Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) has officially kicked off its early access, and players are already neck-deep in the game, grinding away to unlock new classes and ascendancies. One week into the launch, the game's official leaderboard has provided interesting insights into which classes have made it to the top 1,000 players in both the Standard and Hardcore leagues. There's plenty to unpack from the most popular classes to the biggest failures on the Hardcore front. In this article, we’ll delve into the first-week trends, including the most chosen classes, the best-performing ones, the surprising rise of certain builds, and the notable Hardcore deaths that have left many wondering if melee classes are struggling more than others.Your Path of Exile 2 adventure deserves the best start, and MMOJUGG is here to make that happen. Whether you need in-game currency or specific items to power up your character, we provide top-notch customer service and reliable delivery to keep you moving forward. From your first step into the game, we'll ensure you have everything you need to succeed.Boss or Trail Too Difficult? - PoE2 Boss Carry Run | PoE2 Trial Carry RunNeed Currency or Items? - Buy PoE2 Currency &ItemsHow We Works? - PoE2 Currency Buying Process | Fast, Secure, and Hassle-Free Delivery
1. Introduction to Path of Exile 2 Early Access
Path of Exile 2's early access is officially underway, and players actively participate in the Standard and Hardcore leagues. The first week’s leaderboard offers insight into the most popular class choices and gameplay dynamics. With players spending countless hours grinding, the question remains: Are the most popular classes the strongest, or is there a hidden gem that players are overlooking?
2. What Classes Are Dominating the Top 1,000 in Both Leagues?
Certain classes have emerged as clear frontrunners in both the Hardcore and Standard leagues. Interestingly, the top five classes for both leagues are identical, with a surprising overlap in popularity. Let's break down the most-used classes: Infernal Witch: The Infernal Witch has consistently been the most popular class across both leagues. It’s a powerful class with great damage potential, and its ascendancy choices are leading the charge for top rankings in both Hardcore and Standard leagues. Storm Weaver Sorceress: The Storm Weaver, a build focused on elemental magic and AoE attacks, has gained considerable traction in the Standard league, performing somewhat well in Hardcore as well. Titan Warrior: The Titan, a class with significant tankiness, has shown impressive results in Hardcore, and surprisingly, its popularity has rivaled that of the more agile ranged characters. With high survivability, Titan Warriors have made their mark early on. Deadeye Ranger: Known for its ranged capabilities and flexibility, the Deadeye has been a popular choice, especially in Standard, for those preferring a ranged playstyle.
3. The Rise of the Titan: Surprising Popularity in Hardcore
The Titan Warrior, a sturdy melee class, has performed incredibly well, especially in Hardcore. In the first week, the Titan’s popularity has exceeded expectations, proving that a durable tank can thrive in Hardcore. Players can endure heavy damage thanks to the Titan's survivability and ascendancy talents, which are designed to absorb hits and deal massive damage in return.
4. The Evolution of the Sorceress and Storm Weaver
The Sorceress class has always been a fan favorite, but the Storm Weaver ascendancy has rapidly become the go-to build for players. Compared to other Sorceress builds like Chronomancer, the Storm Weaver stands out with its ability to dish out AoE elemental damage and manage multiple enemies at once. Its high performance in both leagues highlights its popularity among players looking to maximize their DPS while maintaining relative safety from afar.
5. The Mystery of Low-Popularity Classes
Some of the more niche classes and ascendancies have failed to make a mark in the leaderboard during the early days of the game. For example, builds like Chronomancer, Gemling Legionnaire, and Acolyte of Chula are not showing up much in the top 1,000 players. These classes, while promising on paper, might require more theory crafting or are just simply too new for players to fully explore their potential. However, as the game progresses and players experiment more, we can expect these builds to gain popularity.
