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As Path of Exile 2 continues to evolve, the Dawn of the Hunt expansion has sparked significant interest in the game's new classes and ascendancies. Players have had time to explore different builds and delve into the nuances of these new mechanics, resulting in distinct preferences based on their playstyle and mode of choice. One of the most interesting aspects of the current league is the varying popularity and survivability of different classes across the different modes: Softcore Trade, Softcore Solo Self-Found (SSF), Hardcore Trade, and Hardcore SSF.

In this article, we will examine the class popularity and survivability tier lists for the Dawn of the Hunt league, providing insights into the most played ascendancies in each mode and how they perform in terms of survivability. With detailed rankings across multiple categories, we will explore the strongest and most resilient choices, as well as the ascendancies that have gained or lost traction among the player base.

PoE 2 Dawn of the Hunt: Class Popularity Tier List

Softcore Trade (SC Trade)

In the Softcore Trade mode, where players can trade freely and are not bound by a single life, the meta has evolved with players gravitating toward the ascendancies that offer high damage potential and powerful synergies. Here are the most popular classes in SC Trade:

1. Amazon – The Amazon ascendancy, particularly with builds like Lightning Spear, has dominated the Softcore Trade scene. With its incredible speed and strong single-target damage, it accounts for nearly 50% of the player base, making it the clear favorite.

2. Deadeye – A solid pick for players who enjoy ranged combat, the Deadeye ascendancy has maintained strong popularity with high damage potential and exceptional projectile-based mechanics.

3. Lich – The Lich class is seeing a surge in popularity due to its ability to scale damage over time and its strong survivability. This ascendancy provides a good balance between offense and defense, making it a popular choice.

4. Smith of Kitava – Known for its solid defensive capabilities and high damage output, the Smith of Kitava ascendancy is climbing the popularity ranks, particularly as players look for versatile builds.

5. Invoker – While not as dominant as the top-tier picks, the Invoker ascendancy offers good versatility and is favored by players who appreciate a balance between offense and defense.

Other notable classes in this tier include Titan, Infernalist, and Ritualist, which are gaining traction but still lag behind in terms of overall popularity. Classes like Acolyte of Chayula and Blood Mage, once staples in PoE 2's earlier metas, have dropped significantly, with the latter even failing to register on the leaderboard.

SC Trade Popularity Ranking (Top 5)

1. Amazon

2. Deadeye

3. Lich

4. Smith of Kitava

5. Invoker

Softcore Solo Self-Found (SSF)

In the SSF league, where trading is not allowed, players must rely entirely on their own drops and crafting efforts. This mode emphasizes self-sufficiency, and as a result, certain ascendancies rise to prominence based on their ability to perform well with limited resources.

1. Amazon – As in SC Trade, the Amazon is the top pick in SSF due to its ability to clear content efficiently and scale well with its damage-focused builds. The Amazon ascendancy shines in this mode where solo progression is key.

2. Smith of Kitava – The Smith of Kitava ascendancy stands out in SSF for its durability and ease of play. Its self-sustainability through defensive mechanics makes it a top choice for those who can't rely on trading.

3. Lich – With the Lich's powerful synergy with the new skills introduced in Dawn of the Hunt, it continues to perform well in SSF, offering both excellent damage and strong survivability.

4. Deadeye – While slightly less popular than in SC Trade, the Deadeye remains a solid option for SSF players who prefer a ranged combat approach.

5. Ritualist – The Ritualist ascendancy benefits from the abundance of spells in the game, and with efficient skill scaling, it has risen to become one of the most popular choices in SSF.

As with SC Trade, the lower-tier ascendancies like Chronomancer, Acolyte of Chayula, and Blood Mage have seen a decline, making way for newer builds with more self-sufficient mechanics.

SSF Popularity Ranking (Top 5)

1. Amazon

2. Smith of Kitava

3. Lich

4. Deadeye

5. Ritualist

Hardcore Trade (HC Trade)

Hardcore Trade introduces a high-stakes element to the game, where players only get one life to progress through the league. This means survivability is a key factor in choosing an ascendancy. Players tend to favor tanky and high-survivability builds, which has led to some shifts in the meta compared to Softcore.

1. Smith of Kitava – The Smith of Kitava ascendancy is a top pick in Hardcore Trade due to its strong defensive capabilities. The ability to sustain damage while dishing out considerable offense makes it a perfect choice for the one-life format.

2. Lich – The Lich is proving to be a popular choice for Hardcore players who want to maximize damage while still retaining enough durability to survive the dangers of Hardcore.

3. Deadeye – With improved survivability through defensive scaling, the Deadeye has gained popularity in HC Trade, where the ability to avoid damage is critical.

