Ascendancy Classes Changes - Path of Exile

19 Ascendancy classes Ascendancy Locations Ascendancy Refund Ascendancy Trees
Duelist Shadow Marauder Witch
Ranger Templar Scion PoE Ascendancy Changes

19 Ascendancy Classes & Choose an Ascendancy

There are 19 Ascendancy classes, each with its own additional Ascendancy Skill Tree to master. Upon completing the Lord's Labyrinth for the first time, you can pick an Ascendancy class from one of the three available for your class. The first time you complete the Labyrinth on each difficulty, you will receive two Ascendancy Points for its skill tree.

Class Ascendancy
Duelist
Slayer

Gladiator

Champion
Shadow
Assassin

Saboteur

Trickster
Marauder
Juggernaut

Berserker

Chieftain
Witch
Necromancer

Elementalistin

Occultist
Ranger
Deadeye

Raider

Pathfinder
Templar
Inquisitor

Hierophant

Guardian
Scion
Ascendant

1. PoE Ascendancy Locations, Points & Passives Tree

Ascendancy classes are subclasses that grant an access to an Ascendancy skill tree specific for the character class chosen.

Although any class in Path of Exile can eventually reach any passive skill on the passive skill tree, each class has their own distinct set of Ascendancy classes. A Witch can, for example, eventually become an Elementalist, but a Templar cannot. You can unlock your Ascendancy class by completing the Labyrinth and using the Altar of Ascendancy in the final room. Higher-tier Labyrinths then grant two more Ascendancy points when you reach the Altar of Ascendancy, for a total of 8 points.

1.1 PoE Ascendancy Locations & Points

Labyrinth Locations Level Points
The Labyrinth Provides access to the Normal Labyrinth:

  • The Lower Prison, Act 1, showcasing Spike traps
  • The Crypt Level 1, Act 2, showcasing Spinning blades
  • The Chamber of Sins Level 2, Act 2, showcasing Sawblades
  • The Crematorium, Act 3, showcasing Furnace traps
  • The Catacombs, Act 3, showcasing Blade sentries
  • The Imperial Gardens, Act 3, showcasing Dart traps
33 2 Ascendancy skill points
The Cruel Labyrinth Provides access to the Cruel Labyrinth:

  • The Prison (Act 6), showcasing Spike traps
  • The Crypt (Act 7), showcasing Spinning blades
  • The Chamber of Sins Level 2 (Act 7), showcasing Sawblades
55 2 Ascendancy skill points
The Merciless Labyrinth Provides access to the Merciless Labyrinth:

  • The Bath House, Act 8, showcasing Furnace traps
  • The Tunnel, Act 9, showcasing Blade sentries
  • The Ossuary, Act 10, showcasing Dart traps
68 2 Ascendancy skill points
The Eternal Labyrinth Trials for the Eternal Labyrinth are randomly found in maps:

  • Trial of Piercing Truth, showcasing Spike traps
  • Trial of Swirling Fear, showcasing Spinning blades
  • Trial of Crippling Grief, showcasing Sawblades
  • Trial of Burning Rage, showcasing Furnace traps
  • Trial of Lingering Pain, showcasing Blade sentries
  • Trial of Stinging Doubt, showcasing Dart traps
75 2 Ascendancy skill points

Ascendancy Points

1.2 Ascendancy Refunding skill points

Once you've chosen your Ascendancy, you can change it by returning to the Labyrinth, refunding any allocated Ascendancy points (Refunding an Ascendancy point costs five refund points each), and selecting a new class at the Altar of Ascendancy.

Refunding one Ascendancy skill point requires five regular refund points. When all points are refunded, use the Altar of Ascendancy in the Labyrinth treasure room in any difficulty to select a new Ascendancy class.

