New Path of Exile 2 Update The Third Edict Launching Soon With Free-to-Play Weekend

Grinding Gear Games has unveiled the next major update for Path of Exile 2 — titled The Third Edict (version 0.3.0) — launching August 29. 

With this patch for the free-to-play ARPG, which is currently in buy-to-play Early Access, comes Act 4. This new act takes players to the Ngamakanui archipelago — a nonlinear, multi-island region with 16 new areas, 12 bosses, and diverse landscapes ranging from drowned beaches to volcanic wastelands. Players will hunt for fragments of the Third Edict to challenge the Beast.

Following Act 4, there will be three temporary interludes: The Curse of Holten, The Stolen Barya, and Doryani’s Contingency (which replaces Cruel difficulty). These mini-acts add 19 zones and nine bosses, providing story content until Acts 5 and 6 arrive.

Mechanically, several major changes are coming as well. All classes gain a sprint ability, improving mobility both in and out of combat. Support Gems are being reworked with multiple levels and 40 new Lineage Supports to encourage build diversity. Every class receives buffs and rebalances.

Also, the first exclusive League is coming. Rise of the Abyssal tasks players with battling abyssal pits, farming unique loot, and interacting with the mysterious Well of Souls. The endgame expands with 25 new maps, new encounters, and exotic bosses, while crafting sees overhauls for essences, orbs, and recombinator systems. And, asynchronous trading arrives — letting players buy from sellers even when they’re offline.

Other notable details include future Acts before full release, a focus on easing difficulty gaps for new players, and ongoing backend improvements. The update coincides with a free-play weekend (Aug 29 – Sept 1) on PC, Xbox, and PS5, where all content will be available, with progress carrying over if players purchase afterward.