Path of Exile 2 Class Tier List for Early Access

Even though there are only six of the twelve classes available at the launch of Path of Exile 2 Early Access, all six also have two potential ascendancies which allows for quite a lot of build variety even in the EA launch. We’ve put together this Path of Exile 2 Class Tier List to rank all of the classes in Early Access based on their current strengths.

PoE2 Class Tier List for Early Access

First, it’s important to understand that every class in Path of Exile 2 Early Access can complete all the acts and even excel in the end-game. However, the purpose of this tier list is to point out which classes overall have higher potential based on raw class strength, build variety, mobility, and itemization options. Class in our S Tier have the strongest potential offering multiple powerful builds, have an easier time leveling, and have innate potential in the end-game. Those in the A Tier are also very solid options that have several standout builds that really make the class shine. Finally, those in the B Tier are certainly still viable, but players may have a tougher time grasping their more intricate toolkits or finding a build that can accomplish all types of content with ease.

S Tier

• Mercenary(Crossbow) — The Mercenary class offers an insane amount of damage and ailment-inflicting options with its various ammunition types and grenades. Both the Witch Hunter and Gemling Legionnaire Ascenandcy options have powerful specialization choices to result in some massive power gains. Also, using the Crossbow, the Mercenary is able to keep its enemies at a distance at all times is which is a real boon in Path of Exile 2.
• Sorcerer(Staff) — Casters seem to be in a great spot with the Early Access release of PoE2, with raw high damage numbers for their spells. Of course, proper gear itemization will make the Sorcerer’s arsenal even more powerful, but the sheer damage potential of being able to chain lightning attacks or deal massive damage via firestorms. You may have to get use to managing your Mana pool depending on which Sorcerer build you use, but by late game, that issue is mostly alleviated.

A Tier

• Monk(Quarterstaff) — For the lightning-fast Monk, some players will push it into the top of the S tier while those who don’t take the time to learn how the Mon works may feel it belongs further down this tier list. It’s arguably the most fun class in PoE2, being able to quickly zip around the battlefield hitting them with a variety of fun attacks. But the Monk is very squishy, so you need to know how to get out of battle just as effectively as you get into it.
• Witch(Rod or Wand) —Similar to the Sorcerer, the Witch keeps enemies at range while inflicting deadly ailments by way of chaos. Another strength of the Witch is its ability to summon minions which can help with both dealing damage and keeping the pressure of your character by tanking hits for you. The loop of having to revive and resurrect minions can be tiresome, especially in the early game when they are weak and dying a lot. However, in the end, the Witch has some powerful build options both as Infernalist and Bloodmage that offer very unique playstyles.

B Tier

• Ranger(Bow) — You really can’t go wrong using a ranged class in Path of Exile 2, but the Ranger’s toolkit overall just feels lacking compared to the other class options, especially Mercenary. You can still keep your distance and cycle through a variety of elemental types to inflict heavy damage, but most of the Ranger skillset is built around single-target attacks. This can be great for bossing, with so many encounters including add spawns and some maps just having a lot of enemy spawns, it can be quite overwhelming.
• Warrior(2H Weapon or Mace and Shield) — Unfortunately the Warrior class feels a bit lackluster out of the gate compared to the rest of the Early Access classes. Melee builds in general seem to be having a tougher time with a lot of the boss encounters that seem to be made more trivial by using ranged builds, and melee builds even seem to be lacking overall in damage as well in comparison. However, there are some solid juggernaut build options with both the Titan and Warbringer Ascendancies, though you will have to get later in the game to make use of them.