Path of Exile II is still in its early stages, with an exciting roadmap that promises three more acts and six additional classes. Nevertheless, early trends indicate clear favorites among players, with certain characters emerging as particularly dominant.
While some may argue that preferences are subjective, data often tells a compelling story. Over time, classes will rise and fall in popularity as Grinding Gear Games (GGG) makes adjustments.This fluidity is not inherently negative.
Despite variations in strength, it’s encouraging to note that all starting classes have their merits, assuming players choose the right skills and equipment.With the correct strategies, any class can thrive.
That being said, the complexity of optimizing different characters varies. Below, we will evaluate and rank the first six classes based on their current status in Path of Exile II.
6 Warrior
Bone-Shattering Destruction
Currently, the Warrior occupies the sixth position in our rankings. While not necessarily weak, the class struggles to climb higher due to the mechanics of Armor in Path of Exile II.
In endgame scenarios, Evasion and Energy Shield have proven considerably more beneficial for survivability, particularly when facing the formidable foes found in T15 Maps.
Although GGG attempted to bolster the Warrior’s performance by enhancing Armor effectiveness by around 15%, this adjustment has yet to close the gap with other classes.
Furthermore, the Warrior generally operates at a slower pace, which can be detrimental in a game designed for rapid maneuvers and bombastic attacks. Engaging enemies up close, paired with extended weapon swing animations, can be less than ideal.
Of course, with sufficient investment, you can optimize the Warrior; but every class has its strengths, often with lower costs and more straightforward builds.
5 Witch
Necromancy and Nightmares
The Witch ranks fifth, showing a marked improvement over the Warrior, though challenges remain.Her heavy dependence on minions can be a double-edged sword.
While raising the dead to fight for her is imaginative, the class can encounter obstacles with certain map designs that hinder her performance.
In endgame maps like Crypt or Seepage, players may find their minions underperforming in tight corners due to the artificial intelligence limitations.
Moreover, because the Witch relies largely on her summons, her own damage output tends to lag. If minions falter, she lacks the ability to compensate adequately.
Many of her skills necessitate plenty of corpses, making drawn-out boss encounters particularly challenging for inexperienced players.
Compared to other intelligence-based classes like the Sorceress, the Witch is equally fragile but lacks corresponding damage potential, placing her in a precarious position. Only one of her Ascendancies, the Infernalist, proves significantly beneficial late-game.
4 Ranger
Nimble and Cunning
Here, we witness an upswing in performance with the Ranger. Utilizing her two Ascendancies effectively allows for impressive build options.
She excels at map farming for quick experience without requiring significant financial investment for viable builds.
A combination of agility and strategic placement makes the Ranger a favorable choice for newcomers, as her survivability often surpasses that of other classes.
However, she may encounter some trouble against single-target foes, as her abilities often lean towards crowd control.
Nonetheless, her two Ascendancies, Deadeye and Pathfinder, each offer unique benefits ensuring adaptability.
Lightning builds using Deadeye frequently shine, while Poison configurations paired with Corpsewade boots can deliver tremendous damage for Pathfinders.
Endgame encounters typically present ample opportunities for enemy engagement, although extra preparation may be needed against tougher Citadel bosses.
3 Monk
Tranquility in Action
A quick glance at the Path of Exile II leaderboard reveals the Monk’s formidable stature within the class hierarchy.
Despite being a melee-focused character, the Monk’s superior mobility allows for swift engagements and evasive maneuvers.
This class boasts two exceptionally strong builds: the Storm Wave Lightning and Ice Strike variants.
With just a reliable staff and a few affordable unique items, players can harness the Monk’s immense potential to obliterate foes easily.
Once equipped with abilities like Blink and Hand of Chaluya, your character can navigate the battlefield effortlessly.
In many ways, the Monk compensates for all the Warrior’s shortcomings.One must prioritize evasion and energy shield for optimal survivability.
The Invoker Ascendancy synergizes well with elemental focus, resulting in explosive damage with abilities like Unbound Avatar. While the Monk may pose a challenge for beginners, it ultimately offers substantial long-term rewards.
2 Mercenary
A Divine Opportunity
One term sums up the prowess of the Mercenary: Gemling Legionnaire.
Choosing the Mercenary class boasts significant early-game advantages, primarily through impressive AoE capabilities alongside stellar single-target damage. You won’t need to engage directly, as early crossbows handle much of the work.
However, the class truly shines in the later stages, provided you can finance the builds adequately.
Stat Stacking defines the Mercenary’s gameplay, where focusing on maximum stats yields astonishing outcomes—enhanced effects on the Ascendancy tree let you double your primary stat benefits.
That’s right: double.
Most players adopt a melee approach wielding a Pillar of the Caged God staff, capitalizing on high stats for devastation.
The build excels once synergized with other high-stat items such as Astramentis or Morior Invinctus, although these items often come at steep prices due to their overpowered nature.
When constructed correctly, this setup results in a character that deliver enormous damage while maintaining high survivability against formidable foes.
1 Sorceress
Watch the Sparks Fly
It’s a challenge to argue against the Sorceress claiming the top spot. Although the initial Cold Comet build faced nerfs early in PoE II’s lifespan, the Sorceress persists as a dominant force.
Players have transitioned to the Archmage Spark build, which relies on a robust mana pool to unleash powerful electrical attacks.
For sustainability, the Sorceress can count on a potent energy shield, supplemented by passives like Mind over Matter for added resilience.
While she may seem fragile at the game’s start, her power escalates, allowing her to dispatch foes before they close in.
Notably, the energy shield mechanic serves as the Sorceress’s primary advantage. Players have the option to utilize the risky Chaos Innoulation perk, reducing HP to 1 in order to negate Chaos Damage altogether.
The Stormweaver Ascendancy stands out as the best choice, often leaving other classes behind.
One of the most appealing features of the Sorceress is that she is accessible to beginners, with numerous affordable options.
New players can easily acquire powerful uniques like Atziri’s Disdain and Ghostwrithe via the PoE2 Online Marketplace, allowing them to explore the Mapping Phase without significant investments.
Given these factors, the Sorceress emerges as the unequivocal leader in Path of Exile II’s current landscape. However, as the game evolves and new patches are released, shifts in class rankings are always possible.
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