Fate of the Vaal and PoE 2 Patch 0.4 changed the Classes tier list landscape in a very “tools and access” way. The new Druid arrives with Shaman and Oracle Ascendancies, several other Classes’ Ascendancies got meaningful reworks, and some previously “fine” picks now live or die based on whether you enjoy planning around sockets, jewels, or specific resource loops.
This PoE 2 tier list is built for league start into early-to-mid mapping: smooth campaign, low friction in early maps, and a clear scaling path once you start stacking sockets, crafting, and passives.
1. PoE 2 Patch 0.4 Class Tier List (League Start + Early Maps)
This list ranks Ascendancies, because that’s what actually decides your power curve in 0.4 Patch.
1.1 Tier List Table
| Tier | Ascendancy | Best For | Why It’s Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Deadeye (Ranger) | Fast mapping, farming | Map tempo is king in 0.4, and Deadeye’s kit naturally plays that game. |
| S | Pathfinder (Ranger) | Flexible routing, scaling | Alternative routing plus jewel value make Pathfinder one of the best “plan now, win later” picks. |
| S | Shaman (Druid) | Scaling through runes/idols | Turns gear sockets into real power through bonded modifiers, and it only gets better over time. |
| S | Oracle (Druid) | Boss bursts, elite kills | Vision-based windows and crit tools create very reliable boss damage spikes. |
| A | Titan (Warrior) | Slams, heavy stun | Big hits, consistent progression, and intense payoff when your build “clicks.” |
| A | Blood Mage (Witch) | Safe caster progression | Still a strong, stable caster path even after balance swings. |
| A | Lich (Witch) | DoT league start | Reliable early scaling and safer play patterns for newer or SSF-ish starts. |
| A | Witchhunter (Mercenary) | Armor/ward defense | Better all-around ward coverage makes it a serious defensive foundation. |
| A | Ritualist (Huntress) | Endgame scaling | Not always flashy early, but it grows into a monster with investment. |
| B | Stormweaver (Sorceress) | Mana/duration scaling | Strong when built right, but it requires setup, and feels worse if you rush it. |
| B | Smith of Kitava (Warrior) | Tanky hit builds | Great identity, narrower build range. |
| B | Invoker (Monk) | Elemental setup play | Works, but the payoff is more “build-specific” than “always good.” |
| B | Amazon (Huntress) | Charge/tempo builds | Strong with the right skill pairing, less universal than top tiers. |
| B | Infernalist (Witch) | Form/upkeep fantasy | It can be powerful, but upkeep friction lowers league-start smoothness. |
| C | Chronomancer (Sorceress) | Cooldown/time tech | Niche strength, but the floor is lower, and the “buttons” can get messy early. |
| C | Tactician (Mercenary) | Grenades/artillery | Fun, but narrow and tends to spike later than most. |
| C | Warbringer (Warrior) | Armor break utility | Playable, but usually outshone unless you love the specific niche. |
| C | Gemling Legionnaire (Mercenary) | Defensive min-maxing | Tanky, but many players find the upside less exciting than alternatives. |
| C | Acolyte of Chayula (Monk) | High-friction tech builds | Can pop off, but often feels gear-gated and awkward to “turn on.” |
2. What Changed in 0.4 Patch That Actually Moves Tiers
Patch 0.4 of Path of Exile 2 added new scaling levers.
2.1 The “Three Scaling Lanes” in 0.4
Most strong builds in 0.4 end up committing to one of these lanes:
- Tempo lane (maps per hour): movement + clear consistency wins
- Scaling lane (gear math): sockets, runes, idols, jewels, and routing choices compound
- Burst lane (boss windows): controlled damage spikes matter more than sustained DPS
Deadeye dominates tempo. Pathfinder dominates scaling. Oracle dominates burst. Shaman is a “scaling lane” monster that also plays surprisingly flexibly once you’re geared.
The Bear Form for Druid in Path of Exile 2.
