Path of Exile 2 brings a fresh set of classes to the action RPG genre. Players can choose from 12 distinct classes, each offering unique playstyles and abilities. Six classes will be available at early access launch (of the 12 planned), with the full roster coming in the complete release.
The currently available classes in Early Access are:
- Warrior
- Ranger
- Sorceress
- Mercenary
- Monk
- Witch
And ranked by ability we would list them as:
- Mercenary
- Monk
- Sorcerer
- Ranger
- Witch
- Warrior
The game introduces new class mechanics and combat styles. Each class has three Ascendancies, allowing for deeper character customization. This system supports a wide range of playstyles, from ranged attackers to close-quarters fighters and spell casters.
Path of Exile 2 emphasizes skill combinations and movement-based gameplay. Classes like the Ranger, Witch, and Warrior return from the original game, while new additions such as the Monk and Sorceress bring exciting possibilities. Players cannot respect their Ascendancy choice, adding weight to character development decisions.
Path of Exile 2 Classes: A Deep Dive
Path of Exile 2 introduces six new character classes, each with its own unique Ascendancy classes. These classes offer a wide range of playstyles, from melee combat to spellcasting and ranged attacks. Let’s take a closer look at each class and what makes them special.
Warrior
The Warrior is a master of weapons and armor. This class excels in close-quarters combat, wielding swords, axes, and maces to crush enemies.
- Strengths: High physical damage, durable, simple to play
- Weaknesses: Can struggle with ranged encounters, limited AoE (area of effect) abilities
Possible Ascendancies:
- Berserker: Focuses on increasing damage output and attack speed.
- Juggernaut: Enhances defenses and makes the Warrior nearly unstoppable.
- Champion: A supportive Ascendancy that can buff allies and hinder enemies.
Ranger
The Ranger is a ranged combat expert, specializing in bows and arrows. She can deal high single-target damage from a distance.
- Strengths: High accuracy, excellent mobility, good at kiting enemies
- Weaknesses: Can be fragile, struggles with groups of enemies at close range
Possible Ascendancies:
- Raider: Focuses on speed and evasion, making the Ranger incredibly agile.
- Deadeye: Enhances projectile damage and critical strike chance.
- Pathfinder: Specializes in flasks and provides strong utility.
Sorceress
The Sorceress is a powerful spellcaster who commands the elements. She can unleash devastating ice, fire, and lightning attacks.
- Strengths: High elemental damage, excellent AoE abilities, good crowd control
- Weaknesses: Can be squishy, mana management can be challenging
Possible Ascendancies:
- Elementalist: Enhances elemental damage and grants powerful elemental golems.
- Necromancer: Summons minions to fight alongside the Sorceress and uses dark magic.
- Occultist: Focuses on chaos damage and curses.
Mercenary
The Mercenary is a skilled warrior who dual-wields weapons. He is a master of agility and precision, dealing swift and deadly blows.
- Strengths: High attack speed, good mobility, can deal both physical and elemental damage
- Weaknesses: Can be fragile, requires good resource management
Possible Ascendancies:
- Duelist: Enhances both offense and defense, making the Mercenary a well-rounded fighter.
- Slayer: Focuses on critical strikes and dealing massive damage.
- Gladiator: Specializes in blocking and counter-attacking.
Monk
The Monk is a martial arts expert who channels his spiritual energy to perform powerful attacks. He can manipulate life force for both offense and defense.
- Strengths: Versatile playstyle, can deal both physical and elemental damage, good survivability
- Weaknesses: Can be complex to play, requires good understanding of mechanics
Possible Ascendancies:
- Inquisitor: Focuses on critical strikes and elemental damage.
- Hierophant: Enhances totems and spell damage.
- Guardian: Provides strong defenses and buffs for allies.
Witch
The Witch is a master of dark magic, summoning minions and casting curses. She can manipulate the forces of life and death.
- Strengths: Excellent minion control, strong curses, good survivability
- Weaknesses: Relies on minions for damage, can be vulnerable in close combat
Possible Ascendancies:
- Necromancer: Summons a variety of powerful minions to fight for her.
- Occultist: Specializes in chaos damage and curses.