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1.3 PoE Ascendancy Trees

Name Notable Passive Tree
Unstoppable Action Speed cannot be modified to below base value
Movement Speed cannot be modified to below base value
10% increased Movement Speed
Cannot be Stunned
Unbreakable Armour received from Body Armour is doubled
5% reduced Damage taken
Regenerate 2% of Life per second
1.5% of Total Physical Damage prevented from Hits in the past 10 seconds is Regenerated as Life per second
Unyielding 8% increased Damage per Endurance Charge
25% chance to gain an Endurance Charge when you Stun an Enemy
10% increased Stun Duration on Enemies per Endurance Charge
6% increased Area of Effect per Endurance Charge
Undeniable +500 to Accuracy Rating
1% increased Attack Speed per 150 Accuracy Rating
Gain Accuracy Rating equal to twice your Strength
Unflinching 30% chance to gain an Endurance Charge when you are Hit
+1 to Maximum Endurance Charges
25% chance that if you would gain Endurance Charges, you instead gain up to maximum Endurance Charges
Gain 1 Endurance Charge every second if you've been Hit Recently
Unrelenting 8% reduced Elemental Damage taken while at Maximum Endurance Charges
1% additional Physical Damage Reduction per Endurance Charge
+4% to Chaos Resistance per Endurance Charge
War Bringer Warcries grant 10 Rage per 5 Power if you have less than 25 Rage
Warcries Sacrifice 10 Rage if you have at least 25 Rage
Exerted Attacks deal 50% more Damage if a Warcry Sacrificed Rage Recently
Rite of Ruin Inherent effects from having Rage are Tripled
Cannot be Stunned while you have at least 25 Rage
Lose 0.1% of Life per second per Rage while you are not losing Rage
Defy Pain Gain Defiance for 10 seconds on losing Life to an Enemy Hit, no more than once every 0.3 seconds
25% increased Armour per Defiance
50% increased Maximum total Life Recovery per second from Leech while you have Defiance
At 10 Defiance, take Reflected Physical Damage equal to maximum Life, then lose all Defiance
Flawless Savagery 50% increased Critical Strike Chance
+25% to Critical Strike Multiplier
Adds 20 to 30 Physical Damage if you've dealt a Critical Strike Recently
Crave the Slaughter Gain 1 Rage on Hit with Attacks, no more than once every 0.3 seconds
+10 to Maximum Rage
Aspect of Carnage 10% increased Damage taken
40% more Damage
Blitz Gain a Blitz Charge on Critical Strike
2% more Attack Speed per Blitz Charge
8% reduced Critical Strike Chance per Blitz Charge
+20 to Maximum Blitz Charges
Arohongui, Moon's Presence Enemies near your Totems deal 8% less Damage
Enemies near your Totems take 16% increased Physical and Fire Damage
Totems are Immune to Fire Damage
25% increased Area of Effect while you have a Totem
Ngamahu, Flame's Advance 50% of Physical Damage Converted to Fire Damage
Every 10 seconds, gain 100% of Physical Damage
as Extra Fire Damage for 4 seconds
Hinekora, Death's Fury 1% of Fire Damage Leeched as Life
10% increased Strength
Cover Rare or Unique Enemies in Ash for 10 Seconds on Hit
Tasalio, Cleansing Water 15% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as Fire Damage
Unaffected by Ignite
+100% to Fire Resistance
50% increased Life Recovery Rate if you've taken Fire Damage from an Enemy Hit Recently
Tukohama, War's Herald 2% of Damage dealt by your Totems is Leeched to you as Life
Ancestor Totems have 100% increased Activation range
100% increased Effect of Buffs your Ancestor Totems grant while Active
Tawhoa, Forest's Strength Trigger Level 20 Tawhoa's Chosen when you Attack with a Non-Vaal Slam Skill near an Enemy
Ramako, Sun's Light Damage Penetrates 15% Fire Resistance
25% chance to Ignite
+25% to Fire Damage over Time Multiplier
Valako, Storm's Embrace +1 to Maximum Endurance Charges
Regenerate 0.5% of Life per second per Endurance Charge
15% more Damage if you've lost an Endurance Charge in the past 8 seconds
Gain 1 Endurance Charge every second if you've used a Warcry Recently
Way of the Poacher 20% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Kill
20% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge when you Hit a Rare or Unique Enemy
+1 to Maximum Frenzy Charges
Avatar of the Slaughter 10% increased Attack Damage per Frenzy Charge
4% increased Movement Speed per Frenzy Charge
4% increased Attack Speed per Frenzy Charge
10% increased Evasion Rating per Frenzy Charge
Rapid Assault Onslaught
Avatar of the Chase 35% more chance to Evade Melee Attacks during Onslaught
35% more chance to Evade Projectile Attacks during Onslaught
100% increased Onslaught Effect
Quartz Infusion 15% chance to Dodge Attack Hits
15% chance to Dodge Spell Hits
Phasing
Avatar of the Veil Nearby Enemies have Fire, Cold and Lightning Exposure while you have Phasing, applying -20% to those Resistances
Nearby Enemies have 20% less Accuracy Rating while you have Phasing
50% chance to Avoid Elemental Ailments while Phasing
Focal Point 75% increased Effect of your Marks
25% less Damage taken from other Enemies near your Marked Enemy
Marks you inflict are not removed from Dying Enemies
Ricochet Skills Chain +1 times
Projectiles have 30% chance to be able to Chain when colliding with terrain
Endless Munitions Skills fire 2 additional Projectiles
Far Shot Far Shot
Projectile Barrages have no spread
Rupturing Critical Strikes which inflict Bleeding also inflict Rupture
Gathering Winds Gain 1 Gale Force when you use a Skill
15% increased Effect of Tailwind on you per Gale Force
action speed -% [-8]
Occupying Force Mirage Archers are not attached to you
+2 to maximum number of Summoned Mirage Archers
Cannot Summon Mirage Archers while near your Mirage Archers
Wind Ward 3% less Damage taken per Gale Force
Lose all Gale Force when Hit
Nature's Adrenaline 20% increased Attack Speed during any Flask Effect
15% increased Movement Speed during any Flask Effect
Master Surgeon Gain a Flask Charge when you deal a Critical Strike
Removes Bleeding when you use a Flask
Removes Corrupted Blood when you use a Flask
