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Path of Exile 2 announces a second new class, the Shadow, for its December 1.0 release
Developed over time first seen 1 day ago
Grinding Gear Games has announced that Path of Exile 2’s 1.0 release on 11 December will add the Shadow, alongside the previously announced Duelist. The stealth-focused class brings daggers, traps and new mechanics, expanding the game’s range of character builds.
Shadows can ascend as an Assassin or the new Infiltrator. Their stealth hides them from monsters until they approach, and resets when the player gets a kill; traps thrown while hidden activate when the Shadow emerges. The release will include eight trap types, a shade that distracts enemies and copies melee attacks, and a Darkness resource that boosts damage after stealth.
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In short
- The Shadow joins Path of Exile 2 at 1.0 on 11 December.
- The class brings daggers, stealth and eight trap types.
- Its shade and Darkness resource add new combat options.
How this story developed
- 23 hours ago Grinding Gear Games has announced that Path of Exile 2’s 1.0 release on 11 December will add the Shadow, alongside the previously announced Duelist. The stealth-focused class brings daggers, traps and new mechanics, expanding the game’s range of character builds.
Full account
Grinding Gear Games has announced that Path of Exile 2 will add the Shadow when its full 1.0 release arrives on 11 December. Revealed during the ExileCon keynote, the class joins the previously announced Duelist, making two new playable classes for the launch. The Shadow centres on daggers, traps and stealth, while the Duelist brings swords. Each weapon type will arrive with new skill gems and support options, widening the range of possible character builds.
The Shadow’s stealth mechanic lets players approach enemies without being seen until they get close. It has a cooldown that resets after a kill, encouraging a sequence of ambushes. Traps placed while hidden remain inactive until the Shadow reveals themselves; eight trap types are planned for 1.0. Entering stealth also leaves a shade that blinds and distracts monsters. The shade can repeat the player’s melee attacks, while a new Darkness resource can strengthen attacks made on leaving stealth.
At launch, the Shadow can choose between two ascendancies: the returning Assassin and the new Infiltrator. A third has not been identified. The wider 1.0 update is also set to finish the campaign with Acts Five and Six, taking players to Oriath and other locations as the pursuit of the Beast continues. It will introduce new enemies and bosses, changes to the endgame, and a league called Conquerors of Wraeclast.
The league adds castle building and army recruitment to the campaign, with battles that continue into the endgame. Players will be able to send commanders into maps and align with one of three factions to contest castles across the Atlas. Those systems give the December release a scope beyond the two classes, though the Shadow announcement provides a distinct new way to play: setting an ambush, striking from concealment and moving on after a kill.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
Source 1 concentrates on the Shadow’s abilities and ascendancies, and says its third ascendancy remains unknown. Source 2 gives less detail about the Shadow and places the class within a broader account of the campaign, Duelist, league and endgame additions. Both supplied reports identify 11 December as the release date; the supplied headline says only December.