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Some sequels just add a few new mechanics here and there and call it a day. Path of Exile 2 is not one of them. Not only does Path of Exile 2 have 12 new classes in total, but it also increases the number of ascendancies to 36! Here, we’ll discuss all the new classes in Path of Exile 2 and their ascendancies.
The Confirmed Classes in Path of Exile 2
These are all the confirmed classes in PoE 2 so far. Things are subject to change as the game hasn’t been released yet, so take this information with a grain of salt.
Marauder
The Marauder is an old favorite from Path of Exile 1 that looks to have gone through quite a lot of changes in the new game. It’s still the old axe-wielding, rage-spewing, face-crushing Marauder we know and love from PoE 1, but with a few alterations.
His ascendancies have been completely revamped to focus on his ancestral spells and abilities. The class will likely remain a melee god, just in a different way and with a slightly different playstyle.
Warrior
The Warrior is the second strength-based class added to the game and is intended to complement the Marauder. Whereas the Marauder plays more like a maniac, the Warrior class is slower and more brutish.
Of course, that’s just pure speculation for now, as the game allows each class to pick up and use whatever weapons they want. The Warrior might be intended to be a bruiser, but you can comfortably play him as a nuker if you so desire.
Witch
Of the three original pure classes, the Witch is probably the one class that has gone through the most changes from its PoE 1 counterpart. In the original game, the Witch was intended to be the de facto spellcaster. However, in PoE 2, her capabilities have been divvied up.
To be specific. Instead of being an overall spellcaster, she’s now an occult spell and necromancy specialist, with her new counterpart, the Sorceress, being the elemental specialist. She’ll still likely remain one of the best classes in PoE, just a bit more specialized than before.
Sorceress
The Sorceress is the new Intelligence-based counterpart to the Witch in PoE 2 and the new elemental specialist. Being a sorceress, she’ll probably have a few more tricks up her sleeve than just elemental spells.
The inclusion of illusion magic or something similar would serve to really deepen the gameplay experience of PoE 2 by adding an alternative way of clearing instances. You can only kill so many mobs before it becomes repetitive.
Ranger
The Ranger used to be the best class for running ranged builds in PoE 1, but it seems like that will be a thing of the past in PoE2. In Path of Exile 2, the Ranger will be a more melee-focused class, specializing in totems and defenses rather than pure offense.
She’ll still be able to equip and use a bow, though it seems like alternative builds will be the better choice. The new Survivalist Ascendancy will be the closest thing to the original Ranger, though even that will likely be different mechanically from the Ranger of PoE 1.
Huntress
Not a lot is known about the Huntress other than that she’ll be the new Dexterity-based counterpart to the Ranger. Unlike the Ranger, the Huntress will specialize in using spears and traps to eliminate her enemies.
She’ll also likely have an Ascendancy class that specializes in either crossbows or bows, seeing as she’s a huntress and all. And seeing as the Deadeye Ascendancy will be absent in PoE 2, it’s likely that the Huntress will become the new best ranged class.
Duelist
The Duelist is another class from PoE 1 that’s making a return in PoE 2, however, it’s currently unknown how different he will be in the sequel compared to the original game. What is known however is that he’ll retain his passion for swords and causing general mayhem.
If the Duelist retains his original capabilities, then he’s likely to remain one of the best classes for running melee builds in PoE, just with a few new tricks up his gauntlet.
Mercenary
The Mercenary class is the new counterpart to the Duelist and is currently one of the classes we know the least about. All we know for sure is that he’ll mainly scale off of Strength and Dexterity and that he’ll prefer the use of Crossbows above all else.
If the class is anything like the Duelist of the original then it’s likely to be one of the most diverse classes in Path of Exile 2, capable of fulfilling any role you put him into and excelling in any situation.
Shadow
The Shadow is another returning class from Path of Exile 1, and similarly to the Duelist, it seems not to have been altered that much compared to the first game. Just like in the first game, the Shadow will focus on traps and intrigue to take on his foes.
Its Ascendancies likely haven’t been changed either. However, because of the new spells and mechanics being added in PoE 2, the class will likely feel different even though it hasn’t changed that much.
Monk
Monk is the other Dexterity/Intelligence class being added to Path of Exile 2 and probably the class that fans are most excited to play. Similarly to the Shadow, the Monk will focus on mobility and carefully cast skills to vanquish his enemies.
What’s interesting about this class is that its preferred fighting choices are quarterstaffs and unarmed combat, the latter of which is particularly intriguing. Let’s hope that GGG has created a system that makes unarmed combat viable and not just a novelty.
Templar
The Templar is also making a return, though likely in an altered state. Compared to the first game, the Templar of PoE 2 will likely be a more melee-focused class, preferring flails over other weapons.
Does this mean that the Hierophant will be no more? Who knows. It’ll be a shame to see it go, considering that it’s one of the best classes for running spellcasting builds in PoE. Only time will tell.
Druid
Druid is the 12th and final class being added to Path of Exile 2. There’s not a lot of information on the class currently, other than it’ll have shapeshifting abilities. If it follows established trends from similar games, then it’s likely to be a melee and spellcasting hybrid.
Out of all the classes being added, this one will probably be the new king of utility, considering how it can shapeshift into different forms, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Confirmed Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2
There are 36 confirmed ascendancies for Path of Exile 2, however, only seven of those have been showcased so far. Those are the following:
- Beastmaster: An Ascendancy for the Ranger. Focuses on critical strike bonuses and the new Werecat form
- Survivalist: The second Ranger Ascendancy. Focuses on defensive abilities and bow skills.
- Tactician: The final Ranger Ascendancy. Focuses on totems and buffs.
- Reaver: Marauder Ascendancy. Focuses on summoning ancestral spirits to help him in combat.
- Ancestor: The other Marauder Ascendancy. Offers buffed ancestral abilities and totems.
- Defiler: The new Witch Ascendancy. Focuses on debuffs and damage over time spells.
- Arcanist: The other new Witch Ascendancy. Focuses specifically on buffing lightning abilities.
