A Supreme Dominance Above All

The recent teases from Grinding Gear Games for the upcoming Path of Exile 2 update, patch 0.2.0, left many players in suspense as details have been rather sparse. Slated for release on April 2 and named Dawn of the Hunt, this update promises a significant expansion of content and substantial tweaks to existing systems, including the endgame loop. Among the most exciting additions are the introduction of the new Huntress class and five new Ascendancies. Though predicting the prime class for this update might seem challenging, certain insights offer clear front-runners.

The Huntress class is likely to capture players’ attention, especially since it uniquely aligns with the expansion’s hunting theme for ancient spirits. While the new spear skills remain to be fully explored, it’s expected that one of its Ascendancies could become so dominant that it might prompt a nerf from GGG in the future.

In discussing the forthcoming meta shifts, both the Huntress and the Ritualist Ascendancy have sparked significant interest. The Ritualist, in particular, seems set to become overpowered due to its potent skill nodes. The two standout abilities are:

• Unfurled Finger: Offers an additional ring slot.

• Mystic Attunement: Increases bonuses from rings and amulets by 25%.

Given the substantial benefits rings provide, such as increased Item Rarity, Life, Mana, and Resistances, gaining an extra ring slot and enhancing the efficacy of all rings by 25% is exceptionally advantageous.

One doesn’t necessarily need to commit to spear skills when choosing the Ritualist, as the enhanced ring synergy benefits any build. A prime example is the Ingenuity Unique belt, a staple in many top-tier builds, bestowing 40-to-80% increased ring bonuses. The potential to equip three rings and bolster their effects further could make the Ritualist overwhelmingly powerful.

With the Huntress as the newly introduced class and the Ritualist’s superior endgame capabilities, many players are likely to gravitate towards these options in the upcoming expansion. Additionally, the small node before Mystic Attunement provides a 3% increase to Attributes, potentially magnifying the power of stacking stats if that mechanic remains unaltered.

However, embracing the Ritualist comes with potential trade-offs. The future of the Ingenuity belt is uncertain; it might be nerfed or adjusted in rarity, especially given the potential for players to exceed a 100% increase in ring effects. The full patch notes for Dawn of the Hunt are yet to be released, and they could bring substantial shifts to existing meta builds. Any nerfs to keystone skills like Herald of Thunder or Ice could dampen the Ritualist’s appeal. For now, it stands as potentially the most formidable Ascendancy once players optimize their gear.

Path of Exile 2 continues to evolve, offering a rich and competitive action RPG experience. With twelve character classes, a wide array of skills, and challenging boss fights within an expansive world, it remains a vibrant and engaging title for both veterans and newcomers alike.