With Patch 0.4 rapidly approaching, the Path of Exile 2 community is buzzing with anticipation. Grinding Gear Games has confirmed the reveal is coming soon, and as we stand on the edge of a major update, players are eager to discuss expectations, predictions, and hopes for what the developers might unveil. Ronarray, a well-known voice in the early access community, recently shared his insight on what he believes Patch 0.4 will include—and what he hopes it will bring.

From the long-awaited Druid class to endgame revamps, crafting changes, and new skill sets, 0.4 has the potential to be one of the most important patches in early access so far. Let’s break down the key expectations for the update and explore why each of these features could reshape the POE 2 Chaos Orbs.

1. The Druid Arrives — A New Era of Shapeshifting

The most obvious and most anticipated feature of Patch 0.4 is the arrival of the Druid class. Announced months ago and teased repeatedly, the Druid has long been expected to headline the update. Yet beyond simply adding a new class, the Druid opens the door to a major mechanical evolution for POE2.

Shapeshifting as a Core Mechanic

The Druid is built around shapeshifting, a design direction that naturally encourages hybrid gameplay, dynamic transformation, and unique combat rotations. What’s interesting isn’t just how the Druid will play, but how shapeshifting might be implemented across multiple classes.

Warrior and Monk, for example, could greatly benefit from tanky, melee-focused forms depending on how the system works. If shapeshifting offers enough strength, durability, or mobility, players may find entirely new build paths that combine different classes with Druid mechanics.

A Risk of Underpowered Skills?

The big concern is balance. If certain shapeshifting skills release too weak, players are likely to abandon the fantasy and instead treat Druid as a stat stick for bow builds, quarterstaff Monk skills, or other powerful archetypes. On the flip side, overly strong shapeshifting could warp the meta entirely.

Still, even if not every Druid skill lands perfectly, the class fantasy alone will ensure shapeshifting Druids become one of the most popular archetypes of 0.4.

2. Endgame Revamp — Moving Beyond Delirium Reliance

Another major topic of discussion is the long-awaited endgame rework, something GGG has teased since before Patch 0.3. The current endgame revolves heavily around using Delirium modifiers on nearly every waystone—an approach that many players find repetitive and unengaging.

The Problem With Delirium

Delirium may be powerful, but:

it’s tedious to maintain

it’s required for competitive farming

it dominates every map decision

the visual clutter frustrates many players

Many in the community have asked GGG for a Delirium toggle, allowing players to selectively disable its fog effect while still using the mechanic. But the more crucial fix would be the addition of alternative map-buffing mechanics.

The Expected Evolution

Players hope GGG introduces:

New non-Delirium map modifiers

Multiple farmable endgame routes

Special map crafting systems

Optional challenges similar to Path of Exile 1

If 0.4 succeeds at diversifying endgame engagement, the update could dramatically improve long-term replayability.

3. Beasts Going Core — A Crafting Revolution

One of the hottest topics is whether the Beast mechanic—massively popular in 0.3—will become permanent. Beast crafting has been beloved because it adds:

Fun gameplay loops

Deep item crafting options

Deterministic upgrade paths

Incentive to farm outside traditional maps

Removing it entirely would leave POE2 feeling noticeably shallower.

Why It’s Likely Going Core

Beast crafting has become an essential part of gear progression in 0.3. Making it core—even partially—would maintain crafting depth and continue to support early-game and mid-game gearing strategies.

Given how important crafting is in POE2’s identity, it’s hard to imagine 0.4 removing one of the most beloved features the game has introduced so far.

4. Crafting Balance — Nerfs, Rarity Adjustments, and a New Meta

Even if Beasts remain, crafting will inevitably change in 0.4.

Crafting in 0.3 is extremely deterministic, letting players craft powerful gear more easily than in POE1. Many players like this direction, but it’s hard to deny that crafting has been overpowered, especially with how frequently Beast currency drops.

