Best Classes for Season 2 of Last Epoch

Patrick_Yu · August 26

As Last Epoch kicks off Season 2 (Cycle 2), players are diving back into Eterra, eager to explore the best classes for this cycle. The game, fully released after a long Early Access, strikes a balance between the fast-paced action of Diablo 4 and the complex builds of Path of Exile. With its deep skill system, Last Epoch offers a variety of classes and subclasses that can shape your approach to the game.

Before we get into the best class choices for this season, it's important to break down what the game offers. Last Epoch features five base classes, each with distinct playstyles, and three subclasses per class, allowing for a high level of customization. Understanding these options is key to making the most of Season 2.

What are the Classes and Subclasses in Last Epoch?

In Last Epoch, your journey begins with selecting one of five base classes: Sentinel, Acolyte, Primalist, Rogue, or Mage. Each class serves as the foundation for your character's abilities and playstyle, shaping your approach to combat and exploration. As you progress, you'll have the opportunity to specialize further by selecting a Mastery, which is essentially a subclass that defines your character's specific strengths and abilities. This choice, made after investing points in your base class and completing certain quests, is permanent and crucial in determining how you will tackle the challenges ahead.

Base Classes and their Subclasses

Acolyte: A spellcaster who wields dark and forbidden magic to control death and the undead.

Lich: Sacrifices health to deal powerful blood and poison damage.
Necromancer: Commands an army of undead minions to overwhelm enemies.
Warlock: Masters necrotic and demonic magic to curse and destroy foes from a distance.

Mage: A master of arcane and elemental magic, focusing on controlling the battlefield from afar.

Runemaster: Combines spells into powerful runes for a unique approach to magic.
Spellblade: Blends martial combat with elemental magic for close-range fighting.
Sorcerer: Specializes in elemental magic like fire, ice, and lightning to devastate enemies from a distance.

Primalist: A warrior deeply connected to nature, using the power of the earth and animals in battle.

Shaman: Summons elemental totems and channels natural forces to crush enemies.
Beastmaster: Leads beasts into battle, empowering them with primal strength.
Druid: Shape-shifts into powerful creatures and uses nature’s magic to dominate the battlefield.

Rogue: A versatile combatant skilled in both stealthy, close-quarters attacks and precise, long-range strikes.

Bladedancer: Excels in rapid, close-range combat, striking from the shadows.
Marksman: Specializes in long-range bow attacks, picking off enemies from a distance.
Falconer: Uses traps and a falcon companion to control the battlefield with strategic strikes.

Sentinel: A formidable warrior focused on strength and defense, standing firm against any threat.

Forge Guard: Utilizes the power of the forge to enhance defenses and unleash molten attacks.
Void Knight: Harnesses void magic to erase enemies from existence.
Paladin: A holy warrior who smites foes with divine power while protecting and healing allies.

What makes a class good in Last Epoch?

A good class in Last Epoch is defined by how effectively it performs in key areas of the game: fighting bosses, challenging the arena, speed farming, and dealing with corruption. Each of these activities requires different strengths and abilities. For instance, a class that excels in boss fights needs strong single-target damage and survivability, while a class built for speed farming must prioritize efficiency and clear speed. When dealing with corruption, the ability to manage debuffs and maintain stability is crucial. A well-rounded class or subclass is one that can adapt to these different scenarios, offering players the versatility needed to succeed across various challenges.

Best classes for Last Epoch season 2 (Cycle 2)

In the current meta, three classes stand out as the most valuable: Rogue, Mage, and Sentinel. These classes not only excel at handling bosses and farming minions, but they also offer a wide variety of versatile builds through their subclasses. These builds make them adaptable to different playstyles and challenges in the game. Without further ado, let's introduce the three best classes, along with the subclasses and builds that make them some of the top choices to play in Last Epoch.

1. Rogue

The Rogue class is highly mobile and versatile, offering fast-paced gameplay with a focus on movement and precision. It comes with three Masteries: Bladedancer, Marksman, and Falconer. The Bladedancer specializes in dual-wielding melee combat, utilizing skills like Shadow Cascade and Synchronized Strike for high mobility and damage output. Marksman is the ranged variant, excelling at medium to long-range combat with skills that allow for elemental and physical attacks, supported by traps and shuriken throws. Falconer, at standing, the strongest Mastery, revolves around a unique mechanic where the Rogue’s abilities are intertwined with their Falcon companion, making it a distinct and powerful option for players who enjoy strategic combat.

