PoE2 Ascendancy Popularity: What's Hot in Abyssal?

If you're diving into Path of Exile 2 and wondering which classes and ascendancies are ruling the leaderboards, you're in the right place. A month into the Abyss League, the meta has shifted, revealing fascinating trends across Softcore, Hardcore, and Solo Self-Found (SSF) leagues. Whether you're a seasoned exile or a newcomer, understanding these popularity shifts can help you make smarter choices for your next build.

Want to stay ahead of the curve? Bookmark our site for the latest Path of Exile 2 insights, and check out our Path of Exile 2 shop for divine orbs, crafting currency, BiS rares, uniques, and more to power up your journey.

Why Ascendancy Popularity Matters

In Path of Exile 2, your class and ascendancy choice can make or break your league start. At the launch of a new league, players often gravitate toward "league starters"—builds that breeze through the campaign and early maps with minimal gear. These choices are influenced by community voices, build guides, and the meta's perception of what's strong. However, as the league progresses, players farm currency, experiment with new builds, and shift to their "endgame" characters, reshaping the popularity landscape.

Since exact data is hard to come by (no public APIs exist, and leaderboards only show the top 10,000 players), we rely on opt-in sites like POE2 Ninja and leaderboard snapshots. While not perfect, these sources offer a solid glimpse into what's trending. Let's break down the popularity across different leagues and see what's changed since the Abyss League kicked off.

Softcore Trade League

In Softcore Trade, where unrestricted trading and unlimited deaths allow players to chase the strongest builds, the meta is top-heavy. Here's what's dominating:

• Deadeye: This ascendancy started the Abyss League with a staggering 81% popularity, thanks to its speed, efficiency, and low gear requirements. A 10-divine Deadeye can rival a 300-divine Stormweaver, making it a go-to league starter. However, its popularity has dropped 27.6% as players reroll into other builds after farming currency.

• Blood Mage: Climbing to second place, Blood Mage has seen a surge due to its reworked ascendancy tree and versatile builds like Black Flame. It's a solid choice for players who want high survivability and straightforward scaling.

• Amazon and Lich: Amazon sits comfortably in third, with a notable rise as Deadeye players redistribute. Lich, despite the thematic Abyssal Lich modifier, hasn't grown as much as expected but holds fourth place.

• Invoker: A perennial favorite, Invoker remains in the top five due to its elemental monk synergy and consistent strength.

On the flip side, Smith of Kitava is absent from the top 1,000, and Acolyte of Chalupa and Chronomancer languish at the bottom, suggesting their reworks didn't resonate. The ease of trading in Softcore amplifies the "play what's strongest" mentality, making it a sociology experiment as much as a game.

Softcore Solo Self-Found (SSF)

Softcore SSF, where trading is off the table, shifts the focus to crafting and self-sufficiency. The Abyss League's enhanced crafting system—new omens, upgraded orbs, essences, and desecration mechanics—makes SSF more accessible than ever. Here's the breakdown:

• Deadeye: Still number one at 38.3%, Deadeye's speed and low gear dependency make it a natural SSF choice. Its drop-off is minimal (3.5%), reflecting SSF players' tendency to stick with their starters.

• Lich: Locked in at second, Lich has seen a big jump, likely due to the Abyssal Lich modifier and its survivability. SSF players love its durability.

• Invoker and Titan: Invoker holds third, while Titan's fourth-place spot benefits from Warrior's improved armor-to-elemental-damage reduction, boosting survivability.

• Blood Mage and Pathfinder: Rounding out the top six, these ascendancies offer straightforward builds, though Pathfinder's complaints suggest it struggles to shine.

SSF players are less swayed by trends, living in a "bubble" of solo grinding. This stability is evident in smaller shifts in popularity compared to Softcore Trade. However, Acolyte of Chalupa and Chronomancer remain rare, indicating a need for further tuning.

Hardcore Trade League:

In Hardcore Trade, where a single death sends you to Softcore, survivability reigns supreme. Here's what's trending:

• Lich: Overtaking Deadeye for first place, Lich's popularity has risen, likely due to its Abyssal synergy and tankiness. It's a safe bet for Hardcore players.

• Deadeye: Dropping to second, Deadeye's speed is still appealing, but its lower survivability (compared to Lich) shows in the data.

