Grinding Gear Games has announced that Path of Exile 2’s new Forbidden Rites Event League and 0.5.5 update will launch on September 4 PDT, introducing new Ritual encounters, the return of the Wildwood, an overhaul of the Trial of Chaos, and expanded endgame content.
The Forbidden Rites event will bring Ritual encounters across the campaign, with players facing the King of the Mists and his followers as dark rituals spread throughout Wraeclast. Players can defeat enemies surrounding Ritual Effigies before resurrecting them for another battle, earning Tribute that can be spent on rewards. Tribute will also be earned individually by party members, allowing each player to choose their own rewards.
The Wildwood will also return as an endgame mechanic. Players can acquire a Sacred Bloom through Ritual and use it to open a Wildwood entrance within an Endgame Map. Inside, players can collect Primal, Vivid and Wild Wisps, each of which empowers monsters in different ways while improving potential rewards.
The update also introduces eight Forbidden Rites Challenges, with rewards including four exclusive cosmetics and a commemorative Hideout Statue.
Trial of Chaos Gets Major Overhaul
One of the biggest changes in 0.5.5 is an extensive overhaul of the Trial of Chaos. Players will now be able to pause their Trial between rooms and return later to continue their run, while encounter objectives have been streamlined toward combat-focused challenges.
New Wager Modifiers will also allow players to increase the danger of a Trial in exchange for greater rewards. Endgame Trials can now reach up to 30 rooms, with difficulty and rewards increasing as players progress. Players who reach the later rooms can also obtain all three Trialmaster Fragments during a single run.
The update further improves Atlas progression by allowing players who defeat a heightened version of the Arbiter of Divinity to automatically complete the remaining sections of the Fortress, providing a faster route into the Endgame.
New Endgame Content and Duelist Preview
Players will also be able to explore Abyssal Ravines, where maps contain Abysses and become increasingly rewarding as players push back the Abyssal Legion. Reaching the final map guarantees an encounter with an Abyssal boss.
Meanwhile, Runes of Aldur content will move into the core game, with Expeditions remaining available from Act 4 onward alongside new Expedition Tablet options.
The update also provides a deeper look at the Duelist, a sword-wielding class planned for Path of Exile 2’s 1.0 full release. The class focuses on fast and fluid combat, with skills that can transition into different stances, including Sand Stance and Blood Stance, opening up different attack combinations and damage opportunities.
The Plague and Remidus Supporter Packs and Curse of the Allflame Mystery Box are also now available, featuring various cosmetic items including Armour Sets, Weapon Skins, Weapon Effects, Map Devices, Hideouts and an Otter trio.
Path of Exile 2’s Forbidden Rites Event League and 0.5.5 update launch September 4 PDT.
