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. However, choosing an Ascendancy Class adds another layer of strategic depth. Currently in early access, each class features two progression paths, with a third planned for the full release. Let's explore the existing Ascendancies!
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Witch Ascendancy Classes
- Infernalist: A potent Witch specializing in fire spells and summoning Infernal Hounds. The ability to transform into a demonic form boosts damage and mobility, though at the cost of increased health vulnerability. Key nodes include Beidat's Will (linking Spirit to maximum HP) and Loyal Hellhound for improved demonic form survivability.
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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 mitigate the risk by leeching health from enemies. Sunder the Flesh and Gore Spike enhance critical hit damage.
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Sorcerer Ascendancy Classes
- Stormweaver: This Sorcerer unleashes devastating elemental damage with high critical hit chances, amplified by Tempest Caller and Spirit Gems. Constant Gale and Force of Will improve spell casting speed and mana regeneration. Heart of the Storm converts elemental damage to energy shield for increased survivability.
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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 abilities, including Now and Again (chance to avoid cooldowns), Apex of the Moment (slows enemies), and Quicksand Hourglass (increases spell casting speed), provide high potential.
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Warrior Ascendancy Classes
- Warbringer: A melee-focused class combining war cries and totem summons for maximum damage. Imploding Impacts and Anvil’s Weight enhance armor penetration. Warcaller’s Bellow and Greatwolf’s Howl manipulate warcry cooldowns. Renly’s Training and Turtle Charm bolster defensive capabilities.
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- Titan: A defensive powerhouse utilizing powerful, slow attacks to paralyze enemies. Stone Skin and Mysterious Lineage significantly enhance survivability. Earthbreaker and Ancestral Empowerment boost slam abilities, while Surprising Strength increases damage against stunned foes.
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Monk Ascendancy Classes
- Invoker: A melee class harnessing elemental power and status effects. Power Charges enhance skills, adding strategic depth.
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- Acolyte of Chayula: This Monk utilizes Darkness, forgoing Spirit for increased Darkness and survivability. Consuming Questions combined with Mana Leech offers a risky, high-potential playstyle.
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Mercenary Ascendancy Classes
- Witchhunter: A powerful class excelling at eliminating demons and undead. Passive skills like Pitiless Killer and Judge, Jury, and Executioner are crucial against challenging foes. Witchbane and No Mercy enhance damage and reduce enemy concentration. Zealous Inquisition adds an explosive effect upon enemy death.
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- Gemling Legionnaire: Gameplay revolves around gems, their color, and quantity. Passive skills enhance gem levels, reduce skill costs, and expand active skill slots.
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Ranger Ascendancy Classes
- Deadeye: A ranged combat class enhancing attack range and damage. Endless Munitions adds projectiles for efficient clearing. Ideal for bow users focusing on elemental damage.
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- Pathfinder: A poison-focused class dealing double poison damage. Overwhelming Toxicity amplifies poison application but shortens duration. Utilizes gas grenades for area-of-effect poison application.
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This overview covers twelve of the planned thirty-six Ascendancy Classes in Path of Exile 2's early access. Further classes and potential skill adjustments are expected in future updates.