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Path of Exile Classes Guide - Complete POE Classes guide
Path of exile classes
What classes do we have in Path of Exile?
The Path of Exile is a very well-developed MMORPG game that allows the player to play various characters. There are seven basic characters that are available from the beginning and one which you have to unlock by playing Path of Exile. Every character has different attributes, different play styles, and ascendancy classes.
Path of Exile allows you to play as powerful magician classes, strong tank classes, and high DPS dealers. Thanks to this, every player will find the perfect class for his preferences and playstyle. With each class, you will be able to choose from three ascendancy classes which are characterized by different skill trees, itemization, and path of development. Below, I will introduce every path of exile class with its ascendancy classes and its properties.
How many classes are in Poe?
There are seven main classes and nineteen ascendancy classes in the path of exile.
List of Path of Exile Classes
Table of Contents:
Marauder
- Role in the game: Tank/DPS, Buffer
- Main Attribute: Strength
- Used equipment: Heavy armors parts and two-handed hammers/swords, dual-wielding
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 1/5
The Marauder is a strength-based class that is good at tanking as well as in dealing damage. His abilities are mainly focused on using skills with Area of Effect damage and taunting enemies. His skills also offer additional buffs for you and your party members if you choose the correct skill tree with useful passives. Marauder is very easy to play, and his builds are rather cheap. The class is not that bad for newbie players that have just started their journey with the Path of Exile. Marauder has three ascendancy classes.
Juggernaut
- Role in the game: mainly tank but can be a very good damage dealer with proper build
- Main Attribute: Strength
- Used equipment: Heavy armors parts and two-handed swords, or dual wielding
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 1/5
The first one is the Juggernaut. This ascendancy class skill tree provides us with high survivability boosts like endurance charges generation, increased armor and health points. Additionally, the class is immune to stuns and slows. The Juggernaut can be played as a typical tank or a hybrid. What’s more, Juggernaut is able to deal with the entirety of game content. I recommend this class for newbie players and for a league start.
If you want to know more about Juggernaut class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Juggernaut Guide.
Berserker
- Role in the game: damage dealer
- Main Attribute: Strength/Dexterity
- Used equipment: Heavy armors parts and two-handed swords, or dual wielding
- Gear Price: 2/5
- Class difficulty: 2/5
The Berserker class is mostly focused on offensive abilities that deal a high amount of damage. As long as berserker fights with opponents, his fighting abilities gain more power. He can be compared to Viking berserkers. Berserker builds can focus on generating Rage, life leeching, increasing damage from critical strikes and on attack speed increasing. His skill tree offers various warcries which boost his combat abilities. The ascendancy class is mainly a damage dealer, so do not expect high survivability when doing t16 maps or higher tier bosses like Atziri or Shaper. His main weakness is vulnerability for elemental damage so I do not recommend this class for beginners. Reaching high elemental resistances might be tricky for newbie players.
If you want to know more about Berserker class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to one of our Berserker Guides.
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Chieftain
- Role in the game: damage dealer/totem summoner
- Main Attribute: Strength/Fire damage
- Used equipment: Heavy armors parts and two-handed swords, dual-wielding
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 3/5
The Chieftain is the class which is focused on burning enemies with fire damage and also placing totems. The class offers additional effects that boost its fire abilities by adding damage. He can boost his damage by physical damage conversion, magic penetration or covering opponents in ash. What is more, his passive skill tree is responsible for enhancing totems damage and making them debuff opponents. They are also used as life leeches and regeneration boosts source. The Chieftain is rather a weak champion when it comes to survivability but his ability to summon totems makes him invaluable in the battle fervor of combat. I do not recommend this class for newbie players due to his play style difficulty.
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If you want to know more about Chieftain class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Chieftain Guide.
Duelist
- Role in the game: DPS with dodging capabilities
- Main Attribute: Strength and Dexterity
- Used equipment: Light armors parts with shield and sabers/two-handed swords
- Gear Price: 2/5
- Class difficulty: 1/5
The Duelist is a hybrid class which offers combining dexterity and strength attributes in order to make himself a very good skirmisher with ability to avoid incoming damage. His play style makes him able to use a shield with one-handed sword, two-handed swords or simply dual wielding. In the fight, duelist is quick and smooth. Duelist class is characterized by high attack speed, movement speed, and dodge ability. In 3.7 Legion league, duelist is one of the most popular classes you can meet in PoE world. After buffs for some builds his play style fits perfectly in almost every way. The duelist is highly recommended for newbie players. Duelist has three ascendancy classes which will be mentioned below.
