Path of Exile 2: Patch 0.3.0 Guide, Best Classes, and League Starter Builds

Path of Exile 2 has just received its massive 0.3.0 update, known as The Third Edict, and it brings sweeping changes that impact every corner of the game. While no new class has been added, every existing class and ascendancy has been improved, buffed, or reworked. From support gem overhauls to new defensive mechanics, minion improvements, and a reimagined crafting system, the patch dramatically shifts the meta and creates exciting opportunities for league starters in the Rise of the Abyssal League.

Here's a detailed breakdown of the major changes, the best ascendancies in 0.3.0, and top starter builds to dominate the new league.

Main Class Changes in Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.3.0

The Third Edict reshapes the game systems extensively:

1. Support Gem System Rework

No more one-support-per-skill restriction.

Multiple copies of the same support gem can now be applied to different skills.

Introduces multi-tier supports and lineage support gems—rare, build-defining gems that drop from bosses, providing high-end progression targets.

2. Class Buffs and Passive Tree Expansion

Each class received new skills, keystones, and over 100 notable passive nodes, often themed around ascendancy mechanics.

Examples:

  Monk: Gains access to Hollow Palm techniques for unarmed combat.

  Warrior: Shield skills are now more fluid, powerful, and visually impactful.

3. Major Defense Reworks

Evasion introduces the deflection mechanic: reduces damage by 40% per successful deflect, with a 100% cap.

Armor can mitigate elemental damage with new modifiers.

Block and parry are more reliable, and elemental ailments like shock, chill, and freeze now last longer, encouraging multi-element builds.

4. Minion and Spectre Improvements

Minions always hit, no accuracy needed.

Spectres are cheaper, stronger, and benefit from new command and jump abilities.

Expands the versatility of minion-based playstyles.

5. Crafting and Itemization

Higher-tier crafting POE 2 orbs improve modifiers significantly.

Exceptional POE 2 items may drop with extra sockets or quality.

Essences, omens, and sanctified items offer deeper endgame crafting opportunities.

PoE 2 0.3.0 Class Ascendancy Tier List

With these sweeping changes, certain ascendancies shine more than others. Here's the updated tier ranking for The Third Edict:

S Tier

Titan (Warrior) – Best for defensive thorns setups; flexible for minion or wind dancer builds.

Ritualist (Huntress) – Excellent defensive buffs, jewelry bonuses, and thorns synergy.

Warbringer (Warrior) – Consistent armor break, strong thorns, and Jade Heritage synergy.

Deadeye (Ranger) – Evasion + deflect buffs make this build fast, durable, and deadly.

Blood Mage (Witch) – Free Sangmancy allows powerful self-sustaining bleeding and life-based spellcasting.

Chronomancer (Sorceress) – Instant weapon swap, elemental infusion synergy, and strong burst/sustained spell damage.

A Tier

Tactician (Mercenary) – Improved totem/ballista scaling, banner buffs, and flexible support gem use.

Acolyte of Chayula (Monk) – Volatility + breach nodes for hybrid sustain and damage.

Stormweaver (Sorceress) – Multi-element weaving with infusion mechanics.

Pathfinder (Ranger) – Poison/toxic growth scaling for mapping and bossing.

Amazon (Huntress) – Fast clearing with Gas Arrow synergy.

Infernalist (Witch) – Fire stacking, weapon retention, and good early-game potential.

Gemling Legionnaire (Mercenary) – Multi-element combos and strong defenses.

B Tier

Smith of Kitava (Warrior) – Fun slam/hammer builds, less versatile.

Lich (Witch) – Hybrid melee/spell potential, but requires careful setup.

Invoker (Monk) – Hollow Palm opens martial arts builds, though slightly weaker than A-tier.

Witchhunter (Mercenary) – Improved crossbow mechanics, grenade-based skills, but niche.

Best Starter Builds for Rise of the Abyssal League

Patch 0.3.0 enables a wide range of accessible and powerful starter builds. Here are the top picks:

1. Hollow Palm Monk – Unarmed Evasion Specialist

Style: Fast melee, evasion/energy shield synergy, uses Hollow Palm with Ice Strike & Wind Blast.

Defense: New deflect mechanic reduces damage by 40%, stacking with evasion.

Pros: High DPS, visually satisfying, strong mapping and bossing potential.

2. Multi-Elementalist Sorceress – Infusions & Elemental Weaving

Style: Weaves multiple elemental skills using infusion mechanics.

Pros: Strategic, flexible, hybrid spellcasting, takes advantage of new exposure and curse system.

Skills: Arc, Frost Bomb, Spark, Firestorm.

3. Fire Warrior – Forge Hammer & Warcries

Style: Slam/hammer skills with explosive fire effects triggered by warcries.

Pros: Strong single-target and AoE damage, visual and mechanical dynamism.

Ascendancy: Warbringer works best.

4. Artillery Ballista Tactician

Style: Totem-based artillery with weapon scaling and multi-support flexibility.

Pros: Flexible, strong clear, great for bossing, banners improved.

5. Gas Arrow Amazon

Style: Map-clearing with stacked gas arrows detonated by fire.

Pros: Fast, reliable, accessible for beginners and seasoned players.

6. Spark Blood Mage

Style: One-button, mobile spellcasting with Spark and Blood Magic.

Pros: Simple, smooth clearing, farming-friendly.

7. Flicker Strike Invoker

Style: Fast melee, charge-based, excels at single-target and map clearing.

Pros: High speed, smooth, visually satisfying.

8. Whirlwind Incinerate Lich King

Style: Weapon swap, high DPS with minimal investment.

Pros: Accessible, cheap endgame viability, handles pinnacle bosses efficiently.

9. Shockburst & Galvanic Shards Deadeye

Style: Ranger starter with fast clearing and shock burst finishing.

Pros: Easy to level, reliable for mapping and bossing.

Honorable Mentions

Ember Fusilad Warrior Titan (Cast on Crit Comet)

Bleed Rake Bloodhunt Blood Mage

Totem Forest Warbringer

Chaos Ailment Stacker Acolyte of Chayula

Mortar Cannon Mercenary

Closing Thoughts

Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict reshapes class balance, passive trees, and core gameplay systems. Patch 0.3.0 is not just a minor update—it redefines defensive mechanics, expands build diversity, and offers exciting league starter options. From unarmed evasion monks to multi-elementalist sorceresses and explosive Fire Warriors, players have never had more choice or flexibility in shaping their playstyle. Accumulate a large amount of POE2 Currency wealth to prepare for the latest changes.

With the Rise of the Abyssal League now live, experimenting with these builds and ascendancies is essential for staying competitive. Whether you prefer melee, spellcasting, ranged, or minion strategies, there's a fresh path to power in PoE 2.

MMOexp POE 2 Team