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!
0.2 Early Access Meta Analysis
Current Meta Overview
The Dawn of the Hunt update (Patch 0.2.0) has introduced a new class, the Huntress significantly reshaping the meta. It specialises in critical hit damage, elemental damage, hybrid defences, and frenzy charge consumption. With it, spears have also been introduced, adding a bunch of new and exciting skills.
Dominant Ascendancies
- Amazon (Huntress): Reigns supreme with 46.9% popularity in Softcore due to it being new, while also providing incredible clear, critical strike scaling and versatility in spear/bow builds.
- Smith of Kitava (Warrior): A top pick in Hardcore (23.5%) for its unmatched tankiness (90% max resistances) and ease in getting elemental resistances.
- Lich (Witch): Maintains 14–17% popularity across leagues, excelling in chaos DoT like Essence Drain, Contagion and minion builds.
- Deadeye (Ranger): Still popular for projectile-based and Frenzy reliant attacks, though slightly nerfed in endgame DPS. Players who
Skill Preferences
- Lightning Spear (57%): New meta-defining skill for the Huntress providing unmatched clear speed.
- Storm Lance (42%): Popular for its high single target damage, making it crucial for Lightning Spear builds to deal with bosses.
Class Popularity in Dawn of the Hunt
| Class | Dawn of the Hunt | HC Dawn of the Hunt | SSF Dawn of the Hunt | HC SSF Dawn of the Hunt |
| Amazon | 47% | 15% | 38% | 16% |
| Lich | 14% | 15% | 18% | 17% |
| Deadeye | 10% | 12% | 17% | 12% |
| Smith of Kitava | 10% | 24% | 8% | 23% |
| Ritualist | 9% | 2% | 5% | 5% |
| Invoker | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% |
| Gemling Legionnaire | 3% | 1% | 3% | 2% |
| Tactician | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Warbringer | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| Titan | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% |
| Witchhunter | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% |
| Infernalist | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
| Stormweaver | 0.90% | 0.80% | 0.80% | 2% |
| Pathfinder | 0.70% | 1% | 0.90% | 1% |
| Blood Mage | 0.70% | 0.50% | 0.50% | 1% |
| Chronomancer | 0.70% | 1% | 0.80% | 1% |
| Acolyte of Chayula | 0.30% | 0.50% | 0.40% | 0.60% |
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.
Summary
The Amazon Ascendancy has emerged as the dominant force in Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt, with its popularity (46.9% in Standard, 37.8% in SSF) far exceeding typical new-class adoption rates. This surge is primarily driven by the Lightning Spear skill's overperformance, which has warped the meta around its unparalleled synergy with the Amazon's toolkit. Here’s a breakdown of the factors behind this phenomenon:
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Written by: Crouching_Tuna
Reviewed by: Tenkiei
