Path of Exile 2 patch 0.5 "Return of the Ancients" launches on May 29 at 1PM PDT, and Grinding Gear Games has just revealed the official Twitch Drops that will run alongside the new league. The free weekend from May 29 to June 1 gives everyone full access to the update, making it the perfect time for new and returning players to jump in, earn exclusive rewards, and experience the biggest content drop the game has seen since early access began.
According to the official forum announcement, Twitch Drops will be active throughout the launch period and the first week of the league. By watching partnered Path of Exile 2 streams on Twitch, viewers can unlock a selection of cosmetic rewards simply by accumulating watch time. These rewards include new character effects, helmet skins, portal effects, and hideout decorations themed around the Runes of Aldur league. All drops are purely cosmetic and do not provide any gameplay advantage.
The drops are designed to reward both casual viewers and dedicated fans who want to show off their support for the new league. Many of the rewards tie directly into the runesmithing theme, giving players a visual way to celebrate the new crafting system and the return of the Ancients.
What’s Coming in Return of the Ancients
This patch represents one of the most significant overhauls Path of Exile 2 has received. The old waystone-based endgame has been completely replaced with five narrative-driven storylines that integrate popular league mechanics and give the late game a real sense of purpose and progression. Each storyline introduces unique bosses, new crafting systems, and fresh ways to engage with the Atlas.
The new Runes of Aldur challenge league brings a completely fresh runesmithing crafting system that lets players deeply customize their gear. Two brand-new ascendancies debut as well: the Martial Artist for aggressive unarmed melee play and the Spirit Walker for projectile and evasion-focused builds. Both classes feel powerful and fun right from league start and open up exciting new build possibilities.
Other major features include a heavily reworked Atlas Tree with new nodes and points of interest, improved campaign replayability, a brand-new in-game Build Planner, and numerous quality-of-life improvements. The Genesis Tree and new alloy/flux currencies also expand late-game crafting options significantly.
Strong League Starter Options
Patch 0.5 offers a wide variety of strong league starters that take advantage of the new content. Popular choices include:
- Gemling Grenade – Explosive clear and strong single-target that feels rewarding from Act 1 onward. Many players, including myself, are strongly considering this for their league start because of its satisfying damage and smooth progression.
- Twisters (Deadeye or Spirit Walker) – Incredible screen-wide clear speed with some setup complexity.
- Ice Shot Deadeye – Smooth, satisfying mapping with excellent freeze mechanics and strong scaling.
- Martial Artist – The new unarmed ascendancy that rewards aggressive melee play and high mobility.
- Chaos DoT Witch – Extremely SSF-friendly with safe and steady progression through the campaign and into maps.
The overhauled endgame and new storylines make every starter feel more rewarding because you can actually reach satisfying conclusions to content loops instead of grinding endlessly.
How to Participate in the Free Weekend and Earn Drops
No Early Access key is required during the free weekend. Simply log in to the game client on May 29 at 1PM PDT and create a character in the Runes of Aldur league to begin earning the free cosmetics by hitting early-game milestones. All progress is saved permanently, so if you decide to purchase the discounted Early Access Supporter Pack (50% off until June 12), you can continue right where you left off.
The Twitch Drops add another layer of excitement. Tune into partnered streams, rack up watch time, and collect the new cosmetics while watching creators experience the new content for the first time.
Whether you are a brand-new player looking to try Path of Exile 2 for free or a veteran ready to dive into the new league, patch 0.5 and the accompanying free weekend offer the perfect opportunity to jump in. The combination of narrative-driven endgame, powerful new ascendancies, deep runesmithing crafting, and exclusive Twitch rewards makes this one of the most accessible and exciting launches the game has had.
Mark your calendar for May 29 at 1PM PDT. The Ancients are returning, and this time the endgame finally feels like it has a real ending. See you in Wraeclast this weekend!