Grinding Gear Games has revealed the Shadow as the second new class for Path of Exile 2 Version 1.0, launching with the free-to-play full release on December 11. Announced during the ExileCon 2026 keynote in Auckland, the dagger wielding Shadow centers on stealth ambushes, redesigned traps, and a new Darkness resource, while the Duelist gains its first shown Ascendancy in the Knight.
Quick Facts
- Developer: Grinding Gear Games
- Game: Path of Exile 2, a free-to-play action RPG
- Launch: Version 1.0 on December 11 (PST), exiting Early Access
- New: Shadow class with Assassin and Infiltrator Ascendancies, plus the Knight Ascendancy for the Duelist
- More info: the official Path of Exile 2 site hosts the full announcement
Shadow turns stealth, daggers and traps into a full combat loop
The Shadow hides from enemy detection up to a set radius, letting players close distance and open with empowered ambush strikes. Stealth runs on a cooldown, but every kill resets it at once, which rewards chaining ambushes from one pack into the next. Skills used out of Stealth hit harder, and Viper Strike coats the dagger in poison so follow-up hits can set off chain toxic explosions.
Traps work differently than veterans may expect. They no longer explode the moment an enemy steps on them. Instead, players seed traps while hidden and the charges go off in sequence only after Stealth breaks, which opens the door to multi-elemental combo chains across a prepared kill zone. Skills also build a resource called Darkness that boosts damage dealt when breaking Stealth, and a Shade clone can draw enemy attention while copying the player melee strikes. The kit reads as a patient hunter fantasy built for players who like to set the terms of every fight before it starts.
Assassin returns while the Infiltrator debuts
At launch the Shadow can ascend into the returning Assassin or the brand new Infiltrator. Grinding Gear Games has not named the third Ascendancy yet, and with every class expected to reach at least three options over time, fans have already started guessing whether the Saboteur or the Trickster from the first game will fill the slot or whether something new is on the way. The class also brings the dagger as a weapon type with its own pool of skill gems and support gems, matching how the Duelist arrives with swords at launch.
The reveal pays off a short teaser clip from October 30 that showed daggers and coins and sent fans speculating about the Shadow return. It also confirms that the full release ships with two new classes rather than one, a strong statement for a launch that already carries Acts 5 and 6 plus a league mechanic. Players who want the client ready can head to the Path of Exile 2 Steam page ahead of the December 11 rollout.
Knight gives the Duelist a squire, war banners and a chariot
The Knight is the first Duelist Ascendancy shown for Version 1.0, and its opening node recruits a permanent Squire companion. The Squire has its own equipment screen, can use any melee weapon, and learns player skills through the gem screen, so owners can tune the companion toward damage, support, or a mix of both. Feeding and gearing the recruit is framed as part of the fantasy of commanding someone under your banner.
War Banners spend a resource called Glory to raise damage and attack speed for both the player and the Squire, with one branch converting spent Glory into Valor for defense. The Mounted Charge skill turns the banner into a moving weapon, driving a chariot through enemy lines to push and stun anything it hits, including very large monsters. The live demo ran through the Promenade of Heroes against living gladiator statues and closed on the area boss known as The Profane Colossus, which suggests the Knight is tuned for aggressive frontline play.
Both reveals feed a packed December 11 launch
The Shadow and the Knight land inside a Version 1.0 package that completes the campaign with Acts 5 and 6 and opens the Conquerors of Wraeclast challenge league, as covered in our breakdown of the Path of Exile 2 Version 1.0 launch date. With new classes, a finished six act story, and a reworked Atlas endgame arriving on the same day, December 11 shapes up as the biggest single day in the sequel history so far.
When does Path of Exile 2 Version 1.0 launch?
Version 1.0 launches on December 11 (PST) as a free-to-play title, exiting Early Access. The date was announced during the ExileCon 2026 keynote in Auckland.
How does the Shadow stealth system work?
Stealth hides the player from enemies up to a set radius and empowers the next strikes. It runs on a cooldown, but each kill resets it at once so players can chain ambushes across packs.
What are the Shadow Ascendancy options at launch?
The Shadow launches with two Ascendancies, the returning Assassin and the new Infiltrator. A third Ascendancy has not been revealed yet.
What does the Knight Ascendancy do?
The Knight is a Duelist Ascendancy built around a customizable Squire companion, Glory fueled War Banners shared with the Squire, and the Mounted Charge chariot skill for disrupting enemy lines.
Is Path of Exile 2 free to play?
Yes. Path of Exile 2 launches as a free-to-play game on December 11, following the same model as the original Path of Exile with optional microtransactions.
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