Class comparison
| Base class | Attribute affinity | Ascendancies | Starting advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marauder | Strength | Juggernaut, Berserker, Chieftain | Durable melee or fire; Juggernaut offers an understandable defensive starting point. |
| Witch | Intelligence | Necromancer, Occultist, Elementalist | Minions, chaos or elemental spells. SRS Necromancer lets minions attack but requires frequent resummoning. |
| Ranger | Dexterity | Deadeye, Warden, Pathfinder | Bows, elemental attacks and flasks. Fast ranged combat does not replace a sufficient life pool. |
| Duelist | Strength/Dexterity | Slayer, Gladiator, Champion | Attacks, bleeding, block and fortification. Check weapon upgrades and accuracy carefully. |
| Templar | Strength/Intelligence | Inquisitor, Hierophant, Guardian | Spells, mana, totems and protection. Holy Flame Totem is easy to read as a learning setup: place totems, then move. |
| Shadow | Dexterity/Intelligence | Assassin, Saboteur, Trickster | Critical strikes, traps/mines, energy and evasion mechanics. Choose complex trigger setups only with a funded plan. |
| Scion | All three attributes | Ascendant, Reliquarian, Luminary | Central starting position; rescue her in Act 3 first. Flexible specialisations are more demanding for a first unguided character. |
Unlock an Ascendancy
In the Labyrinth, choose an Ascendancy belonging to your base class. Your first completion of each Labyrinth tier awards two Ascendancy points. The main passive tree and Ascendancy tree use separate point systems.
The official class page now also lists Reliquarian and Luminary for the Scion. Old tables listing only Ascendant are therefore incomplete as a current reference. Read Bloodline additions separately from base classes under their patch descriptions.
Our first-character recommendation
For the clearest first playthrough: Sunder Juggernaut if you want to attack yourself; Holy Flame Totem Hierophant if you prefer moving after placement. RF Chieftain is comfortable for clearing but requires passing a self-burn sustain check before switching. SRS Necromancer is the minion alternative. This is an editorial assessment of complexity, not a seasonal tier list.
Sources & editorial reference date
Independently written guidance. Linked sources support verification of game systems, versions and described changes. Editorial reference date: 2026-10-23.
- GGG: Ascendancy classes www.pathofexile.com
- Grinding Gear Games: Path of Exile overview www.pathofexile.com
- GGG: Content Update 3.29.0 — Curse of the Allflame www.pathofexile.com