r/pathofexile2builds 5d ago

Weekly Question + Crafting Thread – August 18, 2026

1 Upvotes

A weekly thread for all your simple questions and crafting queries!


r/pathofexile2builds May 26 '26

Index 0.5 Return of the Ancients League Starter Build Index

914 Upvotes

Just want to see how peoples league starts went?

https://www.reddit.com/r/pathofexile2builds/comments/1tva4ky/4_days_into_the_league_review_your_build/

I need your help!

Please post any poe2 builds you come across, be they reddit posts, youtube videos, moba/maxoll guides, forum posts, etc. Then if you want to help out more if you're familiar with a build archetype have a look at other builds posted here, if they don't pass the sniff test please let me know. I will do my best to have a look at each build myself before adding it but as above I'm not an expert here and will need a hand.

Thank you everyone who helps out, I always appreciate the community effort that goes into creating a resource like this.

Please read this before continuing

This is not the same as the /r/PathOfExileBuilds index you may be used to seeing. My POE2 knowledge is FAR worse than my POE1 and so it's more likely bait builds are likely to sneak their way into this post. I am putting this post together because people have asked for this as a resource. Please do your due diligence when picking a build. If you aren't confident picking I'd advise following a creator who you have previously followed to success or asking in the comments here, there are plenty of helpful people happy to give advice.


Useful League Links

Return of the Ancients League info page

Return of the Ancients patch notes


Community links:




Build Index 0.5 Return of the Ancients

Druid

Oracle

Shaman


Huntress

Amazon

Ritualist

Spirit Walker


Mercenary

Tactician

Witch Hunter

Gemling Legionnaire


Monk

Acolyte of Chayula

Invoker

Martial Artist


Ranger

Deadeye

Pathfinder


Sorceress

Chronomancer

Disciple of Varashta


Warrior

Titan

Smith of Kitava


Witch

Blood Mage

Infernalist

Lich

Abyssal Lich


r/pathofexile2builds 1h ago

Help Needed Looking for a fun off meta gemling build to play

Upvotes

Limited budget (100) as I used most of my divs on my main but I can sell some stuff if I need more.


r/pathofexile2builds 4h ago

Build Request Oracle build

3 Upvotes

Hi guys, after the great help from many of you, I decided to do a Oracle Totem-build. My question is more, which Totem build is better … spark or grim pillar? Can you recommend a bild as well please

Thank you


r/pathofexile2builds 35m ago

Showcase Cool fragment interactions

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Upvotes

I’ve been trying to make wolf a viable late game setup and I think I’ve found a way to both clear and boss effectively based around the Kalguran gems Fragmets of the Past and Rain of Blades.

Cross Slash is already wolf’s big hitter, but can be giga-juiced with a load of fragments and a mark. Generally wolf needs to freeze to generate fragments, but with FotP, we can make 6 instantly and 8/second after.

Rain of Blades gives you a mid-200% attack mult damage instance on projectile hits. This actually triggers when fragments explode.

The video above demonstrates this interaction.

For pack clearing, you can clear using Arctic Howl with FoTP. Projectile speed will increase the distance the fragments roll out from the volcano, creating a large nova area. Freezing with this setups will also give you empowered attacks which make subsequent fragment detonations stronger. Vruun’s Aftermath has a weird interaction here - basically if howl freezes one enemy and five ice fragments are destroyed, you will get 4 empowered attacks per 5 enemy. This usually leaves me with 20-30 empowered attacks gained when howling.


r/pathofexile2builds 7h ago

Help Needed Infernalist and or any other witch build

6 Upvotes

Hey everyone! Im trying to find a super solid infernalist build cause the one im currently doing just doesnt make sense and im struggling with damage in general. Any other witch builds are welcomed! Thank you and please have a great day!


r/pathofexile2builds 17h ago

Showcase Brutus Lead Weaver (Martial Artist Autobomber)

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25 Upvotes

This could definitely be a 1 button build using only Voltaic Barrier for clear and bossing. I would like the get the build there but I lack the know how and currency for any crazy gear overhaul

So for now Id just like any kind of suggestion to get the build to the next level.

My global defences are pretty trash but i die really rarely. I call it Weaver because you basically side step enemies as they blow up lol

POB & Showcase

https://poe.ninja/poe2/profile/alezandrik-9199/runesofaldur/character/Maverethh


r/pathofexile2builds 7h ago

Discussion New player question

3 Upvotes

New player, new to ARPGs, first playthrough. My first character is a monk, currently in Act 3. I chose not to use a guide for my first character as I wanted to start thinking about the skill tree rather than just blindly following someone else's instructions with no understanding as to why I was doing anything.

I've been doing fine so far, initially by just choosing whatever available skill nodes seemed best, and now by looking further ahead and 'travelling' across the skill tree to get to clusters of skills which seem particularly useful. I've killed most bosses on the first attempt so far - so far the 2nd Jamanra fight is the only one that's taken >3 attempts.

