Prediction for PoE2 0.4.0: The Last of the Druids

Path of Exile 2's next major update, version 0.4.0 titled The Last of the Druids, launches alongside the Fate of the Vaal League on December 12, promising the Druid class debut and endgame refinements. As the full reveal approaches, balance predictions point to targeted adjustments that could reshape league starters.

If you're planning your build or stocking currency, bookmarking reliable guides can keep you ahead—while checking out options like Divine Orbs, Exalted Orbs, crafting currencies, rares, and uniques in our Path of Exile 2 Shop might give your setup that early edge.

Path of Exile 2 Boss Mastery Guides

To assist Exiles in successfully advancing across the new continent of Wraeclast, we have compiled essential Boss Mastery Guides for every Act and Interlude in Path of Exile 2. Below is the complete list of Boss Mastery Guides:

Act 1 Boss | Act 2 Boss | Act 3 Boss | Act 4 Boss | Ogham Interlude | Kriar Interlude | Vastiri Interlude

Nerfs Poised to Level the Playing Field

Deadeye Ascendancy Targeted for Core Reductions

In patch 0.3's Third Edict leagues, Deadeye dominated ladders across softcore trade, solo self-found, and even hardcore variants, often outpacing alternatives like Lich. Early snapshots showed 42% of level 80+ softcore trade characters running it, dropping to a still-overwhelming 30% after a month as players settled into support gem tweaks and meta shifts. This eclipsed even the Huntress's launch hype in 0.2, where novelty justified temporary supremacy—Deadeye had no such excuse. The ascendancy's strength stems from universally potent mechanics in a speed-centric meta: Tailwind for unmatched mobility, extra projectiles accelerating bow and crossbow clears beyond melee viability, and synergies like the Rake mount amplifying traversal. Community feedback flagged these pre-launch, yet pre-nerfs in patch notes fell short. Expect 0.4 to hit Tailwind nodes directly, curbing the "speed is king" loop while preserving projectile identity for diverse Ranger play. Specific nerf directions might include: lowering the maximum movement speed cap provided by Tailwind, or changing its effect to rely on a brief buff after using a movement skill, rather than being a permanent passive aura.

Herald of Thunder and Lightning Damage Face Scrutiny

Lightning hit-based builds crushed 0.3, with Herald of Thunder appearing on 54% of high-level characters a week in—fueling both clear speed and bossing. This spirit gem procs lightning bolts after attack-killing shocked foes, stacking effortlessly in a damage type already skewed. Lightning's edge includes wide roll ranges (low min, high max) biased by "lucky" modifiers—common on the right-side tree—forcing double rolls and picking the higher, yielding 30-33% average uplift on flat-added setups. Shock guarantees 20%+ increased damage taken (scalable higher), plus nodes like more maximum lightning resistance penetration. Fire's ignite lacks proliferation access, cold's freeze/chill offers little when bosses melt instantly, and all damage stuns anyway—leaving lightning unrivaled, often doubling rivals. Even non-lightning skills convert via flat adds, then leverage Herald. While full lightning reworks seem ambitious for 0.4, Herald's ubiquity demands tweaks, indirectly tempering the type without overhauling fundamentals.The most likely adjustment is to introduce an Internal Cooldown (ICD) for the lightning bolt proc, or to lower its base damage, making it less efficient at clearing high-density monsters, while having a smaller impact on single-target lightning damage.

Crafting Supply Chains Constricted to Encourage Gradual Upgrades

Patch 0.3's Rise of the Abyssal flooded maps with the mechanic, enabling cheap Desecrate crafting via abundant bones dropped from abyssal depths. Players vaulted from basic resists/life gear to endgame loadouts, bypassing mid-tier steps—thanks to easy access to high-impact tools like the Omen of Homogenizing Exaltation (forcing specific slams) and Perfect Essence of Battle (direct +gem levels on weapons). In 0.4, abyss encounters won't spawn universally, slashing bone yields—especially in trade, where targeting via tablets favors SSF. Rarer omens and essences will hike costs, nudging reliance on accessible options like perfect transmutes, augments, and lesser essences for transitional gear. This fosters smoother progression through mapping tiers, facing escalating threats with incremental power spikes rather than instant leaps.

Buffs Set to Ignite Fresh Strategies

Strength-Intelligence Passive Region Receives Comprehensive Updates

The Druid marks PoE2's first strength-intelligence hybrid,spotlighting the neglected left-side tree—plagued by outdated nodes, placeholders (e.g., generic attack wheels awaiting bear/claw themes), and barren armor/energy shield clusters untouched since early access launch. Expect revamps: meaningful defenses for hybrid archetypes,nature-infused spell nodes benefiting spellcasting Druids, and spillover value for top-tree classes like Stormweaver or Blood Mage exploring new hybrids. This overhaul is expected to introduce passive nodes that promote seamless transitions between forms—for example, shifting into Bear Form might grant a burst of Rage for melee combat, while shifting back to Human Form might activate a temporary spell damage boost or resource (like Mana/Energy Shield) recovery. This focus on "Shapeshifting Fluidity" will require players to manage both Armor and Energy Shield simultaneously, and focus on stacking maximum Life, bringing a brand new hybrid class experience to the game.

Vaal-Inspired Alternate Ascendancies Expand Options

0.3's Abyssal Lich (Lich variant via Well of Souls) proved alternate paths viable. Fate of the Vaal League, teasing Atziri's human form and blood/gem obsessions, aligns perfectly with Witch themes: Blood Mage's sacrificial rites echoing Vaal rituals, or Gemling Legionnaire's gem implants mirroring historical Vaal adornments. These could unlock via league content, offering replayable power spikes akin to Abyssal Lich.

Endgame Unique Chase Revitalized with Power Shifts

Jonathan highlighted 0.4's endgame emphasis: atlas juicing, layouts, pinnacles. Uniques suffer versus crafted rares boasting +gem levels—exacerbated by Perfect Essence of Battle slamming them affordably—leaving most obsolete outside niches like Last Lament on Lich. New drop-pool rares and pinnacle-targeted uniques, tuned for late viability, plus subtler gear power diffusion (favoring tree/investment), should make them desirable pursuits again.

FAQs on Path of Exile 2 0.4.0 The Last of the Druids and Fate of the Vaal League

When does Path of Exile 2 patch 0.4.0 launch?

December 12, 2025, at 11 AM PST, with a free weekend through December 15.

What's the difference between The Last of the Druids and Fate of the Vaal League?

The patch name covers permanent content like the Druid; the league is temporary mechanics tied to Vaal lore.

Will Deadeye still be viable post-nerf?

Likely yes—focus on projectiles remains strong, but Tailwind dominance ends for broader meta health.

How does lightning damage outperform others?

Via lucky rolls, shock scaling, and Herald procs; expect Herald nerfs over type-wide changes.

Why nerf crafting availability?

To prevent skipping mid-tier gear, promoting steady progression against tougher content.

What makes the Druid unique?

Str/Int hybrid focusing on Shapeshifting Fluidity—allowing players to quickly swap between forms (e.g., Bear Form for melee Rage bursts, Human Form for powerful nature spells) to manage resources and defensive layers simultaneously.

Could we see more alternate ascendancies?

High chance—Vaal themes fit Blood Mage or Gemling, building on Abyssal Lich success.

Will endgame uniques finally compete with crafts?

Yes, via new designs and reduced crafted mod supremacy, emphasizing chase value.

Thanks for Reading

Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for full patch notes breakdowns and league starters.