Path of Exile 2 is here to shake up the action RPG scene, and its class system is one of the most exciting parts of the journey through the grim, corrupted lands of Wraeclast. With 12 unique classes—seven currently playable in Early Access as of April 2025—this sequel offers a dizzying array of playstyles for every kind of player, from spell-slinging sorcerers to spear-chucking warriors. Whether you’re a veteran exile or a newcomer ready to face the darkness, choosing the right class is your first step to carving out a legend. Let’s dive into what makes these classes tick and how they shape your adventure in Path of Exile 2.
A Class System Built for Freedom
Unlike many ARPGs where your class locks you into a specific role, Path of Exile 2 gives you unparalleled flexibility. Each class starts with a distinct flavor, tied to one or two of the game’s core attributes—Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence—but the real magic happens with the skill gem system. Skills aren’t tied to your class; they come from gems you socket into your gear, meaning a burly Warrior can cast fireballs or a Witch can swing a massive axe if you build them that way. Your class sets the tone with its starting point on the massive passive skill tree and its Ascendancy options, but the rest is up to your creativity.
The game launched in Early Access with six classes, and the recent Dawn of the Hunt update (Patch 0.2.0) added the Huntress, bringing the total to seven. Five more classes are slated to join by the full release, promising even more variety. Each class also branches into three Ascendancy subclasses—specializations that unlock later in the campaign to refine your playstyle. With 36 Ascendancies planned, the possibilities are staggering. Here’s a rundown of the classes you can play right now and what makes them stand out.
The Available Classes
- Warrior (Strength)
If you love diving headfirst into the fray, the Warrior is your go-to. This classic tanky melee class thrives on crushing enemies with heavy weapons like maces or axes. Expect explosive slams, warcries that buff your allies or terrify foes, and a knack for shrugging off punishment. The Warrior’s Ascendancies, like the Titan or Warbringer, lean into raw power or tactical buffs, making them ideal for players who want to feel unstoppable. Newcomers might find the close-quarters combat intense, but the Warrior rewards precise timing and bold aggression. - Huntress (Dexterity)
Freshly introduced in the Dawn of the Hunt update, the Huntress is a versatile predator who blends melee and ranged combat with spears and a buckler shield. She’s all about mobility, darting in to stab enemies up close or hurling spears to pick them off from afar. Her Ascendancies, like the Amazon or Ritualist, amplify her hybrid nature, letting you focus on relentless pursuit or mystical spear-throwing combos. The Huntress feels like a high-skill, high-reward choice for players who love staying on the move. - Sorceress (Intelligence)
For those who dream of bending the elements to their will, the Sorceress delivers. This spellcasting powerhouse wields fire, ice, and lightning to devastate enemies from a safe distance. Her kit is packed with crowd-control options—freeze foes with ice storms or incinerate them with fireballs. Ascendancies like Stormweaver or Chronomancer let you double down on elemental chaos or manipulate time itself. The Sorceress is squishy, so positioning is key, but her raw damage output makes her a favorite for players who love big, flashy spells. - Monk (Dexterity/Intelligence)
The Monk is Path of Exile 2’s wildcard, blending martial arts with elemental magic. Armed with a quarterstaff, this class dances across the battlefield, chaining melee strikes with lightning or wind-based spells. It’s a complex playstyle that rewards precision—land the right attack at the right moment, and you’ll stun enemies or trigger devastating effects. Ascendancies like Way of the Storm or Way of the Phantom enhance the Monk’s speed or spell-melee synergy. If you enjoy a fast-paced, cerebral challenge, the Monk is a blast. - Ranger (Dexterity)
The Ranger is Wraeclast’s master survivalist, wielding a bow to rain death from afar. Her arrows can pierce, poison, or electrify, and she’s got tricks like vine traps to lock enemies down. What sets her apart is her mobility—many bow skills let her shoot while moving or leap out of danger. Ascendancies like Deadeye or Pathfinder boost her precision or add elemental flair. The Ranger is perfect for players who want to kite enemies and control the battlefield without getting their hands dirty. - Witch (Intelligence)
If commanding an army of undead sounds appealing, the Witch is your class. This necromancer-style summoner raises skeletons, spectres, and other minions to do her bidding, while slinging chaos spells like Contagion to spread poison. Improved minion controls in Path of Exile 2 make her undead horde more responsive than ever. Ascendancies like Lich or Bone Sculptor amplify her summoning or bone-based magic. The Witch is great for beginners who want a safer playstyle—let your minions tank while you rain death from behind. - Mercenary (Dexterity/Intelligence)
The Mercenary turns Path of Exile 2 into a medieval shooter, wielding a crossbow that feels like an assault rifle, shotgun, or sniper depending on your skills. Load up elemental ammo for ice walls or fiery grenades, and you’ve got a versatile ranged class that excels at crowd control and burst damage. Ascendancies like Tactician or Grenadier enhance your ammo combos or explosive potential. The Mercenary’s fast-paced, combo-heavy gameplay is a hit for players who love planning their attacks but hate standing still.
