Have you heard of the Ice Strike Invoker build in Path of Exile 2? If not, it is one of the best builds we can recommend regardless of your experience with the game. Whether you are a complete beginner looking for a build you can rely on or a PoE 2 veteran who enjoys playing a character that can obliterate any monster in the game, this is the build for you!
If you want to know how this build works, what gear it needs, and the optimal skills for maximum damage, then read further. This is our PoE 2 Ice Strike Invoker Build Guide!
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Why Play the Ice Strike Invoker?
The main selling point of the Ice Strike Invoker is that it is a "safer" build compared to Monk builds that use Tempest Flurry or Flicker Strike. Ice Strike can freeze enemies easily, preventing them from hitting you just long enough for you to kill them in just a few hits.
Apart from that, Ice Strike deals significantly more damage than the aforementioned skills, particularly because it converts almost all of your physical damage to cold damage. With enough PoE 2 Gemcutter's Prisms, you can attack faster with this skill as well.
Compared to other Path of Exile 2 builds the Ice Strike Invoker can effectively take on bosses without worrying too much about survivability. Being able to freeze enemies is, in itself, a form of defense because enemies cannot act while they are frozen.
Furthermore, you have the freedom of choosing either Chaos Inoculation or Acrobatics to improve your chances of survival. If you do not have a problem with Path of Exile 2 Currency, you can allocate both!
This build also works well even with just rare items, making it one of the best SSF (Solo Self-Found) builds in Path of Exile 2.
Ascendancy Class: Invoker
Ice Strike is only one part of the equation. You also need to choose the right ascendancy class, which, in this case, is the Invoker.
Recommended Ascendancy Nodes:
1. I am the Blizzard – Grants 10% extra cold damage. Whenever you freeze enemies with Ice Strike, you create a chilled ground that slows down nearby monsters.
2. And I Shall Rage OR I am the Thunder
• And I Shall Rage – Provides a massive boost in elemental damage for 10 seconds after building up a buff.
• I am the Thunder – Grants extra lightning damage and creates Shocked Ground when you inflict Shock on an enemy, increasing their damage taken.
3. Sunder My Enemies – Ensures that monsters always receive the full, unmitigated damage from your Ice Strike when you land a critical hit.
4. Lead Me Through Grace – Grants additional Spirit based on the evasion and energy shield values on your equipped body armor.
Ice Strike Invoker Gear Recommendations
To maximize the potential of this build, focus on the following gear modifiers:
• Added Physical Damage
• Added Cold Damage
• Increased Physical Damage
• Increased Elemental Damage with Attacks
• Increased Attack Speed
• Increased Critical Hit Chance
• + to Critical Damage Bonus
• Increased Evasion
• Increased Energy Shield
• + to Evasion Rating
• + to Maximum Energy Shield
• Increased Fire/Cold/Lightning Resistance
• + to All Elemental Resistances
• + to Dexterity
• + to Intelligence
Weapon: Expert Gothic Staff
• Has the highest base critical strike chance among quarterstaves.
• Look for "Increased Critical Hit Chance" on explicit modifiers.
• Get physical and elemental damage boosts.
• Look for at least a 15% increased attack speed.
Body Armor: Expert Waxed Jacket
• The best hybrid evasion/energy shield armor in PoE 2.
• Ensures enough Spirit gain via "Lead Me Through Grace."
• Aim for at least 1,050+ evasion and 400+ energy shields.
• Socket Iron Runes for a 40% increase in EV and ES.
Helmet: Expert Feathered Tiara
• Works well with the "Subterfuge Mask" node on the passive tree.
• Get flat ES, percentage ES, and critical hit chance.
• Additional resistances if needed.
Gloves: Expert Spiral Wraps or Hand of Wisdom and Action
• Look for Added Physical Damage, Cold Damage, and Fire Damage.
• "Gain Mana per Enemy Killed" for sustain.
• Hand of Wisdom and Action for additional attack speed and lightning damage scaling.
Playstyle
The Ice Strike Invoker has an easy-to-learn playstyle with no complicated mechanics.
1. Attack enemies with Ice Strike – This is your primary offensive skill.
2. Gain Power Charges – This occurs when you freeze or shock an enemy.
3. Activate Charged Staff – Provides additional lightning damage and attack range.
4. Use Tempest Bell during boss fights – Inflicting both Freeze and Shock results in higher damage output.
Buffs to Activate Early in the Game:
• Herald of Ice
• Wind Dancer
• Herald of Thunder
Final Thoughts
The Ice Strike Invoker is a powerful and beginner-friendly build in Path of Exile 2. With its ability to freeze enemies and high critical strike potential, it excels in both clearing maps and defeating bosses.
By following this guide, you'll have an efficient and deadly build that works well even in SSF (Solo Self-Found) Mode. And if you ever need assistance in obtaining gear or buying PoE 2 currency, don't forget to check out our PoE 2 Store for a quick boost to your adventure!