Path of Exile 2: Disciple of Varashta Ascendancy Overview

The developers of Path of Exile 2 continue to deepen character customization mechanics, and in a separate official preview they revealed a new Ascendancy Class for the Sorceress - Disciple of Varashta, which was not shown during the main livestream.

The new Ascendancy was presented by Path of Exile Game Director Mark Roberts. Its core idea is maximum flexibility: the class is built around meaningful player decisions and allows builds to be customized freely to match individual playstyles.

Who is Varashta in Path of Exile 2

In the past, Varashta stood at the head of the Maraketh and wielded immense power. Even now, she maintains control over the djinn within the Trial of the Sekhemas. These elemental beings remain bound, waiting for someone worthy to prove themselves. If the Sorceress succeeds in the trial, Varashta may grant her command over the djinn, turning them into allies in battle.

This time, the developers did more than simply add a new Ascendancy. They tightly connected it to the game’s lore and to the trial that players go through. For many, this might seem like a minor detail, and some would rather see the developers focus on mechanical issues and balance changes instead of expanding the story. But in my view, a well-developed lore makes the game feel more complete, and this aspect should not be ignored.

The Disciple of Varashta Ascendancy Concept

The new Sorceress Ascendancy in Path of Exile 2 - Disciple of Varashta - is designed around the idea of “build your own summoner.” It does not lock players into a single predefined archetype, instead allowing them to shape their own playstyle by choosing which djinn to command and how their abilities evolve.

Within this Ascendancy, the Sorceress can summon up to three different djinn at the same time. Each djinn serves a specific purpose within a build and has a clearly defined role. They are bound to their Barya and are not permanently active on the battlefield, appearing only when the corresponding command is activated. Let’s take a closer look at each djinn and what they bring to a build.

The Available Djinn

Ruzhan is a fire djinn with a strong offensive focus. He specializes in dealing direct damage and performs best in builds built around constant pressure, high destructive power, and an aggressive combat pace.

Kelari's, the Tainted Sands

Kelari's takes the role of an assassin djinn, emphasizing speed and precision in her attacks. In addition to dealing damage, she strongly complements builds focused on critical strikes, enhancing their combat potential and overall efficiency.

Navira, the Last Mirage

Navira is a water djinn focused on utility and support. She provides mana and energy shield recovery, making her a strong choice for Sorceresses who prefer a traditional caster playstyle with an emphasis on stability and resource management.

Djinn Command System and Progression

Each djinn starts with one basic command available by default. As you progress through the Ascendancy, you can spend points to unlock up to three additional command skills for each djinn, significantly expanding your build customization options.

This command-based system makes the Ascendancy highly flexible and lets you adapt it to different goals - from maximizing damage to focusing on utility and support - without forcing you into a single predefined build path.

In many ways, the Sorceress Ascendancy feels very similar to the Druid’s forms. If you haven’t had a chance to play the Druid yet, check out our blog New PoE 2 Character Druid, where we break down the class in detail: its skills, forms, Ascendancies, and how it may perform in the upcoming league at this stage.

Possible Build Approaches with Disciple of Varashta

Disciple of Varashta supports multiple build paths that depend directly on djinn selection and skill progression. The Sorceress can be fully focused on summoning, relying on offensive djinn such as Ruzhan and Kelari’s to maximize damage output.

An alternative approach leans toward a more traditional caster playstyle. In this case, Navira plays a key role by providing mana and energy shield recovery, increasing stability and survivability in prolonged fights. Hybrid setups are also viable, combining offensive djinn with utility-focused options to balance damage and support based on personal playstyle preferences.

This level of flexibility reflects the core philosophy of the Ascendancy: offering meaningful player choice without forcing a single optimal build path.

The original official preview with detailed developer commentary is available in the YouTube video linked below.

Path of Exile 2: Disciple of Varashta Ascendancy Overview Conclusion

Disciple of Varashta makes the Sorceress in Path of Exile 2 noticeably deeper and more engaging by introducing an Ascendancy built around choice and flexible customization. The djinn command system, combined with individual skill progression, opens up far more build options and allows the character to be expressed in different ways during combat.

The freedom to combine damage, utility, and support clearly reflects Path of Exile 2’s overall design philosophy, where players decide for themselves how their build and playstyle should take shape.