- Elementalist: Focuses on cold and lightning damage, often used to enhance minion abilities.
| Class | Strengths | Weaknesses | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warrior | High physical damage, durable | Limited range, limited AoE | Melee combat |
| Ranker | High accuracy, good mobility | Fragile, struggles with close-range groups | Ranged combat |
| Sorceress | High elemental damage, good AoE, crowd control | Squishy, mana management can be challenging | Spellcasting |
| Mercenary | High attack speed, good mobility | Fragile, requires good resource management | Melee combat, dual-wielding |
| Monk | Versatile playstyle, good survivability | Can be complex to play | Melee combat, spellcasting |
| Witch | Excellent minion control, strong curses | Relies on minions, vulnerable in melee | Summoning, spellcasting |
Path of Exile 2 Ascendancy Classes
Each of the six base classes in Path of Exile 2 can specialize further by choosing an Ascendancy class. These Ascendancies offer unique skills and passives that significantly alter a character’s playstyle. For example, a Warrior can become a Berserker, focusing on frenzy charges and raw damage output. Or they could choose the Juggernaut Ascendancy, becoming an unstoppable tank with high defenses. The choice of Ascendancy allows for deep customization and build diversity.
Key Takeaways
- Path of Exile 2 features 12 classes with 3 Ascendancies each, offering diverse playstyles
- Six classes will be available at early access, with the full roster in the complete release
- Character customization is deep, with irreversible Ascendancy choices impacting gameplay
Class Mechanics and Attributes
Path of Exile 2’s recent Early Access launch has players excited to explore the new campaign and experiment with these classes. The game offers a complex and rewarding character-building system. With a variety of classes and Ascendancies to choose from, players can create unique builds to suit their preferred playstyle. Whether you prefer to be a heavily armored warrior, a nimble archer, or a master of magic, Path of Exile 2 has something for everyone.
Path of Exile 2 introduces a robust character system centered around three core attributes: Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. These attributes form the foundation for diverse class options and character development paths.
Core Attributes and Their Significance
Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence serve as the primary attributes in Path of Exile 2. Each class emphasizes one or two of these attributes, shaping their abilities and playstyle.
Strength-based classes excel in physical combat and defense. They typically have higher health pools and deal more melee damage.
Dexterity-focused classes prioritize speed and precision. They often use bows, daggers, or other agile weapons.
Intelligence-based classes specialize in spellcasting and energy manipulation. They have larger mana pools and deal more elemental damage.
Some classes combine two attributes, creating hybrid playstyles that blend different strengths.
Passive Skill Tree and Character Development
The Passive Skill Tree returns in Path of Exile 2, offering extensive customization options. Players allocate points to enhance their character’s abilities and stats.
The tree is divided into sections corresponding to the three core attributes. This layout allows players to focus on their preferred playstyle or create unique hybrid builds.
Key features of the Passive Skill Tree include:
- Attribute nodes that boost core stats
- Skill-specific nodes that enhance certain abilities
- Keystone passives that drastically alter gameplay mechanics
Players can respec their passive choices, allowing for build experimentation and refinement.
Ascendancy Classes and Specialization
Ascendancy classes add another layer of specialization to character builds. Each base class has access to multiple Ascendancy options, each with its own unique abilities and playstyle.
Ascendancy choices significantly impact a character’s power and role in gameplay. They often provide powerful passive abilities or unlock new active skills.
Players select their Ascendancy class after completing certain in-game challenges. This system rewards progression and encourages players to explore different build options.
Ascendancy classes cannot be changed easily, making the choice a crucial decision in character development.
Hybrid Classes and Gameplay Flexibility
Path of Exile 2 introduces new hybrid classes that combine elements from multiple attribute types. These classes offer unique gameplay experiences and build possibilities.
Hybrid classes allow players to:
- Mix and match skills from different attribute pools
- Create versatile characters that can adapt to various situations
- Explore synergies between traditionally separate playstyles
Examples of hybrid classes include the Ranger (Dexterity/Intelligence) and the Druid (Strength/Intelligence).
This system promotes build diversity and encourages players to experiment with unconventional character concepts. It adds depth to the game’s already rich character customization options.
Weapons, Combat Styles, and Playable Classes
Path of Exile 2 offers a diverse array of weapons, combat styles, and classes for players to choose from. Each option provides unique gameplay experiences and tactical advantages in battle.
Weapon Types and Their Combat Roles
Path of Exile 2 features a wide range of weapons, each suited for different combat roles. Melee weapons like maces and spears excel in close-quarters combat. Players who prefer melee can dish out heavy damage and control the battlefield.
