Path of Exile 2 will be free to play over the final weekend of August 2025, Grinding Gear Games has announced. The expanded free weekend coincides with the release of the game’s latest major update, giving prospective Path of Exile 2 buyers a chance to try the latest version of the game before committing to a purchase.

Path of Exile 2 Announces New Update

Like its predecessor, the latest action RPG from Grinding Gear Games is planned to launch as a free-to-play title supported by microtransactions. However, the early access version of Path of Exile 2 is a paid product, starting at $29.99 for the basic supporter pack. There are four more editions on offer, including the luxurious Warlord of the Karui and Liberator of Wraeclast supporter packs, priced at $219.99 and $369.99, respectively.

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Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict is Avoiding the Elephant in the Room

Path of Exile 2's Third Edict update is delivering on a lot of long-awaited changes, but the game's silence around one missing feature is deafening.

Path of Exile 2 Is Free to Play Until September 1

Over the following few days, however, it will be possible to jump into the popular ARPG at no cost, courtesy of a recently announced Path of Exile 2 free-to-play period that's scheduled to kick off later today, August 29, at 1pm PDT. The promotion will run for exactly 72 hours, ending on Monday, September 1. This will mark the game's first multi-platform F2P period.

Path of Exile 2 free weekend August 29 to September 1 2025

Path of Exile 2 Free-to-Play Weekend Accompanying 'The Third Edict' Update

Path of Exile 2’s The Third Edict update is set to launch at the same time, 1pm PDT on August 29. Identified by version number 0.3, the patch has been available for preload since August 28. The new update adds Act 4: The Karui Archipelago, as well as three Interludes spanning 19 new areas with 9 extra bosses that replace the old Cruel difficulty in order to streamline campaign progression. For the duration of the free weekend, players will be able to claim three exclusive items: Exile's Hood, Exile's Staff, and Exile's Cloak Back Attachment. Each has different unlock requirements tied to Act 1 content.

Path of Exile 2 Free Weekend Items

Path of Exile 2 free weekend August 2025 cosmetics

Item

How to Unlock

Exile’s Hood Cosmetic

Reach the Clearfell Encampment in Act 1.

Exile’s Staff

Defeat the Rotten Druid in Act 1.

Exile’s Cloak Back Attachment

Defeat Count Geonor in Act 1.

The Third Edict introduces plenty more Path of Exile 2 content, including the Rise of the Abyssal League and a broad Support Gem rework with multi-level gems and 40 Lineage Supports. The much-requested support for asynchronous trade is also part of the package, allowing players to buy items even if their sellers aren't online.

Another novelty arrives in the form of quality-of-life updates, including crafting improvements and the ability to sprint by holding down the dodge roll key or button. Among other novelties, The Third Edict also expands Path of Exile 2's endgame with 25 new maps, more monsters, and additional bosses with more difficult Uber variants.

Path of Exile 2 Update 0.3 (The Third Edict) Patch Notes

Act 4: The Karui Archipelago

Path of Exile 2 Interludes

The Third Edict also marks the removal of Cruel Difficulty. We've introduced three new temporary interludes, a set of side stories that will take you to level 65, where the Endgame begins.

Rise of the Abyssals League

Major Character Balance Overhaul

In 0.3.0 we are making very significant changes to character balance across the entire game. Our goal is to increase build diversity by making many more skills and character archetypes viable into the endgame.

Support Gem System Overhaul

New Content and Features

Endgame Changes

Atlas Passive Tree Changes

Path of Exile 2 Essence Rework

General Improvements

Player Changes

Ascendancy Changes

Passive Skill Tree Changes

Skill Changes

Unique Item Changes

Item Changes

Monster Changes

Quest Changes

User Interface Changes

Microtransaction Changes

Bug Fixes

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Path of Exile II Tag Page Cover Art
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Action RPG
Hack and Slash
MMORPG
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 100%
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Released
December 6, 2024
ESRB
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Nudity, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Language, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)
Developer(s)
Grinding Gear Games
Publisher(s)
Grinding Gear Games
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Path of Exile 2 Cover
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Engine
Proprietary Engine
Genre(s)
Action RPG, Hack and Slash, MMORPG