PoE 2 Gamescom 2026: Will Patch 0.5.5 Introduce a New Class Before the 1.0 Launch?

Summary:

Path of Exile 2 is heading to Gamescom on August 25 with a major reveal, sparking speculation about a new class, Templar, Duelist, POE2 Currency, and endgame content. However, the biggest reveal may be reserved for the massive PoE 2 1.0 launch.

Path of Exile 2 Gamescom Reveal Is Coming

Path of Exile 2 is preparing for another major spotlight at Gamescom. Grinding Gear Games has announced that its latest reveal will take place on August 25 at 11:00 a.m. PST, or 8:00 p.m. CEST.

The announcement has immediately triggered speculation among the Path of Exile 2 community. While GGG has not confirmed what will be shown, the developer has a history of using major gaming events to showcase playable classes, new content, bosses, and important gameplay systems.

That history makes Gamescom one of the most interesting events for PoE 2 players, especially with the game's long-awaited 1.0 launch approaching.

Could Gamescom Reveal a New PoE 2 Class?

The biggest question is simple: Will PoE 2 introduce a new playable class at Gamescom?

There is certainly precedent. The Druid was playable at an earlier Gamescom event well before its eventual arrival in the game. The version shown during that event was also significantly different from the final implementation, demonstrating that GGG is willing to let players test major class concepts long before release.

Because of this history, some players believe Gamescom could once again feature a playable class or major gameplay system.

However, that does not necessarily mean a new class will arrive in Patch 0.5.5.

The distinction between revealing a class and releasing a class before 1.0 could be extremely important.

Templar and Duelist Are the Biggest Candidates

If GGG does reveal a new class, the Templar is one of the most exciting possibilities.

The Templar could open the door to new holy-themed skills, flails, melee mechanics, and hybrid playstyles. For many longtime Path of Exile players, seeing how GGG translates the classic Templar fantasy into PoE 2 would be a major attraction.

However, there are also clues pointing toward a class focused on swords or daggers.

Recent footage has shown unidentified or placeholder-style equipment, including a two-handed sword and dagger. These items have fueled speculation that GGG could eventually introduce a class centered around these weapon types.

That makes a Duelist-style character another logical possibility.

Still, it is important to separate speculation from confirmed information. At this point, there is no official confirmation that Templar, Duelist, or any other new class will be playable at Gamescom.

Why a Necromancer May Be Unlikely

Another popular community request is a dedicated Necromancer class.

However, the design philosophy of PoE 2 makes a traditional Necromancer less straightforward.

In Path of Exile 1, Ascendancy classes play a major role in defining a character's fantasy. A Necromancer Ascendancy naturally establishes the identity of a minion-focused character.

PoE 2 takes a somewhat different approach. GGG has previously explained that Ascendancies are intended to be more generic, while skills and character progression should determine much of a character's gameplay identity.

The problem is that PoE 2's skill tree can make extreme off-path builds more difficult.

Because the passive tree is structured around starting positions, reaching mechanics on the opposite side can require significant investment. As a result, creating something like a Mercenary minion build may require specific items or mechanics to unlock the desired fantasy.

This means GGG may prefer to expand character customization through skills, items, and future classes rather than simply introducing a traditional Necromancer.

Don't Expect New Acts at Gamescom

Another major question concerns PoE 2's upcoming acts.

A full Act 5 or Act 6 gameplay reveal would certainly generate attention, but it may not be the most logical choice for Gamescom.

There is a strong reason to believe GGG will avoid showing too much of the campaign before 1.0.

The game's full launch needs to feel like a major event. Revealing too much of the campaign beforehand could reduce some of the discovery and excitement for casual players who are experiencing Path of Exile 2 for the first time.

This is particularly important because PoE 2's audience is expected to expand dramatically when the game reaches its free-to-play 1.0 release.

GGG therefore has a strong incentive to preserve major surprises for launch.

Why GGG May Save New Classes for PoE 2 1.0

From a business and marketing perspective, releasing a new class before 1.0 could certainly generate additional interest.

A highly anticipated class could encourage players to purchase Early Access access, return to the game, and create new content. Streamers and YouTubers would also have a major reason to produce build guides, gameplay videos, tier lists, and reaction content.

But there is another side to the argument.

If GGG releases too many major features before 1.0, the eventual launch may feel less impressive. The developer could instead combine new classes, Ascendancies, acts, systems, and other major features into one enormous launch package.

That could create a much bigger media event and attract significantly more players.

For a free-to-play game, the scale of the 1.0 launch matters enormously.

Patch 0.5.5 Could Focus on Balance

Because of these considerations, Patch 0.5.5 may be more likely to focus on balance changes, bug fixes, system improvements, and preparation for the next major stage of PoE 2.

That does not make the patch unimportant.

Balance changes can dramatically reshape the meta, especially in a game where builds, skills, items, Ascendancies, and passive-tree interactions are constantly evolving.

A balance-focused update could also give GGG time to polish existing systems before the much larger 1.0 release.

For players hoping for a brand-new class, however, this means expectations should remain realistic.

PoE 2 1.0 Could Be the Real Explosion

The biggest reason to expect major content at 1.0 is the potential size of the launch.

Path of Exile 2 already demonstrated enormous interest during Early Access. Once the game becomes free to play, the barrier to entry will be dramatically lower.

That could create a huge wave of returning players, new players, streamers, build creators, and gaming audiences.

The effect could snowball.

More players create more gameplay videos. More videos attract more viewers. More viewers discover the game and begin playing. More players then create additional content.

For a game like Path of Exile 2, this creator-driven cycle could be extremely powerful.

What to Expect From Gamescom

So what should players realistically expect from the August 25 Gamescom reveal?

A major PoE 2 1.0 marketing push is the safest prediction. New gameplay information, systems, features, or class-related details could also appear.

A playable new class would be an exciting surprise, but it should not be treated as guaranteed.

The Templar remains one of the most exciting possibilities, while a sword- or dagger-focused class could also make sense based on the equipment shown in recent footage.

The most conservative prediction is that GGG will use Gamescom to build anticipation for the 1.0 launch rather than give away everything beforehand.

Final Thoughts

Path of Exile 2 Gamescom 2026 could be one of the game's biggest reveals yet. While Patch 0.5.5 may primarily focus on balance and improvements to cheap Path of Exile 2 Currency, the August 25 presentation could provide important clues about the future of the game.

A new class would undoubtedly generate enormous hype, especially if it turns out to be the long-requested Templar. However, GGG may have a bigger strategy: save the largest reveals for 1.0 and create an enormous launch moment when PoE 2 becomes free to play.

For now, players should keep expectations high but realistic. August 25 could reveal the next major chapter of Path of Exile 2—and possibly give us our first real look at what GGG has planned for the 1.0 era.