Path of Exile 2 Guide: Forbidden Rites League, Runes of Aldur and What 1.0 Brings
Path of Exile 2 is in the middle of a busy stretch. The Runes of Aldur league is still running, Forbidden Rites arrived on September 4, 2026 as an event league, and the full 1.0 launch is reported for December 11, 2026. This guide explains what is live now and what to expect next.
Quick start
- Pick the league you want to play. Forbidden Rites runs alongside Runes of Aldur, so you can join either one.
- Learn the Ritual mechanic early. It is the core of Forbidden Rites and shows up in every campaign zone.
- Play with a group if you can. Rituals are improved for co-op, and only the host can reroll the shop.
- Track the Atlas and endgame systems as you go, since Forbidden Rites adds new endgame options.
- Keep an eye on the official patch notes before you invest in a single build, because 1.0 will bring more changes.
Current leagues
Runes of Aldur
Runes of Aldur launched on May 29, 2026 with patch 0.5.0. Its main mechanic is rune crafting: a rune stele appears in each zone and lets you craft an item through a Runic Recipe, at the cost of a zone modifier. The league also reworked endgame, including a reorganized Atlas of Worlds, regular Citadels with a unique boss, and a runic Pinnacle Boss.
Forbidden Rites (event league)
Forbidden Rites launched on September 4, 2026, alongside patch 0.5.5. It is built around the Ritual mechanic:
- Each campaign zone has a Ritual, where you summon waves of enemies around a central effigy.
- From Act Four onward, clusters of empowered Rituals appear on the world map twice per act and once in each of the three interludes. Defeating the bosses in their arenas adds to the cluster, and finishing one yields powerful unique items.
- Favour shops can offer a Sacred Bloom, which opens a time-limited Viridian Wildwood dark zone on another Atlas map.
- A new set of eight challenges grants cosmetic rewards and a hideout statue that grows as you complete them.
What to expect at 1.0
Path of Exile 2 is reported to reach 1.0 on December 11, 2026, after roughly a year of Early Access. At 1.0 the game is expected to go free-to-play and drop its current price on platforms where it is sold.
- Overhaul of Acts 1 to 3 on Cruel difficulty
- Six missing Ascendancies
- Overall passive tree balancing
- A dedicated launch league for 1.0 (no date given)
- Whether characters from Early Access carry over to 1.0 is still open. There is a hint that they will, but no official confirmation.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
Frequently asked questions
Is Path of Exile 2 free to play?
Not yet. It is reported to go free-to-play at 1.0, which is expected on December 11, 2026.
Which league should I start in?
Forbidden Rites is the newest content, and Runes of Aldur is still running. Both are available, so pick the one whose mechanic you find more interesting.
Will my character carry over to 1.0?
This has not been officially confirmed. Watch the official announcements before you commit to a character you want to keep.
Where can I check the latest patch notes?
Check the official Path of Exile 2 patch notes first, then use community guides to confirm details against the current patch.
Need help with a tough endgame map, a Pinnacle Boss, or a league goal? Browse our Path of Exile 2 services and pick the option that fits your plans.
Sources: pcgamesn.com (Forbidden Rites), mobalytics.gg (patch 0.5.5 date), playnews.gg (Runes of Aldur and 1.0 roadmap), pushsquare.com (1.0 date, reported). Dates and 1.0 details are reported by press and should be confirmed against official announcements.
