Path of Exile 2: All Classes and Ascensions available in Early Access

Path of Exile 2 will feature not as many ascensions or classes in early access but there will still be plenty to get by, according to the latest GGG Live. Classes and Ascensions are two sides of the same character progression, where the former determines the starting point on the passive tree and the general gameplay theme. Ascensions, however, dictate how the character will specialize in certain gameplay mechanics down the line.

Path of Exile 2 Early Access will feature six Classes, with each receiving two Ascensions, bringing the total to 12. When the game reaches its full release state, there will be 12 Classes, with three Ascensions per Class, bringing the number up to a whopping 36. Now, let's discuss what these Classes and Ascensions can do.

Altars of Ascendancy provides a choice (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

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What are Classes and what role do they serve?

Classes are the first stepping stone on a player's way to creating their perfect character. Similar to Path of Exile, Classes in Path of Exile 2 don't just indicate where players start on the Passive Skill Tree, but also determine their general gameplay mechanic and starting weapon.

In Path of Exile 2's Early Access, six Classes will be available:

1. Mercenary
2. Monk
3. Ranger
4. Sorceress
5. Warrior
6. Witch

Each will have a specialty and a class of weapons they specialize in. For example, the Mercenary excels in controlling the battlefield through a mix of physical and elemental attacks, setting up elaborate chain attacks with grenades and explosives while specializing in using the Crossbow class of weapons.

The Storm Weaver gives enemies a shocking end (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

Despite this, every Class can equip all types of weapons and play any build should they wish to. Two more Classes, namely the Druid and the Huntress, have been announced for the full release but will not be available for Early Access.

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Ascensions in Path of Exile 2 explained

While Classes express the general gameplay style of each character, Ascension pretty much defines a character's specialization. For comparison's sake, the Masteries from Last Epoch or Destiny 2's Subclasses closely resemble the logic behind Ascension classes.

Ascension classes, as their names suggest, are gained from Ascension Trials. These trials are grueling tests of one's ability to play their class and make a solid build, where players must overcome hordes of enemies, deadly traps, and formidable bosses. Clearing these trials grants players two Ascension points each, and clearing all four grants the maximum number of 8.

These eight points can then be invested into an Ascension-specific skill tree, which is obtained when the first Ascension Trial is cleared, be it the Trial of the Sekhemas or the Trial of Chaos. In Path of Exile 2 Early Access, each Class will have two Ascension classes available to choose from. Here is a rough breakdown of each:

Mercenary

• Gemling Legionnaire: This Ascension class relies on increasing the efficiency of their socketed gems to extract the maximum amount of offensive and defensive powers from them.
• Witch Hunter: The subclass made for "high-risk, high-reward" gameplay. Witch Hunters opt to choose to strike fast and hard, make short work of bosses, and explode entire packs of undead and demons.

A Gemling Legionnaire, more gem than human (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

Monk

• Invoker: Not too dissimilar to its namesake from DotA 2, the Invoker is based around summoning elemental powers to decimate enemies. This Ascension class relies on critical hits and elemental ailments to inflict maximum damage.
• Acolyte of Chayula: Monks walking this path forego their need for Spirit and replace it with Darkness, a completely new resource. Darkness can be used to bolster attacks or reinforce their defenses while leeching Mana and Energy Shield. Furthermore, Acolytes can peer into the realm of the Breachlords to find helpful bounties of health and other resources.

Ranger

• Deadeye: This agile archer relies on increasing their arrow count as well as their movement speed to weave through enemies and wreak havoc. Certain passives ensure that they never miss a shot or get hit that much.
• Pathfinder: Flasks are the name of the game. This Ascension class gets access to certain types of throwable attacks that use charges from a player's Health flasks to inflict various effects such as bleed and poison. Poison attacks by the Pathfinder are particularly potent and spread amongst foes rapidly.

Sorceress

• Storm Weaver: Touted as the Master of Elements, this Ascension class allows players to specialize in lightning-based attacks. Whether is summoning lightning strikes per critical hits or shocking enemies beyond their capabilities, the Storm Weaver can do it all.
• Chronomancer: A new theme for Path of Exile in general, Chronomancers specialize in controlling time, as their names would suggest. These subclasses can shift positions and regain all of their previous state's benefits, reset their cooldowns, and even stop time.

Warrior

• Warbringer: Warbringers summon Ancestral Totems and Ancestral Spirits to destroy enemies. They can also use Warcries, used to various effects such as exploding corpses, etc. For the defense, Warbringers have access to Encased in Jade, which can absorb all damage until it breaks.
• Titan: If big, strong, armor-shattering attacks are your thing, then Titan is the perfect choice of Ascension class. Titans can shatter armor and stun enemies, which they can further exploit by dealing additional damage to stunned enemies. Titan's heavy hits can also cause Aftershocks that apply additional damage to enemies caught within.

The Blood Mage considers nothing sacred, except blood (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

Witch

• Infernalist: This Ascension class, outside of all the minions of a Witch, can summon a Hellhound. This demonic beast can inflict ignites on enemies and absorb damage for its master. Infernalists can also turn their Mana into Infernal Flame, a new resource to inflict more burn damage on enemies. Finally, Infernalists can take on the form of a Demon, which boasts increased attack and cast speed but also takes increased damage.
• Blood Mage: As the name suggests, Blood Mages use blood to fuel their spells and attacks. Blood Mages cannot use mana and must substitute with blood, which can be regained from slain enemies. Blood Mages can deal increased critical hits based on their health pool, as well as leech health from enemies based on their spell damage.

It is clear even from these shortened descriptions that each Ascension Class follows a different design philosophy that encourages differing playstyles in Path of Exile 2. This approach keeps the gameplay feeling fresh and adds variety.