Guide:Creating Your Own Path of Exile 2 Build

This is a guide on the subject of Building a Character.

Valid as of version 0.1.0d. Last updated on Dec 12, 2024.

Build Workshop: Creating Your Own Path of Exile 2 Build

Introduction

Welcome to the Build Workshop. This guide is a comprehensive resource for creating your own Path of Exile 2 (PoE2) character build. Whether you’re a new player just starting your journey or a seasoned exile looking to craft a unique and optimized setup, this guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to design and refine your own builds.

Path of Exile 2 offers an incredible depth of customization, allowing players to tailor their characters through:

A vast passive skill tree

Diverse active skills

Complex itemization

Unique ascendancy classes

With so many choices, creating a build can feel overwhelming—but it’s also one of the most rewarding aspects of the game.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of crafting a build step by step. From setting clear goals and selecting skills to mastering the passive tree and optimizing your gear, the guide is broken down into the following steps:

Setting clear goals
Selecting active and support skills
Planning the passive skill tree
Optimizing your gear

Each section is designed to help you understand the key considerations and decisions that go into build creation.

Whether you’re aiming to clear maps efficiently, tackle endgame bosses, or experiment with off-meta playstyles, this guide will give you the foundation to make informed and creative choices. Remember, there’s no single “right” way to build a character—your journey of experimentation and discovery is what makes Path of Exile truly special.

Foundations of Build Creation

Building a character in Path of Exile 2 starts with understanding your goals and preferences. This section covers the essential decisions and thought processes that form the foundation of your build.

Understanding Your Goal

Define Your Playstyle: Determine how you want your character to interact with the game world. Ask yourself questions like:
- Do you prefer melee combat, ranged attacks, casting spells, or summoning minions?
- Are you aiming for high mobility, tankiness, or crowd control?

Purpose of Your Build: Decide what content you’re planning for:
- Leveling: Builds focused on efficient progression through the story.
- Mapping: Builds optimized for clearing large groups of enemies quickly.
- Bossing: Builds specialized in taking down single, high-health targets.
- Hybrid: Balancing multiple objectives, such as clearing maps while maintaining boss viability.

Choosing Your Archetype

Class and Ascendancy: Each class has unique starting points and ascendancies that define your build’s core strengths.
- Strength Classes (e.g., Warrior): Great for melee combat and tankiness.
- Dexterity Classes (e.g., Ranger): Focused on agility and ranged attacks.
- Intelligence Classes (e.g., Witch): Excellent for spellcasting and summoning minions.
- Hybrid Classes combine attributes and offer versatile options.
Interlinking Skills and Ascendancy:
- Choose an ascendancy that synergizes with your desired playstyle. For example, if you aim for a fire spell build, look for ascendancies that enhance elemental damage or casting speed.

Setting a Build Theme

Core Concept: Define a unifying theme for your build, such as:
- Focusing on a specific damage type (e.g., physical, elemental, chaos).
- Building around a unique skill or mechanic.
- Experimenting with off-meta strategies.
Skill and Passive Synergy: Make sure your choices for active skills, passive tree nodes, and gear align with your theme to maximize efficiency and power.

By starting with a clear understanding of your goals, playstyle preferences, and archetype, you lay a solid foundation for the rest of your build. This clarity will guide your decisions as you navigate the more complex aspects of build creation, such as skill selection and itemization.

Skill Selection

Skill selection in Path of Exile 2 revolves around the unique mechanics of uncut gems and the skill screen. Unlike the original Path of Exile, gems are not slotted into gear but instead managed entirely within the skill screen, allowing for a streamlined yet highly customizable system. This section explains the key aspects of skill selection and gem mechanics in PoE2.

Uncut Gems: The Core of Your Skills

Uncut Skill Gems
- These are blank templates that allow you to create usable skills. As you level up an uncut skill gem, you are presented with branching choices at key milestones to define its identity.
- For example, a level-up choice might allow you to select between various elemental spells, physical attacks, or hybrid abilities.
- You can only slot one instance of any specific skill gem on your character at a time, encouraging diverse setups.
Uncut Spirit Gems
- Spirit gems are used to create passive, trigger-based abilities. For instance:
- A "Trigger on Ignite" spirit gem casts a linked skill gem (chosen from its support slot) whenever the specified condition is met.
- These allow for automated actions, adding a layer of strategic complexity to your build.
Uncut Support Gems
- Support gems evolve into abilities that enhance the functionality of skill or spirit gems.
- For example, support gems can increase damage, add crowd-control effects, or improve defensive capabilities.
- As with active skills, support gems must be carefully selected to align with your build’s goals.

