Last Epoch Class Tier List (March 2026) – Masteries Ranked

Updated by Rudra Sethi
November 2, 2025
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Welcome to the most comprehensive Last Epoch Class Tier List for March 2026! As someone who has spent countless hours testing every mastery across multiple seasons, I’m excited to share my detailed analysis of all 15 class masteries in Last Epoch. Whether you’re a new player trying to choose your first mastery or a veteran looking to optimize your endgame performance, this tier list will help you make informed decisions.

Last Epoch’s class system offers incredible depth with five base classes branching into three unique masteries each. With the recent Season 3: Beneath Ancient Skies update launching on August 21, 2025, the meta has shifted significantly thanks to major class reworks, minion system overhauls, and new Primordial items. This tier list reflects the current state of the game and will help you dominate both leveling and endgame content.

Quick Reference: Last Epoch Mastery Tier List (March 2026)

Tier	Class Masteries	Best For	Playstyle Difficulty
S Tier	Beastmaster, Falconer, Void Knight	Endgame pushing, speed farming, all content	Easy to Moderate
A Tier	Lich, Necromancer, Paladin, Runemaster	Specific content types, versatile builds	Moderate
B Tier	Bladedancer, Marksman, Shaman, Sorcerer, Spellblade, Warlock	Niche builds, casual play	Moderate to Hard
C Tier	Druid, Forge Guard	Hardcore enthusiasts, challenge runs	Hard

Last Epoch Class Tier List (2026)

S Tier: The Meta-Defining Masteries

S-tier masteries represent the absolute best choices in Last Epoch Season 3. These classes excel in multiple content types, have excellent scaling, and can carry players through the most challenging endgame content with relative ease.

Beastmaster

Beastmaster stands as the undisputed king of Season 3, and for good reason. The minion system overhaul in Beneath Ancient Skies has transformed this Primalist mastery into an absolute powerhouse. What makes Beastmaster so special is its combination of ease of use, incredible survivability, and devastating damage output.

Why Beastmaster is S-Tier:

Enhanced Minion Scaling: Season 3’s minion reworks have made Beastmaster’s pets significantly more powerful and responsive
Excellent Survivability: Your minions act as a meat shield while you deal damage from safety
Multiple Strong Builds: Both Bear Beastmaster and Storm Crow Beastmaster builds dominate the current meta
Beginner-Friendly: Easy to pick up but scales incredibly well into endgame

Best Beastmaster Builds:

Storm Crow Beastmaster: The current meta king, offering incredible clear speed and boss damage
Bear Beastmaster: A tanky alternative that excels in high-corruption content
Upheaval Beastmaster: A fun melee variant that can hit for massive critical damage

Beastmaster’s strength lies in its versatility. Whether you prefer to sit back and let your minions do the work or get up close and personal with melee attacks, there’s a Beastmaster build that will suit your playstyle. The recent improvements to minion AI and damage scaling have pushed this mastery to the top of the tier list.

Falconer

Falconer combines the best of both worlds: minion gameplay and explosive ranged combat. This Rogue mastery has maintained its S-tier status through Season 3 thanks to its incredible damage potential and unique playstyle that keeps players engaged and rewarded.

Why Falconer is S-Tier:

Dual Scaling Mechanics: Both you and your Falcon companion can deal massive damage
Excellent Clear Speed: Abilities like Dive Bomb can clear entire screens in seconds
Strong Single-Target: Ballista builds excel at boss killing
High Mobility: Essential for surviving high-corruption content

Best Falconer Builds:

Ballista Falconer: Incredible single-target damage with good clear speed
Umbral Blades Falconer: Excellent AoE clear with solid boss damage
Dive Bomb Specialized: Maximum clear speed for farming monoliths

The key to mastering Falconer is learning to balance between buffing your Falcon’s attacks and reducing cooldowns. Your bird companion becomes an extension of yourself, and proper management of its abilities can make the difference between a good build and a great one. While you’ll need to stay mobile to avoid damage, the payoff is well worth it.

Void Knight

Void Knight represents the pinnacle of Sentinel mastery gameplay, offering devastating melee damage with unique void mechanics. Despite receiving some nerfs in Season 3, Void Knight remains one of the strongest masteries for endgame content.

