Dawn of the Hunt is coming soon! Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) introduces six new classes alongside the original six, and one of the most intriguing of these is the Huntress. As a hybrid class with the Dexterity attribute, the Huntress will bring a fresh style of gameplay combining both ranged and melee combat. In this guide, we'll cover everything we know so far about the Huntress class, her skills, and gameplay mechanics, while also looking forward to her upcoming release and potential Ascendancy paths.

Huntress Release Date: When Will She Be Playable in PoE 2?

The Huntress will be available on April 4, 2024, at noon PDT with the release of the Dawn of the Hunt update, kicking off Early Access for Path of Exile 2. This date is crucial for players eager to explore the new class. However, do note that while we'll have access to many new features, additional details about the Huntress class will likely be revealed during Grinding Gear Games' livestream showcase on March 27, 2024, at noon PDT.

PoE 2 Huntress Overview

The Huntress is a Dexterity (DEX)-based class, which places her near the bottom-right side of the passive skill tree, closely aligned with other ranged specialists like the Ranger. The passive tree near her starting point focuses on attributes such as Evasion, Attack Speed, Critical Strikes, Flask Effect, Cold Damage, and Spell Suppression. The DEX attribute is designed to enhance mobility, survivability, and high-speed attacks—perfect for the Huntress' dynamic combat style.

Weapon Specialization: Spears

A defining feature of the Huntress is her Spear specialization. Spears are a new weapon type in PoE 2, adding versatility with both ranged and melee attacks. This duality sets her apart from other ranged classes, allowing for adaptive combat strategies. You can throw your spear from a distance or engage in close-range melee combat, offering a flexible and engaging playstyle. This hybrid style, however, means that while the Huntress excels in mobility and attack speed, she may lack the tankiness of other classes, making her more vulnerable in close combat situations.

PoE 2 Huntress Skills

The Huntress has an array of skill gems that combine both ranged and melee options. While much of her skills are yet to be fully unveiled, the gameplay footage and previews from PoE 2 provide insight into what her arsenal might look like. Here's a breakdown of some of the confirmed skills:

1. Whirling Slash

This skill allows the Huntress to perform a whirlwind attack where she swings her weapon in a circular motion. The whirlwind grows in size with each cast, and upon exiting the whirl, it explodes, dealing substantial damage to nearby enemies. This skill is great for clearing mob packs and controlling groups of enemies.

2. Spearfield

Spearfield allows the Huntress to rain down spears on a designated area. This ability also slows enemies, making it useful for controlling enemy movement and laying traps in combat scenarios. It's particularly effective for area denial and setting up defensive positions.

3. Puncture

Puncture is a mobility skill that teleports the Huntress a short distance from an enemy. Upon arrival, she punctures them with her spear, inflicting a bleed effect. This provides a solid mix of mobility and damage over time, allowing you to swiftly close the gap between you and your target while dealing continuous damage.

4. Rapid Assault

Rapid Assault allows the Huntress to strike enemies quickly and repeatedly with her spear. This skill excels in dealing single-target damage, making it ideal for bosses or tougher foes that require high sustained damage.

5. Storm Spear (Unconfirmed but Speculated)

A skill observed in early gameplay footage hints at a lightning-based spear attack, possibly named Storm Spear. This attack could deal with lightning damage in addition to physical damage, adding another layer of versatility to the Huntress toolkit.

While the range of skills shown so far hints at a well-rounded class, we'll need to wait for more detailed showcases and live-streamed gameplay to understand the full extent of the Huntress' abilities.

Huntress Ascendancy Classes

PoE 2 will introduce Ascendancy Classes, offering further specialization and power to your chosen class. As of now, we don't have detailed information about the Ascendancy options for the Huntress. However, we do know that she is a DEX-focused class, so her Ascendancy options will likely center on speed, evasion, critical strikes, or movement.

Speculative Ascendancy Themes:

Melee Specialization: A potential Ascendancy could enhance her melee abilities, focusing on increased damage, attack speed, or mobility.

Ranged Specialization: Alternatively, she may have an Ascendancy that boosts her ranged spear attacks, increasing damage and range.

Hybrid Combat: Another possible Ascendancy could support her dual nature, combining the best of both melee and ranged combat, offering damage boosts for both playstyles.

Defensive or Evasion-Oriented Ascendancy: Considering her lower tankiness, one Ascendancy could offer evasion, dodge, or defensive scaling to help keep her alive in battle.

As we await more information from the development team, these possibilities are purely speculative. Expect updates soon after the class release!

Wrap-Up: Is the Huntress Right for You?

The Huntress is shaping up to be a highly dynamic class, combining the speed and agility of a ranged character with the raw power of a melee fighter. Her ability to adapt to both ranged and melee combat will offer players flexibility in dealing with different combat situations. However, this versatility may also present some challenges. While ranged combat generally offers safety, melee combat tends to be more dangerous but rewarding in terms of tanking damage and delivering high bursts of power. The key to playing the Huntress will likely lie in balancing these two aspects effectively.

As PoE 2 continues to evolve, the in-game currency and PoE2 items systems will likely undergo changes and adjustments. The Huntress class, with its melee and ranged capabilities, will undoubtedly lead to new gear and strategies as players experiment with hybrid combat builds. The in-game economy will be just as important as ever, and keeping track of the Path of Exile 2 currency flow, item availability, and trade strategies will be key to success in the game.

The Huntress is set to arrive on April 4, 2024, the upcoming updates and live-stream showcases will provide more clarity on her full potential. In the meantime, get ready to master Whirling Slash, Spearfield, and Puncture, and get ready for her full release!

MMOexp POE 2 Team