Path of Exile 2 Classes & Ascendancies

All eight playable Path of Exile 2 classes and their 22 ascendancies – attributes, weapons, when each was added and how to pick your first character before 1.0.

Updated 1 November 2026Checked for patch patch 0.5.5e8 sources
Wa Warrior Strength · maces Ra Ranger Dexterity · bows Hu Huntress Dexterity · spears Wi Witch Intelligence · minions and chaos So Sorceress Intelligence · elemental spells Me Mercenary Strength/Dexterity · crossbows Mo Monk Dexterity/Intelligence · quarterstaffs Dr Druid Strength/Intelligence · shapeshifter
Image: Path of Exile / YouTube

Path of Exile 2 has eight playable classes in early access. Each one starts in its own corner of the shared passive tree, tied to one or two of the three attributes – Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence. Once you clear your first trial, you pick an ascendancy: a specialisation with its own small skill tree that defines your build.

Six classes were there at the start of early access; the Huntress (0.2) and Druid (0.4) came later, and most classes have gained a third ascendancy since. The Duelist joins in 1.0.

All classes at a glance

ClassAscendanciesAttributeSignature weaponAddedAscendancies
WarriorTitan (Added in 0.1), Warbringer (Added in 0.1), Smith of Kitava (Added in 0.2)StrengthMacesEarly access (0.1)3
RangerDeadeye (Added in 0.1), Pathfinder (Added in 0.1)DexterityBowsEarly access (0.1)2
HuntressAmazon (Added in 0.2), Ritualist (Added in 0.2), Spirit Walker (Added in 0.5)DexteritySpears and bucklersDawn of the Hunt (0.2)3
WitchInfernalist (Added in 0.1), Blood Mage (Added in 0.1), Lich (Added in 0.2)IntelligenceWands and sceptresEarly access (0.1)3 (plus the secret Abyssal Lich)
SorceressStormweaver (Added in 0.1), Chronomancer (Added in 0.1), Disciple of Varashta (Added in 0.4)IntelligenceStavesEarly access (0.1)3
MercenaryWitchhunter (Added in 0.1), Gemling Legionnaire (Added in 0.1), Tactician (Added in 0.2)Strength and DexterityCrossbowsEarly access (0.1)3
MonkInvoker (Added in 0.1), Acolyte of Chayula (Added in 0.1), Martial Artist (Added in 0.5)Dexterity and IntelligenceQuarterstaffsEarly access (0.1)3
DruidOracle (Added in 0.4), Shaman (Added in 0.4)Strength and IntelligenceTalismansThe Last of the Druids (0.4)2

The three attributes

StrengthHeavy armour and big melee hits. Warrior, plus half of Mercenary and Druid.
DexterityEvasion, speed and ranged or agile weapons. Ranger and Huntress, plus half of Mercenary and Monk.
IntelligenceEnergy shield and spells. Witch and Sorceress, plus half of Monk and Druid.

How ascendancy works

Trial of the SekhemasA roguelike trial in Act 2. Bring a Djinn Barya to enter.
Trial of ChaosA wave-based trial in Act 3 with modifiers you choose. Bring an Inscribed Ultimatum.
Eight pointsYou ascend four times, earning two ascendancy points each time. Your first ascension picks your ascendancy class.

Choosing your first class

Every class shares one treeAll classes start in different spots on the same passive tree, so any class can branch toward other styles.
Gems aren't lockedSkill gems aren't tied to your class. A Warrior can use a bow – your class just makes some weapons much easier.
Start simpleRanged classes like the Ranger and Mercenary are often suggested for a first character – keeping distance makes early bosses more forgiving.
The Duelist is coming1.0 on December 11, 2026 adds the Duelist, the first sword-wielding class, with two ascendancies.

Pick a class above for a short beginner overview of how it plays and what each ascendancy focuses on.

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Reference page written by AI (Claude) and checked against the sources above. Games change with every patch – the patch this page was last checked for is shown at the top.