Path of Exile 2's Next Meta Pick is Already Emerging

With Path of Exile 2's 0.2.0 update set to launch next week, many players have been eagerly anticipating the details of its Dawn of the Hunt expansion. While Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has teased some of the upcoming changes, the full scale of the update remains under wraps. However, what we do know is that the update will introduce a new class—the Huntress—along with five new Ascendancies, revamped endgame content, and a host of system improvements. While it may seem too early to determine which class will dominate the meta, one choice is already standing out.

Why the Huntress and Ritualist Ascendancy Are the Strongest Pick

It’s no surprise that the Huntress is drawing major attention, given that she is the only new base class in Dawn of the Hunt. Players are naturally inclined to try out fresh content, and the Huntress’s hybrid melee-ranged combat style, combined with her thematic connection to spirit hunting, makes her an enticing choice. However, beyond just being new, one of her Ascendancies—the Ritualist—is shaping up to be absurdly powerful.

What Makes the Ritualist Overpowered?

Two particular Ascendancy nodes make the Ritualist a game-changing pick:

• Unfurled Finger: Grants +1 additional Ring Slot

• Mystic Attunement: Increases the bonuses gained from equipped Rings and Amulets by 25%

These two passive nodes alone massively increase the power ceiling for any endgame build. Rings in Path of Exile 2 provide critical stats like Item Rarity, Life, Mana, Resistances, and damage boosts—so having a third ring while also amplifying their effects by 25% is incredibly strong.

One prime example of why this is broken comes from Path of Exile 2’s Ingenuity Unique belt. This belt is already a staple in top-tier builds, granting between 40-80% increased bonuses from equipped rings. When combined with Mystic Attunement, players could potentially double the effectiveness of their rings or even exceed a 100% bonus effect threshold.

With the Ritualist Ascendancy, a well-geared character could stack three enhanced rings and amulets, making them significantly stronger than other classes. This potential is likely to catapult the Ritualist to the top of the meta, at least in Dawn of the Hunt’s early stages.

How Patch 0.2.0 Could Impact the Ritualist Meta

Despite the Ritualist’s obvious strengths, there are a few factors that could change its dominance:

1. Possible Nerfs to Ingenuity

   • If Ingenuity remains unchanged, the Ritualist could become absurdly powerful. However, GGG may preemptively nerf the belt by reducing its effectiveness, increasing its rarity, or changing its mechanics.

2. Potential Ring and Amulet Adjustments

   • Given how much power comes from three enhanced rings and an amulet, GGG could tweak how ring-related bonuses scale to prevent excessive stacking.

3. Endgame Balance Changes

   • Path of Exile 2’s Dawn of the Hunt patch notes haven’t been released yet, meaning other major balance shifts may affect how viable the Ritualist remains in the long run. If key endgame mechanics—such as Herald of Thunder or Herald of Ice—are nerfed, certain Ritualist builds may take a hit.

4. Attribute Scaling and Stat-Stacking Adjustments

   • The small node leading to Mystic Attunement grants +3% increased Attributes, which could be even more impactful if stat-stacking mechanics remain unchanged. However, if GGG chooses to reduce the effectiveness of attribute-based scaling, it could limit how powerful this Ascendancy becomes.

The Ritualist is PoE 2’s Most Powerful Ascendancy—For Now

At the moment, Path of Exile 2’s Ritualist is shaping up to be one of the most powerful Ascendancy picks in Dawn of the Hunt. The combination of an extra ring slot and a massive buff to jewelry-based bonuses makes this class a top contender for meta dominance.

While potential nerfs to items like Ingenuity or major balance patches could shift the meta later on, players looking for an extremely strong endgame build should strongly consider the Ritualist at launch. The Huntress was already set to be one of the most popular choices due to her new spear-based combat, and now, with an overpowered Ascendancy in the mix, she might just be the strongest character in Path of Exile 2's 0.2.0 update.

Looking for a reliable and fast way to Buy POE 2 Currency? Poe2gold offers a secure, cheap, and instant delivery service to help you enhance your gameplay experience. Whether you need Chaos Orbs, Exalted Orbs, or other in-game currency, our professional team ensures a 100% safe transaction with no risk of bans. With 24/7 customer support and quick delivery, Poe2gold is the best choice for purchasing Path of Exile 2 Currency.