I’ve been glued to the game since the international servers came online, and after a couple of rough but exciting days, the early meta is already settling into something pretty wild. If you’re still staring at the class screen trying to figure out what won’t make you regret your life choices, you’re not alone. And as odd as it sounds, a lot of what feels strong right now also depends on how fast you can adapt and how quickly you can gather a bit of extra gear or PoE 2 Currency along the way, because some classes really need the help to feel smooth in the first stretch of the game.

Druid’s early problems

The first thing people keep talking about is how rough Druids feel. You jump in expecting this big, tanky, shape-shifting powerhouse, but most players discover pretty quickly that the class is all over the place unless you’re running that super-specific Dragon Druid setup. Outside of that, the toolkit feels like it’s fighting against you. Too many inputs, animations that don’t quite line up with what you need, moments where you’re juggling Devouring Ball and movement and still end up flattened by a random mob pack. If you love a challenge, sure, it’s playable, but most folks aren’t exactly signing up for a job interview when they pick a class.

Sharp Eye still carrying the ladder

Meanwhile, Sharp Eye builds are basically the comfort food of the new season. Grenade Sharp Eye is the kind of build where you level up, blink twice, and suddenly you’re mowing through zones without thinking too hard about it. It’s quick, forgiving, and doesn’t punish you for missing a single rotation. Cyclone Sharp Eye feels different but stays just as fun. You start off feeling a bit wobbly, but once you hit the early teens, the whole build snaps together. Sure, it’s fast-paced and full of little dashes and spins, but the damage lands, and it actually feels like all that movement means something.

Poison Stalker and Summoner options

Poison Stalker is in a strange spot. People who know what they’re doing make it look incredible, but most players hit that early wall because of the aiming and the timing on the Poison Explosions. And with the Lightning Bolt nerfs, the build just isn’t as forgiving anymore. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Summoner remains the chill option. You press a couple of buttons now and then, watch the spirits do their thing, and you barely feel the pressure until bosses show up. It’s the closest thing the game has to a laid-back mode right now.

Empty Palm finally pays off

If you’re stubborn enough to survive the first slog, Empty Palm Monk really wakes up around level 14. Before that, you’ll feel like you’re punching air, but the moment the keystone unlocks, the whole kit starts to flow in a way that feels almost unfair. It’s a niche build, sure, but once it hits its stride, it’s a blast to play, especially if you’ve got a little room to experiment with upgrades or even a few extra poe 2 currencies to smooth out the awkward parts.