Grinding Gear Games revealed the next update for Path of Exile 2, titled Return of the Ancients, during a livestream today. The update is the largest in Path of Exile history – for both games. It introduces five new storylines and fifteen new bosses as well as new Ascendancy classes.
In the new league of free-to-play ARPG, players will learn the ancient art of Ezomyte runesmithing, allowing them to craft powerful items from Ezomyte remnants that contain special symbols. However, this is not without risk, as activating Remnant effectively summons all undead in the area, granting them powers based on the runes used to craft them. Defeating these enemies is the only way for players to obtain their crafted item.
Return of the Ancients also makes some pretty big changes to the game’s Atlas system. When the update is released, the Atlas will have transformed into a “fully explorable end-game world” with locations waiting to be discovered. This includes a huge fortress rising out of the ground that players must explore to fight corruption in the area. The Stronghold is just one of several endgame storylines available in the update. This is because each boss in the game is tied to its own quest line.
Players can also look forward to a completely redesigned passive Atlas tree, allowing them to unlock every available node by completing maps in the Fortress. This doesn’t mean players will end up with the exact same atlas, as some nodes require players to make a decision about what they want them to do.
Other new additions in this update include the new Spirit Walker and Martial Artist ascendencies. Spirit Walker is the new ascension of the Huntress, allowing players to channel the primal power of the Azmerian spirits Deer, Owl or Bear. This allows her to do things like summon mass panics, fight alongside a bear companion, and more.
The Martial Artist is the Monk’s new power, allowing him to master illusions and spiritual energy. Players can create illusions, destroy enemies with manifested spectral bells, strengthen their bodies with stones, and achieve even greater feats.