Recover 6% of Life when you use a Flask
Nature's Boon 6% reduced Elemental Damage taken
Flasks gain 3 Charges every 3 seconds
20% chance for Flasks you use to not consume Charges
Master Alchemist 20% chance to Freeze, Shock and Ignite during any Flask Effect
Removes Elemental Ailments when you use a Flask
Veteran Bowyer Damage Penetrates 10% Elemental Resistances
Gain 15% of Physical Damage as Extra Damage of a random Element
Enemies you Kill that are affected by Elemental Ailments
grant 100% increased Flask Charges
Nature's Reprisal 15% more Chaos Damage with Attack Skills
Chaos Skills have 30% increased Area of Effect
40% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos Damage
Master Toxicist Poisons you inflict during any Flask Effect have 20% chance to deal 100% more Damage
When you kill a Poisoned Enemy during any Flask Effect, nearby Enemies are Poisoned
Profane Bloom Cursed Enemies you or your Minions Kill have a 40% chance to Explode, dealing a quarter of their maximum Life as Chaos Damage
Your Hexes can affect Hexproof Enemies
Malediction You can apply an additional Curse
15% increased Effect of your Curses
Enemies you Curse have Malediction
Vile Bastion Regenerate 2% of Energy Shield per second for each
Enemy you or your Minions have Killed Recently, up to 10% per second
Cannot Be Stunned while you have Energy Shield
Regenerate 40 Energy Shield per second
Void Beacon Nearby Enemies have -20% to Chaos Resistance
Nearby Enemies have 100% reduced Life Regeneration rate
Nearby Enemies have -20% to Cold Resistance
Forbidden Power +1 to Maximum Power Charges
6% increased Area of Effect per Power Charge
6% increased Damage per Power Charge
Gain a Power Charge after Spending a total of 200 Mana
Withering Presence 15% more Chaos Damage
+60% to Chaos Resistance
Every second, inflict Withered on nearby Enemies for 15 seconds
Nearby Hindered Enemies deal 15% reduced Damage over Time
Frigid Wake 15% more Cold Damage
Cannot be Chilled
Cannot be Frozen
Every 4 seconds, Freeze nearby Chilled Non-Unique Enemies for 0.6 seconds
Every 4 seconds, 33% chance to Freeze nearby Chilled Unique Enemies for 0.6 seconds
Nearby Chilled Enemies deal 10% reduced Damage with Hits
Liege of the Primordial Summoned Golems are Resummoned 4 seconds after being Killed
+1 to maximum number of Summoned Golems
100% increased Effect of Buffs granted by your Golems
Mastermind of Discord Exposure you inflict applies an extra -25% to the affected Resistance
Regenerate 1% of Mana per second if you've inflicted Exposure Recently
Heart of Destruction Gain Convergence when you Hit a Unique Enemy, no more than once every 8 seconds
60% increased Area of Effect while you don't have Convergence
Bastion of Elements Triggers Level 20 Primal Aegis when Allocated
Primal Aegis can take 75 Elemental Damage per Allocated Notable Passive Skill
Other Aegis Skills are Disabled
Cannot take Reflected Elemental Damage
Elemancer +1 to maximum number of Summoned Golems
Summoned Golems are Immune to Elemental Damage
25% increased Effect of Buffs granted by your Golems per Summoned Golem
Shaper of Flames All Damage with Hits can Ignite
Your Hits always Ignite
25% more Damage with Ignites you inflict with Hits for which the highest Damage Type is Fire
Shaper of Storms Your Hits always Shock
All Damage with Hits can Shock
25% more Effect of Lightning Ailments you inflict with Hits if the highest Damage Type is Lightning
Shocks from your Hits always increase Damage taken by at least 15%
Shaper of Winter All Damage with Hits can Chill
50% more Effect of Cold Ailments you inflict with Hits for which the highest Damage Type is Cold
Chills from your Hits always reduce Action Speed by at least 15%
Your Chills can reduce Action Speed by up to a maximum of 40%
Mindless Aggression Minions deal 30% increased Damage
Minions have 10% increased Attack Speed
Minions have 10% increased Cast Speed
Minions have 10% increased Movement Speed
Unnatural Strength +2 to Level of all Minion Skill Gems
Bone Barrier Grants Level 20 Bone Armour Skill
1% additional Physical Damage Reduction per Minion, up to 10%
2% increased Recovery Rate of Life and Energy Shield per Minion, up to 20%
Minions have 20% more Maximum Life
Mistress of Sacrifice 40% increased Skill Effect Duration
Your Offering Skills also affect you
Your Offerings have 50% reduced Effect on you
Essence Glutton Regenerate 4% of Mana over 2 seconds when you Consume a corpse
Regenerate 8% of Energy Shield over 2 seconds when you Consume a corpse
For each nearby corpse, you and nearby Allies Regenerate 5 Mana
per second, up to 50 per second
For each nearby corpse, you and nearby Allies Regenerate 0.2% of Energy Shield per second, up to 2.0% per second
Commander of Darkness Auras from your Skills grant 3% increased Attack and Cast
Speed to you and Allies
You and nearby Allies have +30% to Elemental Resistances
You and nearby Allies deal 30% increased Damage
Plaguebringer With at least one nearby corpse, nearby Enemies deal 10% reduced Damage
With at least one nearby corpse, you and nearby Allies deal 10% more Damage
If you've Consumed a corpse Recently, you and your Minions have 30% increased Area of Effect
Corpse Pact Corpses you Spawn have 50% increased Maximum Life
Enemies near corpses you Spawned Recently are Chilled and Shocked
2% increased Attack and Cast Speed for each corpse Consumed Recently, up to a maximum of 200%
Headsman Gain 10% increased Movement Speed for 20 seconds when you Kill an Enemy
Gain 10% increased Attack Speed for 20 seconds when you Kill a Rare or Unique Enemy
Kill Enemies that have 20% or lower Life when Hit by your Skills
Overwhelm Base Critical Strike Chance for Attacks with Weapons is 8%
+10% to Critical Strike Multiplier per Nearby Enemy, up to +100%
Nearby Enemies have -30% to Critical Strike Multiplier
Bane of Legends 20% more Damage with Hits and Ailments against Unique Enemies
10% more Damage if you've Killed Recently
Cannot take Reflected Physical Damage
Endless Hunger 20% of Overkill Damage is Leeched as Life
