PoE2 Gear Tier List & Best-in-Slot Guide

Gear is the single largest factor in your character’s power level. This tier list covers every equipment slot, what to look for at each stage of progression, and the best-in-slot (BiS) targets for endgame. Use this as your shopping list.

Gear Progression Overview

Weapons: Tier List

S-Tier (BiS)

Endgame weapons feature:

• Maximum DPS roll with critical strike multiplier
• +Level to relevant skill gems
• Build-specific modifiers (e.g., projectile damage for bows)
• Open suffix for additional crafting

Examples by build type:

• Melee: High physical DPS two-hand with bleed or bleed modifiers
• Ranged: Maximum DPS bow with +gem levels and projectile scaling
• Spells: High spell damage wand with cast speed and crit
• Minions: Sceptre with +minion gem levels

A-Tier (Strong)

• High DPS with good rolls but missing one ideal modifier
• Craftable through Divine Orb rerolling
• 90%+ of BiS performance at lower cost

B-Tier (Functional)

• Adequate DPS for current content
• Missing key modifiers but usable
• Good as transition gear while hunting for BiS

C-Tier (Leveling)

• Any weapon with reasonable DPS
• Upgrade every 5-8 levels during campaign
• Do not invest currency in leveling weapons

Armour: Tier List

S-Tier (BiS)

Body Armour is your most important defensive piece:

• Maximum life roll (100+ life)
• Required resistances (fire/cold/lightning)
• Build-specific defensive layer (armour, evasion, or ES)
• Open prefix or suffix for crafting

Key armour types by build:

• Tank builds: Maximum armour body armour
• Evasion builds: Evasion-focused body armour
• Spell builds: Energy shield body armour
• Hybrid builds: Armour/ES or Armour/Evasion hybrid

A-Tier

• Good rolls on two of three key stats
• Missing one resistance but compensatable
• Strong defensive layer

B-Tier

• Functional but not optimized
• May need crafting investment
• Adequate for current content

Helmet: Tier List

S-Tier

• High life (80+)
• All needed resistances
• Build-specific bonuses (spell damage, attack speed, minion modifiers)

A-Tier

• Good life with most resistances
• One modifier suboptimal

B-Tier

• Functional life and some resistances
• Needs crafting improvement

Gloves: Tier List

S-Tier

• Attack/cast speed (critical for DPS builds)
• High life
• Resistances coverage
• Build-specific bonuses

A-Tier

• Good speed with life and some resistances

Boots: Tier List

S-Tier

• Movement speed (30%+) — Non-negotiable
• High life
• Resistances
• Build-specific modifiers

Note: Movement speed on boots is one of the most valuable stats in the game. Never compromise on this.

A-Tier

• 25%+ movement speed with decent life and resistances

Shield: Tier List

S-Tier (For Shield Builds)

• Maximum armour and/or ES
• Block chance (attack and spell)
• Resistances
• Life

Jewellery: Tier List

Amulet (S-Tier)

• Build-specific damage modifier
• High life
• Resistances
• Attributes if needed

Rings (S-Tier)

• Resistances (primary)
• Life
• Build-specific damage
• Attributes

Belt (S-Tier)

• Maximum life
• Resistances
• Build-specific bonuses

Unique Items Worth Targeting

Some unique items are so powerful they become BiS regardless of rare alternatives:

Gear Priority Order

When investing currency, prioritize in this order:

1. Weapon — Biggest damage increase
2. Boots — Movement speed is essential
3. Body Armour — Primary defensive piece
4. Helmet — Life and resistances
5. Gloves — Speed and life
6. Shield (if applicable) — Block and defence
7. Belt — Life and resistances
8. Amulet — Damage and resistances
9. Rings — Resistances and damage

Common Gear Mistakes

1. Investing in leveling gear — You will replace it in 5 levels
2. Ignoring movement speed — Boots without movement speed are a liability
3. Not checking resistances — Uncapped resistances kill you in endgame
4. Over-looking life — More life is always better
5. Chasing uniques too early — Rares with good rolls are often better
6. Not crafting — A crafted rare beats a dropped rare every time

Build-Specific BiS Targets

Melee Build BiS

Ranged Build BiS

Spell Build BiS

Seasonal Gear Considerations

Each league introduces new items and modifiers that can shift the tier list:

League Start

• New uniques may become S-tier immediately
• Existing BiS items are expensive due to high demand
• Rares are often better value than newly discovered uniques

Mid League

• Prices stabilize
• Crafted items become more affordable
• Meta shifts may change what is BiS

Late League

• Best prices on everything
• Investment in next-league gear begins
• Mirror-tier items become accessible

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this system work in practice?

Start with the basics outlined in this guide, then experiment. The system is designed to reward understanding and engagement.

Can I change my choices later?

Most choices can be modified through currency items or specific NPCs. Check the relevant sections for respec options.

What is the most efficient approach?

Follow the priority order outlined in this guide. Focus on the highest-impact choices first, then optimize secondary options.

How does this interact with other systems?

This system works alongside crafting, trading, and combat. The guides linked at the bottom explain these interactions in detail.

Where can I find more information?

The community tools and databases listed provide real-time data. The related guides below offer complementary information.

Key Takeaways

Remember these essential points as you apply what you have learned from this guide:

1. Preparation is everything — Whether you are entering a boss fight, opening a new map, or starting a new league, proper preparation prevents poor performance. Check your resistances, verify your gear, and confirm your skill setup before committing.

2. Layered defence wins — No single defensive stat is sufficient on its own. The combination of avoidance, mitigation, recovery, and health pool creates the survivability needed for endgame content. Invest in multiple layers.

3. Knowledge compounds — Every hour spent learning game mechanics, boss patterns, and build optimization pays dividends across hundreds of hours of gameplay. The players who succeed in PoE2 are the ones who invest in understanding the systems.

4. Adapt and iterate — Your build, gear, and strategy should evolve as you progress. What worked at level 30 will not work at level 90. Embrace change, respec when needed, and continuously optimize.

5. Community is your greatest resource — The PoE2 community shares build guides, trade tips, and mechanical knowledge freely. Use the tools, ask questions, and contribute back when you can.

6. Enjoy the journey — Path of Exile 2 is designed to be a long-term game. Do not rush to endgame at the expense of enjoyment. Learn as you go, experiment with different builds, and find the playstyle that makes you happiest. The destination will still be there when you arrive.

Related Guides

• Crafting Guide
• Unique Items Guide
• Currency Orbs Explained
• Flask Guide

Updated for patch 0.5 Return of the Ancients. Last verified: July 2026.