Grinding Gear Games has announced a second new class for Path of Exile 2, the Shadow, which will be included in the game's 1.0 release on December 11. This announcement was made during the ExileCon keynote address.
The Shadow class was teased in a trailer and will feature dagger-based combat and new stealth mechanics. Upon release, players will be able to choose between the returning Assassin ascendancy or the new Infiltrator ascendancy for the Shadow.
Path of Exile 2's 1.0 launch will also introduce a new weapon type, the dagger, along with new skill gems and support gems tailored to its playstyle. This addition is expected to expand the game's build diversity.
Key new mechanics for the Shadow include stealth, which prevents monsters from detecting the player until they are in close proximity. This stealth ability has a cooldown that resets upon killing an enemy, allowing for quick engagements and repositioning.
Stealth will also interact with the Shadow's trap skills. Traps thrown while in stealth will not activate until the player reveals themselves, enabling an ambush-style gameplay. The game will feature eight distinct trap types at launch, with unique interactions between them.
Additionally, when entering stealth, the Shadow leaves behind a shade that can blind monsters and serve as a distraction. This shade can also copy the player's melee attacks, effectively doubling damage output. The Shadow will also utilize a new resource called Darkness, which can be gathered from skills that spread darkness. This resource buffs the player's damage when they emerge from stealth.
With the addition of new classes, ascendancies, two new acts, a new league, and endgame improvements, Path of Exile 2's full release is shaping up to be a substantial update.