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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe Path of Exile 2 0.4.0 update, The Last of the Druids, adds the Druid class and its Oracle and Shaman Ascendancies—but it is much broader than a class release. Grinding Gear Games’ patch notes also introduce the Fate of the Vaal league, shapeshifting Talismans, a large batch of skills and items, Abyss content in the core game, and a qualified CPU-performance improvement.
What’s included in Path of Exile 2 update 0.4.0?
Grinding Gear Games’ official 0.4.0 patch notes describe a substantial content update for Path of Exile 2 Early Access. The listed additions include:
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- The Druid playable class, with the Oracle and Shaman Ascendancy Classes.
- More than 20 new skills, primarily Primal Skills; more than 35 new Supports; and more than eight Lineage Supports, which the notes describe as more powerful supports available only in Endgame.
- More than 250 passive skills and more than 10 Unique Items.
- The Fate of the Vaal league and the addition of Abyss to the core game.
These counts are those given by Grinding Gear Games in its patch notes, not independently verified totals. The notes establish the breadth of the additions, but do not provide a complete Druid skill list or detailed build guidance.
How does the Druid shapeshifting weapon work?
Talismans are a new two-handed martial weapon class. The patch notes explain that equipping a Talisman changes the character into an animal form and grants that form a basic attack skill; players can switch their chosen form at any time. Talismans are in-game items, not real-world equipment.
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What is the Fate of the Vaal league?
Fate of the Vaal starts a fresh economy. Its encounters center on sacrificing afflicted monsters to power devices, then arranging rooms in the Temple of Lira Vaal to shape its rewards and challenges.
The league is available in Standard, Hardcore, and Solo Self-Found versions, with private league versions also supported. Existing Early Access characters remain in their current Early Access leagues rather than being moved into Fate of the Vaal. Grinding Gear Games also says it granted a free passive-tree refund because of the changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does Abyss change the core game?
Abyss is now part of the core game. According to the patch notes, players can encounter it in certain campaign areas starting in Act 2 and in Endgame. The update also adds Abyss Tablets, related modifiers, and an Abyss Atlas Passive Tree.
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Does 0.4.0 improve performance?
Grinding Gear Games says the update should deliver “at least a 25%” performance boost and significantly fewer frame spikes when a player is CPU-bound. That is the developer’s claim in the patch notes, not an independent benchmark; the cited passage does not give a benchmark methodology.
The same notes explicitly say players who are GPU-bound will not see an improvement from these CPU changes. For that situation, Grinding Gear Games recommends lowering render resolution or using Dynamic Resolution. The 25% figure should not be treated as a guaranteed gain for every player or system.
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