Why Void Knight is S-Tier:

Massive AoE Damage: Circular swings plow through enemies and leave damaging void trails
Excellent Scaling: Void mechanics scale incredibly well with gear investment
Strong Survivability: Ward generation and defensive abilities keep you alive in tough fights
Multiple Top Builds: Both Erasing Strike and Warpath builds remain meta-defining

Best Void Knight Builds:

Erasing Strike Void Knight: The current king of single-target damage
Warpath Void Knight: Incredible clear speed with solid boss damage
Void Cleave: A balanced option that excels in all content types

Void Knight’s playstyle revolves around managing your void abilities and positioning yourself to maximize your circular AoE attacks. The damage-over-time effects from your void trails can melt even the toughest enemies, making this mastery particularly effective for high-corruption monolith pushing.

A Tier: Strong and Versatile Masteries

A-tier masteries offer excellent performance but may have specific limitations or require more investment than their S-tier counterparts. These classes are still fantastic choices and can compete with S-tier performance in the right hands.

Lich

Lich brings the power of death itself to the battlefield, offering transformation-based gameplay with incredible damage potential. This Acolyte mastery has multiple scaling vectors and can deal devastating damage when built correctly.

Why Lich is A-Tier:

Multiple Scaling Vectors: Scales with health, intelligence, and mana
Transformation Mechanics: Reaper Form offers massive damage boosts
Versatile Playstyle: Can be built for various damage types and playstyles
Strong Endgame Potential: Scales incredibly well with gear investment

Best Lich Builds:

Death Seal Lich: Focuses on burst damage and explosive endings
Stygian Coal Lich: A unique build that uses specific items for massive damage
Reaper Form Lich: The classic transformation build with excellent sustain

The main challenge with Lich is managing your Reaper Form properly. The longer you stay transformed, the more damage you take, but exiting the form heals you to full. This risk-reward mechanic requires skill to master but offers incredible rewards when played correctly.

Necromancer

Necromancer has received significant improvements in Season 3 thanks to the minion system overhaul. This Acolyte mastery now offers some of the most satisfying minion gameplay in the game, with improved AI and damage scaling.

Why Necromancer is A-Tier:

Improved Minion AI: Season 3 reworks make minions much more responsive
Multiple Minion Types: Skeletons, mages, and abominations offer variety
Strong Scaling: Minions scale well with gear investment
Excellent Clear Speed: Multiple minions can clear entire screens quickly

Best Necromancer Builds:

Abomination Necromancer: Uses a single powerful minion for massive damage
Skeleton Mage Necromancer: Combines multiple minion types for versatility
Wraith Necromancer: Focuses on spectral minions with unique mechanics

Necromancer’s strength lies in its ability to create an undead army that does your bidding. The recent improvements to minion AI have made this mastery much more enjoyable to play, and the damage scaling improvements have pushed it firmly into A-tier territory.

Paladin

Paladin offers the perfect blend of offense and defense, making it an excellent choice for players who want to feel tanky while still dealing respectable damage. This Sentinel mastery excels in party play but remains strong in solo content as well.

Why Paladin is A-Tier:

Excellent Defenses: Multiple defensive abilities keep you alive in tough fights
Good Damage Output: Hammer Throw and other abilities can deal respectable damage
Party Utility: Great for group play with buffs and defensive support
Versatile Playstyle: Can be built for various roles and damage types

Best Paladin Builds:

Hammer Throw Paladin: The classic build with excellent clear speed
Judgment Paladin: Focuses on single-target burst damage
Smite Paladin: A lightning-based variant with good AoE clear

Paladin’s passive abilities like Faithful provide constant healing, allowing you to stay in the fight longer than other classes. While it may not reach the damage heights of S-tier masteries, its defensive capabilities make it an excellent choice for players who value survivability.

Runemaster

Runemaster offers one of the most unique playstyles in Last Epoch with its rune-based casting system. This Mage mastery rewards strategic thinking and resource management with incredible flexibility and powerful spell combinations.

Why Runemaster is A-Tier:

Unique Casting System: Runes and Runic Invocations offer incredible variety
Excellent Flexibility: 40 different Runic Invocations for various situations
Strong Scaling: Intelligence stacking provides damage, survivability, and utility
Multiple Build Paths: Can be built for various damage types and playstyles

Best Runemaster Builds:

Hydrahedron Runemaster: Focuses on multiple projectile spells
Glacier-Shatter Strike Runemaster: Combines cold damage with shatter mechanics
Meteor Runemaster: Classic fire-based build with massive AoE damage

Runemaster’s playstyle revolves around earning elemental runes with each spell cast, then using those runes to power your Runic Invocations. This creates a engaging gameplay loop that rewards careful planning and resource management. While it may have a higher skill ceiling than other masteries, the payoff is well worth it.

