Summary
Path of Exile 2 is heating up as we approach its full 1.0 release, and the upcoming 0.5.5 Forbidden Rites Event—launching September 4 at 1 PM PDT—is packed with content that every exile needs to know about. Whether you're a trade league veteran looking to buy POE 2 Mirror of Kalandra to fund your ultimate endgame build, or a dedicated SSF player grinding every challenge yourself, this update has something for you. This guide covers everything: the new event league with 8 challenges, the massive Trial of Chaos overhaul, and the Duelist class deep dive arriving with the full release on December 11.
What Is the Forbidden Rites Event League?
The Forbidden Rites event is a new challenge league arriving with Patch 0.5.5. It features 8 optional challenges with exclusive cosmetic rewards—perfect for players looking to earn new MTX before the full release.
Forbidden Rites Challenges & Rewards
Challenges Completed | Reward |
1 | Forbidden Rites Challenger Trophy |
2 | Locust Footprints Effect |
3 | Forbidden Rites Challenger Trophy |
4 | Locust Swarm Finisher Effect |
5 | Forbidden Rites Challenger Trophy |
6 | Wildwood Guardian Pet |
7 | Forbidden Rites Challenger Trophy |
8 | Wildwood Affliction Level-up Effect |
Good News for Progress: The existing Runes of Aldur league will continue running alongside Forbidden Rites. You won't lose your progression—you can finish your Endgame goals in either league.
Key Forbidden Rites Challenges
Some of the standout challenges include:
The Riteseeker – Complete specific Ritual encounters
The Hunter – Defeat optional campaign bosses
The Ascendant – Earn all 8 Ascendancy Points
The Master – Reach Level 90
Trial of Chaos Overhaul – What's Changing?
0.5.5 brings a major rework of the Trial of Chaos, addressing player feedback from Early Access. Here's what's new:
1. Pause & Resume Runs
You can now pause the Trial between rooms and return later to continue your run. No more losing progress due to real-life interruptions.
2. Streamlined Encounter Objectives
Most objectives now focus on slaying enemies rather than complex tasks like escorting statues or implanting Soul Cores. This makes runs smoother and more combat-focused.
3. New Wager Modifiers
Introduces additional risk-and-reward decisions that can substantially increase a Trial's danger while offering correspondingly powerful rewards.
4. Extended Endgame Trials – Up to 30 Rooms
Trials can now stretch to 30 rooms, with difficulty and rewards escalating the deeper you go. Players who reach later rooms can obtain all three Trialmaster Fragments during a single run—a much more reliable route to facing the Trialmaster.
5. Boss Fight Improvements
Boss fights have been redesigned with less flying and more engaging mechanics.
6. Better Rewards
Bonus chests per room
Rewards now exclusively offer Currency and Soul Cores
Soul Cores have been buffed and new ones added
All modifiers grant extra item rarity
Important Note: No balance changes will be made in 0.5.5. GGG cited a lack of development time to reach a satisfying result—balancing is slated for the 1.0 Patch instead.
Duelist Deep Dive – The First Sword-Wielding Class
The Duelist is joining Path of Exile 2 with the full 1.0 release on December 11. This long-awaited class brings swords—a weapon type missing from the game since Early Access began.
Who Is the Duelist?
A slum orphan who fought in the Grand Arena seeking revenge, the Duelist fled during the Fall of Oriath and now fights for those who cannot defend themselves. The class is designed around fast, aggressive melee combat and controlling space.
Combat System – Ready, Sand, and Blood Stances
The Duelist's defining feature is stance-based combat. Skills change depending on your current stance and can chain naturally into one another.
Stance | Focus | Key Effects |
Ready Stance | Setup for follow-up attacks | Basic attacks become AoE; sets up stronger combos |
Sand Stance | Area clear & debuffs | Sand discs, reduces enemy armor, stunning effects |
Blood Stance | Bleed damage & single-target | Blood waves, accelerated bleeding, powerful DoT |
Based on MMOEXP's Duelist analysis
Signature Skills
Cyclone returns with stance mechanics:
Sand Stance Cyclone – Produces sand discs for powerful area clear
Dual-wield – Enables parrying
Shield – Allows bash from ready stance to parry without waiting for enemy attacks
Buried Blades System:
Earth Wrench – Sends blades through the ground
Charged Slash – Turns buried blades into miniature Tesla coils
Earth Rend – Creates walls of blades from ready stance
Blade Plunge – Detonates buried blades for massive damage
Elemental interactions also shine—Cyclone can absorb elemental ground effects, letting you combine blood, sand, fire, lightning, and ice effects into elaborate setups.