Skill Screen and Slotting Mechanics

Skill Screen Slots

Instead of gear-based gem sockets, PoE2 features dedicated slots for active and spirit gems in the skill screen.
Each active skill gem has its own support gem slots, allowing for direct connections between active and support gems.
This system makes it easier to experiment with different combinations without needing to modify your equipment.

Support Linking

Support gems are slotted directly into an active or spirit gem’s support slots on the skill screen.
The number of support slots available increases per gem by using Jeweller's Orbs, allowing for more powerful setups over time.

Choosing Your Primary Skill

Core Playstyle
- Your primary skill defines your character’s combat style. Consider:
  - Do you want a skill focused on Area of Effect (AoE) damage for clearing maps?
  - Would a high single-target damage skill be better for bossing?
  - Does your build benefit from hybrid skills that perform multiple roles?
Theme and Synergy
- Select skills that complement your passive tree and ascendancy. For example:
  - If you specialize in cold damage, choose abilities like Arctic Armour or Cast on Freeze.
  - If you plan to scale physical damage, focus on compatible melee or ranged attacks.

Optimizing Support Gems

Maximizing Synergy
- For each active or spirit gem, choose supports that enhance its strengths. Examples include:
  - Increased Area of Effect for wide-reaching skills.
  - Controlled Destruction or Elemental Focus for single-target damage.
- Don’t overlook defensive supports if survivability is a concern.
Iterative Testing
- Experiment with different support combinations to see what works best for your build.
- Adjust based on content: you may prefer different setups for mapping versus bossing.

Skill selection in Path of Exile 2 is a dynamic and iterative process. The uncut gem system provides unmatched flexibility, but careful planning and experimentation are crucial to building an effective setup. By understanding and leveraging the interplay between active, spirit, and support gems, you can craft a skill loadout perfectly tailored to your build.

Passive Skill Tree Planning

The passive skill tree in Path of Exile 2 is a familiar yet refined version of the one from Path of Exile 1. It retains its incredible complexity and depth while adding new features and quality-of-life improvements. Proper planning is crucial for creating an effective build, and this section will guide you through the process.

Key Features of the Passive Skill Tree

Gold for Respecs:
- In PoE2, players can spend gold to refund skill points, making minor respecs much more accessible than in PoE1. This encourages experimentation and fine-tuning of your build as you progress.
Three Special Node Types:
- Notables: These are single nodes that provide significant, build-defining mechanics. Many require specific supporting setups to function effectively, so plan your build around them if you choose to invest.
- Attribute Nodes: These nodes allow players to select an attribute (Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence) and gain +5 to that stat. These are essential for navigating the tree and meeting attribute requirements for skills and gear.
- Jewel Socket Nodes: As in PoE1, these nodes enable you to socket jewels, providing additional customization and power. Jewels can modify passives or grant unique bonuses to further enhance your build.
Weapon Set Skill Points:
- As you progress through the campaign, you will earn weapon set skill books. Each book provides two skill points, which can be allocated in one of two ways:
  - Shared Allocation: Points spent this way apply to both weapon sets equally, useful for global improvements like survivability or utility.
  - Weapon-Specific Allocation: Points can be spent differently for each weapon set, allowing for fine-tuning and versatility between weapon setups. For example, one set could focus on AoE clearing while the other specializes in single-target damage.

Starting Points and Tree Navigation

Class Starting Positions:
- Each class begins at a unique point on the tree, emphasizing their core strengths. For example:
  - Sorcerer starts near spell and elemental damage nodes.
  - Warrior starts near melee and tank-focused nodes.
  - Ranger starts near dexterity and ranged attack nodes.
- Plan your path based on your class’s starting position and desired build direction.
Visual Cues at the Tree’s Edge:
- The edges of the tree are designed to guide players with thematic visual markers. For instance:
  - Ice-related nodes resemble snowflakes.
  - Lightning-related nodes resemble lightning strikes.
- Use these visual cues to identify and navigate towards sections of the tree that complement your build.

Tips for Effective Tree Planning

Prioritize Your Build Goals:
- Decide early on whether your build focuses on offense, defense, or utility, and allocate points accordingly.
- Identify key Notables that align with your build and plan your path to them.

Progression and Balance:
- Consider the progression of your build during leveling. For instance:
  - If your goal is a glass cannon build, allocate early points into defense to compensate for your lower damage output at the start.
  - Plan to refund these defensive points later once your damage is sufficient to overcome challenges.
- Maintain a balance between survivability and offense based on your current gear and content.

Balance Attributes and Utility:
- Use Attribute Nodes strategically to ensure you meet stat requirements for skills and gear while minimizing unnecessary travel.

