
What Are Ascendancy Classes In Path Of Exile 2?
In Path of Exile 2, every character class is categorised into a subclass known as Ascendancy. These ascendancies provide unique and powerful abilities that drastically alter gameplay. Ascendancies are the cornerstones of character evolution, reshaping their identity and approach to challenges.
Choosing an Ascendancy class after completing the Labyrinth for the first time allows the player to gain access to a new ascendancy skill tree specific to the class chosen. Each character class comes with three associated ascendancy classes (Except for Scion, who only has one), for a total of 19 ascendancy classes.
Currently, we have a list of seven Ascendancies confirmed for Path of Exile 2. Let’s explore each one individually.
Ascendancy | Class | Notable Features |
Beastmaster | Ranger | Powerful Werecat form with a critical strike bonus |
Survivalist | Ranger | Emphasises defensive |
Tactician | Ranger | Enhances totem skills |
Reaver | Marauder | Manifesting ancestral spirits to confront hordes of enemies |
Ancestor | Marauder | Empowers existing ancestral abilities and skills like ancestral cry, ancestral call, and totems |
Defiler | Witch | Drains life and willpower of enemies to enhance character strength |
Arcanist | Witch | Associated with lightning-based abilities |
7 Confirmed Ascendancy Classes in Path of Exile 2
1) Beastmaster

In Path of Exile 2, the pivotal Beastmaster ascendancy is intricately tied to innovative shape-shifting mechanics. This choice unlocks exclusive access to the daunting werecat form, amplifying strikes with a Critical Strike bonus. Seamlessly transitioning between forms — Werewolf, Werebear, Werecat, and Human — is a key feature. Impressively, Buffs persist during shifts, significantly enhancing Shapeshift buffs.
A special companion, such as a strong lion, sneaky panther, or fast cheetah, gives unique boosts. This is different from Path of Exile 1, where there was only one big change in the skill path. This new way offers many choices in the skill tree instead. The changes go beyond just changing shapes and include lots of different game systems and even weapons. The Beastmaster’s path brings a big change, giving him powerful new skills and lots of options. This shows how the game’s mechanics are growing and changing.
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2) Survivalist

At number two, we have the Survivalist, a beckoning call to seasoned rangers. This ascendancy unveils a dynamic skill tree, introducing whole-scale gems that enhance a ranger’s abilities, possibly growing stronger as the character progresses. These gems, echoing the division concept, diversify single skills, offering precise single-target strikes and sweeping area-of-effect devastation. Amidst this intricacy, the Survivalist brings forth a surge in spell dodge chance through a skill named Avoidance (A mechanic that stops the damage of a hit after a block has failed), likely intertwining with emerging spell suppression mechanics for added depth.
Within the evolving skill tree, the Survivalist’s path branches into two facets. One emphasises evasive manoeuvres, weaving a tale of dodging and survival, while the other embraces projectiles and precision, promising potent devastation.
3) Tactician

Taking the third spot, the Tactician combines tactical prowess to present a symphony of strategic choices. This ascendancy hinges on tactical strikes, empowering totems with an electrifying surge of power, and exerting absolute control over opponents. An intriguing revelation lies within the Tactician’s arsenal, the enigmatic “Close Combat Specialist”, node. This unique feature transforms the bow into a potent melee weapon, allowing sword and axe skills along with support gems. The fluid animations effortlessly blend ranged and melee strikes, solidifying the Tactician’s role as a skilled battlefield leader.
The strategic Symphony reaches its peak with the Siege Breaker node. This empowers the last summoned totem with a supercharged aura: a whopping 100% increase in damage, attack speed, and an impressive 50% damage reduction.
4)Reaver

The next ascendancy class we have is the Reaver, which shifts our focus towards aiding teammates and standing resilient against enemies. It’s like a big shift in the game that encourages teamwork and working well together. It also hints at making builds that use helpers in a new and exciting way. It might even introduce a different kind of helper, like a summoned Exile Mercenary or Bandit, which would be something cool and different to try.
The Reaver could also let you change how your helpers act and what weapons they use. Imagine turning your little helpers into big, powerful entities — that would look awesome — and help you make smart decisions.
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5) Ancestor

At number five comes the Ancestor ascendancy, which centres around summoning ancestral spirits and having them charge into battle under your command. This ascendancy holds the potential to bring forth ancestral spirits, blending raw strength and mystical prowess. Tapping into spiritual forces is likely to increase the character’s power and reinforce skills like ancestral cry, ancestral call, and totems. GGG’s clever design might introduce innovative methods of summoning the spirits of the Karui ancestors, a powerful force poised to overcome the challenges of Wraeclast’s unforgiving terrain.
6) Defiler

At the sixth spot, we find the Defiler — a mysterious witch ascendancy — who forges a dark pact, drawing power from foes and using their energy to amplify her own abilities. Concept art implies a departure from typical necromancers, focusing on life-draining rather than reanimation. Instead of depending on minions, she harnesses the stolen life force for personal strength. Speculations surround her potential skills, such as manipulating enemy remains for unique tactics or absorbing stolen energy to elevate her prowess. The Defiler remains an intriguing puzzle, sparking curiosity and speculation among players.
7) Arcanist

The Arcanist, the final ascendancy unveiled for witches, is positioned to channel the thrilling might of lightning. This ascendancy holds the potential to rejuvenate and enhance various lightning skills and concepts within Path of Exile 2. Drawing parallels with the marauder’s Chieftain, which revolves around fire damage and skills, the Arcanist directs its focus towards unleashing the complete potential of lightning-based abilities. While the specifics remain concealed, the Arcanist’s aura exudes potential, hinting at captivating transformations in lightning-oriented gameplay.
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That’s everything you need to know about all the new ascendancy classes in Path of Exile 2. Well, at least only the ones we know of right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does the Tactician Ascendancy Enhance Gameplay Strategy?
The Tactician ascendancy empowers players with tactical strikes, enhanced totem abilities, and the intriguing close combat specialist and siege breaker nodes, transforming bows into formidable melee instruments for a masterful battlefield approach.
What Is the Role of the Reaver Ascendancy?
The Reaver ascendancy for Marauders involves manifesting ancestral spirits to confront enemies, potentially summoning Exile Mercenaries or Bandit minions, and offering uncharted summoning possibilities.
How Does the Defiler Ascendancy Redefine Witch Gameplay?
The Defiler ascendancy for witches draws vitality and willpower from foes to enhance personal strength, hinting at unique life-draining mechanics and a departure from traditional necromantic themes.
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