NEW: 0.4.0c Patch | Stash Tab Sale
☆ Fate of the Vaal ▶︎ The Last of the Druids
┗ Bonded Mods | 0.4 Mystery Box
★ Druid: Class Overview | Builds
☆ NEW: Disciple of Varashta Ascendancy!
★ Best Class | Best Builds | Leveling Builds

This is a tier list based on the metagame during the 0.4.0 update of Path of Exile 2 (POE 2). The classes are ranked by several criteria such as clear speed, combat utility, DPS, and more to gauge which are the best classes in the game.
Attention! |
We have updated the Base Class and Ascendancy Class Tier List based on early impressions for the 0.4.0 update. We'll update the list as the league goes on and as the meta changes. Please stay tuned! Sign in and select under the page's title to be notified of any updates! |
|---|
| All Class Guides | ||
|---|---|---|
| All Classes | List of Builds | Class Tier List |
List of Contents
| Note: The base class tier list was ranked according to the performance of the class during the early acts of the game, with minimal consideration for their ascendancy classes. If you want to see a tier list for endgame, jump to the ascendancy class tier list down below. |
| Jump to a Section! | ||
|---|---|---|
| Base Class Tier List | Ascendancy Tier List | |
| Tier List Criteria | ||
※ Click on the class icons to go to their overview
| Rank | Class |
|---|---|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| August 31, 2025 | ・Added Druid as S-tier ↓ Huntress: S to A tier ↓ Mercenary: Rank slightly decreased ↑ Warrior: Rank slightly increased |
| August 31, 2025 | ↑ Witch: B to A tier ↓ Mercenary: S to A tier ↓↓ Sorcerer: A to C tier |
| April 7, 2025 | ↑ Warrior: Rank slightly increased ↑ Ranger: A to S tier ・Added Huntress as A-tier class |
| January 15, 2025 | ↓ Warrior: S to A tier |
| December 27, 2024 | ・Updated tier list based on new critieria |
| December 16, 2024 | ↓ Witch: A to B tier |
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Ranger |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★★ Survivability: ★★★ Ease of Use: ★★★★ Time Investment: ★★★★ |
![]() |
The agile Ranger remains one of the top starting characters thanks to strong early damage from Grenades, along with easy access to Movement Speed and Skill Speed passive nodes. Leveling builds revolving around Lightning Arrow and Poison Bow are also viable options.
Despite a few nerfs to its Ascendancies, the Ranger still has the best leveling builds in the game.
Ranger Class Guide and Ascendancies
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Druid |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★★ Survivability: ★★★ Ease of Use: ★★★ Time Investment: ★★★★ |
![]() |
The Druid is the latest addition to the game, introduced during the release of The Last of the Druids. Thanks to the new animal shapeshifting mechanic, the Druid offers smooth and powerful abilities that can easily carry you through the early to mid-game.
Druid Class Guide and Ascendancies
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Witch |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★ Survivability: ★★★★ Ease of Use: ★★ Time Investment: ★★★ |
![]() |
The Chaos DoT combo of Essence Drain and Contagion remains a strong starter combo, capable of easily clearing packs during the campaign. In addition, Minion builds are one of the most beginner friendly options in the game, providing strong utility with simple mechanics.
However, gearing for spellcasters and minion builds is less intuitive than for attack-based characters, and poor gear choices can significantly impact overall performance.
Witch Class Guide and Ascendancies
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Huntress |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★ Survivability: ★★★ Ease of Use: ★★★ Time Investment: ★★★★ |
![]() |
The Huntress and Spear builds are still a solid choice for Elemental and Critical Attack builds. However, this class can struggle to scale towards the end of the campaign. Though it has incredible potential once you choose an Ascendancy, the class itself is not as effective as it once was.
Unlike the other Dexterity class, the Huntress demands more finesse to fully capitalize on her combo potential.
Huntress Ascendancies and Class Guide
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Warrior |
|
|
Damage: ★★★ Survivability: ★★★★ Ease of Use: ★★★★ Time Investment: ★★★ |
![]() |
The Warrior remains a solid and enjoyable class to play. New skills, supports, and passive nodes enhance its versatility, allowing new set ups to shine. The classic Boneshatter also remains a viable option throughout the campaign. Building around Shield Wall later on in the campaign is also a popular combo this patch.
