PoE 2 Most Popular (Played) Class and Build Tier List 2025

As of March 2025, the popularity of classes in Path of Exile 2 has been influenced by recent patches, balance changes, and player preferences. Today we’ll bring the latest PoE 2 tier list for ranking the most popular classes and builds in the game now. You can choose a new Ascendancy class for the next season or patch based on their popularity and strengths.

PoE 2 Class Tier List (March 2025): Most Popular & Played Class in Path of Exile 2

Stormweaver and Invoker are among the most played classes across all Path of Exile 2 leagues due to their balance of power, survivability, and versatility. Classes like Infernalist and Deadeye remain strong but are better suited to Softcore leagues. Meanwhile, niche classes like Acolyte of Chayula and Warbringer struggle to find footing in the current game, appealing only to a small subset of players.

1. Stormweaver (Sorceress) - S Tier

Stormweaver is the most popular PoE 2 class across all leagues, with 19.04% of players gravitating toward it. Players value its ability to deal massive area damage while maintaining mobility and adaptability. Its defensive options, while not as robust as tankier classes, are sufficient for endgame content, making it a solid choice for both Standard and Hardcore. Its popularity reflects the appeal of traditional spellcasters in ARPGs.

2. Invoker (Monk) - S Tier

Invoker ties Stormweaver in popularity, also capturing 19.04% of the player base. Its defensive capabilities and summon-oriented mechanics make it a favorite for Hardcore players, while its flexibility ensures viability in Standard. The Invoker excels in scaling both damage and survivability.

3. Infernalist (Witch) - A Tier

Infernalist is the third most played class, with 16.45% of players favoring its fire-damage-focused playstyle. It delivers high damage through curses and burn effects. Its straightforward playstyle appeals to players who prefer raw firepower, while its ability to clear maps efficiently makes it a dominant choice in both Standard and Hardcore. However, its limited defensive options require careful positioning and strategic play in Hardcore, where its popularity slightly dips compared to other tankier options.

4. Deadeye (Ranger) - A Tier

Deadeye ranks fourth in popularity with 12.66% of players, this is a ranged class that excels in single-target and area damage through precise bow skills. Its high mobility and damage output make it a favorite in Standard, but its lack of defensive layers makes it a riskier choice in Hardcore. Players who enjoy a fast-paced, glass-cannon playstyle gravitate toward this class, especially for farming and boss-killing 

5. Gemling Legionnaire (Mercenary) - A Tier

Gemling Legionnaire has captured 10.42% of players due to its creative synergies with skill gems and summoning constructs. While it requires significant investment and theorycrafting, its potential for powerful builds makes it popular in Standard, where trading and experimentation are easier. However, its complexity and gear dependency limits its appeal in Hardcore, where simplicity and survivability are more valued.

6. Titan (Warrior) - B Tier

Titan attracts 5.48% of players, making it a middle-tier choice. As a durable melee class, Titan was favored for its tankiness and consistent damage output. It shines in Hardcore, where its high health pool and defensive options provide a sense of security for players tackling dangerous content. While its slower playstyle makes it less popular in Standard, the Titan remains a reliable option for those who prioritize survivability over speed.

7. Witchhunter (Mercenary) - B Tier

Witchhunter holds 5.11% of the player base, it combines ranged and melee combat with debuff mechanics, offering a hybrid playstyle that appeals to players looking for versatility. While it struggles to compete with more specialized classes in terms of raw power, it remains a viable choice in Standard for those who enjoy experimenting with hybrid builds. In Hardcore, its lower defensive capabilities make it a less common pick.

8. Blood Mage (Witch) - C Tier

Blood Mage is a less popular choice, with only 3.74% of players selecting it. It uses life as a resource to fuel its powerful spells. This mechanic makes it a compelling choice for players who enjoy self-sustain builds and unique playstyles. While it performs better in Standard, where careful gearing can offset its risks, its inherent fragility makes it less appealing in Hardcore, where life management is crucial.

9. Pathfinder (Ranger) - C Tier

Pathfinder has a niche following with 3.38% of players, it struggles to compete with the Deadeye in terms of raw damage and popularity. Pathfinder specializes in poison and elemental damage over time, offering a strategic playstyle that rewards patience and positioning. In Hardcore, its defensive options make it a safer choice for ranged gameplay, but its slower playstyle limits its overall appeal.

