Path of Exile 2 0.5.5: How to Prepare for the Forbidden Ritual Event

Grinding Gear Games is preparing Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5.5 and the Forbidden Ritual event for September 4, 2026 (Pacific Time). Forbidden Ritual will use a separate realm with new characters and a fresh economy, while Runes of Aldur continues on the existing Early Access realm.

This guide covers what to prepare before launch, including finishing current goals, saving your build plan, planning early upgrades, and choosing your main realm for the first week.

Launch Window and Event Format

Forbidden Ritual launches alongside Patch 0.5.5 on September 4, 2026. Check GGG's official announcement for the exact regional launch time before login day.

The event uses a separate economy, while Runes of Aldur remains available for existing characters.

Key points:

• Forbidden Ritual - fresh characters, stash, and trade
• Runes of Aldur - existing characters and progression remain available
• Event progress does not merge between the two economies
• Ritual plays a larger role across campaign and endgame progression

You can play both realms, but choosing one primary focus will make the first week easier to manage.

How to Prepare Before September 4

Finish your current RoTA goals.

If you are pushing maps, upgrading gear, or finishing an Atlas project, consider completing important milestones before September 4. This gives you a cleaner stopping point if you decide to start Forbidden Ritual.

You can also finish important crafts, organize stored maps, and note any upgrades you plan to return to later:

Complete crafts already in progress on RoTA

Sort stored maps or logbooks you may pause mid-run

Write down upgrade goals to pick up after the event

Save your build setup.

If you plan to join Forbidden Ritual, save your intended build before launch. The fresh economy means early items, crafting materials, and trade prices will differ from RoTA.

Keep a PoB or build reference available, along with:

Early-act skill plan and leveling route

Gear targets and resistance goals

Key Support Gem or weapon requirements

Plan your early upgrades.

RoTA currency and items do not transfer into Forbidden Ritual, so there is little value in stockpiling them specifically for the event.

Instead, decide which campaign upgrades matter most and which crafts you can complete yourself:

Act-one and act-two gear you want before trading

Crafts you can self-fund on the event realm

Upgrades worth buying once trade chat opens

Having clear upgrade priorities will help you spend new event currency efficiently once the market opens.

Choose your main realm.

Forbidden Ritual suits players who want a fresh economy, new-character progression, and Ritual-focused gameplay. Runes of Aldur is the better choice if your current character is close to an important map, gear, or endgame milestone.

You can still play both, but splitting time between two characters and economies can slow early progression.

What Forbidden Ritual Changes

Forbidden Ritual expands Ritual across campaign and endgame progression rather than introducing a complete combat reset. Patch 0.5.5 focuses on the event's progression and economy, while larger balance changes are expected closer to the Path of Exile 2 1.0 launch.

Key changes previewed so far include:

• Ritual altars appearing in campaign areas with Tribute rewards
• Boss-linked Ritual clusters on the world map with larger encounters and reward opportunities
• Party improvements for non-host players selecting altar rewards
• Wildwood and Expedition tablets tied to endgame Ritual progression

For returning players, the biggest change is how Ritual fits into progression rather than a completely new build meta. Existing Runes of Aldur builds should still provide a useful starting point for Forbidden Ritual.

Trial of Chaos Changes in Patch 0.5.5

Patch 0.5.5 also improves Trial of Chaos alongside the event.

Preview highlights include:

• Pausing between rooms and resuming runs later
• Streamlined layouts and room objectives
• Longer runs with scaling difficulty and rewards
• Additional progression toward Trialmaster fragments

These changes arrive with PoE 2 0.5.5 and are not exclusive to Forbidden Ritual characters.

Should You Start Forbidden Ritual or Stay in Runes of Aldur?

Start Forbidden Ritual if you want a fresh market, early-event trading, and Ritual-focused campaign progression.

Stay in Runes of Aldur if you are already deep into maps, crafting, or another long-term project and do not want to start a new character.

Both are valid choices. If your playtime is limited, focusing on one realm during the first week will usually be more efficient:

• Forbidden Ritual - fresh market and Ritual-forward campaign
• Runes of Aldur - keep a character close to a milestone
• Splitting daily - slower early progress on both accounts

Event Challenges and Cosmetic Rewards

Forbidden Ritual also includes event challenges with cosmetic rewards beyond normal leveling and gearing.

Preview material has shown rewards including Locust-themed footprints, a finisher effect, a Wildwood guardian pet, and a hideout statue. Check GGG's official event information for the final challenge requirements and reward list.

These cosmetics do not affect character power and are optional for players focused on progression.

Whether you stay with Runes of Aldur or start Forbidden Ritual, MMOSO's Path of Exile 2 currency and item listings can help fill gear and crafting gaps as the new economy develops.

September 4 Preview Summary

Path of Exile 2 0.5.5 and the Forbidden Ritual event arrive on September 4, 2026 (Pacific Time) with a separate economy, expanded Ritual progression, Trial of Chaos improvements, and cosmetic challenges. Runes of Aldur continues alongside the event.

Before launch, finish important RoTA goals, save your build plan, set your early upgrade priorities, and choose your main realm. Then check GGG's official announcement for the final regional launch time.