The addition of the Sprinting mechanic further elevates melee gameplay, making combat feel faster and more satisfying. However, as a primarily melee class, the Warrior is still vulnerable to dangerous situations like being in a bad position and getting swarmed.
Warrior Class Guide and Ascendancies
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Mercenary |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★ Survivability: ★★★ Ease of Use: ★★★★ Time Investment: ★★ |
![]() |
Mercenary and Crossbow builds continue to perform well in patch 0.4.0. Though the class provides good damage throughout the campaign, it still struggles in terms of defense in later Acts. The updated Armor and Evasion mechanics are most effective when fully invested in a single type, so Mercenary builds must commit to either Armor or Evasion to unlock their full defensive potential.
Mercenary Class Guide and Ascendancies
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Monk |
|
|
Damage: ★★★ Survivability: ★★★ Ease of Use: ★★ Time Investment: ★★ |
![]() |
The Monk class continues to be relatively more difficult to scale with during the campaign. In general, other classes still perform better in terms of damage output, range, and overall usability.
While Monk and Quarterstaff builds are still viable, their low survivability and underwhelming damage make melee playstyles harder to justify compared to other options. However, it can scale a lot of damage and defenses fast after ascending.
Monk Class Guide and Ascendancies
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Sorceress |
|
|
Damage: ★★ Survivability: ★★ Ease of Use: ★★ Time Investment: ★★ |
|
Overall, the Sorcerer with Elemental Spells is still relatively more difficult to setup due to its reliance on infusions, which is tedious to collect and manage during gameplay. This makes the Sorceress the worst performing class for the early game of patch 0.4.0.
If you persist on playing a Sorcerer this patch, the Fireball Skill with a variety of different set ups may work best.
Sorceress Class Guide and Ascendancies
| Note: The Ascendancy Class tier list was ranked according to early impressions of Patch 0.4.0. The Ascendancies of the top 1000 players in the standard and hardcore league are also part of the consideration. |
| Jump to a Section! | ||
|---|---|---|
| Base Class Tier List | Ascendancy Tier List | |
| Tier List Criteria | ||
※ Click on the class icons to go to their overview
| Rank | Class |
|---|---|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| Dec. 17, 2025 | ・Added Shaman as A tier ・Added Oracle as A tier ・Added Disciple of Varashta as B tier ↑↑ Pathfinder: C → S ↑↑ Smith of Kitava: D → A ↑↑ Ritualist: D → B ↑ Titan: B → A |
| Dec. 9, 2025 | ・Added Unranked tier ・Added icons for Druid, Shaman, and Oracle |
| Sep 4, 2025 | + Added Abyssal Lich at A - Deadeye: S → S - Lich: S → S - Bloodmage: A → A - Warbringer: B → B - Stormweaver: B → B - Witchhunter: C → C - Pathfinder: C → C - Chronomancer: D → D ↑ Invoker: B → A ↑ Infernalist: B → A ↑ Acolyte of Chayula: D → C ↓ Amazon: S → A ↓ Tactician: A → B ↓ Titan: A → B ↓ Gemling Legionnaire: B → C ↓ Ritualist: C → D ↓↓↓ Smith of Kitava: A → D |
| April 9, 2025 | ↑ Lich: A to S Tier ↑ Pathfinder: D to C Tier ↑ Ritualist: D to C Tier ↓ Titan: S to A Tier ↓ Gemling: A to B Tier |
| April 9, 2025 | ↑ Deadeye: A to S Tier ↑ Titan: A to S Tier ↓ Invoker: S to B Tier ↓ Stormweaver: S to B Tier ↓ Infernalist: S to B Tier ↓ Pathfinder: B to D Tier ↓ Acolyte of Chayula: B to D Tier ↓ Witch Hunter: A to C Tier ・Added Tactician to A Tier ・Added Lich to A Tier ・Added Ritualist to D Tier ・Added Amazon to S Tier ・Added D Tier for better categorization |
| January 15, 2025 | ・Promoted Stormweaver to S-tier ・Promoted Witchunter to A-tier ・Promoted Pathfinder to B-tier ・Promoted Acolyte of Chayula to B-tier ・Demoted Warbringer to B-tier ・Demoted Blood Mage to C-tier |
| January 15, 2025 | ・Promoted Stormweaver to S-tier ・Promoted Witchunter to A-tier ・Promoted Pathfinder to B-tier ・Promoted Acolyte of Chayula to B-tier ・Demoted Warbringer to B-tier ・Demoted Blood Mage to C-tier |
| December 27, 2024 | ・Updated the tier list based on new criteria and information |
| December 19, 2024 | ・Updated the tier list based on Endgame performance |
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Pathfinder |
|
|
Damage: ★★ Survivability: ★★★ Synergy: ★★ Skill Nodes: ★★ |
![]() |
The Pathfinder currently has the best performance in the current league. Overwhelming Toxicity is now easier to reach in the passive tree, and poison builds revolving around Poisonburst Arrow are stronger than ever.
