The December patch is now live in Path of Exile, updating Grinding Gears' action/RPG to version 2.1.0. This introduces Rigwald, the Wolven King (of the Brat Pack) and kicks off standard and hardcore versions of the new Talisman Challenge Leagues, which put new and veteran players on equal footing by offering new content on fresh servers. Here's more on the release:

Circles of floating stones, assembled by ancient Ezomyte Druids, are now part of the landscape of Wraeclast in the Talisman leagues. Players can sacrifice sets of five different Talismans from a similar tier to summon a powerful possessed monster. Defeating the summoned creature allows the player to claim the new, higher-tier Talisman.

Content Update 2.1.0 also introduces Rigwald, the Wolven King, a new end-game boss that poses a lethal threat to Path of Exile players. Possessed by the greatest of Talismans, the Wolven King provides the ultimate challenge but also yields a substantial prize to the players that can defeat him.

As with any Path of Exile update, 2.1.0 features a cornucopia of new unique items, support gems, and spells. Additionally, this update will increase the variety of skills available for bow users and dramatically increase options available to poison-based characters.