Path of Exile 2 Ascendancy Tier List Update:3 Weeks Into the League

Hey Exiles! With Path of Exile 2: Don the Hunt now three weeks into its lifecycle, the meta is starting to stabilize, and we've got a much clearer picture of which ascendancies are pulling their weight—and which ones are falling behind. Now, revisiting those predictions to see how they held up and offering an updated list based on current in-game performance.

This article breaks down current tier rankings, providing commentary on why some ascendancies are thriving while others are left in the dust. Note: this list only focuses on ascendancies, not specific builds, though certain builds will be referenced to explain performance and get Path of Exile 2 Currency.

S-Tier Ascendancies - Dominating the Meta

Amazon

Amazon would be S-tier turned out to be spot-on. Amazon has exploded in popularity due to its exceptional synergy with Lightning Spear, which is arguably the most overtuned skill in the game right now. Amazon excels in clear speed, damage, and versatility—traits that make it a dominant pick for both solo play and endgame content.

Deadeye

As expected, Deadeye remains a staple S-tier choice. The sheer speed and responsiveness of the class, along with high mobility and projectile enhancements, make it one of the most fun and effective ascendancies in the current meta. Whether you're zooming through maps or tackling tougher bosses, Deadeye delivers.

Monk

Monk stays strong in S-tier thanks to its flexibility and strong support for both elemental and melee-based builds. Monk synergizes beautifully with Lightning Spear but also offers viable builds using Ice Strike, Tempest Flower, and Storm Wave. It's a well-rounded ascendancy that suits a range of playstyles.

Leech

Although there's debate over whether Leech should be in A or S tier, Roner sticks with his original S-tier ranking. Leech shines in low-budget and league-start scenarios thanks to its built-in sustain and defensive layers. Builds like Bone Leech and Callous Leech demonstrate how well it performs in both summoner and spell-based setups.

Blood Mage

Initially placed in A-tier, Blood Mage has now graduated to S-tier in updated list. It's one of the top caster ascendancies due to massive crit scaling and synergy with popular skills like Lightning Spear. In fact, it's so effective that it's nearly replaced Storm Weaver altogether as the go-to mage choice.

A-Tier Ascendancies - Strong and Viable

Smith of Kitava

Kitava's warrior-themed ascendancy brings immense tankiness to the table. While its damage output isn't on par with S-tier picks, it's incredibly durable and offers strong utility. The biggest drawback? It's hard to align its passive tree with popular meta builds like Lightning Spear. Still, it's a solid A-tier contender.

Infernalist

Infernalist to perform so well, but it's currently a very strong choice for crit-based mages and minion builds. Its only flaw? Many builds only use four of its passive points, with the rest offering limited value. This ceiling keeps it from climbing to S-tier—but it's close.

Warbringer

Originally a B-tier pick, Warbringer has moved up to A-tier due to the recent popularity of block-based builds and its overall tanky design. It shines with niche builds like Thorns, offering versatility and durability. It's not flashy, but it's dependable.

Gemling

Although not as widely played due to high build costs and some clunky mechanics, Gemling is a powerful choice—especially for Ballista and attribute stacking builds. It could have been S-tier, but the investment required to make it shine holds it back. Still, it's a top-tier option for players with deep pockets.

B-Tier Ascendancies - Solid, But With Limitations

Chronomancer

This ascendancy has some neat tricks—especially for Cold skills and crowd control—but remains slightly clunky compared to Blood Mage or Leech. It has potential, and with buffs or better support, it could rise to A-tier. For now, it's a middle-of-the-road choice.

Pathfinder

Overestimated Pathfinder's potential. While it has some fun mechanics, it's simply overshadowed by better options. Its synergy with core meta skills is limited, and it's fallen off significantly since league launch.

Titan

There's not much to say here. Titan remains in B-tier—reliable but uninspiring. While it has some decent nodes and tankiness, most players opt for stronger ascendancies like Warbringer or Kitava.

Tactician

Originally placed in A-tier, Tactician is now downgraded. It's a decent choice for Ballista builds, but Gemling simply does it better. On league start, it may be more accessible, but long-term, it struggles to maintain relevance.

 Ritualist

Ritualist has high potential—especially in party play or high-budget scenarios—butlacks popularity due to limited synergy with meta builds. It has unique utility with rarity stacking and aura support, but most solo players will find better value elsewhere.

C-Tier Ascendancies - Underwhelming and Outclassed

Storm Weaver

One of the biggest disappointments this league. Once considered a solid caster option, it's now eclipsed by Blood Mage and Leech. Storm Weaver offers little that other ascendancies don't do better. A clear downgrade in the current patch.

Witch Hunter

Despite pre-league promises of buffs, Witch Hunter remains a letdown. It can't compete with Gemling for crossbow builds, and the changes were too minor to impact viability. Its current status? Hard pass.

F-Tier Ascendancy - Avoid at All Costs

Acolyte of Chayula

This one was doomed from the start. While it can be tanky, that's about all it has going for it. The lack of strong offensive or utility tools makes it the weakest ascendancy right now. Chayula's followers will need major reworks to matter in any future meta.

Meta Insights and Takeaways

So what's the overall theme of this league's ascendancy meta?

Lightning Spear is King - Most S-tier ascendancies support it directly or synergize with crit-based setups. This skill alone is shaping the meta more than any other.

Tankiness > Damage (in some cases) - Kitava, Warbringer, and Leech remain competitive due to survivability, especially for early league and hardcore players.

Specialization Wins - Ascendancies that focus on one thing and do it well (like Deadeye with speed or Blood Mage with crit) are seeing the most success.

Versatility Beats Niche - Infernalist and Monk offer enough flexibility to slot into multiple builds, which helps them stay relevant.

Final Thoughts

Most S- and A-tier predictions have held up. However, a few surprises, like Blood Mage's rise and Storm Weaver's fall, demonstrate how volatile the PoE 2 meta can be after launch. With skill balance, patch changes, more POE 2 Currency Orbs and build discoveries shaping the future, this list may look very different in a few months.

If you're planning your next build or just curious about what's currently hot, this tier list offers a strong foundation. And remember—just because an ascendancy is B- or C-tier doesn't mean it can't be fun or effective. PoE is all about creativity, and there's always room for innovation.