With good mobility, attack speed, high AoE and high single-target damage, Pathfinders can breeze through to the endgame.
Pathfinder Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Lich |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★ Survivability:★★★★★ Synergy: ★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★★ |
![]() |
The Lich remains to be one the most consistent-performing Ascendancies due to it's powerful defensive layers and it's synergies with the Chaos damage-over-time spells such as the Essence Drain and Contagion combo.
While it's defensive setups are not as simple as other classes, it is capable of withstanding heavy hits while dealing high AoE and single-target damage from a safe distance.
Lich Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Deadeye |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★★ Survivability: ★★★★ Synergy: ★★★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★★ |
![]() |
The Deadeye remains one of the most generically good Ascendancies due to the easy access to Skill Speed from Tailwind and +1 Projectiles. You also have build variety with available options such as Mark, Critical, and Grenade synergies.
Deadeye Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Amazon |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★★ Survivability: ★★ Synergy: ★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★★ |
![]() |
The Amazon is the best Ascendancy for scaling with Critical Strikes while using Attacks. This allows the Amazon to be one of the hardest hitting attack-based Ascenancies in the game.
However, it lacks the necessary defensive layers to be as competitive to other classes. Fortunately, the Deflect mechanic can greatly increases the Amazon's chance to survive strong hits with well crafted gear and shield.
Amazon Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Blood Mage |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★ Survivability:★★★★ Synergy: ★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★★ |
![]() |
The Blood Mage has the capacity to be an incredibly powerful spellcaster while also being very tanky with high Life Recovery and damage negation. The most common build paths would be to use either Comet or Arc as their main damage spell.
Blood Mage Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Invoker |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★ Survivability:★★★★ Synergy: ★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★★ |
![]() |
The Invoker rises as arguably one of the best melee classes due to the strength of and synergies it has with Energy and Evasion. As common with the best ascendancies, the Invoker's Ascendancy Skills provide good offense, defense, and utility.
However, it can be relatively more tricky to scale with this class. With the recent Hollow Palm Keystone nerf, using a normal quarterstaff to deal a variety of high elemental damage is the new norm.
Invoker Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Oracle |
|
|
Damage: ★★★★ Survivability:★★ Synergy: ★★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★★ |
![]() |
The Oracle can deal amazing damage, even during the campaign. Though it can be a little technical, following the Oracle's mechanics can be rewarding.
This ascendancy still has great potential and build possibilities as more time is invested into exploring its kit.
Oracle Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Shaman |
|
|
Damage: ★★★ Survivability:★★★ Synergy: ★★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★ |
![]() |
The Shaman has a somewhat more straightforward kit compared to the Oracle. The Wisdom of the Maji node particularly stands out, as it greatly improves the effects of modifiers on Runes and Idols.
This class generally uses the Bear Animal Form using Talismans, which is effective for Slam builds.
Shaman Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Titan |
|
|
Damage: ★★★ Survivability:★★★★ Synergy: ★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★ |
![]() |
Warrior Ascendency Classes in general use the Shield Wall skill as their main source of damage. However, Titan's kit can best take advantage of the Armor stacking tech by using the modifier that applies Armor to Elemental Damage. It makes building simple due to chasing only 2 stats in your equipment.
Though extremely tanky especially with a shield, it can be tricky to reach a point where you have enough armor to tank everything.
Titan Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Smith of Kitava
|
|
|
Damage: ★★ Survivability: ★★★ Synergy: ★★ Skill Nodes: ★★ |
![]() |
Similar to the Titan, the Smith of Kitava, can very easily make use of the Armour stacking strategy to maximize defenses. The main difference would be that Smith of Kitava can easily get max elemental resistances despite not having as much Armor.