With Beasts potentially appearing less often, the natural consequence is a nerf—but GGG may take things further:

Some crafting currencies could become rarer

Others could become more common

Beast modifiers might receive tuning

Crafting power thresholds may be adjusted

We should expect at least moderate crafting changes, even if the core system survives untouched.

5. A New Ascendancy or Second Class? (Wishlist but Possible)

This one falls more into the “wishful thinking” category, but it isn’t impossible: Patch 0.4 might reveal a new ascendancy or even a second class.

When GGG released the Amazon variant in the past, they also added a new Witch specialization. With the Druid launching now, it’s conceivable we could see another new option, such as:

A new Shadow ascendancy

A new Templar ascendancy

A long-awaited third Monk ascendancy

Monk players in particular have been eager for their missing specialization. Adding one would be an exciting surprise and a great way to expand build diversity alongside the new Druid.

6. Campaign Expansion — More Chapters or Improvements

While the campaign is mostly complete, several gaps and unfinished areas still exist. Patch 0.4 could introduce:

new zones

new side areas

new campaign bosses

quality-of-life improvements

environmental polish

An entire new Act might be unlikely, but small additions and refinements would still improve the experience for fresh characters—and everyone will be leveling at least one Druid.

7. New Skill Sets — Sword Skills, Cyclone, and More

This is one of the most exciting wishlist items from the community: new core weapon skill sets, especially sword skills.

It’s been over a year since early access launched, and players are still waiting for iconic mechanics like:

Cyclone-style channeled melee movement

Sword-based combo systems

Higher-speed melee attack archetypes

With the Druid taking center stage, it’s unclear whether another skill set will also debut, but many fans hope so. Even if sword skills don’t make it into 0.4, we might at least see teasers or early prototypes.

8. More Trial Options — Extending Sikas and Revamping Trial of Kael

Trials represent a core pillar of POE2’s endgame, but right now only two exist:

Sikas’s Trial

Trial of Kael

Sikas farming is extremely popular, but Kael has fallen off sharply in 0.3 due to:

massive dilution of the drop pool

weaker farming efficiency

limited strategic depth

Players are hoping for:

a third trial

better balance between existing trials

deeper mechanics inside Kael

more rewards that justify running it

Since GGG has already mentioned adding more trial options, it’s fair to expect progress on this front in Patch 0.4.

9. More Uber Bosses — Harder Fights and Unique Rewards

Uber bosses define endgame longevity in POE1, and POE2 desperately needs more of them. With Beast mechanics possibly becoming core, players are speculating about an Uber Beast boss as a new pinnacle challenge.

More Uber bosses would bring:

better target-farming

new unique items

additional build-enabling drops

higher skill expression

Even if Patch 0.4 doesn’t introduce multiple new Ubers, unveiling at least one would be a major win for the community.

10. Element Rebalancing — Fire and Ice Need Urgent Help

Finally, one of the most universally agreed-upon issues: Lightning skills are dominating the meta.

Compared to lightning:

Fire builds have extremely limited viable options outside Fireball and grenades

Ice builds underperform in both clear and single-target

Many elemental archetypes feel unfinished

Players hope 0.4 brings:

buffs to underperforming fire skills

meaningful adjustments to ice scaling

new elemental synergies

increased build diversity

toned-down lightning values

Maybe the Druid update won’t focus on full skill rebalancing, but players desperately need elemental parity—whether in 0.4 or the upcoming 0.5 patch.

Conclusion

Patch 0.4 has the potential to be one of the defining updates of POE2’s early access. With the Druid class, endgame reworks, crafting adjustments, new trials, boss updates, campaign improvements, and a long list of hopeful wishlist items, the update represents a major turning point for the game’s direction.

Some features—like the Druid, endgame revamp, and crafting changes—are almost guaranteed. Others, like new ascendancies or sword skills, sit firmly in the realm of optimistic speculation. But together, these ideas highlight what the community values most: depth, diversity, and long-term replayability.

As we wait for the official reveal, one thing is clear—0.4 has captured the imagination of the entire poe 2 rmt community. Whether all these predictions come true or not, the update is poised to reshape Wraeclast in ways we’re only beginning to imagine.