3. All S-Tier Classes in Path of Exile 2 (Best All-Around in Patch 0.4)
3.1 Deadeye (Ranger) — Best for Farming and Map Tempo
Deadeye stays at the top because it turns “basic good gameplay” into fast progression: clear packs faster, reposition faster, and keep your momentum when the league is fresh, and your gear is scuffed.
Play it if you want:
- fast clears
- simple upgrades that feel good immediately
- a build that doesn’t need a rare gimmick to function
Early plan that rarely fails:
- One fast, clear bow skill + one single-target option
- Prioritize movement, attack speed, and consistent damage before chasing perfect crits
Deadeye Ascendancy for Ranger remains the top pick in PoE 2 Patch 0.4.
3.2 Pathfinder (Ranger) — Best for Routing Freedom and Long-Term Scaling
Pathfinder’s strength lies in how much it rewards intelligent, passive routing and investment. If you like planning, this is the “I scale harder than you” choice.
Play it if you want:
- flexible passive routing and hybrid options
- a strong scaling curve once jewels and sockets come online
- a build that rewards optimization more than button skill
Reality check: Pathfinder feels best when you commit to a plan. If you hate planning routes, Deadeye is usually the happier start.
3.3 Shaman (Druid) — Best for Rune/Idol Scaling
Shaman earns S tier because it can translate “more sockets” into “more character.” The bonded modifier angle is exactly the scaling that stays relevant for the entire league.
Play it if you want:
- a class that grows as your gear improves
- real payoff for crafting and socket planning
- a Druid that doesn’t feel locked into one exact build
Common trap: Shaman can feel “fine, not crazy” early if your gear lacks sockets. It becomes disgusting once your gear starts cooperating.
Shaman Ascendancy Path for the Druid in Path of Exile 2.
3.4 Oracle (Druid) — Best for Boss Damage Windows
Oracle is your “I delete bosses in a matter of seconds” Ascendancy. The vision mechanic is essentially a controlled burst engine, and burst damage is a premium in 0.4 when bosses and chunky rares decide your run pace.
Play it if you want:
- big, reliable burst windows
- a more active playstyle that rewards timing
- a Druid that can specialize in elite-killing
Heads up: Oracle asks you to pay attention. If you want “autopilot farming,” Shaman or Deadeye is usually more comfortable.
4. All A-Tier Classes in Path of Exile 2 (Strong, but Slightly More Conditional)
4.1 Titan (Warrior)
Titan sits just under S because it’s fantastic at what it does, but it’s still more “build-shaped” than the top universal picks. If you enjoy slam gameplay, Titan is one of the cleanest ways to get paid for it.
Titan Ascendancy in Path of Exile 2 is an excellent choice for those who seek to slam their enemies.
4.2 Blood Mage (Witch)
Blood Mage is still a strong caster baseline: stable progression, good sustain patterns, and it doesn’t require galaxy-brain gearing to function.
4.3 Lich (Witch)
If you want a safe league start that doesn’t constantly demand perfect positioning, DoT-style Lich approaches tend to keep you alive and moving.
4.4 Witchhunter (Mercenary)
If you’re the kind of player who hates random deaths more than you love speed, Witchhunter’s defensive identity is a real selling point in Path of Exile 2‘s 0.4.0 Patch.
4.5 Ritualist (Huntress)
Ritualist is the classic “A tier because it blooms later.” The early game can feel ordinary. Endgame investment is where it starts paying rent.
5. How to Pick a Class in PoE 2 (Based on Your Goal)
5.1 If You Want the Easiest League Start
- Lich (safe patterns)
- Blood Mage (solid caster stability)
- Titan (straightforward “hit hard, progress”)
5.2 If You Want the Best Currency Per Hour
- Deadeye (tempo farming)
- Pathfinder (scaling into monster efficiency)
5.3 If You Care Most About Bossing
- Oracle (burst windows)
- Titan (big-hit consistency)
5.4 If You Love Crafting and Gear Math
- Shaman (socket value through runes/idols)
- Pathfinder (routing + jewel scaling)
And that’s everything you need to know about PoE 2 0.4 Tier List.
Vaal Temple’s Royal Commander in Path of Exile 2.
