PoE 2 Classes & Ascendancies

Overview

Path of Exile 2 will have 12 character classes, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and unique forms of combat.

Unlike other ARPGs, character classes in PoE 2 are not limited to their skill choices. Since skills come in the form of Skill Gems, all classes have the ability to use any gem of their choice, meaning that you aren’t limited to playing melee on a classic Warrior class, or a spell-based build on a Sorceress.

If you are creative and skilled enough to find something that works. Don’t feel afraid to experiment and push the limits of your imagination when it comes to build-making, but as a new player, allow the game to guide you with the recommended skill choices.

Ascendancy Classes

Despite all classes being able to use any Skill they want to, what sets each one apart is not only their starting position on the Passive Skill Tree, but also their ability to Ascend into a sub-class.

In Path of Exile 2, each class will have 3 sub-classes, known as Ascendancies, which allow players to further specialise their character and tailor it to their exact needs.

Early Access will start with 6 playable classes, each with 2 Ascendancies to start out. As of right now, you CANNOT change your Ascendancy. You can however, change the points you allocate on the Ascendancy Tree.

Things may change in the future.

Attributes

In Path of Exile 2, there are 3 Attribute types: Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence. Each character class is associated with either one or two of these attribute types. There are two classes for each Attribute group: 2 for Strength, 2 for Dexterity, 2 for Intelligence, and then 2 for hybrid classes of Strength/Intelligence, Strength/Dexterity, and Dexterity/Intelligence

In today’s guide, we’ll be doing a brief overview of each of the 6 of 12 upcoming classes to help you choose which one to play in Early Access!  (Also briefly cover Huntress/Druid, but they are not currently available)

• Archetype(s): Two-handed Mace-wielding, Melee Tank
• Primary Attribute: Strength
• Starting Position on Tree: Left-hand side
• Difficulty: Medium

The Warrior is the classic tanky melee class, specializing in wielding large weapons and fighting in close-combat. If you’re a fan of slamming enemies with massive two-handed Maces and watching them explode in front of you, The Warrior might be your pick.

Note: because of the close-combat nature of the class, The Warrior might be trickier to play for brand new players than ranged classes. However Path of Exile 2 does have some systems in place that will help you to stay alive, even when you’re standing toe-to-toe with swarms of enemies.

Titan

The Warrior is able to Ascend into a Titan which will further enhance his Slam Skills, Stun capabilities and improve his defences.

Warbringer

The Warrior's second Ascendancy is the Warbringer: A class that allows him to further empower his Ancestral Totems and Warcries to help detonate his foes.

• Archetype(s): Summoner / Dark Mage
• Primary Attribute: Intelligence
• Starting Position on Tree: Centre Top
• Difficulty: Beginner-Friendly / Difficult
• Archetype(s): Summoner / Dark Mage

The Witch is Path of Exile 2’s version of a Necromancer class, which many of you might be more familiar with. This class specialises in summoning hordes of undead minions to fight for her, but also dark occult energies that can empower her army to take down large foes as well as packs of enemies. 

The Witch can reserve her Spirit to summon a range of minions, from Skeletons, to copies of slain enemies in the form of Spectres, to more short-term allies that rush into battle to explode on top of enemies. She is also able to cast spells such as Contagion to infect her own minions which allows them to spread poison throughout packs of enemies. 

Path of Exile 2 also allows characters to be able to manipulate their minions to perform actions as needed, instead of having them mindlessly run around and not doing what you want them to.

Infernalist

The Infernalist is able to summon a Loyal Hellhound companion and convert her Mana into Infernal Flame to help set her enemies ablaze. But the real calling card of this class is her Demon Form which transforms the Witch into an unholy miscreation to increase her cast speed and damage at the expense of her own Life.

Blood Mage

The Blood Mage is a master of life and energy. She draws power from her own lifepool and by tapping into this dark power, she is able to deal incredible amounts of damage and Leech back some of the Life she uses to cast her Spells.

Note: Currently the Blood Mage is a very difficult Ascendancy Class to get going/strong. Things may change with patches, but keep this in mind if you're thinking about picking the Blood Mage.

