Path of Exile 2 ExileCon: free launch, drops and access checks

Path of Exile 2's ExileCon reveal details the six-act campaign, Shadow and Duelist classes, and new endgame arriving with its free-to-play release on December 11, 2026 (PST). You do not need to buy early access to play that full release. The immediate deadline is different: ExileCon Twitch Drops must be earned and claimed by November 7 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

What the ExileCon reveal adds

The December release date was already announced before this weekend. The new reason to pay attention is the fuller account of what version 1.0 contains: the campaign's final two acts, additional classes and a new endgame storyline. Grinding Gear Games says the campaign additions bring 24 areas and 18 unique bosses. These are announced features, not findings from our own playthrough.

Returning players should also expect to revisit their builds. The reveal describes changes to Support Gems, the Passive Skill Tree and several existing Ascendancies, alongside new and revised Unique Items. Our advice is to wait for the detailed patch notes before spending heavily around a build that depends on current numbers.

Should you pay for early access?

Only if playing before the free release or owning the pack's extras is worth the price to you. On November 7, the US Steam and Xbox listings showed the entry Early Access Supporter Pack at US$29.99, including access and 300 Points. Regional prices, taxes and package availability can differ. A paid listing today does not contradict the planned free-to-play launch.

Check your existing account entitlement first. Grinding Gear Games' early-access FAQ distinguishes an access entitlement from a Steam or Epic client-unlock key: the latter adds the client to a library but does not, by itself, grant early access to the account. Existing PC access holders can check their account's early-access page for another PC client's key rather than automatically buying again.

For console play, read the current store's multiplayer requirements as well as the pack price. Xbox currently lists Game Pass Essential, Premium or Ultimate for online console multiplayer. Do not assume an early-access purchase includes that membership, or apply today's paid-access listing to the future free release without checking again. If you are comparing another action RPG's free access with paid support packs, our Soulframe access and Founders checks explain that separate game's terms.

Claim the ExileCon drops in time

The November 7 cutoff is November 8 at 07:59 UTC or GMT and 08:59 CET. In the UAE, the official rules list 10:59 (GMT+4), an hour earlier than a direct conversion from PST, so claim by then to be safe. Viewing milestones accumulate across both days of the event.

All accounts are eligible. Claimed items appear in both games’ microtransactions lists, and the publisher plans to sell them later. These rewards are not exclusive, although their future price is unannounced.

Register separately for the launch rewards

The full-release registration campaign is a different offer. Purchasing early access does not enroll you, and neither does claiming Twitch Drops. To participate, enter an email address you can access on the official registration page and complete the confirmation email. The latest reminder gives December 11, but an earlier official notice said December 10. Complete registration before December 10 rather than waiting for the final day.

The registration FAQ says reward codes will start going out by email after the full launch, with an announcement when distribution is complete. This is an opt-in for game updates as well as cosmetics. If you unsubscribe before distribution begins, the publisher says it cannot send your reward code. Do not assume a missing launch-day email means the registration failed while distribution is still underway.

Prepare without guessing the launch time

The current Steam requirements list Windows 10, 8 GB RAM, DirectX 12, broadband internet and 100 GB of available storage at minimum; recommended memory rises to 16 GB and an SSD is recommended. Check the complete CPU and GPU list against your machine before buying early access. The storage requirement is not a confirmed version 1.0 download or patch size.

The sources checked on November 7 specify December 11 in Pacific Standard Time without a confirmed unlock hour. Avoid assuming midnight in your region or copying the 2024 early-access launch time. Final balance, launch-day server conditions and performance also remain untested here. For someone simply curious about the complete campaign, waiting for free access is the lower-cost choice.