Path of Exile 2 has once again proven that its complex character system and dynamic gameplay make it one of the most engaging ARPGs in the world. As players dive into the latest content and compete to reach level 100, discussions around ascendancy strength, survivability, and damage output have become central to understanding the current meta. Recently, the first player to hit level 100 globally was an Amazon, which has sparked debates over why this class has risen above traditionally strong options like Dead Eye. Let’s break down the meta, the top builds, and the tier list for PoE2’s ascendancies.

Why Amazon Dominates the Meta

At first glance, it might seem surprising that Amazon secured the world’s first level 100. After all, the Dead Eye has long been a popular pick for players who value damage and mobility. However, the reality is that Amazon offers unmatched survivability, making it the premier choice for tackling high-end content like Tier 15 Delirious maps.

The strength of Amazon lies in the synergy between Mystic Harvest and the Asenta Sanguist. Mystic Harvest allows players to leech life based on elemental damage, while Asenta Sanguist converts that leech into energy shield recovery. This combination enables Amazon players to tank content that other classes, including Dead Eye, simply cannot survive. Even when teammates forget support gems or make minor errors, Amazon can persist where other ascendancies would falter.

Damage-wise, Amazon remains superior as well. While Dead Eye offers a minor advantage in movement speed due to Tailwind, Amazon consistently outperforms in both survivability and damage output, explaining its dominant position in the current POE2 Currency meta. Top Amazon players like Ace of Spades and Sanctum showcase how powerful this ascendancy can be in both solo and team play.

Dead Eye: Strong but Slightly Outclassed

Dead Eye, often jokingly called “Dead Guy” by some players, remains a formidable option in PoE2. It excels in mobility and burst damage, allowing skilled players to rapidly clear maps and execute challenging content. While it cannot match Amazon’s survivability, it still ranks as one of the top-tier ascendancies.

Notable Dead Eye players like Fub Gun demonstrate that the class is far from obsolete. Their guides provide insight into optimized gear setups and skill interactions, showing that Dead Eye remains a viable pick for players who prioritize speed and damage over tankiness. In competitive six-man teams, however, Amazon is often preferred for its ability to survive extreme content without relying on flawless execution.

Underrated Ascendancies: Pathfinder and Blood Mage

While Amazon and Dead Eye dominate the conversation, some underrated ascendancies are quietly performing at a high level.

Pathfinder

Pathfinder has historically been underestimated, partly due to difficulties faced during the Act 2 campaign boss. Yet top players like Jac and Fat Belly have shown that Pathfinder is capable of clearing content at incredible speeds and delivering 10 million DPS on a modest budget. Its versatility allows for high damage output and strong mobility, making it an A-tier option for off-meta players seeking unique playstyles.

Blood Mage

Blood Mage is widely regarded as one of the fastest clearing and tankiest builds in PoE2. Its ability to sustain health and shield recovery makes it an exceptional choice for extended farming sessions. The build by Squishy highlights how Blood Mage can dominate maps, although its slightly lower movement speed prevents it from reaching S-tier status. For players seeking a high-damage, resilient option, Blood Mage is a solid choice.

Controversial Choices: F-Tier Ascendancies

No tier list is complete without acknowledging underperforming options. In PoE2, Acolyte of Shilleu and Smith of Kitava occupy F-tier positions.

Acolyte of Shilleu

Though often dismissed, Acolyte is capable of clearing Tier 15 maps and delivering 7–8 million damage with Zest, making it more viable than one might expect. It remains largely irrelevant in competitive play, but there are niche scenarios where it can perform respectably.

Smith of Kitava

Once a top-tier choice, Smith of Kitava has been nerfed extensively. Changes to spell cost mechanics and elemental damage application have diminished its effectiveness. Yet even here, players like Jeeko show that the build can still clear maps and boss encounters efficiently, illustrating that the gap between top and bottom ascendancies is not as wide as many believe.

Warrior Ascendancies: Titan and Warbringer

Warrior ascendancies offer a range of options that reward creativity and adaptability.

Titan

Titan is highly versatile, capable of running Tempest Flurry, Molten Blast, or even spellcaster builds. Players like Reququip Gaming and Lazy Exile demonstrate Titan’s flexibility, combining high damage with mobility. While no Titan build is currently S-tier, the class remains a solid choice for players seeking adaptability in their team compositions.

