Choosing the Path of Exile best class can be a daunting task for new and seasoned players alike. With seven base classes and countless builds, Path of Exile (PoE) offers a depth of customization that makes each character unique.
Whether you’re a fan of casting powerful spells, wielding heavy weapons, or summoning deadly minions, there’s a class for every playstyle. In this guide, we’ll explore the classes, compare their strengths and weaknesses, and suggest the Path of Exile best class that perfect fit for your playthrough.
What are the Classes in PoE?
In Path of Exile, there are seven base classes: Duelist, Marauder, Ranger, Witch, Templar, Shadow, and Scion. Each class is designed around a specific attribute—Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or a combination of these.
The choice of your Path of Exile best class depends heavily on how you want to play the game. For instance, the Witch excels at casting spells and summoning minions, while the Marauder focuses on heavy physical damage and tanking. Choosing the right class can set the tone for your entire PoE experience.
What makes PoE even more complex is the ascendancy classes system, which allows each base class to specialize further into three unique subclasses. This expands the possibilities of gameplay styles and ensures that even within a single class, players can find multiple ways to play.
Comparing Class Strengths and Weaknesses
Each Path of Exile best class comes with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Duelist: known for its balance between offense and defense, the Duelist is great for players who enjoy melee combat. However, its reliance on close-range fighting can be risky in certain encounters.
- Marauder: this class offers incredible strength and durability, ideal for players who want to tank through damage. Its downside is a lack of speed and agility.
- Witch: as a master of spellcasting, the Witch can dish out massive elemental or chaos damage. However, the class can be fragile due to lower health and armor.
- Ranger: agile and fast, the Ranger excels at ranged attacks, making it a great choice for players who like hit-and-run tactics. The downside is its vulnerability to direct hits.
- Templar: combining strength and intelligence, the Templar is versatile in both melee and spell casting but doesn’t excel in any one area, making it a jack-of-all-trades.
- Shadow: a dexterity and intelligence hybrid, the Shadow is ideal for stealthy assassins or trap-layers. Its main drawback is its squishy nature, as it tends to have lower health and defense.
- Scion: the most versatile of all classes, the Scion can access any part of the passive skill tree but has a steeper learning curve for beginners.
These class comparisons give a quick snapshot of each class’s core strengths and weaknesses, helping you narrow down the one that fits your desired gameplay style.
What are the recommendations for top builds?
When discussing the Path of Exile class, it’s important to consider the best builds for classes. Here are some top recommendations:
Marauder: Juggernaut Build
Focused on high durability and physical damage, the Juggernaut build is perfect for those who want to absorb tons of damage while still dishing out solid hits.
Witch: Necromancer Build
One of the most popular builds, the Necromancer excels at summoning an army of minions to fight for you. It’s ideal for players who prefer to stay out of direct combat.
Ranger: Deadeye Build
A fast, lethal build that focuses on critical strikes and bow skills. The Deadeye can rain down a flurry of arrows on enemies from a safe distance.
Templar: Inquisitor Build
Perfect for hybrid players, the Inquisitor combines spellcasting with melee attacks, focusing on elemental damage.
These best builds for classes allow you to make the most of your chosen character’s strengths, ensuring a powerful and effective gameplay experience.
How to choose the right class for you?
Ultimately, choosing the Path of Exile best class depends on your playstyle. Whether you prefer tanky characters like the Marauder, spellcasters like the Witch, or agile fighters like the Ranger, Path of Exile offers incredible flexibility in how you build your character.
By mastering your class and exploring top classes in Path of Exile, you’ll unlock the full potential of your character and create a build that fits your unique style.