Slayer
- Role in the game: DPS with life leech
- Main Attribute: Strength and Dexterity
- Used equipment: Light armors parts with shield and sabers/two-handed swords
- Gear Price: 2/5
- Class difficulty: 1/5
The Slayer is one of the most popular classes in the Legion Poe league. His passive skill tree perfectly fits most of the best Poe builds. The class is focused on increasing physical damage and life leech capabilities. Thanks to that, Slayer is the ideal character for mapping and higher level instances. With proper itemization and build, the class is basically unkillable. All of that is caused by overleech which provides players with increased damage when leeching. The more life leech you have, the more damage you will gain. Class is also perfect at generating frenzy charges which boost his damage even more. I highly recommend this class for players who seek for fast mapping and currency farming. Slayer is a perfect champion for a league start.
If you want to know more about Slayer class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you directly to one of our Slayer Guides.
Gladiator
- Role in the game: DPS/Defense with the ability to block the damage
- Main Attribute: Strength
- Used equipment: Light armors parts with shields and swords
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 2/5
The Gladiator is a hybrid class which is focused on mixing speed, physical power and ability to block incoming damage. The class can use various weapon combinations like two one-handed swords or sword with the shield. If you decide to take the offensive gladiator role, you will need to stick to dual wielding. The second option is to play more of a defensive build which is focused on blocking incoming damage. In this build, you will use a one handed sword with a shield. Gladiator is also perfect at generating frenzy and endurance charges which increases both survivability and his damage output. The class is recommended for newbie players because of his various play styles and high survivability thanks to his passive skill tree.
If you want to know more about Gladiator class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Gladiator Guide.
Champion
- Role in the game: Tanky/DPS/Support with auras
- Main Attribute: Strength/Intelligence
- Used equipment: Light armors parts with shield and swords
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 3/5
The Champion is a class which specializes at helping teammates that had gotten themselves into trouble. The class can increase party members stats or tank opponents when needed. Champion is perfect party member when you wanna make higher level instances for example uber lab. He is also good at debuffing enemies with his taunts and impales. The champion skill tree is mostly focused on increasing survivability rather than damage. The playstyle of the champion mostly depends on what role you want to play. If you wanna support and focus on increasing allies stats, the class is perfect for you. If you decide to play solo, there is also the possibility to make champion to be a reliable damage dealer if you use proper itemization. Champion class is not recommended for newbie players because of the complex play style. Also, the class is boring when you decide to play as a support.
If you want to know more about Champion class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Champion Guide.
Ranger
- Role in the game: Damage dealer with Damage over Time abilities
- Main Attribute: Dexterity/Intelligence
- Used equipment: Light armors parts and bows with quivers
- Gear Price: 3/5
- Class difficulty: 4/5
The Ranger is mainly a dexterity-focused class which uses bows to fight enemies. The class is one of the fastest map clearers with high damage output. Ranger’s main advantage is a high base critical chance which can melt even the strongest bosses. Thanks to her fast movement, you will be able to avoid incoming damage. When playing a Ranger class, the player has to focus on increasing her damage output and attack speed. Because you should never fight in a close range - you do not need to look for strong survivability boosters. The class is not recommended for new players due to the hard play style which requires some game knowledge. Ranger has three ascendancy classes which will be mentioned below.
Deadeye
- Role in the game: Damage dealer with high critical strike chance
- Main Attribute: Dexterity
- Used equipment: Light armors parts and bows with quivers
- Gear Price: 2/5
- Class difficulty: 5/5
Probably the most popular ranger ascendancy class. The Deadeye is focused on dealing area of effect damage by using projectile arrows. Most of the passive skill tree modifiers apply to bow attacks. Deadeye is perfect at dealing critical strikes to opponents. She can shoot up to 8 arrows in one attack. That makes deadeye perfect at mapping and clearing higher instances. The only problem can be only the fact that class is hard to play. Without some game knowledge and skill in avoiding minions damage, you will die a lot. I do not recommend this class for people who have just started their journey with PoE.
