Home >  News >  Path of Exile 2 Ascendancy Classes: Unlocking All Ascendancies Guide

Path of Exile 2 Ascendancy Classes: Unlocking All Ascendancies Guide

by Eric Apr 14,2025

Even though *Path of Exile 2* is still in Early Access, players are eager to maximize the potential of their chosen class. While subclasses aren't an official feature of *PoE2*, class Ascendancies provide players with specialized options and unique abilities.

How To Unlock Ascendancies in *Path of Exile 2*

To unlock Ascendancy Classes in *PoE2*, players must complete a special Trial of Ascendancy. In Early Access, you have two options: the Act 2 Trial of the Sekhemas or the Act 3 Trial of Chaos. Completing either of these trials for the first time will unlock the option to choose an Ascendancy Class and reward you with 2 passive Ascendancy Points. The Trial of the Sekhemas, available earlier in the game, is the best choice for unlocking Ascendancy and accessing more powerful abilities sooner, before tackling the game's more challenging sections.

All Path of Exile 2 Class Ascendancies

In Early Access, *Path of Exile 2* offers six playable classes, each with two distinct Ascendancy options. The game will eventually expand to 12 base classes, likely introducing new Ascendancies as well.

Mercenary Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2

Mercenaries can choose between the Witch Hunter, which focuses on buff-based gameplay, or the Gemling Legionnaire, which emphasizes skill versatility.

Witch Hunter

Mercenary Witchhunter Ascendancy Skilltree in Path of Exile 2

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Witch Hunter Ascendancy enhances your offensive and defensive capabilities with passive buffs. Skills like Culling Strike and No Mercy allow for quicker enemy damage and debuffing, making it ideal for players who enjoy a strategic, debuff-focused playstyle.

Gemling Legionnaire

Mercenary Gemling Legionnaire Ascendancy Skilltree in Path of Exile 2

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Gemling Legionnaire Ascendancy is all about Skill Gems, allowing you to equip additional skills and attach extra buffs. This flexible option is perfect for Mercenary players who want to customize their character extensively and experiment with various skills.

Monk Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2

Monks can ascend to harness elemental powers as an Invoker or delve into the shadows as an Acolyte of Chayula.

Invoker

Monk Invoker Ascendancy Skilltree in Path of Exile 2

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Invoker Ascendancy transforms you into a master of elemental forces, granting abilities to inflict status conditions on enemies. This is perfect for players who prefer a melee-focused elemental style, distinct from traditional casters like the Sorceress.

Acolyte of Chayula

Acolyte of Chayula Monk Ascendancy Skilltree in Path of Exile 2

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Acolyte of Chayula Ascendancy offers a unique shadow-based playstyle, using darkness powers instead of Spirit. It provides defensive and healing skills, as well as reality-warping powers to boost attack damage, making it a great choice for those seeking a different Monk build.

Ranger Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2

Rangers can enhance their ranged combat with the Deadeye Ascendancy or embrace a more unorthodox approach with the Pathfinder.

Deadeye

Deadeye Ranger Ascendancy Skilltree in Path of Exile 2

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Deadeye Ascendancy enhances ranged combat stats, increasing speed and damage while removing distance penalties with skills like Eagle Eyes and Called Shots. It's the perfect choice for dedicated archer builds looking to elevate their gameplay.

Pathfinder

PoE2 Pathfinder Ranger Ascendancy Skilltree in Path of Exile 2

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Pathfinder Ascendancy focuses on explosive poison and elemental damage, with abilities like Poisonous Concoction and AoE buffs like Contagious Contamination. This offers a fresh playstyle for Rangers looking to diversify from traditional bow-and-arrow builds.

Sorceress Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2

Sorceresses can amplify their elemental prowess with the Stormweaver Ascendancy or manipulate time as a Chronomancer.

Stormweaver

Stormweaver Sorceress Ascendancy Tree

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Stormweaver Ascendancy amplifies the Sorceress's elemental abilities, adding an Elemental Storm ability and boosting damage across various elements. It's an excellent choice for players who enjoy elemental caster gameplay and want to enhance it further.

Chronomancer

Chronomancer Sorceress Ascendancy Tree

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Chronomancer Ascendancy allows Sorceresses to manipulate time, stopping it and adjusting cooldown times for strategic advantages in battles. This dynamic playstyle is perfect for players who want to mix up combat routines and enjoy strategic gameplay.

Warrior Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2

Warriors can opt for massive damage as a Titan or summon Ancestral allies as a Warbringer.

Titan

Titan Ascendancy Skilltree PoE2

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Titan Ascendancy turns Warriors into formidable tanks, enhancing defense with skills like Stone Skin and boosting attacks with abilities like Crushing Impacts and Surprising Strength. This Ascendancy is ideal for players who enjoy a heavy-hitting, tank-like role.

Warbringer

Warbringer Ascendancy Skilltree PoE2

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Warbringer Ascendancy allows Warriors to summon Ancestral Spirits and Totems, providing additional damage and taking hits for you. It's a great choice for players who want a melee character with a unique twist through summoned allies.

Witch Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2

Witches can drain life from enemies as a Blood Mage or channel the fires of Hell as an Infernalist.

Blood Mage

Blood Mage Ascendancy Skill Tree PoE2

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Blood Mage Ascendancy enhances life-draining magic, increasing damage from lingering wounds and extending curses. This is perfect for Witches who want to control the force of life and enjoy a strategic gameplay experience.

Infernalist

Infernalist Ascendancy Skilltree

Image via Grinding Gear Games
The Infernalist Ascendancy allows Witches to summon a Hellhound and shapeshift into a powerful Demon form, unleashing fire damage. It's an excellent choice for players looking to deal elemental damage while enjoying the support of powerful minion allies.

And that's the comprehensive *Path of Exile 2* Ascendancy guide.

*Path of Exile 2 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*

Trending Games More >