Path of Exile 2 Best Classes

Path of Exile 2 Best Classes

Choosing the best class in Path of Exile 2 can be tricky, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the game’s upcoming changes. But don’t worry—our team is ready to tackle this challenge for you. In this guide, we’ve crafted detailed tier lists for the overall best classes, highlighted their strengths and weaknesses, and provided recommendations for beginners, league starters, and optimal leveling classes. Since the game is still in pre-release and details remain scarce, we’ll keep this guide updated as new information becomes available.

PoE 2 Best Class Tier List

Path of Exile 2 introduces an exciting mix of brand-new classes alongside the familiar ones from the original game, bringing the total to 12 diverse options. With such variety, it’s only natural that some classes will outperform others in specific scenarios. If you prefer to choose based on your personal taste or favorite aesthetics, that’s a great approach! However, if you’re looking for a more strategic edge, our Path of Exile 2 Overall Best Class Tier List is here to help. In this guide, we break down the strengths and weaknesses of each class, highlighting which ones excel in performance. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, this information will assist you in making the best choice for your playstyle and goals.

Tier S	Tier A	Tier B	Tier C

Overall Best Classes List

📌 Note: The Tier List is subject to change. Until the release of Path of Exile 2, no information can be guaranteed 100% accurate. We will keep this guide updated to provide the latest data.

This tier list reflects the overall best classes for DPS, Solo, Solo Self-Found (SSF) play, and challenging Hardcore (HC) mode. The criteria for choosing the best damage-dealing classes are based on their ability to one-shot enemies, whether through spellcasting or powerful weaponry. Keep in mind that performance is not solely dependent on the class itself, but also on gear, weapons, and your build.

The tier list is still in development, and class rankings may shift over time. We will update this section to provide the most current information. One thing is certain though — no matter where your class ranks, you’ll enjoy the challenging PoE 2 Delves and the valuable rewards they offer. Whether your character is top-tier or not, Delves are designed to test your skills for rare rewards. Our team can assist you in obtaining fossils, resonators, and unique items without hours of grinding.

S-Tier

What makes the classes in S-Tier stand out? They have superior capabilities and high sustainability. These classes are flexible, versatile, and generally do not require specific builds or gear to succeed. Below are the S-Tier classes:

Class	Advantages	Disadvantages
Mercenary	Great at both melee and ranged, strong AoE/Single-target damage, effective in SSF	Playstyle is somewhat limited, although still versatile for most builds
Marauder	Excellent melee damage, warcry support, tanky for both HC and SSF	Requires rare items for optimal performance, slower map clearing
Templar	Tanky and reliable, ideal for HC and SSF, great league starter	Slower gameplay, requires group play for maximum effectiveness

Mercenary

The Mercenary class in PoE 2 is expected to perform exceptionally well due to their versatile combat abilities. Whether they use melee or ranged attacks, their AoE and single-target damage potential are impressive. They excel in SSF play, though their playstyle may be a bit rigid for some.

Marauder

Marauders are expected to remain a powerful class, much like in the original PoE. Known for their strength in melee combat and ability to take massive amounts of damage, Marauders are ideal for tanky builds. However, they may struggle with map clearing speed.

Templar

Templars are reliable and sturdy, combining offense and defense. They are expected to use Flails and holy magic, enhancing their summoning abilities. Templars excel in Hardcore and SSF modes but tend to have slower gameplay compared to other classes.

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A-Tier

The classes in A-Tier are generally excellent fighters with high DPS. However, they often require specific items or have certain limitations that prevent them from reaching S-Tier. These classes are still enjoyable and strong:

Class	Advantages	Disadvantages
Ranger	High DPS, fast farming, great mobility and solo play	Squishy, requires specific gear, struggles in Hardcore modes
Witch	Strong support and DPS, minion builds are safe and great for starters	Slow map clearing, hard to acquire high-end gear in SSF
Sorceress	Powerful elemental spellcaster, decent AoE damage, reliable in Hardcore	Limited scaling for endgame DPS, needs specific skills for efficiency

Ranger

The Ranger is a fast and mobile archer, capable of overwhelming enemies with elemental arrows or toxic attacks. Rangers are excellent for quick farming and solo play but are fragile, especially in Hardcore modes, and require specific gear to perform optimally.

Witch

Witches summon undead minions and unleash dark energies, offering a safe playstyle ideal for beginners. However, the reliance on minions can slow down map clearing and make it difficult to acquire high-end gear in SSF.

Sorceress

The Sorceress is a classic elemental spellcaster who channels the powers of Fire, Cold, and Lightning. While she delivers powerful ranged AoE damage, her defenses are low, and she requires precise positioning. Her scaling in endgame DPS is limited.

