In Season 2 of Last Epoch, build crafting has leaped forward thanks to skill updates, passive tree changes, and new gear interactions. One standout build that has evolved significantly is the Devouring Orb Smite Void Knight. Originally a self-cast Smite build, it's now been transformed into a Multistrike-based crit build that scales extremely well with solid gear and plays smoother than ever.

Here's a detailed breakdown of how to build, level, and transition into this new version, and why it's become a top-tier choice for Void Knight players this season.

Overview: From Self-Cast to Multistrike

The original version of this build involved leveling as a typical Void Knight with self-cast Smite supported by Devouring Orb. While functional and strong, it required heavy investment into cast speed and didn't fully capitalize on some of the newer mechanics available in Season 2.

Now, thanks to major updates:

• Devouring Orb can auto-cast while moving, freeing up skill usage.

• Multistrike has been significantly buffed, and it now synergizes well with Smite via the Arsenal of Blades node.

• The new Mortal Cleave passive gives a massive boost to base crit chance for the Void Knight.

All of this leads to a build that combines smooth clear speed, high crit uptime, and excellent single-target DPS—with less mechanical input and a better flow.

Leveling Path

Start by playing a standard Sentinel into Void Knight progression.

Early Game (Levels 1–50):

• Level using Smite and Devouring Orb.

• Focus on cast speed and spell crit chance.

• Use Sentinel's Deathless leveling method for easy survivability.

Mid Game (Levels 50–90):

• Keep self-cast Smite and Devouring Orb until you gather decent gear.

• Prioritize survivability and mana sustain.

• Gradually invest in crit scaling and void damage.

Late Game Transition:

• Once you have a Wand or Scepter with -3 mana cost and enough sustain, transition into the Multistrike + Smite combo.

• For pushing into high corruption and endgame content.

The Core Mechanic: Multistrike + Devouring Orb + Smite

Instead of casting Smite manually, you now:

• Use Multistrike to generate up to 3 sword armoraments, each of which casts a Smite when attacking.

• Use Devouring Orb for clear, which now auto-casts while you move.

• Maintain high uptime on Smites while scaling attack speed instead of cast speed.

Why It's Better:

• Each Multistrike attack = up to 3 Smite casts.

• Easier to scale attack speed and crit chance than cast speed.

• You don't need to press Smite manually—Multistrike takes care of it.

Managing Mana Costs

One challenge with this version is managing mana consumption from Smite and Devouring Orb.

Here's how to make it work:

• Use a Wand or Scepter with -3 mana cost to reduce Smite to 0 mana.

• Time of Faith in the Sentinel passive tree returns 10 mana per kill, helping you regenerate while clearing.

• Avoid nodes like Unbalanced Scale in Smite, which increase mana cost significantly.

• Gear with mana regen (belt, amulet) can also support uptime.

Key Skill Setup

1. Multistrike

• Take Arsenal of Blades to convert sword strikes into Smite casts.

• Use Bladestorm to create additional sword hits.

• This skill becomes your main attack source and Smite trigger.

2. Smite

• Focus entirely on damage nodes, not mana cost or clear.

• Let Multistrike handle activation.

• Don't use nodes that increase Smite's mana cost unnecessarily.

3. Devouring Orb

• With the new update, it auto-casts while moving, which is huge for clear speed.

• You still need to stutter step a bit to keep orbs flowing when stationary.

4. Anomaly

• Use for buffs and debuffs.

• Scales well with cooldown reduction and mana efficiency.

5. Sigils of Hope

• Boosts damage and survivability.

• Grants passive crit chance via the Void Knight passive tree.

Recommended Gear

Weapon:

• Wand or Scepter with -3 to Smite mana cost.

   o Wand is easier to craft and provides great spell stats.

   o Scepter allows for more attack speed if you need it.

Offhand:

• Polaris (Legendary) is a strong option for increasing Smite output.

   o Adds 3 smites per second, giving great passive damage.

   o Not mandatory, but a good upgrade if you can get it.

Armor:

• Aim for Vitality, Attack Speed, Crit Multi, and Void Damage.

• Once you can afford them, get Ravenous Voids for gloves with attack speed.

Idols:

• Prioritize increased void damage, Smite-related buffs, and crit chance.

Playstyle Tips

• Move constantly to keep Devouring Orbs flowing.

• Stutter step when standing still to trigger auto-casts.

• Use Multistrike against tougher enemies and bosses to unleash massive Smite chains.

• Don't waste mana making Smite your clear—Devouring Orb is more than enough.

• Keep gear optimized for attack speed and crit, not cast speed.

Passive Tree Highlights

Void Knight Passives:

• Mortal Cleave: +5% base crit chance. Insanely strong for scaling.

• Void Corruption: Buffs void skills and overall damage.

• World Eater: Leech to help with sustain.

Sentinel/Paladin Tree:

• Time of Faith: Helps solve mana issues by refunding mana on kill.

• Attack speed and life regen nodes are solid to fill in defenses.

Final Thoughts

The reworked Multistrike + Smite Devouring Orb Void Knight is not just a fun experiment—it's one of the most promising builds in Last Epoch Season 2. It's fast, powerful, and feels fantastic to play once you transition into the full version with proper gear.

The update shows how flexible and creative the Void Knight can be. Whether you're leveling up fresh in Season 2 or looking to optimize your endgame setup, this is a build worth trying out with Last Epoch Gold.

Stick with self-cast Smite early on, but once you have the right items, swap Multistrike. You'll notice a huge boost in both damage and quality of life.