Grinding Gear Games used Gamescom Opening Night Live to unveil the official Path of Exile 2 Version 1.0 trailer and confirm the full release date. Path of Exile 2 will leave early access and launch as a complete free-to-play title on December 11, 2026.
The trailer delivers on one of the most requested features still missing from early access: swords. The footage puts heavy emphasis on blade combat, with clean animations and satisfying impact that immediately stood out to viewers. Official messaging accompanying the reveal leaned into the moment with the line "Ready your swords, Exile," signaling that the long-awaited Duelist class and sword weapon types are finally arriving with the 1.0 launch.
Beyond the sword work, the trailer highlights some of the most visually impressive spellcasting seen in the game so far. Several sequences feature large, spinning magical attacks that fill the screen with motion and particle effects, giving casters a stronger sense of spectacle and power. These spinning spells appear both as offensive tools and as part of larger skill combinations that chain smoothly into other abilities.
One particularly notable inclusion is the ability for players to cast Lord Gienor’s signature icy crush attack. Gienor, the first major act boss players encounter, has long been associated with a heavy freezing slam. Seeing that same move become available as a player skill suggests a broader design direction in which memorable boss abilities can be learned, adapted, or recreated through the skill system. It is a strong example of the kind of fantasy fulfillment Path of Exile 2 continues to chase.
The December 11 release marks the end of the early access period that began in December 2024. While not every originally planned class is expected to ship on day one, the addition of swords and the Duelist represents a major expansion of the melee identity that many players felt was incomplete. The trailer frames the full launch as the beginning of the game’s true endgame era rather than simply another content drop.
Grinding Gear Games has spent the past year refining systems, expanding the endgame, and preparing the remaining pieces needed for a proper 1.0 state. The Gamescom trailer serves as both a celebration of that work and a clear statement of what players can expect when the full version goes live in December.
With swords finally in the picture, flashy new spell visuals on display, and the ability to turn a memorable boss attack into a player tool, the Version 1.0 trailer gives the community plenty to theorycraft about in the months leading up to launch. Path of Exile 2’s full release is now locked in for December 11.
For fans who are super excited about the game and want more free cosmetics, GGG is also running a email campaign to register your email and get updates from the team. If enough players register the whole community and everyone who registered gets some goodies, check out the rewards below:
What are your thoughts on the announcements? Are you excited for more Path Of Exile 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!