Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict is upon us, and things have certainly shaped up in more interesting ways. Ascendancy classes that were previously thought to top the charts have fallen off significantly in PoE 2 Patch 0.3.0.

So in this article, we're going over which classes have risen to the top of the charts—and which ones are still struggling at the bottom. Are you ready? Then let's dive right in!

(And hey—if you need any gear to make your Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict character even more awesome, don't forget to check out our Path Of Exile 2 Currency Store. From weapons to jewelry, we've got you covered.)

PoE 2 Best Class Tier List – Patch 0.3.0

The current meta is shifting fast. Some ascendancy classes that looked weak during early testing have found powerful builds, while others that once dominated are now barely holding relevance. Below you'll find our updated PoE 2 class tier list, moving from the weakest (F Tier) up to the strongest (S Tier).

F Tier – Bottom of the Barrel

These ascendancy classes simply don't stack up against the competition. They lack either damage, survivability, or versatility. Pick these only if you want a challenge or something experimental.

Acolyte of Chayula

Still at the bottom, the Acolyte of Chayula is hampered by poor build diversity. While the Flicker Strike Acolyte offers some map-clearing speed (especially when leveraging Into the Breach for Flames of Chayula buffs), it just doesn't compete with the sheer power of other classes. Unless you're curious, skip it.

Pathfinder

Despite new defensive nodes like Practical Remedies (ailment immunity) and Sustainable Practices (damage reduction scaling off evasion), the Pathfinder struggles to keep up. Builds like Poisonburst Arrow or Incinerate Pathfinder can be fun, but they demand expensive gear to feel competitive. Without an offensive buff, Pathfinder stays low.

D Tier – Mediocre, but Playable

Better than F Tier, but still not recommended for newer players.

Chronomancer

Fun utility with Time Freeze and Temporal Rift, and strong synergy with meta-skills like Cast on Freeze or Cast on Ignite. However, Chronomancer lacks offensive ascendancy nodes, keeping it from being truly competitive.

Witchhunter

Even with crossbow buffs and better grenade skills, the Witchhunter just feels “okay.” Galvanic Shards and Grenadier Witchhunter builds work, but other ascendancies overshadow them. Worth trying if you want to play with crossbows, but not optimal.

C Tier – Average Picks

Solid but unspectacular. Good for casuals who don't mind some inefficiency.

Stormweaver

Surprisingly better than expected. Spark Stormweaver builds shifted toward crit scaling (with Maligaro's Virtuosity skyrocketing in demand). New variants like Ice Nova Comet Stormweaver also emerged. While nerfed, Stormweaver has diversified nicely.

Warbringer

Tough and tanky, but low damage. The Rake Warbringer with spears and Ancestral Warrior Totems is popular, especially since spirits got buffs. However, without real offensive scaling, Warbringer falls short.

Tactician

Conceptually exciting, but underwhelming in practice. Bannerlord Tactician works well in support roles, while Siege Cascade Tactician gives some damage potential. Still, weak nodes like Unleash Hell drag it down.

B Tier – Strong, but Not Elite

Good classes that can clear endgame, but lack a little something to break into A or S Tier.

Titan

Much improved in Patch 0.3.0. The One-Shot Totem Titan and Rake Titan (using Skysliver) are both powerful. Flexibility with ascendancy nodes means Titans aren't clunky anymore. Still, Warbringer remains the tankier pick.

Infernalist

The classic minion master. Skeletal Storm Mage Infernalist remains dominant, while Ignite versions (with Blackflame) put a creative twist on elemental damage. Still great, though slightly outshone by newer meta contenders.

Gemling Legionnaire

Three solid builds keep it relevant: Artillery Ballista, Galvanic Shards, and Lightning Spear. Integrated Efficiency and Motoric Implants make this class shine. Attribute stacking may be gone, but versatility keeps it in B Tier.

Invoker

A more defensive take on Lightning Spear compared to Amazon or Ritualist. Builds like Flicker Strike Invoker and Ice Strike Invoker remain popular, but survivability is the Invoker's biggest advantage.

A Tier – Excellent Choices

Ascendancies here are only a hair away from being the best. You can't go wrong with these.

Ritualist

The Lightning Spear Ritualist dominates thanks to unique mechanics like equipping three rings (Unfurled Finger) and boosting them with Mystic Attunement. Perfect for late-game gear scaling.

Smith of Kitava

Nearly unkillable. Defensive ascendancy nodes like Smith's Masterwork and Forged in Flame make him tanky beyond belief. Builds like Boneshatter and Rake Smith aren't flashy but are incredibly reliable.

Blood Mage

High crit scaling thanks to Sunder the Flesh puts Blood Mage builds like Spark Blood Mage and Bleed Blood Mage into overdrive. The new spear weapon type also synergizes beautifully. Strong, versatile, and fun.

S Tier – The Best of the Best

These ascendancy classes define the current Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict meta.

Lich

Flexibility between minion builds (Skeletal Storm Mage) and Chaos DoT builds (Essence Drain/Contagion Lich) makes this ascendancy a powerhouse. With nodes like Necromantic Conduit and Eternal Life, the Lich can do it all.

Deadeye

Projectile queen. With Lightning Spear, Galvanic Shards, and even Wind Serpent's Fury, the Deadeye's ascendancy nodes like Gathering Winds and Eagle Eyes give absurd damage scaling. A massive leap from previous tiers.

Amazon

The undisputed #1. Lightning Spear Amazon dominates the meta with multiple scaling paths, strong synergy with Primal Strikes and Storm Lance, and unmatched speed. The Amazon's toolkit is so strong that nearly every top ladder build right now uses her.

Final Thoughts

Patch 0.3.0 of Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict has shaken things up in big ways. Once-top classes have fallen (sorry, Invoker fans), while new contenders like Amazon and Deadeye dominate the scene.

If you're looking for a safe bet, Amazon, Deadeye, and Lich are the strongest ascendancy classes in the current meta. But for those who enjoy experimenting, there's still plenty of room to innovate with mid-tier classes like Stormweaver, Titan, or Blood Mage.

So—what do you think? Did your favorite ascendancy class rise or fall in Patch 0.3.0?