With the new Path of Exile 2 0.4 update on the way, let's gear up for a fresh start. The upcoming season brings a wave of excitement, especially for those keen to experiment with new classes and builds right from day one. The 0.4 patch, also known as the Last of the Druids update, marks a major step for PoE 2, introducing the much-anticipated Druid class along with various adjustments to both core mechanics and playstyles. Here we update the new PoE 2 Tier List for Patch 0.4 League, to sort out the best starter builds for each class to consider for a strong, enjoyable league start and endgame running.
Path of Exile 2 0.4 Tier List
Patch 0.4 is highly anticipated thanks to the introduction of the Druid class, long teased by the developers and finally confirmed for release. The Druid brings a unique approach to class fantasy in PoE 2, offering multiple playstyles that have already been previewed in-depth at events like Gamescom 2023. So, we can expect the Last of the Druids update to reshape the meta with its new class, additional weapon options, and focus on hybrid playstyles, giving players a fresh set of tools and strategies for the upcoming league.
PoE 2 0.4 Best Ascendancy Classes Ranking
Based on information about Druid's released classes and the performance of other classes in Season 3, we have compiled a new ranking of ascendancy classes and identified some starter builds that we believe have meta potential in the Last of the Druids league!
1. Deadeye (S Tier)
The undisputed top pick this patch, Deadeye dominates mapping and single-target content alike. Its synergy with projectiles, huge speed boosts, and near-free Critical Weakness make it adaptable to almost any ranged build except pure spellcasters. Deadeye is not only strong, but also flexible, making its gear affordable and its performance consistent across all stages of the league.
2. Ritualist (S Tier)
Ritualist is the go-to choice for rarity stacking and magic find. It offers unmatched advantages for players looking to farm high-value loot, thanks to its unique ability to stack rarity and adapt to high-end gear. While it isn’t the best at everything, for its specialty role it is simply irreplaceable, holding a secure spot in S tier.
3. Blood Mage (S Tier)
Blood Mage remains a league start favorite and a top spellcaster ascendancy. Even after changes to Sanguine, the two additional ascendancy points and overall power level keep it at the top. Blood Mage excels in both offense and defense, with flexible build paths and strong performance in nearly all content.
4. Invoker (A Tier)
Invoker offers robust defensive tools and strong offensive scaling, especially for spirit stacking builds. New support gems that help shred enemy resistances have only strengthened its position. While not quite as meta-defining as the S-tier classes, Invoker is one of the safest and most consistent choices for players seeking a durable, powerful build.
5. Leech (A Tier)
Leech is a defensive powerhouse, especially for hardcore players. The ascendancy’s ability to sustain and recover from damage keeps it competitive. It offers a blend of survivability and offensive capability that makes it a solid all-rounder, just a notch below the very best.
6. Infernalist (A Tier)
Infernalist is the top choice for minion-focused builds. With new options for chaos and ignite minions, it provides great flexibility and strong scaling. Whether you’re a minion mainstay or looking to try a fiery new archetype, Infernalist is a reliable and powerful pick.
7. Gemlin (A Tier)
Gemlin stands out for its adaptability. Suitable for unarmed, flicker strike, crossbow, and even minion builds, it allows for easy build transitions and is rarely a wrong choice. While not as specialized as some other classes, its versatility makes it highly valued.
8. Tactician (A Tier)
Totem builds get a real boost from Tactician, which now outshines Warbringer for that archetype. Although managing Valor can feel clunky, Tactician’s power level and synergy with totems earn it a place in A tier.
9. Acolyte of Chiula (A Tier)
After significant buffs, Acolyte of Chiula now boasts very high chaos damage potential through volatility stacking. It shines in boss-killing scenarios and offers a unique playstyle, especially for players who enjoy chaos builds.
10. Druid – Transformation (Bear Form) (A Tier)
The new Druid Bear form offers an exciting melee shapeshifter experience. With rage mechanics and exclusive Talisman weapons, it brings fresh, tanky, and hard-hitting options to the meta. Its strong synergy with melee and rage skills puts it right among the best new archetypes in the game.
11. Titan (B Tier)
Titan is a stable and reliable warrior ascendancy, but it lacks any standout features this patch. While its small passive bonuses are helpful, recent nerfs to the warrior class mean Titan doesn’t shine as brightly as before. It’s solid, but overshadowed by higher-tier options.
12. Warbringer (B Tier)
Warbringer remains playable and offers some build diversity, but without significant buffs, it’s not a meta pick. Its totem focus is niche, and it feels outclassed by Tactician for most totem setups.
13. Pathfinder (B Tier)
Pathfinder is now more viable defensively thanks to buffs to evasion and utility, but it still doesn’t stand out. Acidic Concoction builds are a highlight, but overall, Pathfinder sits comfortably in the middle of the pack.
14. Stormweaver (B Tier)
Stormweaver is a decent choice for elemental spellcasters, but struggles to compete with Blood Mage in most spell builds. While the new Arc skill looks promising, Stormweaver’s overall position is just above average.
15. Druid – Spellcaster (Nature/Elemental) (B Tier)
The Druid’s spellcasting archetype brings flashy elemental spells and hybrid human/animal mechanics. It’s promising, but the transformation mechanics can feel awkward and the build isn’t as smooth or robust as top-tier options. If future patches smooth out the form-swapping, this archetype could climb higher.
16. Witch Hunter (C Tier)
Witch Hunter is only competitive in certain niche or wound-stacking builds. It hasn’t received meaningful buffs and is generally outclassed by other ascendancies for most weapon and skill archetypes.
17. Amazon (C Tier)
Amazon is largely overshadowed by Deadeye, which fulfills almost all the same roles but better. The main reason to play Amazon is to transition into Ritualist later with the right gear, not to stick with it for endgame.