If you want to know more about Deadeye class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to on of our Deadeye Guides.
Raider
- Role in the game: Damage dealer with high critical strike chance
- Main Attribute: Dexterity
- Used equipment: Light armors parts and bows with quivers/ daggers or swords
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 3/5
The Raider isa very interesting dexterity-based class which can be not only played with using bows, but also with various daggers or swords. Raider is specialized in gaining buffs like frenzy charges, phasing or onslaught when fighting enemies. Her passive skill tree is used to increase movement speed and maintaining buffs she gets during battle fervor. The raider is also hard to play, same as Deadeye or Pathfinder. Due to her low survivability, you will need good mechanics in order to make the gameplay enjoyable for you, and less enjoyable for your enemies. When playing raider you will focus on using elemental damage. I do not recommend the class for new players. Also, the raider class is not so popular due to her weak damage output and high gear requirements.
If you want to know more about Raider class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Raider Guide.
Pathfinder
- Role in the game: Damage dealer with damage over time
- Main Attribute: Dexterity/Intelligence
- Used equipment: Light armors parts and bows with quivers
- Gear Price: 3/5
- Class difficulty: 4/5
The Pathfinder is a pretty decent class which mainly focuses on using potions. Her passive skill tree increases potions effects and as well their duration. What is more, thanks to ascendancy skills you gain an additional source of damage which is chaos damage over time. The class is not so popular because of the weak late game. Even with proper itemization, pathfinder lacks damage, so mapping and boss killing will be hard for her. Pathfinder is also hard to be played because you will need to have very good mechanics which will allow you to avoid opponents damage. I do not recommend this class for a new player or as a league starter.
If you want to know more about Pathfinder class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Pathfinder Guide.
Shadow
- Role in the game: Damage dealer with damage over time
- Main Attribute: Dexterity/Intelligence
- Used equipment: Light armors parts, daggers and spirit shields
- Gear Price: 4/5
- Class difficulty: 5/5
The Shadow class is one of the most demanding class in Path of Exile. He not only requires a lot of currency for his builds but also very good mechanics from players. The Shadow offers interesting and efficient builds with high damage output. Thanks to shadow mixed attributes, you can be a fighter and blow enemies by using daggers or interesting type of magician which will use traps and remote mines to kill opponents. The champion is very complex and you need lots of game knowledge to play it efficiently on particular stages of the game. Shadow class is not recommended for new players because of high costs, gameplay complexity, and low survivability. Shadow has three ascendancy classes which will be mentioned below.
Assassin
- Role in the game: Damage dealer
- Main Attribute: Dexterity
- Used equipment: Light armors parts and daggers
- Gear Price: 2/5
- Class difficulty: 5/5
The Assassin class is a typical glass cannon damage dealer which focuses on dishing out critical strikes. He can be compared to Berserker because at low health he deals more damage to opponents. He will be perfect for mapping and doing higher level instances like Shaper or Atziri. His abilities can also inflict poison on targets which will make them weaker for your critical damage to kick in. The assassin is a specialist in making ambushes, so you can be sure that you will need to play smart with this champion. You cannot face tank opponents due to low survivability of the character. I do not recommend assassin class for players that seek easy gameplay. Also, the class is not the best league start since proper equipment costs a lot.
If you want to know more about Assassin class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Assassin Guide.
Saboteur
- Role in the game: Magician/Damage dealer
- Main Attribute: Dexterity/Intelligence
- Used equipment: Light armors parts and wands
- Gear Price: 2/5
- Class difficulty: 2/5
The Saboteur is a shadow class which can be compared to the magician. He specializes in traps and mines. The class itself is very interesting, but also not so easy to play. Also, saboteur will have problems in the late game when he faces bosses like shaper or uber elder. The character class is perfect for mapping when aoe damage is the main damage factor, but not for killing bosses. The saboteur is not a popular class. Due to his low damage and hard playstyle, the class is not recommended for new players. Anyway, if you are curious how this poe ascendancy class works you can try our build which will be presented below.
If you want to know more about Saboteur class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Saboteur Guide.
