TL;DR
- Ascendancy respec requires visiting The Hooded One in Clearfell Encampment post-campaign
- Refunding points costs significantly more than regular passive skills and scales with character level
- You cannot change your Ascendancy subclass, only redistribute points within your chosen tree
- Early respec decisions save currency; plan builds carefully before committing points
- Each class has unique Ascendancy options that dramatically alter gameplay mechanics
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Path of Exile 2 introduces six distinct character classes during early access, each featuring specialized Ascendancy subclasses that define your playstyle. These subclasses provide powerful bonuses through dedicated passive skill trees separate from your main skill tree. Unlike the extensive main passive web, Ascendancy trees offer concentrated power with precisely eight available points, typically acquired two at a time through completing specific game challenges.
The Ascendancy system represents a compact but immensely impactful passive tree that becomes accessible after conquering the Trials of Ascendancy. These specialized nodes can fundamentally transform how your character functions, making selection decisions critically important. Many experienced players recommend testing builds through external tools before committing points, as mistakes can be costly to rectify.
How to refund Ascendancy points in PoE 2
Respecifying Ascendancy points follows similar mechanics to regular passive skill refunds but with important distinctions. You must locate The Hooded One, an NPC who appears exclusively in the Clearfell Encampment after completing The Mysterious Shade and Sorrow Among Stones campaign quests. Approach and engage with this character to access the refund interface, which displays your Ascendancy tree.
Within the refund interface, clicking on any activated Ascendancy node reveals the specific currency cost for deactivating it. This process allows point-by-point removal rather than requiring full tree resets. Many players find it helpful to plan their revised tree layout beforehand using community tools to minimize expensive trial-and-error adjustments.
Refunding Ascendancy points carries substantially higher costs compared to regular passive skill adjustments. The pricing structure scales dynamically with your character’s level, creating significant financial incentives for addressing build issues earlier rather than later. A common mistake among new players is delaying necessary respecs, which exponentially increases the currency investment required for corrections.
Critical limitation: Ascendancy respecs only allow redistribution of points within your current subclass tree. You cannot switch to a different Ascendancy subclass once selected, making your initial choice permanently binding for that character. This constraint underscores the importance of researching subclass synergies with your intended build direction. For comprehensive character planning, consult our Class Guide to understand long-term implications.
Advanced strategy: Seasoned players often create multiple characters to test different Ascendancy options rather than investing heavily in respecs. The most cost-effective approach involves using external build planners to simulate different point allocations before committing resources in-game.
Action Checklist
- Complete The Mysterious Shade and Sorrow Among Stones quests to unlock The Hooded One
- Travel to Clearfell Encampment and locate The Hooded One NPC
- Interact with The Hooded One and select the refund option
- Review current Ascendancy tree and identify nodes for removal
- Click target nodes to see refund costs and execute removals strategically
- Reallocate points to optimized nodes, consulting build guides if needed
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides » How to respec Ascendancy skills points in PoE 2. How to change Ascendancy class in Path of Exile 2 Master Ascendancy respec mechanics in PoE 2 with cost-saving strategies and build optimization tips