Path of Exile 2 is a deeply intricate game that offers players an extensive array of skills, items, and customization options to tailor their characters to their unique playstyle. Just when you think you've mastered every facet of your character's abilities, you're presented with the exciting challenge of selecting an Ascendancy Class!
Currently, in the early access phase of PoE2, each class boasts two progression paths, but by the time of the full release, players will enjoy three. Let's delve into the fascinating world of the existing Ascendancies and explore what each offers.
For those keen on optimizing their gameplay from the start, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on choosing the best build to kick off your adventure in Path of Exile 2.
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Table of Contents
- Witch Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
- Infernalist
- Blood Mage
- Sorcerer Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
- Stormweaver
- Chronomancer
- Warrior Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
- Warbringer
- Titan
- Monk Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
- Invoker
- Acolyte of Chayula
- Mercenary Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
- Witchhunter
- Gemling Legionnaire
- Ranger Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
- Deadeye
- Pathfinder
Witch Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Infernalist
The Infernalist stands out as one of the top Witch classes at the moment. This formidable character wields an extensive range of fire spells, and for those who relished summoning minions early in the game, the Infernalist offers a thrilling new skill: the Infernal Hound, summoned directly from the underworld to bolster your forces.
Dreaming of transforming into a hellish beast? The Infernalist can make it happen. By adopting a demonic form, the Witch gains enhanced attack damage and mobility, albeit at the cost of quicker health depletion. To endure longer in this form, the Loyal Hellhound skill is crucial. Additionally, the Beidat's Will node ties your Spirit to your maximum HP, necessitating investment in both HP and Strength to command an undead army effectively.
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Blood Mage
While not as balanced or popular as the Infernalist, the Blood Mage offers an enthralling gameplay experience. Embracing Sanguimancy means treading a fine line between life and death, as your character uses HP instead of MP, making reckless play dangerous.
To offset this risk, skills like Vitality Siphon and Life Remnants drain health from enemies. Sunder the Flesh raises the critical hit chance needed to activate buffs, while Gore Spike amplifies attack damage. This class is perfect for those who enjoy a high-risk, high-reward playstyle.
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Sorcerer Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Stormweaver
Stormweaver is a Sorcerer who excels in dealing massive elemental damage, often with a high critical hit chance, triggering Elemental Storm through Tempest Caller. Central to the Stormweaver's strategy is inflicting status ailments on enemies, bolstered by the passive skill Strike Twice. Utilizing Spirit Gems, the hero can amplify elemental attack damage against groups of affected enemies.
Constant Gale and Force of Will enhance spell casting speed and MP regeneration, vital for a spell-centric playstyle. The unique Heart of the Storm node boosts survivability by converting part of Elemental Damage into an Energy Shield, ensuring the character can withstand multiple attacks.
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Chronomancer
The Chronomancer introduces a novel class not found in the original Path of Exile, manipulating time to control the battlefield. Exclusive spells like Temporal Rift and Time Freeze open up new tactical possibilities for combos and creative play.
Although currently not the strongest Sorcerer Ascendancy, the Chronomancer holds great potential. Skills such as Now and Again, which grants a chance to bypass spell cooldowns, Apex of the Moment, which slows nearby monsters, and Quicksand Hourglass, which accelerates magic creation, showcase the time-manipulating prowess of this class.
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Warrior Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Warbringer
The Warbringer melds war cries with totem summons for close combat, focusing on maximizing melee damage. This tactic proves effective against bosses, as totems can distract and absorb damage. Enhance your armor penetration with Imploding Impacts and Anvil’s Weight to boost this build’s effectiveness.
Warcaller’s Bellow causes enemy corpses to explode upon using a Warcry, while Greatwolf’s Howl removes Warcry cooldowns. For a defensive approach, Renly’s Training and Turtle Charm enhance shield and blocking capabilities, offering a versatile playstyle.
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Titan
Prefer a more controlled, less risky approach? The Titan path is ideal. With powerful but slow attacks, Titans paralyze foes, compelling them to break through formidable armor before inflicting damage. Stone Skin boosts the defensive power of gear by 50%, and Mysterious Lineage increases max HP by 15%, enhancing survivability.
Yet, Titans aren't just about defense; they can deal significant damage too. Earthbreaker and Ancestral Empowerment strengthen Slam abilities, and Surprising Strength boosts damage against stunned enemies by 40%, making the Titan a versatile choice.
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Monk Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Invoker
The Invoker empowers Monks to harness elemental forces, offering powerful abilities and status-enhancing effects. This melee-focused class utilizes elemental damage and status effects to decimate enemies and trigger potent effects. The ability to use Power Charges to enhance skills adds a strategic layer to the gameplay.
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Acolyte of Chayula
Embracing Darkness, the Acolyte of Chayula gains control over dark forces from Chayula. With the Embrace the Darkness skill, the Monk can forgo Spirit, increasing the maximum Darkness to 100 and enhancing survivability.
To bolster defenses further, Consuming Questions can be paired with Mana Leech. However, caution is necessary as this setup eliminates the Energy Shield’s cooldown, making it dependent on MP drain, which is currently inefficient. Until this issue is resolved, the Acolyte remains less favorable than the Invoker.
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Mercenary Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Witchhunter
The Witchhunter is among the strongest classes in the current version of the game, excelling at hunting and eliminating demons and the undead. Dealing increased damage on both the first and last hits, the Witchhunter swiftly clears weaker enemies. Against bosses, passive skills like Pitiless Killer, Damage vs Low Life Enemies, and Judge, Jury, and Executioner are crucial for securing victory.
Witchbane and No Mercy enable a playstyle focused on reducing enemy concentration and dealing increased damage. The Zealous Inquisition node reflects the Witchhunter’s hatred for demons and the undead, with a 10% chance to make slain enemies explode, damaging nearby foes.
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Gemling Legionnaire
The Gemling Legionnaire offers a unique gameplay centered around gems, not just in terms of stats and quality but also color. Thaumaturgical Infusion increases resistances based on the number of equipped stones of a particular color. Crystalline Potential and Implanted Gems enhance the level of all skills.
Advanced Thaumaturgy reduces skill costs and attribute requirements, similar to Adaptive Capability. Integrated Efficiency expands the arsenal of active skills by three additional slots, while Gem Studded allows the use of two identical Support stones, fostering experimentation and powerful builds.
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Ranger Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Deadeye
The Deadeye follows a familiar gameplay style for ranged combat enthusiasts. Unique passive skills increase effective attack range and enhance damage output. Endless Munitions allows firing one additional projectile per skill use, ideal for clearing screens of enemies.
This path is perfect for those who prefer traditional bows over modern crossbows and aim to focus on elemental damage. Increased movement speed, extra projectiles, and an additional Mark prove invaluable.
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Pathfinder
For fans of green and poison mechanics, the Pathfinder is the ideal choice. This class excels at draining enemies' health with double effectiveness. The passive skill Overwhelming Toxicity doubles the Poison applied but shortens the debuff duration.
Be cautious, as one of the class’s signature weapons is the gas grenade, which, combined with high movement speed and slow resistance, allows you to cover the battlefield in toxic mist efficiently. If you enjoy unique gameplay and poison mechanics, the Pathfinder is your path.
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Remember, we've only explored twelve of the planned thirty-six Ascendancy Classes. As Path of Exile 2 progresses through early access, these are the currently available specializations. More will be added over time, and future updates may alter passive skills, potentially changing details in this guide from the final version.
