PoE 2 Best Class in Dawn of the Hunt
Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt brings new Ascendancies, reworked skills and many boss fights for those venturing into Wraeclast again. The new 2.2 season has been live for a week and the top 1,000 leaderboard is giving us some interesting insights into which builds are on top. Softcore and Hardcore players have aligned themselves with Ascendancies that offer damage, defense or both and are shaping the meta in big ways. Some old favorites are still relevant, while new ones are eclipsing the old ones. This post is data driven overview of the best Ascendancies for PoE 2 in Dawn of the Hunt.
Dominance of Amazon in Softcore Trade
Amazon is dominating Softcore Trade in Dawn of the Hunt more than many veterans expected. This Huntress Ascendancy has specialized damage skills like lightning spear and is a beast in group play and solo. Many players are taking advantage of the Softcore Trade economy to strengthen the Amazon’s already insane offense. Unique equipment that amplifies lightning damage is available and these characters are rocketing to the top of the leaderboard in no time. Most players in Softcore Trade are looking for fast clear speed and boss damage and Amazon delivers.
Here is the table of Ascendancies in Softcore Trade for the top 1,000 players in the first week of the season. The data is the percentage of each Ascendancy.
| Ascendancy | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Amazon | 48.9 |
| Ritualist | 12.5 |
| Deadeye | 12.5 |
| Lich | 10.5 |
| Smith of Kitava | 8.9 |
| Gemling Legionnaire | 3.2 |
| Infernalist | 1.9 |
| Warbringer | 1.5 |
| Titan | 1.2 |
| Tactician | 1.2 |
| Witch Hunter | 0.2 |
| Acolyte of Chaula | 0.1 |
| Stormwaver | 0.1 |
| Blood Mage | 0.0 |
Conclusion of Amazon in Softcore Trade, almost 50% of the top players chose Amazon Ascendancy. Any class below 1.0% is struggling to stand out in Softcore Trade. Players who like area of effect damage and single target potential have flocked to Amazon. Others are going to Ritualist or Deadeye which are still in the top 5 but far behind Amazon.
Lich vs Smith of Kitava in Hardcore
Lich vs Smith of Kitava in Hardcore is an interesting matchup for those who want to survive. Lich is the Witch based Ascendancy that revolves around chaos damage, sustain and defensive layers. Smith of Kitava is the Warrior themed Ascendancy that stacks armor and has direct melee interactions. Both have caught the attention of Hardcore players who value survival in harsh conditions. These two have risen to the top of the Hardcore meta by providing a balance between offense and staying power.
Here is the table for Hardcore Trade, the popularity and survival rate for these two Ascendancies in the top 1,000 after the first week. Both are present at higher levels but their approach is very different when it comes to damage types and defenses.
| Ascendancy | Popularity (%) | Estimated Survival Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Lich | 16.2 | 70.6 |
| Smith of Kitava | 15.4 | 56.3 |
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Conclusion of Lich vs Smith of Kitava in Hardcore, both are thriving in a league where death means Hardcore death. Lich is chaos spells and has respectable defensive features reflected in a survival rate of over 70%. Smith of Kitava is slightly lower but still attracts a big portion of Hardcore players who want a steady melee path. This chaos vs physical is the theme for many who prioritize Hardcore progression.
Hardcore SSF Survival Observations
Hardcore SSF Survival Observations show how Ascendancies fare when group trades and party play is removed entirely. Solo Self-Found (SSF) means everything must be found or crafted without an external economy so players must emphasize both defensive layers and scaling. Some Ascendancies survive at higher rates, reflecting how resourcefulness interacts with a specialization’s natural strengths. Those with natural life recovery, damage from accessible skill gems or gear independence tend to stand out.
