For a broad Patch 0.5 ranking, Monk and Ranger share the top tier, followed by Huntress, Sorceress, and Druid; Witch and Warrior are in the next group, with Mercenary last. This is a dated editorial tier list—not an official score or a guarantee that one class will outperform another in every build. The later Patch 0.5.5 material reviewed ranks builds and ascendancies, not all eight base classes on the same basis.
Patch 0.5 class ranking at a glance
Two class tier lists published in June 2026 place the eight playable base classes in the same broad groups. Neither list is an official ranking from Grinding Gear Games, and the tiers do not establish an absolute order among classes sharing a tier.
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| Tier | Classes | What the ranking supports |
|---|---|---|
| S | Monk, Ranger | The top group in both reviewed Patch 0.5 tier lists. |
| A | Huntress, Sorceress, Druid | The second group in both lists. |
| B | Witch, Warrior | The third group in both lists. |
| C | Mercenary | The lowest group in both lists. |
PathofExile.gg published its Patch 0.5 list on June 22, 2026, and TRLST published its Patch 0.5 list on June 13, 2026. Their agreement corroborates the grouping, but it does not turn the tiers into measured win rates or a verdict on every possible build. PathofExile.gg’s class and ascendancy tier list describes its assessment as general and notes that effectiveness depends on build, playstyle, and player understanding; TRLST’s Patch 0.5 class tier list gives the same broad groups.
What these tiers do—and do not—tell you
This is a broad editorial snapshot of class standing in Patch 0.5, not a ranking of league-start ease, campaign speed, boss damage, survival, gear cost, or endgame performance for every class. The two lists support the class groupings above, but do not provide a consistent, build-by-build comparison across all those criteria. A class placed lower in a general tier list can still work well when its build suits the player and the content.
As guide author Shodi Madian puts it, “In the end, a class’s effectiveness depends heavily on your build, playstyle, and how well you understand its strengths and weaknesses.” That is the guide author’s qualification, not an official developer statement.
Why the ranking is still labeled Patch 0.5
Patch 0.5.5, titled Forbidden Rites Event League, was reported on September 5, 2026. Its changes covered the event league, Ritual, Trial of Chaos, endgame, and other systems, but the reviewed notes do not give a comparable ranking of all base classes. A September 13 league-starter list is newer, but evaluates particular ascendancies and builds using campaign speed, first-week cost, and performance in multi-boss Rituals; it cannot be substituted for a base-class ranking. See the reported Patch 0.5.5 notes and the Forbidden Rites league-starter tier list.
For that reason, this article uses the matching Patch 0.5 class groupings and labels them as a dated editorial judgment. The reviewed later material does not establish a newer, reproducible ranking across all eight base classes. Treat the tier list as a reference point, not a current official balance rating.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.All eight playable base classes
The roster reference checked against Patch 0.5.4b lists eight playable base classes and 22 ascendancies, with its roster verification dated July 4, 2026. The classes are Warrior, Sorceress, Witch, Ranger, Monk, Mercenary, Huntress, and Druid. The ranking above groups those base classes; it should not be confused with rankings of their individual ascendancies.
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How to choose a class from this list
If you want the highest-ranked broad group in the reviewed Patch 0.5 lists, start by considering Monk or Ranger. If one of the other six better fits the character and playstyle you want, the tier list alone is not a reason to rule it out. These sources do not establish one universally best class for a first character, fastest campaign, cheapest gear, strongest boss build, or easiest endgame path; those questions depend on the specific build and patch.
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