You are Unaffected by Bleeding while Leeching
Cannot be Stunned while Leeching
20% increased Attack Speed while Leeching
Brutal Fervour Life Leech effects are not removed when Unreserved Life is Filled
10% reduced Damage taken while Leeching
100% increased Maximum Recovery per Life Leech
Impact 5% increased Area of Effect per Enemy killed recently, up to 50%
+4 to Melee Strike Range
50% increased Global Accuracy Rating
Deal up to 15% more Melee Damage to Enemies, based on proximity
Masterful Form Your Maximum Endurance Charges is equal to your Maximum Frenzy Charges
+1 to Maximum Frenzy Charges
Gratuitous Violence Bleeding Enemies you Kill Explode, dealing 10% of
their Maximum Life as Physical Damage
20% more Physical Damage over Time
Blood in the Eyes 25% chance to Blind with Hits against Bleeding Enemies
Attacks Maim on Hit against Bleeding Enemies
Enemies Maimed by you take 10% increased Physical Damage
Attacks have 50% chance to cause Bleeding
Outmatch and Outlast 25% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Kill with Main Hand
25% chance to gain an Endurance Charge on Kill with Off Hand
10% more Physical Damage while at maximum Frenzy Charges
10% reduced Physical Damage taken while at maximum Endurance Charges
Painforged +8% Chance to Block Attack Damage if you were Damaged by a Hit Recently
Your Counterattacks deal Double Damage
Cannot be Stunned by Hits you Block
Violent Retaliation 8% increased Physical Damage for each time you've Blocked in the past 10 seconds
+1% Chance to Block Attack Damage for each time you've Blocked in the past 10 seconds
80% increased Physical Damage if you've Blocked Damage from a Unique Enemy in the past 10 seconds
+4% to maximum Chance to Block Attack Damage
Versatile Combatant Chance to Block Spell Damage is equal to Chance to Block Attack Damage
Maximum Chance to Block Spell Damage is equal to Maximum Chance to Block Attack Damage
Arena Challenger +10 to Maximum Challenger Charges
25% chance to gain a Challenger Charge when you Hit a Rare or Unique Enemy while in Blood Stance
Gain a Challenger Charge when you Kill an Enemy while in Sand Stance
2% more Attack and Movement Speed per Challenger Charge
Fortitude Fortify
Unstoppable Hero 20% increased Attack Speed while you have Fortify
Cannot be Stunned while you have Fortify
+500 to Armour and Evasion Rating while you have Fortify
Conqueror 100% Chance on Hit to Taunt an Enemy
10% reduced Damage taken if you've Taunted an Enemy Recently
Enemies Taunted by you deal 20% less Damage with Hits and
Ailments against other targets
Worthy Foe Enemies Taunted by you take 20% increased Damage
Enemies Taunted by you cannot Evade Attacks
Inspirational Banner Skills have no Reservation
30% increased effect of Non-Curse Auras from your Skills
When you create a Banner, it gains 40% of the Stages of your placed Banner
You and Allies affected by your placed Banners Regenerate 0.1% of
Life per second for each Stage
First to Strike, Last to Fall Your Hits permanently Intimidate Enemies that are on Full Life
Gain Adrenaline for 20 seconds when you reach Low Life if you
do not have Adrenaline
Remove all Ailments and Burning when you gain Adrenaline
Recover 25% of Life when you gain Adrenaline
Master of Metal Impales you inflict last 1 additional Hit
If you've Impaled an Enemy Recently, you
and nearby Allies have +1000 to Armour
You and nearby Allies deal 6 to 12 added Physical Damage for
each Impale on Enemy
Righteous Providence +50 to Strength and Intelligence
1% increased Critical Strike Chance per point of Strength or Intelligence, whichever is lower
Inevitable Judgement Critical Strikes ignore Enemy Monster Elemental Resistances
Non-Critical Strikes Penetrate 10% of Enemy Elemental Resistances
Augury of Penitence Nearby Enemies take 16% increased Elemental Damage
Nearby Enemies deal 8% less Elemental Damage
Sanctuary You have Consecrated Ground around you while stationary
Consecrated Ground you create applies 15% increased Damage taken to Enemies
Pious Path Effects of Consecrated Ground you create Linger for 4 seconds
Consecrated Ground you create causes Life Regeneration to
also Recover Energy Shield for you and Allies
Instruments of Zeal +4 to Maximum Fanatic Charges
Gain 1 Fanatic Charge every second if you've Attacked in the past second
Gain Fanaticism for 4 seconds on reaching Maximum Fanatic Charges
Lose all Fanatic Charges on reaching Maximum Fanatic Charges
Instruments of Virtue 10% more Attack Damage for each Non-Instant Spell you've Cast in the past 8 seconds, up to a maximum of 30%
Battlemage
Divine Guidance 30% increased maximum Mana
10% of Damage is taken from Mana before Life
Transfiguration of Mind
Sanctuary of Thought Gain 20% of Maximum Mana as Extra Maximum Energy Shield
10% less Mana Reservation of Skills
50% less Mana Cost of Skills
1% increased Area of Effect per 50 Unreserved Maximum Mana, up to 100%
Pursuit of Faith +1 to maximum number of Summoned Totems
100% increased Totem Duration
100% increased Totem Placement speed
Ritual of Awakening You and your Totems Regenerate 1% of Life per second for each Summoned Totem
Regenerate 0.5% of Mana per second for each Summoned Totem
5% more Damage per Summoned Totem
Conviction of Power +1 to Maximum Power Charges and Maximum Endurance Charges
+4 to Minimum Endurance Charges
+4 to Minimum Power Charges
Illuminated Devotion 30% increased Area of Effect while you have Arcane Surge
0.5% of Spell Damage Leeched as Life while you have Arcane Surge
Non-Damaging Ailments have 50% reduced Effect on you while you have Arcane Surge
Arcane Blessing Gain Arcane Surge when you or your Totems Hit an Enemy with a Spell
50% increased Effect of Arcane Surge on you
Sign of Purpose Brand Recall has 100% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate
Brands have 100% more Activation Frequency if 75% of Attached Duration expired
Time of Need 80% reduced Effect of Curses on you
Every 4 seconds, Regenerate 30% of Life over one second
