Path of Exile 2 Best Class & Build Tier List

Path of Exile 2 is still in early access, with its meta not fully established. However, we’ve ranked all the major character classes and builds by their effectiveness in our tier list before the Secret of the Atlas Expansion drops.

The early access version of PoE 2 launched with six playable character classes, with another, the Huntress, being added alongside the Dawn of the Hunt expansion. This shook up the meta, and as the game heads towards its next expansion, we’ve broken down who’s the best character to use.

Be aware that every Path of Exile 2 class is deadly in the right hands, and the difference in power between them all is minimal. However, since the last update, some have risen higher than others in the rankings.

Best Class & Build Tier List in Path of Exile 2

The original Path of Exile 2 classes from launch — There are now seven classes in Path of Exile 2, and more are coming. Image credit: Grinding Gear Games

Below, we’ll rank the best build with S representing the very best, as well as revealing the most powerful Ascendancy and recommended build for each class:

Rating in Early Access	Class	Best Ascendancy	Recommended Build
S	Mercenary	Gemling Legionnaire	Grenade Mercenary
S	Ranger	Deadeye	Lightning Arrow Deadeye
A	Warrior	Smith of Kitava	Boneshatter Smith
A	Huntress	Amazon	Bleed Rake Amazon
B	Sorcerer	Stormweaver	Frostsnapper
B	Witch	Infernalist	Flaming Minion Infernalist
C	Monk	Invoker	Ice Thunder Invoker

Remember, this is all liable to change with the next update, so be sure to check back soon to see who’s top of the rankings.

Who’s The Best Class Right Now in Path of Exile 2?

Mercenary Path of Exile 2 — The Mercenary is currently the best class in Path of Exile 2. Image credit: Grinding Gear Games

The Mercenary is the best class to use in PoE 2 right now.

This is thanks to the Gemling Legionnaire Ascendancy and rather overpowered Grenade Merc build. This is a setup that has them blasting enemies with waves of AoE damage from a distance, then mopping up the survivors while they’re vulnerable from the status ailments inflicted on them.

While the Mercenary may be reigning supreme currently, the game is still in early access, and the upcoming Secret of the Atlas expansion may shake things up and unseat them. The Ranger isn’t far behind, also boasting an S class, and those with an A rank are also incredibly close in terms of power and usefulness.

Will you be using the Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2? Let us know via the Insider Gaming forum, where you can get involved in all the latest Path of Exile 2 discussions.

You can also check out our build guides for the Witch, Monk, Sorceress, and Warrior classes while you’re here.