The Build Meta

Welcome to the Path of Exile 2 Meta Report, where we delve into the latest trends and strategies shaping the game. We're covering major events within the community, which hottest builds break the meta, economy updates and more!

Early Access Ascendancy Popularity

The current data is very limited. GGG has not yet given API Access or the ability to share profiles. The only information provided is the Ladder, which shows the top 1000 players and their respective Ascendancies.

Class Analysis

• The Infernalist is consistently the most popular class across all Hardcore and Solo Self-Found, and second most popular in Standard. It is very strong and easy to play, while it doesn't have the fastest clear it can do all content in the game with ease.
• Stormweaver is the most popular class in Standard mode, indicating its appeal in endgame due to powerful Mana stacking Archmage builds. In Hardcore it's much less appealing due to it being very gear dependant, making early game a challenge.
• Deadeye shows consistent popularity across all modes, ranking in the top three or four in each. It is a well-rounded class that performs well in all game modes.
• Pathfinders are on the rise in SSF as a patch massively buffed Poisonous Concoction.
• The Titan and Warbringer perform well in Hardcore and Hardcore Solo Self-Found thanks to their easy access to tankiness.
• Classes like Chronomancer, Pathfinder, and Stormweaver have a high death rates in Hardcore as they struggle to get tanky early.
• The Acolyte of Chayula is consistently among the least popular classes across all modes.

It's important to remember that this data is from Early Access, and class balance is changing frequently. The data only represents the top 1000 characters in each mode. It doesn't capture the entire player base and may not fully reflect the overall class distribution. Class popularity and success are also influenced by individual playstyle preferences. Some players may enjoy the challenge of playing less popular or more difficult classes.

Top Meta Builds

The Early Access phase is the most unbalanced PoE 2 will ever be. This is made evident by some of the insane builds popping up. For example, the build showcased by Jessrabbert above utilizes the incredibly expensive Temporalis to remove the cooldown of Choir of the Storm. This creates a feedback loop, resulting in absurd damage output. Patches will change the balance in the future, it is important to keep in mind that the builds listed here are at the top of the meta, meaning they are the most likely candidates for balance changes and nerfs. Check out their planner here.

Acolyte of Chayula

The Acolyte of Chayula ascendancy is currently underperforming in the meta. Community discussion suggests it is underpowered and a likely candidate for future buffs or a potential rework. However there is currently an unintended mechanic being exploited by some players in the Temporal Sanctum. The Embrace the Darkness notables appears to negate Honour damage within the Sanctum, making it significantly easier for these players to complete the challenge runs and obtain Temporalis. If you intend to play this class, consider the Invoker instead. Alternatively, you can check out Wudijo's Chayula Ice Strike Endgame Planner.

Invoker

The Invoker Monk Ascendancy stands out as one of the strongest options in Path of Exile 2's Early Access. It offers players a versatile toolkit for building both offensive and defensive capabilities. Currently, the Tri-Attribute stacking Monk build reigns supreme, utilizing the unique power of Pillar of the Caged God and Hand of Wisdom and Action. Check out SebK's build overview to learn more.

Stormweaver

The Stormweaver Ascendancy is an excellent choice for spellcasters in PoE 2, particularly for Archmage builds. Its synergy with Arcane Surge, Eldritch Battery, and Mind Over Matter enable efficient mana scaling. Some powerful examples of this is the Archmage Spark build, showcased by Captainlance and the Cast on Shock Lightning Conduit by Crouching_Tuna.

Chronomancer

The Chronomancer Ascendancy can play many of the same builds the Stormweaver can, but worse. However, a Hammer of the Gods build has been making the rounds. There are no planners currently available for this build, but if you want to learn more, a quick search on YouTube should bring up a some results.

Bloodmage

By far the strongest build for the bloodmage is Detonate Dead. It has the ability to deal an insane amount of damage, and also provides decent map clear and survivability. Check out Jacob's
Crit Detonate Dead Blood Mage build planner and video to learn more.

Infernalist

Infernalist Minion builds have completely taken over the meta. It is the favorite class in both Hardcore and Standard as it provides the most amount of defense compared to any other Ascendancy. Additionally, the minions keep you safe from harm and have the capacity to deal a ton of damage. Check out Ventrua's and Helmbreaker's Energy Shield based endgame builds to learn more.

Titan

The Titan Ascendancy recently received a nerf to the Armor Break explosions, making its clear weaker than what it was before. However, Warrior players have found a way to regain some of that power with the help of the Advanced Cultist Greathammer melee splash implicit. It is currently unknown whether this chaining behavior is bugged and might be fixed soon, but for the time being, have fun!

Warbringer

The Corrupting Cry Warbringer build provides great clear and survivability, and is from a gameplay perspective one of the most beginner-friendly builds currently in the game. Steelmage has been having a blast on the build and highly recommends it. Cptn Garbage created a planner and build guide you can follow. This build focuses on the Warbringer Ascendancy, specifically utilizing the Corrupting Cry support gem to inflict powerful debuffs on enemies. This, combined with the Warbringer's ability to spam Warcries, creates a very powerful build.

Witchhunter

The Shockburst + Explosive Shot Witchhunter by Chronikz showcases the power of Explosive Shot. In combination with heralds and Shockburst Rounds, it provides both good clear and single-target damage. Note however that the Deadeye Ascendancy excels at this type of playstyle, so if you want to play this build but want the strongest option, you should check that variant instead.

Gemling Legionnaire

The Gemling Legionnaire is quite a versatile Ascendancy, however, Pillar of the Caged God Tri-Stacker is by far one of the current strongest and most expensive build in the game, making Waggle's build the top choice for this Ascendancy. It has insane Area of Effect and damage, as well as a lot of survivability granted by the uniques it utilises.

Deadeye

The Deadeye Ascendancy is very versatile, and has recently received some buffs to its ability to generate and spend Frenzy Charges. However, at the moment, Lightning Arrow is by far one of the best and most popular skills. It provides great clear and, when combined with some Lightning Rod and Ball Lightning abuse for single-target, provides great clear and single-target damage. Check out Moxsy's planner here!

Pathfinder

Recent buffs to Poisonous Concoction have turned the Pathfinder from a mediocre Ascendancy in the meta, to a top contender. Concoction deals massive single target and has decent clear at a relatively low budget, making it a great entry level build to push into endgame. Check out oMySelf's planner here!

Summary

This report analyzes the current meta in Path of Exile 2, examining class popularity, build trends, and the evolving economic landscape. Data from the top 1000 characters in each mode reveals the Infernalist as a top contender in Hardcore, while the Stormweaver and Deadeye dominate Softcore. The report showcases popular endgame builds like the Invoker Tri-Stacker, the Lightning Arrow Deadeye, Pathfinder Poisonous Concoction and The Infernalist Minion Energy Shield builds.

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Written by: Crouching_Tuna

Reviewed by: Tenkiei