Path Of Exile 2 Classes & Ascendancies Ranked

Path Of Exile 2 Classes & Ascendancies Guide

💡 Highlights

  • There are now seven classes in Path of Exile 2 with the addition of the Huntress in the Dawn of the Hunt update
  • Each class can specialize further into Ascendancies, which tailor their playstyle but are unchangeable after selection
  • All in all, Path of Exile 2 will have 12 classes with 3 Ascendancies each.
  • The best Path of Exile class for beginners is the Sorceress.
  • The new Huntress class brings unique spear and buckler combat mechanics to the game
  • Five more classes are still to be released, with rumors suggesting the Druid will be among them

For all grinding fans, festive days have come as Path of Exile 2 has been released in early access. With the recent “Dawn of the Hunt” update (Patch 0.2.0) on April 4, 2025, the game offers even more content with hundreds of hours of gameplay, a bunch of hidden mechanics, and even more variations of different builds. Right now, players can try out seven of the announced classes and the first three acts in the game. Well, here I am to explore the available Path of Exile 2 classes in more detail and share the details with you.

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About Path Of Exile 2 Classes

Path of Exile 2 is currently in early access, and we now have seven classes to choose from:

  • Sorceress
  • Warrior
  • Ranger
  • Witch
  • Mercenary
  • Monk
  • Huntress (NEW with Dawn of the Hunt update)

Another five Path of Exile 2 classes will be added to the game later. In addition, after reaching a certain level, each class has several subclasses (Ascendancies or Ascendancy Classes) with a narrower specialization of the hero for certain play styles. Approach this wisely since you can choose once, and changes in the character will not be possible.

Path Of Exile Classes Tier List: From Best To Worst

So, at the moment, we have seven classes available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Below, I have prepared a Path of Exile 2 classes tier list and sorted them from best to worst, in my opinion. And, of course, so that you have your own opinion about these classes, I invite you to play Path of Exile 2 with different heroes.

Huntress (NEW)

The latest addition to Path of Exile 2 with the Dawn of the Hunt update, the Huntress brings a unique combat style blending range and melee using a spear and buckler. This versatile class has over 20 new skills that allow her to harness energy from the wild, tame beasts, and weave in and out of combat with exceptional mobility.

The Huntress launches with two Ascendancy classes:

  • The Ritualist — Focuses on the dark side of Azmeri traditions with an emphasis on sacrifice rituals
  • The Amazon — A master of Azmeri fighting techniques

What makes Huntress especially powerful is her ability to control the battlefield through beast taming while maintaining excellent offensive capabilities. Her unique combination of mobility and control makes her an excellent choice for both new and experienced players.

Tip:

When playing Huntress, balance your skill usage between beast taming and direct combat – overreliance on either can leave you vulnerable.

Mercenary

If you liked Demon Hunter in Diablo 3 and you would like to play as a mobile and deadly crossbowman, then you should pay attention to Mercenary. At the moment, this is the most fun class in Path of Exile 2 for me, and I really liked how the developers implemented it since playing as a Mercenary literally turns the game into a top-down shooter.

Thanks to his skills, Mercenary has a crossbow, which allows you to make all types of firearms, from a shotgun and machine gun to a rocket launcher and sniper rifle. He also has excellent area damage and crowd control skills. However, all this diversity makes this class difficult to master.

Tip:

When composing combos from skills and reacting to game situations, you need to take into account the cooldown time (reloading ammo).

Monk

This class traditionally focuses on fighting enemies with bare hands or a staff. It reminds me of its brother from Diablo 3, which also combines fast attacks and elemental blasts.

Monk also has unique abilities in the form of a giant bell, reflecting attacks back at enemies. It is a very versatile class that has both high mobility and good damage, combining fast physical attacks with spells that weaken enemies. However, the focus on close combat makes Monk more vulnerable and demanding in defense.

Tip:

It’s important to pay attention to the correct positioning of the Tempest Bell. Otherwise, you won’t be dealing area damage as effectively as possible.

