Welcome to our Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt expansion tier list, where we try to rank every new class. New ascendancies will unlock with this expansion and we are always looking for the best meta classes that will leave everything else in their wake. This guide will look at every ascendancy and evaluate which classes and subclasses have the best potential, focusing on their strengths, weaknesses, and overall viability.

• Amazon (Huntress)
• Lich (Witch)
• Ritualist (Huntress)
• Deadeye (Ranger)
• Invoker (Monk)
• Smith of Kitava (Warrior)
• Acolyte of Chayula (Monk)
• Gemling Legionnaire (Mercenary)
• Witch Hunter (Mercenary)
• Pathfinder (Ranger)
• Infernalist (Witch)
• Tactician (Mercenary)
• Warbringer (Warrior)
• Stormweaver (Sorceress)
• Chronomancer (Sorceress)
• Titan (Warrior)

↖ Amazon (Huntress)

Tier:S

The Amazon, or Huntress Class, is surely one of the strongest choices in the current meta and the future meta as well. It comes with multiple powerful Bleed and Elemental Fusion build options, both of which serve the offense and defense purposes. The class is strong at Creed based builds, therefore making it a must-pick. Players must remember, however, to pair the class with good gear because it has very few defensive nodes making it squishy.

• Strengths: High damage potential, versatile builds
• Weaknesses: Limited defensive capabilities

↖ Lich (Witch)

Tier: S

Because of the high spell damage boost and survivability mechanics, the Lich is expected to be one of the strongest if not the strongest caster classes. 30% more spell damage means the caster gets to soak up a lot more damage, and with the defenses the Lich has, it can afford to be hit hard and dish out even harder. With powerful defending capabilities, the Lich has the ability to get summoned while dishing out powerful defending spell attack, making him even more of a Swiss knife.Ritualist (Huntress)

• Strengths: High spell damage, strong defenses
• Weaknesses: Reliant on minions for optimal performance

↖ Ritualist (Huntress)

Tier:B

The Ritualist, another variant of the Huntress Class, falls short of expectations due to anticipated nerfs to Ingenuity. While it holds potential with its unique ring mechanics, it is better suited for end-game scenarios where its abilities can be fully utilized. Its performance at the league start is expected to be moderate.

• Strengths: Unique ring mechanics
• Weaknesses: Less effective in early game

↖ Deadeye (Ranger)

Tier:S

With the introduction of new speed and damage attributes, the Deadeye now has more competition. Nonetheless, it remains a strong contender as it maintains flexibility to use either bows or spears. He is also expected to still reign as top tier class despite better bows and some skills being nerfed.

• Strengths: High speed and damage, versatile weapon use
• Weaknesses: Potential impact from skill nerfs

↖ Invoker (Monk)

Tier:S

A classic ascendancy, Invoker still remains a strong pick. He can deal a lot of damage while being extremely tanky, especially on the right side of the tree where stacking energy shield or evasion is optimal. The added attraction of being able to ignore elemental resistances makes this build even better. Now that spirit has current bonuses, Invoker sits as a stable S-tier option for builds focusing on elemental damage.

• Strengths: High damage, tankiness, elemental resistance bypass
• Weaknesses: Potential adjustments to spirit bonuses

↖ Smith of Kitava (Warrior)

Tier:A

Smith of Kitava brings a mixed experience. The note tankiness is substantial but the damage potential is lackluster compared to other classes. It performs well in early game, though it may lag in end-game scenarios. The lack of substantial damage bonuses positions this build as A tier, especially for league starters.

• Strengths: Tankiness, starter-friendly
• Weaknesses: Limited damage bonuses

↖ Acolyte of Chayula (Monk)

Tier:D

The Acolyte of Chayula, or "Chalupa", struggles in its current form. It has not been particularly strong, requiring some form of rework or buffing to make it strong and competitive. Thus far it sits within D-tier due to lackluster options compared to other ascendancies.

• Strengths: Potential for future buffs
• Weaknesses: Weak current abilities

↖ Gemling Legionnaire (Mercenary)

Tier:A

Gemling Legionarry has shifted from S-tier to A-tier due to stat stacking nerf anticipation. It still retains some viability as a result of its versatile abilities, while the anticipated nerfs do require a rework placing it in A-Tier.

