Path of Exile 2 introduces twelve classes across early access, each offering distinct playstyles and mechanical approaches to conquering Wraeclast. While personal preference and build creativity matter more than tier lists in the long run, some classes clearly shine brighter during the leveling process and endgame content. This ranking evaluates each class based on survivability, damage output, gear dependency, and overall versatility.
S-Tier: The Dominant Forces
Mercenary
The Mercenary claims the top spot thanks to exceptional flexibility and early-game power. Crossbow mechanics provide reliable damage from level one without requiring specific gear or support gems. The class transitions smoothly into endgame content with minimal investment, and multiple Ascendancy paths offer viable options for different playstyles.
Crossbow skills apply debuffs while maintaining safe distances from threats. This combination of offense and defense lets Mercenaries handle tough encounters that destroy squishier classes. The reload mechanic adds a skill ceiling without punishing newer players who haven’t mastered timing yet.
Sorceress
Elemental spellcasting reaches peak performance with the Sorceress. Her natural affinity for intelligence-based gems means powerful skills come online faster than most alternatives. Early access to area damage abilities makes clearing monster packs feel effortless compared to classes reliant on single-target skills.
The dodge roll synergizes perfectly with cast-on-dodge mechanics available through certain skill combinations. This defensive option gives Sorceresses breathing room during boss fights where other casters struggle to find safe casting windows. Mana management requires attention, but the payoff in raw damage output justifies the learning curve.
A-Tier: Strong All-Around Performers
Ranger
Bow combat feels refined in POE 2, and Rangers benefit from this polish more than anyone. The class excels at maintaining distance while delivering consistent damage through physical or elemental arrows. Movement skills help Rangers kite effectively, turning dangerous encounters into manageable fights through superior positioning.
Gear scaling becomes expensive in the endgame as Rangers need high-quality bows to compete with other damage dealers. Early leveling remains smooth thanks to accessible bow skills and generous mana costs that don’t require heavy investment in resource management.
Warrior
Two-handed weapon builds finally feel satisfying thanks to improved melee mechanics. Warriors bring tremendous survivability through high base health pools and armor values that make early bosses feel less threatening. The class forgives positioning mistakes that would kill squishier alternatives.
Damage output lags behind top-tier options during leveling, requiring patience as you work through certain campaign sections. Once proper gear enters the picture, Warriors transform into unstoppable forces that face-tank content others must dodge. The slow pace won’t suit everyone, but those who enjoy standing toe-to-toe with threats will find their calling here.
B-Tier: Solid but Situational
Monk
Unarmed combat and quarterstaff builds create unique gameplay experiences unavailable elsewhere. Monks blend offense and defense through abilities that counter enemy attacks while dealing damage. The class rewards players who learn encounter patterns and time their defensive skills precisely.
Gear options feel limited compared to weapon-based classes since finding good unarmed or quarterstaff items proves challenging. This restriction makes Monks more dependent on crafting and currency investment. For those willing to invest time and resources, POE 2 currency options can help acquire the specialized gear needed to push Monk builds into higher tiers of performance.
Witch
Minion builds offer a relaxed playstyle where your summoned creatures handle most combat while you focus on positioning and resource management. Witches excel at bossing once their minion army reaches critical mass, overwhelming single targets through sheer numbers.
The ramp-up time before minions become truly effective creates frustrating moments during leveling. Early acts feel slow as you wait for stronger summon skills and the support gems that multiply their effectiveness. Late-game performance justifies the investment, but prepare for a rough start.
C-Tier: Challenging for Beginners
Huntress
Spear and javelin combat introduces interesting range dynamics where you fight closer than rangers but farther than traditional melee. The Huntress occupies a unique middle ground that takes time to master. Her abilities reward players who maintain optimal spacing and manage positioning constantly.
The class struggles when forced into either extreme range bracket. Getting pinned in melee range or pushed too far back reduces effectiveness dramatically. This sensitivity to positioning makes the Huntress demanding for players still learning enemy patterns and arena layouts.
Druid
Shapeshifting mechanics promise exciting gameplay where you transform between human and beast forms depending on encounter needs. The execution feels clunky in early access, with transformations interrupting combat flow more than enhancing it. Form management adds complexity without proportional power gains.
Certain shapeshifting builds show promise once fully developed, but the leveling experience tests patience. Switching between forms requires specific gear stats and support setups that aren’t readily available during campaign progression. Expect improvement as Grinding Gear Games refines the mechanics.
D-Tier: Needs Refinement
Marauder
Strength-stacking melee builds face uphill battles throughout early access. The Marauder lacks the defensive tools Warriors bring while dealing comparable or worse damage. Slam skills consume massive amounts of mana without delivering proportional impact against tough encounters.
The class feels like it needs another balance pass to compete with alternatives. Players drawn to strength-based characters will find better experiences with the Warrior until future patches address the Marauder’s current shortcomings.
Templar
Hybrid strength-intelligence builds sound appealing on paper but struggle in practice. Splitting attribute points between two stats weakens both offensive and defensive scaling. The Templar can’t match pure caster damage or pure melee tankiness, leaving him in an awkward middle ground.
Specific builds combining melee strikes with elemental damage show potential, but require extensive planning and rare gear combinations. Most players will find smoother progression by picking a specialized class rather than fighting the Templar’s split personality.
Final Thoughts
Class rankings shift as patches rebalance skills and Ascendancies. These evaluations reflect the current state of early access, where certain classes clearly outperform others. That said, skilled players make any class work through clever build choices and mechanical execution. Pick based on preferred playstyle rather than tier placement—enjoyment matters more than optimal efficiency in an ARPG built around experimentation and creativity.
