PoE 2 Duelist - Overview, Skills and Ascendancies

NOTE: EVERYTHING IN THIS ARTICLE IS CURRENTLY SPECULATIVE

Gamescom 2026 included some teasers of the Duelist: a new Class coming to Path of Exile 2 1.0, which is set for release on December 11 2026.

The Duelist is a hybrid Strength/Dexterity Class, originating at the bottom-middle of the Passive Skill Tree at the same location as the Mercenary.

This location on the Passive Skill Tree enables the Duelist to specialise into nodes that boost Armour, Evasion, Melee, Projectile and more, allowing for a lot of freedom in buildcrafting

Swords

The iconic weapon class for the Duelist is the Sword. One-handed Swords are available for dual-wielding or use alongside a Shield or Sceptre, or alternatively you may choose to use a two-handed Sword instead for a higher damage option.

Every Class in Path of Exile 2 is designed with a weapon type and tailored Skill Gems, and the Duelist is no different, offering an array of Sword-specific Skill options. Remember that any Class can use any weapon and/or Skill Gems in Path of Exile 2, so the Sword is simply a recommendation for use on the Duelist.

From the gameplay trailer we have seen, some Skills seem very likely

Reave

In Path of Exile 1, Reave is a Skill that attacks in an area in front of you, gaining more Area of Effect with each successive hit

Double Strike

Double Strike is a Skill that performs two fast strikes with a Sword that hits the same target twice

Lightning Strike (?)

It's uncertain whether or not this Skill is in fact Lightning Strike, but the beam descending from the sky looks reminiscent of the PoE 1 version of the Skill. Lightning Strike infuses your weapon with Lightning and releases Lightning Projectiles from your weapon as you strike.

Cyclone (Blood Stance?)

Two different versions of the Sword Skill Cyclone were showed, with one being red and the other being yellow. This is reminiscent of the Blood and Sand Skill in Path of Exile 1 that allows players to adjust their stance in order to gain different benefits

Cyclone (Sand Stance?)

The second of the two Cyclone Skills seen in the trailer that suggests Sand Stance, that presumably increases Area of Effect and releases additional Cyclones behind the Duelist while using the Skill.

We haven't seen any information on Duelist Ascendancies yet!

If you're looking to learn Path of Exile 2 before its full 1.0 launch, check out some of our guides here:

• PoE 2 1.0 Release Date
• Beginner Guides
• Mechanics Guides
• Endgame Guides
• Build Guides