Path of Exile 2 All Classes — Every Class and Ascendancy Explained
Updated 2026-06-02
Every Path of Exile 2 Class in One Place
PoE 2 ships with 6 base classes. Each class has 3 ascendancy specializations — that is 18 ascendancies total. The 6 base classes are Warrior, Sorceress, Ranger, Monk, Mercenary, and Witch. Each starts in a different spot on the passive skill tree. Your choice determines your starting stats and which weapons feel natural.
You unlock 6 additional classes by progressing through the campaign. These are Templar, Shadow, Duelist, Marauder, Scion, and Huntress. Each of these also has 3 ascendancies, bringing the total to 36 ascendancy options. You can respec later but the starting position on the tree is locked.
The passive skill tree is shared across all classes. Your starting position determines what passives are nearby. A Warrior starts near strength and armor nodes. A Sorceress starts near intelligence and energy shield nodes. A Ranger starts near dexterity and evasion nodes. The Scion starts in the center and can reach any build.
| Class | Primary Attribute | Starting Weapons | Playstyle Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warrior | Strength | Mace, Shield | Slow heavy hits, high armor, face-tank damage |
| Sorceress | Intelligence | Staff, Wand | Spell casting, elemental damage, glass cannon |
| Ranger | Dexterity | Bow, Dual Daggers | Fast ranged attacks, poison, hit-and-run |
| Monk | Dexterity/Intelligence | Quarterstaff, Claws | Hybrid melee-caster, combo attacks, evasion |
| Mercenary | Strength/Dexterity | Crossbow, Spear | Mid-range hybrid, grenades, physical damage |
| Witch | Intelligence | Sceptre, Shield | Minion summoner, curses, chaos damage over time |
| Templar | Strength/Intelligence | Sword, Shield | Holy magic, aura support, defensive caster |
| Shadow | Dexterity/Intelligence | Claws, Traps | Traps, mines, critical strike, stealth mechanics |
| Duelist | Dexterity/Strength | Rapier, Dual Swords | Fast melee, bleed builds, dual-wield specialist |
| Marauder | Strength | Axe, Shield | Berserker playstyle, warcries, fire damage |
| Scion | All Attributes | Any | Flexible starter, center of tree, best for casters |
| Huntress | Dexterity | Bow, Trap | Ranged utility, crowd control, speed focus |
Each ascendancy adds 4 to 6 notable passive skills. These define your end-game build. For example, the Warrior's Titan ascendancy focuses on massive two-handed weapon damage. The Juggernaut ascendancy makes you nearly unkillable with armor and life regeneration. The Berserker ascendancy trades defense for raw damage output.
New players should start with Witch (minions are forgiving), Warrior (survives mistakes), or Ranger (safe ranged play). Avoid Scion until you know the tree layout. Avoid Shadow if you hate trap mechanics. Mercenary is the hardest starter because hybrid builds need more gear.
FAQ
- How many classes are in Path of Exile 2?
- There are 6 base classes (Warrior, Sorceress, Ranger, Monk, Mercenary, Witch) and 6 unlockable classes (Templar, Shadow, Duelist, Marauder, Scion, Huntress). Each has 3 ascendancies, totaling 36 specializations.
- What is the best class for beginners in PoE 2?
- Witch for minion builds (safe), Warrior for tankiness (forgiving), and Ranger for ranged play (no need to learn boss mechanics up close). Avoid Scion, Shadow, and Mercenary as your first class.