Which class to pick in Path of Exile 2

First: close, far or casting?

Up close: Warrior (mace and slams), Monk (quarterstaff, combos and speed) and, as hybrids, Huntress (spear) and Druid (animal forms).

At range: Ranger (bow) and Mercenary (crossbow and grenades).

Casting: Sorceress (fire, cold, lightning) and Witch (minions, curses and Chaos).

Attributes: what each class needs

Each class starts with its own attributes: Warrior with 15 Strength, Ranger and Huntress with 15 Dexterity, Sorceress and Witch with 15 Intelligence, Monk with 11 Dexterity and 11 Intelligence, Mercenary with 11 Strength and 11 Dexterity, and Druid with 11 Strength and 11 Intelligence.

Attributes matter because gems and items have requirements: an Intelligence class finds it easier to use skills that ask for Intelligence. Check the requirements on the gem itself before you commit.

Which is easiest to start with?

For the simplest option: Warrior and Ranger. The Warrior fights up close with life and armour to take hits, and the Ranger shoots from range while moving.

For a direct caster: Sorceress. Pick one main element and use a second only for control.

For more moving parts: Witch (minions and curses) and Druid (several forms).

Ascendancies: how to choose

Each class has 2 or 3 ascendancies (for the Ranger and the Druid only two are listed so far). You pick it later, in the ascendancy trials, so you do not have to decide now.

Choose the class by the base playstyle and then the ascendancy by what you want to amplify: our classes page lists what each one does.

And the Duelist?

The Duelist arrives in 1.0 and is the first sword class. There is no full data yet, so if you want to play her, wait for the first weeks and follow our updates.