Path of Exile 2: Which Class to Pick
If you're gearing up for Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) and unsure which class to choose, you're in the right place! The game introduces both new and returning classes, each offering unique playstyles and combat mechanics. With a variety of classes to choose from in the Early Access release, and more arriving with the full launch, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Here's an in-depth guide to help you pick the perfect class for your preferred playstyle, with details on the six Early Access classes and the 12 total classes available at full release.
Path of Exile 2 Early Access Classes
At launch, PoE 2 will feature six classes in Early Access, each with its strengths and combat styles:
Sorceress (New Class)
Attributes: Intelligence
Combat Style: Spellcasting, Elemental Magic
Weapons: Staff
Playstyle: Sorceresses specialize in elemental destruction, dealing massive fire, ice, and lightning damage. They excel at crowd control and devastating elemental attacks. While fragile, they can use defensive skills to control space and push enemies back.
Ideal For: Players who enjoy high damage output with elemental abilities, focusing on ranged magic combat.
Witch (Returning Class)
Attributes: Intelligence
Combat Style: Summoning and Chaos Magic
Weapons: Wand
Playstyle: The Witch focuses on summoning undead minions and casting powerful chaos spells that debuff enemies and spread disease. She excels at high critical damage and plays as a ranged spellcaster who manipulates bone spells.
Ideal For: Players who like to summon minions and control the battlefield with debuffs and chaos magic.
Monk (New Class)
Attributes: Dexterity and Intelligence
Combat Style: Melee + Elemental Magic
Weapons: Fist Weapons, Polearms
Playstyle: The Monk is a hybrid class, combining martial arts with elemental magic. Specializing in lightning, ice, and wind, the Monk can swiftly move between ranged and close combat, dealing powerful elemental damage followed by melee strikes.
Ideal For: Players who want a fast-paced, flexible fighter that mixes magic and physical attacks.
Ranger (Returning Class)
Attributes: Dexterity
Combat Style: Ranged Combat (Bow & Arrow)
Weapons: Bow
Playstyle: The Ranger excels at both long-range and close-range combat. She uses elemental-infused arrows and earth-based abilities to poison and control enemies, and she can perform backflips to escape danger. The Ranger also has powerful AoE abilities and can ride mounts.
Ideal For: Players who enjoy ranged combat, mobility, and environmental control.
Warrior (New Class)
Attributes: Strength
Combat Style: Tanking, Melee Damage
Weapons: Maces, Clubs, Shields
Playstyle: The Warrior is a tanky, melee-focused class that uses war cries and strong melee abilities to take down enemies. With an emphasis on crowd control, Warcry skills, and powerful AoE attacks, this class thrives in close-range combat.
Ideal For: Players who prefer tanking and dealing heavy melee damage while taking hits.
Mercenary (New Class)
Attributes: Dexterity
Combat Style: Ranged Combat (Crossbow)
Weapons: Crossbows (Assault Rifle/Shotgun/ Sniper)
Playstyle: The Mercenary uses a variety of crossbow types and explosive ammo, incorporating shooter-style gameplay. Specializing in ranged elemental effects, explosive projectiles, and grenades, this class offers versatility in ranged combat with crowd control abilities.
Ideal For: Players who enjoy a ranged DPS role with elemental effects and explosive utility.
Path of Exile 2 Full Release Classes
The full Path of Exile 2 release will feature 12 classes, with additional options for players who prefer different playstyles. Here's a quick rundown of the full list:
Shadow (Returning Class)
Attributes: Dexterity and Intelligence
Combat Style: Stealth, Assassination
Weapons: Daggers, Traps
Ideal For: Sneaky players who like to avoid direct combat and focus on quick, stealthy kills.
Huntress (New Class)
Attributes: Dexterity
Combat Style: Spear Combat, Mobility
Weapons: Spear
Ideal For: High dexterity-based combat, focusing on agility and mobility.
Templar (Returning Class)
Attributes: Strength and Intelligence
Combat Style: Paladin-like Melee and Magic
Weapons: Mace, Staff
Ideal For: Players who want a mix of tanking and magic, with the ability to invest in both defense and offensive abilities.
Druid (New Class)
Attributes: Strength and Intelligence
Combat Style: Shape-shifting (Bear Form), Spells
Weapons: Staff
Ideal For: Players who want to shapeshift into an animal and fight both with physical and spell-based abilities.
Marauder (Returning Class)
Attributes: Strength
Combat Style: Heavy Melee Combat
Weapons: Two-handed weapons, Maces
Ideal For: Players who love heavy strikes and high melee damage.
Duelist (Returning Class)
Attributes: Strength and Dexterity
Combat Style: Sword and Axe Combat
Weapons: Swords, Axes
Ideal For: Players who prefer fast, powerful attacks, with a blend of offensive and defensive abilities.
Which Path of Exile 2 Class Should You Pick?
For New Players: If you're new to Path of Exile 2, the Templar or Monk might be great picks due to their balanced nature, combining offense with defense and straightforward playstyles.
For Ranged Lovers: The Mercenary or Ranger are solid picks if you prefer ranged combat. The Mercenary offers a unique twist with crossbow-based, shooter-like gameplay, while the Ranger is versatile and strong in elemental and mobility-based combat.
For Melee Fans: If you enjoy close combat, the Warrior is an excellent pick for tanking and dealing with heavy melee damage. Alternatively, the Marauder or Duelist might suit you if you prefer dealing physical damage with swords or axes.
For Spellcasters: If you like elemental magic and crowd control, both the Sorceress and Witch are solid choices. The Sorceress excels in dealing massive elemental damage, while the Witch is more about debuffs and summoning minions.
Conclusion
Choosing the right class in Path of Exile 2 comes down to your preferred playstyle. Whether you like dealing elemental damage from afar, tanking and melee combat, or summoning minions to fight for you, there's something for everyone. Experiment with the Early Access classes and explore the full roster of classes when the game fully releases to find the one that suits your adventure through Wraeclast best!
If you're looking to get a head start, remember that PoE currency and PoE items can help you accelerate your progress and fine-tune your builds for the most effective combat. Happy adventuring in Path of Exile 2!