Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesDawn of the Hunt was Path of Exile 2’s Early Access version 0.2.0, released April 4, 2025. It added the Huntress, new ascendancies, skills and gear, a fresh league, and substantial Atlas and mapping changes. It is a historical update, not the current version: later major updates include versions 0.3.0, 0.4.0, and 0.5.0. Use the version number when checking build advice, and consult the official 0.2.0 patch notes for exact mechanics and balance changes.
What did Dawn of the Hunt add?
Grinding Gear Games’ version 0.2.0 patch notes describe a broad content update. The headline addition was the Huntress, alongside new ascendancies for existing classes. The patch also introduced new skills and support gems, weapons and other items, endgame maps, encounters, and changes to progression.
| Area | What the 0.2.0 patch notes added |
|---|---|
| Playable class and ascendancies | Huntress, with Amazon and Ritualist ascendancies; Smith of Kitava for Warrior, Tactician for Mercenary, and Lich for Witch. |
| Skills and supports | Over 25 new skills, primarily spear skills, and over 100 new support gems. These are GGG’s published counts, not independent totals. |
| Items | Spears and Bucklers as item classes; over 100 new Unique items; and 15 new socketable items. Counts are from GGG’s patch notes. |
| Endgame and encounters | Eight new endgame maps, four unique strongboxes, twelve Rogue Exiles, and Azmerian Wisps in the campaign and endgame. Map and Rogue Exile counts are GGG’s published figures. |
| Other systems | Twilight Reliquary Key and Reliquary Vault, revised Essence corruption, and new Atlas passives for Azmerian Spirits and Rogue Exiles. |
For the complete list—including balance adjustments and system details—read the official 0.2.0 patch notes.
Which new classes and ascendancies were added?
Huntress: Amazon and Ritualist
The Huntress was the update’s new playable class. Its two ascendancies were Amazon and Ritualist, offering different specialization routes for the class. The patch notes provide the definitive details on their skills and changes; check those notes rather than relying on a build guide written for a later patch.
#1 Best Overall
Three ascendancies for existing classes
- Warrior: Smith of Kitava
- Mercenary: Tactician
- Witch: Lich
These additions expanded existing class choices without requiring players to create a new class. Because later updates can change skill balance and interactions, confirm that any build guide is explicitly for version 0.2.0 before using its recommendations.
What changed with skills, supports, and equipment?
Version 0.2.0 added over 25 skills—primarily spear skills—and over 100 support gems, according to GGG’s patch notes. It also introduced Spears and Bucklers as item classes and added over 100 Unique items. The notes additionally list 15 new socketable items.
Rank #2
- Officially Licensed Artwork from POE2
- Machine Washable
- Smooth, Easy-Glide surface
- Printed at 300 Dots Per Inch
These additions matter together: a build depends not only on a class or weapon but on how its skills, support gems, and item interactions work in the relevant version. A guide for 0.2.0 may not describe the same balance or choices available in later versions.
What did the Dawn of the Hunt league change?
The update introduced a fresh league with separate Standard, Hardcore, and Solo Self-Found variants. Starting there meant joining a new economy; staying in an existing Early Access league let players continue with their established characters and stash. GGG encouraged players seeking the full new-league experience to start fresh: “We would highly encourage you to join the new leagues to fully take in the changes we’ve made with the 0.2.0 update.”
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- Officially Licensed Artwork from POE2
- Machine Washable
- Smooth, Easy-Glide surface
- Printed at 300 Dots Per Inch
New content and league mechanics also included Azmerian Wisps, Rogue Exiles, strongboxes, and changes to Essence corruption. The update added new encounters and rewards across the campaign and endgame; consult the patch notes for their version-specific rules.
How did Atlas and map progression change?
Corruption areas and Atlas passives
The Atlas gained Corruption areas centered on Corrupted Nexuses, faction bosses, and Crystalline Shards used for Atlas passive points. New and reworked passives also supported Azmerian Spirits and Rogue Exiles.
Rank #4
- Magic Duel Deck Venser vs. Koth (englisch)
Map attempts, Towers, and Waystones
Maps changed from a portal-based setup to a limited number of respawn attempts. On first entering endgame, players could have up to six attempts per map; adding more Waystone modifiers reduced the number available. Towers became fewer but more powerful, while Tablet interactions and map content were reworked.
Waystone acquisition was redesigned to make progression more reliable. Under the 0.2.0 rules, Waystones could not drop below the current map tier, and final map bosses dropped a Waystone one tier above the map. These are historical version-specific rules, not guidance for a later patch.
Best Value
- Officially Licensed Artwork from POE2
- Machine Washable
- Smooth, Easy-Glide surface
- Printed at 300 Dots Per Inch
Expedition Recombination
Recombination added an Expedition crafting option that attempts to combine selected modifiers from two items. Selecting more modifiers lowers the chance of success; failure destroys both items. It unlocks after completing the first Expedition and consumes Expedition artifacts, so the risk is losing both source items rather than merely spending crafting materials.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened to existing characters and items?
Existing Early Access characters and items were not wiped for the 0.2.0 release. Players could continue in their existing leagues, where the update’s content was also available. GGG expected passive-tree resets because of the changes, granted a free passive-tree refund, and warned that balance changes could make established builds play differently.
The official FAQ answers the continuity and access questions: Dawn of the Hunt FAQ. Its answer on access was that this was not a paid expansion for people who already had Path of Exile 2 Early Access; they needed to download the update. People without game access needed an Early Access Supporter Pack.
Helpful guides and tools for version 0.2.0
- Start with the official patch notes: Use the 0.2.0 notes for exact mechanics, balance changes, and the full item and content list.
- Check character and access questions: The official FAQ covers wipes, league availability, and who needed an Early Access Supporter Pack.
- Choose league deliberately: Pick a fresh Dawn of the Hunt league for its separate economy, or continue in an existing league with your established character and stash.
- Verify build-guide version: Look for an explicit version label. A 0.2.0 guide is historical advice and should not be treated as current after later major updates.
- Use item-filter navigation cautiously: The official Path of Exile site exposes item-filter navigation, and the 0.2.0 notes include item-filter fixes. Verify a filter’s compatibility with the game version before using it; no particular third-party planner or filter is established here as an endorsed tool.
For chronology, the patch history at PoE2 Tools lists later major updates: The Third Edict (0.3.0, August 2025), The Last of the Druids (0.4.0, December 2025), and Return of the Ancients (0.5.0, May 2026). That makes the version label especially important when searching for builds or mechanics.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
What was shown but did not ship in 0.2.0?
The ability to lock the main hand, off-hand, or both for use between weapon sets was showcased but did not make the 0.2.0 patch. It should not be counted among the update’s launch features.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