B Tier: Solid but Limited Masteries

B-tier masteries offer competent performance but are often outperformed by higher-tier options. These classes have good builds but may require more investment or have specific weaknesses that limit their effectiveness in the current meta.

Bladedancer

Bladedancer is all about speed and precision, offering incredibly fast gameplay that can be thrilling but also risky. This Rogue mastery excels at clearing content quickly but requires careful play to avoid death.

Why Bladedancer is B-Tier:

Incredible Speed: One of the fastest masteries in the game
Good Single-Target Damage: Can deal impressive burst damage
High Skill Ceiling: Rewards skilled play with excellent performance
Limited Survivability: Glass cannon playstyle can be punishing

Best Bladedancer Builds:

Lethal Mirage Bladedancer: Focuses on burst damage and illusions
Dancing Strikes Bladedancer: Excellent mobility with good damage
Umbral Blades Bladedancer: Combines shadow damage with fast attacks

Bladedancer’s main weakness is its survivability. While you can deal incredible damage, you’re also quite fragile and need to rely on movement abilities like Swift to stay out of trouble. This makes the mastery less forgiving than higher-tier options but still viable for skilled players.

Marksman

Marksman is the master of ranged combat, excelling at single-target damage from a safe distance. This Rogue mastery offers satisfying bow gameplay but struggles to compete with the versatility of other ranged options like Falconer.

Why Marksman is B-Tier:

Excellent Single-Target Damage: Can deal impressive burst damage to bosses
Safe Playstyle: Ranged combat keeps you away from danger
Multiple Bow Skills: Variety of abilities for different situations
Limited AoE Clear: Struggles with clearing large groups of enemies

Best Marksman Builds:

Heartseeker Marksman: Focuses on single-target burst damage
Multishot Marksman: Better AoE clear with good single-target damage
Puncture Marksman: Uses damage-over-time effects for sustained damage

Marksman’s biggest limitation is its AoE clear speed. While you can delete bosses with ease, clearing large groups of enemies can feel slow compared to other masteries. This makes it less efficient for farming monoliths but still viable for players who enjoy the bow fantasy.

Shaman

Shaman offers a unique blend of totem support and elemental spellcasting, but struggles to find its place in the current meta. This Primalist mastery has good defenses but lacks the damage output of higher-tier options.

Why Shaman is B-Tier:

Good Defenses: Multiple defensive abilities keep you alive
Totem Support: Can summon helpful totems for buffs and damage
Elemental Variety: Access to multiple damage types
Limited Damage Output: Struggles to compete with other casters

Best Shaman Builds:

Totem Shaman: Focuses on totem support and buffs
Tornado Shaman: Uses wind spells for AoE damage
Lightning Blast Shaman: Lightning-based build with good burst damage

Shaman’s main issue is that other masteries simply do what it does better. While totems can be useful, other minion masteries like Necromancer and Beastmaster offer more powerful minion gameplay. Similarly, other casters like Runemaster and Sorcerer offer better spellcasting options.

Sorcerer

Sorcerer is the classic elemental spellcaster, offering massive AoE damage but limited mobility. This Mage mastery can deal incredible damage but struggles with survivability and positioning.

Why Sorcerer is B-Tier:

Massive AoE Damage: Can clear entire screens with elemental spells
Multiple Damage Types: Access to fire, cold, and lightning damage
Spell Variety: Many different spells for various situations
Limited Mobility: Struggles with positioning and survivability

Best Sorcerer Builds:

Meteor Sorcerer: Classic fire-based build with massive AoE damage
Disintegrate Sorcerer: Uses a beam spell for sustained damage
Lightning Blast Sorcerer: Lightning-based build with good burst damage

Sorcerer’s biggest weakness is its mobility. Arcane Ascendance can boost your spell damage, but it comes at the cost of movement speed, making it difficult to position yourself safely. This makes the mastery less effective in high-corruption content where positioning is crucial.

Spellblade

Spellblade combines melee combat with elemental buffs, offering a unique hybrid playstyle. This Mage mastery can be fun to play but struggles to compete with more specialized options.

Why Spellblade is B-Tier:

Unique Hybrid Playstyle: Combines melee and spellcasting
Elemental Variety: Access to multiple damage types
Good Single-Target Damage: Can deal impressive burst damage
Gear Dependent: Requires good equipment to perform well

Best Spellblade Builds:

Shatter Strike Spellblade: Combines melee attacks with cold damage
Mana Strike Spellblade: Uses mana-based abilities for damage
Elemental Nova Spellblade: Focuses on AoE elemental damage

Spellblade’s main limitation is its gear dependency. While the mastery can be powerful with good equipment, it struggles to perform well with average gear compared to other masteries. This makes it less accessible for new players or those without extensive resources.

