PoE 2's Dawn of the Hunt Brings Huntress, Five New Ascendancy Classes On April 4th

 Path of Exile 2 is set to receive one of its most significant updates since entering early access three months ago. Launching on April 4th, the "Dawn of the Hunt" update introduces a wealth of new content, including the debut of the Huntress class, five new Ascendancy classes, expanded skill gems, new endgame encounters, and more. Here's a closer look at what's coming.

Introducing the Huntress: A Hybrid Melee and Ranged Fighter

Living up to the theme of the update, the Huntress takes center stage as a versatile class specializing in both ranged and melee combat. Wielding a spear, she can strike from a distance with precise throws and seamlessly transition into close-quarters combat.

One of her standout mechanics is Parry, which enables counterattacks by staggering enemies. Skills like Disengage are tailored to this playstyle—ordinarily, it allows the Huntress to leap back while damaging foes, but when used on a parried enemy, it triggers an explosion and grants a Frenzy Charge.

To enhance her dynamic combat style, the Huntress features abilities that help her fluidly shift between ranged and melee engagements. This creates a combat flow unlike any other in Path of Exile 2, allowing for the longest combo chains seen in the game.

New Ascendancy Classes Expand Playstyles

The update introduces five new Ascendancy Classes, each bringing unique abilities to their respective base class:

  • Huntress Ascendancies:

    • Ritualist – Performs ritualistic sacrifices on fallen enemies to gain temporary boons or can sacrifice her own blood for self-empowerment.

    • Amazon – Specializes in precision strikes, revealing enemy weaknesses. Skills like Predatory Instinct boost critical strike potential, while Elemental Infusion turns consumed charges into elemental explosions upon spear impact.

  • Other Ascendancies:

    • Lich (Witch) – Sacrifices life to bolster her energy shield, enabling aggressive, high-risk gameplay.

    • Smith of Kitava (Warrior) – Forges weapons before battle to imbue them with devastating effects, such as explosive fire attacks. This class also introduces a unique armor system, replacing traditional gear mods with customizable armor notables.

    • Tactician (Mercenary) – Brings tactical dominance to the battlefield with skills like Suppressing Fire, which immobilizes enemies, and an off-screen arrow volley for devastating area-of-effect damage.

Mounts, Spear Combat, and New Maps

A new mount system is making its way into Wraeclast, allowing players to summon and ride a Rhoa for both combat assistance and quick escapes.

The Huntress’ spear weapon brings twenty new skills, including the ability to summon the Rhoa Mount and the new Raise Spectre skill, which allows players to reanimate fallen monsters for an undead army.

Endgame is also getting a major expansion, featuring eight new maps, each with distinct challenges and encounters. Additionally, twelve AI-controlled Rogue Exiles will now roam the endgame, designed to mimic real player behavior. These enemies use player-like tactics and drop their equipped items as loot when defeated.

Endgame Balance and League Structure Changes

Given the scope of these updates, Grinding Gear Games is also making major balance changes to the endgame system. These include reducing the number of towers while doubling the effective area of Tablets.

Players will have two options when the new league launches:

  • Continue playing with existing characters in the updated content.

  • Start fresh in a new league with a separate economy.

GGG strongly recommends starting fresh due to significant balance adjustments, including class reworks and a reconfigured skill tree, which may impact existing builds.

Final Thoughts

With its introduction of a brand-new class, expanded Ascendancies, fresh combat mechanics, and substantial endgame improvements, "Dawn of the Hunt" is shaping up to be a game-changing update for Path of Exile 2. Whether you're eager to master the Huntress or test out the new Rogue Exiles, there’s plenty to look forward to when the update drops on April 4th.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WoW Mists of Pandaria Classic PvP Tier List (2025 Update)

Image
If you've been grinding battlegrounds or sweating it out in arenas lately, you’ve probably noticed the PvP meta in WoW Mists of Pandaria Classic is anything but stale. With each passing month, the balance shifts—buffs, nerfs, gear changes, and new team comps all play a part in reshaping the ladder. This updated WoW Mists of Pandaria Classic PvP tier list is based on current class performance in both 2v2 and 3v3 arenas, as well as rated battlegrounds. Whether you're a returning player or a long-time veteran, this list should help you make sense of what’s viable in 2025’s MoP Classic PvP scene. And let’s be real—gear and consumables matter. A lot. If you're aiming to get serious in PvP, you’ll want to make sure you're not falling behind because of a lack of gold. Sites like SSEGold are solid options if you're looking to buy WoW MoP Classic gold fast and safely. It can be the difference between grinding endlessly for enchants or jumping straight into the action wi...
Read more

PoE: Legacy of Phrecia Extended & 3.26 Expansion – Everything You Need to Know

 Path of Exile (PoE) fans, rejoice! The game’s latest expansion, Legacy of Phrecia Extended and 3.26 Expansion , has officially dropped, bringing a ton of fresh content to explore, new mechanics to master, and challenges to conquer. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or someone new to the game, this expansion promises to change the way we approach endgame content, builds, and progression. If you’re looking to dive into the action, this guide will walk you through all the exciting updates and what they mean for your journey in Wraeclast. Let’s talk about the most important aspects of this update, and I’ll even throw in some pro tips to help you get ahead faster. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the info you need to make the most of the Legacy of Phrecia Extended and 3.26 Expansion . And don’t worry, I’ll also give you some recommendations for PoE currency and where to find some great services for leveling up if you need a little extra boost. What’s New in Legacy of Phre...
Read more

Blade & Soul NEO 2025 Roadmap: New Zones, Raids, and the Warlock Class Revealed

 If you’ve been grinding Blade & Soul NEO like it’s your second job (no judgment—we’ve all been there), NCSoft just dropped a roadmap that’s about to make your inner MMO addict scream. The BNS NEO Spring and Summer Roadmap 2025 updates are packing Moonwater Plains expansions, fresh PvP chaos, and a long-awaited class reveal. Let’s break down what’s coming and how you’ll want to prep. March 11: Moonwater Plains – Part 1 (Act 3 Begins) Story & Level Cap Boost The Moonwater Plains update kicks off Act 3 of the Epic Quest, diving headfirst into the brutal clash between the Talus Dominion and Skyhaven Resistance. But here’s the juicy bit: we’re finally getting answers about the Lyn’s origins. If you’ve ever wondered why those adorable cat-like beings pack such a punch, this lore drop is for you. Oh, and the level cap’s jumping to 50. Time to dust off your main and start hoarding EXP charms—endgame grinders, you’ll want to hit that cap fast to unlock heroic dungeons and elite da...
Read more