ExileCon 2026 is shaping up to be an important event for both Path of Exile and Path of Exile 2. With PoE 2 approaching its free-to-play 1.0 release on December 11 and the next PoE 1 expansion arriving on November 13, Grinding Gear Games has plenty of reasons to make this year's announcements count. For players following the development of both games, the upcoming reveals could also influence how they approach builds, progression, and POE 2 Currency management.
The biggest question is not simply what new content GGG will announce, but how these changes could affect the long-term direction of the franchise. Our team has been looking at the available development information, previous announcements, and recent gameplay discussions. Here are six predictions worth watching when ExileCon 2026 begins.
Four Remaining PoE 2 Classes Could Become a Major Talking Point
The development of Path of Exile 2's remaining classes is one of the most interesting subjects heading into ExileCon.
The Duelist has already been confirmed for the 1.0 release, following its Gamescom reveal. The Shadow has also received attention through pre-ExileCon promotional material. This leaves the Templar and Marauder as two particularly interesting possibilities for players waiting to see the complete class lineup.
The potential class and weapon associations discussed by the community include:
| Class | Potential Weapon Direction |
|---|---|
| Duelist | Sword |
| Shadow | Dagger |
| Templar | Flail |
| Marauder | Axe |
However, there is an important distinction between a class being part of the planned roster and being ready for release. GGG has not confirmed that all four remaining classes will arrive together in 1.0.
How New Classes Could Affect Build Diversity
From our perspective, the more interesting question is how these classes will expand the existing build system. New starting positions on the passive skill tree, different weapon interactions, and additional ascendancy choices could create entirely new approaches to character development.
Traps and other specialized mechanics are also worth watching, particularly if GGG decides to expand the Shadow's identity beyond conventional dagger-based combat.
What Players Should Watch
We would not treat a simultaneous four-class release as guaranteed, but additional information about the remaining roster would be one of the most valuable announcements for long-term PoE 2 players.
PoE 2's Endgame May Receive Another Major Redesign
The endgame is arguably more important than adding another batch of campaign content.
Patch 0.5 introduced meaningful changes to the Atlas experience, including the Fortress system, Atlas Masters, new questlines, and improvements to league progression. These additions helped give players more ways to approach endgame activities.
However, adding more systems does not automatically solve every progression problem.
One issue worth watching is repetition. Players who have already completed substantial portions of the endgame may not enjoy repeating similar quest sequences or rebuilding their Atlas progression every time they start another character.
Potential Changes to Atlas Progression
Our team believes GGG could use the 1.0 reveal to demonstrate a more streamlined progression structure.
Potential improvements include:
- Atlas progression: More flexibility in choosing which endgame activities to pursue.
- Quest requirements: Less unnecessary repetition when progressing through the same content again.
- Pinnacle encounters: More demanding boss mechanics that reward preparation and execution.
- League integration: Better connections between individual endgame activities and overall character progression.
Why Boss Mechanics Matter
There is also room for improvements to boss balance. A pinnacle encounter should remain challenging even when players have invested heavily in their builds. Simply increasing enemy health, however, is not necessarily the best solution. Better mechanics and more meaningful combat decisions would make a stronger difference.
If GGG can address these issues before 1.0, PoE 2 could offer a much more satisfying endgame experience.
Path of Exile 1 Could Introduce a Major Sirus-Related Encounter
While PoE 2 will naturally receive much of the attention, the original Path of Exile should not be overlooked.
The upcoming 3.30 expansion is expected to bring new endgame content, and GGG has confirmed that its full reveal will take place during ExileCon. The expansion itself is scheduled for November 13 (PST).
Could Sirus Return as a Pinnacle Boss?
One interesting possibility is a new pinnacle encounter connected to Sirus and the longer-running Atlas storyline.
Sirus remains one of the most recognizable endgame figures in Path of Exile. His connection to the Atlas, Zana, and the wider storyline provides GGG with several ways to revisit familiar characters without simply repeating an existing boss fight.
We think a new confrontation involving Sirus could be an effective way to connect the original game's established story with its next stage of development.
What This Could Mean for PoE 1 Endgame
That said, players should not assume that the 3.30 expansion will definitely introduce this encounter. It is a prediction based on the available narrative possibilities, not a confirmed feature.
Beyond the boss itself, we would also like to see meaningful improvements to Atlas progression. A new expansion is a good opportunity to reconsider how players move between mapping, invitations, pinnacle bosses, and other endgame activities.
