Like most new Path of Exile leagues, PoE 3.25 Settlers of Kalguur includes changes for many Ascendancies as well as Skill Gems, which shakes up the meta regarding which Ascendancy Classes are better compared to others. We’ve put together a Path of Exile 3.25 Tier List for every Ascendancy Class, including the new Warden ascendancy.

PoE 3.25 Tier List

The patch notes for Path of Exile 3.25 Settlers of Kalguur are already public, allowing fans of the ARPG to start theory-crafting and building some new and interesting builds with all the Ascendancy changes headed into the new league. Based on the patch notes, we’ve put together a Tier List that highlights some of the builds each Ascendancy can benefit from headed into PoE 3.25.

Ascendancies we put in the S Tier have several strong builds for both mapping and boss killing and can scale all the way from the league start into the  Path Of Exile Currency endgame. Those in the A Tier are still strong options that either don’t have all-encompassing capabilities like those in the S Tier. Ascendancies in the B Tier will work for most situations but simply don’t have enough build variety to fit into the S or A Tier, while those in the C Tier don’t have many strong build options heading into the new league. Here is our Path of Exile 3.25 Tier List for every Ascendancy Class, including some of their builds:

S Tier Ascendancies

1. Necromancer (Witch)

Builds: Summon Skeletons, Raise Spectre, Carrion Golem

Strengths: Necromancer continues to dominate the meta with powerful minion builds that excel in both mapping and boss killing. The new changes to minion skill gems make this ascendancy even more formidable.

2. Champion (Duelist)

Builds: Impale Cyclone, Impale Earthquake, Impale Blade Flurry

Strengths: With strong defensive and offensive capabilities, the Champion remains a top pick for both survivability and damage output, especially with builds focusing on impale mechanics.

3. Occultist (Witch)

Builds: Chaos DoT (Damage over Time) builds like Bane, Essence Drain, and Vortex

Strengths: Occultist's ability to apply curses and deal massive chaos damage makes it a versatile and powerful choice for endgame content.

A Tier Ascendancies

1. Raider (Ranger)

Builds: Elemental Hit, Lightning Strike, Ice Shot

Strengths: The Raider’s high mobility and attack speed make it an excellent choice for fast mapping and evasion-based defense, although it may require specific gear to shine in boss encounters.

2. Elementalist (Witch)

Builds: Golemancer, Ignite builds with Flameblast or Fireball, Arc

Strengths: Elementalist offers a variety of elemental damage builds and excels at clearing maps quickly, though it may lack the survivability of POE Currency and items  some S Tier ascendancies.

3. Slayer (Duelist)

Builds: Cyclone, Flicker Strike, Vaal Double Strike

Strengths: Slayer's life leech and AoE (Area of Effect) capabilities make it a solid choice for melee builds, particularly those focusing on sustaining through damage.

B Tier Ascendancies

1. Inquisitor (Templar)

Builds: Storm Brand, Divine Ire, Purifying Flame

Strengths: Inquisitor's ability to ignore enemy resistances makes it a strong choice for elemental builds, though it may not be as versatile as some higher-tier options.

2. Berserker (Marauder)

Builds: Berserker builds with Earthquake, Infernal Blow, and Raging Spirits

Strengths: High damage output and rage mechanics can make Berserker a formidable force, but it requires careful management of its defenses.

3. Trickster (Shadow)

Builds: Chaos DoT with Essence Drain, Cold DoT with Vortex, Flame Dash

Strengths: Trickster’s mix of offense and defense provides good versatility, though it may not excel in any one area as much as higher-tier ascendancies.

C Tier Ascendancies

1. Deadeye (Ranger)

Builds: Barrage, Tornado Shot, Scourge Arrow

Strengths: Deadeye offers excellent single-target damage and clear speed, but it can be quite squishy and gear-dependent.

2. Hierophant (Templar)

Builds: Totem builds like Holy Flame Totem and Ballista Totem

Strengths: Hierophant’s totem builds can be effective, but they often require specific setups to reach their full potential and can be outclassed by other ascendancies in terms of damage and survivability.

3. Warden (New Ascendancy)

Builds: Defensive tank builds, support roles

Strengths: As the newest ascendancy, the Warden is still being explored. It seems to focus on defensive capabilities and supporting roles, which may not translate into top-tier solo performance but could shine in group play.

Summary of Changes and Meta Shifts

The changes in PoE 3.25 Settlers of Kalguur have shifted the meta in several ways. Here are some of the key highlights:

Minion Builds

Necromancer’s continued dominance highlights the strength of minion builds in the current meta. The changes to minion skills and the introduction of new minion-related items have solidified its place in the S Tier.

Impale Mechanics

Champion’s position in the S Tier underscores the power of impale mechanics. With builds focusing on Cyclone, Earthquake, and Blade Flurry, impale remains a strong choice for both damage and survivability.

Chaos DoT Builds

Occultist and Trickster’s inclusion in the higher tiers reflects the ongoing popularity of Chaos DoT builds. The ability to apply multiple curses and deal consistent damage over time makes these ascendancies very effective.

Elemental Damage

Elementalist and Inquisitor’s spots in the A and B Tiers highlight the effectiveness of elemental damage builds. These ascendancies offer strong options for players looking to focus on elemental attacks and spells.

New Ascendancy Exploration

The introduction of the Warden ascendancy adds a new dimension to the game. While its full potential is still being explored, it offers exciting possibilities for players interested in defensive and support roles.

Conclusion

Path of Exile 3.25 Settlers of Kalguur brings significant changes to the game’s meta, impacting the viability of various ascendancies and builds. Our tier list provides a snapshot of the current state of ascendancies based on the patch notes and initial impressions from the community. Whether you’re looking to dominate in mapping, excel in boss killing, or find a versatile build for all content, there are plenty of options to explore in the new league. Happy hunting, Exiles!