With Path of Exile 2’s 0.4 season fast approaching, community excitement is reaching a new high — and there’s one reason for that above everything else: Druids. After months of waiting, animation delays, and developer hints, the long-anticipated class is finally set to crash into Wraeclast on December 12, with a full reveal week happening on December 4 during GGG Live.

For many long-time ARPG fans, the Druid has been one of the most requested additions to Path of Exile 2’s roster. Shapeshifting, elemental storms, volcanic eruptions, wolf packs, and nature-fueled devastation — the archetype fits POE2’s new dualclass identity system perfectly. And with early gameplay from Gamescom 2023, developer commentary, and datamined information, we now have a surprisingly clear picture of what Druids might play like.

Below is a full breakdown of everything we know so far, what’s likely to change, and what the arrival of the Druid means for the broader 0.4 update.

A Free Weekend, A Full Reveal, and Path of Exile 2 Currency Going Big

Before diving into claws, fangs, volcanoes, and shapeshifting, it’s important to highlight something GGG announced alongside the Druid launch: a full free weekend for all players across all platforms.

Steam, Xbox, PS5 — everyone will be able to play the entire campaign for free over the three-day launch period.

This is huge for the future of POE2. Early access keys haven’t been easy to get, and now the game will be open to the world right as the Druid — what GGG is calling “the last of the earlyaccess major class additions” — drops into the ecosystem.

Jonathan Rogers emphasized:

“In 3 weeks, we’ll be launching the last of the druids, our third major addition to early access.”

And yes — for those who do purchase the game, you still get the 300 points bundle, effectively giving you the stash tabs players consider essential. Since POE1 and POE2 share the same microtransaction ecosystem, any stash tabs purchased in POE2 also carry over to POE1.

The Druid Fantasy: A Walking Natural Disaster

GGG describes the Druid’s human form as:

“A spellcaster who channels the fury of nature on the battlefield — a walking natural disaster.”

Where POE1 offered small hints at nature-based magic (Cremation, Volcanic Fissure, toxic bow builds, etc.), POE2 aims to deliver the full fantasy: thunderstorms, vines, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes, animal companions, and of course, true shapeshifting.

From early footage, several themes emerge:

1. A True Volcanic Spell Caster

In POE1, Volcano exists — but most players never use it because it’s tied to corpses or niche builds. POE2’s Druid finally gives players a true volcanic ability:

Large, cinematic eruptions.

Persistent lava fields.

Additional effects triggered by nearby slams.

Synergy with shapeshifting forms.

This single spell alone opens up an entirely new class fantasy.

2. Shapeshifting: Bear and Wolf Forms

Perhaps the biggest point of confusion — and excitement — is shapeshifting. Early datamining suggests:

Bear and wolf forms are not Druid-exclusive.

They are linked to talismans, two-handed melee weapons requiring Strength or Intelligence.

Shapeshifting appears accessible to any class if they slot the right weapon.

However, Druids will naturally be the best at using them due to passive access.

Talismans also appear to lock you into the form’s skill list:

You transform, use shapeshifttagged skills, and untransform the moment you use a non-shapeshift skill.

3. Form Identity: Bear vs. Wolf

Based on POE design patterns and descriptions:

Bear form seems slower, tankier, and potentially tied to fire or earth damage.

Expect slam amplification, heavy AoE, and likely nodes similar to Warrior (“80% more damage / 20% less attack speed” style).

Wolf form is almost certainly fast, agile, and possibly lightning or coldthemed.

Think rapid attacks, mobility, and multi-hit chaining.

4. Synergy Between Forms and Human Casting

One thing that stands out in early footage:

Cast Volcano → shapeshift → slam near it → volcano spews extra projectiles.

This interplay between nature magic and shapeshifting may form the core gameplay loop. Whether this remains in 0.4 is unknown — the developers admitted Druids were stuck in “animation hell” for almost a year. Much of the 2023 footage is outdated.

Old Footage vs. the Current POE2 Direction

Players who’ve spent time in POE2 early access know one thing:

The live build feels very different from Gamescom 2023.

Back then:

Combat was slower.

Encounters were longer.

Combo skills and builder/spender mechanics were emphasized.

Today:

The meta has shifted dramatically toward POE1-style one-button nukes.

Bosses are routinely oneshot by optimized builds.

Combo setups are rarely used, despite being heavily advertised early on.

