Ascendancy Exaltations Unveiled in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2: A Deep Dive into the Ascendancy Classes

Path of Exile 2 offers unparalleled character customization, allowing players to tailor their heroes using hundreds of skills and items. However, the true depth of character building lies in choosing an Ascendancy Class. Currently in early access, each class features two progression paths, with a third planned for the full release. Let's explore the available Ascendancies!

(See also: Our guide on choosing the best starting build.)

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Witch Ascendancy Classes

• Infernalist: A potent Witch specializing in fire spells and summoning. The Infernal Hound skill adds a fiery companion, while the demonic transformation boosts damage and mobility at the cost of health. Key passive skills like Beidat's Will link Spirit to maximum HP, creating a powerful undead army.

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• Blood Mage: A high-risk, high-reward class utilizing Sanguimancy, which replaces mana with health. Skills like Vitality Siphon and Life Remnants drain enemy health, offsetting the risk. Sunder the Flesh and Gore Spike enhance critical hit damage.

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Sorcerer Ascendancy Classes

• Stormweaver: This Sorcerer unleashes devastating elemental damage with high critical hit chances, leveraging Elemental Storm and status ailments. Strike Twice enhances damage, while Spirit Gems amplify elemental attacks against afflicted enemies. Constant Gale and Force of Will improve spell casting and mana regeneration. Heart of the Storm converts elemental damage to energy shield for enhanced survivability.

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• Chronomancer: A unique class manipulating time. Spells like Temporal Rift and Time Freeze offer innovative combat strategies. While not currently the strongest, the Chronomancer's time-bending abilities, including Now and Again, Apex of the Moment, and Quicksand Hourglass, provide unique tactical options.

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Warrior Ascendancy Classes

• Warbringer: A melee-focused class combining war cries and totem summons. Imploding Impacts and Anvil’s Weight boost armor penetration, while Warcaller’s Bellow and Greatwolf’s Howl enhance warcry effectiveness. Renly’s Training and Turtle Charm improve defensive capabilities.

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• Titan: A defensive powerhouse utilizing powerful, slow attacks to paralyze enemies. Stone Skin and Mysterious Lineage bolster defenses and health. Earthbreaker and Ancestral Empowerment enhance Slam abilities, while Surprising Strength increases damage against stunned foes.

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Monk Ascendancy Classes

• Invoker: A melee class harnessing elemental power and status effects. Power Charges enhance skills, adding strategic depth.

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• Acolyte of Chayula: This Monk embraces darkness, forgoing Spirit for Darkness, enhancing survivability. Consuming Questions combined with Mana Leech offers a risky, high-potential playstyle.

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Mercenary Ascendancy Classes

• Witchhunter: A powerful class excelling at eliminating demons and undead. Increased damage on first and last hits, combined with passive skills like Pitiless Killer and Judge, Jury, and Executioner, makes it effective against both groups and bosses. Witchbane and No Mercy further enhance damage and control.

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• Gemling Legionnaire: A unique class whose gameplay revolves around gems, affecting resistances, skill levels, and skill slots. Thaumaturgical Infusion, Crystalline Potential, Implanted Gems, Advanced Thaumaturgy, Adaptive Capability, Integrated Efficiency, and Gem Studded offer diverse build options.

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Ranger Ascendancy Classes

• Deadeye: A ranged combat class enhancing attack range and damage. Endless Munitions adds projectiles, ideal for clearing large groups of enemies. Excellent for bow users focusing on elemental damage.

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• Pathfinder: A poison-focused class dealing double poison damage. Overwhelming Toxicity increases poison application but shortens duration. Utilizes gas grenades for area-of-effect poison damage.

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This overview covers twelve of the planned thirty-six Ascendancy Classes in PoE2's early access. Future updates will add more classes and may adjust passive skills.