HOME
NEWS
POE 2 03 SSFHC TIER LIST THE THIRD EDICT

PoE 2 0.3 SSFHC Tier List (The Third Edict)

8/27/2025 11:53:24 AM

Path of Exile 2 The Third Edict 0.3 has completely reshaped the hardcore meta, rewarding strong defensive layers, adaptability in solo self-found (SSF), and the ability to survive sudden burst mechanics. Read our PoE 0.2 SSFHC tier list, you’ll find detailed breakdowns for each class, including their clear speed, defenses, single-target capabilities, and ease of play, tailored specifically for SSFHC progression.

PoE 2 0.3 SSFHC Best Ascendancy - Path of Exile 2 0.3 SSF Hardcore Tier List

This Path of Exile 2 0.3 SSFHC tier list breaks down every major ascendancy’s strengths, weaknesses, and SSFHC viability, ranking them from S-Tier (league-defining) to C-Tier (niche or late-game only). Whether you’re looking for a safe league starter like Infernalist, an untouchable tank like Warbringer, or a high-skill ceiling powerhouse like Gambling Legionnaire, this guide provides a clear snapshot of what’s performing—and why—in the current hardcore environment.

S Tier

Gambling Legionnaire

Strengths:

Best hardcore defensive mechanic: “If mostly red sockets → cannot take extra crit damage” = insane survivability. High potential ceiling: Big-brain build potential with item quality scaling.

Weaknesses:

Extremely hard to pilot/master, especially in SSF where you can’t buy required gear. Weak early-game damage and needs planning around socket colors/items.

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 2/4 (depends on interactions/gear)

Defense: 3–4/4 (arguably best in HC)

Single-target: 3/4 (scales very well with proper setup)

Ease of Play: 0/4 (hardest class in SSF)

Total: ~12–14/15 (S-Tier potential, D-tier for beginners).

Best high-skill HC class in Abyss, terrible for casuals/new players.

Warbringer

Strengths:

Best current survivability in the game (4/4): 75% max block, Jade Heritage buff, totem damage redirection. Can run 2H weapons without losing tankiness. Very reliable for HC SSF.

Weaknesses:

Average DPS (2/4) without sacrificing defenses. Clear mediocre (2/4)—you trade damage for survival. Requires active play (maintaining totems/Jade Heritage).

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 2/4

Defense: 4/4

Single-target: 2/4

Ease of Play: 2.5/4

Total: ~13/15 (S-Tier HC tank/support class).

Probably the safest overall HC class this league—perfect for SSFHC progression.

Deadeye

Strengths:

Survivability: 2.5/4 – Windward Ward + Deflection (70% less damage taken) and Tailwind for constant evasion make it deceptively tanky for a ranged DPS.

Easy to play: 3/4 – Auto-marking, projectile chaining, and Tailwind speed simplify gameplay.

Weaknesses:

Boss damage: 3/4 – Excellent single-target DPS, but loses momentum if hit and stacks drop.

Clear speed: 2.5/4 – Strong chaining and automatic marks, but suffers against instant close-range spawns (Abyss cracks).

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 2.5/4

Defense: 2.5/4

Single-target: 3/4

Ease of Play: 3/4

Total: ~14/15 (S-Tier versatile ranged carry, only weak to sudden burst threats).

Chronomancer

Strengths:

Survivability: 4/4 – Temporal Rift, Time Freeze, and movement-slowing auras make it nearly unkillable if piloted correctly.

Easy to play: 1.5/4 – High skill ceiling, requires timing and positioning with Temporal Rift.

Weaknesses:

Boss damage: 3/4 – Flood of Echo stores damage and doubles burst, incredible for bosses.

Clear speed: 1.5/4 – Weak innate clear, must sacrifice damage/defense nodes for AoE.

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 1.5/4

Defense: 4/4

Single-target: 3/4

Ease of Play: 1.5/4

Total: ~14/15 (S-Tier hardcore caster; godlike defenses, but punishes mistakes).

A Tier

Mercenary Tactician

Strengths:

Pin utility: Free crowd control for bosses/rares—huge safety in HC.

Deflection + Armor scaling: Potentially one of the best armor-based defenses in the game (possible synergy with Staylight for big-hit mitigation).

Consistent survivability: 3/4 defense baseline, possibly 4/4 with optimized gear.

Weaknesses:

No inherent damage boost—kills slower.

Clear speed: 1/4, nothing built-in.

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 1/4

Defense: 3–4/4

Single-target: 1.5/4

Ease of Play: 2.5/4

Total: ~11/15 (A strong defensive HC pick).

Safe, reliable, perfect for hardcore players who value survivability over speed.

Storm Reaver

Strengths:

Mana-as-life setup via Force of Will, Lucidity, Adverse Growth (3–4/4 defense potential). Good sustain, scaling INT = damage + defense. Infusions potentially game-changing for DPS and utility.

Weaknesses:

Unknown infusion meta (unproven ceiling). Clear not inherently strong (2/4)—needs good builds to shine.

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 2/4

Defense: 3–4/4

Single-target: 2/4

Ease of Play: 2.5/4

Total: ~12.5/15 (Promising, potentially top-tier once optimized).

