Path of Exile 2 is a remarkably deep and diverse ARPG, offering players a vast array of builds, item synergies, and ascendancy classes that fundamentally alter how each character plays. At the time of writing, there are approximately 19 ascendancy classes available in PoE 2, each with its own mechanics, strengths, and weaknesses.

With that many options, choosing the right class—especially as a new or returning player—can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, Patch 0.4.0: The Last of the Druids has clarified the meta in several key ways. Grinding Gear Games has introduced meaningful balance changes that elevate certain ascendancies while pushing others down the rankings.

In this guide, I present my Path of Exile 2 Best Class Tier List for The Last of the Druids, breaking down which ascendancies dominate the current meta and which struggle to keep up.

To fully unlock the potential of any ascendancy, optimal gear is essential. Many top-tier builds rely on expensive, mirror-tier items that require a substantial currency investment. If you want to accelerate your progression, be sure to visit our PoE 2 Store, where you can buy PoE 2 Divine Orbs, crafting currencies, and other PoE 2 essentials to complete your build faster.

How This PoE 2 Tier List Was Ranked

Each ascendancy was evaluated using the following criteria:

· Balance changes in Patch 0.4.0

· Overall damage output

· Upgrade scaling and late-game potential

· Survivability and defensive tools

· Enjoyment and gameplay fluidity

The rankings progress from D Tier (weakest) to S Tier (strongest).

D Tier Ascendancies

Acolyte of Chayula

Patch 0.4.0 introduced several improvements to the Acolyte of Chayula, particularly to Into the Breach flames and the Illusory Void mechanic. Void Illusions now deal substantial damage when destroyed and have three cooldown charges, significantly improving uptime.

Additionally, Red, Blue, and Purple Flames received a 50% bonus increase, with the Purple Flame now granting 7% of damage as chaos damage for eight seconds.

Despite these buffs, the Acolyte of Chayula still lacks meaningful build diversity or standout scaling. Most players continue to rely on Hollow Palm Technique with items like Thunderfist or Essentia Sanguis, leaving the ascendancy largely unchanged in practice.

Gemling Legionnaire

The Gemling Legionnaire remains underwhelming in The Last of the Druids. While Thaumaturgical Infusion and Advanced Thaumaturgy were adjusted to improve defensive consistency, the impact is marginal.

Requiring only three colored support gems for +1% maximum elemental resistance is a quality-of-life improvement, but it does little to address the ascendancy’s lack of damage scaling or unique gameplay hooks. As a result, the Gemling Legionnaire continues to sit firmly in D Tier.

C Tier Ascendancies

Smith of Kitava

The Smith of Kitava received some of the largest buffs in Patch 0.4.0. Manifest Weapon now benefits from improved AI behavior and significantly reduced cooldowns, making weapon-based minion play more viable.

Several Masterwork nodes were replaced with new options:

  · Kitavan Imprint – 60% increased Glory generation

  · Spiked Plates – 100% increased Thorns damage

  · Tribute to Utula – 30% increased Spirit

These changes improve Banner skill synergy and allow additional defensive buffs such as Time of Need or Scavenged Plating. Unfortunately, offensive scaling remains mediocre, and even with mana-free Temper Weapon and a 25% damage buff to Combust, the Smith struggles to compete with higher-tier ascendancies.

Warbringer

The Warbringer benefits from meaningful mechanical improvements. Imploding Impacts can now reduce enemy armor below zero and cause enemies with Fully Broken Armor to take increased hit damage.

Answered Call also received a minor buff, allowing the Ancestral Warhorn minion to hit multiple nearby enemies. While not transformative, the Warbringer also synergizes well with the newly buffed Svalinn, improving its overall viability.

Blood Mage

Once an S Tier staple, the Blood Mage has fallen in prominence. While the ascendancy itself avoided direct nerfs, key items such as Atalui’s Bloodletting and Rathpith Globe were heavily nerfed, severely impacting the popular Spark Blood Mage build.

That said, Whispers of the Flesh now causes cursed enemies to suffer 100% reduced life regeneration, enabling alternative curse-focused builds. The Blood Mage remains playable but no longer dominant.

Chronomancer

Patch 0.4.0 significantly improved the Chronomancer by reworking Inevitable Agony, which is no longer classified as a curse. This allows players to run additional curses like Temporal Chains or Enfeeble without needing Whispers of Doom.

Cursed enemies now take 50% of hit damage upfront, with the remainder applied when the curse expires. Combined with time-based mechanics and synergy with The Whispering Ice, the Chronomancer has renewed build potential, particularly for spell-based setups.

B Tier Ascendancies

Titan

The removal of Surprising Strength was a major blow, eliminating a powerful 50% damage multiplier. While Crushing Impacts partially compensates with 25% more damage to heavy-stunned enemies, it does not fully replace the lost power.

The new Mountain Splitter node adds aftershocks to slam skills every third slam, but the Titan’s slow pace continues to hold it back relative to faster ascendancies.