• Invoker and Blood Mage: These Witch ascendancies dominate the top five, with Blood Mage's Black Flame builds shining. Three of the top five ascendancies are Witches, a historic shift.

• Titan and Amazon: These staples hold steady, benefiting from Warrior's survivability buffs and Amazon's consistent performance.

Survival rates tell a darker story. Gemling Legionnaire leads at 85.71%, followed by Lich at 71%. Most ascendancies hover around 40–60%, but Witch Hunter (33%) and Smith of Kitava struggle, likely due to their slower animations clashing with Abyss League's fast-paced threats.

Hardcore Solo Self-Found (SSF):

Hardcore SSF combines the no-death rule with no trading, making it the toughest league. Crafting's importance skyrockets, and the data reflects this:

• Lich: Dominating at 31%, Lich's popularity has surged, likely due to its Abyssal synergy and survivability. It outranks Deadeye significantly.

• Deadeye: At 13%, Deadeye remains viable but less dominant, with a notable drop-off.

• Invoker and Titan: These hold third and fourth, with Titan's survivability making it a Hardcore SSF favorite.

• Warbringer and Pathfinder: Surprisingly, Warbringer climbs to just above the midpoint, while Pathfinder's rise suggests some dedicated fans.

Survival rates are lower than in Hardcore Trade due to weaker player power. Ritualist and Chronomancer top the list, though their low representation skews the data. Lich and Invoker hover around 50%, while Pathfinder and Acolyte of Chalupa sit at the bottom, with Pathfinder's struggles prompting rerolls.

Global Opt-In Data: A Broader Perspective

Opt-in data from sites like POE2 Ninja, covering a larger but less precise sample, shows similar trends:

• Deadeye: Still tops at 28%, down 12% as players reroll after farming.

• Blood Mage: Second at 15%, boosted by its rework and versatile builds.

• Invoker and Lich: Third and fourth, with Lich losing some ground.

• Ritualist and Titan: Ritualist's rise (from near-zero to 4.89%) is notable, while Titan remains a reliable choice.

Smith of Kitava, Acolyte of Chalupa, and Chronomancer struggle below 1%, highlighting their niche status. The larger sample confirms leaderboard trends, giving confidence in the data's insights.

Key Takeaways for Players

The Abyss League's meta favors speed and survivability, with Deadeye and Lich leading due to their efficiency and durability. Blood Mage and Invoker are strong contenders, while Warrior's Titan and Warbringer shine in Hardcore. However, ascendancies like Acolyte of Chalupa, Chronomancer, and Pathfinder need love from Grinding Gear Games (GGG) to boost their appeal. The upcoming Druid class in the next league could shake things up, so stay tuned.

For new players, consider starting with a Deadeye or Lich for a smooth league start, then transition to a Blood Mage or Invoker for endgame power. SSF players should lean into the league's crafting system to overcome gear limitations. Hardcore players, prioritize survivability with Lich or Titan to avoid a trip to Softcore.

FAQs About Path of Exile 2 Ascendancy Popularity

1. Why is Deadeye so popular in Softcore?

Deadeye's speed and low gear requirements make it an ideal league starter, allowing players to farm currency quickly before rerolling.

2. What makes Lich strong in Hardcore and SSF?

Lich's survivability and the Abyssal Lich modifier make it a tanky choice, perfect for avoiding deaths in high-risk leagues.

3. Why are Acolyte of Chalupa and Chronomancer unpopular?

Recent reworks haven't improved their accessibility or power, leaving them outclassed by meta ascendancies like Deadeye and Blood Mage.

4. How does crafting impact SSF popularity trends?

The Abyss League's enhanced crafting (omens, essences, desecration) makes SSF more viable, favoring ascendancies like Lich that don't rely on rare gear.

5. What should I expect from the Druid class in the next league?

While details are scarce, Druid's introduction could shift the meta, potentially offering new survivability or damage options.

Thanks for Reading

The Path of Exile 2 meta is a dynamic beast, shaped by player choices, league mechanics, and GGG's updates. Whether you're chasing leaderboards or crafting your dream build, understanding these trends can guide your journey. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for more tips, guides, and resources to conquer Wraeclast!