PoE 2 0.2.0 Best Class Ascendancy & Starter Build Tier List (Dawn of the Hunt)

With Dawn of the Hunt (Patch 0.2.0) arriving soon, players will need to choose their Ascendancy wisely for the fresh league reset. Each Ascendancy offers different strengths in leveling, bossing, and farming, making it important to pick the right one based on your goals. Below is an overview of each Ascendancy in PoE 2 Patch 0.2.0, along with recommended starter builds for fast progression.

PoE 2 0.2.0 Tier List - Best Class & Starter Builds for Dawn of the Hunt League in Path of Exile 2

New classes, such as the Hunter, and new Ascendancies, like the Lich for Witch, will be introduced in the Dawn of the Hunt league with the PoE 2 Patch 0.2.0.  So total 15 Ascendancies in the Dawn of the Hunt league!

1. Infernalist (Witch) - S Tier

Infernalist stands out as the most unique and versatile Ascendancy in the game. Whether you're sacrificing Mana for power or turning into a full-fledged demon, this class offers a diverse and engaging playstyle. Infernalist is a powerhouse when it comes to fire-based builds and demonic transformations. It offers crazy damage scaling with Demon Flame, and its Pyromantic Pact mechanic forces unique build adaptations.

• Theme: 6/5 – The best execution of a dark sorcery archetype.

• Build Enabling: 6/5 – Demon Flame builds are among the most powerful in 0.1.

• Build Defining: 6/5 – You can't just copy-paste a fire build onto Infernalist; you must fully adapt.

PoE 2 Best Infernalist Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Fireball Ignite Setup – Simple, efficient, and scalable.

• Bossing: Demon Flame Spark Build – Converts all damage into a fiery inferno.

• Farming: Altered Flesh Summoner – Uses defensive talents to sustain farming.

2. Ritualist (Huntress) - S Tier

Ritualist is a brokenly powerful Ascendancy that lets you tame rare monsters, steal their mods, and scale gear slots like rings and amulets beyond normal limits. It’s both a summoner and a gear-scaling archetype.

• Theme: 6/5 – Monster taming, ritual sacrifice, and gear manipulation—absurdly cool.

• Build Enabling: 6/5 – Enables ring/ammy stacking, mod stealing, and bleed explosions.

• Build Defining: 6/5 – Entire playstyle revolves around unique mechanics.

PoE Best Ritualist Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Storm Spear Lightning Build – Synergizes with shock stacking.

• Bossing: Soul Ether Mod Stealer – Absorb rare mods for massive damage boosts.

• Farming: Triple Ring Bleed Explode – Charm stacking and bleed explosions for quick clears.

3. Lich (Witch) - S Tier

Lich is a chaos-focused Ascendancy that leverages energy shield, curses, and power charge consumption. It introduces new chaos-mage archetypes with high AoE potential and powerful spell-damage multipliers.

• Theme: 5/5 – Perfectly embodies the dark, decaying chaos caster.

• Build Enabling: 5/5 – Supports curse stacking, unholy buffs, and chaos explosions.

• Build Defining: 4/5 – Powers chaos builds into top-tier single-target and AoE.

PoE Best Lich Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Chaos Spark Totem – Safe and efficient leveling.

• Bossing: Eldritch Empowerment Caster – Power charges amplify chaos damage.
  Farming: Curse Explosion Rapture Soul – Exploding cursed enemies for fast clear.

4. Titan (Warrior) - A Tier

Titan remains one of the most versatile and durable Ascendancies, providing excellent survivability, utility, and the unique Hulking Form mechanic. This ability allows Titans to temporarily enhance all attributes, making them effective in multiple roles. While not the fastest clearer, Titans can withstand tough boss fights and scale into the late game with strong physical and defensive builds.

• Theme: 6/5 – The best execution of a dark sorcery archetype.

• Build Enabling: 6/5 – Demon Flame builds are among the most powerful in 0.1.

• Build Defining: 6/5 – You can't just copy-paste a fire build onto Infernalist; you must fully adapt.

PoE Best Titan Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Shield Crush Slam – Good AoE clear with defensive scaling.

• Bossing: Poison Shield Charge – Synergizes with Hulking Form’s stat boosts for strong single-target damage.

• Farming: Bonecrush Slam Warcry Build – Capitalizes on Titan’s tankiness and AoE for efficient mapping.

5. Tactician (Mercenary) - A Tier

Tactician is a flexible and group-friendly Ascendancy that enables both solo and party play. With access to banners, totems, minions, and the new “pin” mechanic, it’s one of the most versatile new options. It also excels in hybrid offensive-support setups.

• Theme: 4/5 – Feels like a battlefield commander with tactical options.

• Build Enabling: 5/5 – Enables group buffs, totem synergy, and pin-based scaling.

• Build Defining: 4/5 – Particularly strong for hybrid and utility builds.

