Grinding Gear Games has officially confirmed the next major update for Path of Exile 2, titled Return of the Ancients. The expansion will be revealed in a livestream on May 7, 2026, and is scheduled to launch on May 29, 2026 for both PC and consoles.
The announcement came via the official Path of Exile X account, accompanied by a cinematic teaser trailer showing a massive, ancient fortress rising from the ground and sealing off part of Wraeclast. The update is described as one of the largest content drops in the game’s history, with significant changes planned for the endgame Atlas system and deeper lore ties to the mysterious Ancients.
Community manager Kelly explicitly noted that the team is taking extra time to ensure the update meets their quality standards, stating it is "shaping up to be one of the biggest ones we’ve ever released; it just needs a little longer to cook."
Why the Timing Benefits Dual ARPG Fans
The May 29 launch date creates a convenient buffer for players who enjoy both Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4. Blizzard’s Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred expansion launches on April 27/28, 2026 (depending on region), giving fans roughly a full month to experience the new campaign, classes (Paladin and Warlock), skill tree overhauls, Talisman system, and expanded endgame before Path of Exile 2’s major update arrives.
This is a welcome change from previous scheduling conflicts. In late 2025, Diablo 4’s shadow-drop of the Paladin class came within 24 hours of Path of Exile 2’s Druid introduction and expansion, forcing many dual fans to juggle both titles simultaneously. The extra breathing room this time around allows players to fully engage with one game’s new content before shifting focus to the other.
What Return of the Ancients Is Expected to Bring
While full details will be revealed during the May 7 livestream, the teaser and prior comments from Grinding Gear Games point to several major additions:
- A significant overhaul of the endgame Atlas and mapping system.
- New towers or monolith-style content tied to the returning Ancients.
- Potentially a new class or ascendancy, with some community speculation (including detailed Reddit theories) pointing toward the Duelist making its debut based on recent art, social media hints, and older ExileCon footage.
- Expanded lore and story elements exploring the Ancients’ role in Wraeclast’s history.
- New monsters, bosses, skills, and quality-of-life improvements.
Path of Exile 2 is still in Early Access, with Grinding Gear Games balancing continued support for the original Path of Exile while pushing the sequel forward. The slightly extended development time for this update (nearly six months since the last major league) has drawn some criticism from players who prefer shorter cycles, but many see it as a positive sign that the team is prioritizing polish and ambition.
Broader ARPG Scheduling Context
The ARPG genre has seen increased overlap in major releases in recent years. Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2 frequently compete for the same audience, especially among players who enjoy deep character building, seasonal resets, and endgame grinding. Scheduling conflicts can lead to burnout or force fans to choose one game over the other, so the staggered timing of these two major updates is likely to be appreciated.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred brings two new classes, extensive skill tree reworks (including major summoner improvements for Necromancers and form flexibility for Druids), the Talisman system, Horadric Cube crafting, and expanded endgame activities like the revamped Pit and new Tower climb.
With a full month before Path of Exile 2’s update, fans have a realistic window to push characters far into the new endgame before shifting focus to Wraeclast.
The announcement for Path Of Exile 2 has been met with cautious optimism. Many players are excited about the potential scale of the update but remain wary of the extended wait. Community speculation is already running wild on Reddit and forums, with theories ranging from new ascendancies and Atlas mechanics to possible ties between the Ancients and existing lore threads.
For dual ARPG fans, the extra month is seen as a rare gift. One player summarized the sentiment well: "Finally, I can actually finish Lord of Hatred without feeling like I’m missing out on PoE 2 content the same week."
With both games delivering substantial updates in the coming months, 2026 is shaping up to be a banner year for the action RPG genre. Path of Exile 2’s Return of the Ancients may not arrive until late May, but the delay appears to be in service of delivering something truly substantial. The May 7 reveal stream will provide the first concrete details. Until then, players have plenty of time to prepare their characters in Diablo 4 or continue grinding in Path of Exile 2’s current league.
What are your thoughts? Will you be playing both or one of the games? Let us know what classes and builds you will be playing in the comments!