PoE 2 0.2 Dawn of the Hunt Class Popularity and Survivability Tier List (HC & SC)

Since the player has been playing Path of Exile 2 Dawn of the Hunt for some time now, the popularity of the different characters is gradually becoming apparent. In this article, let's see the latest PoE 2 class popularity tier list for the most played ascendancies in different modes of Dawn of the Hunt, including Softcore Trade, Softcore Solo Self-Found (SSF), Hardcore Trade, and Hardcore SSF. And the survivability tier list shows the most survivable classes in HC trade and SSF. 

PoE 2 0.2 Dawn of the Hunt Most Popular & Survivable Class Tier List 

In the current Path of Exile 2 Dawn of the Hunt league, the leaderboard reveals significant trends in class and ascendancy popularity among the top players. However, in different modes, the most chosen characters have significant differences. Below are the survivability and popularity tier lists for all classes in the PoE 2 0.2 patch, including Huntress, Mercenary, Monk, Ranger, Sorceress, Warrior, and Witch.

The PoE 2 0.2.0f patch introduces significant changes that, while not directly buffing or nerfing specific classes, enhance overall class strength. The ability to respec Ascendancy Classes allows players to experiment with different builds, potentially improving the effectiveness of characters like the Lich, who can transition to different playstyles within their base class. Additionally, the changes to Charms—such as increased prefix values for Life, Mana, and Guard restoration—greatly benefit classes reliant on these items, notably the Witch and Ranger. Similarly, the adjustments to totems, which now gain substantial resistances, bolster survivability for totem-based builds, while improved support gems enhance the performance of classes like the Witch. 

PoE 2 Dawn of the Hunt Class Popularity Tier List for SC Trade

In the Softcore Trade mode, the Amazon ascendancy, particularly with its powerful Lightning Spear build, wins the love of most players, accounting for nearly 50%, indicating a strong interest in new content. Meanwhile, the Blood Mage ascendancy has surprisingly dropped to zero representation, a first for the game's leaderboard history. Other classes, like the Acolyte of Chayula and Stormweaver, have also fallen significantly, while the Lich and Smith of Katava ascendancies are gaining traction due to their survivability and damage potential. Despite some promising new builds, the Tactician mercenary continues to struggle in popularity. 

1. Amazon

2. Deadeye

3. Lich

4. Smith of Kitava

5. Invoker

6. Titan

7. Infernalist

8. Ritualist

9. Pathfinder

10. Warbringer

11. Chronomancer

12. Witchhunter

13. Tactician

14. Gemling Legionnaire

15. Stormweaver

16. Acolyte of Chayula

17. Blood Mage

PoE 2 Dawn of the Hunt Class Popularity Tier List for SC SSF

As for the Softcore Solo Self-Found (SSF) league, the representative class differs significantly from the trade league. While the trade league allows players to quickly acquire powerful builds through trading, SSF requires players to rely solely on dropped or crafted gear, leading to a decline in the popularity of certain classes like the Chronomancer, Acolyte of Chayula, Infernalist, Blood Mage, and Stormweaver. The Dawn of the Hunt SC SSF tier list shows a strong preference for the Amazon and Ritualist ascendancies, with notable rises for the Lich and Smith, while the Deadeye class has seen a decrease in popularity. The distribution is heavily weighted towards newer classes, creating a top-heavy tier list, with the Tactician emerging as a rising choice among players. 

1. Amazon

2. Smith of Kitava

3. Lich

4. Deadeye

5. Ritualist

6. Tactician

7. Titan  

8. Invoker

9. Witchhunter

10. Warbringer 

11. Pathfinder

12. Gemling Legionnaire

13. Chronomancer

14. Acolyte of Chayula

15. Infernalist

16. Blood Mage

17. Stormweaver

PoE 2 Dawn of the Hunt Class Popularity Tier List for HC Trade

Moving on to the HC Trade, class selection is heavily influenced by the game's unique mechanics, particularly the single-death rule that forces players to prioritize survivability. This has led to a notable shift in class popularity compared to the Softcore leagues, where players often favor more trendy builds. In Hardcore, the Smith of Kitava has surged in popularity due to its strong survivability features, along with the Lich, which has also gained traction. Conversely, the Amazon class, which dominates in SC with builds like the Lightning Spear, has seen a decline in HC as players lean toward safer choices. Other ascendancies, like the Deadeye, have risen slightly, while Stormwaver and Blood Mage remain at the bottom of the popularity tier, with many players opting for the new Lich class instead. 

