TL;DR
- Stormweaver excels with Archmage scaling but requires heavy mana investment
- Gemling Legionnaire offers unmatched versatility through attribute stacking mechanics
- Infernalist provides unique demonic transformations with Pyromantic Pact
- Ritualist enables broken gear manipulation through mod stealing and rituels
- Lich introduces powerful chaos-mage archetypes with energy shield and curse synergies
- All S-tier options demand specific build knowledge but reward with exceptional power
The arrival of the Hunt league in Path of Exile 2 (Patch 0.2.0) brings substantial changes to the ascendancy landscape, introducing fresh options while rebalancing existing ones. This creates a significant meta evolution where selecting the optimal ascendancy becomes paramount for achieving efficient farming, boss elimination, and overall progression. Our comprehensive tier evaluation ranks all available ascendancies according to their damage output capabilities, survival potential, movement flexibility, and overall effectiveness.

These elite ascendancies control the current meta through outstanding damage multiplication, defensive resilience, and adaptability across various content types.
Stormweaver (Sorceress)
● Primary Advantages: Unmatched compatibility with Archmage amplification systems, enormous elemental destruction potential, and exceptional area coverage capabilities.
● Limitations: Significant dependency on mana accumulation mechanics and particular gem combinations.
● In-Depth Assessment: Stormweaver maintained dominance throughout version 0.1.0, and barring substantial Archmage nerfs, will continue as a premier selection.
● Advanced Strategy: Prioritize mana regeneration over maximum mana pool for sustained casting. Target 1500+ mana for optimal Archmage effectiveness while maintaining reasonable survival stats.
● Common Pitfall: New players often neglect mana flask management, leading to catastrophic DPS drops during extended encounters.
Gemling Legionnaire (Mercenary)
● Core Strengths: Extraordinary flexibility—functions effectively with close-combat, projectile, or summoned ally configurations; scales exceptionally well with Astrus and Pillar of the Caged God.
● Drawbacks: Demands costly unique items for maximum performance output.
● Detailed Examination: This ascendancy experienced gradual initial performance but concluded version 0.1.0 among the most powerful due to its synergistic relationship with attribute accumulation systems.
● Optimization Technique: Focus on two primary attributes rather than spreading investment thin. Strength/Intelligence hybrid builds often outperform pure configurations.
● Time Investment: Expect 15-20 hours to reach peak performance with optimal gear acquisition.
Infernalist (Witch)
● Key Benefits: Fire-oriented configurations, demonic metamorphosis capabilities, and exceptional damage amplification through Demon Flame mechanics.
● Potential Issues: Requires specialized build modifications and adaptation strategies.
● Comprehensive Analysis: Infernalist represents a formidable force within the Pyromantic Pact framework, establishing itself among the most distinctive and adaptable ascendancies available.
● Advanced Mechanics: The Pyromantic Pact enables simultaneous scaling of multiple damage types while providing defensive layers through transformation mechanics.
● Resource Allocation: Balance transformation duration with damage output. Extended demon forms provide superior survival but may sacrifice burst potential.
Ritualist (Huntress)
● Principal Assets: Creature domestication abilities, ceremonial offering systems, and equipment alteration capabilities.
● Challenges: Demands thorough comprehension of modifier extraction systems and ritual mechanics.
● Expert Evaluation: Ritualist facilitates accessory accumulation strategies and hemorrhage detonation effects, establishing it as an exceptionally potent ascendancy option.
● Technical Execution: Master the timing of mod stealing during ritual phases. Successful execution can result in gear pieces with normally impossible modifier combinations.
● Performance Metrics: Capable of achieving 50-70% more damage output through optimal ring and amulet stacking compared to conventional builds.
Lich (Witch)
● Fundamental Strengths: Chaos-focused approach, utilizing energy shield systems, curse applications, and power charge utilization mechanics.
● Constraints: Requires meticulous resource allocation and energy management systems.
● Analytical Perspective: Lich introduces innovative chaos-mage character types possessing substantial area effect potential and powerful spell-damage multipliers.
● Advanced Tactics: Leverage curse effect stacking with energy shield preservation techniques. This creates durable casters capable of surviving heavy punishment while dealing consistent chaos damage.
● Survival Optimization: Maintain 40-50% of life as energy shield for optimal defensive layering.
To maximize the potential of these S-tier ascendancies, implement these professional techniques:
● Resource Cycling: Establish consistent mana/energy shield regeneration loops that sustain your primary damage abilities through extended encounters.
● Stat Prioritization: For Stormweaver, prioritize mana regeneration rate over maximum mana until reaching comfortable sustain thresholds.
● Gear Progression Path: Identify key unique items early and plan your currency acquisition around these targets.
● Common Error Avoidance: Never neglect movement speed and defensive layers in pursuit of pure damage. Most failed builds result from insufficient survival capabilities rather than inadequate damage output.
● Time Management: Allocate 2-3 hours for initial ascendancy testing before committing to a full build investment.
Action Checklist
- Test each ascendancy’s core mechanics in early maps before full commitment
- Identify and acquire key unique items for your chosen ascendancy
- Optimize resource management systems (mana, energy shield, etc.)
- Master advanced mechanics like mod stealing or demon transformations
- Fine-tune defensive layers to match your damage output capabilities
No reproduction without permission:OnLineGames Guides » PoE 2 All Ascendancies Tier List Guide – Ranking for Dawn of the Hunt Master the top-tier Ascendancies in Path of Exile 2's Hunt league with expert build strategies and optimization tips
