongside a bear companion, and more.

The Martial Artist is the Monk’s new ascendancy, allowing them to master illusions and spiritual energy. Players will be able to create illusions, destroy enemies with manifested spectral bells, fortify their bodies with stone, and achieve even greater feats.