Path of Exile 2 has been out for a week, and players are still diving deep into its vast and complex class system.
With its intricate passive skill tree and irreversible ascendancy choice, players are required to plan ahead in order to avoid mistakes that could cost too much gold, or worse creating a new character.
PoE 2 class rankings guide
To help guide you, this ONE Esport article ranked all the starting classes and Ascendancy classes so you can make the best choice for your journey through Wraeclast with our Path of Exile 2 class tier list.
Path of Exile 2 class tier list — All PoE 2 class rankings
6. Ranger
The Ranger excels in dexterity-based builds, which are more focused on a single target priority often debuffing enemies with poison, dealing damage over time. Ranger is designed for swift, hit-and-run gameplay, having the mobility for quick escapes and keeping enemies at a distance.
However in the early to mid game, Ranger lacks damage when it comes to AOE attacks making it difficult for beginner players to clear hordes of enemies, which is common in Path of Exile 2.
5. Mercenary
The Mercenary (or the better Ranger) excels in mid to long ranged fights, which includes explosives and AOE elemental attacks. Thanks to the “Scattershot” skill gem, this crossbow wielding class is capable of launching barrages of AOE attacks using various ammo types which provide excellent crowd control early to mid game.
Although beginner-friendly due to its powerful AOE capabilities, the Mercenary is a glass cannon. Most of its skills require players to maintain strategic positioning to maximize damage and avoid taking lethal hits.
4. Warrior
The Warrior class has the highest HP of all the classes in this list. Equipped with heavy armor and powerful hammer, this class has the ability to deal massive AOE to hordes of enemies while tanking the majority of the incoming damage.
Tested and proven on “Lachlann of Endless Lament”, this class is ideal for those who can’t dodge and prefer tanking while specializing in close-quarters combat. This beginner friendly class deals the right amount of damage when it comes to bosses and can easily clear hordes of enemies thanks to its AOE skill sets.
3. Witch
Dubbed the “Laziest Class,” the Witch relies on summoning minions and unleashing devastating AOE spells that debuff enemies to boost her damage. Her playstyle makes her incredibly efficient at clearing enemy groups with minimal effort.
However, the Witch struggles in boss fights where minions are often easily defeated and the Witch lacks damage alone. Hence the reason why the Witch is the most chillest when it comes to destroying groups of enemies, but very “tight” when it comes to boss fights.
2. Monk
The Monk is like a combination of Warrior and Sorceress offering the best of both worlds of close combat and magic. The Monk’s high damage playstyle introduces a high risk-high reward playstyle that demands skillful execution.
With unmatched mobility and AOE capabilities, the Monk excels at weaving through enemies while dishing out devastating attacks. Its versatility secures it the number two spot on this list.
1. Sorceress
The Sorceress is the “Thanos” of Path of Exile 2, specializing in devastating spells that can “nuke” enemies on sight. Despite receiving nerfs in the official release, her high single-target and AOE damage make her a top-tier choice for both beginners and experienced players.
Players who enjoy raining destruction from a distance will appreciate the Sorceress’s straightforward yet powerful abilities. Her lack of reliance on positioning makes her a consistent powerhouse in any scenario.
Path of Exile 2 Ascendancy tier list — PoE 2 Ascendancy class rankings
12. Pathfinder
The Pathfinder has a diverse skill set that excels in applying venomous DOE attacks. Its Ascendancy improves the quality of its damage per tick giving a high damage output
However despite the ascendancy, its clearspeed is slow compared to other ascendancies and its ideal damage relies on specific builds that are hard to obtain in the late game.
11. Gemling Legionnaire
The Gemling Legionnaire has the most number of abilities you can equip in the game boasting its versatility in combat. This Ascendancy includes unique abilities that enhance crossbow efficiency and its survivability.
Despite the larger pool of abilities at its disposal, This class lacks damage and the majority of its loadout relies on the gem’s attributes making it harder to build later on.
10. Warbringer
The Warbringer gives the Warrior class the ability to summon spirits while bludgeoning enemies. Its unique ability to break armor easily is ideal for players specializing in raw melee power.
However, this ascendency requires corpses of your enemies to deal high explosive damage, making it difficult in late game boss fights.
9. Titan
The most durable ascendancy in Path of Exile since it combines durability with AOE attacks. Its unique passive gives them the ability to soak damage and clear waves of enemies.
Titan ascendancy is ideal for players who prefer a slow-and-steady playstyle. But despite its high durability, Its AOE attacks lack the destructive capabilities compared to other ascendancies in the game.
8. Deadeye
This ascendancy gives players unique passives where it basically makes the Ranger class lethal, comparable to having an “Odin” in the game.
Deadeye is very useful when it comes to single target damage especially when it comes to boss fights, however it lacks the crowd control against hordes of enemies.
7. Witch hunter
The Witch hunter ascendancy gives the Mercenary class the ability to decimate hordes of enemies and the chance to insta-kill an opponent thanks to its unique passive “Zealous Inquisition”.
Despite the upgrades, this ascendancy can’t do anything about the Ranger class being a glass cannon which can be difficult for mid-skilled players.
6. Blood Mage
Harnessing life as a resource, the Blood Mage offers immense power at the cost of health management. This Ascendancy focuses on direct damage over summoning minions, shifting the Witch’s reliance from sustainability to raw power.
Mastering this high-risk, high-reward playstyle requires precision and careful health management, making it better suited for experienced players.
5. Stormweaver
The Stormweaver specializes in prolonged elemental attacks, allowing for sustained AOE damage across the battlefield. This Ascendancy bolsters the Sorceress’ devastating AOE attacks, making it a favorite among the player base
With proper resource management and gear, the Stormweaver can dominate the majority of the areas in the game with its prolonged AOE abilities that can be placed in the map making kiting a lot easier.
4. The Acolyte of Chayula
The Acolyte focuses on chaos damage and disruption, offering unique passives like “Waking Dream,” which adds an RNG mechanic to its AOE abilities.
While niche, its ability to amplify chaos damage significantly enhances its effectiveness in boss battles, making it the best choice for players seeking high damage output and high mobility in critical encounters.
3. Infernalist
The infernalist Ascendancy basically makes the Witch’s summons even more powerful and gives this class the ability to modify all incoming damage as fire damage making it tankier. Not to mention this ascendancy also grants the ability of demon form which further boosts your damage
This Ascendancy goes to the number 3 spot as it thrives both in boss fights and mob clearing making minions basically do most of the work for you.
2. Invoker
The Invoker transforms the Monk into a master of elemental combat, offering damage multipliers and extended range. This Ascendancy excels at both mob clearing and boss fights when built correctly.
Its versatility and raw power make it one of the most effective and easiest to build Ascendancies in the game.
1. Chronomancer
The Chronomancer grants the Sorceress time-altering abilities, allowing her to stop, rewind, or teleport during combat while nuking hordes of enemies.
This upgrade basically gives more power to an already powerful class giving it more destructive damage and mobility abilities unparalleled to other ascendancies making it the strongest Ascendancy in Path of Exile 2.
That conludes our Path of Exile 2 class tier list and PoE 2 Ascendancy class rankings.
READ MORE: How to level up fast in Path of Exile 2 — best methods
