With the launch of Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.2.0: Dawn of the Hunt, the ARPG community finds itself in an era of reinvention. Not only is the loot pool expanding with a surge of new and powerful unique items, but legacy favorites from PoE 1 are making a comeback—revamped and fully integrated into the evolved mechanics of PoE2.

Patch 0.2.0 marks the most significant transformation since PoE2’s reveal. From new base types and ascendancy classes to system-wide itemization changes and visual overhauls, Dawn of the Hunt is a fresh frontier. Here’s everything you need to know about the most game-defining uniques in this update, their impact on build diversity, and which returning items deserve your attention in this league.

The Evolution of Itemization in Dawn of the Hunt

Before we dive into individual items, it’s worth noting how item systems themselves have changed:

• New item classes such as spears, bucklers, and talismans have been introduced.

• Visual and naming overhauls to item bases require loot filter rewrites.

• Fracturing Orbs are back, but they behave differently due to the reworked crafting systems in PoE2.

• Requary Keys now drop foiled versions of unique items based on boss-specific loot tables and supporter-voted rarities.

• Omens and Runes add socketable enhancements, enabling deep customization layers.

These shifts provide the perfect backdrop for the return—and reinvention—of iconic PoE 1 uniques.

Top Unique Items in PoE 2 Dawn of the Hunt (0.2.0 Tier List)

With 100+ new and reworked uniques hitting Wraeclast, here’s a breakdown of the top-tier items poised to define meta builds and off-meta creativity.

1. The Deepest Tower (Helmet)

Tier: S – Build-Defining

A true meta-breaker. The Deepest Tower causes nearby enemies to be considered on low life, enabling massive synergy with passives and supports that deal bonus damage to weakened foes. Gems like Finality, Execute, and Finishing Blows become highly effective.

This helmet shines in Witch Hunter builds—especially the Galvanic Shards archetype, which benefits from quick-hit, high-scaling executions. With this item, underused builds might surge in popularity as they finally get access to consistent damage multipliers against full-health mobs.

2. Prism Guardian (Shield)

Tier: S – Summoner Staple

Prism Guardian grants 1 Spirit per 50 max life, making it a go-to item for Infernalists and other minion builds. Spirit is crucial for scaling the number and strength of summoned creatures in PoE2.

With summoners routinely reaching 3000+ life, this item gives 60+ Spirit passively—outclassing even the powerful Oaksworn shield in some cases. Expect this to be the core of high-Spirit summoner meta setups.

3. The Bringer of Rain (Helmet)

Tier: A – Dual-Wield Enabler

A beloved item from PoE1, The Bringer of Rain returns with rebalanced stats: accuracy and life regeneration, but at the cost of no chest armor. In PoE2, that trade-off is worth it—especially when it lets you bypass the Giant’s Blood keystone, which requires heavy Strength investment to dual-wield two-handers.

This opens doors for Hand of Wisdom and Action builds, Spirit-stacking hybrids, and minion-enhanced melee characters. A great choice for players seeking maximum output without attribute gating.

4. The Hammer of Faith (2H Mace)

Tier: B – Chaos Pick / Meme Potential

This unpredictable unique grants a random shrine buff every 10 seconds. From Acceleration to Meteoric or Freezing Shrines, these temporary buffs can turn a decent build into an unstoppable monster for brief bursts.

It’s not a min-maxer’s dream—its low base damage and attack speed penalties hold it back. But for players who enjoy chaos builds, random effects, or novelty clears, this item is pure fun.

5. Hand of Wisdom and Action (Claw)

Tier: S+ – Top Attribute Stack Weapon

This uniqueness continues to be a cornerstone for Dex/Int stacking attack builds, converting attributes into raw power. Paired with Breach Rings, Ingenuity, or The Bringer of Rain, it forms the basis of some of the fastest, highest DPS builds in PoE2.

It's also a top-tier choice for crit and elemental scaling, thanks to its synergy with build systems that reward attribute multipliers.

Returning PoE 1 Uniques – Reimagined for the New Age

A host of classic uniques are being reintroduced with reworked mechanics, better suiting PoE2's refined systems. Here are the most noteworthy:

Nebulock (Gloves)

Theme: Endurance Charge Scaling

A favorite for tanky melee builds, this item is expected to support charge generation or expenditure, making it ideal for Juggernauts, Berserkers, or anyone building around defensive uptime.

