It has now been over a year since Path of Exile 2 entered early access, and the game has quietly but steadily matured into something far more stable and content-rich than it was at launch. Grinding Gear Games has already delivered three official leagues, each bringing meaningful mechanical changes, balance passes, and new systems that slowly shape the foundation of what the full release will eventually become. As of now, Patch 0.4.0, The Last of the Druids, which launched on December 12th, remains the active version of the game 

While extended early access periods are nothing new for ambitious live-service ARPGs, player curiosity around timelines has only intensified. A few months ago, developers hinted that Path of Exile 2's full release could land around March 2026. That estimate sparked excitement across the community, as many assumed the remaining major patches would follow a predictable cadence. However, the game director recently confirmed that this plan has been delayed due to a mix of technical, design, and production challenges.

With the full release pushed back, attention has shifted squarely toward Patch 0.5.0. For most players, this patch now represents the next major milestone in Path of Exile 2's development. When might it arrive, and what could it include? Let's break down the most realistic release window and the potential content we might see.

Release Date Speculation

Looking at Grinding Gear Games'recent patch cadence provides the strongest clues. Patch 0.3.0 and 0.4.0 were separated by roughly three to four months, depending on how you count pre-patch teasers and league launches. Patch 0.4.0 launched in mid-December, placing the current league squarely into the first quarter of 2026.

If GGG maintains a similar development rhythm, Patch 0.5.0 would most logically arrive sometime between late March and early May 2026. A March release would align with the previously mentioned full-release window, but given that the developers have already stated delays are necessary, April or May feels more realistic. This would give the team extra time to iterate on feedback from The Last of the Druids league while avoiding a rushed rollout.

Another factor is league longevity. Patch 0.4.0 introduced systems that are still being actively balanced, and GGG traditionally allows leagues to run long enough for players to fully engage with their mechanics. Cutting that short would risk community backlash, especially after such a long early access period. All signs point toward Patch 0.5.0 being a late spring update rather than an early one.

Potential New Content

Patch 0.5.0 is unlikely to be a small incremental update. Historically, major numbered patches in Path of Exile bring sweeping changes rather than simple tuning passes. Players can reasonably expect a mix of new systems, expanded endgame content, and further reworks to existing mechanics that are still being stress-tested in early access.

One strong possibility is additional refinement of ascendancy balance. Several classes introduced or reworked in earlier patches still show significant power gaps, particularly at high-end mapping and boss encounters. Patch 0.5.0 could focus heavily on bringing underperforming archetypes up to par while trimming the most dominant builds.

Endgame variety is another likely target. While mapping and temples have seen improvements, many players feel that the endgame loop still lacks the depth and long-term replayability of Path of Exile 1. New map modifiers, additional pinnacle-style encounters, or expanded temple mechanics could all arrive as part of 0.5.0.

There is also speculation around crafting updates. Path of Exile 2 has already shown a willingness to rethink long-standing systems, and crafting remains one of the most divisive topics in the community. Patch 0.5.0 could introduce new currency interactions, deterministic crafting paths, or league-specific crafting mechanics that test ideas intended for the eventual full release.

The Addition of New Acts

One of the biggest questions surrounding Patch 0.5.0 is whether it will include new acts for the campaign. While no official confirmation exists, the possibility cannot be dismissed. Path of Exile 2's campaign structure is a major selling point, and early access has intentionally limited the number of playable acts to allow focused testing.

Adding one or two new acts in Patch 0.5.0 would make sense from a development standpoint. It would allow GGG to gather feedback on pacing, difficulty curves, and narrative flow without committing to the entire campaign at once. It would also reignite interest among players who primarily enjoy the leveling experience rather than endgame grinding.

That said, new acts are a massive undertaking. Environment art, voice acting, quest design, and boss encounters all require extensive polish. If Patch 0.5.0 does include new acts, expect them to be framed as a testing phase rather than a finished product, much like the rest of early access.

Is Patch 0.5.0 Worth Trying?

For players who stepped away after earlier patches, Patch 0.5.0 could be an ideal point to return. By this stage, many of the roughest edges of early access will likely be smoothed out, and systems introduced in earlier leagues should feel more cohesive and purposeful. Even if you are waiting for the full release, 0.5.0 may offer the clearest glimpse yet of what Path of Exile 2 is ultimately trying to become.

For active players, Patch 0.5.0 will almost certainly redefine the meta once again. New balance passes, potential endgame additions, and possible campaign expansions mean fresh builds to experiment with and new progression paths to explore. If you enjoy adapting to change and mastering evolving systems, this patch will be hard to ignore.

Patch 0.4.0 is still ongoing, and there is plenty of time to prepare. If you encounter any difficulties while clearing maps or temples, you can immediately obtain POE 2 Currency for sale on mmoexp to enhance your gear, boost your combat power, and overcome obstacles. Staying ahead of the curve now will make the transition into Patch 0.5.0 smoother and far more rewarding when it finally arrives.