Chris Wilson's Possible Return and the ExileCon Race Finals
ExileCon is not only about expansion announcements. Its developer discussions and competitive events are also important parts of the convention.
Could Chris Wilson Return to ExileCon?
One name that could attract considerable attention is Chris Wilson. As a major figure in Path of Exile's early development and history, his possible appearance would carry considerable significance for longtime players.
A developer discussion, interview, or roundtable would be particularly interesting. It could offer an opportunity to reflect on how the franchise has evolved since the original Path of Exile 2 announcement in 2019.
However, there is currently no reason to treat his attendance as confirmed.
Race Finals and Competitive Highlights
The race finals are a more concrete part of the event. GGG has already announced the PoE 1 finalists, including allexpleblord, imexile, MOSTPOSITIVEMAN, and Ben_.
ImExile is especially interesting to watch because of his previous ExileCon performance. His narrow loss to Tyty23 in 2023 makes another championship attempt a compelling storyline.
For experienced players, racing competitions offer something different from ordinary gameplay. Efficient routing, quick decision-making, resource management, and boss execution can all make the difference between a strong run and a winning performance.
We expect the race finals to be one of the convention's most entertaining segments, regardless of which competitor eventually takes the title.
Could GGG Reveal a Future Path of Exile 1 Update Beyond 3.30?
Another possibility worth discussing is the long-term future of the original Path of Exile.
The Possibility of a Standalone 4.0 Update
Before PoE 2 became a separate game, it was originally associated with the idea of a major 4.0 update to the original title. Although development eventually took a different direction, the number 4.0 remains an interesting subject whenever players discuss the franchise's future.
Could GGG eventually introduce a major standalone update under that name?
We consider it possible as a long-term idea, but there is currently no official confirmation of a PoE 1 4.0 project.
WASD Movement and Other Potential Improvements
One potential area for improvement is movement and combat controls. WASD movement, for example, could change how players interact with skills, positioning, and combat encounters. However, implementing such a system in an established game would require careful consideration of existing animations, control behavior, and gameplay balance.
Why Continued PoE 1 Support Matters
More importantly, PoE 1 does not necessarily need a version number as significant as 4.0 to remain relevant.
Regular expansions, meaningful endgame changes, and continued mechanical improvements could provide plenty of reasons for players to return.
Our view is that GGG's commitment to supporting both games will matter much more than whether it announces a specific future version number.
Summary: What Players Should Watch at ExileCon 2026
ExileCon 2026 could provide important clues about the future of both Path of Exile titles. The most exciting possibilities include additional PoE 2 class reveals, a more refined endgame system, new PoE 1 pinnacle content, and a clearer long-term development strategy.
For players preparing for the next major release, we recommend paying particular attention to three areas:
- Class availability: Which characters will actually be playable when PoE 2 reaches 1.0?
- Endgame progression: Will GGG reduce repetitive activities and improve the overall Atlas experience?
- PoE 1 support: What kind of new content and mechanical changes will accompany the 3.30 expansion?
These details could have a direct effect on build planning and equipment choices. Players considering whether to buy POE 2 Items should also wait for the official class, skill, and balance information before committing too heavily to a particular build direction.
The confirmed dates provide a useful timeline: ExileCon's main announcements take place on November 6–7 (PST), PoE 1's 3.30 expansion launches on November 13 (PST), and PoE 2 leaves Early Access on December 11 (PST).
Ultimately, we believe the most important announcement will not necessarily be the biggest new feature. It will be whether GGG can demonstrate a sustainable plan for keeping both games interesting over the next several years.
FAQ
When is ExileCon 2026?
ExileCon 2026 takes place on November 7–8 in New Zealand. The corresponding livestream and keynote dates are November 6–7 in Pacific Time.
When does Path of Exile 2 launch as a free-to-play game?
Path of Exile 2 is scheduled to leave Early Access and launch as a free-to-play game on December 11, 2026 (PST).
Will all four remaining PoE 2 classes arrive in 1.0?
This has not been officially confirmed. The Duelist is confirmed for 1.0, while the availability and release timing of the other remaining classes still need clarification.
When will Path of Exile 3.30 be released?
GGG has scheduled the Path of Exile 1 3.30 expansion for November 13, 2026 (PST), with its full reveal planned for ExileCon.
Will Path of Exile 1 receive a 4.0 update?
There is no official confirmation of a future PoE 1 4.0 update. It remains a long-term possibility discussed by players rather than an announced development plan.
