The best classes in Path of Exile 2 early access are quite potent early on in the game and have a much easier time completing content once you invest in one of their Ascensions. At the start of your journey, you will be given the option to select one of the six classes: Mercenary, Monk, Ranger, Sorcerer, Witch, and Warrior.
Each class currently has two Ascensions in the early access period of the game, so it can be rather difficult to pick the one that you will eventually be comfortable with.
So if you are struggling to pick your start class in Path of Exile 2 early access, the tier list below is likely to help you out.
Path of Exile 2 early access class tier list
| Tier | Class | Ascension |
|---|---|---|
| S | Sorcerer | Chronomancer, Stormweaver |
| Witch | Infernalist, Blood Mage | |
| A | Warrior | Titan, Warbringer |
| Ranger | Deadeye, Pathfinder | |
| Mercenary | Witch Hunter, Gemling Legionnaire | |
| B | Monk | Invoker, Acolyte of Chayula |
Picking the best class and Ascension in Path of Exile 2 will depend on a few things with the most important one being the type of playstyle that you are looking to go for. Each Ascension is unique and brings something new to the table.
So the one that’s perfect for you may not be the best fit for another player. However, picking the right class can take some time, as you will need to get more familiar with the in-game mechanics and what the other classes are capable of as well.
So before you are confident as to which Ascension you will ultimately settle on when PoE 2 fully releases, it’s best to stick to the ones who are in the S-tier.
Our list today is based on how potent each of the classes are during the initial parts of the narrative and how well their Ascensions do in the later stages of the game.
Best Ascendancy classes in Path of Exile 2 early access
1) Chronomancer
The Chronomancer manipulates time and is capable of CC-ing enemies making it easier for them to have a higher DPS uptime. They also come with a range of hard-hitting spells along with the ability to reduce the cooldowns of their skills.
This allows them to tap into their rotations more often, and they can be a DPS powerhouse when executed right.
Footprints in the Sand will let a Chronomancer leave afterimages of your recent past. Casting the spell again will return them to their oldest afterimage, teleporting to that location and resetting their Life, Mana, and Energy Shield to the values they had at the time. It’s one of the best spells in the game, allowing the Chronomancer to reset their stats and avoid getting swarmed.
2) Stormweaver
The Stormweaver is all about bursting down enemies with elemental magic. They have some of the most powerful spells in the game, which can wipe out an entire horde in the link of an eye. Their Tempest Caller creates a stationary storm of Fire, Cold, or Lightning, based ont the highest Elemental Damage type for the Hit that Triggered the storm.
This spell can can CC enemies with Shock and Chill as well, making this Ascendancy class one of the more well-rounded in Path of Exile 2.
Stormweavers can opt for high manapools during the later stages of the campaign and the end game, and increase their offensive and defensive capabilities through lot of strong Keystones.
3) Infernalist
The Infernalist has access to Infernal Flames and Chaos magic. They are one of the high-risk, high-reward Ascendancy classes in Path of Exile 2, which when mastered can breeze through most content.
One of the best skills of the class is Demon Possession, which shapeshift your character into a demon, vastly boosting the power of your Spells. However, you gain Demonflame and every second you remain in demon form, your Life to be lost at an ever-increasing rate.
Much of your character mastery will revolve around getting used to this mode and managing your Infernal Flames.
4) Blood Mage
With a Blood Mage you cosplay as a Vampire. This class comes with the Life Remnants skill which will let you drink the blood of your enemies to restore your Life. While Sanguimancy is active, enemies you kill have a chance to spawn a Life Remnant, and Critically Hitting a target spawns a Life Remnant every few seconds.
Picking up a Life Remnant grants you Life which can Overflow your maximum Life. This alone makes the Blood Mage very hard to kill in PoE 2. Combinign that with some good DPS skills, and you have a class that can frontline their way through most content.