Warlock

Warlock specializes in damage-over-time effects, offering a unique playstyle that focuses on applying debuffs and watching enemies melt. This Acolyte mastery can be incredibly powerful but requires careful positioning and timing.

Why Warlock is B-Tier:

Excellent DoT Damage: Can deal incredible damage over time
Good Defenses: Profane Veil provides excellent defensive capabilities
Unique Playstyle: Focuses on debuffs and damage-over-time effects
Positioning Dependent: Requires careful positioning to maximize effectiveness

Best Warlock Builds:

Tormenting Spirits Warlock: Focuses on spirit-based damage
Witchfire Warlock: Uses fire-based DoT effects
Chaos Bolt Warlock: Chaos damage build with good burst potential

Warlock’s strength lies in its ability to apply multiple damage-over-time effects and then play defensively while those effects do their work. However, this playstyle requires careful positioning and timing, making the mastery less accessible for casual players.

C Tier: Niche Specialists

C-tier masteries require significant investment or have specific limitations that make them less optimal for most players. While still viable, these classes underperform compared to higher-tier options and are generally recommended only for dedicated enthusiasts.

Druid

Druid harnesses the power of primal nature, offering transformation abilities and healing magic. This Primalist mastery has unique mechanics but struggles in the current endgame meta.

Why Druid is C-Tier:

Unique Transformation Mechanics: Can shapeshift into different animal forms
Healing Abilities: Access to healing spells for support
Multiple Playstyles: Can be built for melee, caster, or support roles
Endgame Struggles: Performs poorly in high-corruption content

Best Druid Builds:

Werebear Druid: Tanky melee build with good survivability
Spriggan Druid: Focuses on nature magic and healing
Storm Crow Druid: Uses storm-based abilities for damage

Druid’s main issue is its performance in endgame content. While the mastery can be fun to play during leveling and early endgame, it struggles to keep up with other masteries in high-corruption monoliths and boss fights. This makes it less viable for players focused on pushing the highest content.

Forge Guard

Forge Guard combines melee combat with minion support, offering a unique blend of frontline combat and pet management. This Sentinel mastery has interesting mechanics but is outclassed by other options.

Why Forge Guard is C-Tier:

Hybrid Playstyle: Combines melee combat with minion support
Good Defenses: Multiple defensive abilities keep you alive
Minion Variety: Access to different types of minions
Outclassed by Alternatives: Other masteries do its job better

Best Forge Guard Builds:

Anvil Forge Guard: Focuses on melee combat with anvil abilities
Minion Forge Guard: Emphasizes minion support and management
Hybrid Forge Guard: Balances between melee and minion gameplay

Forge Guard’s main problem is that other masteries simply do what it does better. Void Knight and Paladin offer better melee combat, while Necromancer and Beastmaster provide superior minion gameplay. This leaves Forge Guard in a difficult position where it struggles to find a unique niche in the current meta.

2026 Tier List Methodology and Criteria

Creating an accurate tier list requires careful consideration of multiple factors. Here’s how I evaluated each mastery for this Last Epoch Class Tier List:

Evaluation Criteria

Endgame Performance: How well each mastery performs in high-corruption monoliths and boss fights
Clear Speed: Ability to quickly clear monoliths and other farming content
Survivability: Defensive capabilities and ability to stay alive in tough situations
Build Variety: Number of viable builds and playstyle options
Gear Dependency: How much the mastery relies on specific gear or items
Skill Floor: Ease of use for new players
Skill Ceiling: Potential performance in the hands of skilled players
Season 3 Impact: How the Beneath Ancient Skies update affected each mastery

Testing Methodology

I spent hundreds of hours testing each mastery across different content types:

Leveling Experience: How each mastery performs during the campaign
Monolith Clearing: Speed and efficiency in clearing empowered monoliths
Boss Killing: Single-target damage output against major bosses
High Corruption Performance: Ability to handle 2000+ corruption content
Different Gear Levels: Performance with budget, mid-tier, and high-end gear

Community Input

This tier list also incorporates feedback from:

Official Last Epoch Forums: Developer insights and community discussions
Reddit Community: Player experiences and build sharing
Discord Servers: Real-time discussions with dedicated players
Content Creator Analysis: Insights from top Last Epoch streamers and guide writers