10. Chronomancer (Sorceress) - D Tier

Chronomancer, with 2.01% popularity, is one of the least chosen classes. This ascendancy focuses on time-manipulation mechanics, offering unique abilities that require significant investment and skill to optimize. Its low popularity reflects its steep learning curve and relatively weaker performance compared to other Sorceress ascendancies. Players who enjoy experimenting with unconventional builds may find the Chronomancer intriguing, but it is rarely chosen in both Standard and Hardcore.

11. Warbringer (Warrior) - D Tier

Warbringer has a mere 1.53% of players selecting it. It is an aggressive melee class that focuses on burst damage and crowd control. Its lack of defensive options and slower playstyle make it one of the least popular classes, particularly in Hardcore, where survivability is critical. While it can work well in Standard with proper gearing, it is generally overshadowed by the more durable Titan.

12. Acolyte of Chayula (Monk) - D Tier

Acolyte of Chayula is the least popular class in Path of Exile 2, with only 1.15% of players choosing it. Its low survivability and high gear dependency make it one of the least popular choices in both Standard and Hardcore. While it offers a unique experience for players seeking a challenge, the Acolyte struggles to perform consistently in endgame content.

Most Popular and Played Builds in PoE 2

1. Archmage Spark (Sorceress)

Currently the most played build in Path of Exile 2, Archmage Spark makes use of massive mana pools to amplify damage output through the Archmage support gem. The build's cornerstone is the Everlasting Gaze amulet, which provides crucial mana regeneration and converts 30% of maximum mana to energy shield, working in conjunction with Eldrich Battery for superior defense. With an initial investment of 10 Divine Orbs, players can create a build that excels in both clearing and boss encounters by carpeting areas with long-duration spark projectiles that create persistent damage zones. The gameplay is straightforward yet highly effective, making it an excellent currency farmer and all-content clearer. The build achieves perfect 10/10 scores in clear speed, boss damage, and survivability, primarily due to its ability to deal damage from safe distances while maintaining a substantial energy shield buffer. The only significant consideration is the initial cost, but the build's farming efficiency quickly offsets this investment, so this is a top choice if you need a well-rounded endgame character.

2. Tempest Flurry (Mercenary)

Commanding an impressive 31% of the high-level player base, this attribute-stacking build transforms Tempest Flurry into a speed-clearing powerhouse through three essential unique items: Pillar of the Caged God (providing scaling benefits from attributes), Hand of Wisdom and Action (granting attack speed and lightning damage), and Morior Invictus Grand Regalia body armor (boosting attributes and Spirits). With a modest entry cost of 10 Divine orbs, players gain access to extraordinary clear speed capabilities where Herald of Ice explosions extend far beyond the screen's boundaries. The build achieves tens of millions of DPS through its attribute scaling, complemented by a robust defensive setup featuring 70% evasion chance, substantial life, and energy shield pools. The only notable challenge is managing elemental resistances, which can be addressed through Soul Cores for +20% of all resistances. The build can score 10 points in clear speed, boss damage, and survivability, with the added benefit that most enemies die before they can pose any threat.

3. Explosive Ice Strike (Monk)

This third build is also popular among high-level players, it combines Ice Strike with Herald of Ice for devastating chain explosions. The core mechanic revolves around the Power Charge Ring, which forces enemies to shatter as if frozen, creating a cascade of explosions that clear entire screens with a single click. With a defensive layer combining 70% evasion, 65% armor, and a substantial energy shield, the build offers exceptional survivability. The investment structure starts at 60 exalted orbs for low-tier mapping, scaling to 100 exalted for mid-tier, and 5 divine orbs for end-game content. Players can comfortably freeze and eliminate Tier 15 bosses while maintaining consistent damage output. The only minor drawback is occasional downtime between packs due to the build's overwhelming clear speed, requiring brief periods of running between groups of monsters. The build excels with a 9/10 for clear speed, 10/10 for boss damage, and 9/10 for survivability, try it whether you are new or experienced player.