Trickster
- Role in the game: dot damage dealer
- Main Attribute: Dexterity/Intelligence
- Used equipment: Light armors parts and wands + spirit shield
- Gear Price: 4/5
- Class difficulty: 2/5
The trickster is the best and one of the most popular shadow ascendancy classes in Poe. It is a hybrid class which connects two types of damage: magical and physical. When fighting opponents, the trickster can cause a lethal blow which will inflict a DoT type of damage. The class has many ways of development and that is the reason why it is so commonly chosen by players. Trickster is characterized by high evasion and energy shield. This character can also generate frenzy and power charges which will boost his damage output. I can clearly recommend Trickster for new players because it is a much easier class to play than Saboteur or Assassin. Also, remember not to take this shadow class as a league starter because of recommended gear prices.
If you want to know more about Trickster class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Trickster Guide.
Witch
- Role in the game: Magician/elemental damage dealer
- Main Attribute: Intelligence
- Used equipment: Robe parts and wands + spirit shield
- Gear Price: 2/5
- Class difficulty: 2/5
The Witch is a class which is mainly based on the Intelligence attribute. She specializes in dealing magic damage supported by various elemental types of damage like fire, lightning or chaos. Also, Witch perfectly uses debuff spells diseases and curses. What is more, she can resurrect dead bodies and use them as allies in combat. The Witch is a very good damage dealer and also a great support at the same time. The class is recommended for players who look for fast mapping and easy playstyle. Witch have three ascendancy classes which will be mentioned below.
Necromancer
- Role in the game: Summoner
- Main Attribute: Intelligence
- Used equipment: Robe parts and wands + spirit shield
- Gear Price: 2/5
- Class difficulty: 1/5
The first Witch ascendancy class which is focused on resurrecting dead bodies and using them to fight with opponents. The path of exile skill tree allows us to increase minions stat bonuses. Necromancer can summon skeletons, zombies and specters to fight on her side. Thanks to her well-developed skills to debuff enemies, she can also use curses which will help her when fighting enemies. The character class itemization is cheap and easy to get. Also, the Necromancer playstyle is very easy. All you have to do is summon minions and wait for them to do all the work for you. I can recommend this class for newbie players. Necromancer will also be perfect as a league starter if you look for easy currency farming character.
If you want to know more about Necromancer class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Necromancer Guide.
Occultist
- Role in the game: Dot damage dealer
- Main Attribute: Intelligence
- Used equipment: Robe parts and wands + spirit shield
- Gear Price: 3/5
- Class difficulty: 2/5
The Occultist is a class which focuses on using a Damage over Time on enemies. She is also perfect at cursing opponents and mixing chaos damage with other elemental sources of damage. Her passive skills mainly increase energy shield rather than hp. The occultist can also generate power charges which will increase her damage potential. When it comes to class builds, the problem is their price. Required uniques for the late game are extremely expensive in some cases. Also, play style is not that easy to master. That's why Occultist class is not recommended for players that started their journey with Poe.
If you want to know more about Occultist class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Occultist Guide.
Elementalist
- Role in the game: elemental damage dealer
- Main Attribute: Intelligence
- Used equipment: Robe parts and wands + spirit shield
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 1/5
The best and the easiest ascendancy Poe class for Witch. Elementalist focuses on things that are considered as elemental in the path of exile. She has nice elemental damage output and survivability as well. Elementalist is also good at summoning golems which are an additional source of damage. The class also specializes in elemental Herald's buffs, ailments and mixing elemental damage. Elementalist is the perfect class for everyone. She deals good damage and has nice survivability. What is more, uniques required for Elementalist builds to get on a nice level of play are cheap, and thanks to that the class is perfect for league starter. I recommend this class for new players, especially with our build.
If you want to know more about Elementalist class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Elementalist Guide.
Templar
- Role in the game: Tank/Magician
- Main Attribute: Strength/Intelligence
- Used equipment: Robe parts/heavy armors wands + spirit shield/two-handed wands
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 1/5
The Templar is a hybrid class which can be a perfect damage dealer but also a tank which will stay at the front lane taunting enemies. When fighting, he prefers using his magical powers rather than fighting in close combat with swords or other weapons. The character can use heavy and robe armors so it makes him a very universal class. If you are looking for a perfect support or a tank that will help your friends, Templar is the ideal champion for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a damage dealer with high elemental damage, you can choose Templar as well. With proper gear and itemization, you can be almost everything. The character class is perfect for new players because it does not require much skill from the player. Another advantage is the fact that every build is very cheap so you won’t spend hours on farming in order to enjoy the gameplay. Templar has three ascendancy classes which will be presented below.
