Path of Exile 2 is about to go free-to-play for the very first time, giving curious ARPG fans a chance to dive in without dropping cash upfront. The free weekend will run from August 29 at 1 PM PDT to September 1 at 1 PM PDT across PC and consoles, coinciding with the game’s next big league season, The Third Edict.
This marks a major shift for the sequel, which until now has been locked behind support packs, leaving some players hesitant to jump in.
Why This Free Weekend Matters
Launched in December 2024, Path of Exile 2 exploded out the gate with over 570,000 players on day one — a massive success by any standards. But over the months, its momentum slowed, especially after the first league, Dawn of the Hunt, didn’t land quite as strong as expected.
Now, with Version 0.3 and The Third Edict league, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) is pulling out all the stops: campaign overhauls, endgame updates, class buffs, new ascendancies, and a laundry list of item and system improvements. The free weekend is clearly designed to get both lapsed and brand-new players back on board.
No Restrictions, Real Progress
Here’s the big kicker: this free trial isn’t a watered-down demo. During the event window, all players get full, unrestricted access to Path of Exile 2. That means:
- You can play the entire campaign.
- Endgame content is fair game (if you can grind fast enough).
- Progress — characters, gear, and currency — all carry over if you buy in afterward.
Essentially, you’re playing the real deal, just with a countdown timer ticking toward September 1.
Why Was PoE 2 Paywalled in the First Place?
If the free weekend sounds wild, it’s because until now, Path of Exile 2 has only been accessible through supporter packs. Unlike the first Path of Exile, which launched free-to-play, the sequel started with a paywall model:
- Buy a supporter pack for entry.
- Or, gain early access if you’d spent over $480 total on Path of Exile 1.
GGG explained the model as a way to fund ongoing development while filtering out players “just kicking the tires.” But eventually, PoE 2 is set to adopt the same permanent free-to-play structure as the original. This first free weekend feels like a preview of how that shift will play out.
What’s New in Version 0.3 and The Third Edict?
The event ties directly into the launch of The Third Edict, Path of Exile 2’s second-ever league. Here’s what’s dropping:
- A huge campaign overhaul for smoother storytelling and pacing.
- Endgame revamps in the Atlas of Worlds.
- Class buffs across the board.
- New ascendancy options to spice up build diversity.
- Dozens of new items.
- Changes to several controversial mechanics that weren’t clicking with fans.
In other words: this isn’t just free access — it’s free access right as the game gets its biggest refresh yet.
For anyone sitting on the fence, this free weekend is the perfect time to try Path of Exile 2. With so much new league content to chew on, plus the ability to carry progress forward, there’s basically no risk — just a chance to see if this ARPG giant can hook you for the long grind.
If The Third Edict lands strong, this might be GGG’s first big step in turning PoE 2 into the long-term rival to Diablo IV it always wanted to be.
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