Currently, the Ranger stands out as the best PoE 2 class. Its Lightning Arrow Deadeye build is a top choice in the current game meta, making it ideal for beginners who want to easily clear all content.
For newcomers, the Ranger is definitely the top pick. However, for more experienced players, the Witch offers a powerful alternative. She commands many damage-over-time (DoT) effects and minions, making her very strong, but mastering her requires careful management of spirit and stamina.
The great thing about ARPGs is that any class can be effective with the right playstyle. However, ranged classes often have an edge, allowing you to keep distance from enemies and avoid dangerous situations. No matter your choice, make sure to use our best PoE 2 builds to maximize your chosen class's abilities.
Here’s our current ranking of all available PoE 2 classes, from best to worst:
Ranger
Mercenary
Witch
Sorceress
Monk
Huntress
Warrior
This ranking reflects the current state of classes following the "Third Edict" update. Path of Exile 2 frequently receives updates and balance changes since its launch, which often shifts these rankings. We anticipate the Druid class will arrive in PoE 2 0.4.0, which will surely change things again.
Ranger
The PoE 2 Ranger is incredibly adaptable, using a bow and arrows. She can fight effectively both up close and from a distance, using elemental arrows and strong earth-based skills like vines to poison and root enemies. She can also quickly backflip out of danger, has many area-of-effect (AoE) skills, and can even ride a mount while firing arrows.
Mercenary
The PoE 2 Mercenary focuses on a shooter-like combat style with a crossbow. His weapon can function like an assault rifle, shotgun, or sniper, using different skills for elemental effects, incendiary ammo, fire abilities, crossbow attachments, and grenades. If you choose the Mercenary, we recommend the Witchhunter ascension to gain execution abilities and defensive wards for soaking up damage.
Witch
The PoE 2 Witch specializes in summoning allies and casting chaos spells. She wields wands to unleash powerful magic that spreads disease and summons undead minions to fight for her. She excels at dealing critical damage and uses bone spells and debuffs to attack enemies from range.
Sorceress
The PoE 2 Sorceress is a new intelligence-based class, joining the Witch as a dedicated spellcaster. She focuses on destructive elemental magic, using a staff to deal fire, ice, and lightning damage. While she can be fragile, she unleashes immense elemental power to freeze, stun, and burn foes, and can use defensive spells to push them back.
Monk
The PoE 2 Monk is a melee fighter who combines dexterity and intelligence, blending spells with physical attacks for a unique combat style. This class uses lightning, ice, and wind effects to move quickly across the battlefield, switching between ranged and close combat. The Monk first applies elemental damage to targets, then follows up with strong physical strikes.
Huntress
The PoE 2 Huntress offers a strong mix of melee and ranged combat with her spear. She uses hit-and-run tactics to apply elemental effects like shock, freeze, and ignite, then quickly moves to safety before enemies can counterattack. The Huntress also has many AoE options for crowd control or explosive blasts that knock back enemies or cause bleed damage over time.
Warrior
For players who love being a tank and engaging in melee combat, the PoE 2 Warrior is perfect. This strength-focused class uses war cries and one or two-handed melee weapons like maces and clubs to strike groups of enemies with heavy blows. He can also block damage using shield skills or protective armor.
Here are the PoE 2 classes coming soon:
Druid
Shadow
Templar
Marauder
Duelist
Druid
The PoE 2 Druid shares strength and intelligence traits. This class can transform into animal forms, like a bear, to maul enemies, building up to powerful rage attacks. In human form, the Druid casts spells, and in animal form, they attack and trample hordes of monsters. If you've always wanted to play as a shape-shifting bear, this class is for you.
Shadow
The PoE 2 Shadow is essentially a rogue, specializing in stealth and using daggers to assassinate enemies. It's a returning class, though specific differences are still unclear. The Shadow is a challenging class, using traps for damage and stunning enemies while moving in and out of combat.
Templar
The PoE 2 Templar combines strength and intelligence, offering a paladin-like mix of melee and magic for a varied and straightforward fighting style. The Templar is very beginner-friendly, capable of investing in defenses while still being effective in close combat.
Marauder
The PoE 2 Marauder provides a strong alternative to the Warrior. This strength-based melee brawler acts like a classic berserker, delivering heavy blows and intimidating enemies with rally cries. He uses one-handed weapons for single targets or sweeping attacks and relies on shields to block incoming damage.
Duelist
The PoE 2 Duelist is an agile class focused on swords and axes. Unlike other strength classes, the Duelist avoids heavy armor, preferring to dodge attacks and then dash in with quick counterattacks. This class uses both dexterity and strength to boost attack speed and inflict high damage.
