Not every class is the best if you’re just starting out!
If you have ever seen the passive skill tree of either Path of Exile game, you would know this game is all about freedom of choice and build creation. With seven base classes currently available in Early Access — Warrior, Monk, Mercenary, Sorceress, Witch, Ranger, and Huntress — picking the right one can make or break your early experience. In this article, You will get a break-down of each of the classes currently in PoE2 as we rank them from most beginner-friendly to least, based on simplicity, survivability, early power spikes, and gear flexibility.
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S Tier – Extremely Beginner-Friendly
Warrior – The King of Simplicity and Survivability
If you’re completely new to the game or action RPGs in general, the Warrior is hands down the best starting class. With high base health, straightforward melee skills, and natural access to armor-heavy gear, Warriors are extremely forgiving.
Why It’s Beginner-Friendly:
- Tanky from the start, with easy access to life, armor, and melee defenses on the passive tree.
- Most of the Warrior’s early skills focus on cleave-style melee attacks, slam abilities, and raw damage.
- Easy-to-understand mechanics: No juggling mana issues, conditional buffs, or ranged targeting.
Downsides:
- Melee positioning is crucial in higher content.
- Less flashy or fast-paced than ranged or caster classes.
- Still, for any new player, the Warrior’s simplicity, survivability, and clear progression path make it the top pick.
Monk – The Agile Tank with Built-In Sustain
The Monk is another very beginner-friendly class, with a more agile take on melee combat. Combining evasion and elemental resistance with hybrid life/mana recovery tools, the Monk rewards fast, responsive play while being less punishing than most other classes.
Why It’s Beginner-Friendly:
- Strong defensive layering thanks to evasion, endurance charges, and high resistances.
- Has access to some built-in sustain, making potions less vital.
- Skill gems available early on promote smooth progression through the campaign.
Downsides:
- Requires a bit more movement and positioning than the Warrior.
- Less intuitive than “big weapon hit hard” builds.
- The Monk is perfect for players who want to learn the game while still feeling mobile and reactive.
A Tier – Good for Beginners with a Minor Learning Curve
Sorceress – Glass Cannon with Surprising Versatility
The Sorceress is a ranged caster class with strong elemental spells and fast cast speed. She’s a blast to play — but demands attention to positioning and a basic understanding of energy shield mechanics.
Why It’s Beginner-Friendly:
- Has strong early damage scaling with skills like Lightning Bolt or Flame Wall.
- Access to energy shield and elemental resistances makes her survivable in early game despite low armor.
- Strong clear speed through most of the campaign.
Downsides:
- Squishy if positioning is poor.
- Low armor and evasion = punishing deaths if hit repeatedly.
- New players who want ranged power and can keep their distance will find the Sorceress a fun and effective choice.
Mercenary – Jack of All Trades, Master of Survivability
The Mercenary offers a hybrid playstyle, using bows, crossbows, traps, or even dual-wielding swords depending on the build. It has versatility, but some skill combinations can be complex.
Why It’s Beginner-Friendly:
- Can spec into ranged or melee, depending on personal preference.
- Flexible passive tree allows players to change direction mid-campaign.
- Strong early damage through projectile-based skills.
Downsides:
- Some gear dependencies can make early leveling awkward.
- Can be spread too thin if players don’t focus their build.
- If you’re the type of player who likes trying multiple styles and experimenting, Mercenary gives you options while remaining viable.
Image generated with Freepik AI Suite
B Tier – Strong but Demanding
5. Ranger – Precision at a Cost
The Ranger is a glass cannon ranged specialist, relying on speed, crits, and positioning. While extremely powerful in skilled hands, she can be frustrating for beginners.
Why It’s Tricky:
- Extremely low starting health and defense.
- Requires constant movement and distance management.
- Most gear is evasion-based, which doesn’t help against AoE or consistent damage.
Downsides:
- One mistake can mean death.
- Scaling relies on knowing the gear economy (quivers, bows, specific supports).
- New players can succeed with Ranger, but they’ll need to stay sharp and gear smart.
C Tier – Tricky for Beginners, High Reward Later
Witch – Deep Mechanics, High Risk/Reward
The Witch focuses on necromancy, curses, and chaos magic. While powerful, her reliance on minions or complex curses makes her less beginner-friendly due to setup time and weak early damage.
Why It’s Tricky:
- Minion AI can be unreliable in the early campaign.
- Most builds require linked support gems and good sockets to shine.
- Low life and defense outside of minion meatshields.
Downsides:
- Needs good socket links early.
- Feels weak until you “come online” with certain passives or gear.
- Unless you’re familiar with ARPG summoners, the Witch may feel underwhelming for your first playthrough.
Huntress – Mobility and Traps With a Learning Curve
The Huntress is the newest addition and currently the most complex. Mixing mobility, ranged attacks, traps, and environmental effects, the class requires strong planning and reaction. With being as complex as she is, you might need a guide on how to properly make a build for her.
Why It’s Tricky:
- Relies heavily on trap setups, which require map awareness.
- Some key skills have delayed impact or require enemies to be in specific locations.
- Can feel awkward without proper gem support and movement skills
Downsides:
- Very high skill ceiling.
- Steep curve to master synergy between trap placement and pathing.
- The Huntress is exciting and flavorful but should be reserved for players who already understand PoE’s core systems.
Image generated with Freepik AI Suite
In conclusion
Path of Exile 2 can be a pretty intimidating game if you don’t know what you’re doing. Picking your class is the very first decision you make and could be the decisive factor on whether you love or hate the game, making the decision very important. As you grow more comfortable, classes like the Sorceress, Ranger, or even the Huntress can offer deeper complexity and nuance.
Whatever you choose, don’t stress too much — PoE2 encourages experimentation, and future patches will likely re-balance all these classes multiple times. Start with one that speaks to your style, and enjoy the ride through Wraeclast.