Radiant Faith Grants maximum Energy Shield equal to 10% of your Reserved Mana to
you and nearby Allies
Grants Armour equal to 160% of your Reserved Life to you and nearby Allies
Bastion of Hope If you've Blocked in the past 10 seconds, you
and nearby Allies cannot be Stunned
+50% Chance to Block Attack Damage for 2 seconds every 5 seconds
If you've Attacked Recently, you
and nearby Allies have +10% Chance to Block Attack Damage
If you've Cast a Spell Recently, you
and nearby Allies have +10% Chance to Block Spell Damage
Harmony of Purpose Nearby Enemies cannot gain Power, Frenzy or Endurance Charges
You and nearby Party Members Share Power, Frenzy and Endurance Charges with each other
20% chance to gain a Power, Frenzy or Endurance Charge on Hit
Unwavering Faith Auras from your Skills grant +1% Physical Damage Reduction to you and Allies
Auras from your Skills grant 0.2% of Life Regenerated per second to
you and Allies
Radiant Crusade While there is at least one nearby Ally, you and nearby Allies deal 10% more Damage
While there are at least five nearby Allies, you and nearby Allies have Onslaught
+20% to all Elemental Resistances
Unwavering Crusade Nearby Allies have 20% increased Attack, Cast and Movement Speed
Nearby Allies have 30% increased Area of Effect
Nearby Allies Intimidate Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit
Nearby Allies Unnerve Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit
Unstable Infusion 20% chance to gain a Power Charge on Non-Critical Strike
10% chance to gain a Power Charge on Critical Strike
+1 to Maximum Power Charges
Deadly Infusion +5% to Critical Strike Multiplier per Power Charge
+1.5% Critical Strike Chance while at maximum Power Charges
Ambush and Assassinate +40% to Critical Strike Multiplier against Enemies that are on Full Life
100% more Critical Strike Chance against Enemies that are on Full Life
Critical Strikes have Culling Strike
15% more Damage with Hits and Ailments against Enemies that are on Low Life
100% more Critical Strike Chance against Enemies that are on Low Life
Opportunistic Damage from your Critical Strikes cannot be Reflected
20% reduced Damage taken while there are at least two Rare or Unique Enemies nearby
25% more Damage while there is at most one Rare or Unique Enemy nearby
Toxic Delivery Poison you inflict with Critical Strikes deals 25% more Damage
+0.5% to Critical Strike Chance per Poison affecting Enemy, up to +2.0%
Noxious Strike 5% increased Poison Duration for each Poison you have inflicted Recently, up to a maximum of 100%
Recover 0.5% of Life per Poison affecting Enemies you Kill
40% chance to Poison on Hit
Mistwalker 50% increased Elusive Effect
You take no Extra Damage from Critical Strikes while Elusive
Gain Elusive on Critical Strike
Swift Killer +1 to Maximum Frenzy Charges and Maximum Power Charges
15% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge and a Power Charge on Kill
5% increased Damage per Frenzy Charge
5% increased Damage per Power Charge
Gain a Power or Frenzy Charge each second while Channelling
Patient Reaper 70% increased Recovery Rate of Life, Mana and Energy Shield if you've Killed an Enemy affected by your Damage Over Time Recently
Recover 3% of Life on Kill
Recover 3% of Mana on Kill
Recover 3% of Energy Shield on Kill
Ghost Dance When Hit, lose a Ghost Shroud and Recover Energy Shield equal to 5% of your Evasion Rating
3% reduced Damage taken per Ghost Shroud
Every 2 seconds, gain a Ghost Shroud, up to a maximum of 3
Escape Artist Cannot be Stunned while you have Ghost Shrouds
5% increased Attack and Cast Speed per Ghost Shroud
+5 to Evasion Rating per 1 Maximum Energy Shield on Helmet
+1 to maximum Energy Shield per 6 Evasion Rating on Body Armour
Prolonged Pain 10% reduced Damage taken from Damage Over Time
20% more Damage over Time
20% increased Skill Effect Duration
Weave the Arcane 30% increased maximum Mana
30% chance to Recover 10% of Mana when you use a Skill
Movement Skills Cost no Mana
20% increased Attack and Cast Speed if you've used a Movement Skill Recently
Harness the Void 27% chance to gain 25% of Non-Chaos Damage with Hits as Extra Chaos Damage
13% chance to gain 50% of Non-Chaos Damage with Hits as Extra Chaos Damage
7% chance to gain 100% of Non-Chaos Damage with Hits as Extra Chaos Damage
Pyromaniac Regenerate 2% of Life per Second for each Trap Triggered Recently, up to 10% per second
Regenerate 2% of Life per second for each Mine Detonated Recently, up to 10% per second
Immune to Ignite and Shock
Born in the Shadows Cannot be Blinded
Blind Enemies on Hit
10% reduced Damage taken from Blinded Enemies
Nearby Enemies are Blinded
Explosives Expert Damage Penetrates 10% Elemental Resistances against Chilled Enemies
+40% to Critical Strike Multiplier against Burning Enemies
80% increased Critical Strike Chance against Shocked Enemies
Bomb Specialist 25% increased Mine Throwing Speed if you Detonated Mines Recently
You gain 5% increased Area of Effect for each Mine
Mines have 25% increased Detonation Speed
Perfect Crime You gain 10% increased Damage for each Trap
25% Chance for Traps to Trigger an additional time
25% reduced Cost of Skills that throw Traps
Demolitions Specialist 150% increased Effect of Auras from Mines
Mines Hinder Enemies near them for 2 seconds when they Land,
reducing Movement Speed by 40%
Chain Reaction 50% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate for throwing Traps
When your Traps Trigger, your nearby Traps also Trigger
Skills used by Traps have 50% increased Area of Effect
Path of the Ranger Can Allocate Passives from the Ranger's starting point
Path of the Witch Can Allocate Passives from the Witch's starting point
Path of the Marauder Can Allocate Passives from the Marauder's starting point
Path of the Duelist Can Allocate Passives from the Duelist's starting point
Path of the Shadow Can Allocate Passives from the Shadow's starting point
Path of the Templar Can Allocate Passives from the Templar's starting point