Incorporate Jewel Sockets:
- Plan for at least one or two jewel sockets to unlock powerful bonuses or tailor your build further.

Optimize Weapon Set Skill Points:
- Use weapon-specific points to adapt your playstyle for different situations. For example, assign AoE bonuses to one set for clearing maps and single-target damage to the other for bossing.

Adapt with Gold Respecs:
- Take advantage of the gold refund system to experiment with different setups. For example, you can adjust your build for specific challenges like bossing or mapping. For example, you can adjust your build for specific challenges like bossing or mapping.

The passive skill tree in Path of Exile 2 remains one of the most engaging and strategic aspects of the game. By leveraging the new features, planning around special node types, and using visual cues, you can craft a powerful and adaptable build.

Gear and Itemization

Gear and itemization in Path of Exile 2 are integral to your character's progression and performance. Unlike many other ARPGs, PoE2 places a strong emphasis on crafting and customization over relying solely on dropped items. This section covers the core concepts and strategies for gearing your character effectively.

Item Rarities

Normal (0 Modifiers):
- Basic items with no modifiers. Useful primarily as crafting bases or for salvaging Quality or Sockets into crafting currency.
Magic (1 or 2 Modifiers):
- These items are slightly upgraded and often have one or two useful stats. They can be further crafted into Rare items.
Rare (3 to 6 Modifiers):
- Rare items form the backbone of most builds, offering a mix of offensive and defensive modifiers. These are your primary focus for crafting.
Unique (Varied):
- Unique items offer powerful, build-defining effects but are often situational. They’re less flexible than Rares but can provide immense value when used in the right setup.

Crafting: Your Best Source of Gear

Campaign and Endgame Crafting:
- While items will drop naturally as you play, crafting is the most reliable way to obtain powerful gear throughout the game.
- Collect crafting materials by salvaging unwanted items. Focus on items with high quality or useful sockets to maximize your currency gain.
Currency Management:
- Currency is valuable in PoE2 and should be used wisely. Avoid wasting crafting resources on low-quality or poorly-rolled items.
- Always pick up items with sockets or high quality to break them down into crafting currency at town vendors.

Managing Resistances

Importance of Resistances:
- As you progress through the game, your base resistances will start to drop into negative values. Keeping resistances at acceptable levels is crucial to avoid dying frequently.
- Pay close attention to your resistances when equipping gear or crafting new items.
Filling Resistance Gaps:
- Use sockets and Runes on gear to supplement resistances. Runes can also provide other defensive or utility bonuses, making them invaluable for fine-tuning your stats.

Understanding Sockets and Runes

Sockets:
- Gear sockets are used to slot Runes that enhance your character. Weapon sockets can apply damage types and buffs, while armor sockets typically boost resistances or provide buffs.
- Gear with socket are highly valuable and should be prioritized for crafting.
Runes:
- These are a versatile tool for tailoring your gear to your build’s needs. For example:
  - Add fire damage to weapons to match your build’s elemental focus.
  - Increase resistances on armor to shore up defensive gaps.

Quality on Gear

Impact of Quality:
- Quality improves the base stats of an item unless otherwise specified. For instance:
  - On a martial weapon, quality increases base physical damage, and weapons that provide skills get increased quality on that skill.
  - On an intelligence-based helmet, quality increases energy shield.
- The maximum quality for most items is 20%.
Improving Quality:
- Invest in increasing quality on gear with strong potential to maximize its efficiency.

Vendor Strategies

Check Vendors Regularly:
- Vendors refresh their inventory after every level-up. Always check for:
  - Good Rare items with strong stat combinations.
  - Magic items with excellent modifiers that can be crafted into Rares.
Smart Purchases:
- Prioritize buying gear that fills current gaps in your build’s resistances or stats. Focus on versatile items with crafting potential.

By understanding the intricacies of item rarities, crafting, and resource management, you can ensure your character remains well-equipped throughout the campaign and endgame. Gearing in Path of Exile 2 rewards careful planning and adaptation, so take advantage of crafting systems, socket mechanics, and vendor offerings to optimize your build.

Testing and Iteration

Skill and Gear Testing
- Testing builds in gameplay scenarios
Adjusting for Weaknesses
- Troubleshooting low survivability, mana issues, etc.
Endgame Scaling
- Preparing for mapping, delving, or boss fights

Tools and Resources

Path of Building (PoB)
- Planning and simulating builds
Wiki Links
- Relevant pages for items, skills, and mechanics
Community Builds
- Forums and communities for inspiration

Conclusion and Final Tips

Encouragement to Experiment
Emphasizing Flexibility
Next Steps and Advanced Guides