Path of Exile 2 announces a second new class, the Shadow, for its December 1.0 release

Today during ExileCon's keynote address Grinding Gear Games announced that Path of Exile 2's full release on December 11 will bring not one, but two new classes: Alongside the previously announced Duelist, 1.0 will also introduce the dagger-heavy, trap-wielding Shadow, capable of employing a suite of new stealth mechanics.

The Shadow's addition had been hinted at with a cryptic teaser trailer, which you can see here. The class's inclusion is welcome news to those of us—like yours truly—who very much enjoy playing these sneaky stabbers. On release, Shadows will be able to ascend as the returning Assassin, or choose a new ascendancy: the Infiltrator.

We know that eventually, every PoE2 character class will have (at least) three ascendancies. Whether the Shadow's third will be the Saboteur, the Trickster, or something new like the Sorceress's Disciple of Varashta is yet to be seen.

As has been the case with previous PoE 2 class additions, the Shadow's arrival will also introduce a new weapon type and abilities. In 1.0, alongside the Duelist's swords, we'll also be getting the dagger, and with it all new skill gems and supports. We should see an absolute explosion of playstyle archetypes on top of PoE2's already healthy build diversity.

The Shadow will introduce new mechanics like stealth, which prevents monsters from seeing you until you’re close by. It has a cooldown, but since it’s reset on kill, you should be able to use it to kill quickly from the shadows and get moving again.

Stealth interacts with the Shadow's returning trap skills, too. While PoE 1 traps were mostly just hucked at monsters' feet mid-combat, traps thrown from stealth in PoE 2 won't trigger until you reveal yourself, giving an actual feel of pulling off an ambush, There will be eight different trap types in 1.0, all of which interact with each other in unique ways.

There is, as ever is the case with Path of Exile, even more. When entering stealth, you leave behind a shade that blinds monsters and acts as a distraction. Your shade will also copy melee attacks you use, doubling up on your damage. And Shadows will be able to utilize a new Darkness resource, which can be collected from darkness-spreading skills to buff the damage you deal when emerging from stealth.

We’ll know more about these classes later, but between all these new abilities and ascendancies as well as two new acts, a new league, and endgame improvements Path of Exile 2’s full release is looking absolutely stacked.