PoE Best Tactician Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Totem Pin Barrage – Links projectile attacks with totems for fast clear.

• Bossing: Combat Frenzy Pin Build – Scales frenzy charges using pin effects.

• Farming: Banner AoE Minion Hybrid – Wide-area support with summonable allies.

6. Chronomancer (Sorceress) - A Tier

Chronomancer is one of the most unique Ascendancies, focused on time manipulation with mechanics like cooldown resets and time freezes. While it lacks raw damage output, it offers defensive utility and strategic spellcasting advantages.

• Theme: 5/5 – Time magic is always appealing.

• Build Enabling: 3/5 – Some cooldown-reducing mechanics are useful but not game-changing.

• Build Defining: 5/5 – Time Freeze and Apex of the Moment create unique playstyles.

PoE Best Chronomancer Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Time Warp Frostbolt – Freezes enemies while resetting cooldowns.

• Bossing: Incinerate + Apex of the Moment – Sustain-based fire damage with time-based invulnerability.

• Farming: Temporal Chains & Ignite Setup – Spreads damage over time while slowing enemies.

7. Stormweaver (Sorceress) - A Tier

Stormweaver is a lightning-based Sorceress Ascendancy that excels at high-speed spellcasting with built-in Arcane Surge and powerful shock bonuses. It’s a strong leveling choice but struggles in single-target fights due to its reliance on prolonged shock stacking.

• Theme: 5/5 – Being an arcane storm mage is appealing.

• Build Enabling: 5/5 – Shock and chill mechanics make this class excel.

• Build Defining: 2/5 – Works with many builds but doesn’t force a unique playstyle.

PoE 2 Best Stormweaver Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Lightning Barrage Totem – Excellent AoE damage and mana sustain.

• Bossing: Shock Nova Crit Caster – High burst potential with critical scaling.

• Farming: Stormcall Chain Shock Build – Fast-clearing, self-sustaining shock-based build.

8. Amazon (Huntress) - A Tier

Amazon is a high-speed, crit-focused Ascendancy built around elemental fusion, infused projectiles, and evasion. With spear and bow synergy, it excels at fast clear and high burst damage, especially with lightning builds.

• Theme: 5/5 – Feels like a true elemental warrior from the wilds.

• Build Enabling: 4/5 – Enables evasion stacking, spear infusion, and crit scaling.

• Build Defining: 4/5 – Element infusion and precision mechanics define the archetype.

PoE 2 Best Amazon Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Lightning Spear Shot – Fast attacks with shock-based AoE.

• Bossing: Infused Avatar Crit Build – Projectile explosions with fusion bonuses.

• Farming: Elemental Fusion Bow Setup – High-speed clearing with shock support.

9. Invoker (Monk) - B Tier

Invoker offers a balanced mix of offense and defense, with skills that synergize well with both melee and elemental builds. It is a well-rounded elemental caster-melee hybrid, offering cold and lightning synergy for fast-paced combat. While not defining any single playstyle, it enables strong hybrid builds.

• Theme: 5/5 – A meditation-based elemental master feels well-designed.

• Build Enabling: 4/5 – Cold and Lightning builds benefit greatly.

• Build Defining: 3/5 – It enhances builds but doesn’t define many.

PoE Best Invoker Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Lightning Claws Hybrid – Good mix of physical and elemental damage.

• Bossing: Frost Ailment Stacking – Focuses on freezing enemies for control.

• Farming: Soul Springs Eternal Cold Build – Efficient and sustainable cold-based farming.

10. Deadeye (Ranger) - B Tier

Deadeye is one of the fastest Ascendancies in PoE 2, making it a top-tier choice for leveling and farming. With access to Tailwind, extra projectiles, and evasion, Deadeye is ideal for bow-based builds that focus on speed, critical hits, and mobility.

• Theme: 5/5 – Agile, precise, and deadly.

• Build Enabling: 4/5 – Tailwind and extra projectiles boost bow builds significantly.

• Build Defining: 3/5 – Works for most projectile builds but isn’t always mandatory.

PoE Best Deadeye  Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Lightning Arrow + Mirage Archer – Smooth leveling with strong AoE.

• Bossing: Ballista Barrage Setup – High single-target damage from ranged totems.

• Farming: Tornado Shot + Chain Arrows – Exceptional map-clearing speed.

11. Pathfinder (Ranger) - B Tier

Pathfinder offers flask-based bonuses and poison synergy, making it a great choice for utility-heavy builds. While not as mobile as Deadeye, Pathfinder provides smoother sustain and good damage scaling into the late game.

• Theme: 2/5 – Poison interactions are neat but not exciting.

• Build Enabling: 4/5 – Flask buffs and poison synergy are useful.

• Build Defining: 4/5 – Many Poison Concoction builds are exclusive to Pathfinder.

