Stuck at "Contacting Server" due to Client CRIT Error (MarakethGuards/rig.ast)

Hello.

All my characters (in PoE 2, 0.5) is completely stuck at the character selection screen with a permanent "Contacting Server" message. In my Client.txt file, I see a consistent critical crash error: [Art/Models/NPC/MarakethGuards/rig.ast] Bone: phys_skinned_tassel_jntBnd_1 has no vertex influences.

I have tried clearing shader caches, reinstalling, changing renderers (DX12/Vulkan), and disabling multithreading. Tried standalone and steam version, disabling NVidia shader cashe. But nothing works.

I see a lot of similar posts in "Known issues", but cant find answer, what to do.