Sorceress

​​The Sorceress is a classic spellcasting mage, drawing her power from Fire, Ice, and Lightning elements. This is one of the simplest Path of Exile 2 classes at the moment, but it deals incredibly high damage. The Sorceress can clear dungeons and rooms very quickly and easily. She is more versatile than other classes since the main focus is on elemental magic and leveling up, and not the weapons you find for her.

In addition, one of her features is the ability to bind basic spells to her weapon and thus be able to use this spell when mana runs out. This is an ideal class for getting to know the game. As for the disadvantages, I would like to note a strong dependence on mana and fragility in melee.

Tip:

For the endgame, pick the Stormweaver subclass, as it has a better damage boost, mana regeneration, and elemental damage protection.

Witch

Witch is like the Necromancer class from the Diablo series, focusing on summoning undead minions and using occult magic. Witch can summon various minions, from melee soldiers to bomb-throwing skeletons. With the help of chaos magic, she can apply various debuffs or damage over time. However, summons are both the strength and weakness of this character in Path of Exile, as she is very dependent on her summoned skeletons. The Witch lacks skills that allow her to deal enough damage herself. In addition, using summons implies a more passive playstyle, which I honestly don’t prefer.

Tip:

If you chose the Bloodmage subclass, do not rush to use Sanguimancy until you unlock Vitality Siphon.

Ranger

Ranger is another class in Path of Exile 2 that uses a bow, but unlike Mercenary, Ranger also uses a quiver, which adds stats and buffs to her. It is a very agile class that has the skills to keep a distance all the time in combination with fast elemental or poisoned arrows and good crowd control. High mobility and special skills allow the Ranger to always stay at a distance from the enemy while not ceasing to deal lethal damage to opponents. Among the minuses, I would call the fact that the player needs to maintain a stable pace – combine constant mobility with combos to inflict consistently great damage, which can be difficult if you have little gaming experience.

Tip:

Beginners are better off with the Pathfinder subclass, which specializes in improving poison and elixirs. Experienced players are better off with Deadeye, which specializes more in the use of Frenzy charges and will be more useful in the late game.

Warrior

Warrior is a typical melee class in Path of Exile 2 that relies on strength, defense, and a lot of health. It is a difficult class for a beginner as it requires a competent approach to leveling up with a focus on defense and is also very dependent on the gear. However, it is a classic tank that is hardy and can withstand enemy pressure and deal devastating damage in close combat if you have good gear and the right level.

Tip:

When leveling up, maintain balance. Don’t focus only on defense or damage; adapt to the situation and your current gear.

Upcoming Classes

It is stated that there will be 12 classes in Path of Exile 2, with 3 Ascendancies for each. Seven classes are already available following the Dawn of the Hunt update. With the successful addition of the Huntress class, rumors suggest the Druid will be next to join the roster, along with four other unannounced classes.

Path of Exile 2 Endgame Content Update

The Dawn of the Hunt update hasn’t just brought a new class but has significantly expanded endgame content. The update introduced seven new endgame maps and a new mechanic — cleanse the corruption. Corruption spreads throughout maps, forming large zones with a Corrupted Nexus center. Inside, you’ll face three new bosses, amalgamations of Corruption itself. When defeated, you’ll cleanse the area to find new monsters, bosses, and rewards.

Developer Grinding Gear Games has also rebalanced the endgame by reducing the number of towers but making them more powerful, along with adding over 100 new Support Gems and Unique items to further customize your character’s build.

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Final Thoughts

The developers have created some really interesting Path of Exile 2 classes, each with unique features. Each of them feels differently, and even the classic RPG classes like Ranger, Sorceress, and Warrior have something to offer and surprise with. My favorite class is Mercenary, but I encourage you to try out different heroes yourself to find your best class in Path of Exile 2!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Class In Path Of Exile 2?
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Each class is unique and offers its own style of gameplay. I think the best Path of Exile 2 class is the Mercenary, but I recommend you try all the classes and find the one that suits you best.

What Is The Most Beginner-Friendly Class In PoE 2?
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Sorceress is the easiest class as of early access mode in Path Of Exile 2.