Path of Exile

Patch 3.26 brought a lot of shake-ups to Path of Exile. Between reworked skills and updated Ascendancies, some classes have jumped in power while others have taken a step back. If you're trying to decide where to put your points this league, it’s worth knowing which Ascendancies are actually pulling their weight and which ones will have you grinding twice as hard for half the return.
Let’s take a look at some of the most impactful and underwhelming Ascendancy options in the current PoE League, starting with a few you might want to think twice about.
 
Underperforming Ascendancies

• Assassin (Shadow)

Not long ago, this was one of the go-to picks for crit and poison builds. Now, not so much. Pathfinder updates shifted the meta, and a lot of builds that used to lean on Assassin’s damage now work better elsewhere. The class still has strong offensive potential, but its defense is practically nonexistent.
It plays like a glass cannon in the truest sense. If you’re clearing fast and efficiently, you’ll be fine. But the moment you hit something like Reflect or get clipped by a hit you didn’t see coming, you’re done. You’ll need solid gear and awareness to make it work, which makes it hard to recommend unless you already know what you’re doing.
 

• Ascendant (Scion)

This one’s always been a bit of an oddball. The idea is cool: mix strengths from other Ascendancies, but in practice, it’s clunky and gear-hungry. The recent changes didn’t do much to fix that. Some minor buffs to aura stacking might help, but only if you have a huge budget.
Scion is complex, slower to scale, and doesn’t shine until you’ve put a ton of work or PoE Currency into her. For most players, starting with something more straightforward will save a lot of frustration. The versatility can be fun later on, but for progression, she’s still not ideal.
 

• Berserker (Marauder)

This might surprise some players, because Berserker is definitely strong, but it comes with tradeoffs. The Rage mechanic gives you a noticeable boost in damage, but you’ll also be taking extra damage while stacking it. Builds using Berserker can feel amazing when everything lines up, but it’s a high-risk playstyle that can punish small mistakes.
If you’re after consistent survivability or don’t want to rely on specific PoE Unique Items like Kaom’s Primacy to bypass Rage limits, there are safer choices. It’s still viable, just a lot more effort than many players expect.
 
Meta Ascendancies

• Deadeye (Ranger)

Fast, agile, and capable of massive chain-hit clears, Deadeye continues to be one of the cleanest picks for projectile-based builds. Elemental Hit of the Spectrum is everywhere right now, and Deadeye makes it OP. No changes were made to the class in 3.26, which means it's just as strong as it was in the last PoE League; sometimes stability is a strength.
If you’re after a ranged build that clears PoE Maps quickly and feels snappy to play, this is one of the best picks. It doesn't have the tankiness of some melee classes, but its speed and damage make up for that.
 

• Elementalist (Witch)

With the ability to summon more golems and improved mana efficiency, Elementalist got a serious glow-up. The reworked passive nodes now activate under clearer conditions, which makes managing her Shaper of Storms, Winter, and Flames easier. The result? Smoother gameplay, better synergy, and excellent scaling.
It’s no surprise the Witch has surged in popularity this league. Builds based on this Ascendancy now feel much more fluid and powerful across a wide range of content. If you enjoy elemental damage builds and want flexibility in skill choice, this is a strong pick.
 
 
Final Thoughts
Some Ascendancies feel great right out of the gate. Others take more work than they’re worth. In 3.26, Deadeye and Elementalist offer strong, reliable performance with minimal hassle. Assassin and Scion, on the other hand, ask a lot and give back less unless you’re ready to commit time and currency.
Keep in mind that Path of Exile is always evolving. What’s underwhelming today might get buffed tomorrow, and what’s overpowered might get nerfed next patch. For now, stick with what’s efficient unless you enjoy the challenge of making off-meta picks.