Path of Exile 2: Master the Ascendancy System

Unlocking Your Potential: A Guide to Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2's Early Access has players eager to master their chosen classes. While not subclasses in the traditional sense, Ascendancies provide unique specializations and powerful abilities. This guide details how to unlock and utilize these crucial upgrades.

Unlocking Ascendancy Classes

Before accessing Ascendancies, players must complete a Trial of Ascendancy. Currently, the Act 2 Trial of the Sekhemas and the Act 3 Trial of Chaos are available. Completing either unlocks Ascendancy selection and grants two passive Ascendancy Points. The earlier Act 2 trial is recommended for quicker access to enhanced abilities.

Path of Exile 2's Ascendancy Classes (Early Access)

Early Access features six classes, each with two Ascendancies. More classes and Ascendancies are planned for the full release.

Mercenary Ascendancies

• Witch Hunter: This Ascendancy focuses on offensive and defensive buffs, enhancing damage output with skills like Culling Strike and No Mercy. Ideal for players who enjoy debuffing enemies and maximizing damage.

  

• Gemling Legionnaire: This option centers on Skill Gems, allowing for extra skills and additional buffs. Its flexibility makes it suitable for highly customized builds.

  

Monk Ascendancies

• Invoker: Embrace elemental powers and inflict status effects. A strong melee option for those who prefer elemental combat.

  

• Acolyte of Chayula: Harness shadow powers, gaining defensive, healing, and reality-warping abilities. A unique option for shadow-based gameplay.

  

Ranger Ascendancies

• Deadeye: Enhance ranged combat with increased attack speed, damage, and accuracy. Perfect for archers seeking maximum efficiency.

  

• Pathfinder: Master poison and elemental damage with abilities like Poisonous Concoction and Contagious Contamination. A unique alternative to the traditional archer build.

  

Sorceress Ascendancies

• Stormweaver: Amplify elemental abilities with an Elemental Storm and increased damage output. A solid choice for elemental casters.

  

• Chronomancer: Manipulate time, affecting cooldowns and adding strategic depth to combat. Ideal for players who enjoy tactical gameplay.

  

Warrior Ascendancies

• Titan: Become an unstoppable force, maximizing damage and defense with abilities like Stone Skin and Crushing Impacts. A tank-like build for maximum survivability.

  

• Warbringer: Summon Ancestral Spirits and Totems for additional damage and defense. A good choice for those who enjoy minion-based combat.

  

Witch Ascendancies

• Blood Mage: Drain life from enemies to restore your own health, while increasing damage from lingering wounds and curses. A life-manipulating playstyle.

  

• Infernalist: Summon a Hellhound and shapeshift into a powerful demon form, unleashing fire damage. A strong choice for fire-based minion builds.

  

Path of Exile 2 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.