Building around Shield Wall remains to be an easy-to-build but effective main source of damage.
Smith of Kitava Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Infernalist |
|
|
Damage:★★★ Survivability: ★★★★ Synergy: ★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★★ |
![]() |
The Infernalist excels at minion-builds due to the extra Spirit you can get from Beidat's Will. Though you can summon an army of minions, you can also make a more common spellcasting build revolving around the Essence Drain and Contagion combo.
Infernalist Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Abyssal Lich |
|
|
Damage:★★★★ Survivability: ★★★★ Synergy: ★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★ |
![]() |
The Abyssal Lich is a modified version of the Lich, with access to more offense-oriented nodes. Though it can perform just as well as the Lich, it is not necessary to pursue unlocking this special class when the Lich can offer similar results.
Abyssal Lich Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Warbringer |
|
|
Damage:★★★ Survivability: ★★★★★ Synergy: ★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★ |
![]() |
The Warbringer excels at performing Warcries with the Warcaller's Bellow node and also possesses an additional layer of defense with Encase in Jade. Though it still adheres to the powerful tanky archetype, the other Warrior classes are somewhat simpler but can bring similar results.
Warbringer Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
|
Damage: ★★★ Survivability:★★★ Synergy: ★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★ |
![]() |
The Disciple of Varashita finds a balance between minions and spellcasting with the use of Djinns. Though it has easy access to minion-related nodes, it can be a little more complicated to use minions effectively.
It can also be built to be a more common spellcaster utilizing Comet or the new Thrashing Vines gem.
Disciple of Varashta Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Ritualist |
|
|
Damage: ★★★ Survivability: ★★ Synergy: ★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★ |
![]() |
The Ritualist now has a buff to Blood Boil, which favors physical crit or bleed builds. However, it is still very flexible by being able to build around using Grenades, Bow/Crossbow Shots, or Elemental Spells!
The nodes this class has, however, are very generic. Though further improving the use of rings and charms is useful, it does not make the Ritualist shine in any particular playstyle.
Ritualist Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Tactician |
|
|
Damage:★★★★ Survivability: ★★★★ Synergy: ★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★ |
![]() |
The Tactician still excels at maximizing the Mortar Cannon Skill, and has some potential with the introduction of the new Spell Totem. Compared to the other Ascendancies, the Tactician has a node that specifically increases the Mortar Cannon Limit, which is vital for Ballista builds.
While very niche, the Tactician serves as a good Ascendancy for anyone planning on playing a support build when playing with a party.
Tactician Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Stormweaver |
|
|
Damage: ★★★ Survivability: ★★★ Synergy: ★★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★★ |
![]() |
The Stormweaver's kit relies solely on using Elemental Spells, and is the most simple spellcasting Ascendancy in the game. Though decent, it does not outperform other spellcasting Ascendancies in any particular aspect.
Stormweaver Ascendancy Overview
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Witchhunter |
|
|
Damage:★★★ Survivability: ★★ Synergy: ★★★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★ |
![]() |
The Witchhunter received a buff in its defensive options, with Sorcery Ward now also protecting against Physical and Chaos damage. Similar to the rest of the ranged projectile classes, this class builds mainly around Grenades and Crossbow Shots, which can scale incredibly well.
The rest of the Witchhunter's kit, however, is not as impressive. Though it does have the Concentration and Weapon Set mechanics for decent damage and build potential, they are not particularly unique or powerful enough to choose over the rest of the classes.
Witchhunter Ascendancy Overview and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Chronomancer |
|
|
Damage: ★★ Survivability:★★★ Synergy: ★ Skill Nodes: ★★ |
![]() |
The Chronomancer has decent defense-oriented nodes for spellcasters, which includes slowing enemies or regaining Life, Mana, and Energy Shield. However, its damage-oriented nodes do not really stand out from the rest of the spellcasting Ascendancies.
Chronomancer Ascendancy and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Acolyte of Chayula |
|
|
Damage:★★★ Survivability: ★★ Synergy: ★★ Skill Nodes: ★★ |
![]() |
The Acolyte of Chayula received some buffs in 0.4.0, which does make the Ascendancy more viable. However, its kit can be too niche to use and does not really make it outperform other elemental melee classes.
