Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5 'Return of the Ancients' Launches: 50+ Hours of New Endgame
On May 29, 2026 at 8:00 PM UTC, Grinding Gear Games launched Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5 — 'Return of the Ancients.' Developers describe this as the final major update before the full 1.0 release.
Return of the Ancients is the final major update before Path of Exile 2's full 1.0 release — 50+ hours of endgame, two new Ascendancies, a rebuilt Atlas.
Grinding Gear Games released Path of Exile 2's 0.5.0 update on May 29, 2026, titled Return of the Ancients. By scope, this is the largest update since the game's Early Access launch in December 2024.
Runes of Aldur League
The patch introduces Runes of Aldur as the new challenge league, featuring unique progression mechanics, a temporary character, and seasonal rewards — available simultaneously across all platforms.
Two New Ascendancy Classes
Two new Ascendancy classes are added:
- Spirit Walker — master of spiritual manipulation, interacting with spirit and absorption mechanics
- Martial Artist — melee combat expert with unique combo mechanics and enhanced strike damage
Rebuilt Atlas: Origins of Divinity
The fully reworked Atlas is called Origins of Divinity, featuring 300+ new nodes, six new storylines, 30 new map zones, and 15 new bosses (including 4 Pinnacle encounters).
New Unique Items
Over 40 new unique items are added, including Raven's Flock (a growing DoT raven aura) and Liminal Coil (a wand granting Coiling Bolts — a chaining projectile spell that cascades through cursed targets).
The update is free for all players with Early Access to Path of Exile 2.