The delay for Path of Exile 2's “Return of the Ancients” stings a bit, especially if you'd already marked out May in your head and started sketching builds in a notebook like a complete loot goblin. The new date, May 29, gives Grinding Gear Games more room to tighten the parts that players will notice right away: combat feel, balance, progression, and the way loot supports your character. It also gives people more time to think about early trading, farming routes, and how PoE 2 Currency might shape the first rush of the expansion once everyone piles into the servers at once.

The gem change is bigger than it first sounds

The skill gem overhaul is probably the bit that'll mess with old habits the most. For years, players have lived around links on gear. You found a great chest, then remembered it had the wrong sockets. Or you burned through currency trying to make a six-link and ended up staring at your stash in silence. PoE 2 moves those links onto the gems instead, which sounds simple until you think about what it does to gearing. Swapping armour or weapons should feel less punishing. A good drop can actually be used sooner. That's a huge shift, and it needs careful tuning because one bad balance pass could make early progression feel either too loose or too awkward.

Combat needs to feel sharp, not sluggish

GGG has been clear that Path of Exile 2 isn't just trying to be the first game with nicer lighting. The pace is changing. The dodge roll matters. Enemy attacks are meant to be read, not ignored while your build deletes the map. That's exciting, but it's also risky. If the roll feels sticky, players will hate it. If monsters are tuned too hard around perfect movement, the campaign could turn into a slog. This extra time should help them get the rhythm right. You want danger, sure, but you also want control. When you die, it should feel like you missed a cue, not like the game ate your input.

New weapons have to earn their place

Spears and crossbows are another reason the delay makes sense. New weapon types can't just look different; they need a reason to exist. A spear should change how you approach space. A crossbow should bring its own timing, reload feel, or tactical angle. Players will test these things brutally within hours. If a weapon feels clunky, it'll be abandoned. If it's too strong, every league starter guide will look the same by breakfast. The same goes for uniques and crafting. A fresh economy is fun because nobody knows the exact answers yet, but that only works when the systems underneath are sturdy.

A longer wait can still pay off

Nobody enjoys hearing that an expansion has slipped, but a few extra weeks are easier to swallow than a messy launch that poisons the mood. PoE players are patient when they believe the delay is being used well. They'll theorycraft, argue about ascendancies, and prepare stash tabs anyway. Some will also look for trading support or item services from places like U4GM while planning their start, especially if they want to save time once the league rush begins. What matters most is that May 29 feels worth the wait: stable servers, meaningful build choices, and combat that makes you lean forward instead of falling back into autopilot.