2. Path of Exile Ascendancy Classes

Choosing an Ascendancy class after completing the Labyrinth for the first time allows the player to gain access to a new Ascendancy skill tree specific for the class chosen. Each character class comes with three associated Ascendancy classes (except for Scion, who only has one) for a total of 19 Ascendancy classes.

Class Ascendancy classes
Duelist Slayer Gladiator Champion
Shadow Assassin Saboteur Trickster
Marauder Juggernaut Berserker Chieftain
Witch Necromancer Elementalist Occultist
Ranger Deadeye Raider Pathfinder
Templar Inquisitor Hierophant Guardian
Scion Ascendant

2.1 Duelist

2.1.1 Slayer

The Slayer is an Ascendancy class for Duelists.

The Slayer is a offense oriented class based around attacks. He is a effective boss killer with Headsman and Bane Bane of Legends and gains access to defensive bonuses involving life leech, including the ability to leech beyond his maximum health pool with Brutal Fervour. He also possesses bonuses towards area of effect and critical strike attack builds, as well as Masterful Form for maximizing frenzy and endurance charges.

Slayer

2.1.2 Gladiator

The Gladiator is an Ascendancy class for Duelists.

The Gladiator is an Ascendancy class with a mixture of speed, power, and protection, revolving around certain stats. The Gladiator works well with dual wielding or using one-handed weapon[s] (including wands[1]) and shield combinations. It covers two primary niches, one which is focused around maximizing block effectiveness, and another which enhances bleed with auxillary effects. The class also covers Endurance and Frenzy Frenzy Charge generation and bonuses involving Blood Stance and Sand Stance.

Gladiator

2.1.3 Champion

The Champion is an Ascendancy class for Duelists.

The Champion is a mixture of defensive/offensive and support class who can act as a tank for his party by debuffing enemies through taunts and impale, buffing his allies with enhanced Banners, or Intimidate enemies to reduce their defenses. He bolsters his own defenses with Fortify, including the ability to permanently Fortify himself, or gains a burst of Adrenaline at low life for increased damage and defenses. The minor nodes grant increased armour and evasion rating across the board to further bolster his survivability.

Champion

2.2 Shadow

2.2.1 Assassin

The Assassin is an Ascendancy class for Shadows.

The Assassin is a offense-oriented class centered around critical strikes. The class offers skills that enhance their power charges and bonus to critical strike effectiveness and utility under certain conditions. He has access to poison themed skills like Noxious Strike, as well as allowing poisons to synergize off of critical strikes to higher levels via Toxic Delivery. Furthermore with Mistwalker the Assassin has the ability to gain the Elusive buff on critical strikes and additional benefits while being affected by it.

Assassin

2.2.2 Saboteur

The Saboteur is an Ascendancy class for Shadows.

The Saboteur specializes in traps and mines. With Bomb Specialist and Demolitions Specialist he gains large bonuses towards mines, whereas Perfect Crime and Chain Reaction further enhances traps. The class has access to a blinding aura and further benefits against blinded enemies via Born in the Shadows, as well as life regeneration and reduced mana cost for traps and mines with Pyromaniac. Last but not least Explosives Expert allows for large damage bonuses versus enemies which are affected by multiple elemental ailments.

Saboteur

2.2.3 Trickster

The Trickster is an Ascendancy class for Shadows.

The Trickster is a versatile hybrid class that mixes high speed, maneuverability, and slippery defenses. He is well-suited for damage over time builds with his strong recovery from Patient Reaper and further damage over time specialization like poison via Prolonged Pain. The Trickster also gains added layers of defense to his evasion and energy shield from Ghost Dance and Escape Artist, rewarding playstyles that focus on taking hits periodically. Furthermore he is able to generate and enhance power and frenzy charges either from killing enemies or channelling an ability with Swift Killer. He can also choose to specialize in strong mana-based bonuses from Weave the Arcane or a chance to gain large amounts of extra chaos damage via Harness the Void.

Trickster

2.3 Marauder

2.3.1 Juggernaut

The Juggernaut is an Ascendancy class for Marauders.

The Juggernaut is the premier tank class, possessing endurance charge generation and bonuses, healthy boosts to armour and damage mitigation, and protection against slows and stuns. The tree also offers some offensive bonuses like accuracy and stun bonuses.

Juggernaut

2.3.2 Berserker

The Berserker is an Ascendancy class for Marauders.

The Berserker is an offense oriented class that gears towards being in the heat of combat, with skills that offer unparalleled power at a downside. Berserkers can be built around Rage and make it even more powerful at the cost of life degen with Rite of Ruin, trade consistent critical strike chance for faster attacks with Blitz, or gain straight-up more damage for vulnerability with Aspect of Carnage. The class also offers bonuses to leech and warcries.

Berserker

2.3.3 Chieftain

The Chieftain is an Ascendancy class for Marauders.

The Chieftain is focused around fire damage and totems. The class offers a wide variety of effects revolving around fire damage, with damage bonuses via damage conversion, penetration, and covering enemies with Ash. They can enhance their totems to weaken nearby enemies or leech life for them. The class also boasts a variety of sources of life regeneration and life leech, as well as endurance charge generation, making the Chieftain surprisingly tough to kill in the heat of combat.

Chieftain

2.4 Witch

2.4.1 Necromancer

The Necromancer is an Ascendancy class for the Witch.

The Necromancer is an Ascendancy class themed around the dead and the undead. They are an excellent choice for minion-based builds, having access to minion-enhancing skills, as well as bonuses related to auras and Offering skills. They also have skills based around corpses, gaining powerful bonuses from spawning and consuming corpses, which makes them pair well with corpse-based skills like Unearth Unearth and Detonate Dead Detonate Dead.

Necromancer

2.4.2 Elementalist

The Elementalist is an Ascendancy class for Witches.

Elementalists deal in all things elemental. A powerful caster-summoner hybrid, they have access to conditional but powerful element damage bonuses, some granted periodically or with a skill requirement. They can also specialize in elemental ailments, elemental Herald skills, and golems. Some passive skills can be mixed and matched to accommodate multiple damage types, even physical and chaos. The Elementalist is the strongest of the classes at enhancing direct-damage spells to their maximum, and rapidly applying elemental damage to a target the very instant they see it. They also get VERY powerful Golems and very powerful buffs from them; while the buff from multiple Golems of the same type does not stack the Elementalist has two very powerful passives that greatly enhance the effect of the buff for every Golem out, as well as increasing the maximum number allowed.

Elementalist

2.4.3 Occultist

The Occultist is an Ascendancy class for Witches.

