PoE 2: The Last of the Druids Update Arrives December 12

Prepare for PoE 2: The Last of the Druids! Find the confirmed release time for your region in our global launch schedule. Update drops Dec 12.

Grinding Gear Games has officially announced Path of Exile 2 Update 0.4: “The Last of the Druids”, arriving December 12 at 11:00 AM PST. This milestone update introduces the long-awaited Druid class, a free-play Steam Weekend, and major gameplay enhancements that push PoE 2 further into next‑gen ARPG territory.

Whether you’re a veteran exile or completely new to Wraeclast, this update is the perfect moment to jump in.

New Class: The Last of the Druids

Update 0.4 marks the debut of PoE 2’s Druid, a dark, nature‑bound spellblade that blurs the line between human, beast, and elemental fury.

Advanced Shapeshifting Mechanics

The Druid in PoE 2 isn’t just a form‑swap button—its shapeshifting is deeply woven into the combat loop:

• Fluid Form Transitions
  Shift between beast and caster forms mid‑combat, weaving together melee mauling, spellcasting, and hybrid attacks in a single, uninterrupted flow.

• Form‑Specific Skill Variants
  Many abilities change behavior based on your current form, opening up high‑skill combos:

  • Cast a spell in human form, then instantly lunge forward in beast form to detonate it in melee range.
  • Use mobility skills to reposition as a beast, then slip back into human form for ranged control and support.

• Resource & Cooldown Synergy
  Shapeshifting is designed around tempo and decision‑making, rewarding players who manage timing, positioning, and cooldowns precisely.

The Most Advanced Animated Class in PoE History

Developers have described the Druid as the most advanced animated class ever created in Path of Exile:

• Seamless Transformations with no hard animation breaks.
• Layered motion capture and procedural animation systems to maintain momentum while you transform, attack, and cast.
• Rich visual identity, with fur, cloth, and spell effects all reacting dynamically to movement and combat.

If you enjoy high‑skill, high‑expression archetypes, the Druid is shaping up to be one of the most technically impressive and satisfying classes PoE has ever offered.

Free Weekend on Steam

To celebrate the launch of Update 0.4, Path of Exile 2 will feature a Free Weekend on Steam starting with the update’s release.

• Platform: Steam
• Start: December 12 at the global launch time (see table below)
• End: Limited‑time event (check the Steam store page and official PoE 2 news for your exact end time)

During the Free Weekend you can:

• Download and play PoE 2 for free on Steam.
• Try the Druid and other classes without any upfront cost.
• Experience the full Update 0.4 content cycle: new skills, balance changes, encounters, and systems.

If you’ve been watching PoE 2 from the sidelines, this is the ideal entry point.

Global Launch Schedule – December 12, 2025

The official release time for PoE 2 Update 0.4: The Last of the Druids is:

December 12, 2025 – 11:00 AM PST (UTC‑8)

Below is a global time conversion table for some of the most popular cities and regions. All times are aligned to this official launch.

Note: Time zones and daylight‑saving rules can change. For absolute accuracy, double‑check using your local time converter shortly before launch.

What to Expect in Update 0.4 (High‑Level Overview)

While the Druid is the headline feature, Update 0.4 is positioned as a systems and feel update for PoE 2. Key areas the patch is expected to touch:

• Combat Polish & Responsiveness
  Improved hit reactions, animation syncing, and input buffering to make combat feel more immediate and precise.

• Skill & Balance Tuning
  Adjustments across multiple classes and skills so the new Druid fits cleanly into the overall meta without overshadowing existing archetypes.

• Visual & Performance Enhancements
  Optimizations aimed at delivering smoother performance, especially in high‑density encounters and shapeshift‑heavy builds.

(For full details, refer to the official Update 0.4 patch notes once they go live on the PoE site.)

How to Prepare for Launch

If you’re planning to dive in on December 12, here are a few quick steps:

1. Pre‑Install or Update PoE 2 on Steam
   Make sure the game is installed and updated ahead of the launch window so you’re ready when servers go live.

2. Plan Your Druid Build Fantasy

   • Want to be a relentless beast‑form bruiser?
   • Prefer a hybrid caster who dips in and out of beast form to amplify spells?
     Decide your playstyle early and watch for official skill previews and community theorycrafts.

3. Check Party Plans with Friends
   Coordinate your start time based on the table above so your group can hit the campaign or endgame together.

4. Follow Official Channels
   Keep an eye on:

   • The Path of Exile website
   • Official Twitter/X, Reddit, and Discord
     for any last‑minute changes, hotfix updates, or extended Free Weekend info.

Final Thoughts

PoE 2: The Last of the Druids (Update 0.4) isn’t just another content drop—it’s a showcase of how far the game has come in animation, class design, and moment‑to‑moment combat.

With:

• The most advanced animated class in Path of Exile history
• Deep, responsive shapeshifting mechanics
• A Free Weekend on Steam lowering the barrier for new and returning players

December 12 is shaping up to be one of the most important dates yet for Path of Exile 2.

Mark your calendar, find your city in the release table, and get ready to answer the call of the last Druid.