Path of Exile 2 0.4.0 Update Information Summary

The long-awaited 0.4.0 update for Path of Exile 2 has arrived, marking one of the most transformative patches yet for Grinding Gear Games' ambitious sequel. This update introduces sweeping changes to class identity, endgame systems, and POE2 Currency core item progression, while also expanding the game's dark fantasy atmosphere with new corruption-themed mechanics. With the arrival of the Druid class, the massive Oracle specialization, and reworked tablet systems, players now have an abundance of new content to explore. Below is a detailed breakdown of what makes the 0.4.0 patch one of the strongest updates so far.

Druid Class: Embrace the Power of Nature

One of the standout additions in 0.4.0 is the introduction of the Druid, a transformative class capable of shifting between Bear, Wolf, and Wyvern forms. This marks a significant step forward for build diversity in PoE2.

Bear Form

Designed for tanky melee builds, Bear form excels in survivability and crowd control. Slow, crushing attacks combine with massive armor scaling, making it ideal for face-tank combat and frontline engagement in corrupted zones.

Wolf Form

Wolf form offers high mobility and rapid attack patterns, perfect for players who prefer agile melee or hybrid builds. Enhanced evasion and critical strike mechanics create opportunities for fast, fluid playstyles.

Wyvern Form

Perhaps the most unique of the three, Wyvern form grants aerial agility and elemental breath attacks. This opens the door to hybrid melee-caster builds, blending ranged damage, mobility, and status effects.

These transformations allow Druids to adapt dynamically in combat, giving them one of the most flexible identities among PoE2's classes.

Oracle Ascendancy: A Massive 130 New Dedicated Passives

The Oracle, a new higher-job class (Ascendancy), introduces a staggering 130 dedicated passive nodes-making it one of the most expansive specializations introduced to date.

This new passive cluster brings:

Deep investment in divination, fate manipulation, and probability-based mechanics

Powerful bonuses to spell-casting, ailment control, crystal resonance, and mana-weaving

Multiple branching pathways allowing for hyper-specialization

Some Oracle passives enhance predictive combat (probability-based damage), while others focus on amplifying Arcane skills, curses, or time-bending mechanics. The sheer breadth of the Oracle tree ensures long-term replayability and dramatically increases PoE2's build theorycrafting potential.

New League Mechanic: A Corruption-Focused Challenge

In keeping with Path of Exile's thematic roots, the 0.4.0 patch introduces a league mechanic centered around Corruption. Players encounter corrupted zones, enemies, items, and events-each loaded with powerful but risky modifiers.

Key Features Include:

Corrupted Sanctums filled with unstable monsters and volatile traps

Corruption Altars offering high-risk, high-reward choices

Sanity or Purity meters that influence loot drops and difficulty

Unique corruption-infused bosses with devastating moveset expansions

Corruption crafting, allowing you to push rare gear to unstable but powerful new limits

This new league system strongly rewards players who enjoy dangerous, decision-based gameplay. The more corruption you embrace, the greater the rewards-but the deadlier the consequences.

Stones and Tablets: Rarefication and Expanded Item Progression

Another major addition in 0.4.0 involves the rarefication of stone tablets, enhancing the core campaign and crafting progression. Previously static, tablets now come in various rarities, each offering new effects or increased complexity.

Rarefied Tablets Include:

Enhanced puzzle layouts

Bonus reward chests

Corrupted variants with exclusive modifiers

Higher XP and loot opportunities

This update encourages revisiting campaign-era mechanics and deepens the connection between story progression and endgame systems.

A Patch That Elevates PoE2's Identity

The 0.4.0 update is more than a content patch-it is a foundational expansion of Path of Exile 2's identity. With the shape-shifting Druid, the massively expanded Oracle ascendancy, corruption mechanics that challenge players to trade safety for power, and reworked tablet systems, the game grows richer in every dimension.

Build diversity is soaring, endgame options are expanding, and buy POE2 Currency progression feels more rewarding and interconnected. For veterans and newcomers alike, 0.4.0 marks a significant milestone in PoE2's ongoing evolution-and a promising glimpse at the dark, complex future awaiting Exiles in Wraeclast.

———— Dec-05-2025 PST ————