Path of Idle Old Gods Rising Tier List

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide ranks every class in Path of Idle Old Gods: Rising from S-tier (best overall) to D-tier (situational or weak), so you know which class to pick for solo play, farming, and endgame bosses. The tier list below is based on the current game balance as of this writing, and it assumes you are playing with the standard skill loadouts and gear available up to the mid-game.

How the Tier List Works

Classes are ranked on three criteria: solo survivability (can you clear a stage without dying), boss DPS (how fast you kill the big enemies), and farming efficiency (how quickly you clear trash mobs). A class that excels in all three is S-tier. One that is great at one thing but bad at another is A or B. C and D are for classes that are either outclassed or require very specific relics to work.

The current meta (patch 2.1) favors classes with built-in lifesteal or shields, because the endgame bosses hit hard and potions are limited. Pure damage classes without sustain fall off after stage 300.

S-Tier Classes

Berserker – The best all-rounder. High base damage, a self-heal on critical hits, and a rage mechanic that increases damage as you take hits. It’s the go-to for new players and remains strong in endgame.
Necromancer – Your summons tank for you, so you rarely take damage. The skeleton army also spreads damage across many targets, making it the best for farming. Boss fights are slower than Berserker, but you never die.

A-Tier Classes

Paladin – Great survivability with a shield that blocks every few seconds, and a heal that scales with your max HP. Damage is lower than Berserker, but you can face-tank most bosses. Excellent for hardcore mode.
Ranger – Very high single-target DPS, especially with the snipe skill. However, it’s fragile and requires you to manually dodge enemy attacks. Great for boss farming if you have good reflexes.

B-Tier Classes

Mage – AOE damage is strong for clearing waves, but single-target DPS is mediocre. The mana system forces you to pause between bursts, which slows down boss fights. Useful for early-game farming.
Rogue – Fast attacks and high crit chance, but low base damage. It scales well with crit relics, but until you find them, it feels weak. A niche pick for crit builds.

C-Tier Classes

Druid – Shapeshifting gives you flexibility, but each form is worse than a dedicated class. The bear form is a weaker Paladin, and the cat form is a weaker Ranger. Only pick if you want variety.
Warlock – DoT (damage over time) effects are strong in theory, but they don’t stack, so you’re stuck with one curse at a time. Slow ramp-up means you take damage before the DoT kills the enemy.

D-Tier Classes

Bard – Buffs are great in a team, but this is a solo game. The damage is low, and the healing is weak. It’s the only class that can’t clear the final boss without overleveling.

How to Choose Your Class

If you’re new, pick Berserker. It’s forgiving and teaches you the game’s mechanics. If you want to farm while watching TV, Necromancer is the best. If you’re a veteran looking for a challenge, try Ranger or Rogue, but expect to die a lot. Avoid Bard unless you’re doing a challenge run.

Also consider your relic drops. If you get a legendary crit relic early, Rogue becomes much stronger. If you get a lifesteal relic, Berserker becomes nearly unkillable. The tier list assumes no specific relics, so adjust based on what you find.

Common Misconceptions

One common mistake is thinking that the Mage is the best farmer because of its AOE. In practice, the Necromancer’s minions kill faster because they don’t have mana costs and they attack multiple targets at once. Another is that the Paladin is a tank with no damage – actually, the Paladin’s shield bash deals decent damage and can stun, making it a solid boss killer.

Also, don’t ignore the attack speed stat. A class with 1.0 attack speed and 200% damage is worse than a class with 1.5 attack speed and 150% damage, because the DPS formula multiplies them. That’s why Ranger and Rogue, which have high attack speed, can outdamage slower classes with better multipliers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Berserker really the best class for beginners?

Yes. The Berserker’s rage mechanic gives you a damage boost when you’re low on health, which encourages aggressive play. Its lifesteal skill also means you don’t need to carry as many potions, saving gold for gear upgrades.

Can I change my class later?

No. Once you pick a class at the start, you’re locked in for that character. You can create a new character slot to try a different class, but you’ll start from level 1 again.

What is the best class for farming gold?

Necromancer is the best because minions kill enemies quickly without your input, so you can farm while doing something else. The Mage’s AOE is also good, but you have to actively cast spells, which is more tedious.

Are there any classes that are completely useless?

Bard is the weakest, but it’s not useless – it has a buff that increases experience gain, which can help you level faster. If you’re trying to speed-level a new character, Bard might be worth it, but it’s a grind.

Does the tier list change with the latest patch?

Yes, the balance changes every few months. The current list is for patch 2.1. If you’re on a different version, check the patch notes or community forums for updates.

What is the best relic for the Berserker?

The lifesteal relic is the most valuable, as it turns your crits into heals, making you nearly unkillable. The attack speed relic is second best, as it increases your DPS directly.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.