Mastering Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2: A Comprehensive Guide
Path of Exile 2's Early Access release has players eager to explore the depths of their chosen classes. While not a traditional subclass system, Ascendancies provide specialized abilities and unique playstyles. This guide details how to unlock and utilize these powerful enhancements.
Unlocking Ascendancies
To unlock Ascendancy Classes, players must complete a specific Trial of Ascendancy. In the current Early Access build, these trials are the Act 2 Trial of the Sekhemas or the Act 3 Trial of Chaos. Completing either trial for the first time rewards you with Ascendancy Class selection and two passive Ascendancy Points. The earlier Act 2 trial is recommended for quicker access to enhanced abilities.
Path of Exile 2 Ascendancies: A Class-by-Class Breakdown
Currently, six classes offer two Ascendancy choices each. Future updates will expand this to twelve base classes, likely introducing additional Ascendancies.
Mercenary Ascendancies
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Witch Hunter: This Ascendancy focuses on offensive and defensive buffs, enhancing damage output with abilities like Culling Strike and No Mercy. Ideal for players who enjoy debuffing enemies and maximizing damage.
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Gemling Legionnaire: This option centers around Skill Gems, allowing for extra skill slots and added buffs. Its flexibility makes it suitable for highly customized builds.
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Monk Ascendancies
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Invoker: Embrace elemental powers and inflict status effects, channeling inner Avatar-like abilities. Perfect for melee-focused elemental damage dealers.
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Acolyte of Chayula: Harness shadow powers, replacing Spirit with darkness-based abilities. This offers defensive, healing, and reality-warping capabilities for a unique shadow-centric build.
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Ranger Ascendancies
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Deadeye: Enhance ranged combat prowess with increased attack speed, movement, and damage. Abilities like Eagle Eyes negate distance penalties, while Called Shots add strategic marking capabilities.
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Pathfinder: Master poison and elemental damage with abilities like Poisonous Concoction and area-of-effect buffs such as Contagious Contamination. Offers a non-traditional ranged playstyle.
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Sorceress Ascendancies
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Stormweaver: Amplify elemental abilities with an Elemental Storm and increased damage across various elements. A solid choice for enhancing existing elemental caster builds.
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Chronomancer: Manipulate time to control cooldowns and strategically alter the flow of battle. A dynamic choice for players seeking tactical combat options.
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Warrior Ascendancies
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Titan: Maximize damage and tankiness with defensive buffs like Stone Skin and offensive enhancements such as Crushing Impacts and Surprising Strength. Ideal for players who enjoy a heavy-hitting, durable build.
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Warbringer: Summon Ancestral Spirits and Totems for support and additional damage. A good option for melee characters seeking summoned allies.
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Witch Ascendancies
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Blood Mage: Drain enemy life to restore your own, enhancing damage from lingering wounds and extending curse durations. For Witches who want to master life-draining magic.
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Infernalist: Summon a Hellhound and shapeshift into a powerful demon form, unleashing fiery devastation. Excellent for Witches seeking enhanced elemental damage and minion support.
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Path of Exile 2 is currently available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