4. Amazon – While Amazon builds, such as the Lightning Spear, continue to be strong, players in Hardcore are opting for more defensive options. However, the Amazon still remains a solid choice thanks to its overall damage output.

5. Invoker – The Invoker's synergy with defensive mechanics and its ability to quickly scale damage make it a good choice for Hardcore players, though it does face stiff competition from the Smith of Kitava and Lich.

HC Trade Popularity Ranking (Top 5)

1. Smith of Kitava

2. Lich

3. Deadeye

4. Amazon

5. Invoker

Hardcore Solo Self-Found (HC SSF)

In Hardcore SSF, players face the ultimate challenge: no trades, one life, and all the challenges that come with it. This mode heavily favors ascendancies that offer strong self-sustain, high survivability, and the ability to progress efficiently without external help.

1. Smith of Kitava – The Smith of Kitava ascendancy stands tall in Hardcore SSF due to its excellent survivability and adaptability. In a mode where you can't rely on others, its self-sufficiency makes it the ideal choice.

2. Lich – Despite its somewhat lower ranking in Hardcore Trade, the Lich still performs well in Hardcore SSF due to its damage scaling and decent survivability. However, its lower survivability compared to Smith of Kitava makes it a riskier choice.

3. Amazon – The Amazon's consistent performance in Hardcore SSF is partly due to its strong offensive capabilities, though its survivability is not as high as other top picks. Nevertheless, it remains a popular choice for players looking to scale damage quickly.

4. Deadeye – The Deadeye remains a solid choice in Hardcore SSF, offering excellent ranged damage and good survivability. However, its popularity has seen a slight decline as players opt for tankier classes.

5. Tactician – The Tactician class is steadily gaining popularity in Hardcore SSF, especially among players who value defensive mechanics and the ability to handle high-risk situations.

HC SSF Popularity Ranking (Top 5)

1. Smith of Kitava

2. Lich

3. Amazon

4. Deadeye

5. Tactician 

PoE 2 Dawn of the Hunt: Class Survivability Tier List

Survivability in Hardcore modes is a key factor in deciding which ascendancies are most viable. The following lists show how different classes rank in terms of their ability to survive in the harsh environments of Hardcore Trade and Hardcore SSF.

Survivability Tier List for HC Trade

In Hardcore Trade, the survivability of classes is crucial due to the single-death mechanic. The following classes are the most resilient:

1. Chronomancer – With a survival rate of 83.33%, Chronomancers excel at staying alive, thanks to their time-manipulating abilities that can avoid damage and give them more chances to react.

2. Acolyte of Chayula – The Acolyte of Chayula also boasts an impressive 83.33% survival rate, making it one of the most reliable classes in Hardcore.

3. Invoker – The Invoker has a strong survival rate of 82.61%, benefiting from excellent defensive options that mitigate damage and keep it alive in tough situations.

4. Pathfinder – With a survival rate of 75%, Pathfinders are known for their sustainability, especially in Hardcore Trade.

5. Ritualist – The Ritualist offers a solid balance of offense and defense, with a respectable survival rate of 71.43%.

Survivability Tier List for HC SSF

In Hardcore SSF, players are even more reliant on their own survival skills, and the rankings reflect this:

1. Blood Mage – The Blood Mage leads with an impressive 83.33% survival rate, largely due to its ability to self-heal and sustain through damage.

2. Acolyte of Chayula – With a survival rate of 81.82%, the Acolyte of Chayula remains a top-tier choice for Hardcore SSF players who want a reliable build.

3. Stormweaver – With a survival rate of 75%, Stormweavers have become one of the go-to choices for Hardcore SSF, offering solid damage and good tanking capabilities.

4. Tactician – The Tactician has a strong 72.97% survival rate, benefiting from defensive mechanics that help it thrive in the one-life challenge.

5.Infernalist – At 64%, Infernalists provide good damage while still retaining some survivability, making them a popular choice for Hardcore SSF.

Conclusion

The class and ascendancy popularity in Path of Exile 2's Dawn of the Hunt league reveals key trends in how players approach different modes. While Softcore players tend to favor high-damage builds like the Amazon and Deadeye, Hardcore players prioritize survivability, with the Smith of Kitava and Lich ascendancies standing out for their resilience. Meanwhile, Hardcore Solo Self-Found players face unique challenges, relying heavily on self-sustaining builds like the Blood Mage and Smith of Kitava.

Understanding the trends in both class popularity and survivability can give players a better sense of which builds to try depending on their chosen playstyle and mode. Whether you’re diving into the Softcore Path Of Exile 2 Currency trade or testing your skills in Hardcore SSF, these tier lists provide a comprehensive look at what’s working best in the current Dawn of the Hunt expansion.