Here is the table for top Ascendancies in Hardcore SSF after one week. Each row is an Ascendancy and its approximate percentage of alive characters in the top 1,000.
| Ascendancy | Survival Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Tactician | 76.3 |
| Infernalist | 63.5 |
| Invoker | 62.7 |
| Warbringer | 60.1 |
| Gemling Legionnaire | 59.5 |
| Witch Hunter | 56.8 |
| Lich | 51.0 |
| Smith of Kitava | 49.8 |
| Titan | 49.2 |
| Deadeye | 41.6 |
| Amazon | 40.3 |
| Ritualist | 39.7 |
| Chronomancer | 35.9 |
Conclusion of these Hardcore SSF Survival Observations, Tactician has left a surprise. This Mercenary Ascendancy is alive at a higher rate than other classes that are known for more damage or popular gear sets. Infernalist and Invoker are also near the top, so moderate damage with defensive layers is doing well in a world where luck dictates equipment progression. Amazon on the other hand drops to lower survival percentage, so gear dependence and limited defensive tools is an additional danger for the Huntress path in Hardcore SSF.
Notable Shifts for Season 2
Notable Changes for 2.2 reference the changes in Ascendancy popularity when comparing to the previous league. Many players remember how older builds once dominated the meta, only to be replaced by new builds and class reworks in this season. Changes to skills, items and Ascendancy perks affected everything from high-tier boss farming to leveling efficiency. Observers note that some staples like Stormwaver have fallen behind, while Lich and Smith of Kitava are on the rise.
Here is a quick summary of the changes that define 2.2. Each point highlights what the community has seen on top builds and class representation.
- Amazon Lightning Supremacy
– Stormwaver loses its edge as Amazon grows in popularity.
– Lightning spear overshadowed former elemental favorites.
– Crit-based and chain-based lightning builds push greater map coverage. - Chaos-Focused Lich Growth
– Blood Mage recedes, with chaos-based Lich taking the spotlight.
– Dark skill interactions deliver stable boss kills.
– Survivability merges well with high damage. - Emergence of Smith of Kitava
– Titan’s fortress-like approach receives competition from Smith of Kitava.
– Strong synergy with armor-based and direct-hit mechanics.
– Rises as a favored melee path in endgame. - Mercenary Ascendancies Gaining Ground
– Tactician leads in Hardcore SSF survival rates.
– Witch Hunter and Gemling Legionnaire secure moderate spots.
– Reworked crossbow concepts appeal to risk-averse players.
Conclusion of these Notable Changes for 2.2, entire playstyles have been uprooted by new skill synergies. While Stormwaver once was on par with multiple top builds, it can’t keep up with Amazon’s lightning. Lich has a strong foothold in chaos damage and Smith of Kitava is competing with Warrior Ascendancies. Mercenary classes see more interest through Tactician and other crossbow changes, expanding their presence in Hardcore and SSF.
Overall Ascendancy Observations
Ascendancy Observations look at the broader meta in Dawn of the Hunt. Observers of the top 1,000 in Softcore Trade, Hardcore Trade, Softcore SSF and Hardcore SSF see Amazon, Lich and Smith of Kitava on top. Meanwhile, old favorites like Stormwaver and Blood Mage are at the bottom. Builds that are either extremely high damage or extremely tanky tend to show up more often than balanced middle ground.
Below is a sample table of each Ascendancy’s general standing in Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt. These are approximate standings from various leagues, a snapshot of what players are playing in season 2. Some classes fluctuate based on trade access or Hardcore environment, but this overall view shows the main trends.
| Ascendancy | Trend in Season 2 |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Extremely strong in SC |
| Ritualist | Moderate popularity |
| Deadeye | Decent in both SC & HC |
| Lich | Continues to climb |
| Smith of Kitava | Popular in HC & SC |
| Tactician | Notable in HC SSF |
| Titan | Overshadowed by Smith |
| Warbringer | Mid-level choice |
| Gemling Legionnaire | Niche but reliable |
| Witch Hunter | Modest following |
| Infernalist | Stable for HC SSF |
| Chronomancer | Rare picks |
| Stormwaver | Dropped heavily |
| Blood Mage | Nearly extinct |
Conclusion of these Overall Ascendancy Observations, players are playing different strategies based on the league. In Softcore Trade, Amazon is on top, in Hardcore, Lich and Smith of Kitava are the way to go. Tactician shows up in Hardcore SSF, meaning a balanced build can outperform pure damage in a harsh environment. The meta may shift, but the current leaderboards show that a few Ascendancies are dominating Dawn of the Hunt and others are trying to find their footing.