• Archetype(s): Archer
• Primary Attribute: Dexterity
• Starting Position on Tree: Right Side
• Difficulty: Beginner Friendly

The Ranger is Path of Exile 2’s classic Bow-wielding, Legolas-inspired Archer class. The Ranger is swift, mobile and can spray down enemies with a barrage of elemental arrows (Fire/Cold/Lightning), or with an array of Poison-based skills that litter the battlefield with toxic pustules that explode on enemies

The Ranger also features abilities that allow her to move in and out of combat, or leap backwards, high into the air while shooting explosive cold projectiles that slow enemies.

Deadeye

The Ranger is currently able to ascend into The Deadeye, a class that transforms her into an expert Markswoman that fires even more arrows, more quickly, and with deadly accuracy.

Pathfinder

The Pathfinder Ascendancy is also available and will make The Ranger’s poison abilities far more potent and contagious, causing them to naturally spread throughout packs of enemies. The Pathfinder is also able to move very swiftly while still attacking and throwing chemical concoctions to exsanguinate her enemies.

• Archetype(s): Elemental Spell Caster / Wizard
• Primary Attribute: Intelligence
• Starting Position on Tree: Centre Top
• Difficulty: Varies

The Sorceress is a classic spellcasting mage that wields the elements to lay waste to her enemies. Through the use of Fire, Cold and Lightning magic, the Sorceress will feel familiar to players who have enjoyed Wizards or Mages in other ARPGs.

Whether you enjoy burning up monsters with torrents of Fireballs, freezing and then explosively shattering mobs with frozen comets, or zapping entire packs of enemies with arcing lightning bolts, the Sorceress should satisfy players looking for flashy, explosive and colourful spell-based combat. 

Chronomancer

The Sorceress can specialise as The Chronomancer, a mage capable of harnessing the power of time itself. As this Ascendancy, she will be able to not only slow her enemies, but also stop, and even rewind time.

Stormweaver

The Stormweaver is the second of the two known Sorceress Ascendancies available. This class turns the Sorceress into a master of the elements, making her spells hit faster, harder and apply debilitating debuffs on large packs of foes.

• Archetype(s): Explosive Crossbow-Wielding, Grenade-Throwing One-Man-Army
• Primary Attributes: Dexterity/Strength
• Starting Position on Tree: Bottom 
• Difficulty: Medium / Complex 

The Mercenary is a truly unique class that at first glance might appear to be similar to a Ranger, but instead of wielding a bow, he chooses Crossbows. In Path of Exile 2, there are a variety of different Crossbow types that can allow the Mercenary to either spray down enemies with a gatling-gun type spray of incendiary bolts, snipe them from afar with high damage, or use frozen ballista style heavy Crossbow attacks. This class is inspired by third-person shooter games, so it might appeal to players who enjoy gun-based gameplay

Other than Crossbows, the Mercenary specialises in using elemental grenades that can freeze enemies, or cover them in flammable oil. Once covered in oil, if an enemy is hit with fire damage, it will ignite, causing an inferno to spread throughout packs of monsters. The Mercenary seems to be an incredibly versatile class with many tools at his disposal to help him to be victorious in all circumstances.

This class might be more combo-focused, and require good positioning and skill-usage to feel his full effect, but it is truly one of the most interesting and unique classes ever seen in ARPGs.

Witch Hunter

The Witch Hunter is a masterful boss slayer, capable of delivering massive damage to even the toughest of enemies. He is also more resistant to magic, which makes him a specialised mage-slayer.

Gemling Legionnaire

The Gemling Legionnaire sockets Gems into his own flesh to increase the number of Skill Gems he has available, making him the most versatile combatant of all. No other class is able to use as many Skills as him, meaning he’ll be prepared for any situation he finds himself in.

• Archetype(s): Staff wielding holy warrior
• Primary Attributes: Strength/Intelligence
• Starting Position on Tree: Left Side 
• Difficulty: Medium / Complex

The Monk is a fighter that excels in agile combat, dashing in and out of the fray with quick Staff attacks, while landing killing blows on enemies with unarmed attacks to empower his next elemental explosion. The Monk also has a magical aspect to him, being able to drop massive, metal bells which he can hit with other attacks to further increase his damage, as well as by quickly generating and expending Power Charges to enhance his abilities. 

