Path of Exile 2: Best Classes for Beginners

Your first dive into Path of Exile 2 will offer you six different classes to choose from, each with an extensive passive skill tree and a multitude of skill options. Such a wide choice can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to the ARPG genre. In this guide, we will discuss four classes worth considering at the start of the game to make your choice more informed.

With a vast arsenal of elemental spells, this class allows you to choose builds that are perfect for destroying enemies from a distance while staying out of danger. Early game skill combinations like Flame Wall and Spark are easy to master but allow you to easily cut through attacking groups of enemies. Adding passive energy shield skills that absorb damage and quickly regenerate makes this one of the most resilient and forgiving classes for comfortable gameplay.

This class also offers many opportunities for leveling up and further growth. As you progress, you can unlock new spells that allow you to mix elemental effects for more destructive combos. Such spell chains include lightning and freezing mobs for a while. Although the Sorceress has relatively low health compared to other classes in the later stages of the game, long-range combat minimizes the risk. Don't forget about mana management and using health flasks. Once you master them, the Sorceress becomes the perfect class for exploring and navigating the game world.

Choosing the Witch as your main class gives you a unique playstyle that makes her an interesting choice for many players. If you prefer commanding others while minimizing your involvement in combat, this class is definitely for you. Armed with necromancer abilities, the Witch can summon various skeletons and other mobs that deal additional damage to her main attacks. Early skills like Unearth will allow you to create undead armies early in the game, while curses and chaos spells will give you more direct ways to deal damage and control the battle.

However, this class is not perfect and can still present some challenges. The mobs summoned by the Witch in the early stages of the game have minimal health, so you will have to summon them frequently, which will consume a large portion of your mana. This will continue until you acquire skills and equipment that enhance their survivability. Additionally, due to the low health pool, you will need to constantly choose the right positions during combat, especially when enemies break through the line of your summoned skeletons. However, the unique playstyle and long-term potential make this class an interesting strategic choice. You will find her particularly useful when you gather enough support gems to create your horde and watch it crush enemies with a wave of walking dead.

Choosing the Ranger class is preferred by gamers who enjoy cunning and maneuvering during combat. Unlike the Monk, this class is focused on ranged combat. This advantage makes playing as a Ranger easier, as they can avoid close combat. The Ranger's primary weapon is a bow, which means fast attacks, high mobility, and defense based on evasion mechanics. Skills available in the early stages of the game, such as Escape Shot, Lightning Arrow, and Lightning Rod, will allow you to break through hordes of enemies and retreat in time when they get too close. You can focus less on dodging boss attacks and deal more damage.

It is also worth noting that the Ranger deals a huge amount of damage to a single target, and splash shots can damage enemies behind. This ability makes the Ranger excellent for boss fights, although it may create difficulties in the early stages of the game. Thanks to a variety of arrow types and elements, you can create several different builds and choose the right one at the right moment. For beginners, the key is to quickly position the Ranger and know when to attack. Once you master the rhythm of dodging and shooting, this class will become a reliable option for any newcomer.

Despite the fact that playing as a Mercenary is a bit more challenging compared to other beginner classes, because the number of builds, abilities, diverse weapons, and upgrades surpasses everything else, it is still perfect for players who enjoy methodical ranged combat.

One of the main drawbacks is the crossbow reloading mechanic used by the Mercenary, as it can be quite difficult for a beginner to handle. However, their playstyle will seem very familiar if you've ever played a top-down shooter. Armed with a crossbow that resembles a pistol, this class excels at dealing precise damage with specialized types of ammunition. For example, combining the Glacial Bolt charge with Fragmentation Rounds will make it feel less like a crossbow and more like a shotgun capable of tearing through most enemies. Additionally, the Mercenary has a huge arsenal of grenades, allowing you to blow up swarms of monsters with a single click.

The potential of this class in the early stages of the game is somewhat limited compared to the Sorceress or Witch, as the Mercenary relies more on positioning and smart ammo management than on power. Nevertheless, their ability to mix and match types of ammunition always makes combat exciting and eventually turns them into an incredibly powerful character.

The Mercenary is a class of initial and intermediate difficulty that becomes a deadly shooter over time as you learn equipment and skills.