Mastering Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2: A Comprehensive Guide
Path of Exile 2's Early Access has players eager to optimize their chosen classes. While not a core feature, Ascendancies offer specialized abilities and unique playstyles. This guide details how to unlock and utilize these powerful enhancements.
Unlocking Ascendancies
Before accessing Ascendancies, players must complete a Trial of Ascendancy. Currently, the Act 2 Trial of the Sekhemas and the Act 3 Trial of Chaos are available. Completing either unlocks Ascendancy selection and grants two passive Ascendancy Points. The earlier Act 2 trial is recommended for quicker access to enhanced abilities.
Available Ascendancies
Currently, Path of Exile 2 features six classes, each with two Ascendancies. More classes and Ascendancies are planned for future updates.
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 on Skill Gems, allowing for additional skills and buffs. Its flexibility makes it suitable for customized builds.
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Monk Ascendancies
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Invoker: Embrace elemental powers and inflict status effects, offering a melee-focused elemental playstyle.
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Acolyte of Chayula: Harness shadow powers, combining defensive and healing abilities with damage-boosting effects. A unique option for shadow-based builds.
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Ranger Ascendancies
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Deadeye: Enhance ranged combat with increased attack speed, damage, and accuracy, perfect for archer builds.
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Pathfinder: Utilize poison and elemental damage through flask-based abilities and AoE effects. A diverse alternative to traditional ranged builds.
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Sorceress Ascendancies
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Stormweaver: Amplify elemental abilities with an Elemental Storm and increased damage output. A solid choice for enhancing existing elemental builds.
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Chronomancer: Manipulate time, affecting cooldowns and adding strategic depth to combat. Ideal for players who enjoy dynamic gameplay.
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Warrior Ascendancies
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Titan: Maximize damage and tankiness with defensive and offensive buffs, ideal for players who prefer a durable, high-damage build.
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Warbringer: Summon Ancestral Spirits and Totems for additional damage and support. 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 curses. A unique approach to resource management.
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Infernalist: Summon a Hellhound and shapeshift into a powerful demon form, unleashing fire damage. A strong option for fire-based minion builds.
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Path of Exile 2 is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.