The Occultist is a Witch class that specializes in cold and chaos damage over time (DoT) effects as well as curses, with a minor affinity for both energy shield and power charges. The class is capable of reliably generating said Power Charges without needing to trigger on-kill effects, using Forbidden Power. Malediction and Profane Bloom are a great boon to builds that utilize curses in any form, though to bring out their full potential you would ideally combine them with other sources of non-chaos damage. Withering Presence and Frigid Wake, the two specialized damage over time nodes behind Void Beacon, amplify the power of chaos and cold damage over time respectively. Historically the Occultist has been one of the most resilient Ascendants, utilizing many forms of damage mitigation and energy shield generation. With the removal of its notable Wicked Ward and the power down of Vile Bastion, it still retains its powerful defensive layers in either Frigid Wake or Malediction but is no longer the be-all and end-all for energy shield durability.

Occultist

2.5 Ranger

2.5.1 Deadeye

The Deadeye is an Ascendancy class for Rangers.

The Deadeye is a offense-oriented class that focuses on projectile damage, accuracy rating and utility, gaining access to passive projectile modifiers like extra projectiles, pierce, chain, and area of effect. She masters the art of high range with Far Shot and great speed with Gathering Winds. This class is obviously suited for bows attacks but most of its modifiers apply to any sort of projectile, meaning most projectile attacks (such as those fired from wands) and some spell projectiles also benefit from them.

Deadeye

2.5.2 Raider

The Raider is an Ascendancy class for Rangers.

The Raider is an attack, speed and avoidance oriented class centered around frenzy charges, Onslaught, or Phasing through kills and combat. She can generate frenzy charges with Way of the Poacher and gain additional benefits for each charge through Avatar of the Slaughter. Rapid Assault allows for easy access to the Onslaught buff and Avatar of the Chase further increases the Onslaught effect with additional bonuses towards evasion. With Quartz Infusion she is able to gain the Phasing buff and increased elemental damage. Avatar of the Veil allows for further benefits while phasing, like elemental ailment immunity and exposure against nearby enemies. Evasion and dodge-based builds utilizing attacks greatly benefit from this Ascendancy class.

Raider

2.5.3 Pathfinder

Pathfinder is an Ascendancy class for Rangers.

The Pathfinder’s focal point is her flasks, which she uses with increased effectiveness. She possesses the ability to not consume flask charges on use and flask charge recovery without needing to kill enemies through Nature’s Boon. With Nature’s Reprisal and Master Toxicist she gains enhancements to chaos damage, especially towards poison. Veteran Bowyer allows for increased flask charges gained and elemental damage bonuses. Her remaining skills enhance her offensive and defensive capabilities in various ways while under the effect of flasks, such as elemental ailment immunity with Master Alchemist, attack and movement speed through Nature’s Adrenaline and flask generation on critical strikes via Master Surgeon. The Pathfinder is a flexible class that benefits both spell and attack builds effectively.

Pathfinder

2.6 Templar

2.6.1 Inquisitor

The Inquisitor is an Ascendancy class for Templars.

The Inquisitor focuses mostly on elemental damage. He can, among other things, specialize in critical strikes and elemental penetration with Inevitable Judgement, or buff himself with consecrated ground for high amounts of recovery, elemental ailment immunity and offensive capabilities via Pious Path. All of his skills are compatible with attacks or spells, or even a combination of both with Instruments of Virtue.

Inquisitor

2.6.2 Hierophant

The Hierophant is an Ascendancy class for Templars.

The Hierophant offers a mixture of non-conventional sources of damage, defenses, and overall utility aimed towards spell users, particularly spell casting totems and brands. They can utilize a large mana pool effectively by converting it to offensive and defensive bonuses while also conserving and regenerating it. They can also utilize Arcane Surge with large bonuses to spellcasters attached to it, as well as endurance and power charge generation.

Hierophant

2.6.3 Guardian

The Guardian is an Ascendancy class for Templars.

The Guardians is a powerful option for a tank/support or minion based Templar, possessing passives with an emphasis on enhancing and protecting his allies. Guardians can specialize in Auras, granting up to 4 additional unique and powerful defensive auras to their party or allies, as well as charge generation and sharing and periodical, powerful defensive skills. Furthermore he can speed up his allies with Onslaught and give his allies the ability to intimidate and unnerve enemies on hit to reduce their defenses.

Guardian

2.7 Scion

2.7.1 Ascendant

The Ascendant is the Ascendancy class for Scions.

The Ascendant offers more flexibility than any other class by allowing the player to take passives based on other Ascendancy classes. These passives offer similar benefits representing the class’s overall tree, but with mitigated effects. Only one Ascendancy class passive can be taken from each base class.

The Ascendant can allocate up to two Ascendancy class passives and can further invest onto one class’s path to gain the ability to use that class’s starting point on the passive skill tree as a second starting point.

Ascendant

3. PoE Ascendancy Changes

Ascendancy Changes 3.16

Grant new Ascendancy notables to the Gladiator and Trickster, and some existing notables have been reworked. Rebalance and rework affected Notables on the Chieftain, Inquisitor, Saboteur, and Raider. Change the Ascendant to have the Notables of the above classes match the effects found on their equivalent Ascendancies.

