Diablo V

Diablo 5 vs Path of Exile 2: Differences and Similarities

Diablo V (Diablo 5) and Path of Exile 2 are action RPGs built on ideas from Diablo II, but they are at different stages: Path of Exile 2 has been playable in early access since December 6, 2024, and fully launches as a free-to-play game on December 11, 2026, while Diablo V is due in spring 2029, according to Blizzard (as of October 20, 2026). Diablo V’s skills, passive tree, trading and seasons have not been announced.

Partly known Diablo V: core ideas confirmed, many systems open By RaidDex Team · · Official sources last checked October 21, 2026

Last changed Oct 20, 2026: The table now links RaidDex’s news on the Path of Exile 2 full release on December 11, 2026. All changes →

Path of Exile 2 and Diablo V compared

FeaturePath of Exile 2Diablo V
DeveloperGrinding Gear GamesBlizzard Entertainment
StatusEarly access (version 0.5.5), full release on December 11, 2026Announced, due in spring 2029
Business modelPaid early access, free to play with an in-game shop from 1.0Not announced
PlatformsPC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|SNot announced, PC and Battle.net called foundational
ClassesEight with Ascendancies, plus the Duelist from 1.0; twelve plannedThree revealed, more at launch than ever before
SkillsFrom gems, not tied to a class; support gems go directly into the skillNot shown; planning and builds are meant to matter
Passive treeOne large tree for all classes, plus Ascendancies and weapon set pointsSkill tree and Paragon not announced
ItemsCrafting with currency, essences and omens; runes for socketsRunewords, sets, grid inventory, belt
TradingYes, via trade site and currency exchangeNot announced
WorldWraeclast: campaign in a fixed sequence of acts with randomly generated areas, then the AtlasProcedural, reshaped by terror-forming
Towns and campsOne town per act, hideouts in the endgameNo towns, the caravan travels with you
MultiplayerCo-op for up to six playersCo-op for all content, party size open
Leagues and seasonsLeagues with a fresh economy, plus StandardNot announced
EndgameAtlas with Waystones, Atlas tree, pinnacle bossesPromised for launch, not shown yet

Path of Exile 2 per Grinding Gear Games, Diablo V per Blizzard and developer interviews. As of October 20, 2026.

Sources: Steam: Path of Exile 2 store page with Grinding Gear Games’ early access notes · Grinding Gear Games: Path of Exile 2 Fully Releases on December 11! (Aug 25, 2026) · Grinding Gear Games: Forbidden Rites FAQ (Aug 31, 2026) · Grinding Gear Games: Full Release Registration FAQ (platforms, Aug 26, 2026) · Path of Exile 2: official trade site · Blizzard: Diablo V Is Coming Spring 2029 · Blizzard: Diablo V – Forging the Next Era · X: Joe Shely on Sept 29, 2026 · PC Gamer: Diablo 5 will fully support multiplayer · Kotaku: Blizzard on platforms (update Sept 21, 2026) · TechRadar: complex systems deferred to the endgame

What the two games have in common

Both are isometric action RPGs built around loot and builds, and both use building blocks that already defined Diablo II: a grid inventory, a belt slot and gear that can require stats such as Strength or Intelligence. Path of Exile 2 has used them since early access. For Diablo V, Blizzard writes: “Itemization in Diablo V is inspired by Diablo II” – the grid and the belt return, and stat requirements are being tested.

The Monk is also a class in both games, both have loot filters, and you can play both solo or in a group. How far the similarities go stays open until Blizzard shows Diablo V’s combat and skills.

Sources: Steam: Path of Exile 2 store page with Grinding Gear Games’ early access notes · Grinding Gear Games: Forbidden Rites FAQ (Aug 31, 2026) · Blizzard: Diablo V – Forging the Next Era · GameSpot: combat · Rhykker: interview with Joe Shely and John Mueller (video, Oct 7, 2026) · PC Gamer: Diablo 5 will fully support multiplayer

Where Diablo V wants to be different

First, there are no towns: Diablo destroyed them, and your caravan of survivors travels with you, providing vendors, crafting and all side quests. Path of Exile 2 has one town per act – in Act 2 that town is the Ardura Caravan, but there it is just one town among several.

Second, the world is procedural. Diablo’s Dread Commanders reshape areas through terror-forming; when you return, terrain, monsters and rewards can differ. Path of Exile 2 uses a fixed sequence of acts; their areas are randomly generated, but no antagonist reshapes them.

Third, Diablo II-style runewords become part of crafting. Path of Exile 2 has runes as well, as socketables with a fixed effect for each item type.