What’s Coming Next?
While seven classes are playable now, five more—Druid, Templar, Marauder, Duelist, and Shadow—are confirmed for the full release. Based on their Path of Exile 1 counterparts and developer teases, we can speculate on their vibes. The Druid, a Strength/Intelligence hybrid, will likely shapeshift into animal forms like bears or cast nature spells. The Templar might blend holy magic with flails, while the Marauder could be a pure Strength juggernaut smashing foes with axes. The Duelist and Shadow promise agile, dual-wielding or trap-based playstyles, respectively. Grinding Gear Games has a knack for surprises, so expect these classes to bring fresh twists when they drop.
Why Classes Matter (But Don’t Limit You)
Your class in Path of Exile 2 is less about restrictions and more about setting the stage for your journey. Each one starts in a different part of the passive skill tree—a sprawling web of over 1,500 nodes that lets you tweak everything from health to damage to unique effects. Add in the dual-specialization system, which lets you swap between two skill setups (say, daggers and traps), and you’ve got near-infinite build potential. Ascendancies, unlocked through campaign trials, add another layer, giving you powerful talents that can transform your playstyle—like turning a Sorceress into a time-bending Chronomancer or a Warrior into a totem-summoning Warbringer.
The beauty of this system is its depth. Want a Ranger who summons minions? Go for it. A Monk who focuses purely on lightning spells? You can make it work. The classes provide a foundation, but your choices—through skill gems, gear, and passives—shape the hero you become. It’s a system that rewards experimentation and punishes cookie-cutter builds, which is why Path of Exile 2 feels so refreshing in a genre full of rigid archetypes.
Tips for Choosing Your Class
With so many options, picking a class can feel daunting. Here are a few pointers to help you decide:
- New to ARPGs? Try the Witch or Sorceress. Their ranged playstyles and forgiving mechanics (minions for the Witch, distance for the Sorceress) make learning the game’s chaos easier.
- Love melee? The Warrior or Monk offers satisfying close-combat thrills, though the Monk’s complexity might suit players who want a challenge.
- Want versatility? The Huntress or Mercenary gives you a mix of range and mobility, perfect for adapting to any situation.
- Crave freedom? Any class works—focus on a playstyle you love and build around it with gems and passives.
Don’t stress too much about your choice; Path of Exile 2’s respec system lets you tweak your passive tree and Ascendancy points (though changing your base class requires a new character). Experiment, fail, and try again—that’s the exile’s way.
The Road Ahead in Wraeclast
Path of Exile 2’s classes are more than just archetypes—they’re gateways to a world where your decisions define your destiny. Whether you’re mowing down corrupted beasts as a Huntress, commanding an undead legion as a Witch, or weaving elemental chaos as a Sorceress, each class offers a unique lens on Wraeclast’s dark beauty. With five more classes and a full release on the horizon, the game’s already-deep roster is set to grow even richer.
So, which class will you choose to face the Count of Ogham’s corruption? Jump into Path of Exile 2’s Early Access now, and let us know your favorite builds in the comments below. Stay tuned to Gamescore.gg for more guides, tips, and updates as we explore every corner of this brutal, brilliant ARPG.
Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt will a new class and a tons of other features. You can see the full reveal below: