Path of Exile 2: A Deep Dive into the Ascendancy Classes
Path of Exile 2 offers immense character customization through skills, items, and, most significantly, Ascendancy Classes. While currently in early access with two progression paths per class (three planned for full release), let's explore the available Ascendancies. (See our companion article on choosing the best starting build.)
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Witch Ascendancy Classes
- Infernalist: A top-tier Witch specializing in fire spells and minion summoning (including the Infernal Hound). Transforming into a demonic form boosts damage and mobility at the cost of increased health consumption. Key nodes include Beidat's Will (linking Spirit to maximum HP) and Loyal Hellhound for enhanced survivability.
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- Blood Mage: A high-risk, high-reward class utilizing Sanguimancy, consuming HP instead of MP. Skills like Vitality Siphon, Life Remnants, Sunder the Flesh, and Gore Spike are crucial for survival and damage output.
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Sorcerer Ascendancy Classes
- Stormweaver: This Sorcerer unleashes devastating elemental damage with high critical hit chance, utilizing Tempest Caller to trigger Elemental Storm. Status ailments are key, enhanced by Strike Twice and Spirit Gems. Constant Gale and Force of Will improve spell casting and mana regeneration. Heart of the Storm converts Elemental Damage to Energy Shield for survivability.
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- Chronomancer: A unique class manipulating time. Spells like Temporal Rift and Time Freeze offer innovative combat options. While not currently the strongest, Now and Again (chance to avoid cooldowns), Apex of the Moment (slows enemies), and Quicksand Hourglass (faster spell casting) provide strategic advantages.
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Warrior Ascendancy Classes
- Warbringer: A melee-focused class combining war cries and totems for maximum damage. Imploding Impacts and Anvil’s Weight enhance armor penetration. Warcaller’s Bellow and Greatwolf’s Howl manage warcry cooldowns. Renly’s Training and Turtle Charm offer defensive options.
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- Titan: A defensive powerhouse using slow, powerful attacks to paralyze enemies. Stone Skin boosts armor, Mysterious Lineage increases HP, Earthbreaker and Ancestral Empowerment strengthen Slam abilities, and Surprising Strength increases damage against stunned foes.
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Monk Ascendancy Classes
- Invoker: A melee Monk harnessing elemental power and status effects. Power Charges enhance skills.
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- Acolyte of Chayula: This Monk utilizes Darkness, forgoing Spirit for increased Darkness and survivability. Consuming Questions with Mana Leech is a risky strategy due to Energy Shield cooldown removal. Currently less effective than the Invoker.
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Mercenary Ascendancy Classes
- Witchhunter: A strong class excelling at eliminating demons and undead. Increased damage on first and last hits, combined with Pitiless Killer, Damage vs Low Life Enemies, and Judge, Jury, and Executioner, are effective against various enemies. Witchbane and No Mercy reduce enemy concentration and increase damage. Zealous Inquisition causes slain enemies to explode.
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- Gemling Legionnaire: Gameplay centers around gems, their stats, quality, and color. Thaumaturgical Infusion increases resistances, Crystalline Potential and Implanted Gems enhance skill levels, Advanced Thaumaturgy reduces skill costs and attribute requirements, Adaptive Capability offers flexibility, and Integrated Efficiency adds three extra skill slots. Gem Studded allows using two identical Support gems.
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Ranger Ascendancy Classes
- Deadeye: A ranged combat class enhancing attack range and damage. Endless Munitions adds projectiles, ideal for clearing enemies. Excellent for bow users focusing on elemental damage.
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- Pathfinder: A poison-focused class dealing double poison damage. Overwhelming Toxicity increases poison application but shortens duration. Utilizes gas grenades for area-of-effect poison damage.
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Note: This covers twelve of the planned thirty-six Ascendancy Classes. Future updates may alter passive skills and class balance.