• Strengths: Versatile abilities
• Weaknesses: Upcoming stat stacking nerfs

↖ Witch Hunter (Mercenary)

Tier: B

The Witch Hunter ascendancy is currently positioned in tier B. Other than the anticipation of crossbows and F hunter’s promised buffs, things look grim. But under the current conditions, if things do not get worse, and with the renewals getting updates down the line, this may be witch hunters highest shot at a tier A. The Witch Hunter theme is cool, and it’s sad that skills or any improvement at all does not seem to do much for the gets rating. 

• Strengths: Promised buffs, crossbow mechanics
• Weaknesses: Current performance underwhelming

↖ Pathfinder (Ranger)

Tier: A

Pathfinder continues to cover the gap with a solid tier A pick. Its challenge, however, remains with the lack of certain builds like the poison one’s performance. Considering the lack of viable options, there is a chance that renewed focus on the poison aspect might push things over to S tier. Meanwhile, Pathfinder remains a dependable yet bland option while other people scream in the ascendancy void.

• Strengths: Poison build viability
• Weaknesses: Limited flexibility

↖ Infernalist (Witch)

Tier:A

The Infernalist ascendancy should level out at a comfortable A position. There are, however, some risks for falling to B tier if demon form or some skills go through certain changes. It looks like the leech mechanics are better off dealing with infernalists, but there is still a chance some build will work if demon form sticks around. Dominating the witch form seems to largely dictate the ascendancy’s fate, which is sad considering how it can't keep ground in regards to the necessary skill alteration.

• Strengths: Demon form potential
• Weaknesses: Overshadowed by leech mechanics

↖ Tactician (Mercenary)

Tier:B/A

Tactician is an underused option alongside Mercenary. While its banners are weak, its myriad of minion types is quite promising. It is reasonable to conclude that Tactician would find itself in tier A with some polish. With some adjustments, it seems like B will be the lowest its balance will allow it to quite comfortably perform at.

• Strengths: Minion build potential
• Weaknesses: Damage inconsistencies

↖ Warbringer (Warrior)

Tier:B

Warbringer has the A tier potential for totem users which is a great thing to exploit. It is worth mentioning, though, that its clunkiness relative to other classes and lack of fluid movement brings its rank down. Warbringer is expected to sit at B tier for now due to surmised added lackluster default wise unique bonuses/ clear spells, unless some clear add-ons are needed.

• Strengths: Strong power level, Stable choice for totem gameplay
• Weaknesses: Lacks additional bonuses, Cumbersome mechanics

↖ Stormweaver (Sorceress)

Tier: A

Novelties aside, Stormweaver has always been a reliable S-tier pick even when leeching was added, but nerfing interactions with mana are likely going to be the most complicated thing for them to deal with in the future. If those turns out to be is quite severe, Stormweaver's efficiency is likely to drop low. Reasonable to put Stormweaver in A tier for now but only allow it drop further into the abyss if the mana mocks are greatly angered.

• Strengths: Historically stable performance, Strong leech capabilities
• Weaknesses: Vulnerable to mana nerfs, Potential decline in effectiveness

↖ Chronomancer (Sorceress)

Tier: B

Chronomancer has interesting build possibilities, but is quite unstable and underperforming with the class lacking significant interaction management. Chronomancer clearly sits within low B tier with optimizations needed. Further, compared to higher tier classes, it has clunky mechanics.

• Strengths: Unique build options, Potential for high interaction-based gameplay
• Weaknesses: Requires substantial effort to be effective, Outperformed by other ascendancies

↖ Titan (Warrior)

Tier:B

Defensively, Titans have considerable bonuses, perhaps being their strongest point, but as with most high performing classes, they fall short. Buffs would be very beneficial to take Titan to A-tier, but for now they sit comfortably in mid B-tier. Their potential as a league starter has to be noted, given the fast campaign progression.

• Strengths: Strong offensive capabilities, Fast campaign progression
• Weaknesses: Requires strategic investment, Mixed player feedback

The tier list will continually shift with new updates to the game, along with feedback from the playerbase. While currently these are predictions based on working game mechanics, the ever-changing nature of Path of Exile 2 means embracing change. Players actively participating and sharing their insights would be great to refine the tier list further.