Path of Exile 2 Class Tier List: Best Classes Ranked
Key Takeaways:
- Mercenary leads the pack as the most versatile, balanced, and beginner-friendly S-tier class in Path of Exile 2.
- Ranged combat dominates: Classes like the Sorcerer and Ranger thrive due to their ability to keep enemies at bay, whereas melee-focused options struggle in a game favoring mobility and distance.
- Every class has its merits, but understanding their unique strengths, weaknesses, and playstyles is key to mastering Path of Exile 2.
Path of Exile 2 (PoE2) is shaping up to be a massive expansion of the beloved action RPG formula, with six starting classes currently available during early access. Each class brings something unique to the battlefield, catering to different playstyles, whether you favor smashing through foes, dealing heavy elemental damage, or summoning minions to do your dirty work. However, as with any game of this genre, not all classes are created equal.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down and rank the six available classes, analyze their pros and cons, and explore what makes them tick. Whether you’re diving in as a seasoned PoE veteran or a newcomer, this tier list will help you decide which class suits your style.
Path of Exile 2 Tier List: Ranked From Best to Worst
S-Tier: Mercenary, Sorcerer, Monk
1. Mercenary: The Apex Predator
- Attributes: Dexterity/Strength
- Playstyle: Ranged attacks with crossbows, elemental explosions, and AoE versatility.
- Essential Equipment: Crossbow
The Mercenary stands tall as PoE2’s most balanced and adaptable class. Armed with a crossbow, he excels at ranged combat, combining high precision with devastating elemental ammunition. His ability to unleash explosive and status-inflicting attacks like ice or electrical bolts allows him to control the battlefield, picking off enemies from a safe distance.
However, the Mercenary isn’t just about raw firepower. He’s also durable, with a solid health pool to withstand incoming strikes, though his lack of agility can make dodging tricky. His reload mechanic slows things down slightly, and while he has limited AoE potential compared to some other classes, his pinpoint accuracy ensures no damage is wasted.
Why Pick the Mercenary?
If you’re new to PoE2 or want a class that thrives in both offense and defense, the Mercenary is your go-to. He’s straightforward enough for beginners but offers enough depth to satisfy veterans.
2. Sorcerer: The Glass Cannon
- Attributes: Intelligence
- Playstyle: Long-range elemental destruction with devastating AoE damage.
- Essential Equipment: Staff
The Sorcerer is your quintessential spellcaster, wielding devastating fireballs, ice storms, and lightning bolts that wreak havoc on anything in sight. Her ability to carpet entire areas with elemental chaos makes her an unparalleled AoE damage dealer. She’s also relatively easy to pick up and play, making her an appealing choice for newcomers who enjoy casting magic.
But there’s a catch her fragility. With low health and reliance on mana, the Sorcerer crumbles if enemies close the gap. Her success depends on careful positioning and the ability to manage resources effectively.
Why Pick the Sorcerer?
If you love high-damage, ranged gameplay and don’t mind being a bit squishy, the Sorcerer’s raw power will more than make up for her defensive shortcomings.
3. Monk: High-Risk, High-Reward Combat
- Attributes: Dexterity/Intelligence
- Playstyle: Fast, mobile melee with stun damage and precise strikes.
- Essential Equipment: Quarterstaff
The Monk is PoE2’s most dynamic and rewarding class, blending martial arts-style melee attacks with powerful elemental abilities. He’s all about movement and timing, dashing around enemies, building up energy, and unleashing devastating combos like Falling Thunder a screen-wide lightning attack.
However, the Monk demands precision and skill. His squishy nature means mistakes are costly, and his abilities often require proper setup to maximize their effectiveness.
Why Pick the Monk?
If you enjoy challenging gameplay that rewards agility, creativity, and finesse, the Monk is perfect. But be prepared for a steeper learning curve.
A-Tier: Ranger
4. Ranger: Deadly Precision
- Attributes: Dexterity
- Playstyle: Long-range bow attacks with elemental arrows and traps.
- Essential Equipment: Bow
The Ranger is a mobile, ranged class designed to stay out of harm’s way while picking off enemies with precise elemental arrows. Her toolkit includes crowd control options like Vine Traps and Poison Arrows, which can devastate groups of enemies or deal significant damage over time to bosses. She also excels at keeping foes at bay with icy arrows and evasive maneuvers like Escape Shot.
However, the Ranger is squishy and requires constant repositioning to remain effective. Her damage output shines against single targets, but she lacks the overwhelming AoE potential of the Sorcerer or Monk.
Why Pick the Ranger?
If you want to play a fast-paced, strategic class that rewards clever positioning and tactical play, the Ranger is an excellent choice.
B-Tier: Witch
5. Witch: Queen of Minions
- Attributes: Intelligence
- Playstyle: Summoning undead minions and casting debilitating spells.
- Essential Equipment: Wands and rods
The Witch is a classic summoner class, relying on skeletons and reanimated corpses to do her dirty work while she debuffs enemies from afar. Her gameplay revolves around controlling the battlefield indirectly, with spells like Contagion spreading chaos and damage over time.
However, the Witch’s minions lack the punch of other classes’ direct damage, and their AI can be unpredictable. She also relies heavily on corpses for many abilities, which can be limiting in certain scenarios.
Why Pick the Witch?
If you enjoy summoner playstyles and don’t mind a more passive approach to combat, the Witch can be highly effective with the right strategy.
C-Tier: Warrior
6. Warrior: The Tank That Struggles
- Attributes: Strength
- Playstyle: Tanky melee brawler with AoE stun abilities.
- Essential Equipment: Sword and shield or two-handed weapons
The Warrior is a melee-focused tank designed to absorb damage and dish out heavy-hitting strikes. Unfortunately, in a game that prioritizes mobility and ranged attacks, the Warrior feels out of place. While his stun abilities like Rolling Slam and Boneshatter can be effective in locking down enemies, his sluggishness often leaves him overwhelmed.
Why Pick the Warrior?
If you prefer a straightforward, tanky playstyle and don’t mind slower-paced combat, the Warrior can still shine in the right hands but don’t expect miracles.
Upcoming Classes to Watch For
PoE2’s full release will introduce six new classes:
- Druid: Shapeshifter with ranged and melee transformations.
- Duelist: Agile swordmaster with evasion-based gameplay.
- Huntress: Spear-wielding, high-mobility hybrid.
- Marauder: Classic barbarian focused on raw melee damage.
- Shadow: Rogue assassin specializing in stealth and high-damage strikes.
- Templar: A paladin-style melee spellcaster.
These additions will undoubtedly shake up the meta and offer even more variety for players to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which class is best for beginners in Path of Exile 2?
The Mercenary is the most beginner-friendly class due to his balanced playstyle, strong ranged attacks, and decent survivability.
2. What is the strongest class in Path of Exile 2?
Currently, the Mercenary, Sorcerer, and Monk lead the pack as S-tier classes, each excelling in different areas.
3. Are melee classes viable in PoE2?
While melee classes like the Warrior can work with the right build, the game generally favors ranged and mobile playstyles.
4. When will the new classes be released?
The additional six classes will be introduced with PoE2’s full release, offering new ways to experience the game.