PoE Best Pathfinder Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Poisonous Concoction – Great flask sustain with strong poison stacking.

• Bossing: Toxic Rain Cluster Traps – Consistent damage-over-time effects.

• Farming: Brew Concoction AoE Setup – Flask-based AoE clearing for efficient farming.

12. Smith of Kitava (Warrior) - B Tier

Warrior is a tanky, forge-themed Ascendancy with strong survivability, customizable armor nodes, and unique weapon tempering. While not a top DPS choice, it shines in regen, armor, and fire-based melee builds.

• Theme: 4/5 – Feels like a gritty, hardened blacksmith of war.

• Build Enabling: 4/5 – Great for regen, forge explosions, and fire conversion.

• Build Defining: 3/5 – Good synergy with molten builds but lacks standout uniqueness.

PoE 2 Best Warrior Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Tempered Slam Build – Adds fire damage and AoE explosions.

• Bossing: Forge in Flame Tank Build – Converts physical damage to fire for survival.

• Farming: Regen Molten Symbol – Near-immortality through life regeneration.

13. Warbringer (Warrior) - C Tier

Warbringer was hyped pre-release but hasn't lived up to expectations. While its warcry and armor break mechanics are useful, they don't provide enough offensive scaling compared to other Warrior options. However, block builds and cry-based setups still make Warbringer viable for those who prefer slow, methodical playstyles.

• Theme: 4/5 – The name and identity are strong.

• Build Enabling: 3/5 – Works well with block and cry builds.

• Build Defining: 3/5 – Some shield builds default to Warbringer.

PoE 2 Best Warbringer Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Leap Slam & Cry Attack Build – Solid mobility and AoE clear.

• Bossing: Armor Break Shield Slam – Takes full advantage of Warbringer’s unique debuffs.

• Farming: Turtle Charm Thorns Build – Uses reflection damage to passively clear content.

14. Gemling Legionnaire (Mercenary) - C Tier

Gemling Legionnaire is one of the strongest "buff" Ascendancies, boosting gem levels, skill quality, and support synergy. While incredibly strong, it is often considered boring due to its passive nature.

• Theme: 2/5 – The "mercenary hoarder" concept isn’t engaging.

• Build Enabling: 5/5 – Best Ascendancy for skill gem bonuses.

• Build Defining: 2/5 – Not many builds need Gemling.

PoE 2 Best Gemling Legionnaire Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Multi-Support Wand Build – Uses boosted gem levels for efficiency.

• Bossing: Double Support Gem Stacking – Focuses on stacking the same support gem twice.

• Farming: Skill Slot Ailment Stacking – Uses multiple gem slots for maximizing AoE effects.

15. Witchhunter (Mercenary) - C Tier

Witchhunter is an evasion-based melee Ascendancy that offers unique debuff mechanics but struggles to find a distinct niche. Its weapon set switching can be useful but is currently underwhelming compared to other Mercenary options.

• Theme: 3/5 – The concept is cool but not well-executed.

• Build Enabling: 3/5 – Certain builds benefit, but not significantly.

• Build Defining: 2/5 – Few builds exclusively rely on Witchhunter.

PoE 2 Best Witchhunter Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Poison Dagger Stab – Fast-hitting, evasion-based melee.

• Bossing: Zeal Inquisition Magma Barrier – Reduces enemy concentration for easier fights.

• Farming: Thorns Reflection Setup – Passive farming using return damage.

16. Bloodmage (Witch) - C Tier

Bloodmage is a life-based spellcaster with built-in sustain and high durability. Instead of relying on Mana, Bloodmage converts life into spell fuel, making it one of the tankiest spellcaster Ascendancies.

• Theme: 4/5 – The blood magic aesthetic is well done.

• Build Enabling: 5/5 – Life-based casting and spell crit synergy make it very strong.

• Build Defining: 3/5 – Mostly benefits low-base-crit spell builds.

PoE 2 Best Bloodmage Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Flame Dash Ignite Build – Smooth sustain and fast movement.

• Bossing: Bloodbarbs Elemental Bleed Build – Hybrid setup for sustained boss damage.

• Farming: Arctic Armor Poison Caster – Uses Bloodmage’s tankiness for safe farming

17. Acolyte of Chayula (Monk) - D Tier 

Acolyte of Chayula struggles with identity and mechanical execution, making it the weakest Ascendancy in 0.1. Hopefully, 0.2.0 brings improvements.

• Theme: 1/5 – The "dark monk" concept isn’t well-integrated.

• Build Enabling: 2/5 – Some niche Energy Shield builds exist.

• Build Defining: 2/5 – Darkness mechanics are underdeveloped.

PoE 2 Best Acolyte of Chayula Starter Builds for 0.2.0 League

• Fast Leveling: Darkness Conversion Auto-Attack

• Bossing: Reality Rending Spirit Drain

• Farming: Mana Leech Energy Shield Setup