A Single Ascendancy to Govern Them All

The buzz surrounding the upcoming Path of Exile 2 update, particularly the 0.2.0 patch, is undeniable. Though Grinding Gear Games has teased players here and there about what’s to come, details have been sparse. The update is set to drop on April 2, and it promises to introduce a wealth of new content with the “Dawn of the Hunt” update. Among the most exciting changes are additions like a brand-new class, the Huntress, and five new Ascendancies. Predicting the top choices for this update might seem daunting, yet one option already stands out prominently.

The introduction of the Huntress class is likely to draw in a significant number of players. This is not just because it’s the newest class to grace the game, but also due to its thematic alignment with the hunt for ancient spirits. Despite the lack of testing on new spear skills, one Ascendancy already shows the potential to be overwhelmingly powerful, possibly prompting further balancing from the developers down the road.

The Ritualist Ascendancy within the Huntress class is shaping up to be potentially overpowered right from the start. This is largely thanks to its intriguing base nodes like Unfurled Finger and Mystic Attunement, each of which significantly boosts any endgame strategy. Unfurled Finger adds an additional ring slot, while Mystic Attunement increases the effectiveness of bonuses from equipped rings and amulets by 25%.

These powerful rings in Path of Exile 2 provide vital resources like Item Rarity, Life, Mana, Resistances, and even damage boosts. With the added benefit of a third ring and a notable effectiveness boost, it’s hard for players to ignore the advantage here.

Players who opt for the Ritualist Ascendancy aren’t obligated to focus on spear skills, either; these extra rings provide universal benefits across various builds. For instance, the Ingenuity Unique belt is a favorite among players for good reason—it offers a 40-to-80% increased bonus from Equipped Rings, echoing the same advantage that the Ritualist can gain. The prospect of having three potent rings further amplified by 25% makes this choice especially enticing.

Considering both the allure of the new Huntress class and the formidable power of the Ritualist, it’s expected that many players will be drawn to this Ascendancy with the new update. Adding to this, the minor node preceding Mystic Attunement offers a 3% increase in Attributes, potentially amplifying the impact of stat-stacking if it survives any upcoming nerfs.

Of course, there are potential downsides to choosing the Ritualist. The Ingenuity might be rebalanced in terms of effect or drop rate, possibly diminishing its perceived value. The arrival of the Dawn of the Hunt patch notes may also negatively affect other popular builds. If key abilities like Herald of Thunder and Ice receive nerfs, the Ritualist’s dominance could be tempered. Yet, as the game currently stands, this looks to be the standout Ascendancy for those who gear up effectively.