Path of Exile 2 Class tier list (Early Access): Which is the best one to pick?
Path of Exile 2's Early Access release is just around the corner, and a tier list is in order, this time regarding where each class stands so that players can choose their preferred one. When it comes to classes, Path of Exile 2's Early Access will give players six options to choose from: Mercenary, Monk, Ranger, Sorcerer, Warrior, and Witch.
These classes offer varying playstyles and have different methods of scaling their power, which the tier list doesn't indicate. Rather, the list is based on how each class begins its journey, the potency of their respective Ascendancies, and how approachable it is for a new player.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinion.
Path of Exile 2 Early Access class tier list
Now Monk enjoyers, before you get your pitchforks out, let me explain in a little detail why I have done so:
S-rank
Both Witch and Sorcerer take this spot because of their innate access to incredible defensive layers while boasting formidable offense from the jump. Sorcerers in particular can fire off high damage spells without too much of a hassle. Later during the campaign and the endgame, this class can opt for high mana pools for offense and defense through several strong Keystones and Ascendancy nodes.
Witches, on the other hand, have access to minions and chaos spells that are in a league of their own. Minions are an extremely reliable method to keep aggro off you while putting out respectable damage. Furthermore, Infernalist gets access to an incredibly strong, solitary minion that enables a fiery playstyle, with interesting methods of redistributing damage.
A-rank
Rangers, Warriors, and Mercenaries occupy this rank because as strong as they are, their playstyles can prove to be mechanically challenging for newer players. To reiterate, this tier list is based around novice ARPG players and not veterans of Path of Exile who possess the necessary technical knowledge to succeed with pretty much any class.
Warrior is an S-tier class in action but is down here because it's a melee class, which has a reputation for being gear-dependent on damage. The lack of vendor recipes will make playing melee a little bit more RNG-reliant, which can feel atrocious for long periods of gear drought.
As for Ranger and Mercenary, these classes have the advantage of being ranged DPS powerhouses but also have considerably fewer defensive layers than others. The Dodge Roll will be your best friend if you wish to play these two classes.
B-rank
Monk is arguably one of the flashiest classes of Path of Exile 2 so far, but it also runs the risk of casually dying if one isn't careful. The class is the second one to fight in melee range but lacks the comforting defenses of a shield that Warrior so easily gets.
The earlier levels are particularly brutal as most of your skills have limited AoE capabilities, while enemies can easily swarm you. In terms of Ascension classes, Monk and Acolyte of Chayula are very much offense-focused and have situational defenses, which can be a problem for newer players.
Should a player survive the earlier levels, they will be one of the strongest players moving into the later acts and endgame. Regardless, a newer player is much better off playing a Witch or a Sorcerer, without risking a double-digit death count.
To clarify once again, this tier list is not indicative of how powerful each class is, nor is it a depiction of what their ascensions can do, as all of the classes have enough tools to be extremely effective at slaying out. At the end of the day, you should always choose that which you wish to play and experience the most.
Check out our other articles on Path of Exile 2:
- Path of Exile 2: All classes and ascensions available in Early Access
- Path of Exile 2 Atlas system, explained
- Will Path of Exile 2 have crossplay and cross-save?
- Path of Exile 2 platforms: Will Early Access be on consoles?
- Path of Exile 2’s new Skill Gem system, explained
- Path of Exile 2: All returning League mechanics confirmed so far
- Does Path of Exile 2 have co-op features?