Path of Exile 2 Update 0.4.0: Druid Class, Fate of the Vaal & Abyss Core

Dec-05-2025

Path of Exile 2's 0.4.0 update "The Last of the Druids" is now live, introducing the Druid class, the Fate of the Vaal league, Abyss as a core system, major skill/passive expansions, and improved performance. Here's everything included in the update.

A New Class: The Druid & the New Talisman Weapon Type

The highlight of this patch is the addition of the Druid, a brand-new class built entirely around shapeshifting and primal magic. Druids can freely shift between human form and multiple beast forms, each with unique attacks and movement tools.

This system is powered by Talismans, a new weapon category that unlocks beast transformation and grants form-exclusive attacks. You can swap forms at will, giving the class a fluid, adaptive combat style.

Two new Ascendancy options arrive with the class:

Shaman — focuses on rage, elemental/chaos damage, and enhancing beast-form attacks.

Oracle — specializes in foresight mechanics that alter how you plan and execute skills.

Beyond the new class itself, the update adds 20+ new active skills, 35+ support gems, and over 250 additional passive tree nodes, dramatically increasing build variety and experimentation.

New League: Fate of the Vaal

Update 0.4.0 also launches a brand-new challenge league: Fate of the Vaal. The return of ancient Vaal ruins and corrupted structures brings a fresh layer of exploration and risk-reward gameplay.

In this league:

Vaal devices scattered throughout the world activate when fed "corrupted energy," which you obtain by defeating corrupted monsters.

Once charged, these devices open access to Lira Vaal, a customizable ancient temple.

Players can place and upgrade rooms, choosing modifiers and challenges that shape their rewards — from rare loot to league-exclusive encounters.

Room placement matters: build paths wisely to maximize rewards or intensify difficulty.

Fate of the Vaal is available across all modes, including Standard, Hardcore, SSF, and private leagues, making it a great entry point for both casual and competitive players.

Abyss Becomes a Core Game System

Formerly a standalone league mechanic, Abyss is now fully integrated as a core system in PoE2. From Act 2 onward, Abyss encounters can appear naturally throughout the campaign and remain heavily featured in the endgame.

To support this shift, the game introduces an Atlas Passive Tree, allowing players to specialize in Abyss content, bosses, map modifiers, and reward routes. Combined with new Abyss Tablets and additional map mechanics, Abyss is no longer an optional side event — it's a key pillar of character progression and endgame farming.

This update also includes large-scale adjustments to skills, passives, supports, and gear to ensure balance across all new and returning systems.

Better Performance, Visual Polish & Gameplay Refinements

Beyond new content, the developers also focused heavily on performance and overall gameplay quality. According to the patch notes, CPU-bound situations now see an average 25% FPS improvement, with smoother frame pacing and fewer drops during large fights or high-density map scenarios.

Many unique items, supports, passives, and monster interactions have also been reworked or updated, aiming to make more builds viable and reduce friction in leveling and endgame progression.

Content Update 0.4.0 – The Last of the Druids offers fresh ways to experiment with builds, tackle endgame challenges, and explore the Fate of the Vaal league. For players looking to enhance their progress or gear up faster, check out our PoE2 Currency page for improved gaming experience.