Grinding Gear Games has one more big update in store for Path of Exile 2 before wrapping up for 2025. On Thursday, the team announced details about **Path of Exile 2: The Last of the Druids**, a major update that will introduce a new playable class and exciting new mechanics.
### Introducing the Druid Class
As the update’s title suggests, the biggest addition in *Path of Exile 2: The Last of the Druids* is the new **Druid** class. This class emphasizes both strength and intelligence, serving as a shapeshifting elemental spellcaster capable of wielding both spells and physical attacks. Drawing power from the earth, Druids can launch elemental attacks such as raising small volcanoes that fire magma bursts at foes.
### The Animal Talisman and Shapeshifting
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Druid is their ability to transform using a new tool called the **Animal Talisman**. The Animal Talisman determines the Druid’s animal form, allowing players to swap back and forth between human and animal forms easily.
Players can expect three primary animal forms:
– **Bear Form**: Focused on strength and durability, the Bear can use powerful abilities like *Maul* and *Furious Slam* to toss enemies around the battlefield.
– **Wolf Form**: Specializing in speed, the Wolf form is perfect for quickly closing distances and delivering fast attacks. It also uses moon-powered ice-based attacks for additional elemental damage.
– **Wyvern Form**: This form emphasizes long-range combat, devastating foes with fire breath and wing blasts. The Wyvern can also leap forward and strike with sharp talons for close-range encounters.
Grinding Gear Games hints that there may be additional Animal Talismans to discover throughout the world, adding more variety to the Druid’s shapeshifting arsenal.
### New Combat Mechanic: Spell Totems
The update also introduces a new attack option for Druids—**Spell Totems**. These are a new type of Meta Gem that allows players to automatically cast specific spells for a limited time. Spell Totems can utilize abilities like lightning strikes, fireballs, and raining comets to supplement direct attacks.
Totems are charged through certain Druid abilities: for example, Bear Form consumes rage, while Wyvern Form consumes corpses to power these spellcasting devices. This mechanic adds a new layer of strategy and versatility to combat.
### Fate of the Vaal: The Latest League
All of these new features come as part of *Path of Exile 2’s* latest league, **Fate of the Vaal**. The remnants of the ancient Vaal civilization have begun to appear across Wraeclast, negatively affecting nearby creatures. Players will need to clear out hordes of these corrupted monsters to discover a mysterious arcane device.
These devices require power through monster sacrifices—some demanding significant offerings and even summoning more powerful, harder-to-defeat Vaal beings. Successfully powering these devices guides players to a challenge temple filled with ancient treasures and fearsome creatures.
### Customize Your Dungeon Run
Inside the temple, players can arrange six unique rooms to craft their own customized dungeon run. Each room presents distinct challenges and rewards, and certain rooms interact with one another when placed adjacent, adding a strategic element to dungeon layout planning.
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*Path of Exile 2: The Last of the Druids* promises to bring fresh gameplay and new tactical options, making it a thrilling experience for both new and returning players. Keep an eye out for this update as it unfolds throughout 2025!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/147044/path-of-exile-2-the-last-of-the-druids-preview
