The Path of Exile 2 “Return of the Ancients” update is on the horizon, set to deliver a comprehensive overhaul of the game’s endgame architecture. While patch 0.5 stops short of introducing entirely new character classes or weapon types, the adjustments to endgame mechanics and mapping are transformative, fundamentally elevating the overall PoE 2 experience.
Below, you will find the exact release times for the “Return of the Ancients” update based on your specific time zone, ensuring you are prepared to dive into the latest content the moment it goes live.
When does the ‘Return of the Ancients’ update go live?
According to the official countdown on the Path of Exile 2 website, the update is scheduled for release on Friday, May 29, at 4 p.m. EDT. Here is how that translates to your local time:
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): 1 p.m., Friday, May 29
- Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): 4 p.m., Friday, May 29
- Brasília Time (BRT): 5 p.m., Friday, May 29
- British Summer Time (BST): 9 p.m., Friday, May 29
- Central European Summer Time (CEST): 10 p.m., Friday, May 29
- Japan Standard Time (JST): 5 a.m., Saturday, May 30
- Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): 6 a.m., Saturday, May 30
In conjunction with the patch, a free access weekend will run from Friday, May 29, through Monday, June 1, at 4 p.m. EDT on both Windows PC and Xbox Series X. This initiative allows anyone to jump into Path of Exile 2 without needing an early access key. Any progress achieved during this window will persist on your account, and you can even unlock exclusive cosmetics based on your performance.
What to expect in the ‘Return of the Ancients’ update
Marketed as the most ambitious update in the studio’s history, “Return of the Ancients” is designed to refine the PoE 2 endgame, serving as a critical milestone on the path to the game’s full 1.0 launch. However, patch 0.5 is far more than a simple collection of maps and boss encounters.
While the endgame revisions are vast, the highlight is a significantly more intuitive introduction to the Atlas map and the associated endgame systems.
With “Return of the Ancients,” once you wrap up the main campaign, you will encounter curated storylines that serve as tutorials for legacy league mechanics, eventually culminating in accessible versions of iconic pinnacle bosses. As game director Jonathan Rogers noted, this structure is intended to give players clear, achievable objectives and a satisfying sense of closure for those who prefer to step away between leagues.
The update also debuts the “Runes of Aldur” league, which brings an intricate new rune-crafting system, allowing players to discover potent and unconventional equipment enhancements. Furthermore, Grinding Gear Games is introducing two fresh Ascendancies—the Spiritwalker and the Martial Artist—offering players entirely new mechanical paradigms and build possibilities to explore.
Source: Polygon
