With an early access launch that has already drawn massive attention,Path of Exile 2is ranked among the most-played games on Steam before it’s even fully launched. By building on the depth of its predecessor with a robust system of classes inPath of Exile 2and ways to develop them, the ARPG’s wealth of gameplay customization resembles the array of offerings inDungeons and Dragons.
TheAscendancy system ofPath of Exile 2is the game’s approach to class specialization, providing each broader option with what is reminiscent of subclasses. With how granular some of these get on top of their generally streamlined design, there are striking similarities and clear separations from the numerous examples set byDnDacross editions and sourcebooks.
Warrior and Ranger Ascendancies Mirror Dungeons and Dragons' Martial Classes
Warrior Resembles DnD’s Barbarian
Instead of the predictable Fighter parity,Path of Exile 2’s Warrioris more oriented towards raw power and resilience than battle tactics.
Ranger Incorporates the Familiar and Unconventional
As a class bearing strong similarities to itsDnDcounterpart, Ranger is more represented by theDeadeyeAscendancy. This heavily favors boosting traits like accuracy in the vein of theArchery Fighting Style fromDungeons and Dragons, but the Pathfinder introduces an entirely new flavor.
On the contrary, the Mercenary class’Witch HunterAscendancy also provides martial appeal through explosive damage and an anti-elemental magic focus, bridging the gap between Rangers and more hybrid builds.
Path of Exile 2’s Magic-Based Ascendancies Flip Dungeons and Dragons Tropes into New Configurations
The Witch Class Echoes Warlock Themes
With the dark concepts behind its Ascendancies,Path of Exile 2’s Witch taps into what resembles the more sinister elements ofDnD. TheInfernalistfeatures a focus on fire damage and summoning which clearly parallels The Fiend subclass, even going so far as to have an ability called Pyromantic Pact for extending Mana use. TheBloodmage, however, occupies a genuinely novelDungeons and Dragonsclass niche that hasn’t been filled consistently.
By combining elements ofDungeons and Dragons' Sorcerer and Wizard, the Sorcereress' Ascendancies are essentially taken directly from their subclasses. TheStormweaveris an obvious allusion to Storm Sorcery with lightning magic, but theChronomnacerdraws on the time manipulation power of the Chronurgy School Wizard within a new ARPG context.
Monk Favors Magic Over a Martial Archetype
Departing significantly from its more physicalDnDcounterpart,Path of Exile 2’s Monkfeatures two magic-infused Ascendancies. TheInvokerroughly aligns with the Way of the Four Elements subclass, but it focuses more directly on ice and electricity over that much variety. TheAcolyte of Chayula, however, takes the Way of Darkness Monk from a stealth-based playstyle and makes it an option with actual damaging darkness magic in their arsenal.
The Mercenary class also has a unique angle with theGemling Legionnaire, an Ascendancy based around embedding gems into the skin of a character for the sake of elemental resistance and enhancement of Skill Gems. This takes on elements of the Gemwright Artificer fromDnD, but its heavier investment into blending martial and magical gameplay styles feels like a wholly original take.
Path of Exile II
WHERE TO PLAY
Path of Exile 2 is a next generation free-to-play Action RPG created by Grinding Gear Games. Journey across the deadly continent of Wraeclast, meeting multiple immersive cultures while facing off against evil in many forms. Path of Exile 2 features twelve character classes, 240 Skill Gems, hundreds of equipment base types, a six-act campaign, more than a hundred unique boss fights, a deep endgame system and so much more. Play with your friends without losing any progress with couch co-op, cross-play and cross-progression.
