Path of Exile 2 is a true love letter to the ARPG genre. You can step into the boots of six fully fleshed-out classes, each with unique abilities and ascendancy paths. Whether you prefer raining destruction from afar, conjuring magical chaos, or going toe-to-toe with your enemies, there is certainly a class for everyone.
However, not all classes shine equally in every aspect of the game. From build diversity to survivability and sheer fun, here’s how they stack up, helping you pick your ideal character for a harrowing journey through Wraeclast.
This game is currently in early access, and content is subject to change.
6
The Warrior
The Warrior’s strength lies in sheer resilience. Whether wielding a two-handed weapon or a mace-and-shield combo, this class is built for absorbing punishment and dishing out steady, albeit unspectacular, damage. This is especially true in the early game, and while the Juggernaut and Warbringer ascendancies offer powerful build options in the late game, you’ll need to power through those tough early-mid levels.
Unfortunately, melee-focused gameplay feels outclassed by ranged options, particularly in fights requiring quick repositioning. The Warrior is a prime pick for those who like the idea of inflicting the largest bonk possible on enemies and is a class that really values durability over speed.
5
The Monk
The Monk combines speed and versatility, weaving through enemies with ease. Armed with a quarterstaff, this class thrives on movement-heavy gameplay, delivering rapid strikes and evading danger. Its most popular ascendancy, the Invoker, allows for diverse builds centered on adaptive elemental playstyles.
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Unfortunately, the Monk suffers from having a lackluster second ascendancy, the Acolyte of Chayula. Additionally, the Monk’s heavy reliance on mobility makes it less forgiving for newer players. Its low defenses mean you’ll pay for any mistake with a trip back to the respawn screen. Still, if you enjoy fast-paced combat or just want to become The Avatar, the Monk delivers.
4
The Mercenary
If you’re a fan of top-down shooters, the Mercenary should be your go-to class. With crossbows that let you swap between specialized ammunition types, this class excels at everything from keeping foes at bay to delivering devastating damage. Grenades and status ailments add layers of strategy, making fights more engaging. Its ascendancies, the Witch Hunter and Gemling Legionnaire, also offer plenty of build variety, emphasizing power or flexibility.
However, the Mercenary’s use of crossbows leads to dealing with the weapon’s unique reload mechanic, which can leave you feeling vulnerable in close-quarters combat. Good positioning and effective skill rotations are required to maximize survivability. This is the ultimate class for players who love high-risk, high-reward gameplay and who want to experience the joy of carpet bombing monsters.
3
The Witch
The Witch is your typical necromancer, adept at conjuring minions to tank for her while inflicting ailments like chaos damage from a safe distance. Her Ascendancy option as the Infernalist is also one of the most powerful and unique Ascendancies in the game. The downside? Early-game minions are flimsy and require constant babysitting, which can be frustrating.
Getting through those early levels can be tough, especially during boss fights. But for those who thrive on long-term build planning and strategic execution, the Witch scales very well with additional support gems and offers a deeply satisfying experience.
2
The Ranger
The Ranger boasts unmatched accuracy with her bow, ideal for picking off enemies from a distance. By mixing elemental arrows, she can handle a variety of foes. Her single-target DPS is useful in boss fights, but she really shines with a myriad of lightning AoE (area of effect) tools that allow her to clear out packs of enemies.
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Her Deadeye Ascendancy provides some powerful damage perks, along with some highly valuable movement speed. For those who enjoy straightforward gameplay and want to drown enemies in a storm of arrows, the Ranger is a rewarding choice. Just be prepared for slightly lower damage potential in strictly single-target scenarios.
1
The Sorcerer
The Sorcerer brings heavy area-of-effect damage, ideal for crowd control and clearing maps. With abilities like chain lightning, firestorms, and a literal comet from space, you can turn enemies into puddles of ash or sleet. Proper gear makes this class almost unstoppable, especially late-game when mana issues can be mitigated. If you love spellcasting and watching hordes of enemies melt away, the Sorcerer won’t disappoint.
That said, the Sorcerer demands a steady hand and constant awareness. Managing mana pools early in the game can be a chore, and positioning is crucial since you’re as squishy as a Wraeclast worm. One bad move can lead to a one-hit death from any large boss strike. If you enjoy playing a powerful glass cannon who can take on just about anything, the Sorcerer won’t let you down.
- Franchise
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Path of Exile
- Released
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2024-12
- Developer(s)
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Grinding Gear Games
- Publisher(s)
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Grinding Gear Games
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer
, Online Co-Op - Engine
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Proprietary Engine
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Nudity, Violence
- Early Access Release
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December 6, 2024