1. Smith of Kitava

2. Lich

3. Deadeye

4. Amazon

5. Invoker

6. Infernalist

7. Titan  

8. Warbringer

9. Ritualist

10. Witchhunter

11. Gemling Legionnaire

12. Tactician

13. Chronomancer

14. Blood Mage

15. Pathfinder

16. Acolyte of Chayula

17. Stormweaver

PoE 2 Dawn of the Hunt Class Popularity Tier List for HC SSF

Now for HC SSF, the Smith of Kitava ascendancy ranks exceptionally high, attributed to their strong survivability, which is crucial in the one-life format of Hardcore gameplay. This PoE 2 tier list accurately reflects how players engage with the game, largely insulated from mainstream meta influences, as they cannot rely on others for assistance or trades. Additionally, the Lich is still one of the most popular class ascendancies in Dawn of the Hunt HC SSF, and the Amazon's popularity remains stable. The Deadeye has seen a decline, whereas classes like the Titan and Ritualist have risen slightly. The Tactician also ranks relatively high, with players favoring established builds like the Gemling Legionnaire and Infernalist Invoker from the previous season, while ascendancies such as Witchhunter have fallen to the lower end of the popularity spectrum.

1. Smith of Kitava

2. Lich

3. Amazon

4. Deadeye

5. Titan  

6. Ritualist

7. Tactician

8. Warbringer

9. Gemling Legionnaire

10. Infernalist

11. Invoker

12. Pathfinder

13. Witchhunter

14. Chronomancer

15. Acolyte of Chayula

16. Blood Mage

17. Stormweaver

PoE 2 Dawn of the Hunt Class Survivability Tier List for HC

Which one is the most survivable class in Dawn of the Hunt? This ranking evaluates the survival rates of various classes based on their performance among the top 1,000 players. Each ascendancy's survival rate is measured against itself rather than across different classes, giving a clearer picture of their respective strengths. For instance, 83% of Chronommancers remain alive. Lower-tier classes, like Acolyte of Chaupa and Blood Mage, also show higher survival rates, likely due to their appeal to dedicated players. In contrast, more common classes like Tactician and Stormwaver display significantly lower survival rates, with Stormwaver at just 25%, indicating that less represented classes can perform better in terms of survivability. 

1. Chronomancer: 83.33% 

2. Acolyte of Chayula: 83.33% 

3. Invoker: 82.61% 

4. Pathfinder: 75.00% 

5. Ritualist: 71.43% 

6. Lich: 70.59% 

7. Blood Mage: 70.00% 

8. Deadeye: 69.92% 

9. Infernalist: 67.50%

10. Smith of Kitava: 66.56% 

11. Amazon: 65.96%

12. Gemling Legionnaire: 64.71% 

13. Tactician: 53.85% 

14. Titan: 51.85% 

15. Warbringer: 48.15% 

16. Witchhunter: 40.00% 

17. Stormweaver: 25.00%

PoE 2 Dawn of the Hunt Class Survivability Tier List for HC SSF

The class survival rates of PoE 2 Hardcore SSF are generally lower compared to the HC trade mode, primarily due to the absence of trading, which limits power spikes and relies heavily on RNG. Notably, Blood Mage players are performing exceptionally well, with a high survival rate, while classes like Acolyte of Chayula, Stormweaver, and Tactician also show strong survivability. Conversely, Liches have a concerning survival rate of only around 55%, and both Amazon and Ritualist, new to the Huntress class, are nearly at the bottom of the list, suggesting that players may still be adjusting to effective builds. 

1. Blood Mage: 83.33%

2. Acolyte of Chayula: 81.82%

3. Stormweaver: 75.00%

4. Tactician: 72.97%

5. Infernalist: 64.00%

6. Invoker: 63.64%

7. Warbringer: 61.76%

8. Lich: 55.90%

9. Witchhunter: 55.56%

10. Gemling Legionnaire: 53.85%

11. Titan: 53.19%

12. Smith of Kitava: 51.59%

13. Deadeye: 48.57%

14. Amazon: 46.90%

15. Pathfinder: 44.44%

16. Ritualist: 43.18%

17. Chronomancer: 41.18%

The Dawn of the Hunt update brings notable shifts in class popularity and survivability across different modes in Path of Exile 2, and some new ascendancies become the fan-favorite. For players engaging in PoE 2 trade, understanding these trends can help optimize gear acquisition and build choices to remain competitive and resilient in both Softcore and Hardcore leagues.