Classes and Ascendancy Overview

Path of Exile Early Access Class List

Path of Exile 2 will feature twelve playable character classes, doubling the class choices from the original game! Each of these can upgrade into one of three sub-classes, called Ascendancies. There is a lot to learn, but we will break it down to help guide you through the base classes and the thirty-six sub-class options.

As of Early Access Patch 0.5, the classes below are available for you to play.

Witch

7 STR – 7 DEX – 15 INT

I do not fear death. I am its master. Darkness and the dead are my weapons of war. My enemies will rot from the inside out, as my army of corpses tears them screaming limb from limb.

Occult Spells Minions, Chaos Magic, Osteomancy

Ascendancies Infernalist, Blood Mage, Lich

Starting Gear Wand, Sceptre

Sorceress

7 STR – 7 DEX – 15 INT

The elements are mine to control. I know why lightning strikes, why fire burns, and why cold freezes. They do so because I command it. The vengeance of the Maraketh will find those who have transgressed no matter where they run.

Elemental Spells Fire Spells, Cold Spells, Lightning Spells

Ascendancies Stormweaver, Chronomancer, Disciple of Varashta

Starting Gear Ashen Staff

Monk

7 STR – 11 DEX – 11 INT

My life has been naught but discipline and focus, preparing me for this. I fight for the Benevolent Dreamer. Free my hands, and those who seek chaos will fall before me!

Quarterstaff Skills Quick Strikes, Mobility, Combos

Ascendancies Invoker, Acolyte of Chayula, Martial Artist

Starting Gear Quarterstaff

Ranger

7 STR – 15 DEX – 7 INT

All I need is a single well-placed arrow. I’m fleet of foot, and have the eyes of a hawk. Put a bow in my hands, and they’ll die trying to catch me.

Bow Skills Long Range, Agility, Crowd Control

Ascendancies Deadeye, Pathfinder, Unknown

Starting Gear Bow & Quiver

Huntress

7 STR – 15 DEX – 7 INT

The Spirit bid me leave my mountain, only to find violence and death. Give me a spear! If they want blood, I will show them what it means to fight for survival.

Spear Skills Hit and Run, Savage Attacks, Primal Fury

Ascendancies Amazon, Ritualist, Spirit Walker

Starting Gear Spear & Buckler

Mercenary

11 STR – 11 DEX – 7 INT

You’ve got a weapon. I’ll wield it. Just tell me where to point it. I’ve seen the highs and horrors of war, and I’ll do whatever it takes to survive. If you’ve got coin, I’m your man.

Crossbow Skills Ammunition, Elemental Rounds, Versatile Range

Ascendancies Witchhunter, Gemling Legionnaire, Tactician

Starting Gear Crossbow

Warrior

15 STR – 7 DEX – 7 INT

I wanted very little for myself. A forge, a bed. They took that all away when they burned down my home. Give me one good hammer, and they will find that there is nothing more dangerous than a man of peace roused to war.

Mace Skills Heavy Slams, Stuns and Knockback, Defences

Ascendancies Titan, Warbringer, Smith of Kitava

Starting Gear Mace & Shield

Druid

11 STR – 7 DEX – 11 INT

The wrath of the wild and the mind of a man – with the ruthlessness of both. I have weathered more than most could fathom, and I will have my vengeance.

Primal Skills Shapeshifting, Lasting Destruction, Nature’s Bounty

Ascendancies Shaman, Oracle, Unknown

Starting Gear Voltaic Staff & Talisman

---

How to Ascend, Unlocking Sub-class

Players pick any character class at the start of their campaign, then can choose which of that class’s available Ascendancies to upgrade into after successfully completing their first Trial. Either a Trial of the Sekhemas, or a Trial of Chaos.

Completing each new level of Trial gives you two points to spend unlocking nodes on your Ascendancy’s tree; four Trial levels are available, giving you a maximum of eight points to spend.

---

Why Do Class Attributes Matter?

Each class is associated with one or two key attribute types. This attribute identity is reflected in their starting stats, boosting their key attribute(s). Their attribute identity also determines at which of the six center locations on the skill tree they will start.

Intelligence (INT) influences the top half of the tree. Strength (STR) covers the bottom left, and Dexterity (DEX) covers the bottom right. These domains overlap so that only the center third is purely one attribute, while the remaining thirds on either side each blend with one of the other two attribute types. At the center of each segment is a starting location.

You are not locked into any arbitrary attribute requirement, and you do not have to build into the kind of attributes you started with. You could make a Witch who is built all around Strength, for example. The attributes around each starting point tend to support the default types of skills and equipment for the classes who start nearby.

---

Can I Change Classes?

You can not change Character Class once chosen. You can not change from a Witch into a Sorceress, for example.

However, you can change your Ascendancy to another one your Character has access to. From an Infernalist into a Blood Mage, for example.

The first step of doing this is completing a Trial at as high a level as you have previously completed, and getting to the area at the end of it where the Altar of Ascendancy is.

The next step is removing all the points you have on your current Ascendancy tree. The NPCs in the area will allow you to unallocate your passives in exchange for a hefty amount of gold.

Lastly, simply interact with the Altar of Ascendancy and choose a new sub-class.

---

Skill Identities

Each class is associated with a set of skills and equipment. This skill identity changes what starting weapons and skill gems each class is given at the very start of the game. A whole tab of the gem cutting window is given to each of these skill types.

You are not locked into any arbitrary skill or equipment requirements. You could make a Witch who used Bows and Bow Skills, for example.