In Path of Exile 2 version 0.2.0, the synergy between skills, gear, and ascendancies plays an even more pivotal role in achieving the highest DPS. Whether you are a new player or a veteran looking to optimize your build, understanding how to craft a powerful DPS build tailored to your preferred playstyle is essential. In this guide, we will cover the three highest DPS builds for the Dawn of the Hunt expansion and explore Path Of Exile 2 currency, gear choices, skill gems, and ascendancies for each.
Understanding DPS in PoE 2
DPS in Path of Exile 2 is a measure of how much sustained damage your character can deal to enemies per second. However, achieving high DPS in PoE 2 requires more than just raw damage output. The optimal build must take into account factors like skill synergies, gear choices, ascendancy buffs, passive tree node allocation, and even elemental damage types.
The DPS builds in PoE 2: Dawn of the Hunt are carefully designed to tackle the most formidable challenges of the game. The three builds we'll focus on here represent the pinnacle of DPS and efficiency, allowing players to clear difficult content with ease.
1. Chaos Lich Witch Build - Best for High Chaos Damage DPS
The Chaos Lich Witch build is one of the top DPS contenders in PoE 2 0.2.0, thanks to its incredible synergy of Chaos damage over time (DoT) skills and the defensive power of the Lich ascendancy. The build excels in both AoE (area of effect) damage and single-target DPS, making it perfect for both mapping and bossing in Dawn of the Hunt.
Key Features:
• Skill Synergies: The Chaos Lich Witch utilizes skills like Essence Drain and Contagion, which together allow for efficient clearing of large enemy groups. Essence Drain deals Chaos damage over time, and when paired with Contagion, it spreads the chaos damage across nearby enemies, ensuring massive AoE damage.
• Lich Ascendancy: The Lich ascendancy provides a unique combination of Chaos damage amplification and energy shield mechanics. Energy shield regeneration also converts chaos damage into healing, giving this build excellent survivability while maximizing damage output.
• Minion Support: The addition of minions like Skeletal Snipers or Arsonists boosts DPS and acts as a buffer, allowing you to focus on casting without worrying too much about enemy attacks.
Gear:
• Main Hand: Lifesprig
• Off Hand: Antler Focus
• Helm: Jungle Tiara
• Armor: Anchorite Garb
• Belt: Rawhide Belt
• Gloves: Torn Gloves
• Boots: Silk Slippers
• Rings: Sapphire Ring, Ruby Ring
• Amulet: Solar Amulet
Flask:
• Life Flask: Ultimate Life Flask
• Mana Flask: Ultimate Mana Flask
Skill Gems:
• Frost Bomb - Fast Forward - Spell Cascade
• Contagion - Unleash - Magnified Effect
• Shield Charge - Martial Tempo
• Withering Presence - Persistence
• Essence Drain - Pierce - Swift Affliction
Ascendancy:
1. Soulless Form
2. Eternal Life
3. Necromantic Conduit
4. Blackened Heart
2. Lightning Ranger Deadeye Build - Best for High Mobility and DPS
If you prefer fast-paced gameplay with high mobility, the Lightning Ranger Deadeye build is an excellent choice. This build thrives in PoE 2 for its ability to deal massive DPS while constantly moving, making it perfect for clearing maps and tackling the game's toughest bosses. The Deadeye ascendancy offers an impressive combination of increased damage and high movement speed, allowing players to breeze through enemies while delivering deadly ranged attacks.
Key Features:
• Lightning Arrow: One of the standout abilities of the Lightning Ranger Deadeye is Lightning Arrow, which deals massive lightning damage and chains to multiple enemies. This allows for rapid clearing of large groups of enemies in an efficient manner.
• Mobility: The Deadeye ascendancy is built for high movement speed (up to 140%), which enables players to quickly reposition during fights, avoid incoming damage, and efficiently clear maps and bosses.
