Path of Exile 2 Early Access Delayed, But Settlers of Kalguur Event Coming

The Path of Exile 2 Early Access is delayed, but Path of Exile 1 is getting a new Settlers of Kalguur themed event. Grinding Gear Games announced a three-week delay for the Early Access launch of Path of Exile 2. Originally slated for November 15th, the new launch date is now December 6th. In addition, they announced a new Settlers of Kalguur event including an economy reset and the return of some Necropolis mechanics.

Understanding the delay

This delay wasn't an easy decision for GGG. While the core PoE 2 experience is ready, unforeseen challenges arose with server-side infrastructure. Grinding Gear Games prioritizes a seamless experience for all players, including cross-account functionality for microtransactions across PoE 1 and 2, along with console integration. Ensuring flawless account systems and preventing potential issues requires additional development time.

To compensate for the delay, in approximately four weeks, they are hosting a dedicated livestream showcasing PoE 2's endgame content. Check out our dedicated article on the Path of Exile 2 delay for more information.

New Mercenary skills

The Mercenary is getting a laser! In a recent teaser, Grinding Gear Games showcased the power of two new abilities: Voltaic Grenade and Plasma Blast.

• Voltaic Grenade: This ability shoots a grenade which on impact creates a powerful blast that deals substantial damage and stuns enemies in its area of effect.
• Plasma Blast: A high-damage, charged, single-target ability. Plasma Blast looks ideal for taking advantage of stunned enemies.

Iconic PoE 1 Uniques reimagined for PoE 2

GGG Teased several iconic unique items from PoE 1 are making a return in PoE 2, reimagined for the new engine and gameplay mechanics.

While details remain scarce on the functionality of the teased PoE 2 uniques, some interesting speculation can be made based on what we know so far.

Mjolner's iconic gem triggering mechanic seems destined for a significant overhaul. With the limitation of sockets removed, the sheer power it could unleash necessitates adjustments. We might see a cap on the number of triggers or damage penalties.

The changes to leech mechanics in PoE 2 cast doubt on the direct translation of Atziri's Acuity's Vaal Pact effect. If it retains its status as a high-tier boss drop, it could become a unique source of a reworked leech mechanic.

Uniques like Lycosidae (Hits Cannot Be Evaded), Goldrim (No level Required, Elemental Resistances), and Wanderlust (No level Required, Cannot be Frozen) might translate relatively smoothly.

With movement speed potentially becoming a scarce resource in PoE 2, Queen of the Forest's potential impact becomes intriguing. Depending on the availability of other movement speed sources, this unique could become meta again.

PoE 3.26 Timeline

While PoE 1 has seen two successful expansions this year, including the ongoing Settlers of Kalguur, the studio's primary focus is now on the Early Access launch of PoE 2.

Delayed 3.26 Expansion and new League announcement

The recent delay of the 3.26 expansion for PoE 1 has left many players disappointed, especially as the holiday season approaches. With no new League to dive into, many Exiles are expressing concerns about the potential impact of Path of Exile 2's development on the future of the first game.

While we understand the excitement surrounding PoE 2, it's important to acknowledge the concerns of the dedicated PoE 1 community. As we await further updates on the future of the two games, let's hope that Grinding Gear Games can find a balance between their ambitious projects and the needs of the existing player base.

"After many days of internal discussions, we made the decision to not launch the 3.26 expansion for Path of Exile 1 this year. We’re looking to announce this new league in early 2025 (think late January) however we have to remain flexible with this window as releasing an entirely new project can come with challenges that we cannot predict." Jonathan Rogers

Settlers of Kalguur Event: A fresh start

To bridge the gap and offer players a fresh experience, Grinding Gear Games is launching a new Settlers of Kalguur event on November 7th, PST. This event will run concurrently with the ongoing league, offering players an opportunity to start anew in Standard, Hardcore, Solo Self-Found, and Solo Self-Found Hardcore modes.

Key Features of the Event:

• Fresh economy and ladder reset: A fresh economy means you get to experience the league start rush again.
• Free box: Reaching level 50 in any event version rewards players with a Settlers Mystery Box.
• Settlers League challenges: Players can complete any outstanding Settlers league challenges during the event.
• Dynamic mod pools: Similar to the Necropolis league, monsters in the event will have a mod pool that rotates hourly, offering rewards without any downsides.

3.26 & PoE 2 on the horizon!

With this update, Grinding Gear Games aims to balance the hype of new content with the demands of launching Path of Exile 2. The studio remains committed to providing content for its players such as the Settlers of Kalguur event and looks forward to sharing more information about the future of Path of Exile in the coming months.

Written by: Crouching_Tuna

Reviewed by: Tenkiei