Hey Exiles, buckle up - Path of Exile 2 has just dropped a bomb with its 0.2.0 update, "Dawn of the Hunt", due out on PC and consoles on 4 April 2025. The star of this patch? The Huntress, a brand new class that's got us all buzzing. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) teased her in a quick 30-second trailer, and while it's light on details, it's heavy on hype. Combined with previous demo footage from events like Gamescom, we've got a solid picture of what this predator brings to Wraeclast. Let's take a look at everything we know about the Huntress so far - her weapons, skills, playstyle, and what she might mean for the game.
First of all, "Dawn of the Hunt" isn't just a fancy name - it's an actual content drop, landing at 12pm PDT on the 4th of April. Before that, GGG is hosting a live reveal on 27 March at 12pm PDT, promising a deep dive into what's to come. The teaser showed a spear-wielding figure and hinted at a hunting theme, following on from the Huntress reveal. Posts on X are already calling this the first major class addition to PoE 2's Early Access, and many suspect a new league mechanic - something with a hunting theme - will launch alongside it. Think Breach or Expedition, but with a wild, primal twist. Oh, and don't panic about a "reset" - your current progress will be safe on the old servers; the new league will just give us a fresh start with all the shiny new toys.
Meet the Huntress: Weapons and Gear
The Huntress enters PoE 2 with some new hardware. Previous demos - such as IGN's Gamescom coverage - showed her wielding a spear in one hand and a small shield (like a buckler) in the other. Spears are new to the game, and while we don't know if they'll get unique mechanics (like new shield skills), they're already inspiring build ideas. Could we see large warrior shields on them? Possibly, but the buckler vibe fits with her nimble style. She's also been spotted with a crossbow, leaning on familiar skills like armour piercing or flaming bolts - stuff the mercenary already uses. The kicker? Spears aren't exclusive to the Hunter - other professions, like the Monk or Mercenary, can pick them up as well, opening the door to wild mobility builds. Imagine a spear-wielding Legionnaire zipping around like a stat-boosting Ninja.
Playstyle: In and out like a ghost
This is where the Hunter shines: it's all about weaving in and out of combat. Unlike the Monk's in-your-face brawl or the Ranger's safe distance, she's a risk-reward maestro. The demo footage highlighted a few key skills that define her flow:
Puncture: A slash that stabs an enemy, dealing bonus bleed damage based on how far you jump. The longer the leap, the greater the payoff.
Rapid Attack: Four quick spear jabs in a row - you can dodge early, but if you hold on, the last one stuns and deals extra damage.
Backstep: A nifty disengage move that cartwheels you out of melee range to safety.
This hit-and-run vibe is a PoE 2 first. Pair it with a unique spear perk - skills fire two extra projectiles after a disengage - and you've got a dance of death: dash in, stab, roll out, then rain spears from afar. It's fast, it's flashy, and it made my dexterity-loving heart race.
Elemental flair: Spears That Spark and Burn The Huntress isn't just about physical carnage - she's got elemental tricks up her sleeve too. In the past, she has demonstrated skills such as
Storm Spear: A lightning-charged throw that zaps enemies.
Blazing Lance: A fiery spear that slashes a line across the screen, then fans out into a blazing spread as you follow through.
GGG has hinted that more elemental spear throws are in the works, so expect a toolkit that mixes Bleed builds with Frost, Fire, and Lightning. On the passive tree, she'll probably slot into the Dexterity zone near the Ranger, though her hybrid elemental bent might push her towards the Dex/Int crossover. Either way, she's ready to shake up the meta with versatile build options.
What does she bring to the table?
As someone who's been grinding PoE 2 on Early Access, I'm excited. The current lineup of Monk, Warrior, Ranger, etc. is solid, but the Hunter feels like a missing piece of the puzzle. Her in-and-out style could counter the telegraphed boss attacks that dominate the endgame, allowing you to dodge and strike with precision. The X chatter is hyping her as a spiritual successor to Diablo II's Amazon, and I get it - arrows, agility, a hunter's vibe. But I think she'll carve out her own niche, especially if GGG links her to a Hunter League mechanic. Picture hunting rare beasts for bonus loot or buffs - perfect for her taste.
Beyond the Hunter: Ascendancies and More
One big unknown? Ascendancies. They weren't mentioned in the teaser, but GGG's live reveals usually drop bombshells. Previous demos have left out Ascendancy details for the Huntress, so perhaps the March 27th stream will reveal her subclasses - perhaps a trap-focused Tracker or a blood-heavy Predator? And while the trailer showed two figures (a male and a female), don't bet on two models - PoE 2 sticks to one per class for simplicity's sake. It was probably just cinematic flair.
Thanks for reading
The Huntress is gearing up to stalk Path of Exile 2 on 4 April, and I'm already theorising about builds. From spears and shields to elemental dashes, she looks like a game changer. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for more, as the full reveal will take place on 27 March. Happy hunting, Exiles!
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