Early league data in Path of Exile 2 patch 0.5.0 is already telling a pretty clear story, even if it's still messy in that day-one way players know well. Once people start scraping ladder characters through places like poe.ninja, you can see what's actually being played rather than what looked good in theory. For anyone planning upgrades, farming routes, or checking the market for PoE 2 Items, the level 70-plus bracket is a useful snapshot. It doesn't prove what'll be best a month from now, but it does show what got through the rough early push.
The biggest weapon trend is hard to miss. Spears are everywhere. Close to 29% of high-level characters are using them, which is a huge share for such an early sample. Bows and quivers sit next, at around 18.5%, while crossbows and quarterstaffs follow behind at roughly 15% and 11%. On the Ascendancy side, Spirit Walker is leading with a bit over 21% of the level 70-plus crowd. Deadeye is right behind it, and Martial Artist holds third at about 17.5%. That's not bad at all for a new class, though the raw popularity hides some trouble once the campaign gets nastier.
Whirling Slash paired with Twister has become the early star of 0.5.0, and honestly, that hasn't shocked many people. The hype was already there before the patch landed, then the numbers backed it up. More than 2,700 players pushed the setup past level 70, and almost 500 reached level 85 or higher on the first day. It's almost always played with Spears, and Spirit Walker is clearly the cleanest home for it. Some Deadeye and Martial Artist versions exist, sure, but Spirit Walker makes the whole thing feel smoother. About 8% of Spirit Walkers who reached level 50 made it to 85-plus, which is a strong sign that the class isn't just popular, it's progressing.
Grenade Crossbow builds didn't get the same loud pre-league buzz, but they've been quietly excellent. Over 1,000 players reached level 70 with the archetype, and around 170 moved past level 85. The best part is how flexible it is. Witchhunter is the common pick, though Gemling Legionnaire, Deadeye, Tactician, and Amazon players are all getting real results too. That usually means the skill package itself is doing the heavy lifting. You don't need one perfect Ascendancy to make it work, which is exactly what a lot of league starters want when gear is still rough and plans keep changing.
Martial Artist had a huge early surge because, well, players love trying the new toy. At lower levels it was one of the most played options, but the data starts to dip around level 65. That drop matters. Interlude monsters hit harder, and a lot of Martial Artist characters seem to struggle with staying alive or finding a build that scales cleanly. Just over 1% of Martial Artists who reached level 50 climbed to level 85 or above. That doesn't mean the class is bad. It means players are still testing. More than 1,600 of them are spread across unusual setups instead of copying one solved guide, so progress naturally looks slower.
Plant Mage setups are also worth watching. They're not topping the charts, but they've got a real niche. Using Entangle, Thrashing Vines, and Thunderstorm, these builds play more like physical spellcasters with strong control than traditional casters. Over 400 players have already taken them beyond level 70. In older versions, people often linked this style with Disciple of Varashta, but patch 0.5.0 has shifted interest toward Lich and Oracle instead. If you're building one now, checking prices for cheap PoE 2 Items can help smooth out those awkward gear gaps while the meta is still settling into place.
PoE 2 patch 0.5.0 has everyone chasing clean starts, from Whirling Slash Spears to sturdy Grenade Crossbows and Plant Mage tricks. U4GM keeps it simple with useful Path of Exile 2 updates, gear picks, and player-first service at u4gm.com so you can level smarter, trade quicker, and keep your league rolling.
Spears Set the Pace Early
The biggest weapon trend is hard to miss. Spears are everywhere. Close to 29% of high-level characters are using them, which is a huge share for such an early sample. Bows and quivers sit next, at around 18.5%, while crossbows and quarterstaffs follow behind at roughly 15% and 11%. On the Ascendancy side, Spirit Walker is leading with a bit over 21% of the level 70-plus crowd. Deadeye is right behind it, and Martial Artist holds third at about 17.5%. That's not bad at all for a new class, though the raw popularity hides some trouble once the campaign gets nastier.
Whirling Slash Is the Build Everyone Expected
Whirling Slash paired with Twister has become the early star of 0.5.0, and honestly, that hasn't shocked many people. The hype was already there before the patch landed, then the numbers backed it up. More than 2,700 players pushed the setup past level 70, and almost 500 reached level 85 or higher on the first day. It's almost always played with Spears, and Spirit Walker is clearly the cleanest home for it. Some Deadeye and Martial Artist versions exist, sure, but Spirit Walker makes the whole thing feel smoother. About 8% of Spirit Walkers who reached level 50 made it to 85-plus, which is a strong sign that the class isn't just popular, it's progressing.
Grenade Crossbow Keeps Proving Itself
Grenade Crossbow builds didn't get the same loud pre-league buzz, but they've been quietly excellent. Over 1,000 players reached level 70 with the archetype, and around 170 moved past level 85. The best part is how flexible it is. Witchhunter is the common pick, though Gemling Legionnaire, Deadeye, Tactician, and Amazon players are all getting real results too. That usually means the skill package itself is doing the heavy lifting. You don't need one perfect Ascendancy to make it work, which is exactly what a lot of league starters want when gear is still rough and plans keep changing.
Martial Artist Hits a Wall
Martial Artist had a huge early surge because, well, players love trying the new toy. At lower levels it was one of the most played options, but the data starts to dip around level 65. That drop matters. Interlude monsters hit harder, and a lot of Martial Artist characters seem to struggle with staying alive or finding a build that scales cleanly. Just over 1% of Martial Artists who reached level 50 climbed to level 85 or above. That doesn't mean the class is bad. It means players are still testing. More than 1,600 of them are spread across unusual setups instead of copying one solved guide, so progress naturally looks slower.
Plant Mages Find Their Own Lane
Plant Mage setups are also worth watching. They're not topping the charts, but they've got a real niche. Using Entangle, Thrashing Vines, and Thunderstorm, these builds play more like physical spellcasters with strong control than traditional casters. Over 400 players have already taken them beyond level 70. In older versions, people often linked this style with Disciple of Varashta, but patch 0.5.0 has shifted interest toward Lich and Oracle instead. If you're building one now, checking prices for cheap PoE 2 Items can help smooth out those awkward gear gaps while the meta is still settling into place.
PoE 2 patch 0.5.0 has everyone chasing clean starts, from Whirling Slash Spears to sturdy Grenade Crossbows and Plant Mage tricks. U4GM keeps it simple with useful Path of Exile 2 updates, gear picks, and player-first service at u4gm.com so you can level smarter, trade quicker, and keep your league rolling.
Last edited: