Sometimes I think I would be better off if I only liked one action RPG. But, sadly, I'm cursed to enjoy both Path of Exile 2 and Diablo 4, which means I'm forced to juggle both when they drop new content in the same month.

Fortunately, recent news regarding Path of Exile 2's next expansion suggests that players won't have to choose between them this time around. While previous updates—like the shadow-drop of Paladins in Diablo 4 last December—clashed with PoE 2’s Druid class release, the upcoming schedule offers a much-needed breather.

A Much-Needed Delay for Path of Exile 2's Next Expansion

We recently learned that the upcoming major update for PoE 2 has been pushed back nearly a month from its expected window. According to a recent post on X by lead community manager Kelly, the expansion "is shaping up to be one of the biggest ones we've ever released; it just needs a little longer to cook!"

Grinding Gear Games (GGG) will host an official announcement stream for PoE 2: Return of the Ancients on May 7. However, fans won't be able to play the expansion until May 29. This delay is perfect timing for those planning to play Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, which arrives on April 27.

The gap provides an entire month to experience Blizzard's new expansion before the focus shifts back to Wraeclast. This allows players to enjoy the reworked Diablo 4 endgame—which features more meaningful progression over a slower timeframe—without immediate interference from PoE 2.

What to Expect from Return of the Ancients

The teaser trailer for the update doesn't reveal everything, but it does provide some tantalizing glimpses of the future. In a 30-second clip, a sprawling fortress can be seen rising out of the ground, walling off a new section of Wraeclast.

The expansion is also set to bring a massive overhaul to the game's endgame world map. While GGG has been quiet on specifics, the scale of the update suggests that the "ancients" mentioned in the title will play a significant role in this new territory.

The 'Spider' Theory and New Class Speculation

The sheer scale of Path of Exile 2's next expansion has sent Reddit users into a frenzy, with some comparing the hype to Hollow Knight: Silksong. One notable theory involves a photo Kelly shared of a spider on a keyboard.

User PuzzleheadedHair2331 believes this is an elaborate teaser for the Duelist class. Their logic follows a specific trail of evidence:

  • A connection to the 2023 ExileCon trailer, which featured a duelist fighting a spider in gladiator armor.
  • Recent sightings of new Duelist class art on a popular PoE 2 database.
  • The belief that the Duelist will officially appear in version 0.5.

While analyzing random social media posts to predict new campaign acts might be an exaggeration, it is clear that GGG is preparing for something massive. With PoE 2 expected to move out of early access later this year, these significant updates are essential for building momentum.