6. Hardcore Failures: Deaths and Struggles in the First Week
While some classes are excelling, the first week has also shown a surprising number of Hardcore deaths. It’s not just the melee classes, as some might expect, that are struggling; ranged characters are not exempt from failure either. Let’s break down the deaths: Melee vs. Ranged: Who Dies More? Despite the higher representation of ranged classes (72% of the top 1,000 players), the distribution of deaths is more balanced than expected. While ranged classes are statistically more likely to survive due to their ability to avoid damage by staying at a distance, melee players have been taking hits up close. However, the death percentage for both melee and ranged characters is surprisingly close, showing that death comes for us all in Hardcore. Infernal Witch and Titan Deaths: The Infernal Witch, which leads the rankings, accounts for 29% of the deaths, which correlates to its popularity. The Titan, on the other hand, is showing better-than-expected survival rates in Hardcore, likely due to its tanky nature and ability to absorb damage. Storm Weaver and Deadeye Deaths: While the Storm Weaver class has shown strong damage potential, its survivability in Hardcore is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing higher-than-expected deaths. The Deadeye Ranger has also shown more survivability, with fewer deaths relative to its popularity.
7. What Does This Mean for Melee Classes?
While the theory has been that melee classes struggle more in Hardcore due to the need to engage in close combat, the statistics don’t seem to back this up. Melee classes, such as the Titan, are actually holding their own, and it appears that there’s no significant difference in death rates between melee and ranged builds. That being said, ranged players do have the benefit of being able to keep their distance, making them less susceptible to certain in-game threats, but that doesn’t mean melee classes are automatically doomed.
8. Surprising Builds: Invoker Monk and Gemling Legionnaire
The Invoker Monk has surprised players by making a decent showing on the leaderboard, despite its niche appeal. Many players expected the Monk to be a top-tier class, and while it hasn’t overtaken the Storm Weaver or Infernal Witch, it has performed decently across the top rankings. The Gemling Legionnaire and Chronomancer, however, remain somewhat obscure, with few players daring to dive into their more complex mechanics.
9. The Future of Ascendancy Choices
As more players grind and experiment with builds, it’s likely that we’ll see more diverse ascendancy choices emerge in the coming weeks. Some of the less-popular ascendancies, like Pathfinder, Blood Mage, and Warbringer, could rise in popularity as players try out new builds or revisit their choices after reaching higher levels.
10. What Does Week One Tell Us About the Path of Exile 2 Meta?
The first week of Path of Exile 2’s Early Access has provided us with an exciting look into the early meta. While certain classes and ascendancies dominate the rankings, there is still plenty of room for experimentation and optimization. The data from the first week shows that while popularity plays a significant role, survivability, tankiness, and damage output are key factors that influence performance in Hardcore. As players continue to explore the game, the leaderboard will inevitably evolve, and new meta builds will emerge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which class is the most popular in Path of Exile 2 Early Access?The Infernal Witch is the most popular class across both Hardcore and Standard leagues. Its powerful ascendancies and damage output make it a top choice for many players. How do melee classes perform compared to ranged classes in Hardcore?Melee and ranged classes have a similar death rate percentage, despite ranged classes making up 72% of the top 1,000 players. While ranged characters can avoid damage more easily, melee classes like Titan Warrior still manage to perform well in Hardcore. What are the least popular classes in the early stages of Path of Exile 2?Chronomancer, Gemling Legionnaire, and Acolyte of Chula are among the least chosen ascendancies in the first week, likely due to their more complex mechanics and niche appeal. What makes the Titan Warrior so effective in Hardcore?The Titan Warrior class excels in Hardcore due to its tanky nature, high survivability, and ability to absorb heavy damage. These traits make it a strong choice for players looking to push through the game’s toughest challenges. Will less popular ascendancies become more viable over time?As players continue to experiment with different builds, less popular ascendancies like Pathfinder and Warbringer are likely to gain more attention and could become viable in future weeks.What role does the Storm Weaver Sorceress play in the current meta? The Storm Weaver Sorceress is a strong contender in both Hardcore and Standard leagues, offering great damage output with AoE elemental attacks. It’s one of the most popular Sorceress builds in Path of Exile 2. 🔥 Don't Miss Out on the Best Deals! 🔥Whether you’re investing for the long term or farming for quick profits, MMOJUGG is your trusted partner for all PoE2 currency & items.