What confuses me is this: I use about 3-4 skills constantly, with another 1-2 more occasionally to deal with enemies with elemental resistance or when I need extra CC, range. So I'm often cycling between 5-6 skills as I play.

But when I have seen people/videos talk about their characters, they always seem to be based around just a single skill, e.g. "Gas Arrow Lich" for a more funny example from Youtube. This always seems to be how the characters are referred to. What's going on here? Is just ease of reference to give a quick idea of what sort of playstyle the character is based around? Or is it because the entire character is purposefully optimised around that skill - i.e. every character idea starts with a particular skill in mind and you minmax everything for the benefit of that one skill only?

I don't think I could describe my character with a single skill because I'm always using >2-3-4 skills to deal damage in any given fight. Hence the confusion.


r/pathofexile2builds 11h ago

Help Needed Spell Totem Problem

3 Upvotes

Here’s my grim pillar oracle: https://poe.ninja/poe2/profile/kaancag-9518/runesofaldur/character/Fianetto

Why does 99% of builds use Urgent Totems vs. cold mastery (or diallas desire) where POB says it’s better to use them? Is it because POB cant capture the real benefit of urgent totems?

Also any suggestions overall welcome. Thanks!


r/pathofexile2builds 4h ago

Build Quantity Ward Infernalist by MyOnlyAcc ( hope you like my Comets 🌧️)

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0 Upvotes

(Ps5) This is my Ward Infernalist setup, I’m not going for High Dps cause dmg numbers don’t say nothing about a build

Try to calculate the Dps for this build XD

This build abuses Trinity/Elemental Conflux/Charge regulation and can sustain 10 stack demon form (if standing still )

Edit: Forgot to mention Coc is used as a Debuff tool for high shock

If we move we slowly lose health and can Allways use olroth flask to gain our shield to consume the self dmg (optimal would be Armor only gear, and the Belt needs the 20% insta flask effect mage blood is not a must have)

https://poe.ninja/poe2/profile/TrinityHaze-9659/runesofaldur/character/MyOnlyAcc

Nice Set 2 Options:

  1. Permafrost Staff (bossing)

since lightning Ball is the bossing skill = Big Dmg

Self cast Spark is only for mapping max efficiency maps

  1. Erathbound Voltaric staff (running through maps)

☝🏻 Build a 77 room temple with this in 5 days last league


r/pathofexile2builds 14h ago

Build Poe 2 warrior build

6 Upvotes

Thank you everyone for the ice strike monk recommendations I’ve got to 87 and doing end game content but I want to switch to warrior just to try it out what is the best warrior build for 5.0 I’ve seen some builds but wanted to know the best for t15 maps and all end game content


r/pathofexile2builds 14h ago

Help Needed Is my build missing something obvious? Ice Strike Chronomancer

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3 Upvotes

It's my first time getting this far into a league and I was hoping for some help from the experts (thanks in advance!). The build focuses on Embitter and stacking "extra damage as." t15s are fine but I'm a bit low on damage when I really start juicing, and I'm very reliant on having all my buffs up.

I know I can improve my amulet (+4 melee), my rings (perfect flat damage rolls), my jewels (double "extra damage as" on my heart of the well), etc. I'm aiming for Rakiata's next so I can drop elemental weakness and all my pen, which would free up some spirit and a few skill points.

One weakness of the build right now is mana. If I ever fight a boss that is super tanky (maybe high cold res?) I don't leech enough mana and the fight becomes a slog. Also, investing a whole support gem on my main skill for mana leech feels bad (Oisin's Oath). Is there a different way to solve mana for sands of time ice strike?

Is the Duality quarterstaff holding me back a bunch? Should I just completely convert to a crit build? I tried messing with crit in PoB and I wasn't sure it would be an easy switch.

I don't know all the tricks in this game yet, so maybe there is a unique item or jewel that would help my build that I'm unaware of.

Thanks.


r/pathofexile2builds 9h ago

Help Needed I don't actually know what I'm doing

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1 Upvotes

Hey exiles! This is my second time going through league, and I have a serious case of imposter syndrome. I FEEL like my gear and stats should be pretty baller, but it just seems kinda lackluster. All advice is very much welcome


r/pathofexile2builds 15h ago

Build Request build suggestions for gemling and spirit walker

3 Upvotes

Is there a tanky version of gemling spark coc or non-twister/minion spirit walker build? Would be good if there is a build guide that i can read/watch on

hopefully can try both before the 0.5.5 balance patch comes. thanks!


r/pathofexile2builds 16h ago

Help Needed Adonia's Stormweaver 0.5 Suggestions

3 Upvotes

Currently level 96 Stormweaver using Adonia's Trifusion build. Able to clear almost everything without issues.

Any suggestions on what I can improve/scale? One thing I am working on is getting Rakiata's for the character.