Season 3 Impact on Class Balance

The Beneath Ancient Skies update has significantly shaken up the Last Epoch meta. Here are the key changes that have affected class balance:

Major System Changes

Minion System Overhaul: Complete rework of minion AI and damage scaling
New Primordial Items: Powerful new items that enable unique build archetypes
Class Reworks: Significant changes to multiple masteries and their skills
Endgame Adjustments: Changes to monolith scaling and boss mechanics

Winners and Losers

Biggest Winners:

Beastmaster: Minion reworks have made this mastery incredibly powerful
Necromancer: Improved minion AI and damage scaling
Falconer: New items and skill adjustments have maintained its top-tier status

Biggest Losers:

Druid: Struggles to adapt to the new endgame meta
Forge Guard: Outclassed by other options after the update
Sorcerer: Mobility issues more pronounced in current meta

Choosing the Right Mastery for You

While tier lists are helpful, the best mastery is ultimately the one you enjoy playing the most. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your mastery:

For New Players

If you’re new to Last Epoch, I recommend starting with:

Beastmaster: Easy to learn, forgiving, and incredibly powerful
Paladin: Tanky with good damage, excellent for learning game mechanics
Necromancer: Improved minion AI makes it very beginner-friendly

For Experienced Players

If you’re an experienced ARPG player looking for a challenge:

Void Knight: High skill ceiling with incredible rewards
Runemaster: Complex resource management with powerful results
Warlock: Requires careful positioning but offers unique gameplay

For Specific Content Types

Speed Farming:

Falconer: Excellent clear speed with good mobility
Beastmaster: Minions clear while you move forward
Bladedancer: Incredibly fast movement and attack speed

Boss Killing:

Void Knight: Massive single-target damage
Marksman: Safe ranged damage with good burst
Lich: High damage output with transformation mechanics

High Corruption Pushing:

Beastmaster: Excellent survivability with good damage
Void Knight: Strong defenses with powerful AoE
Paladin: Tanky enough to survive tough situations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mastery in Last Epoch Season 3?

Based on my extensive testing and community feedback, Beastmaster is currently the best mastery in Last Epoch Season 3. The minion system overhaul has made this Primalist mastery incredibly powerful, offering excellent damage, survivability, and ease of use.

How often does this tier list get updated?

This tier list is updated regularly to reflect the current meta, especially after major patches and seasons. With Last Epoch’s active development cycle, I recommend checking back monthly for the most up-to-date rankings.

Are C-tier masteries unplayable?

Not at all! C-tier masteries are still viable and can complete all content in the game. They simply require more investment or have specific limitations compared to higher-tier options. If you enjoy the playstyle of a C-tier mastery, don’t let the tier list discourage you from playing it.

What mastery is best for solo play?

For solo play, I recommend Beastmaster, Paladin, or Necromancer. These masteries offer good survivability along with strong damage output, making them excellent choices for tackling content alone.

How do I get started with a new mastery?

The best way to get started with a new mastery is to:

Read build guides from reputable sources
Start with a beginner-friendly build
Focus on core mechanics before optimizing
Join community Discord servers for advice
Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust builds to your playstyle

What’s the difference between base classes and masteries?

In Last Epoch, you start with one of five base classes (Sentinel, Mage, Primalist, Rogue, Acolyte) and choose one of three masteries at level 10. Masteries are specialized versions of your base class with unique skills, passives, and playstyles.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This Last Epoch Class Tier List for March 2026 reflects the current state of the game after the Season 3: Beneath Ancient Skies update. While tier lists are helpful tools for understanding the current meta, remember that the best mastery is ultimately the one you enjoy playing the most.

The beauty of Last Epoch lies in its incredible build diversity and the fact that every mastery can complete all content in the game. Whether you choose an S-tier powerhouse like Beastmaster or a C-tier specialist like Druid, you’ll find a unique and engaging playstyle that suits your preferences.

I encourage you to experiment with different masteries, join the community discussions, and most importantly, have fun exploring the rich world of Last Epoch. The game’s active development means the meta is always evolving, so stay tuned for future updates and balance changes.

For more Last Epoch content, check out our Last Epoch Season 3 Guide and Last Epoch Season 3: Revolutionary Minion AI Guide for even more in-depth information about the current state of the game.

Happy hunting, and may your chosen mastery lead you to victory in the world of Eterra!

This tier list was last updated in March 2026 and reflects the current state of Last Epoch Season 3: Beneath Ancient Skies. Game balance is subject to change with future updates.