Tidebreaker (Mace)

Theme: Endurance + Stun Synergy

Once a powerhouse for perma-stun builds in PoE1, Tidebreaker now returns to support crowd control through charges. Look for this to empower heavy-hitting slam builds with added defense via endurance stacking.

Doomfletch (Bow)

Theme: Flat Damage Conversion

If it retains its old effect of converting physical to extra elemental damage, this item could dominate the early league economy. Flat damage sources are rare in PoE2, and Doomfletch might bridge the gap for bow builds needing big elemental spikes.

Sire of Shards (Staff)

Theme: AoE Projectile Enhancer

Famed for granting rotating projectiles, this staff will likely suit AoE-focused casters. Its application to global skill modifiers fits well with PoE2’s skill gem system, which increasingly encourages hybrid playstyles.

Skull’s Bridal (Ring)

Theme: Self-Damage Synergy

Ideal for players who love glass-cannon, high-risk builds, Skull’s Bridal supports self-inflicted damage strategies for enormous payoffs. Great for players who love Trickster-style gameplay with chaos damage, delayed explosions, or damage-for-buffs mechanics.

Redblade Banner (Shield)

Theme: Warcry Enabler

This shield reduces warcry cooldowns and boosts their impact—still a prime pick for builds based around shout buffs, taunts, or melee sustain.

Apep’s Supremacy (Shield)

Theme: Poison and Chaos Synergy

Grants chaos resistance when poisoned, and turns bleed into chaos damage. This makes it an offensive + defensive hybrid, ideal for self-poison setups or chaos-themed builds like Caustic Arrow or Viper Strike.

Stone of Lazhwar (Amulet)

Theme: Spellcaster Block

Block-based caster builds are rare in PoE2—Stone of Lazhwar helps fill that void. Expect this amulet to make appearances in high-EHP elementalists or Witch Hunters aiming for survival.

Mind of the Council (Amulet)

Theme: Mana = Damage

Mana-stacking builds haven’t taken off yet in PoE2—but Mind of the Council may change that. With more mana-as-scaling support expected in the future, this could enable hybrid mana + lightning attack builds.

Rear Guard (Quiver)

Theme: Projectile Defense

Rear Guard grants projectile block chance, a defensive boon for Ranger and Hunter-style characters. Combine with bucklers for layered projectile mitigation.

Umbilicus Immortalis (Belt)

Theme: Minion Flask Transfer

Flask effects for minions are back on the table with this unique. In PoE2, it may become a core of flask-based summoner scaling, especially if flask affixes like “increased damage” or “regen” can transfer to specters, zombies, or custom minions.

Rashkesh’s Impatience (Armor)

Theme: Charge Overdrive

This item may retain its 3-charge auto-generation, making it vital for charge-reliant builds. Perfect for spell-slingers or projectile-focused builds wanting 100% uptime on Power, Endurance, and Frenzy charges.

Ryslatha’s Fostering (Chest)

Theme: Unique Beast Summon

This armor spawns a unique beast companion, and in PoE2, it may synergize with the Row Mount system. That opens up possibilities for mounted combat, or bonus effects while riding.

Hyrri’s Bite (Converted)

Theme: Cold Projectiles or Spears

While formerly a bow item, Hyrri’s Bite may now support cold-based spear builds or general projectile scaling in PoE2. It could serve as a hybrid damage enhancer for Ranger–Spear–Buckler setups.

Final Thoughts: What to Watch For in Dawn of the Hunt

“Dawn of the Hunt” isn't just a league—it's a signal that PoE 2 is hitting its stride. The reintroduction of beloved uniques, combined with mechanical overhauls and expanded item diversity, means build freedom is at an all-time high.

If you’re theorycrafting, be sure to:

• Explore the new synergy between The Deepest Tower and low-life passives.

• Stack Spirit with Prism Guardian and test advanced summoner variants.

• Revisit self-poison, charge-stacking, and flask-powered minions with returning PoE 1 items.

• Experiment with Hand of Wisdom and Action and dual-wield strategies using The Bringer of Rain.

As the meta evolves, so too will this list. Expect more powerful uniques to surface and reshape PoE2’s endgame landscape.