Path of Exile 2 is a game renowned for its complexity, offering players the ability to tailor their characters with hundreds of skills, items, and other customization options. As you dive deeper into mastering these abilities, the next significant challenge awaits—selecting an Ascendancy Class. Currently, in the early access phase of PoE2, each class features two progression paths, with a third set to be added by the full release. Let's explore the existing Ascendancies and what they bring to the table.
For those eager to jumpstart their journey, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on choosing the best build to start the game.
Image: ensigame.com
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 most potent Witches in the current meta, armed with an extensive array of fire spells. For those who relish summoning multiple minions early on, the Infernalist class introduces a new skill—the Infernal Hound, a fearsome ally summoned straight from the underworld. Furthermore, if you've ever fantasized about transforming into a hellish beast, the Infernalist's demonic form not only boosts your attack damage and mobility but also increases your vulnerability due to faster health depletion. To mitigate this, the Loyal Hellhound skill becomes essential. Additionally, the Beidat's Will node ties your Spirit to your maximum HP, necessitating investments in both Strength and HP to command an undead army effectively.
Image: ensigame.com
Blood Mage
Though not as popular or balanced as the Infernalist, the Blood Mage offers a thrilling gameplay experience. With Sanguimancy at its core, this class treads a razor-thin line between life and death, using HP instead of MP. This unique mechanic demands careful play, as recklessness can swiftly lead to demise. To counteract this, skills like Vitality Siphon and Life Remnants leech health from foes, while Sunder the Flesh enhances critical hit chances for buffs, and Gore Spike amplifies attack damage.
Image: ensigame.com
Sorcerer Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Stormweaver
The Stormweaver is a Sorcerer known for dealing massive elemental damage, often with a high critical hit rate, triggering the Elemental Storm through Tempest Caller. A key strategy involves inflicting status ailments on enemies, facilitated by the passive skill Strike Twice. Utilizing the new Spirit Gems mechanic, the Stormweaver can amplify the damage of elemental attacks against groups affected by negative effects. Constant Gale and Force of Will boost spell casting speed and MP regeneration, vital for a magic-centric approach. The Heart of the Storm node further enhances survivability by converting part of Elemental Damage into an Energy Shield.
Image: ensigame.com
Chronomancer
The Chronomancer introduces a novel class that manipulates time to control battle dynamics, offering a fresh and innovative combat style. Exclusive spells such as Temporal Rift and Time Freeze pave the way for unique combos and strategic depth. While not currently the strongest Sorcerer Ascendancy, the Chronomancer holds immense potential. Key abilities include Now and Again, which offers a chance to bypass spell cooldowns, Apex of the Moment, which slows nearby monsters, and Quicksand Hourglass, which accelerates magic creation.
Image: ensigame.com
Warrior Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Warbringer
The Warbringer combines war cries with totem summons, excelling in close combat to maximize melee damage. This strategy proves effective even against bosses, as totems can distract and absorb damage. Enhance armor penetration with Imploding Impacts and Anvil’s Weight for increased effectiveness. Warcaller’s Bellow causes enemy corpses to explode upon using a Warcry, while Greatwolf’s Howl removes Warcry cooldowns. For a more defensive approach, Renly’s Training and Turtle Charm bolster shield and blocking capabilities.
Image: ensigame.com
Titan
If you prefer controlling opponents over taking risks, the Titan path suits you. With powerful, slow attacks, Titans paralyze enemies, making them break through thick armor before dealing damage. Stone Skin increases the defensive power of equipped gear by 50%, and Mysterious Lineage boosts max HP by 15%, enhancing survivability. But Titans aren't just defensive; they can deal significant damage too. Unique offensive abilities like Earthbreaker and Ancestral Empowerment strengthen Slam abilities, while Surprising Strength increases damage against stunned enemies by 40%.
Image: ensigame.com
Monk Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Invoker
The Invoker empowers Monks to harness elemental power, granting access to potent abilities and status-enhancing effects. This melee-focused class leverages elemental damage and status effects to obliterate enemies and trigger powerful effects. Additionally, the Invoker’s ability to use Power Charges to enhance skills adds strategic depth to the class.
Image: ensigame.com
Acolyte of Chayula
The Acolyte of Chayula has embraced Darkness, gaining dominion over dark forces bestowed by Chayula. The Embrace the Darkness skill allows you to forgo the Spirit resource entirely, increasing the maximum Darkness to 100 and granting exceptional survivability. To bolster defenses, use Consuming Questions in combination with Mana Leech, but proceed with caution, as this setup removes the Energy Shield’s cooldown, relying solely on MP drain, which is not yet efficient enough as of version 0.1.1. Until this issue is resolved, the Acolyte remains less favorable compared to the Invoker.
Image: ensigame.com
Mercenary Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Witchhunter
The Witchhunter is one of the strongest classes in the current game version, excelling at hunting and quickly eliminating demons and the undead. With increased damage on both the first and last hits, the Witchhunter efficiently 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 deep-seated hatred, with a 10% chance to make slain enemies explode, damaging nearby foes.
Image: ensigame.com
Gemling Legionnaire
The Gemling Legionnaire revolves around gems, with gameplay influenced by their stats, quality, and color. Thaumaturgical Infusion increases resistances based on equipped gem colors, while Crystalline Potential and Implanted Gems enhance the level of all skills. Advanced Thaumaturgy not only reduces skill costs but also lowers attribute requirements, similar to Adaptive Capability. Integrated Efficiency expands your active skill arsenal by three additional slots, and Gem Studded allows the use of two identical Support stones, fostering vast potential for experimentation and powerful builds.
Image: ensigame.com
Ranger Ascendancy Classes in PoE2
Deadeye
The Deadeye follows a familiar gameplay style for fans of ranged combat. Unique passive skills increase effective attack range and enhance damage output. Endless Munitions allows you to fire an additional projectile per skill use, making it exceptionally useful for clearing screens of enemies. This path is ideal for those who prefer the classic bow over the modern crossbow and focus on elemental damage, with increased movement speed, extra projectiles, and an additional Mark proving invaluable.
Image: ensigame.com
Pathfinder
If green is your favorite color, the Pathfinder is perfect for you. As a master of poisoning, this class doubles the effectiveness of draining enemies' health. The passive skill Overwhelming Toxicity doubles the Poison applied to enemies but shortens the debuff duration. Be cautious, as one of this class’s signature weapons is the gas grenade, which, when combined with high movement speed and slow resistance, allows you to blanket the battlefield in toxic mist efficiently. If you enjoy poison mechanics and unique gameplay, this path is definitely for you!
Image: ensigame.com
Remember, we've only covered twelve of the planned thirty-six Ascendancy Classes. As PoE2 progresses through early access, these are the currently available specialization paths for your characters. More will be added over time, and future game updates may introduce changes to passive skills, meaning the details in this guide may differ from the final version.
