As Patch 0.4 of Path of Exile 2 draws ever closer, the community is abuzz with speculation and analysis about which ascendancies will dominate the meta. With a slew of changes outlined in the latest patch notes, it’s the perfect time to revisit the ascendancy tier list and predict how each class might perform in the coming updates. While these predictions are inherently speculative and based on currently released information, they provide a solid framework for players planning their builds for 0.4.

Leech: A Stable Tank Option

Leech has long been considered one of the tankiest and most reliable ascendancies in POE 2 Currency. With no significant changes to the Leech ascendancy in the 0.4 patch notes, its performance remains stable. Leech primarily excels in life-based builds, offering survivability without compromising energy shield management.

While Leech is not typically the best choice for mage-centric builds, its stability earns it a solid A-tier placement, hovering very close to S-tier. It may not outperform other S-tier ascendancies in raw power, but for players seeking a reliable defensive option, Leech continues to shine as a top-tier choice for durable builds.

Witch Hunter: From B-Tier to A-Tier

The Witch Hunter ascendancy has received notable buffs in 0.4. The maximum concentration of enemies has been increased from 30% to 40% of maximum life, and Ceremonial Ablation now grants Swords Reward protection against both physical and chaos damage. These changes dramatically enhance the Witch Hunter’s tankiness without heavily sacrificing damage potential, making it a formidable contender in the new meta.

Previously hovering in the B to C tier, Witch Hunter now confidently lands in A-tier. Its combination of tankiness and damage bonuses makes it especially appealing for grenade-based builds, ensuring it will likely see increased popularity post-patch.

Titan: Solid Melee Option

Titan has traditionally been a strong choice for melee builds, offering bonuses for stuns and aftershock effects. Patch 0.4 introduces small but meaningful changes: the removal of the Surprise Strength passive is offset by a 25% damage bonus against heavily stunned enemies for Crushing Impacts. Additionally, the Mountain Splitter passive grants extra aftershocks for every third slam skill that doesn’t create features.

These improvements elevate Titan’s viability, though it may not surpass the power of Leech or Witch Hunter. Titan is now likely positioned at the end of A-tier, offering solid performance for melee-focused builds.

Tactician and Warbringer: Tier Adjustments

Tactician, a formerly solid A-tier option, faces a slight decline in relative power due to Witch Hunter’s buff. While still a capable ascendancy, Tactician now fits comfortably between B and A-tier, reflecting its continued relevance but diminished dominance.

Similarly, Warbringer suffers from Titan’s buffs and remains less appealing due to clunky mechanics and slower gameplay. With little to distinguish it from Titan, Warbringer likely falls into the C-tier, especially in a meta increasingly focused on speed.

Druid and Oracle: Difficult to Predict

Predicting the performance of Oracle and Druid ascendancies is challenging due to uncertain skill mechanics. Oracle’s abilities, such as Inevitable Critical Hits and Enemy Critical Hit Chance modifiers, appear strong on paper. However, skills like Vog the Path Not Taken or Align Fate remain ambiguous, making it difficult to accurately gauge their overall utility.

Based on available information, Oracle may range from B to A-tier, depending on how these skills perform in practice. Druid falls into a similar category of uncertainty, earning a “special position” in predictions until further clarification is provided.

Deadeye: A Fast and Lethal Ranger

Deadeye has long been considered a top-tier choice for ranged damage, and patch 0.4 reinforces this reputation. While Wind Ward has been removed, Bullseye now generates double the critical weakness stacks, and Mage Dead passive grants clones of the player, further amplifying output.

Deadeye remains a clear S-tier ascendancy due to its speed, strong clear potential, and enhanced critical mechanics. Even without full clarity on clone numbers, Deadeye is unlikely to lose its position at the top of the meta.

Kitava: Tanky but Slower

Kitava’s buffs include additional armor, increased throne damage, and enhanced critical damage resistance. While these make Kitava tanky, its lack of speed and damage bonuses limits its dominance in the meta. Players prioritizing tankiness may still consider Kitava, but it is unlikely to outperform Leech or Witch Hunter in practice. Kitava likely sits in B-tier, offering a defensive but slower option.

