Patch 0.5.0 Return of the Ancients and the Runes of Aldur league is the biggest update yet for Path of Exile 2. This massive patch reworks the Atlas of Worlds and endgame experience. For the new patch we’re updating many of our existing guides and creating new builds including for the Martial Artist and Spirit Walker Ascendancies. In addition, keep an eye out for guides on how to progress through the new endgame questlines. Or head over to the newly revamped PoE2 Planner and start theorycrafting.
There are 2 new ascendancies coming to Path of Exile 2 with Return of the Ancients.
The Spiritwalker Ascendancy for the Huntress stalks through dark forests with animal companions by her side. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even tame bosses. 
Meanwhile, if you prefer to talk with your fists, consider the Monk’s Martial Artist Ascendancy. As a Martial Artist you can create mirages spawn more bells, or use the new Fists of Stone.
Return of the Ancients also brings a complete rework to Path of Exile 2’s endgame. You now progress through new questlines, explore dedicated regions of the Atlas to find league mechanics, and meet with the Masters of the Atlas to further customize your endgame farming.
In the Runes of Aldur Challenge League, players find Ezomyte Remnants guarded by monsters. Defeating the monsters allows you to select rewards, which resurrects them empowered with buffs tied to your choice. You must then kill them again to gain the selected loot.
The number of Rune slots scales with the area level, which increases monster density per encounter. Any Rune combinations you discover are permanently recorded in your Runebook and remain available for use in future Remnants.
The Runes of Aldur league introduces a new crafting mechanic: Runeforging. Find different crafting materials, which may be used to enhance Rares or Uniques in various ways. Verisium for example adds Runic Ward to your Armour’s implicit modifier. Runic Ward effectively adds as an extra life pool after your health is reduced to 1, giving you time to recover your HP. Crafting outcomes depend on what Runeforging crafting resource is used, and can be one of the following:
Add Runic Ward to an itemReplace the items defensive modifiers for a large a mount of extra Runic WardAdd new modifiers to existing Uniques entirelyUpgrade low level Uniques to deal significantly more damage
The Runes of Aldur league also adds brand new Skill and Support Gems. These are special as they consume Runic Ward instead of Mana and have no Attribute or Weapon requirements, allowing them to be used on any class.
Check out our 0.5 reveal and 0.5 Patch Notes posts to learn more!
Return of the Ancients 0.5.0
Patch 0.5 Return of the Ancients Reveal Summary
The 0.5 Return of the Ancients reveal livestream for the upcoming Path of Exile 2 content patch has concluded. It brings absolutely massive changes to the Endgame, with all extra content either partially or fully reworked, the Runes of Aldur Challenge League, Atlas Classes, two new Ascendancies and…
Early Access
Patch Notes
Return of the Ancients 0.5.0
0.5.0 Patch Notes – Return of the Ancients
The Runes of Aldur League Start fresh in a new economy with the Runes of Aldur league.In each area in the Runes of Aldur League you will find a Remnant which allows you to craft an item of your choosing by using Runic Recipes engraved into the slots on the Remnant.Depending on the Runeshapes used,…
We’ve updated most of our existing builds for Patch 0.5.0 Return of the Ancients & Runes of Aldur. In addition there are several new options for both leveling and endgame. However, there are still a lot of unknowns so keep an eye out for more build updates right up until launch day, and some new guides shortly after Runes of Aldur releases.
Check out the Arc Stormweaver Build from Havoc:
Return of the Ancients 0.5.0
Arc Stormweaver Build Guide
This Arc Stormweaver Build Guide teaches you the most efficient way to level your character, progress the Atlas, and scale into Endgame. Arc is a Chaining Lightning Projectile Spell that hits enemies. If Arc consumes a Lightning Infusion, it deals 200% More Damage, Chain 6 additional times, and…
Check out the Twisters Spirit Walker from Aer0:
Return of the Ancients 0.5.0
Spirit Walker Twisters Build Guide
This Spirit Walker Twisters Build Guide for the Huntress class is capable of massive single target and clear using the same combo. This guide takes you from level 1 all the way into the endgame. You get both of your main skills at level 1, so you can begin your endgame build right away! Whirling…
Drop comets on your enemies with Zen_M’s Frostbolt Cast on Crit Comet Oracle
Early Access
Return of the Ancients 0.5.0
Frostbolt Cast On Crit Comet Oracle
A Frostbolt Cast On Crit Comet Oracle for the Druid class unleashes a volley of Frostbolts exploding across the battlefield and freezing everything in sight. Comets automatically fall down from the sky whenever you deal critical strikes, dealing massive amounts of damage….
Cover the screen in icy death with Havoc’s Whirling Assault Martial Artist:
Return of the Ancients 0.5.0
Whirling Assault Martial Artist Build Guide
This Whirling Assault Martial Artist Build Guide teaches you the most efficient way to level your character, progress the Atlas, and scale into Endgame. Whirling Assault is a massive Area of Effect Attack Skill that covers nearly the whole screen. Then to clear even further, your Herald of Ice…
Runes of Aldur and Beyond
Keep an eye out for a few more new and updated build guides as we approach the launch for Runes of Aldur and the 0.5.0 Return of the Ancients update. With such a massive update to the endgame, we’re planning to release several new guides covering endgame progression. Good luck on league start, and keep an eye out for more guides soon.