Fourth, the direction of combat: according to senior game director Joe Shely, some mechanics that demand quick execution remain, but on balance Diablo V will be “an INT/STR game (planning and investment).” Any challenge should be beatable with the right build, and more complex systems are meant to kick in only in the endgame.

Sources: Blizzard: Diablo V – Forging the Next Era · Esquire: Diablo V first look · TechRadar: Diablo 5 will tell three stories · X: Joe Shely on Sept 29, 2026 · TechRadar: complex systems deferred to the endgame · Steam: Path of Exile 2 store page with Grinding Gear Games’ early access notes

Who might enjoy what

You don’t want to wait Path of Exile 2 is playable and free from December 11, 2026; Diablo V follows in spring 2029. You love theorycrafting Path of Exile 2 has a large passive tree and gems that are not tied to a class. Diablo V aims to be a game of planning. You want a Diablo story Diablo V shows Sanctuary after Diablo’s victory. Path of Exile 2 is set in Wraeclast, a world of its own. You trade and play in groups Path of Exile 2 has trading and co-op for up to six players. Diablo V: co-op confirmed, trading open.

No verdict, just the status as of October 20, 2026.

Key dates for Path of Exile 2 and Diablo V

  1. Path of Exile 2: Early access begins Source: Steam: Path of Exile 2 store page with Grinding Gear Games’ early access notes
  2. Path of Exile 2: Version 0.5.5 with the Forbidden Rites event league Source: Grinding Gear Games: Forbidden Rites FAQ (Aug 31, 2026)
  3. Diablo V: Announced at BlizzCon 2026 → Source: Blizzard: Diablo V Is Coming Spring 2029
  4. planned Path of Exile 2: ExileCon 2026 on November 7 and 8 (New Zealand time) Source: Grinding Gear Games: One Month until ExileCon 2026 (Oct 6, 2026)
  5. planned Path of Exile 2: Full 1.0 release, free to play, with the Duelist Sources: Grinding Gear Games: Path of Exile 2 Fully Releases on December 11! (Aug 25, 2026) · Grinding Gear Games: Forbidden Rites FAQ (Aug 31, 2026)
  6. 2027 planned Diablo V: Regular developer updates Source: Blizzard: Diablo V – Forging the Next Era
  7. 2029 planned Diablo V: Release in spring 2029 → Source: Blizzard: Diablo V Is Coming Spring 2029

What is still open

For Diablo V, much is still missing (as of October 20, 2026): skills, a passive tree, Paragon, trading, seasons, the business model, platforms and party size have not been announced. Blizzard plans regular developer updates from 2027.

Path of Exile 2 leaves early access on December 11, 2026, and Grinding Gear Games has promised new announcements for ExileCon on November 7 and 8, 2026. For everything on the game, see our Path of Exile 2 section with its passive tree and build planner; for Diablo 5 compared with its predecessor, see Diablo 5 vs Diablo 4.

Sources: Blizzard: Diablo V – Forging the Next Era · Grinding Gear Games: Path of Exile 2 Fully Releases on December 11! (Aug 25, 2026) · Grinding Gear Games: One Month until ExileCon 2026 (Oct 6, 2026)

Frequently asked questions

Is Diablo 5 a response to Path of Exile 2?
There is no evidence for that (as of October 20, 2026). We know of no statement by Blizzard that links Diablo V to Path of Exile 2. The team names Diablo II as a model, along with Diablo IV, whose technology the game builds on.
Can I play Path of Exile 2 while waiting for Diablo 5?
Yes. Path of Exile 2 has been playable in early access since December 6, 2024, and is free from December 11, 2026. Diablo V is due in spring 2029, according to Blizzard (as of October 20, 2026). To get started, see our Path of Exile 2 database.
Is Path of Exile 2 free, and how much will Diablo 5 cost?
Early access to Path of Exile 2 costs money, and from December 11, 2026 it is free to play, according to Grinding Gear Games. Price and business model for Diablo V have not been announced (as of October 20, 2026); see price and editions.
Does Diablo 5 have a passive tree like Path of Exile 2?
Not announced. Blizzard has shown no skills, skill tree or Paragon system for Diablo V (as of October 20, 2026). Only the direction is known: builds over reflexes.
Can you trade in Diablo 5 like in Path of Exile 2?
Trading has not been announced for Diablo V, and no developer has commented on it (as of October 20, 2026). In Path of Exile 2, players trade via the official trade site and a currency exchange.

Changes to this page

  1. The table now links RaidDex’s news on the Path of Exile 2 full release on December 11, 2026.
  2. New page: Diablo 5 and Path of Exile 2 compared – table, differences, key dates.

Sources for this page

We only use official information from Blizzard and verbatim statements by the developers. Anything not announced is listed as open.

As of October 20, 2026 · Images: Blizzard Entertainment (concept art, not final)

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