Acolyte of Chayula Ascendancy and Skills
| Class | Rating | Tier |
|---|---|
Gemling Legionnaire |
|
|
Damage:★★ Survivability: ★★ Synergy: ★★★★ Skill Nodes: ★★ |
![]() |
After the 0.4.0 update, the Gemling Legionnaire now has better elemental resistance due to reduced requirements. This makes the class more accessible in general.
However, its Support Gem stacking mechanic has very boosts that can be tricky to build towards. Though decent, it does not outperform other ranged projectile classes in the endgame.
Gemling Legionnaire Ascendancy and Skills
| Jump to a Section! | ||
|---|---|---|
| Base Class Tier List | Ascendancy Tier List | |
| Tier List Criteria | ||
| Damage | Considers the class' potential damage output and DPS, and their ability to clearly defeat bosses and clear maps. |
|---|---|
| Survivability | Considers the class' ability to survive and tank damage while fighting enemies and exploring maps. |
| Ease of Use | Considers how simple or complex a class is mechanically and in terms of how easy it is to pick up as new players (i.e., has less of a learning curve). |
| Time Investment | Considers the time, resources, and build specificity it takes to make the class viable for different content in the game. |
| Ascendancy Tier | Considers the rankings of the base class' ascendancies. |
| Damage | Considers the class' potential damage output and DPS, and their ability to clearly defeat bosses and clear maps. |
|---|---|
| Survivability | Considers the class' ability to survive and tank damage while fighting enemies and exploring maps. |
| Synergy | Considers how well each ascendancy can maximize or improve the performance of their respective base class and diversify builds. |
| Skill Nodes | Considers the amount of useful or game changing notable and small skills nodes present within the ascendancy's skill tree. |
| Beginners | Warrior |
|---|---|
| Fast Leveling | Mercenary |
| Mobility | Monk |
| Area Damage | Mercenary/Sorceress |
| Endgame Capability | Monk |
| Damage over Time | Ranger |
| Minion Class | Witch |
| Tank Class | Warrior |
Overall, each class in the game has their own unique feel and playstyle that fits a multitude of players. Players that enjoy playing shooter games that wants to hop into Path of Exile 2 will enjoy the Mercenary and its crossbow and ammo gameplay while players that love hyper mobile classes will enjoy classes like the Monk that can blitz through multiple units in a short span of time.
So while there are multiple classes in the game, we highly recommend sticking to the class that you'll find the most fun rather than which class may seem like the strongest class among the roster.

| Path of Exile 2 Wiki Contents | |
|---|---|
Builds |
Classes |
Tips and Tricks |
Bosses |
Walkthrough |
Quests |
Gems |
Items |
Weapons |
Armors |
Accessories |
Passives |
Skills
|
Ascension Trials |
Glossary |
Atlas of Worlds |
Leagues |
Characters |
Cosmetics |
Microtransactions |
Spectres |
Uniques |
News and Updates |
- |
I'm sorry but this is complete BS. I'm playing a monk, my friend is playing a warrior, we are both in endgame, me being lvl 92 and he is 88 or so, and let me tell you, warrior neither has better damage or defensive capabilities compared to an high ES monk using Chaos Inoculation. Whoever wrote this obviously didn't play the game further than lvl 40 or so. Early game, like first 14 levels or so, monk does struggle, but that completely disappears after the 20s.
Best Class Tier List

Genshin Impact Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Umamusume: Pretty Derby Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Where Winds Meet Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Honkai: Star Rail Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Wuthering Waves Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Digimon Story: Time Stranger Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP) Strategies & Guides Wiki

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Chaos Zero Nightmare Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Fire Emblem Heroes (FEH) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Monster Hunter World Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Persona 3 Reload Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
© 2010 - 2024 Grinding Gear Games
The copyrights of videos of games used in our content and other intellectual property rights belong to the provider of the game.
The contents we provide on this site were created personally by members of the Game8 editorial department.
We refuse the right to reuse or repost content taken without our permission such as data or images to other sites.
Hello, thank you for using our page as a reference! Yes, although all classes have the option to use all weapons and skills, there are still clear and remarkable differences such as early passives, stat allocations, and easy access to their pre-determined weapons. Furthermore, what really sets these classes from each other is their Ascendancy skills and passives that are unique only to them.