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With Path of Exile 2’s Early Access launch right around the corner, the community is buzzing with anticipation-and memes. While the servers prepare for impact and build planners start revving up, the question on every exile’s mind isn’t about endgame systems or skill trees. No POE 2 Currency Orbs, it’s something far more primal:
“Which class should I play?”
Whether you’re here for the meta or just want to know which character has the best dodge-roll animation, we’re cutting through the noise and giving you the real rundown. Just a quick-and-dirty look at the six launch classes in PoE 2, along with their Ascendancy options and vibes.
Let’s break down each one as fast (and brutally honest) as possible.
1. Warrior- The Rock Johnson Power Fantasy
You ever wanted to roleplay as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson smashing a demon’s face with a mace the size of a mailbox? Meet the Warrior. This walking tank is all about heavy melee, earth-shattering slams, and blocking more hits than a 2003 MMA highlight reel.
The Warrior uses a giant shield and massive weapons to pulverize anything in melee range. He feels chunky, durable, and deeply satisfying to play if you like your combat up close and personal.
Ascendancies:
Titan- An evolution of the ground-pounder fantasy. Slam harder. Slam wider. Slam louder.
Warbringer- A spiritual meathead who shouts so hard enemies die. Great for players who enjoy yelling and being just loud enough to be effective.
Play Warrior if: You want big weapons, loud noises, and to look like you benchpress boulders for breakfast.
2. Sorceress- Classic Mage with Some Serious Flair
The Sorceress is your typical robe-wearing, element-flinging spellcaster-but with style. Fireballs? Yes. Chain lightning? Absolutely. Frozen time-warping temporal stasis powers that make you feel like a Marvel villain? Surprisingly, yes again.
She might be the most “traditional RPG” class in the lineup, but PoE 2 gives her enough spice to keep things interesting.
Ascendancies:
Stormweaver- A lightning specialist who can auto-summon tiny storms like she’s commanding a weather app.
Chronomancer- Can freeze time, reset cooldowns, and cheese puzzles. Basically a speedrunner’s dream.
Play Sorceress if: You like blowing stuff up from a distance while looking fabulous doing it. Bonus: her skills are visually amazing.
3. Ranger- Elf Energy with Backflips
Take Legolas, add a dash of edginess and agility, and you’ve got the PoE 2 Ranger. Armed with a bow and an absurd number of arrows, she’s the queen of ranged combat-and yes, she can do a backflip on command.
The Ranger has always had a place in ARPGs, and in PoE 2, she’s faster, more flexible, and potentially even more dangerous.
Ascendancies:
Deadeye- What if more arrows? Just… more. Everything hits twice as hard because you’re shooting twice as much.
Pathfinder- A hippie-chemist type who throws potions instead of arrows. Great for players who want to poison everything and then run away laughing.
Play Ranger if: You want speed, slick movement, and to fill the entire screen with projectiles.
4. Monk- Kung Fu Parkour Legend
Now we’re talking. The Monk is all about martial arts, grace, and acrobatic mastery. He uses a staff like a proper kung fu master and flows through enemies with flips, kicks, and aerial pirouettes.
There’s serious Tony Hawk energy here-except instead of grinding rails, you’re wall-running over demons.
Ascendancies:
Invoker- One of the most complex classes to master. Ideal for big-brain players who like solving puzzles mid-combat.
Acolyte of Chayula- Yes, that Chayula. If you love eldritch horror, void magic, and looking like you listen to black metal in your free time, this one’s for you.
Play Monk if: You like staves, fluid movement, and maybe want to RP as a Shaolin reject turned cosmic horror vessel.
5. Mercenary- Crossbows, Grenades, and FPS Energy
Introducing PoE 2’s most modern class: the Mercenary. He’s the only one wielding crossbows, which behave more like FPS weapons than traditional ARPG attacks. He also lugs around grenade launchers and other high-tech toys.
According to GGG, playing the Mercenary is meant to feel like playing a shooter-and while that may sound like hyperbole, the gameplay speaks for itself. Skillshots, gadget utility, and rapid mobility give him a unique vibe among the lineup.
Ascendancies:
Witch Hunter- Specializes in nuking spellcasters. Think anti-magic assassin with dark flair.
Gemling Legionnaire- The most “mad scientist” of the bunch. Embeds skill gems into his own body and literally becomes a walking arsenal.
Play Mercenary if: You want guns, gadgets, and a brand-new mechanical experience. Also great if you like pressing 20 buttons per second.6. Witch- Queen of Blood and Bone
The Witch returns in PoE 2, still delightfully dark, creepy, and goth as ever. While she doesn’t have her classic dedicated minion Ascendancy at launch (RIP skeleton build enjoyers), she’s still a powerhouse for necromancy, blood magic, and eldritch fire.
Her visuals are some of the best in the game-especially if you like your magic with a splash of blood and your wardrobe full of skulls.
Ascendancies:
Blood Mage- Uses life as a casting resource and channels raw power through self-sacrifice. Risky, but rewarding.
Infernal- Transforms into a literal fiery demon with a hellhound companion. She’s basically what every 14-year-old Warlock OC aspired to be.
Play Witch if: You enjoy minions, darkness, blood magic, or just want to turn into a demon and burn everything.
Final Thoughts- Just Pick What Feels Right
Now that we’ve covered all six of the starting classes in Path of Exile 2 Early Access, here’s the truth that no min-maxing spreadsheet can teach you:
It’s a brand-new game.
We don’t even have access to the full endgame yet. There are skill gems we haven’t seen, mechanics still in flux, and balancing passes yet to come. Sure, some content creators will try to cram tier lists down your throat from day one, but the reality is simple:
Pick the class that looks cool to you.
If you love the idea of dual-wielding crossbows, go Mercenary. If you want to time-stop and spam lightning bolts, play Sorceress. If you want to karate-kick through a lava dungeon with a void god whispering in your ear-Monk’s your man.
Because at the end of the day, Path of Exile 2 isn’t about getting it “right.” It’s about experimenting, exploring, dying horribly, and then respeccing until you get it less wrong.
Future Classes and What’s Coming
While Early Access will launch with these six, more classes-like the long-teased Druid-will be added post-launch. GGG has confirmed that they’ll be rolling out additional content as they fine-tune balance and gather player feedback, so expect the class lineup to expand over time.
The Druid, for example, promises shapeshifting and nature-based abilities, which could open up even more playstyle diversity. And you can bet Ascendancies will continue to get wilder with each patch.
One Last Thing
There’s no wrong choice Path of Exile 2 Currency. No perfect pick. No need to wait for some meta-defining tier list to drop before you dive in. Just boot it up, pick a class, and go nuts.
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