Amazon: High Investment Required

Amazon can reach impressive tankiness by stacking evasion and deflection. However, compared to Witch Hunter and Leech, this requires a higher investment. While potentially strong with significant gear and passive allocation, Amazon sits at B-tier by default, with the possibility of rising to A-tier under optimized conditions.

Pathfinder: Speed and Versatility

Pathfinder has received substantial buffs in 0.4, including immunity to heavy stuns while sprinting and significant mobility advantages. Additional passive skill points and options for damage, global defenses, and cost efficiency further enhance its flexibility.

With the game’s meta favoring speed, Pathfinder’s sprint mechanics and versatile build options position it as a strong A-tier ascendancy, likely near the top of the tier. Expect it to be highly popular among players who value mobility and adaptability.

Shaman: Spirit-Focused Durability

Shaman’s confirmed abilities, including Furious Wellspring and Rage mechanics, make it a formidable tank while offering solid spell power. Adaptation mechanics could further enhance survivability, though final details remain uncertain.

Given its potential and confirmed benefits, Shaman may emerge as a top-tier spirit-focused ascendancy. Tentatively, it occupies the A-tier or possibly near S-tier, with placement dependent on final skill adjustments.

Chronomancer: Niche Control

Chronomancer remains largely niche, excelling in slowing enemies and controlling encounters. However, its reliance on cooldowns and slower playstyle limits mainstream appeal. It likely remains in C-tier, useful for specialized strategies but not for broad meta dominance.

Invoker: Spirit Mastery and Efficiency

Invoker has been significantly buffed, particularly in spirit reservation efficiency. Soul Spring Eternal’s increased efficiency makes it a prime candidate for multi-critical and spirit-intensive builds. Protect Me From Harm has also been slightly nerfed, but overall, Invoker is more viable than ever.

Invoker comfortably fits into S-tier, offering both flexibility and efficiency for high-level players. Its combination of spirit generation and adaptability makes it one of the most potent ascendancies in 0.4.

Storm Weaver: Infusion Buffs

Storm Weaver has received infusion-focused buffs, including Refracted Infusion and improved elemental skill limits. These changes enhance its potential in the late game, especially for builds previously overshadowed by Blood Mage.

With these updates, Storm Weaver may climb from B-tier to the upper end of A-tier, offering strong elemental damage potential and synergy with infusion mechanics.

Infernalist and Blood Mage: Casters Evolving

Infernalist sees minimal changes but remains a viable minion-focused ascendancy. Its flexibility with demon forms and ranged caster options keeps it relevant in niche builds.

Blood Mage, historically an S-tier caster, suffers from regeneration nerfs. While still powerful, it is likely to drop slightly, aligning with Leech in A-tier. Despite the nerfs, it remains a strong choice for invested players.

Acolyte of Chilea and German Legionnaire: Struggling Choices

Acolyte of Chilea received minor buffs but remains underwhelming, likely fitting at the end of B-tier or start of C-tier, with a need for significant adjustments to achieve broader relevance.

German Legionnaire also faces an uncertain future, overshadowed by stronger ranged and grenade options. It likely remains C-tier or possibly F-tier, appealing only to niche, specialized builds.

Ritualist: Budget-Dependent Strength

Ritualist remains a strong choice for high-budget builds, able to function as a caster or ranged option. On lower budgets, it may fall to A-tier, but with optimal investment, it retains S-tier potential buy POE 2 Exalted Orbs. Its versatility ensures continued relevance in the meta.

Summary and Meta Outlook

Patch 0.4 introduces a mix of buffs and adjustments across PoE2 ascendancies. Tanky options like Witch Hunter and Leech maintain strong positions, while speed-oriented classes such as Pathfinder gain prominence. Invoker and Deadeye continue to dominate, with niche options like Chronomancer and Legionnaire remaining less competitive.

Notably, several previously overlooked ascendancies, such as Storm Weaver and Titan, now present viable alternatives, enriching the diversity of the meta. As the patch rolls out, player experimentation and theorycrafting will refine these predictions, but the 0.4 tier landscape promises an exciting balance of tank, speed, and caster options.



Overall, Path of Exile 2’s evolving ascendancy system continues to reward strategic planning, creative builds, and a keen understanding of both defensive and offensive mechanics. With Patch 0.4, players can look forward to a more dynamic and varied meta that encourages experimentation while reinforcing the strengths of both classic and newly buffed ascendancies.