The launch of Path of Exile 2: Return of the Ancients (Patch 0.5) has dramatically reshaped the game’s class balance and progression philosophy. Unlike previous versions where powerful gear upgrades often determined a character’s success, the new expansion places far greater emphasis on Ascendancy identity, build synergy, and the newly introduced Runes of Aldur system.
As a result, the meta now rewards player execution, positioning, and build optimization far more than simple item progression. While every class remains viable, some Ascendancies clearly outperform others when it comes to league-start efficiency, mapping speed, and early endgame progression.
Current Ascendancy Tier Rankings
| Tier | Ascendancy | Strengths | Weaknesses |
| S Tier | Spirit Walker | Excellent damage and survivability scaling, flexible build paths | Requires good skill management |
| S Tier | Deadeye | Fastest map clear speed, exceptional projectile scaling | Can feel fragile in difficult boss encounters |
| S Tier | Martial Artist | Powerful combo-based melee gameplay, high mobility | Higher mechanical skill requirement |
| S Tier | Infernalist | Strong area denial, excellent sustained boss damage | Slower movement compared to ranged options |
| A Tier | Stormweaver | Massive burst potential and strong elemental scaling | Reliant on cooldown and timing windows |
| A Tier | Pathfinder | Excellent utility and flask-based sustain | Early-game damage can feel inconsistent |
| B Tier | Chronomancer | Strong late-game utility and control mechanics | Slow leveling and weaker league-start performance |
| B Tier | Tactician | Flexible support tools and strategic gameplay | Requires setup time and planning |
| C Tier | Smith of Kitava | Powerful with heavy investment and gear | Extremely gear-dependent during progression |
S Tier Dominance
At the top of the meta sits Spirit Walker, arguably the most complete Ascendancy currently available. Its ability to simultaneously scale offense and defense creates a smooth progression curve from campaign content all the way into endgame mapping. The class rarely experiences major power dips, making it one of the safest choices for both new and veteran players.
Deadeye continues to maintain its reputation as the premier ranged farming Ascendancy. Lightning projectile builds remain exceptionally efficient, allowing players to clear maps quickly while generating currency at an impressive pace.
One of the biggest surprises of Patch 0.5 is Martial Artist. Rather than relying on massive single-hit attacks, the Ascendancy rewards chaining abilities together in fluid combat sequences. Players who master its combo system gain access to some of the highest melee damage output in the game.
Meanwhile, Infernalist excels in prolonged encounters. Its persistent fire effects and area-control tools make boss fights significantly safer and more manageable than many competing archetypes.
Mid-Tier Consistency Concerns
Both Stormweaver and Pathfinder remain strong options but suffer from reliability issues during early progression. Stormweaver’s power is tied heavily to burst windows, while Pathfinder often depends on maintaining resource cycles to reach peak efficiency. In difficult early maps, these limitations become much more noticeable.
Why League Start Speed Matters More Than Ever
Perhaps the most important takeaway from Return of the Ancients is that no Ascendancy is truly unplayable. However, the gap between average and elite performers has widened considerably. Efficient league starters now prioritize momentum, map completion speed, and early resource generation over theoretical endgame scaling.
This shift makes early farming routes and Path of Exile 2 Currency accumulation more important than ever. Players who establish a strong economic foundation during the first few days of a league will have a much easier time transitioning into powerful endgame builds, regardless of their chosen Ascendancy.
For Patch 0.5, Spirit Walker, Deadeye, Martial Artist, and Infernalist currently define the meta, while the remaining classes require more specialized setups or greater investment to reach their full potential.