So the big question is:

Will the Druid’s original combo-focused design survive into 0.4?

Probably not entirely.

It’s more likely that:

Volcano → slam → eruption combos will stay.

But mandatory builder/spender mechanics will be minimized.

Animation times will be streamlined.

The class will align with POE2’s new, faster, POE1-influenced pacing.

GGG listens closely to early access feedback — and players have consistently rejected slow, multi-input rotation gameplay.

Expect:

Simpler core loops

Optional synergy layers

Less friction compared to the 2023 footage

Summons: Wolves, Ravens, and the Druid Summoner Fantasy

Another major point: the Druid brings actual animal summons.

POE1 summoners have used:

Zombies

Skeletons

Spectres

Golems

Animate Guardian

…but never true animal companions.

In POE2, Druids will finally have access to:

Wolves

Ravens

Possibly elementallythemed spirits

This is arguably the most exciting news for players who love the class fantasy of a nature-themed summoner.

Summons have also been popular in POE1’s latest leagues, so expect many players to experiment with hybrid castersummoner builds.

Where the Druid Fits on the Passive Tree

Based on the data-mined tree structure and the class wheel:

The Druid appears to start between Witch and Warrior.

Similar to a Templar-like position.

Meaning: strong access to elemental magic, strength scaling, and minion nodes.

This flexible location supports:

Fire builds

Lightning/storm builds

Hybrid melee-caster builds

Summoner builds

Tanky bear builds

It’s a perfect midpoint for a class that blends magic and physical transformations.

Will Patch 0.4 Include More Than Just Druids?

Many players are wondering if 0.4 will deliver more content than just the new class. Based on development pacing and team comments, several possibilities exist:

1. A New Act or Campaign Expansion

50/50 chance.

The devs indicated interludes have been successful, but a full act might still be a bit far off. It’s possible — but not guaranteed.

2. Another New Class?

Unlikely, but not impossible.

Druid was the hardest class to animate, so other classes could technically be easier.

GGG could surprise-drop a simpler class to avoid a “Druid-only meta” where everyone plays the shiny new toy.

3. Endgame Changes — And We Need Them

This is the biggest pain point in POE2 right now.

Players love the early game.

They love the campaign.

They love the combat feel.

But:

Endgame content is thin.

The biggest hope for 0.4:

new bosses

new goals

expanded maps

new endgame systems

Trial of the Ancestors (very likely)

Trial of the Ancestors already exists physically in the game world — we just haven’t unlocked it. 0.4 could enable it.

4. Life Buffs and Defense Changes

This is one of the most requested changes, especially in Hardcore:

Life feels too low.

Many builds feel forced into evasion.

Tree nodes for life are too few.

Players expect major adjustments here.

5. Possible Nerfs: Deadeye & Evasion

Deadeye is likely on the chopping block.

Evasion, too.

The Abyss Meta and League Mechanics

Abyss has been one of the most fun mechanics in early access — but it appears too frequently right now. Once the spawn frequency is normalized, the meta could shift dramatically.

BREAKING QUESTIONS:

Will Abyss still feel rewarding when it's not everywhere?

Will Breach be affected by POE1’s recent Breach rework?

How will fragments, tablets, and map blasting evolve?

These are major unknowns — but players are eager for answers.

A Look Back at 0.3 — And Why 0.4 Has So Much Momentum

Players widely agree:

0.1 and 0.2 were rough patches.

0.3 turned the game around dramatically.

In 0.3, almost every major complaint from players was addressed or fixed. That’s why the community is entering 0.4 with so much optimism — GGG has earned back goodwill cheap POE 2 Orbs.

If 0.4 hits:

A hype class (Druid)

A free weekend

More content

Better endgame

Balance and defense adjustments

…it could be the patch that fully establishes POE2 as its own identity, not just “POE1 in development.”

Final Thoughts: The Most Exciting Patch Yet

The Druid is more than just a new class.

It represents a full identity shift for Path of Exile 2:

true shapeshifting

nature magic

animal companions

volcanic spellcasting

hybrid castermelee gameplay

And the December 12 launch, paired with free access for all players, could create the biggest player surge POE2 has seen yet.

Whether you're excited for wolf packs, volcanic eruptions, bear slams, or stormcasting, one thing is certain:

Patch 0.4 will redefine the POE2 experience.

As always, try to die less than the rest of us.