Path of Exile 2 is experiencing a massive renaissance that few early access titles ever achieve. June 2026 closed at 1,557,890 players, representing a staggering 173.1% increase versus the prior month, fueled by the Return of the Ancients expansion that dropped May 29th. The game peaked at more than 421,596 concurrent players on Steam during the event, marking the first time the game has crossed the 400,000-player mark since its initial launch period.
Return of the Ancients delivers one of the most ambitious updates in PoE 2’s Early Access period and serves as the final full-size league before the official 1.0 release. The expansion introduces two highly anticipated ascendancy classes: the Spirit Walker for the Huntress, a master of Azmerian spirits who channels the primal power of Stag, Owl, and Bear, and the Martial Artist for the Monk, which creates illusions that echo attacks and manifests spectral bells that shatter enemies. The expansion introduces over 50 hours of new endgame content, five new endgame storylines, and 15 new bosses, including four towering Pinnacle fights.
The new Runes of Aldur league has completely transformed character progression with Ezomyte Runesmithing mechanics, allowing players to craft through combat encounters rather than traditional currency spending. The update introduces a rich roster of over 40 new unique items including weapons, jewellery and armours, alongside a completely reimagined Atlas Tree that gives players unprecedented control over their endgame journey.
Are you jumping into the Runes of Aldur league, or waiting for the full 1.0 release later this year? Which new ascendancy are you most excited to try?