Ranged weapons such as bows and crossbows allow for precise attacks from a distance. The Mercenary class specializes in crossbow combat, using various ammo types for different effects. Incendiary ammo, for example, can set enemies ablaze.
Staves and quarterstaffs serve as versatile weapons. They can be used for both melee strikes and channeling elemental magic. This makes them popular choices for spellcasting classes like the Witch or Sorceress.
Class Overview and Elemental Powers
Path of Exile 2 offers several playable classes, each with distinct strengths and elemental affinities. The Warrior and Marauder excel in close combat, using heavy weapons and armor. They can withstand significant damage while dealing powerful blows.
The Ranger specializes in ranged attacks. They use bows and agility to strike from afar. These classes often employ elemental arrows or traps to enhance their combat effectiveness.
Spellcasting classes like the Witch and Sorceress harness elemental magic. They can freeze enemies, ignite foes, or unleash devastating lightning strikes. The Druid stands out with its ability to shapeshift, adapting to various combat situations.
Status Effects and Crowd-Control Tactics
Status effects and crowd control play crucial roles in Path of Exile 2’s combat system. Freeze effects temporarily immobilize enemies, creating opportunities for massive damage. Ignite causes ongoing fire damage, wearing down tough foes over time.
Crowd control abilities help manage large groups of monsters. The Monk class excels in this area, using mobility and area-of-effect attacks to control the battlefield. Some classes can summon minions or create barriers to manipulate enemy movement.
Grenades and other area-effect skills provide additional crowd control options. These tools allow players to create chokepoints, separate enemy groups, or set up devastating combos with their main abilities.
Ascendancy Classes and Their Unique Abilities
Ascendancy classes in Path of Exile 2 offer specialized paths for each base class. The Warbringer and Titan ascendancies enhance the Warrior’s tanking and damage-dealing capabilities. They grant powerful defensive buffs and devastating melee attacks.
For ranged combat specialists, the Deadeye and Pathfinder ascendancies improve accuracy and elemental damage. These paths allow for pinpoint strikes and deadly elemental combinations.
Spellcasters can choose paths like the Stormweaver or Chronomancer. These ascendancies amplify elemental powers and provide unique magical abilities. The Infernalist, for example, focuses on fire-based destruction and crowd control.
Some ascendancies offer truly unique playstyles. The Blood Mage uses health as a resource for powerful spells. The Gemling Legionnaire combines magic with advanced technology for a hybrid combat approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Path of Exile 2 introduces several new and revamped classes, each with unique abilities and ascendancies. Players can explore various gameplay styles and build options.
What are the available classes in Path of Exile 2?
Path of Exile 2 features 12 playable classes. Each class has 3 ascendancies, offering players a wide range of options for character customization and playstyles.
The game includes familiar classes like the Witch, as well as new additions. The Witch, for example, functions as a summoner or dark mage, specializing in necromancy and occult powers.
How do the Ascendancy classes in Path of Exile 2 differ from each other?
Ascendancy classes in Path of Exile 2 provide distinct specializations within each base class. For instance, the Warbringer ascendancy allows for more frequent use of Warcries and the ability to explode enemy corpses.
These specializations offer unique abilities and playstyles, allowing players to further customize their characters. Each base class has three ascendancy options to choose from.
Which class is considered top-tier in Path of Exile 2’s current meta?
As Path of Exile 2 is still in development, the current meta and top-tier classes are not yet established. Class balance and effectiveness may change during the game’s development and after release.
Players should choose classes based on their preferred playstyle rather than perceived power levels. All classes are designed to be viable options for endgame content.
Can players choose any gender for all the classes in Path of Exile 2?
Information about gender options for classes in Path of Exile 2 is limited. The original Path of Exile had fixed genders for each class, but it’s unclear if this will change in the sequel.
Players should wait for official announcements from the developers regarding character customization options in Path of Exile 2.
What is the most suitable class for solo play in Path of Exile 2?
The suitability of a class for solo play in Path of Exile 2 depends on individual playstyle preferences. However, some classes may have advantages for solo players.
The Witch, with its summoning abilities, could be a strong solo option. Summoned minions can provide additional damage and defense, making it easier to tackle content alone.
Are there specific builds recommended for the Templar class in Path of Exile 2?
Specific build recommendations for the Templar class in Path of Exile 2 are not yet available. The game is still in development, and detailed class information is limited.
As more information becomes available, players can expect to see various build guides and recommendations for all classes, including the Templar. These builds will likely focus on the class’s strengths and unique abilities.
