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Path of Exile 2 is preparing for its biggest update yet. Grinding Gear Games has officially unveiled Update 0.5, Return of the Ancients, launching on May 29. Far from being a routine patch, this expansion is shaping up to be a sweeping overhaul of the endgame POE2 Currency—one that could redefine how players experience the Infinite Atlas.
This isn’t a new class reveal, a fresh campaign act, or a temporary league mechanic. Instead, Return of the Ancients is focused squarely on expanding and evolving the endgame. For players already pushing deep into the Atlas, this update looks set to introduce an entirely new layer of progression, exploration, lore, and challenge.
A New Era for the Infinite Atlas
The teaser trailer makes one thing abundantly clear: the current endgame structure is about to become much larger.
At the center of the reveal is the familiar Burning Monolith, currently the gateway to the Arbiter of Ash encounter. In Patch 0.5, however, this monolith appears to be only a small part of a much larger structure—a sprawling fortress or megastructure rising from the Atlas itself.
Rather than replacing the Infinite Atlas, GGG appears to be expanding it dramatically. Think of this as a massive new endgame layer built on top of the existing Atlas system.
Players can likely expect:
Vast new regions to explore
Additional map types
New boss encounters
Expanded progression systems
Unique rewards and loot opportunities
Enhanced Atlas passive tree interactions
This fortress may function as a kind of interconnected endgame dungeon—an enormous zone that stretches across multiple Atlas regions.
The Burning Monolith’s True Purpose
Currently, the Burning Monolith serves as the pinnacle of Path of Exile 2’s endgame, housing the battle against the Arbiter of Ash. But Update 0.5 suggests this is only the beginning.
The trailer reveals that the monolith is actually part of a much larger ancient complex. This raises several fascinating possibilities:
The current Arbiter encounter may become an entry point to a broader endgame questline.
The Burning Monolith could serve as the central hub for new Ancient-themed content.
Players may unlock additional wings, chambers, or pathways as they progress.
This evolution mirrors how Path of Exile 1 gradually expanded its Atlas endgame through major updates. Path of Exile 2 now appears poised to establish its own long-term endgame identity.
Who Are the Ancients?
The titular Ancients are among the most mysterious beings in the world of Wraeclast.
They predate many of the civilizations and entities players already know. Importantly:
They existed before the Vaal Empire.
They predate Sin and many of the gods.
They are not gods themselves.
They appear to possess immense power over the world itself.
Throughout Path of Exile 2, players have already encountered clues to their existence through:
Precursor Tablets
Precursor Towers
Ancient ruins and architecture
The Excavation map in Act 4
These artifacts strongly suggest that the Ancients—also known as the Precursors—were master builders, world-shapers, and perhaps even guardians of Wraeclast.
Connections to Act 4 and the Excavation
One of the most exciting discoveries from the teaser is its direct connection to the Excavation content in Act 4.
The statues shown in the trailer appear to match the figures depicted in the Ancient ruins found during the Excavation questline. These same figures are associated with the forging of the weapon used against the Beast in ages past.
This has major lore implications.
The Ancients were likely responsible for:
Constructing the great forges of old
Creating the weapon used in the original battle against the Beast
Shaping vast portions of Wraeclast
Preserving—or perhaps controlling—the world’s balance
If these figures are indeed the Ancients, they may serve as the primary antagonists—or perhaps reluctant allies—of the new endgame story.
Eight New Ancient Bosses?
Sharp-eyed fans have identified eight distinct Ancient figures surrounding a central statue in the teaser.
That’s unlikely to be decorative.
Each statue could represent:
A major boss encounter
A unique progression milestone
A guardian or ruler of a different section of the fortress
Specialized reward paths
If true, Return of the Ancients could introduce one of the most ambitious boss ecosystems in the franchise’s history.
Imagine a progression system where each Ancient offers:
Unique mechanics
Exclusive loot tables
Lore revelations
Access to deeper sections of the fortress
And at the center may lie an ultimate confrontation that ties the entire Ancient storyline together.
The Flame Seed and the Central Statue
One of the trailer’s most intriguing details involves the Flame Seed—the artifact stolen after defeating the Arbiter of Ash.
There is strong speculation that this item will play a pivotal role in Update 0.5. Specifically, it may be used to activate or restore the central Ancient statue seen in the teaser.
If this theory proves true, the Flame Seed could serve as:
A key to unlocking the new Ancient fortress
A catalyst for awakening the Ancients
A progression item tied to the endgame campaign
This would neatly connect the current endgame to the next phase of Path of Exile 2’s evolving narrative.
A Real Endgame Story Begins
One of the current criticisms of Path of Exile 2’s endgame is that its narrative framework remains relatively thin. The Arbiter of Ash provides atmosphere, but little context.
Return of the Ancients looks set to change that.
GGG has specifically teased that players will “uncover each chapter” of this new content update. That language strongly suggests a more structured, story-driven endgame experience.
This could mean:
Multi-stage questlines
Progressive lore discoveries
Narrative boss unlocks
Ongoing story developments in future updates
For the first time, Path of Exile 2 may establish a dedicated endgame storyline similar to the Atlas saga in Path of Exile 1.
The Ancients vs. The Eldritch
While Path of Exile 1 explored cosmic horrors and eldritch beings from beyond reality, Path of Exile 2 appears to be taking a very different direction.
Instead of looking outward to the stars, it is looking inward POE 2 Chaos Orbs—to the deepest and oldest mysteries of Wraeclast itself.
This shift creates a compelling thematic contrast:
Path of Exile 1 Path of Exile 2
Cosmic, eldritch threats Ancient, terrestrial powers
Outer-world invaders Forgotten world-builders
The Atlas of Worlds The legacy of Wraeclast
It’s a fresh narrative identity that could define Path of Exile 2 for years to come.
Will a New Class Arrive Too?
While Return of the Ancients is primarily focused on the endgame, many players suspect GGG may have additional surprises in store.
The extended development timeline and the scale of the update have fueled speculation that a new class could launch alongside 0.5.
The most likely candidate? The Duelist.
Although nothing has been confirmed, recent community teases and hints have certainly kept that possibility alive.
Still, even without a new class, the endgame overhaul alone would make this one of the most significant updates in the game’s history.
What This Means for Players
Whether you’re a seasoned Atlas veteran or a newer exile, Update 0.5 promises to deliver:
A vastly expanded endgame
Rich new lore and storytelling
Challenging new bosses
Fresh progression systems
More reasons to keep pushing deeper into the Atlas
Most importantly, it lays the groundwork for Path of Exile 2’s long-term endgame future.
This isn’t just another patch. It’s the foundation for the next chapter of the game.
Final Thoughts
Return of the Ancients has all the makings of a landmark expansion for Path of Exile 2. By expanding the Infinite Atlas, deepening the lore of Wraeclast, and introducing a new endgame narrative centered around the mysterious Ancients, GGG is setting the stage for something truly special.
The current endgame feels like a prologue. Update 0.5 looks like the real beginning.
If the teaser is any indication, players are about to embark on an epic journey into the oldest secrets of Wraeclast—facing forgotten powers that once shaped the world itself.
The Ancients are returning.
And Wraeclast may never be the same.