Path of Exile 2's newly revealed Knight Ascendancy gives the Duelist a potential partner in melee combat: a squire who can wield weapons and learn skills through the gem screen. For players weighing where to spend POE 2 Orbs, that extra combatant could make equipment and skill choices more interesting than simply maximizing the Duelist's own damage.

The possibilities are exciting, but the details matter. Until players can test the squire in action, any proposed pairing should be treated as a theory rather than a proven build.

A Second Source of Pressure

The most straightforward idea is to have the squire attack the same target as the Duelist. If both can maintain pressure on a tough enemy, the Knight might gain a more consistent damage profile while moving between attacks or avoiding dangerous mechanics.

That approach depends heavily on the squire's behavior. How reliably it reaches a target, stays alive, and uses its assigned skills could matter as much as the listed damage of its weapon. A powerful ability may offer little value if the squire struggles to use it at the right moment.

Splitting Duties in a Fight

Another possibility is to give the Duelist and squire different jobs. A player focused on heavy single-target attacks might prefer a companion that helps clear groups, while a character built around sweeping attacks could benefit from support against tougher individual enemies.

Utility is worth considering, too. Depending on the skills and interactions available to the squire, it might contribute control or other effects that make melee encounters easier to manage. These examples remain speculative: the reveal alone does not establish which skills the squire can use or how their effects interact with the player.

Equipment Choices Could Reach Further

A weapon for the squire may become another important part of a Knight's setup. Players will want to know which weapon types are compatible, whether item properties apply normally, and how the squire's damage is calculated. The answers could influence whether a modest weapon is sufficient or a major investment is worthwhile.

It is also unclear how much competition there will be between improving the Duelist and improving the squire. Until the relevant rules are confirmed, keeping equipment options flexible may be wiser than committing resources to a specific theory.

What to Check Before Committing

Watch for details on skill eligibility, support gem interactions, targeting, survivability, and any limits on the squire's actions. Practical testing will also show whether the companion performs consistently across crowded encounters and demanding boss fights.

The Knight could open a fresh way to plan melee characters, but its strongest partnerships remain unknown. For now, players considering POE 2 Exalted Orbs for future equipment can keep their plans flexible and wait for reliable testing before making major purchases.