Tactician

The Tactician benefits greatly from improvements to Supporting Fire via Unleash Hell, which now triggers more frequently. Mortar Cannon builds, in particular, gain noticeable damage increases.

Strategic Embankments were also buffed:

  · Artillery Ballista: 20% increased skill speed

  · Siege Ballista: 25% more damage vs immobilized enemies

  · Mortar Cannon: 25% extra fire damage

Spell totems now grant a 50% increased critical hit chance, making crit-focused Tactician builds more viable than ever.

Deadeye

Once the most-played ascendancy, the Deadeye was heavily nerfed in Patch 0.4.0. Wind Ward was removed entirely, and Tailwind bonuses were reduced to 20% skill speed and 100% evasion at max stacks. A new Mirage Archer-style node provides some compensation, but the Deadeye’s survivability and dominance have taken a significant hit.

Witch Hunter

The Witch Hunter received a substantial defensive buff. Sorcery Ward now mitigates physical and chaos damage in addition to elemental damage, making it a powerful defensive tool—especially when paired with items like Lightning Coil.

Ritualist

Ritual Sacrifice now lasts between 82–120 seconds, making it a viable league-start alternative to Headhunter-style effects. While still temporary, the extended duration significantly improves consistency.

Invoker

Invoker starter builds are weaker due to Unbound Avatar being placed on a 12-second cooldown. Defensive changes to And Protect Me from Harm are minor, but Hollow Palm Technique and improved Power Charge generation from Ailith’s Chimes keep the Invoker relevant.

A Tier Ascendancies

Pathfinder

The Pathfinder emerges as one of the biggest winners in Patch 0.4.0. Path Seeker allows access to Warrior or Sorceress starting nodes, dramatically increasing build flexibility.

Traveler’s Wisdom was reworked to grant 5% increased damage, defenses, or cost efficiency depending on attribute selection. These changes give the Pathfinder a level of adaptability reminiscent of the Ascendant from Path of Exile 1.

Infernalist

Minion buffs across Patch 0.4.0 keep the Infernalist firmly in A Tier. While the new Elemental Archon state adds flexibility, the ascendancy continues to excel as a minion-focused powerhouse.

Amazon

The reworked Surging Avatar now triggers Elemental Surge when consuming charges, empowering ranged attacks with multiple elemental surges. Lightning Spear and Lightning Arrow builds are likely to dominate, though future item interactions may expand the Amazon’s options.

Shaman

As one of the Druid ascendancies, the Shaman excels as a hybrid class, blending shapeshifting with spellcasting. Enhanced rune bonuses and spell damage scaling make the Shaman highly adaptable, especially for players comfortable switching between Human and Bear forms.

S Tier Ascendancies

Lich

Despite no direct buffs, the Lich remains exceptionally strong. Changes to the Adorned jewel may further enhance its power through Crystalline Phylactery interactions.

While building diversity is limited—primarily chaos-based skills like Essence Drain and Contagion—the Lich’s efficiency and survivability keep it at the top.

Oracle

The Oracle stands out due to exclusive access to secret passive tree nodes, enabling unparalleled build experimentation. With exceptional flexibility and theorycrafting potential, the Oracle is one of the most creatively rewarding ascendancies in PoE 2.

Disciple of Varashta

The final Sorceress ascendancy allows players to design a fully customized summoner playstyle through powerful djinns:

  · Ruzhan – Fire-based spell damage

  · Navira – Cold damage with chill and freeze

  · Kelari – Physical damage with critical weakness

Alternatively, nodes like Baryonic Leylines enhance Time-Lost jewels, providing non-minion scaling options. While real-world performance remains to be fully tested, the Disciple of Varashta is undeniably S Tier on paper.

Stormweaver

Stormweaver benefits immensely from Patch 0.4.0. Refracted Infusion now guarantees additional elemental infusions, and Multiplying Squalls increases the limit of key spells like Firestorm, Orb of Storms, and Frost Bomb to two.

Firestorm, in particular, is exceptionally strong this patch and highly recommended.

Final Thoughts – PoE 2 Patch 0.4.0 Tier List Conclusion

The Last of the Druids has significantly reshaped the PoE 2 meta. Druid and Sorceress ascendancies—particularly the Shaman, Oracle, and Disciple of Varashta—stand out due to their versatility and raw power. Meanwhile, Pathfinder’s rework opens the door to countless new builds.

Although Warrior ascendancies received improvements, they still lag behind top-tier options. The Deadeye’s nerfs, while disappointing, were inevitable given its prior dominance.

What do you think of this Path of Exile 2 tier list for Patch 0.4.0? Share your thoughts and let us know which ascendancy you’re playing this league. If you want to dive deeper into the expansion, be sure to check out our PoE 2: The Last of the Druids – New Unique Items Guide for a full breakdown of the most impactful gear additions.