Game intel
Path of Exile 2: The Last of the Druids
This is the Path of Exile 2 update that actually changes how people will play. The Last of the Druids finally introduces the shapeshifting class players have been pestering Grinding Gear Games about since PoE 2 was announced – and GGG is pairing the launch with a free weekend on Steam from December 12-15 where your progress carries over if you decide to buy. That’s smart for the studio, and frankly, great for anyone curious but not ready to commit.
The reveal stream lands Thursday, December 4 (11am PT / 2pm ET / 7pm GMT / 8pm CET). The expansion launches Friday, December 12 at the same times, with the free weekend kicking off in parallel and running through Monday, December 15. If you’ve been waiting for the “one more class” moment, this is it.
Druid is one of those ARPG fantasies that’s easy to imagine and hard to nail. You need transformations that feel powerful but still readable amid PoE’s particle soup, animation blends that don’t lock players into clunky wind-ups, and clear scaling rules so you don’t need a spreadsheet to check whether your form’s damage is coming from weapon stats, flat skill tags, or something arcane buried in a support gem. GGG has openly said Druid has been one of the toughest classes to get right — which tracks if you’ve played enough PoE to know how quickly clarity can collapse under the weight of build complexity.
That’s exactly why this update caught my attention. PoE 2’s pitch has always been more than “PoE 1 but prettier.” It’s a new campaign, cleaner systems, and a chance to rethink core class identities. If the team lands a satisfying shapeshifter with responsive form swapping and distinct playstyles that don’t feel like reskinned melee, it’s a statement of intent for the whole sequel.
Yes, Druid is the headliner, but GGG expansions rarely stop there. You should expect a raft of new skills (not just for Druid), fresh support gems that enable weird synergies, and several build-defining uniques that will instantly spike in trade value. The “notorious passive tree” will almost certainly see changes — PoE 2 is still settling, and this is when GGG likes to push players into experimenting. If you’ve got a comfort build, prepare yourself: either you’re about to feel like a genius for holding, or you’re respeccing on Friday night.
The seasonal mechanic is the wildcard. GGG said during a previous launch that they want “each area to feel different with something extra going on,” which reads like a commitment to a new system per expansion. Best case, we get the kind of systemic layer that deepens the grind (think PoE 1’s best leagues that bled into core). Worst case, it’s busywork with reward multipliers. The studio’s batting average is good enough that I’m optimistic, but we’ll need the reveal stream to separate flavor from function.
Campaign-wise, there’s a strong chance we push into Act 5 of the planned six. That’s a healthy chunk for fresh characters and a chance for GGG to tighten pacing, boss telegraphs, and reward cadence. Endgame is the other big ticket: expect at least one new boss and probably an “uber” variant or two to give ladder climbers something to bash their heads against. Atlas changes feel likely as PoE 2’s mapping loop finds its identity — a cleaner progression path would go a long way for new players coming over from the free weekend.
Letting everyone pile in on day one with carryover progression is a power move. It’s a low-risk way to see if PoE 2’s moment-to-moment feels better than PoE 1’s, and whether the new class clicks for you. If you can clear your schedule, three days is enough for a full campaign run; if not, you can still sample the early Druid kit, peek at the new league mechanic, and decide if you want to continue the character later.
A few practical notes from someone who’s been through more PoE launches than I can count: expect queues and a day-one patch, skim the patch notes for any passive-tree landmines, and don’t blow your currency on the first shiny unique unless you’re happy to gamble. Also, supporter packs will almost certainly arrive with Druid-flavored cosmetics. They’re optional — cosmetics are how GGG keeps the lights on — but don’t let FOMO drive your purchase before you’ve tested the class.
Three things will tell me if Druid really lands. First, responsiveness: form swapping and core attacks need to feel snappy with minimal animation lock. Second, scaling clarity: the tooltips and tags have to make it obvious how to build, or you’ll lose half the curious players to confusion. Third, endgame viability: does Druid have at least one build that maps smoothly and one that can handle “uber” bosses without niche gear worth a fortune? If those boxes get ticked, PoE 2 could be staring down a surge of returning exiles — myself included.
The Last of the Druids is PoE 2’s biggest swing yet: a long-awaited class, a likely new league system, and meaningful campaign/endgame additions. The free weekend (Dec 12-15) with progress carryover makes it the perfect time to jump in, kick the tires on Druid, and decide if this is your new main. Keep your expectations measured, skim the patch notes, and prepare for the meta to shift fast.
Get access to exclusive strategies, hidden tips, and pro-level insights that we don't share publicly.
Ultimate Gaming Strategy Guide + Weekly Pro Tips