Since Path of Exile 2 launched in Early Access in December 2024, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has steadily expanded content through major seasonal patches — each bringing new classes, mechanics, and leagues for players to explore. The journey so far has included the Huntress in Patch 0.2 and the Druid in Patch 0.4, alongside seasonal mechanics like the POE 2 Currency Abyss and the temple-building systems.

At the forefront of discussion among players right now is Patch 0.5.0 — expected to be one of the most pivotal updates before Path of Exile 2 transitions fully out of Early Access. Although GGG has not officially announced a release date for this patch, patterns from previous updates give us a solid basis for prediction. Historically, major PoE 2 updates have arrived roughly every four months: 0.1 in December 2024, 0.2 in April 2025, 0.3 in August 2025, and 0.4 in December 2025.

Based on that cadence and Friday release tradition, the community widely predicts that Patch 0.5.0 will land on Friday, April 10, 2026. This date fits the typical interval between releases and allows the developers additional polish time for high-impact systems like the long-awaited endgame revamp.

This timing also aligns with the expected conclusion of the Fate of the Vaal league (associated with Patch 0.4) in late March or early April, meaning the next seasonal reset should begin almost immediately after. GGG’s usual practice is to roll league seasons directly from one into the next to maintain momentum and keep the player base engaged — a strategy that will likely continue with 0.5.

What to Expect in Patch 0.5 and the Upcoming League

While official patch notes haven’t been released, leaks, community discussion, and historical patterns give us some idea of what might be coming:

• Endgame Overhaul: One of the biggest expectations for 0.5 is a rework of the endgame systems. Players have voiced that mapping progression, boss challenges, and reward balance need refinement, and 0.5 could be the update to push significant improvements.

• New Classes: Four base classes remain unreleased (Duelist, Templar, Shadow, Marauder). Of these, the Duelist is frequently touted as the most likely to debut in 0.5, thanks to hints about sword-focused systems and melee improvements aligning with this archetype.

• Seasonal Mechanics: The 0.5 league will likely introduce a unique mechanic — possibly a reimagined Delve or Blight system tailored to PoE 2’s engine and progression style. Reworked versions of earlier mechanics (like Ritual or Breach) could also return with fresh twists.

• Campaign Progress: Path of Exile 2 still has additional acts to finalize before a full 1.0 launch. Act 5 and Act 6 are anticipated in future patches, and 0.5 might include the first steps toward completing those chapters.

Looking Ahead

Beyond 0.5, 2026 promises a steady flow of content: additional classes and ascendancies, more campaign acts, and incremental improvements toward the full 1.0 release — which many expect sometime later in 2026 rather than the early months of the year.

While the exact patch notes and announcements will come from official GGG channels, April 10, 2026 is currently the cheap POE 2 Currency Orbs most realistic release window for Patch 0.5. That date not only fits the development rhythm but also sets the stage for an energized next league season and a deeper, more satisfying Path of Exile 2 experience.