Path of Exile 2 Developers Overhaul Druid Class Ahead of Update
UPDATE: In a significant shift for fans of Path of Exile 2, developers have confirmed that players will now be able to dodge roll in animal forms, a feature previously unavailable at launch. This overhaul comes just ahead of the highly anticipated 0.4 Update, set to go live on December 12, 2025.
Game developers faced intense feedback during alpha testing, with players expressing frustration over the inability to maintain their animal forms—specifically the bear, wolf, and wyvern. Jonathan Rogers, co-creative director of Path of Exile 2, stated, “We had so much negativity around the fact that you couldn’t dodge roll as an animal. Players simply wanted to stay as a bear.” This sentiment drove the team to make critical last-minute adjustments.
The new druid class will not only feature enhanced animations but also integrate seamlessly with existing gameplay mechanics. As players transform into powerful creatures, they will be able to execute dynamic moves such as the bear’s earth-shattering slam and the wolf’s swift lunges enhanced by lunar skills. The developers faced considerable challenges bringing these features to life. “Man, it was tough to get that to work right,” Rogers admitted.
With the update, any player can shapeshift into these formidable forms by acquiring new animal talisman weapons. This means a witch can summon minions by day and shift to wolf mode at night, or a warrior can embrace draconic power.
Game mechanics will allow players to combine animal form skills with human spells. For instance, players can lay down volcanic eruptions before transforming, maximizing their damage potential. Additionally, the new druid class will offer two distinct ascendancy paths, including the oracle, which adds a staggering 130 additional passives to the skill tree.
Despite the excitement surrounding the druid class, Rogers hinted at future improvements for existing classes, noting, “That’s why we’ll probably circle back around and improve those again later.”
As anticipation builds for the 0.4 Update, players eagerly await the chance to explore the full potential of the new druid class in Path of Exile 2. Stay tuned for the latest updates from the PC Gamer team as they cover this evolving story and provide insights into the game’s future.
