Path of Exile 2: A Deep Dive into the Ascendancy Classes
Path of Exile 2 offers unparalleled character customization with hundreds of skills and items. But the true depth lies in choosing your Ascendancy Class, which significantly shapes your playstyle. Currently in early access, each class boasts two (with a planned three at full release) distinct progression paths. Let's explore the available Ascendancies!
(See also: our guide on choosing the best starting build.)
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Witch Ascendancy Classes
- Infernalist: A top-tier Witch specializing in devastating fire spells and infernal hound summoning. Transforming into a demonic form boosts damage and mobility at the cost of increased health consumption. Key nodes like Beidat's Will tie Spirit to maximum HP, creating a powerful undead army build.
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- Blood Mage: A high-risk, high-reward class utilizing Sanguimancy, which replaces mana with health. Skills like Vitality Siphon and Life Remnants offset the risk, but reckless play can be fatal.
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Sorcerer Ascendancy Classes
- Stormweaver: This Sorcerer unleashes elemental chaos, focusing on high critical hit chance and triggering Elemental Storm. Status ailments are key, amplified by Spirit Gems against affected enemies. Constant Gale and Force of Will are crucial for spellcasting speed and mana regeneration.
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- Chronomancer: A unique class manipulating time. Spells like Temporal Rift and Time Freeze offer innovative combat strategies. While not currently the strongest, its time-bending potential is exciting.
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Warrior Ascendancy Classes
- Warbringer: A melee powerhouse combining war cries and totem summons. Imploding Impacts and Anvil's Weight enhance armor penetration, while Warcaller's Bellow adds explosive corpse damage. Defensive options like Renly's Training and Turtle Charm are also available.
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- Titan: A defensive juggernaut specializing in paralyzing enemies with powerful, slow attacks. Stone Skin and Mysterious Lineage significantly boost survivability, while Earthbreaker and Ancestral Empowerment enhance offensive capabilities.
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Monk Ascendancy Classes
- Invoker: A melee Monk harnessing elemental power and status effects. Power Charges further enhance skills, adding strategic depth.
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- Acolyte of Chayula: This Monk embraces darkness, forgoing Spirit for Darkness. While Consuming Questions offers potential, its reliance on mana leech currently limits its effectiveness.
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Mercenary Ascendancy Classes
- Witchhunter: A top-tier class excelling at eliminating demons and undead. Increased damage on first and last hits, combined with skills like Pitiless Killer and Judge, Jury, and Executioner, make it a formidable force.
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- Gemling Legionnaire: Gameplay centers around gems, their color, and quality. Nodes like Thaumaturgical Infusion, Crystalline Potential, and Integrated Efficiency offer unique build possibilities.
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Ranger Ascendancy Classes
- Deadeye: A ranged combat specialist with increased attack range and damage. Endless Munitions adds extra projectiles, ideal for clearing large groups of enemies.
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- Pathfinder: A master of poison, dealing devastating damage over time. Overwhelming Toxicity doubles poison application but shortens duration. High mobility and slow resistance make it a potent area-control class.
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This overview covers the twelve currently available Ascendancy Classes in Path of Exile 2's early access. Remember that this is a snapshot, and future updates will introduce more classes and potentially alter skill functionality.
