With Grinding Gear Games slowly but steadily unveiling more information about Path of Exile 2, the community has entered another cycle of anticipation, theory crafting, and prediction. A new teaser has dropped, and although short, it contains just enough to ignite speculation regarding the next challenge league, the incoming class updates, and the balance shifts that will inevitably reshape the meta.
The current patch, 0.3 — known as The Third Edict — introduced notable systems and design direction. But all eyes are now turning toward what seems poised to be the next major thematic thrust: Fate of the V. Based on breadcrumbs from GGG's teaser, ongoing narrative threads, and the current state of ascendancies, this article explores what might be coming soon to PoE2: the league mechanics, the likely addition of the Druid base class, predictions about ascendancy expansions, and the nerfs and buffs that players should brace for.
Fate of the V — The Next League, or the Next Expansion?
Although GGG has not formally confirmed the nature of the teaser, the tone, voice lines, and thematic imagery strongly imply that Fate of the V is going to be the centerpiece of the next league or expansion. The player base knows Path of Exile teasers well enough to recognize when a mechanic-driven update is looming — and this one has all the hallmarks of a league reveal.
The teaser suggests a descent into power beyond mortal constraints:
“I desire more than what this mortal flesh could provide me. And so now, my darling, I am yours.”
This ominous declaration hints at corruption, transformation, and eldritch influence — themes often associated with the Incursion-style gameplay.
Incursions are likely returning
A major theory gaining traction is that Fate of the V is heavily tied to Incursion mechanics, possibly reintroducing or reinventing the Temple of Atzoatl structure within PoE2’s combat and world progression.
Why this theory fits:
The “V” thematically mirrors Vaal-style content and ancient power.
The teaser aligns with the Incursion flavor of timeless, forbidden evolution.
GGG historically uses early leagues to reintroduce beloved mechanics in reimagined forms.
If correct, players might see:
A new version of the Temple, redesigned for Path of Exile 2 Orbs gameplay flow.
Modernized room-upgrading mechanics with new player decision points.
A faster, more combat-intense Incursion experience aligned with PoE2's pace.
This would mirror how Path of Exile 1 revived older mechanics into modern league structures.
The Druid – The Next Base Class to Join Path of Exile 2
One of the biggest open questions has been which base class GGG will introduce next. Based on the class select screen and missing silhouettes, the answer now appears nearly certain:
The Druid is coming.
PoE2 currently lacks:
The Druid
The Templar
The Shadow
The Duelist
Out of these, the Druid is the most thematically aligned with ongoing patch titles like Last of the Druids, alongside clear mechanical teases involving nature, shapeshifting, and hybrid resource designs.
Druid will likely feature armor + energy shield hybrids
Given the starting location of the Druid on the passive tree — surrounded by hybrid defensive nodes — it’s highly probable the Druid emphasizes:
Armor + Energy Shield interaction
Hybrid toughness layers
Possible transformation mechanics
This is exciting because right now:
Pure Energy Shield builds dominate due to their overly efficient scaling.
Hybrid defenses feel underdeveloped but have strong potential.
A new class designed around hybrid layers could push GGG to improve:
Life scaling
Armor’s effectiveness
Hybrid gear availability
Players who dislike pure ES playstyles — and there are many — may finally have a powerful alternative.
Ascendancy Predictions: Who’s Getting What?
PoE2 will eventually give each base class three ascendancies, but as of now, many are incomplete.
Here’s a breakdown of what seems likely to arrive in the next expansion.
- Sorceress – Missing One Ascendancy
The Sorceress currently has two ascendancies available. Given the progress shown in 0.3 and the nature of caster-centric league themes, the Sorc is a prime candidate for receiving her third and final specialization.
- Ranger – Also Missing One Ascendancy
The Ranger base class is incomplete as well, and there’s a strong chance we see her third ascendancy added — possibly because…
The current Deadeye is expected to be heavily nerfed.
The Deadeye’s power and popularity have been disproportionate this league, and GGG historically pairs nerfs with the introduction of new options to soften the blow.
Adding a new Ranger ascendancy would:
Restore class diversity
Offset dissatisfaction from Deadeye nerfs
Encourage new bow or crit-based playstyles
- Monk – Probably NOT getting anything this time
Monk is also missing one ascendancy, but with the Shadow base class (which shares affinity with Monk archetypes) still absent, GGG may hold this one back for thematic alignment.
- Druid – Possibly launching with only two ascendancies
Much like the initial PoE2 classes, the Druid may start with:
2 ascendancies ready,
and the 3rd added later.
Launching with only two ensures better balance, fewer design bottlenecks, and space for future league additions.
Expected Nerfs and Buffs: What Will GGG Change Next?
Balance changes are inevitable. Based on gameplay patterns and current meta strength, several predictions stand out.
Major Nerf Predictions
- Energy Shield Will Be Nerfed
ES is currently too efficient compared to:
Hybrid setups
Pure life defenses
Armor + mitigation builds
Likely adjustments include:
Reduced ES scaling
Node efficiency reductions
Lower multipliers on hybrid ES gear
- Deadeye Will Be Hit Hard
Players universally expect the Deadeye’s:
Coverage
Damage bonuses
Ascendancy interactions
to receive significant reductions.
- Leech Ascendancy – Factory Node Nerf
The Factory node is one of the strongest ascendancy passives in the entire game. It delivers massive power for too little investment and is almost guaranteed to be toned down.
- Titan – Hulking Form Adjustment
The Titan’s identity-defining node, Hulking Form, is likely too strong.
Expect:
Reduced effect scaling (30–40%)
Possibly higher travel cost to reach it
While this might upset Titan fans, it's consistent with GGG’s long-term balance philosophy.
Possible Buffs and Reworks
- Dominion over Flesh – Needs a Rework
Currently, its most notable effect — “your curses can affect Hexproof enemies” — is extremely weak. Players universally ignore this node.
A more impactful effect would be:
“You are unaffected by curses.”
This would dramatically improve the appeal of this ascendancy and give it a unique defensive identity.
- Minion Buffs on Jambling and Tactician
Minions are in a good place but certain ascendancy nodes feel clunky, especially:
Answer Call (random ancestral spirits)
Totem dependency for minion generation
Lack of control over the “good” vs “bad” spirits
GGG will likely refine minion consistency, especially with specters, archers, and quality-scaling nodes already showing strong design progress.
Druid Minion Synergy – Wolves, Crit Builds, and New Potential
One of the most exciting possibilities is the synergy between Druid wolves and crit-based minion builds.
We already know:
Wolves apply Critical Weakness on hit and leap.
Certain weapons (like scepters) provide Critical Weakness auras.
Crit minion builds were previously hard to build due to low base crit.
But with:
Integrated Efficiency
Blue crit support gems
Neurological Implants (+2 to gem levels)
Wolves stacking crit weakness
...PoE2 may be entering a new golden age of crit minions.
A Jambling or Tactician minion build that incorporates wolves could become one of the strongest hybrid archetypes in the game cheap Path of Exile 2 Orbs.
Closing Thoughts
With the arrival of Fate of the V, Path of Exile 2 seems poised for a significant leap in content, class identity, and mechanical depth. If the predictions hold, players can expect:
A return to Incursion-style gameplay
The introduction of the long-awaited Druid
New ascendancies for Sorceress and Ranger
Nerfs to ES, Deadeye, Leech, and Titan
A possible renaissance in crit minion builds
PoE2 continues to evolve rapidly, and the next major update could very well redefine the meta for months to come.
As always with GGG, the only certainty is that nothing stays the same for long — and that’s exactly why fans will be watching the next reveal intently.