Warbringer

Warbringer’s Jade Heritage node and Turtle Charm provide exceptional survivability and block-based damage bonuses. Combined with mechanics like Anvil’s Weight and Scavenage Plating, Warbringer can deliver tanky, high-damage builds. Its versatility in screen clearing and tanking makes it a reliable, if not top-tier, choice.

Lich: Dominance Through Low Life and Flexibility

Lich continues to be a dominant force in PoE2. Its ability to leverage low-life mechanics and access strong nodes for multiple builds makes it one of the most adaptable classes. Highlights include crossbow builds by Soza and contagion/ED builds by Dead Rabbit, demonstrating the ascendancy’s ability to shred bosses while maintaining high movement speed. Lich’s flexibility and consistent performance ensure it remains a competitive pick in both solo and team play.

Invoker and Chronommancer: Niche but Interesting

Invoker

Invoker offers Falling Thunder and Flicker Strike builds. While Falling Thunder provides solid AoE and damage, it falls slightly short of A-tier due to slower playstyle. Flicker Strike, exemplified by Gene’s build, excels in boss clearing and map mobility but suffers from loot management issues and occasional positioning risks. Still, Invoker remains a strong and flavorful choice for players seeking aggressive melee gameplay.

Chronommancer

Chronommancer occupies D-tier but shows promise. Buffs to Quicksand Hourglass increase both cast speed and AoE, making it viable for Cast-on-X Comet strategies. While currently undercooked, Chronommancer may see a rise as players explore its potential in future seasons.

Witch Hunter, Infernalist, and Ritualist

Witch Hunter

Witch Hunter’s Decimating Strike and Weapon Mastery nodes provide strong multipliers for mob and boss damage. Builds like Shattering Palm by Waggle demonstrate the ascendancy’s ability to handle AoE and single-target encounters effectively. C-tier placement reflects its solid performance without breaking into the top tier.

Infernalist

Infernalist is a versatile class capable of minion, caster, and melee builds. Its combination of mana management via Pyroantic Pack and high mobility makes it an interesting, albeit niche, choice. Notable builds include Tong’s minion build and Funky Chicken’s frost caster, both showing respectable performance in maps and boss encounters.

Ritualist

Ritualist excels as a stat-stacking class, immune to freezes and stuns through Mind Flaccies. Builds like Sedeka’s Hollow Palm highlight fast map clearing potential, though bossing capability remains uncertain. As a result, C-tier placement reflects strong but situational utility.

Lower-Tier Ascendancies: Gemling Legionnaire and Tactician

Gemling Legionnaire

Gemling Legionnaire struggles due to weak nodes and limited build diversity. While builds like Arcara’s Whirling Slash showcase decent mobility and AoE, lack of tankiness and boss damage keep it in D-tier. Totems, a core component, remain underwhelming for competitive play.

Tactician

Tactician offers grenade builds with utility, but slow damage output and limited boss performance leave it underwhelming. While features like evasion-based ailment thresholds provide defensive options, Tactician ultimately cannot compete with higher-tier ascendancies in endgame content.

Conclusion: Navigating the PoE2 Meta

Path of Exile 2 continues to challenge players with its intricate build mechanics and diverse ascendancies. From Amazon’s world-first level 100 achievement to the underrated potential of Pathfinder and Blood Mage, understanding the meta requires careful consideration of survivability, cheap Path of Exile 2 Currency, and damage potential.

While F-tier ascendancies like Acolyte of Shilleu and Smith of Kitava can still perform under the right conditions, top-tier picks dominate competitive play. Mid-tier choices such as Titan, Warbringer, and Witch Hunter provide versatility and specialized utility for team play or solo runs. Meanwhile, niche options like Invoker, Infernalist, and Ritualist offer unique gameplay experiences for players seeking off-meta builds.

Ultimately, PoE2’s ascendancy meta is dynamic, constantly evolving as players discover new synergies and optimize builds. By studying top players and analyzing their strategies, newcomers and veterans alike can find a playstyle that suits their goals, whether that’s speedrunning maps, achieving record-level DPS, or dominating high-end boss fights.