PoE 2 Ascendancy Guide: Mastering the Spirit Walker and Martial Artist in Patch 0.5

With the launch of the Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) 0.5 "Return of the Ancients" update on May 29, 2026, the meta is shifting dramatically. While the base classes provide the foundation, the true power lies within the 36 new Ascendancies.

The spotlight for this update is firmly on two revolutionary subclasses: the Spirit Walker (Huntress) and the Martial Artist (Monk). Here is everything you need to know to master these new paths.

The Spirit Walker (Huntress): The Ultimate Primal Commander

The Huntress has always been a master of the spear, but the Spirit Walker ascendancy transforms her into PoE 2’s premier "Beast Master." This class is perfect for players who want the safety of a minion-style build without sacrificing the active gameplay of a melee fighter.

Key Mechanic: The Natural Order

The standout feature of the Spirit Walker is the ability to tame beast-type bosses. Unlike the Witch, who raises temporary undead, the Spirit Walker can capture specific, powerful entities encountered in the world—such as the Mighty Silverfist or the Great Tusk—to serve as permanent companions.

Spirit Communion & Passive Power

The Spirit Walker doesn't just rely on her pet; she channels the Azmerian Spirits to buff herself:

• Wolf Spirit: Grants massive movement speed and "Tailwind" on hit
• Bear Spirit: Provides flat physical damage reduction and life regeneration
• Eagle Spirit: Boosts critical strike chance and accuracy

The Bonus Talent: If you manage to have all three spirits active simultaneously, you unlock a hidden "Primal Echo" talent that doubles the effectiveness of your spear skills.

The Martial Artist (Monk): A Living Weapon of Stone

If the Spirit Walker is about command, the Martial Artist is about transformation. This Monk ascendancy focuses on high-speed, technical combat and is the first class to feature innate item modification through its passive tree.

Way of the Stonefist: Gloves as Weapons

The core of this build is Way of the Stonefist. This passive automatically modifies any equipped gloves, turning them into heavy stone gauntlets that scale with your Strength and Dexterity. This makes the Monk’s unarmed strikes and Quarterstaff slams deal massive "Stagger" damage, allowing you to stun-lock even the toughest pinnacle bosses.

Tactical Echoes and Shatterable Bells

The Martial Artist introduces a unique "spatial" combat style:

• Echoing Illusions: Your skills leave behind stone echoes that repeat your last attack after a 1-second delay
• Shatterable Bells: You can summon resonance bells on the battlefield. When struck by your Quarterstaff, these bells release a massive sonic AoE, clearing screens of enemies instantly

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Which One Should You League Start in Patch 0.5?

Choosing between these two depends entirely on your preferred playstyle:

The Verdict: If you want a smooth, reliable start for the "Return of the Ancients" campaign, go Spirit Walker. If you are a veteran player looking for a high-skill-cap build that rewards precise positioning, the Martial Artist is unmatched.

Gearing for the Endgame

To push these classes to their limits, you'll eventually want to hunt for the legendary Mageblood belt. In Patch 0.5, Mageblood allows these classes to maintain permanent uptime on Resistance and Speed Charms, solving their defensive needs and allowing you to invest every single passive point into damage.

Early Chase Uniques for 0.5

• Spirit Link Amulet: Essential for keeping your tamed beasts alive in T17 Waystones
• Runic Wraps: The best-in-slot gloves for Martial Artists to maximize Stonefist damage

Which of these new Ascendancies will you choose for your first 0.5 character?