Following its early access launch that has captivated the gaming community, Path of Exile 2 has positioned itself among the most popular titles on Steam, even prior to its official release. This action role-playing game (ARPG) builds upon the rich foundation established by its predecessor, offering an intricate class system and numerous development pathways, creating a depth of gameplay customization reminiscent of the beloved Dungeons and Dragons universe.
The game’s Ascendancy system facilitates class specialization—akin to subclasses found in Dungeons and Dragons. Each class not only offers broad categories but also unique paths that provide players with granular customization options. This structure illustrates both intriguing parallels and distinctive differences when compared to the various iterations of Dungeons and Dragons throughout its many editions.
Martial Classes: Warrior and Ranger Ascendancies
Warrior’s Similarities with D&D
Unlike typical counterparts, Path of Exile 2’s Warrior diverges from conventional Fighter archetypes, showcasing a focus on raw strength and durability rather than merely tactical warfare.
- Warbringer: This Ascendancy echoes aspects of the Ancestral Guardian and Totem Warrior subclasses. Abilities like Answered Call engage with ancestral spirits, while Jade Heritage enhances the tanking capabilities.
- Titan: Breaking from direct parallels, it emphasizes crowd control through stunning blows and area-of-effect (AoE) attacks, effectively integrating D&D’s crowd control mechanics into an appealing ARPG format.
Ranger: Combining Familiar and Innovative Elements
The Ranger class closely aligns with its Dungeons and Dragons equivalent, especially represented through the Deadeye Ascendancy, which boosts traits similar to the Archery Fighting Style.
- The Pathfinder Ascendancy introduces a twist by emphasizing concoction-throwing abilities, echoing D&D Barbarians’ association with thrown weapons and revealing the breadth of Path of Exile’s experimentation.
Additionally, the Mercenary class’s Witch Hunter Ascendancy exudes martial prowess with explosive damage potential and an anti-elemental emphasis, creating a seamless connection between Rangers and hybrid builds.
Transforming D&D Tropes: Path of Exile 2’s Magic-Based Ascendancies
Witch Class: Reflecting Warlock Themes
The Witch class in Path of Exile 2 channels darker themes akin to more sinister elements found in Dungeons and Dragons. Its Infernalist Ascendancy features a focus on fire damage and summoning, drawing clear parallels with the Fiend subclass, including an ability called Pyromantic Pact that extends mana usage.
Conversely, the Bloodmage brings a truly unique flavor to the game, filling gaps in the D&D class ecosystem by merging elements of Sorcerers and Wizards. The Stormweaver distinctly channels Storm Sorcery with lightning prowess, while the Chronomancer taps into time manipulation, reflecting the Chronurgy Wizard in a fresh context.
Monk Class: A Shift Towards Magic
In stark contrast to its martial D&D counterpart, the Monk in Path of Exile 2 incorporates two magic-centric Ascendancies. The Invoker, while reminiscent of the Way of the Four Elements, leans more towards ice and electricity, eschewing the traditional diversity.
On the other hand, the Acolyte of Chayula reinterprets the stealth-based playstyle of the Way of Darkness Monk, integrating true damaging darkness magic into gameplay.
Additionally, the Mercenary class showcases a novel approach through the Gemling Legionnaire. This Ascendancy focuses on embedding gems within a character’s skin to enhance elemental resistance and augment Skill Gems, paralleling D&D elements from the Gemwright Artificer while delivering a unique blend of physical and magical gameplay.
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