With the launch of Path of Exile 2's Rise of the Abyssal league, the class and build meta have shifted rapidly. As the early game settles, we've seen certain ascendancies dominate while others fade, shaping both softcore trade and hardcore solo self-found playstyles. In this guide, we break down the PoE 2 0.3 Tier List for The Third Edict and highlight the best endgame builds capable of leveling quickly, crushing bosses, and excelling in late-game content.
PoE 2 0.3 Class Popularity Tier List – Rise of the Abyssal
The Rise of the Abyssal league has brought significant updates: gem reworks, support gem adjustments, and core system changes. These shifts have influenced player choices, particularly for early mapping and farming efficiency. Here's how ascendancies currently rank:
1. Deadeye – Dominates softcore trade leagues thanks to lightning arrow, lightning rod, and herald of thunder. Excellent clear speed and farming efficiency make it the top choice for most early-season players.
2. Lich – Hardcore favorite with flexible damage conversion, cheat-death mechanics, and strong survivability. Top pick for challenging content.
3. Blood Mage – Crit-based spellcaster ideal for frost bomb or comet builds. High DPS with a ranged playstyle, though slightly less smooth.
4. Invoker – Consistently popular for its flexibility and approachable mechanics. Reliable in all modes.
5. Tactician – Rising in popularity due to new mortar cannon and crossbow changes. Excellent for experimental ranged builds.
6. Infernalist – Strong minion synergy, particularly effective for solo self-found and hardcore minion-focused setups.
7. Amazon – Still strong in softcore for ranged, accuracy, and attack speed builds, but less competitive in hardcore.
8. Witch Hunter – Mid-tier, offering a mix of offense and utility for alternative playstyles.
9. Stormwaver – Once dominant, now middling in popularity. Spark and AoE builds still see occasional use.
10. Titan – Gaining traction in hardcore and solo self-found due to tankiness.
11. Warbringer – Valued for defensive mechanics and totem/tank setups in harder modes.
12. Smith of Katava – Niche tanky warrior, occasionally strong in solo self-found hardcore.
13. Ritualist – Rarely chosen; struggles with new parry and infusion changes.
14. Chronomancer – Low popularity, slight uptick in hardcore due to time-based survival mechanics.
15. Acolyte of Chalupa – Minimal representation; niche solo self-found pick.
16. Gemling Legionnaire – Declining due to flexible support gem system; still viable in hardcore solo self-found.
17. Pathfinder – Fell behind Deadeye this league; new concoction changes failed to revive its meta presence.
PoE 2 0.3 Best Endgame Builds – Rise of the Abyssal
Based on leaderboard data and community feedback, these builds are currently top-tier for late-game progression:
1. Lightning Arrow Deadeye
· Playstyle: Screen-clearing AoE with chain lightning, tornado shots, and lightning rods for boss DPS.
· Strengths: High versatility, forgiving gear requirements, strong both in maps and pinnacle bosses.
· Defenses: Chaos Inoculation, Ghost Dance for energy shield protection.
2. Fissure Forge Totem Warbringer
· Playstyle: Totem spam with fissures for high DPS and sustain.
· Strengths: Over 100k DPS, no mana issues, life regen via blood magic.
· Use: Ideal for tier 16 maps, survivable and efficient endgame farm Path of Exile 2 Currency.
3. Unarmed Hollow Palm Ice Invoker
· Playstyle: Agile melee with ice strikes and Shattering Palm, freezing and shattering enemies.
· Strengths: High mobility, crit scaling, and durable with evasion + energy shield.
· Use: Smooth transition from early game into endgame content.
4. Vaal Guard Spectre Summoner Infernalist
· Playstyle: Minion-focused summoner with specters and raging spirits for fast map clear.
· Strengths: High boss damage, tanky through gear and mechanics, can face-tank tier 15 content.
· Use: Effective across all league stages, from early maps to high-tier endgame.
5. Armour Explode Windblast Titan
· Playstyle: Heavy-hitting tank with Windblast + Hammer of the Gods combos.
· Strengths: T15 map clearing, high sustain with life leech and overleech mechanics.
· Use: One-shot bosses, safe early-to-late game progression.
6. Skeleton Archers Lich
· Playstyle: High DPS minions with skeleton snipers scaling via fire, chaos, and gear bonuses.
· Strengths: Strong map clear and boss damage, CI survivability, plus-level scaling.
7. Arc Stormweaver
· Playstyle: Lightning caster with chaining AoE and elemental infusions for massive screen damage.
· Strengths: Bosses die before rotations finish; ES + Chaos Inoculation ensures survivability.
8. Mortar Crossbows Tactician
· Playstyle: Ranged mortar cannon with pin mechanics for crowd control and boss control.
· Strengths: Explosive AoE, high attack speed and durable with armor/evasion.
9. Blackflame Fireball Mage Blood
· Playstyle: Chaos-igniting fireball spam leveraging Blackflame covenant keystone.
· Strengths: Massive map clear, ignite scaling, and boss DPS.
10. Essence Drain Chaos Lich
· Playstyle: Chaos DoTs with contagion + dark effigy for boss DPS.
· Strengths: Near-unbreakable defenses, strong sustain, high-endgame DPS.
11. Warp Stormweaver
· Playstyle: Budget-friendly lightning caster with teleporting explosions.
· Strengths: Safe, fast, and accessible to new players; minimal PoE 2 Currency investment required.
12. Hollow Palm Deadeye
· Playstyle: Ice Strike + Shattering Palm for fast AoE and high boss damage.
· Strengths: Tanky with ES and evasion; excellent speed clearing and bossing with endgame gear.
Final Thoughts
Rise of the Abyssal has reshaped the PoE 2 meta. Deadeye dominates softcore trade, Lich shines in hardcore, and builds like Lightning Arrow Deadeye, Fissure Forge Totem Warbringer, and Unarmed Hollow Palm Ice Invoker provide top-tier endgame power. Whether you're farming maps, tackling pinnacle bosses, or experimenting with niche mechanics, the current meta offers a diverse set of options to dominate the Third Edict.