Many of The Monk’s abilities involve movement – some skills will cause him to dash forward, hitting enemies with Lightning-infused Staff slams, another skill allows him to leap into the air, spinning his weapon and hitting multiple enemies in rapid succession. The Monk is also able to imbue his attacks with Cold and other elements that become more explosive when expending the Power Charges generated from killing blows.

The Monk appears to be a more advanced, combo-based class, but his mobile playstyle will appeal to enjoyers of fast paced, anime-style combat.

Invoker

The Invoker is so perfectly in tune with nature, he is capable of temporarily ascending into a godlike elemental avatar, allowing him to deal massive elemental damage with ease.

Acolyte of Chayula

The Acolyte of Chayula finds his power from a darker source: Breach itself. This Ascendancy casts aside his Spirit resource for Darkness instead, which grants him both powerful defensive and offensive Chaos capabilities.

• Archetype(s): Elemental Shape Shifter
• Primary Attributes: Strength/Intelligence
• Starting Position on Tree: Left Side 
• Difficulty: Assumed to be Complex

If you like the idea of shapeshifting into a massive Werebear, slamming the ground with your paws and causing your summoned volcanoes to erupt with balls of molten magma, The Druid might be right up your alley.

The Druid is not only able to transform into a bear, but also other creatures, such as a Werewolf and is able to morph in and out of his human form as needed to cast different skills. This class is a perfect blend of raw, primal energy for players who enjoy hybrid elemental spell-casting and more melee-focused combat. 

Many of The Druid’s elemental abilities can interact with his shapeshifted form, meaning it should be a true hybrid class instead of one where a player ends up only playing as either a Warrior or Mage- style character. This class might be more complex for newer players, but if you enjoy steamrolling enemies with your paws as a giant bear while lightning and brimstone rains from the sky, you’ll feel happy playing this Class.

Druid Old Gameplay Showcase

• Archetype(s): Spear Warrior
• Primary Attribute: Dexterity
• Starting Position on Tree: Right Side
• Difficulty: Uncertain

Unlike the Ranger, the other pure Dexterity class, the Huntress is more focused on a blend of close and ranged combat with Spears instead of Bows.

While this class was available for play during the 2023 Exilecon, little to no other information has been shared about the class at this stage. Anecdotally, the Huntress is touted as a powerful, fast warrior that moves quickly in and out of combat with her elementally imbued Spears.

This may have changed since 2023. The footage that exists of this class is fairly out of date, but we have included a link to see The Huntress in action. Just expect some extensive changes to the class upon her release.

Huntress Old Gameplay Showcase

There are still 4 more classes that GGG has not revealed for Path of Exile 2, but we are able to speculate on some of their designs based on their names and how those classes exist in Path of Exile 1.

Shadow: Intelligence/Dexterity Hybrid 

We have no information on this class as of yet, but we have seen that Traps and Mines are now equippable items that can be crafted and used by characters in Path of Exile 2. For this reason, it’s fairly safe to assume that this will be a trap or mine-based class

Templar: Strength/Intelligence Hybrid

No information exists on The Templar at this stage. In Path of Exile 1, Templars are commonly played as mages that summon Totems to fight for them, or as tanky spell-based builds that can soak up more damage than pure Intelligence spell casters while still dealing large amounts of elemental damage. In Path of Exile 2, they may be more focused around Flails and other holy magic as well as summoning.

Marauder: Strength

Little is known about this class in Path of Exile 2 at this stage, or if it will even be known as The Marauder. Presumed to be an attack-based, tanky class that wields Axes, but who knows what GGG will cook up

Duelist: Dexterity/Strength

No information has been revealed about this class at this stage. Most likely another attack-based class that may use Shields or dual-wielding in interesting ways.

No matter which class you pick, know that each has its strengths and weaknesses, and you should never feel limited to strictly adhere to the thematic suggestion of what the class is supposed to do.

Path of Exile 1 has featured many spell-casting Marauders, and attack-based Witches over the years, so when you have the confidence, knowledge and creativity to experiment, don’t hold back!