What actually changed with Path of Exile 2 patch 0.5?

Return of the Ancients is the first update in a while that really changes what you do after the campaign. It went live on May 29, 2026, and it brought a new league, a reshaped Atlas, two ascendancies, and the in-game Build Planner. If you're coming back after a break, don't just check your stash and rush maps. The way you plan skills, chase PoE2 Items, and move into endgame has shifted quite a bit. Fate of the Vaal characters weren't wiped either, which is good news for anyone who had old progress sitting around.

Is the new Atlas easier to understand now?

Yes, and that's probably the biggest practical win in patch 0.5. Before this update, a lot of players hit the end of the campaign and felt like the game had dumped a pile of systems on the floor. Now the post-campaign flow gives you more direction. You're introduced to older league mechanics through storylines, then pushed toward weaker versions of pinnacle bosses. It's still Path of Exile, so no, it hasn't become simple. But you get a clearer path. There's less of that awkward "where am I meant to go now?" feeling after the credits roll.

What's the deal with Runes of Aldur and the new ascendancies?

Runes of Aldur is the new league mechanic, built around rune crafting and unusual item upgrades. The broad idea is clear enough: you're hunting for powerful ways to alter gear. The fine details, though, still need careful checking against official patch data, especially for unique runes and item filter rules. Patch 0.5 also adds Spirit Walker and Martial Artist. Spirit Walker already has strong build coverage, especially for Huntress setups using Twisters, cold conversion, Evasion, Deflection, and Summoned Bear protection. Martial Artist is getting plenty of attention too, mostly from Monk-style builds, but exact node discussion is still thinner than players would like.

How does the in-game Build Planner work?

The Build Planner is useful, but it's not magic. You download a valid.build file, place it in the BuildPlanner folder under Documents, then load it from the passive tree screen in-game. On Windows, the normal path is C:\Users\YourUserName\Documents\My Games\Path of Exile 2\BuildPlanner. The file can show passive routes, weapon set paths, gem choices, item notes, and creator comments. If something's missing, that usually means the guide author didn't include it. Also, don't mix up Maxroll's buttons. Export Build Planner creates the file for the game. Import Build Planner is for bringing a file back into Maxroll's planner.

What should players watch out for before following a 0.5 build?

Pick the build file that matches your stage of play. Campaign, maps, and endgame versions may be separate, and loading the wrong one can make the tree look messy or way too far ahead. If the file doesn't appear, check the folder, the extension, and whether it accidentally saved as.build.txt. For builds like Spirit Walker Twisters, small details matter too. Ice-Tipped Arrows needs to sit with Twister on the right weapon set, and flat damage can matter more than displayed DPS. When upgrading PoE2 gear, players should slow down, read the guide notes, and not assume the planner is making decisions for them.