Inquisitor
- Role in the game: Pure magician
- Main Attribute: mostly Intelligence
- Used equipment: depends on the skill tree
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 1/5
The Inquisitor is a perfect class for people that like to deal insane damage while passive playstyle. The class is created to make huge damage due to elemental elemental penetration, high critical strikes possibility and additional buffs which can be gained in the fighting fervor. His PoE skill tree is mostly focused on increasing spell damage and elemental penetration. Inquisitor will be very good for mapping but when you face bosses, you can have some hard times with survivability. Anyway, the character class is recommended for newbie players because of his fast mapping potential and cheap gear required to play Inquisitor efficiently.
If you want to know more about Inquisitor class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Inquisitor Guide.
Hierophant
- Role in the game: Magician/Totems user
- Main Attribute: mostly Intelligence
- Used equipment: wands and robes
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 1/5
The Hierophant is similar to Necromancer but instead of zombies, you are summoning totems that deal damage to opponents. His main ability focuses on converting his mana pool into a non-conventional source of damage. Hierophant allows you to use Arcane Surge ability which is responsible for boosting both spell damage and casting speed. What is more, Hierophant can generate endurance and power charges thanks to the totem usage. Builds for this class are extremely cheap even in the late game. Hierophant playstyle is very enjoyable and easy. All you need to do is to place totems which will do all the job for you. I do recommend this class as the league started and for new players.
If you want to know more about Hierophant class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Hierophant Guide.
Guardian
- Role in the game: Tank/Buffer
- Main Attribute: Strength/Intelligence
- Used equipment: Heavy armors, wands, and shields
- Gear Price: 1/5
- Class difficulty: 1/5
The last Templar ascendancy class is called Guardian. The class is a powerful tanky support champion which is dedicated to being at the front lines of a party. Guardian specializes in generating and sharing all kinds of charges (power, endurance) and also in buffing auras. What is more, he perfectly works with Herald of Purity buff because of the fact that he gains some minions and bonuses from his passive skill tree. Guardian can be in some way interesting, but in my opinion, there are many better champions with more interesting builds. Anyway, if you like being a support and helping your teammates by increasing their stats, this class is perfect for you. I do not recommend this class for league start because it is hard to farm currency with it.
If you want to know more about Guardian class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Guardian Guide.
Scion
The last class in Poe is Scion. This is probably the most interesting class in the game. Scion does not have a specified role in the game. She can be basically everything. You can make her to be a powerful magician, very good melee fighter with high damage output or even a ranger. The class is not available at the beginning of the game. You have to unlock her first.
How to unlock Scion?
You have to rescue Scion in the third Act, straight after killing Dominius. She will be located in the cage near the battlefield.
What is a Scion in Poe?
Scion is a hidden class that can be played in Path of Exile. Her skill points are located in the middle of the skill tree, and thanks to that you can create your own build for her.
Is Scion perfect league starter?
Honestly not. Her builds are rather more expensive than other characters. You should consider making other class with good farming potential, and with some budget, make a Scion.
If you want to know more about Scion Ascendant class, possible ways of development, itemization and play styles click the link provided below. It will redirect you to our Scion Ascendant Guide.
Now I will answer the most frequently asked question.
What is the best class in Poe?
In 3.7 Legion league, there is no better champion than Duelist and his ascendancy class Slayer. Due to very nice buffs for Cyclone skill the class is unstoppable. With proper itemization, it makes Cyclone Slayer the Path of Exile’s best build. The second, not the best but also very good class is Shadow. He is hard to play, but his builds are very interesting and deal insane damage. He is perfect for mapping and currency farming. The last class I would consider to be very powerful is Scion. Thanks to a non-specified role in the game, you can basically create anything you want. In Legion league, the population of Scions is much higher than in the former leagues. I recommend at least try to play such a character. Below, I will show you my Tier list of best classes in Poe.
- S tier – Slayer
- S- tier – Trickster, Assassin, Ascendant
- A tier – Elementalist and Hierophant
- B tier – Champion and Deadeye
- C tier – Chieftain, Raider
- D tier – Berserker and the rest of ascendancy classes.
