PoE 2 Knight Squire Guide: How the New Companion System Works in 1.0

The Knight is one of the most interesting new Ascendancy options coming to Path of Exile 2. As an Ascendancy for the Duelist, it introduces a unique combat style built around a customizable companion, powerful War Banners, and mounted attacks.

Its most important feature is the Squire, a companion that players can equip with gear and skill gems. Instead of relying entirely on their own attacks, Knight players can use the Squire to support their combat strategy and create different skill combinations.

What Is the Knight's Squire in PoE 2?

The Squire is a companion available through the Knight Ascendancy. Unlike a companion with a fixed set of abilities, it has its own equipment and skill setup.

Players can equip the Squire with weapons and other gear, then assign skill gems to shape its role in combat. This customization gives players more flexibility when building combinations that complement the Duelist's own abilities.

For example, an offensive setup can help the Squire deal additional damage, while other skill combinations may support the Duelist by applying effects to enemies before follow-up attacks. Players will also need to consider how their equipment choices fit into their overall progression, including how they manage their PoE 2 Currency to acquire suitable gear and improve their build.

The important point is that the Squire is not simply an extra source of damage. Its equipment and skills can influence how the Knight approaches different encounters.

How to Equip and Customize Your Squire

The Squire's equipment and skill setup are central to the Knight's gameplay. Players can customize its gear and assign skills rather than relying on a single predefined companion build.

During the ExileCon demonstration, GGG showed several examples of how these abilities can work together.

Bloodhunt

Bloodhunt was demonstrated with the Squire using a spear. The skill consumes blood pools left behind by enemies and triggers explosions.

This creates an interesting connection with the Duelist's Bleed-focused combat style. Instead of treating the Squire as an independent attacker, players can potentially use it to take advantage of effects created during their own fights.

Bloodhound's Mark

Bloodhound's Mark applies a mark to enemies and enhances interactions involving Bleed and stun-related effects. The demonstration also showed marked enemies triggering toxic explosions when they died.

This makes the skill particularly interesting for players who want the Squire to contribute more than direct attacks. It can help create additional interactions between the Knight's companion and the Duelist's combat abilities.

Choosing the Right Skills

The best Squire setup will depend on the equipment and skills available to the player. Before choosing a specific combination, consider what you want the companion to do:

Use offensive skills to contribute additional damage.

Explore abilities that interact with Bleed and other enemy effects.

Choose equipment that supports the intended skill setup.

Look for combinations that complement the Duelist's main attacks.

GGG has demonstrated several mechanics, but the strongest equipment and skill combinations have not yet been established through live gameplay. Players should treat early build ideas as possibilities rather than confirmed optimal setups.

How War Banners Improve the Knight's Combat

War Banners are another major part of the Knight Ascendancy. They allow the Knight to strengthen combatants around the battlefield, including the Squire.

The basic War Banner effect increases the attack speed and damage of allies within its area. This means the companion can benefit from the same support, making banner placement an important part of the Knight's combat strategy.

The Bannerlord Ascendancy node adds another layer of customization. It unlocks special effects connected to the different empires of Wraeclast.

One example shown during the demonstration was the Vaal banner. It creates an area of blood on the ground, which can interact with Cyclone to produce a swirling blood effect.

For players interested in skill combinations, this is one of the most promising aspects of the Knight. War Banners are not just passive bonuses; their effects can influence how players use other abilities.

Glory, Valour, and Mounted Charge Explained

The Knight also has additional mechanics that connect its banner system with its combat abilities.

Glory and Valour

Placing a War Banner requires Glory. By spending Glory, the Knight generates Valour.

After reaching a certain threshold, the Knight can enter the Honor Bound state. While in this state, attacks release additional waves of damage.

This creates a combat loop in which players need to consider when to use their banners and how their attacks contribute to the Knight's overall mechanics.

Mounted Charge

Mounted Charge is one of the Knight's most visually distinctive abilities. The Knight rides a golden chariot directly into enemy groups, knocking enemies back and stunning them.

The ability can also affect large enemies, including Rare and Unique monsters. At the end of the charge, the Knight plants a banner at the destination.

This makes Mounted Charge useful for more than simply moving toward enemies. It combines movement, crowd control, and banner placement in a single ability.

How Could the Knight Perform in Mapping and Boss Fights?

The Knight's mechanics suggest several possible advantages, although its actual performance will need to be tested after release.

For mapping, the combination of a customizable companion and area-based banner effects could make the Knight an interesting option for players who prefer having additional support during fights.

Against bosses, the Squire's skill setup may become especially important. Players will need to determine whether offensive abilities, enemy marks, or other combinations provide the most useful results against high-health targets.

However, there is not enough confirmed gameplay data to declare the Knight a top-tier mapper or boss killer. Its final strength will depend on the complete Ascendancy setup, available equipment, and balance changes.

Knight vs Master-at-Arms: Which Duelist Ascendancy Should You Choose?

The Knight and Master-at-Arms offer different directions for the Duelist.

The Knight focuses on the Squire, War Banners, and mounted combat abilities. Its gameplay encourages players to manage a companion and combine multiple skills to support their attacks.

The Master-at-Arms is presented as a specialist in different forms of weapon combat, offering another direction for players who want to focus on their own fighting style.

Neither option should automatically be considered stronger. Players who enjoy companion customization and skill interactions may prefer the Knight, while those more interested in weapon-focused combat may find the Master-at-Arms more appealing.

The best choice will ultimately depend on the builds and playstyles players want to explore.

Is the Knight Worth Trying in PoE 2 1.0?

The Knight introduces a different approach to melee combat in Path of Exile 2. Its Squire system gives players more control over a companion, while War Banners and Mounted Charge add additional ways to influence battles.

The most interesting feature is the potential for skill combinations. Players can equip the Squire, assign its skills, and build interactions with the Duelist's own abilities. This creates more possibilities than simply adding another companion to the battlefield.

Path of Exile 2 is scheduled to enter full release on December 11, 2026 (PST). The Knight will be available as one of the Duelist's Ascendancy options when the full release arrives.

For players who enjoy experimenting with equipment, companion skills, and combat synergies, the Knight is an Ascendancy worth watching ahead of launch.

The U4GM Team