Choosing your Path of Exile 2 class is a big decision. This guide breaks down each of the six starting classes available in early access to help you find the perfect fit for your playstyle.
One of the best things about Path of Exile 2 is the flexible skill system. You're not locked into a specific build, but a solid foundation is crucial. This guide provides an overview of each class and recommends the best starter class for a smooth early game.
Best Starter Class: Mercenary
The Mercenary is an excellent starting class due to its ranged combat focus, making early-game boss fights more manageable. The Mercenary's mobility, combined with various ailments and damage types (ice, fire, lightning, poison, and armor-piercing), offers a powerful and versatile playstyle.
Grenades are particularly strong, especially when enhanced with support gems and passive skills. The combination of Permafrost Bolts and Fragmentation Rounds creates a potent freeze-and-explode synergy.
Class Overview
| Class | Playstyle |
|---|---|
| Warrior | Melee combat, shockwaves, totems, tanking |
| Monk | Melee and ranged elemental attacks, stuns, combos |
| Mercenary | Ranged crossbow combat, ailments, grenades, ballista minions |
| Ranger | Ranged bow combat, speed, evasion, ailments |
| Witch | Minion summoning, chaos damage, curses |
| Sorceress | Elemental spellcasting, combos, trigger gems |
Individual Class Details
Warrior
Focuses on melee combat with shockwaves, war cries, totems, and shield blocking.
Monk
Combines melee staff combat with ranged elemental attacks, specializing in stuns and skill combos.
Mercenary
Employs a crossbow with various ammo types, grenades, and ballista minions for ranged combat and applying ailments.
Ranger
A highly mobile ranged class focusing on bow skills, evasion, and applying ailments with arrows.
Witch
Summons and buffs minions, deals chaos damage, and uses curses.
Sorceress
An elemental spellcaster who can combine spells and utilize trigger gems for complex and powerful effects.
