A few months ago, Path of Exile 2 dropped to a thirsty audience for the latest addition to the franchise. There are some incredibly huge changes, and you know what the best part is? This version combines six old and six fresh characters for a total of 12 character classes, doubling the variety of its predecessor. Not only that but there’s also a mind-blowing 36-character Ascendancies in the game. So, if you’re as hyped as we are, stay locked in because we’ll dissect everything you need to know about character classes in PoE2.
,
Path of Exile 2 Classes Guide Introduction
In most RPGs, your character class locks you into certain skills and builds. Not Path of Exile 2. Your starting point on the passive tree in PoE2 and your character access to three “Ascendancies,” which are further evolutions of your skill trees, tailored with powerful buffs. This setup gives you the flexibility to establish an ideal character persona.
New Ascendancy classes will no longer be accessed by labyrinths, but another means within Acts 2-4. Several of the existing Ascendancy classes are being moved around to other base classes; for example, the Elementalist is now an Ascendancy class for the Sorceress.
Each of the 12 character classes starts at a different point on the passive skill tree. The area at the top of the tree concerns Intelligence (Int); the bottom right concerns Dexterity (Dex); bottom left concerns Strength (Str). There are six starting locations, with two classes sharing each of them.
Now we’ll delve into the 12 classes, their signature weapons, and abilities.
Ranger
- Attribute Start: Dexterity
- Signature Weapon/Ability: Bow
- Prospective Ascendancies: Deadeye, Raider, Pathfinder
The Ranger character is making a comeback in PoE2. The Ranger is your go-to character for bow builds. The passive skillset in the Ranger's tree focuses on Dexterity, Critical Strikes, Evasion, Spell Suppression, and Cold Damage. These unique abilities allow the Ranger to pick off enemies from halfway across the map with their deadeye bow shots or dive out of the way of incoming attacks.
Marauder
- Attribute Start: Strength
- Signature Weapon/Ability: Axes
- Prospective Ascendancies: Juggernaut, Berserker, Chieftain
Another class making a return to PoE2 is the Marauder. This character represents his power through the application of brute strength and raw power. The character specifically concentrates on the application of strength, life, fire damage, and armor; this class is all about taking big hits and doing heavy damage to enemies with axes. Keep an eye out for some of the classic Ascendancies available in the new version.
Warrior
- Attribute Start: Strength
- Class Signature Weapon/Ability: Maces
Introducing the new Warrior character class! A lot like the Marauder, the Warrior is all about Strength, but here's the catch: their weapon of choice is the mace. Popular skills are the ground slam and earthquake, with war cries that give your attacks more oomph. It's the bruiser class, one that hits heavy and hard.
Huntress
- Attribute Start: Dexterity
- Signature Weapon/Ability: Spears
The Huntress is a newcomer character class to PoE2. She packs spears, and a unique escape ability, with the ability to throw spears from long range. The Huntress also has several spear attacks, and the ability to track enemies.
Duelist
- Attribute Start: Str/Dex
- Signature Weapon/Ability: Swords
- Prospective Ascendancies: Slayer, Gladiator, Champion
The Duelist class combines Strength and Dexterity, allowing access to both sides of the passive tree. This major attribute in him makes the Duelist a versatile class, combining offense with defense where changes in strategy are necessary in the game. This character class is fast and deadly in the art of swordplay, Duelists are a lethal fighter archetype. They can also branch out their weapons skills to bow builds as they’re close to the Ranger's starting area.
Witch
- Attribute Start: Intelligence
- Signature Weapon/Ability: Occult Spells/Minions
- Prospective Ascendancies: Necromancer, Occultist
The witch is a new PoE2 character specializing in Elemental Spells. This character has the innate ability to harness the powers of fire, ice, and lightning to devastate her foes.
Shadow
- Attribute Start: Int/Dex
- Signature Weapon/Ability: Daggers and Traps
- Prospective Ascendancies: Assassin, Trickster, Saboteur
Shadow returns to PoE2, with Int and Dex, giving the character a flexible playing style. Sling daggers, set traps, and leverage your cunning to get an edge on the other character classes.
Mercenary
- Attribute Start: Str/Dex
- Signature Weapon/Ability: Crossbow
A brand new class in PoE2, coming into the game with crossbows to take a long-range approach to managing the battlefield. This new class represents how PoE2 goes beyond just presenting new weaponry to players. Character movements with WASD add major dynamism to the action. If you can imagine circling your enemies, sniping them with surgical precision. The Mercenary is the class for you!
Templar
- Attribute Start: Str/ Int
- Main Weapons/Ability: Fl
- Attribute Start: Inquisitor, Heirophant, Guardian
The Templar makes his return to PoE2, with skills wedged between the Strength and Intelligence branches of the tree. This is an all-rounder class mixes aspects of tankiness with spellcasting for builds like elemental attacks, totems, and summons in the game.
Druid
- Attribute Start: Str/Int
- Signature Weapon/Ability: Spells and Shapeshifting
The Druid is a shapeshifting class entirely new to PoE. The Druid comes with unique Ascendancies to boost those shapeshifting capabilities, turning your character into powerful beasts that unleash fury on enemies.
Monk
- Attribute Start: Dex/Int
- Signature Weapon/Ability: Unarmed, Quarterstaves
Finally, the Monk is another all-new character class, focusing primarily on Int and Dex. The Monk belongs to the group of fighting characters with high mobility, thanks to his martial arts ability and skills in unarmed combat. His use of the quarterstaves is as good as any lethal weapon in the game.
Final Words
Well, that concludes our review of Path of Exile 2’s character classes. You'll find a mix of old favorites and new, exciting characters, to suit any build. Each class contains unique playstyles and boundless functionality, meaning you can create a build plan to take the world of PoE2 by storm. Thanks for reading! Don't forget to check out our related Path of Exile 2 posts.
