Path of Exile 2 Guide: Every PoE 2 Class Explained

Path of Exile 2 builds its gameplay on the depth and complexity that made the first game a long-standing favorite among action RPG players. Combat feels weighty and responsive, with each class offering distinct strengths that change how you approach enemies, manage resources, and interact with the world.

Encounters demand more movement and positioning than before, and skill gems allow for deep customization so your character can evolve as you progress. Boss fights have clear phases and mechanics that reward preparation, while exploration between battles offers plenty of loot, crafting opportunities, and challenges to fine-tune your build.

This guide explains every class in Path of Exile 2 so you can understand their playstyle, strengths, and ascendancy options before you start your journey.

PoE 2 Class: The Warrior

The Warrior is designed for players who enjoy being right in the thick of the action. His high life and armor let him stand toe-to-toe with anything the game throws at him, and he thrives when closing the gap quickly and keeping enemies pinned down. Early on, you’ll rely on solid, weighty attacks like Ground Slam and Shield Charge, skills that hit hard and control space.

When it comes to ascendancies, Titan turns the Warrior into an unstoppable wrecking ball, expanding the area and damage of the slams while adding stun potential. Warbringer shifts the focus toward warcries and totems, letting you rally for bursts of damage or sustain mid-fight. Additionally, the newest option, Smith of Kitava, adds a layer of crafting-inspired buffs, strengthening your weapon’s offensive and defensive potential for long boss battles.

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PoE 2 Class: The Sorceress

The Sorceress is all about controlling the battlefield from a distance. She has a tool for every situation with fireballs that burn through packs, lightning arcs that chain between enemies, and icy spells that can freeze them in place. Playing her well means staying aware of your surroundings and positioning yourself so you can unleash your spells without getting overwhelmed.

Stormweaver, one of her ascendancies, leans into lightning and area control, creating persistent storms that keep damaging enemies while you focus on movement and positioning. Chronomancer takes a different approach, using time magic to freeze foes, rewind cooldowns, and even slow down enemy projectiles. She’s not the toughest class out there, but in the hands of a player who can keep the distance and manage enemy movement, the Sorceress can dominate any fight.

PoE 2 Class: The Ranger

The Ranger thrives on mobility and precision. She’s at her best when she’s darting around the battlefield, picking off targets before they can close the gap. Early on, she uses skills like Split Arrow to clear groups and Gas Arrow to stack damage over time, keeping enemies under pressure while staying out of reach.

Her Deadeye ascendancy makes her even more lethal at range, increasing projectile count and accuracy so she can handle large groups without losing pace. Her Pathfinder blends archery with alchemy, giving her access to powerful flask effects and deadly poisons for enemies that survive the first volley.

Also Read: How to Get More Spirit in Path of Exile 2

PoE 2 Class: The Monk

The Monk is all about flow. He weaves staff strikes, martial arts combos, and elemental bursts into a combat style that feels fast and controlled. Each sequence of attacks builds into the next, and his mobility lets him slip in to deal damage and out before the enemy can retaliate.

The Invoker ascendancy enhances this by channeling elemental avatars, giving temporary boosts and unique effects that can turn the tide of battle. Also, Acolyte of Chayula takes a darker route, using chaos energy to strengthen defenses and deal sustained damage over time. Playing the Monk rewards timing, precision, and knowing when to commit to a strike and when to hold back.

PoE 2 Class: The Mercenary

The Mercenary blends the precision of a marksman with the chaos of explosives. Armed with crossbows, specialized ammo, and grenades, he can switch between piercing bolts for armored classes, explosive rounds for groups, and traps or gadgets to control space. Success with the Mercenary comes from reading the fight and swapping tools to match the situation.

Witchhunter excels at dismantling casters, stacking debuffs, and detonating corpses for sudden bursts of damage. Gemling Legionnaire is all about skill customization, embedding extra skill gems for more options and higher power. The Tactician, introduced in Dawn of the Hunt, adds a more strategic layer, using crowd control and positioning tools to lock down enemies and create openings for big hits. If you like variety and the freedom to adapt your playstyle mid-combat, the Mercenary offers one of the most versatile toolkits in the game.

Also Read: What Is the Rarest Currency in Poe 2?

PoE 2 Class: The Witch

The Witch commands curses, chaos, and creatures to overwhelm her enemies. She’s not built to trade blows up close, but with the right setup, she can lock down entire groups while her spells or minions do the work. Early on, she leans on skeleton summons, cold spells, and curses to keep enemies under control while whittling down their health.

Ascendancy Class Blood Mage is all about trading life for devastating damage, relying on sustain to keep casting. Infernalist burns through enemies with ignite damage, transforms for powerful short bursts, and summons a hellhound for extra firepower. The Lich, added in Dawn of the Hunt, is perfect for players who love a minion-heavy playstyle, strengthening undead allies and layering curses for maximum impact.

The Witch can feel fragile if caught off guard, but with preparation, she can dismantle almost any encounter from a safe distance.

PoE 2 Class: The Huntress

The Huntress is the newest addition to PoE 2, introduced in the Dawn of the Hunt update. She wields spears and blends melee reach with ranged precision, making her comfortable both in close combat and at a distance. Her gameplay is built around agility, closing gaps quickly, striking with high-impact spear thrusts, and then repositioning before enemies can retaliate.

Her Amazon ascendancy focuses on critical strikes, elemental infusions, and sustained single-target damage, making her a threat in boss fights and against tough rares. Moreover, Ritualist uses sacrificial and corrupted effects to weaken enemies while empowering her attacks. The Huntress offers a hybrid playstyle that rewards players who can switch between aggressive melee bursts and safer ranged engagements on the fly.

FAQs about PoE 2 Classes

How many classes does PoE 2 have?

There are seven Classes in PoE 2: the Warrior, Sorceress, Ranger, Monk, Mercenary, Witch, and Huntress, which joined the roster with the Dawn of the Hunt update.

Do all PoE 2 classes have three ascendancies?

Not yet. Some launch classes gained a third in Dawn of the Hunt, like Warrior, Mercenary, and Witch, while others still have two. Huntress currently has two: Amazon, focused on critical spear strikes and mobility, and Ritualist, which uses sacrificial magic to weaken enemies.

Which PoE 2 class is best for beginners?

Warrior is the most forgiving thanks to strong defenses and simple mechanics. Ranger offers safety through mobility. Sorceress provides high damage but needs good positioning. Mercenary rewards players who like variety but comes with more mechanics to manage. Monk is great for those who enjoy fast, reactive combat, and Witch shines for strategic players who can set up their fights.

Choosing your class is about finding the style that feels the most natural for you. Every class in PoE 2 can succeed with the right skills and gear.

Final Words

Path of Exile 2 offers a class system that feels deeper and more dynamic than ever, with each option bringing its own way of tackling enemies, surviving encounters, and shaping a build. From the steady resilience of the Warrior to the high-risk, high-reward play of the Sorceress, the fluid precision of the Ranger, the flowing martial style of the Monk, the tactical variety of the Mercenary, the dark magic of the Witch, and the agile versatility of the Huntress, every class has a clear identity and room to grow as you progress.

The game rewards experimentation, so the best choice is the one that matches how you like to play. Whether you prefer to hold the line, control the fight from afar, weave in and out of danger, or overwhelm foes with summoned allies, there’s a class ready to deliver that experience. Pick the one that excites you most, explore its strengths, and shape it into something uniquely yours as you carve your path through Wraeclast.

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