18. Chronomancer (C Tier)
Chronomancer is a wildcard. While it may have hidden potential, it’s complicated, unpopular, and often does nothing that other ascendancies can’t do more easily or powerfully.
19. Druid – Summoner (Animal Companions) (C Tier)
The Druid’s summoner archetype is not fully developed in 0.4 and feels experimental. While summoning wolf companions looks fun, it lacks depth and polish, so it currently sits at the bottom of the list. Future updates may bring this ascendancy up, but for now it’s a niche pick.
PoE 2 0.4 Best Starter Builds
Choosing the right league starter build is key to enjoying the early game and progressing efficiently. Below are some of the most recommended starter builds and classes based on community feedback, recent league experiences, and the expected impact of the 0.4 patch.
1. Ice Chronomancer (Witch) – Frostbolt Caster
This build stands out for its combination of fast mapping, engaging gameplay, and surprising effectiveness. Starting with Frostbolt as the main ability, the build pairs it with rapid casting, cold mastery, and critical strike mechanics. Cast on Critical is essential, especially when combined with Comet for both mapping and bossing. Defensive layers rely on Arctic Armor and energy shield stacking, while gear choices prioritize spell damage, critical hit, and mana efficiency.
Players highlight the fun and satisfying playstyle, with Frostbolt rapidly clearing screens and Frost Wall combos melting bosses. Mana management is crucial, so stacking spirit and investing in efficient gear is recommended. For league start, about 50 divines is sufficient for most content, with higher investment boosting performance further.
2. Machine Gun Blood Mage (Ember Fusilate)
This build leverages Ember Fusilate with cast on ailments and cast on crit mechanics to unleash Frost Darts as meta skills. Using the Widowhale unique bow and a quiver, projectiles fire at high speed across the screen. Infusions help bounce Fusilates for wide AoE coverage. The build avoids relying on tech rods, so it remains viable for 0.4. However, it involves weapon swapping between a wand offhand and Widowhale before each attack, making it ideal for players who enjoy active play and flashy effects.
3. Righteous Fire Rhoa (Infernal Legion Minion Build)
By combining the Infernal Legion support with Rhoa minions, this build creates a moving aura of fire damage. Since Rhoas don’t take damage while being ridden, the downside of Infernal Legion is negated. The result is a high-speed, AoE-focused build that burns enemies as you move. While single-target damage may need extra investment, the clear speed and unique playstyle make it a strong league starter choice.
4. Autobomber Titan (Herald of Blood/Thunder)
A fresh take on the autobomber archetype, this Titan build uses Trail of Cowrops and Herald explosions to clear maps at breakneck speed. By pairing Herald of Blood with Herald of Thunder, it triggers consistent chain explosions as long as enemies are bleeding. For single-target, Forge Hammer and Ancestral Cry provide strong burst damage. This setup is both efficient for campaign progression and potent in early endgame.
5. Poison Amazon (Riven Armor with Spearfield)
Utilizing the debuff from high velocity rounds, this Amazon build stores a portion of attack damage and releases it over five seconds as flat unscalable damage. With Splinter of Loretta, poison stacks can be applied infinitely, converting stored damage into powerful poison stacks. Attack speed is prioritized, as the debuff mechanics ignore reductions in hit damage, making for a fast and deadly clear.
6. Plague Bearer Lich (Spirit Gem AoE Poison Build)
A unique twist on poison builds, this Lich variant uses Plague Bearer as the main source of damage. By linking Plague Bearer with Bursting Plague, enemies take damage from both effects, and Bursting Plague builds up Plague Bearer stacks. Coupled with the Abyssal Lich’s ability to scale AoE, this build excels at clearing entire screens and offscreen enemies with massive poison bursts.
7. Mercenary Tactician Storm Blast Bolts Build
This build is a meta starter for PoE 2 0.4 league due to its impressive campaign clearing speed, reliable boss damage, and smooth solo progression. From early on, it allows players to breeze through story bosses, often defeating them with just a few hits or even a single well-placed attack, thanks to the power of Storm Blast Bolts and effective use of pins and supporting ballistas. Once Storm Blast Bolts become available in Act 3. the gameplay feels fast and efficient, with strong options for both area and single-target damage. The build’s setup makes it possible to progress quickly without relying on expensive gear or outside trading, as it performs very well with self-found resources, crafting, and random drops. Automated skills like mortar cannon add to the ease of play, and the high movement and attack speed bonuses from companions further increase efficiency. This approach offers a refreshing alternative to more commonly played archetypes, providing both speed and strength for players aiming to reach endgame content early in the league.
8. Other Popular Starter Choices (Community Suggestions)
Witch – Minions: Classic minion builds remain a reliable and beginner-friendly choice.
Witch – Essence Drain/Contagion: Smooth campaign progression and easy respec into endgame variants.
Deadeye – Lightning Arrow: Strong for fast, ranged mapping.
Warbringer – Totems/Volcanic Fissure: Effective leveling with smooth scaling into endgame.
Merc – Grenades/Permafrost: Offers strong utility and crowd control.
Spark Blood Mage: For those who enjoy flashy, screen-filling effects.
Ballistic Banner Titan: Fast-paced mapping with strong clear potential.
Rake Spearfield Bleed Ritualist: Uses blood-based mechanics for consistent single-target and AoE.
Corrupting Cry Warbringer: Highly recommended for campaign and early endgame, offering smooth leveling from the first ascendancy.
Acidic Concoction Pathfinder: Affordable setup, excels at both clearing and single-target encounters.
Infernalist Frostbolt Demon Form: Highly customizable, with options for life stacking, hybrid, or pure energy shield. Defensive layers can be tailored to suit various playstyles and investment levels.