Path of Exile 2 is getting a proper shake-up on May 29, when patch 0.5, Return of the Ancients, goes live at 1PM PDT. This isn't just a balance pass with a few new toys. It changes how the endgame works, adds a fresh league, opens up two new ascendancies, and gives players a reason to care about mapping again. If you're planning your first character or stocking up on PoE 2 Currency for early crafting, this is the sort of update you'll want to read up on before servers start melting.

Free access and league rewards

Grinding Gear Games is also running a free weekend from May 29 through June 1. That means PC, PlayStation, and Xbox players can jump into the full early access version without paying up front. Progress won't vanish, either. If you make a character, clear acts, or start the new league, it all stays tied to your account. The Early Access Supporter Pack is being cut to half price until June 12, so anyone who enjoys the trial can keep going for less. During the event, players can grab cosmetics too, including the Ezomyte Rune Scars skin for reaching Clearfell Encampment, the Candlemass Portal Effect for beating Count Geonor, and a Discord Quest avatar decoration for playing 15 minutes.

The Atlas gets a real purpose

The old endgame loop has been pulled apart and rebuilt. Instead of simply grinding waystones and hoping the next map feels better, patch 0.5 adds five story-driven endgame paths. You'll deal with Tangmazu in fog-covered zones, defend the Keepers of the Flame, free a spirit bound by the King in the Mist, work with Atlas Masters, and help Rog search the seas for his missing wife. It sounds much less like ticking boxes and more like actually moving through Wraeclast. The Atlas also now has fixed points of interest, which should make targeting your favourite content far less annoying. The Fortress looks especially important, since it feeds into Atlas Tree progression and will likely become an early priority for serious players.

New ascendancies and crafting twists

Two ascendancies arrive with this patch: Martial Artist for Monk and Spirit Walker for Huntress. Both seem built to feel good from the start rather than only after perfect gear, which is always welcome in a fresh league. Runes of Aldur brings runesmithing as its main system, letting players shape items in new ways instead of praying for one lucky drop. Alloys and Fluxes add more control over resistances and modifiers, while the Genesis Tree opens later crafting options and new chase items. Runic Ward is another big one. It acts as a defensive layer under Life, and if you still have Ward left, zero Life doesn't instantly mean death. It also fuels 30 new skills with no attribute requirements.

Small changes that'll matter every day

Some of the best changes are the quiet ones. There's an in-game build planner now, so you can import creator setups and actually see passive trees, gems, notes, and gear targets without juggling five browser tabs. Price checking is getting easier too: Control + Alt + Click opens a market search with item stats filled in. That's a big deal for trade players. Corruption has changed as well, with Vaal Orbs multiplying current numeric modifier values instead of rerolling them, so using Divine Orbs first will matter more than ever. If you're aiming to push gear hard, checking market values and planning access to buy cheap PoE 2 Currency early can save a lot of frustration once the league economy starts moving.

Welcome to U4GM, your laid-back stop for Path of Exile 2 tips, league prep, and market help before Return of the Ancients lands. Check prices and gear up smart at https://www.u4gm.com/path-of-exile-2/currency so you're ready for runesmithing, the new Atlas, fresh ascendancies, and a smoother start in Wraeclast.