The most popular high level builds for the Rogue class are:

Falconer

Ballista Falconer (ZHP) - Best for Corruption, Bossing, and Arena
Shadow Dagger Falconer - Best for Speed Farming; Good for Corruption, Arena, and Bossing
Dive Bomb Falconer - Best for Speed Farming; Good for Corruption, Arena, and Bossing
Bleed Falconer - Best for Speed Farming; Good for Corruption, Arena, and Bossing

Bladedancer

Shadow Daggers Bladedancer - Best for Speed Farming; Good for Corruption and Arena

Marksman

Hail of Arrows Marksman - Good for Speed Farming, Arena, and Bossing
Blast Rain Marksman - Good for Speed Farming

2. Mage

The Mage is the quintessential spellcaster, focusing on elemental magic. Its three Masteries—Sorcerer, Spellblade, and Runemaster—offer different approaches to magic. Sorcerer is the pure elemental caster, harnessing fire, ice, and lightning to devastate enemies from a distance. Spellblade blends melee combat with magical enhancements, allowing for close-range fighting while imbuing weapons with elemental power. Runemaster is a more complex Mastery, requiring players to weave together elemental spells to create powerful runic invocations, offering a dynamic and engaging playstyle for those who enjoy spellcasting with a twist.

The most popular high level builds for the Mage class are:

Sorcerer

Glacier Sorcerer - Best for Corruption, Speed Farming, and Arena; Good for Bossing
Frostbite Frost Claw Sorcerer - Best for Speed Farming and Arena; Good for Corruption and Bossing
Spark Charge Sorcerer - Best for Arena; Good for Corruption
Mana Stacking Meteor - Best for Corruption, Speed Farming, and Arena

Runemaster

Plasma Orb Runemaster - Best for Speed Farming; Good for Corruption, Arena, and Bossing
Hydrahedron Runemaster - Good for Speed Farming

Spellblade

Shatter Strike Spellblade - Best for Bossing; Good for Corruption

3. Sentinel

The Sentinel is a tanky, melee-focused class that combines defense and offense, with three distinct Masteries: Void Knight, Forge Guard, and Paladin. Void Knight is a high-damage, high-mobility option that uses void magic to decimate enemies, though it’s less durable than the other Masteries. Forge Guard is slower but extremely durable, focusing on summoning enchanted armor and weapons to aid in battle, making it a strong defensive option. Paladin combines melee combat with supportive magic, offering abilities that can heal and empower allies while smiting enemies with holy power, making it a balanced choice for those who want both offense and support capabilities.

The most popular high level builds for the Sentinel class are:

Forge Guard

Shield Bash Forge Guard - Good for Corruption, Arena, and Bossing
Nova Hammerdin Forge Guard - Best for Speed Farming
Ignite Shield Rush Forge Guard - Good for Corruption and Bossing

Void Knight

Echo Warpath Void Knight - Good for Speed Farming
Rive Void Knight - Good for Corruption and Bossing

Paladin

Bleed Hammerdin Paladin - Good for Corruption, Speed Farming, and Bossing
Bleed Javelin Paladin - Good for Corruption, Speed Farming, and Bossing

Happy minion farming

As you descend into the shadowy depths of Season 2 in Last Epoch, the Rogue, Mage, and Sentinel classes stand as your fiercest allies against the dark forces of Eterra. Armed with deadly and versatile builds, these classes are ready to dominate every challenge the game presents. Whether you’re cutting through endless waves of enemies, toppling powerful bosses, or mastering the intricacies of corruption, these classes provide the tools you need to conquer it all.

Yet, the darkness hides even more secrets—don’t overlook the Torment Warlock build, a malevolent choice that channels forbidden magic to devastating effect, making it a top pick for corruption, speed farming, and arena.

If you’re looking to upgrade your hardware for the battles ahead, the Acer Predator line of laptops offers the performance you need to fully unleash your potential in Last Epoch and beyond. Prepare yourself, sharpen your skills, and step into the fray—Eterra awaits your reckoning.