• Boss Killing Power: With over 170 million DPS, this build can now one-shot pinnacle bosses with ease, making it one of the highest DPS builds for endgame content.
Gear:
• Main Hand: Composite Bow
• Off Hand: Volant Quiver
• Helm: Sorcerous Tiara
• Armor: Rambler Jacket
• Belt: Ingenuity
• Boots: Dunerunner Sandals
• Rings: Breach Ring x2
• Amulet: Solar Amulet
Flask:
• Life Flask: Ultimate Life Flask
• Mana Flask: Melting Maelstrom
Skill Gems:
• Magnetic Salvo
• Lightning Arrow
• Bonestorm
• Lightning Rod
• Cast on Shock
• Herald of Thunder
• Grim Feast
• Herald of Ice
• Conductivity
Ascendancy:
For a Megalomaniac build, aim for Throatseeker to further boost DPS. Any additional mods that increase critical strike or attack speed will further elevate the build's damage potential.
3. Lightning Huntress Build - Best for Elemental and Critical Strike DPS
The Lightning Huntress build in PoE 2: Dawn of the Hunt stands out for its ability to deliver devastating elemental damage while focusing on critical strikes. The Amazon ascendancy, with its emphasis on elemental and lightning damage, synergizes perfectly with skills like Lightning Spear and Storm Lance, creating an explosive, high-damage playstyle.
Key Features:
• Critical Strikes and Elemental Damage: By focusing on elemental damage and critical strikes, this build maximizes damage output. The synergy between critical strike modifiers and elemental penetration makes this build incredibly efficient against tough bosses and high-tier content.
• Storm Lance and Shocked Ground: Storm Lance creates Shocked Ground, which further enhances damage when hit. This is especially powerful when combined with Frenzy Charges, which increase damage over time while triggering explosive bursts of damage.
• Primal Strikes: Consuming Shock with Storm Lance triggers Primal Strikes, offering a 400% damage effectiveness and providing powerful explosions that scale your DPS exponentially.
Gear:
• Main Hand: Helix Spear
• Off Hand: Lycosidae
• Helm: Trapper Hood
• Armor: Shrouded Vest
• Belt: Long Belt
• Gloves: Barbed Bracers
• Boots: Laced Boots
• Rings: Emerald Ring, Topaz Ring
• Amulet: Bloodstone Amulet
Flask:
• Life Flask: Ultimate Life Flask
• Mana Flask: Ultimate Mana Flask
Skill Gems:
• Whirling Slash - Primal Armament
• Herald of Thunder - Lightning Penetration
• Storm Lance - Concentrated Effect - Lightning Infusion
• Lightning Spear - Martial Tempo - Innervate
• Sniper's Mark - Persistence - Profusion
• Barrage - Premeditation - Arcane Tempo
Ascendancy:
1. Elemental Infusion
2. Critical Strike
3. Infused Avatar
4. Penetrate
Conclusion: Choosing the Right DPS Build for Dawn of the Hunt
When gearing up for Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt, selecting the right DPS build is crucial for surviving and thriving in the game's most challenging content. The Chaos Lich Witch, Lightning Ranger Deadeye, and Lightning Huntress builds are the top picks for their exceptional DPS, defensive capabilities, and synergy with the new expansion's mechanics.
• Chaos Lich Witch: Ideal for players who enjoy chaotic damage-over-time builds with high survivability and minion support.
• Lightning Ranger Deadeye: Perfect for those who want a fast, mobile, and ranged DPS build capable of wiping out enemies and one-shotting pinnacle bosses.
• Lightning Huntress: A fantastic choice for players who prefer elemental damage and critical strike builds, delivering massive burst DPS through skills like Storm Lance and Lightning Spear.
No matter which build you choose, each of these high-DPS setups will serve you well in your journey through PoE 2's Dawn of the Hunt expansion. So, gather your PoE2 items gear, fine-tune your ascendancy choices, and get ready to dominate the endgame with these powerhouse builds.