Druid

The Druid is a hybrid class capable of transforming into various creatures, combining spellcasting and melee attacks. The Druid brings powerful Primal abilities to the table but suffers from slow progression in the early and mid-game, as well as low mobility.

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B-Tier

B-Tier classes are considered average. They provide enough DPS to progress through the game but are less optimized compared to higher-tier classes. Some of these classes require more skill and resource management:

Class	Advantages	Disadvantages
Shadow	Strong early game, good DoT and AoE, high mobility	Dependent on top builds, struggles in Hardcore and SSF
Monk	Agile, combo-based fighter, good melee and ranged capabilities	Scaling issues, too difficult for beginners
Duelist	Strong melee combat, versatile in builds	Weak in endgame, gear-dependent, struggles in ranged combat

Shadow

The Shadow is a hybrid Intelligence/Dexterity class that focuses on traps and mines. Shadow excels in strategic, high-burst damage, but precise positioning and setup are key to survival. It’s great for early game but struggles in Hardcore and SSF.

Monk

The Monk is a fast-paced, combo-based fighter who uses quick attacks with a staff or unarmed strikes. While effective in both melee and ranged combat, the Monk’s advanced playstyle can be difficult for newcomers to master.

Duelist

The Duelist is a versatile hybrid class that excels in melee combat, using both strength and dexterity. Although strong against mobs and bosses, the Duelist faces difficulties in the endgame and requires good gear and positioning for ranged combat.

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C-Tier

Finally, C-Tier classes come with significant drawbacks, either due to their dependence on expensive builds or difficulty scaling. These classes may still be fun to play, but they can be challenging in certain activities.

Class	Advantages	Disadvantages
Huntress	Hybrid, versatile, can adapt to various combat situations	Requires specific build and gear, ineffective in most situations
Warrior	Classic melee class, excels in close combat with large weapons	Limited build options, poor scaling with physical damage

Huntress

The Huntress is a dexterity-based class with a versatile, agile playstyle and elemental attacks. While she can adapt to many combat situations, her reliance on specific builds and gear makes her less effective in most situations, particularly in Hardcore and SSF.

Warrior

The Warrior is a traditional tanky melee class focused on close combat with two-handed weapons. Though effective in close-range combat, the Warrior struggles with limited build options and poor scaling of physical damage.

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Path of Exile 2 Best Classes For Beginners

When starting out in PoE 2, you may wonder: “Which class should I choose?” While visual appeal and a straightforward description may guide your decision, consulting tier lists can help identify optimal starting choices. Below is our Best Classes for Beginners Tier List:

Tier S	Tier A	Tier B	Tier C
Marauder	Sorceress	Monk	Druid
Templar	Mercenary	Huntress	Witch
Ranger	Shadow		Warrior
Duelist

Best League Starter Classes

The top choices for beginners, and potential league starters, are Marauder, Templar, and Ranger. These classes offer straightforward gameplay:

• Marauder: Ideal for tanky, melee builds
• Templar: A solid balance of offense and defense
• Ranger: Great for ranged attacks and mobility

Path of Exile 2 Best Classes For Leveling

Path of Exile 2 Best Classes For Leveling

Leveling in PoE 2 can be challenging but rewarding. Classes that clear mobs efficiently and maintain survivability tend to perform best in leveling. Based on the original PoE mechanics, we believe the following classes are optimal for leveling:

Tier S	Tier A	Tier B	Tier C
Witch	Sorceress	Duelist	Monk
Templar	Shadow	Huntress	Warrior
Marauder	Mercenary	Ranger	Druid

Leveling Strategies

• Witch: High damage with simple spells like Fireball or Arc, great for clearing mobs.
• Templar: Excellent balance of offense and defense, ideal for survivability while leveling.
• Marauder: Tanky and capable of clearing mobs quickly with melee damage.

To level quickly in PoE 2, choose a class with strong early-game skills and good AoE damage. Optimal builds focused on damage output, mobility, and defense are essential, especially in the later stages of the game.

Additional Leveling Tips:

• Speed and Efficiency: Classes with fast mobility and AoE (Area of Effect) damage are crucial for rapid leveling. Skills that clear groups of enemies efficiently will make your leveling experience smoother and quicker.
• Gear and Skill Setup: Make sure to focus on early-game gear that enhances your primary damage type (melee, spellcasting, ranged). Efficient gear management, especially when using gear that boosts damage output and survivability, is important.
• Skill and Passive Tree Optimization: As you progress, tailor your build by focusing on the best nodes in the passive skill tree for your chosen class. Make sure to prioritize damage, survivability, and any specific buffs that improve your leveling speed.

Conclusion

CHANGELOG

Guide added.