Ascendancy Passives Changes
Chieftain Tasalio, Cleansing Water Now grants "20% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as Fire Damage" (previously 15%), and "20% increased Life Recovery Rate if you've taken Fire Damage from an Enemy Hit Recently" (previously 50%).
Gladiator Painforged Now has +10% chance to Block Attack Damage, Cannot be Stunned by Hits you Block, and Counterattacks deal Double Damage
Gladiator   Added a new notable, which replaces Versatile Combatant, that has +10% to maximum Block Chance, +10 to Armour and Evasion Rating per 1% Block Chance.
Gladiator Violent Retaliation Now has Ignore Enemy Monster Physical Damage Reduction if you've blocked in the past 20 seconds, and Attack Damage is Lucky if you've Blocked in the past 20 seconds.
Inquisitor Pious Path Now grants "50% increased Effect of Consecrated Ground you create".
Raider Quartz Infusion No longer grants 15% chance to Dodge Attack Hits, or 15% chance to Dodge Spell Hits. Instead, it now grants +40% chance to Suppress Spell Damage.
Raider Avatar of the Veil No longer grants "Nearby Enemies have 20% less Accuracy Rating while you have Phasing".
Raider Avatar of the Chase No longer grants 35% more chance to Evade Melee Attacks during Onslaught or 35% more chance to Evade Projectile Attacks during Onslaught. Instead, it now grants 10% more chance to Evade Attacks during Onslaught.
Trickster Patient Reaper Now grants 50% increased Recovery Rate of Life, Mana and Energy Shield if you've Killed an Enemy affected by your Damage Over Time Recently (previously 70%).
Trickster Escape Artist No longer requires Ghost Dance (which has been replaced with a new Notable). No longer grants "5% increased Attack and Cast Speed per Ghost Shroud" or "Cannot be Stunned while you have Ghost Shrouds".
Trickster   Added a new notable, which replaces Ghost Dance, that provides "Every 10 seconds, take no Damage over Time for 5 seconds."
Saboteur Born in the Shadows Now grants 15% reduced Damage taken from Blinded Enemies (previously 10%).
Ascendant Trickster Passive Point Now has 50% increased Recovery Rate of Life, Mana and Energy Shield if you've Killed an Enemy affected by your Damage Over Time Recently (previously 70%). No longer has "Cannot be Stunned if you haven't been Hit Recently", it now has 10% reduced Damage taken from Damage over Time.
Ascendant Raider Passive Point  No longer has 10% chance to Dodge Attack Hits, it now has 20% chance to Suppress Spell Damage.
Ascendant Gladiator Passive Point Now has +5% to maximum Block (previously 3%), 10% chance to Block Attacks (previously 15%), and now has 20% more Physical Damage over Time (previously 25%). It no longer has "15% chance to Block Spells". It now has Ignore Enemy Monster Physical Damage Reduction if you've blocked in the past 20 seconds

Ascendancy Changes 3.15

Ascendancy Passives Changes
Hierophant Illuminated Devotion No longer has Immunity to Elemental Ailments while you have Arcane Surge. Now has 50% reduced Effect of non-Damaging Ailments on You while you have Arcane Surge.
Inquisitor Pious Path No longer causes Consecrated Ground you create to grant Immunity to Elemental Ailments to you and allies.
Slayer Headsman Now called Bane of Legends.
Slayer Bane of Legends Now called Headsman.
Champion   The small passives prior to and after Unstoppable Hero no longer have 5% increased Effect on Fortify on you. They now have 10% increased Attack Damage while you have Fortify.
Pathfinder Master Alchemist No longer grants immunity to Elemental Ailments during Flask Effect. No longer has 40% increased Elemental Damage during Flask Effect. Now grants “Removes Elemental Ailments when you use a Flask”.
Pathfinder Master Toxicist Now has “Poisons you inflict during any Flask Effect have 20% chance to deal 100% more Damage” (previously 30%).
Raider Avatar of the Veil No longer grants Immunity to Elemental Ailments while Phasing. Now grants a 50% chance to Avoid Elemental Ailments while Phasing.
Raider Rapid Assault No longer grants 50% increased Onslaught Effect.
Raider   The small passives prior to and after Quartz Infusion no longer grant 4% increased Movement Speed, now grant 10% increased Elemental Damage.
Assassin Noxious Strike No longer has +30% to Damage over Time Multiplier for Poison. Increased Poison Duration for each Poison you have inflicted Recently is now capped, up to a maximum of 100% (previously uncapped).
Assassin Toxic Delivery Now has Poison you inflict with Critical Strikes deals 25% more Damage” (previously 50%).
Elementalist Liege of the Primordial No longer has 25% increased Effect of Buffs granted by Golems, or 25% increased Effect of Buffs granted by your Golems per Summoned Golem. It now has 100% increased Effect of Buffs granted by your Golems.
Elementalist Elemancer No longer has 35% chance to Avoid Elemental Ailments per Summoned Golem.
Ascendant Inquisitor No longer has Immunity to Elemental Ailments while on Consecrated Ground. Now has “Effects of Consecrated Ground you create Linger for 4 seconds”.

Ascendancy Changes 3.14

Ascendancy Passives Changes
Ascendant Gladiator
  • No longer grants 25% more Damage with Bleeding.
  • Now grants 25% more Physical Damage over Time.
Berserker  
  • Minor nodes now grant 10% increased Physical Damage (previously 12% increased Attack Physical Damage).
  • Pain Reaver has been replaced with Defy Pain.
Berserker Defy Pain
  • Gain Defiance for 10 seconds on losing Life to an Enemy Hit, no more than once every 0.3 seconds.
  • 25% increased Armour per Defiance.
  • 50% increased Maximum total Life recovery per second from Leech while you have Defiance.
  • At 10 Defiance, take Reflected Physical Damage equal to maximum Life, then lose all Defiance.
Berserker Flawless Savagery
  • The increased Critical Strike Chance modifier now applies to both Attacks and Spells.
  • The added Physical Damage modifier now applies to both Attacks and Spells.
Assassin Ambush and Assassinate
  • Now grants 15% more Damage with Hits and Ailments against Enemies that are on Low Life (previously 25%).
Gladiator Gratuitous Violence
  • No longer grants 20% more Damage with Bleeding.
  • Now grants 20% more Physical Damage over Time.
Elementalist Bastion of Elements
  • Primal Aegis now takes 75 Damage per Allocated Notable Passive Skill (previously 100).
Elementalist Liege of the Primordial
  • It is no longer possible to temporarily bypass your Golem limit (for example if your Golems died very quickly with the Fleshcrafter unique Body Armour).
Necromancer Essence Glutton
  • Now causes you to Regenerate 4% of Mana over 2 seconds when you Consume a corpse (previously 8%).
Pathfinder Master Surgeon
  • Now removes Corrupted Blood when you use a Flask.

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