Path of Exile 2 recently hosted a significant promotional event, offering players a first opportunity to experience the game without requiring an Early Access key. This Free Weekend event, officially titled "The Third Edict," was available across multiple platforms, providing a substantial window for new and existing players to engage with the title. The promotion was structured to reward participation with exclusive cosmetic items, which are permanently added to user accounts upon completion of specific in-game objectives. The event ran from August 29 at 1 PM PDT until September 1 at 1 PM PDT, ensuring a three-day period for players to access the content.
The Free Weekend was accessible on all available platforms, including PC (via the standalone client, Steam, and the Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox. This broad availability ensured that players on their preferred systems could participate without restriction. Alongside the gameplay access, Grinding Gear Games introduced a tiered reward system based on progression through Act One. These rewards were designed as exclusive cosmetic microtransactions that do not affect character power, serving purely as visual enhancements. Additionally, secondary rewards were available through Twitch Drops and a Discord Avatar promotion, requiring specific engagement metrics such as watch time on the platform.
Exclusive Cosmetics Available During the Free Weekend
Players who participated in the Free Weekend event could earn three distinct cosmetic items by completing specific milestones within the game’s first Act. These items were offered as a thank-you for logging in and playing during the promotional window. The source material confirms that these rewards are 100% free microtransactions with no purchase requirements or strings attached. Once unlocked, the cosmetics remain tied to the user's account permanently, functioning like any other standard Path of Exile microtransaction.
The specific milestones and corresponding rewards are detailed below:
- Exile’s Hood Cosmetic: This item is unlocked immediately upon reaching the Clearfell Encampment in Act 1. This is typically one of the first major safe zones players encounter, making this reward easily accessible.
- Exile’s Staff Skin: To acquire this cosmetic, players must defeat the Rotten Druid. This enemy is located in the Grim Tangle area within Act 1.
- Exile’s Cloak Back Attachment: The final cosmetic reward requires defeating the boss at the end of Act 1. While some sources refer to this boss as Count Geonor, official materials also reference him as Count Borromir. Defeating this boss grants the cloak.
It is important to note that these items are purely cosmetic and have no impact on gameplay balance or character power. The official announcement from Game Director Jonathan Rogers emphasized that these are limited-time rewards available only during the Free Weekend dates, though they persist permanently in the account once obtained.
Additional Free Rewards: Twitch Drops and Discord Avatar
Beyond the in-game quest rewards, players had the opportunity to secure additional free items through external platform engagement. A specific promotion involving Twitch Drops was available, requiring a set amount of watch time during the first week following the release.
- Clam Stash Skin + Helmet of the Abyssal: Players who spent three hours of watch time in the Path of Exile 2 Twitch category during the first week after release received a new stash reskin described as emanating "aquatic power," along with the Helmet of the Abyssal cosmetic.
The provided source material also mentions the availability of a "Discord Avatar" as part of the reward structure, though specific details regarding the requirements to unlock this particular item are not elaborated upon in the available text.
Accessing the Game and Platform Availability
To participate in the Free Weekend and unlock the associated cosmetics, players simply needed to download and play Path of Exile 2 during the event window. The download process varied slightly depending on the platform:
- PC Standalone: Users could create an account or log in at the official pathofexile2.com domain to download the dedicated client.
- Steam: The game was available directly via the Steam Store interface.
- Epic Games: Users could download the game from the Epic Games Store.
- Xbox and PlayStation 5: The game was searchable and downloadable from each platform’s respective digital store.
The event marked the first time the game was playable without an Early Access key, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for the general public.
Additional Promotional Offers: Mystery Box and Sales
While the Free Weekend focused on gameplay rewards, separate promotional offers were also active during the same timeframe. Source material indicates a "Popular Microtransactions Weekend Sale" was running, offering discounts on various cosmetic items such as cloaks, wings, and full armor sets.
Additionally, a free "Necropolis Mystery Box" was available to players who spent points during the event. The terms of this offer stipulated that:
- The offer was available on both PC and consoles.
- Only one free Necropolis Mystery Box could be obtained per player, regardless of the number of additional microtransaction purchases made.
- Purchasing a supporter pack did not directly grant a mystery box, but spending points derived from a supporter pack did qualify for the promotion.
- If a player had already unlocked all microtransactions available in the Necropolis Mystery Box, they would receive two "Harmony Mystery Boxes" instead.
It is worth noting that the source material distinguishes these mystery box offers from the exclusive Free Weekend Act One quest rewards. The mystery boxes were tied to spending points, whereas the Exile’s Hood, Staff, and Cloak were earned purely through gameplay progression.
Important Considerations for Players
Players wishing to claim these rewards needed to adhere strictly to the event timeline. The Free Weekend concluded on September 1 at 1 PM PDT. Any gameplay or progress made outside of this window would not count toward the exclusive cosmetic rewards. The source material confirms that the rewards are permanent and will remain on the account forever, similar to other Path of Exile microtransactions.
Furthermore, the source material clarifies that the cosmetic items do not affect character power, adhering to the game's standard design philosophy regarding microtransactions. The event served as both a trial for new players and a reward system for existing players, with the cosmetic items acting as a commemorative token for participating in the "The Third Edict" Free Weekend.
Conclusion
The Path of Exile 2 Free Weekend provided a comprehensive opportunity for UK players and global audiences to access the game without cost across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms. By simply playing the game between August 29 and September 1, participants could permanently unlock three exclusive cosmetic items: the Exile’s Hood, Staff Skin, and Cloak Back Attachment, by progressing through Act One. Additional rewards were available via Twitch engagement, specifically a stash skin and helmet cosmetic for three hours of watch time. While separate sales and mystery box promotions were active, the core Free Weekend rewards required no financial commitment, serving as a direct incentive for player engagement during the launch window of "The Third Edict."