A sleeper pick for HC—mana tanking looks extremely strong this patch.

Titan

Strengths:

Massive single-target damage (3/4) via heavy stuns, aftershocks, and 50% stronger small passives. Can pivot between heavy damage and solid tanking.

Weaknesses:

Lowest survivability of warrior classes (2/4) if focused on damage. Clear is only average (2/4).

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 2/4

Defense: 2/4

Single-target: 3/4

Ease of Play: 2.5/4

Total: ~12/15 (Top-tier boss killer with flexibility).

One of the best warrior picks for damage-focused HC builds.

Lich

Strengths:

Bypasses life mechanics (ES-based tanking) → can be durable if played right. Built-in Impending Doom for strong curse-based clear (3/4). Good scaling with curses and damage-over-time builds.

Weaknesses:

Requires knowledge to maximize defenses (life bypass, ES sustain). Early game survivability is mediocre without proper setup.

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 3/4

Defense: 2.5/4

Single-target: 2/4

Ease of Play: 1.5/4

Total: ~11.5/15 (High-skill, high-reward caster).

Great for curse-based DoT players, but punishing for beginners.

Witch Hunter

Strengths:

Survivability: 2/4 – Elemental defenses via Sorcery wards, great offense-as-defense, but vulnerable to phys/DoT.

Easy to play: 2.5/4 – Strong kit but requires awareness due to low defensive layers.

Weaknesses:

Boss damage: 4/4 – Zealot’s Inquisition, Decimating Strike, and instant weapon swaps = absurd single-target.

Clear speed: 4/4 – Exceptional mapping speed and scaling.

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 4/4

Defense: 2/4

Single-target: 4/4

Ease of Play: 2.5/4

Total: ~14.5/15 (A+/S-Tier – perfect in SC, top damage in HC but less forgiving).

Infernalist

Strengths:

Survivability: 3/4 – Demon Form + Mind Over Matter make it mobile and tanky with basic regen gear.

Easy to play: 4/4 – Extremely straightforward; fast movement and simple gearing make it ideal for new leagues.

Weaknesses:

Boss damage: 3/4 – Strong overall but slightly lower peak DPS in endgame bossing.

Clear speed: 3/4 – No built-in AoE but high movement speed compensates.

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 3/4

Defense: 3/4

Single-target: 3/4

Ease of Play: 4/4

Total: ~15/15 (S-Tier league starter; safest, smoothest progression option right now).

B Tier

Pathfinder

Strengths:

Built-in poison spread + double poison → strong clear potential (3/4). Sustainable Practice (50% evasion → ele damage reduction) + freeze immunity → solid defenses.

Weaknesses:

No real single-target boost. Requires setup gear for optimal performance (e.g., poison gloves + Herald of Plague).

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 3/4

Defense: 2–3/4 (potentially higher with deflection)

Single-target: 1/4

Ease of Play: 2/4 (requires planning)

Total: ~9–10/15 (B-Tier).

Good league starter with strong mapping, but not a boss killer.

Smith of Kitava

Strengths:

Survivability: High base strength, life, and resistances early on (3/4 defense).

Easy to play: Straightforward defenses and setup.

Weaknesses:

Poor boss damage (1/4).

No built-in clear mechanics (1/4) → slower in Abyss, where fast AoE is key.

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 1/4

Defense: 3/4

Single-target: 1/4

Ease of Play: 3/4

Total: ~10.5/15 (B-Tier safe starter).

Solid HC starter tank, mediocre scaling.

Invoker

Strengths:

Solid single-target damage (2.5/4) with elemental penetration. Energy Shield sustain via Meditate (even post-nerf) + historically top HC performer.

Weaknesses:

No native clear speed tools (1/4). Setup required (pre-casting Meditate, managing ES properly).

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 1/4

Defense: 2.5–3/4

Single-target: 2.5/4

Ease of Play: 2/4

Total: ~10.5/15 (B-Tier, reliable HC pick).

Safe, proven HC pick with slower clear—not flashy, but effective.

Ritualist

Strengths:

Triple rings + rare modifiers → strong scaling for both damage and defense mid-late game. Life recovery scaling buffed (10% missing unreserved life recovery) → good sustain if not one-shot.

Weaknesses:

Early survivability lacking (1.5/4) until gear/modifiers kick in. Setup reliant (needs rare modifiers, skill duration for curbed lifeforce). Struggles in fast-moving boss fights/ubers.

SSFHC Verdict:

Clear: 2/4

Defense: 1.5–2/4

Single-target: 3/4 (scales well)

Ease of Play: 2/4

Total: ~10.5/15 (B-Tier mid/late-game class).

Scaling powerhouse, but early game feels bad in SSFHC.

Chayula

Strengths:

Can now specialize (Lucid Dreaming = choose mana type focus). Darkness buffs improve survivability with Mind over Matter synergy. Good chaos damage scaling.

Weaknesses:

Clear: Nothing built-in; needs investment.

Still partially unproven in Abyss (new changes = uncertainty).

SSFHC Abyss Verdict:

Score ~10–11/15.

Tier: B-Tier league starter.

If you rush Mind Over Matter, it’s solid for Hardcore. Not top-tier clear, but safe and viable.