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The Path of Exile 2 beta has been gradually unveiling new content, and recent leaks suggest that Act 4 is nearly complete, potentially making its debut in Patch 0.3. Fans have been combing through datamines, lore snippets, and promotional material to piece together what's coming next, and the emerging picture is ambitious. From new maps and NPCs to challenging bosses, Patch 0.3 could mark a turning point in the campaign's development.

Leaked Map of Act 4

According to leaks, Act 4 begins in King's March City, a bustling hub where players can interact with familiar NPCs such as Alva and Preacher Rock. This central location will likely serve as a staging area before players embark on expeditions to the surrounding islands via ship travel - a mechanic that adds a sense of scale and exploration to the campaign.

The leaked map reveals multiple new zones, each offering unique challenges and enemies:

·Shrike Island - A foreboding island rumored to be teeming with aerial and ranged enemies.

·Island of Kin - Known for its familial-themed monsters and complex environmental hazards.

·Eternal Prison (Isaros Prison) - A high-security fortress housing imprisoned horrors and elite bosses.

·Gakano - A mysterious locale filled with wildlife-infested forests and natural traps.

·Twilight Enclave - Likely tied to an Ascendancy trial, this zone may test both combat skill and puzzle-solving.

Players are expected to progress through these areas in a non-linear order, but difficulty scaling is reportedly tied to completion - clearing one island will increase the challenge on the others, a system reminiscent of Act 2's progression mechanics. This ensures that players will need strategy, proper gear, and skill allocation to conquer all of Act 4.

Major Bosses in Act 4

Act 4 promises a significant spike in content density, with six major bosses already confirmed:

1. Goblin Giant - A hulking enemy that likely uses environmental attacks alongside brute force.

2. The Beast Balign - Expected to combine mobility and devastating area-of-effect abilities.

3. Yama - Details are scarce, but Yama is rumored to wield dark magic and summon minions.

4. Dora, Son of Dash - A fast-moving, agile boss that may punish players who lack reflexes.

5. Two additional unnamed bosses - While information is limited, datamines suggest these will bring unique mechanics not seen in prior acts.

With six major bosses, Act 4 alone provides more high-end encounters than many expected, offering players ample opportunity to test builds, gear, and teamwork. These fights are likely to include complex attack patterns and environmental hazards, keeping veteran players engaged while providing a substantial challenge to newcomers. It also provides new ideas for new players. They can upgrade their equipment by buying Path of Exile 2 Currency, thus achieving the leisurely pace of old players.

Glimpses of Act 5 and Oriath

If Act 4 wasn't enough, leaks hint that Act 5 is already in development. A datamined clue, "Recovered from a library in Uat," suggests the storyline will next lead players to Oriath, the capital city of the exiled kingdom.

Lore connections and datamined maps indicate that after Act 4, players will traverse the Oriathan Channel, eventually entering the sprawling urban environment of Oriath itself. This act is expected to blend lore-heavy quests with urban exploration, presenting both narrative depth and diverse gameplay mechanics as players aim to stop the Beast.

Additionally, rumors suggest that Act 6 may be in parallel development. Sources indicate that it could feature a fast-paced boss rush, minimizing downtime and keeping players in constant combat. This would serve as a bridge to endgame content, maintaining momentum and providing a challenging transition from the main campaign.

New Classes: Shadow and Druid

Patch 0.3 may also bring new class revelations, further expanding the available options for players:

·Druid - Teased in multiple materials, this class is nearly complete but not yet playable. Known for its shapeshifting abilities and connection to natural elements, the Druid could bring a fresh playstyle to the beta.

·Shadow - Identified in early promotional screenshots, this stealth-focused class may specialize in traps, poisons, and high burst damage.

Grinding through new content with these classes could redefine how players approach combat, especially in areas like Ascendancy trials and boss fights. GGG has confirmed that Path of Exile 2 will launch with 12 classes, though not all may be available immediately. Patch 0.3 could, however, introduce at least two of these new classes to beta players, offering more variety and replayability.

Why Patch 0.3 Could Be the Biggest Update Yet

The scope of Patch 0.3 appears unprecedented. It isn't merely a content patch - it could represent a near-complete milestone for the campaign. Some highlights include:

·A fully fleshed-out Act 4 with multiple zones, new enemies, and six major bosses.

·Teasers for Act 5 in Oriath, the expansion of the story into the capital city.

·Boss Rush Event - Possibly featuring 15 enemies, many of them brand new, providing high-stakes, replayable content for skilled players.

·Potential new classes, including the Druid and Shadow, are adding depth to the player roster and combat strategies.

Each of these elements underscores the increasing complexity and scale of Path of Exile 2. Beta testers may be able to experience not just a single act, but an interconnected world with evolving difficulty, story progression, and rich character choices.

What This Means for Players

For beta players, Patch 0.3 could redefine the Path of Exile 2 experience. The addition of multiple islands in Act 4, each with its theme, enemies, and a major boss, offers a more open-ended approach to exploration. Combined with progressive difficulty scaling, players will need to use PoE 2 Currency to adapt their builds, coordinate strategies, and consider elemental resistances and mobility when tackling the new content.

Furthermore, the hints about Act 5 and beyond indicate that GGG is planning a long-term roadmap, where each act builds upon the last while teasing upcoming challenges. Players who master Act 4 may find themselves uniquely prepared for Oriath, the urban sprawl, and whatever Act 6 has to offer in terms of intense, fast-paced boss combat.

The potential inclusion of the Druid and Shadow classes is particularly exciting for those seeking new ways to engage with combat mechanics. Shapeshifting, elemental manipulation, stealth, and traps could dramatically alter the meta and offer fresh strategies for both solo and group play.

Conclusion

Patch 0.3 for Path of Exile 2 promises to be a landmark update, bringing Act 4 close to completion while teasing future expansions in Oriath and beyond. With a leaked map revealing multiple new zones, six major bosses, and potential new classes, players have plenty to look forward to.

The combination of exploration, progression, and strategic combat suggests that Act 4 won't just be another chapter - it could be a defining moment for the campaign, bridging the current beta content with the full launch roadmap. Beta players should prepare for challenging encounters, exciting new mechanics, and a deeper dive into the evolving world of Wraeclast.

Whether you're battling the Goblin Giant, surviving the Eternal Prison, or exploring the secrets of Twilight Enclave, Patch 0.3 could mark the most ambitious content drop Path of Exile 2 has seen yet.