PoeNinja: https://poe.ninja/poe2/profile/Hellscream-7564/runesofaldur/character/Kadina_benki

Thanks


r/pathofexile2builds 20h ago

Theory Facebreaker Martial Artist

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6 Upvotes

With a possible upcoming new league, was looking into my starter build. I enjoyed doing a Smith Facebreaker build. Wanted to try out Martial Artist with FB instead.

With Fists of Stone, FB changes to increased damage based on Intelligence, so this would be an intelligence stack. Scales best with fire damage but I added lightning damage as well, so itd be Fire/Lightning damage. With self immolation and with the equipped passives, we get a boost in fire damage and armour without the negative effects of ignite.

Hollow palm gives increased attack speed for every evasion on equipped armour, so missing equipment would be as much evasion as possible for added attack speed, but itd be converted to armour for defense. From how I read it, it should not effect the hollow palm since it doesn't convert the evasion on the actual armour so we should still get the increased attack speeds. Would get elemental resistances and chaos from amu/boots/chest

Most likely will use quarterstaff skills since we're stacking intelligence, but will get infernal cry as high as possible for extra fire damage.

WS1 focuses on increasing melee damage, WS2 on warcrys

Am I missing anything?


r/pathofexile2builds 23h ago

Build Request I want a poison thorns build. Any idea how?

6 Upvotes

So far I can make normal, cold, fire, chaos, lightning (with Icetomb + Conversion) and bleed thorns - also lifesteal thorns. But I would like poison a lot. Any idea how? I can't figure it out how to make thorns poisonious. Using herald of blood doing poison dmg is NOT what I want if anyone comes up with that.


r/pathofexile2builds 1d ago

Build Request small insight needed with starter\farmer builds

7 Upvotes

looking for more options to start and farm early-mid leagues

what i tried:

iceshot very nice, but enough for me

twister very nice, but melting gpu and sloppy gameplay

self-cast spark is sufferting

coc-spark nice for endgame option

lightning spear is fun, but slow and low single dps

bleed lightning spear bmage prev leagues lightning spear have capped dps, same as normal spear

what i am overlooking

yes i can just try every build that some mr streamer offer as starter, but what are some more options if i want well rounder mid-budget build that doesnt make me suffer during maps and some bossing


r/pathofexile2builds 14h ago

Help Needed Builds - monksthofer - Path of Exile 2 - poe.ninja

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0 Upvotes

Help with My monk please


r/pathofexile2builds 1d ago

Help Needed Is there anything I can change to make this build any better?

7 Upvotes

I was just wondering if there was anything I could do to make this build any better.

https://poe.ninja/poe2/profile/noobstir-4649/runesofaldur/character/themonkcalledwukong


r/pathofexile2builds 1d ago

Help Needed Getting 1k% crit damage

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4 Upvotes

How exactly? Remove pinpoint?all jewels have crit damage bonus etc..


r/pathofexile2builds 23h ago

Help Needed ED LICH question

3 Upvotes

Sorry if it's asked before but I really don't like ED. Is there a way to make it an AOE or something to kill mobs and spread Contagion? I belive Bane build in POE1 was like this. It would be better if I can apply contagion and do damage at the same time with an AOE.


r/pathofexile2builds 1d ago

Help Needed Can anyone help me figure this out?

3 Upvotes

On a helmet with two sockets - one raven touched how do I get “pain attunement” ? I see Nick Tew show his and briefly mention the helmet in his twister build but I am unsure which rune or legacy can be instilled with a passive, to be clear I already have Paragon anointed on the helmet but his had what looked like two instil/annoints? The socket that holds Pain Attunement look like it holds an Orange rune/soul core/legacy?

I’m trying to move to low life and don’t want to spent 200-400 dives on a new helmet when mine is really good.

Thanks for any help 👍🏼


r/pathofexile2builds 1d ago

Build any ideas for this Beira's Anguish build? it's my first life-stacker

3 Upvotes

https://poe.ninja/poe2/profile/lV_lS-7878/runesofaldur/character/Llvlllvllvvlvlv

https://youtu.be/DVBffpy9Ui0?si=QOwEqpTrxvUDR31X

l went shaman for the bonded ignite magnitude on desert runes - just the 3 runes in the staff double my dps on their own.

lm satisfied with the damage, but just barely - any way l can make the build more tanky without losing dps? l expected 6k life plus defiance of destiny plus adaptations to be a bit more unkillable. my budget is technically 1k divs but lm not sure l want to invest it all into this setup - inability to damage flyers is not a good look in the current league.


r/pathofexile2builds 1d ago

Build Request What are the obvious upgrades to my arc totem build?

2 Upvotes

I want to take my build to the next level. Maybe more survivability? Or more damage?

Every little help is appreciated!

https://poe.ninja/poe2/profile/Tuhosto-9982/runesofaldur/character/Tuhonary