In Path of Exile 1 (PoE 1) for 2025, the career strength ranking of builds and ascendancies reflects the current meta shaped by the Secrets of the Atlas expansion and the 3.26 patch. The community and tier lists highlight several dominant builds and classes that excel in clear speed, survivability, and endgame viability PoE 1 Currency.

According to SkyCoach and Overgear tier lists, builds are ranked based on clear speed, survivability, versatility, and ease of gearing. S-tier builds dominate in all these aspects and serve as excellent league starters and endgame performers. 

The strongest build widely recognized is the Ephemeral Edge (EE) Trickster, particularly popular with the Lightning Strike skill variant. This build combines high mobility, solid damage output, and survivability, making it a top-tier choice for both mapping and boss fights. The Trickster ascendancy offers great energy shield regeneration and evasion, which synergizes well with EE’s mechanics.

Other S-tier builds include:

1. Cyclone Impale Champion: A melee build with strong single-target damage and good survivability, favored for its smooth gameplay and reliable boss damage.  

2. Lacerate Bleed Gladiator: Focused on bleed damage and tankiness, this build excels in sustained damage and defense.  

3. Vortex/Cold Snap CI Occultist: A caster build with cold damage and chaos damage over time, offering strong clear speed and boss damage.  

4. Poisonous Bouncing Ballista Pathfinder: A ranged minion build that leverages poison damage and high mobility.

The Trickster ascendancy remains highly favored due to its flexibility and defensive layers, especially when paired with ignite or poison mechanics. The Champion and Gladiator ascendancies continue to be strong for melee builds, offering leech and block mechanics that enhance survivability. Necromancer and Occultist ascendancies are popular for minion and chaos damage builds, respectively.

In conclusion, PoE 1’s 2025 meta favors builds that balance damage and survivability, with the Ephemeral Edge Trickster leading the pack. Players should choose builds based on their preferred playstyle and investment level, but these top-tier options provide a strong foundation for both league start and endgame progression PoE Currency buy.