Warrior Class in Path of Exile 2
The Warrior in Path of Exile 2 is a classic ARPG class known for its ground-shattering skills. However, during the early access phase, players have been expressing concerns about the Warrior’s abilities feeling sluggish and its attacks being weaker in the endgame. While the Warrior may receive buffs in the future, it is currently tailored for more experienced Path of Exile players.
By following the right build guide, players can still make the most out of the Warrior class regardless of their experience level in the series. Below, we present the optimal Warrior build for the current state of Path of Exile 2.
Overview of the Warrior Class
As expected, the Warrior class primarily focuses on melee combat in Path of Exile 2. Two-handed weapons like mauls and maces serve as the main damage dealers for the class, each accompanied by their own set of skills. However, players have the flexibility to switch to a one-handed weapon and shield for a more defensive playstyle. While using a shield provides defensive capabilities such as blocking attacks, it sacrifices damage output compared to a two-handed weapon build.
Path of Exile 2 allows players to freely swap between two different builds, enabling them to adapt their playstyle based on the combat situation. Whether opting for an offensive or defensive strategy, the Warrior’s versatility shines through. Additionally, dual-wielding one-handed weapons can be advantageous when utilizing certain skills.
When playing as a Warrior in Path of Exile 2, focusing on strength attribute points is crucial. While dexterity and intelligence can be useful for creating a more agile Warrior with specific gear requirements, strength remains the primary focus for maximizing damage output.
Top Skills for the Warrior in Path of Exile 2
The Warrior boasts a wide range of powerful attacks in Path of Exile 2, albeit with a notable drawback of slower execution speed. To excel with the Warrior, players need to utilize area-of-effect (AoE) damage to effectively eliminate enemies up close. Balancing offensive and defensive tactics by alternating between weapons and shields is key to surviving encounters.
Here is a list of recommended skills for the Warrior in Path of Exile 2:
- Mace Strike
- Earthquake
- Boneshatter
- Shockwave Totem
- Infernal Cry
- Leap Slam
- Sunder
- Ancestral Warrior Totem
- Hammer of the Gods
For effective early-game progression in Acts 1-3, skills like Earthquake, Boneshatter, Shockwave Totem, and Infernal Cry are recommended. As you advance further, unlocking skills such as Leap Slam can significantly enhance your damage output and survival capabilities. Learning to synergize skills like Bone Shatter and Leap Slam with a two-handed weapon will be instrumental in dominating foes.
Support Gems and Passive Skills for the Warrior
Equipping the right Support Gems and allocating Passive Points wisely are essential for optimizing your Warrior build in Path of Exile 2. Selecting the appropriate Support Gems and enhancing your skills with Spirit Gems can provide invaluable bonuses during combat.
Here are some recommended Support Gems and Spirit Gems to consider:
Support Gems
- Martial Tempo (all skills, but Leap Slam specifically)
- Momentum (Leap Slam)
- Holy Descent (Leap Slam)
Spirit Gems
- Overwhelming Presence
- Scavenged Plating
Enhancing the Warrior with Passive Skills
Strengthening your Warrior through Passive Abilities is crucial as you progress through Path of Exile 2. Prioritizing Strength, physical damage, and area-of-effect damage in the Passive Ability Skill Tree is recommended for maximizing the Warrior’s potential.
Consider allocating Passive Points to abilities like Brutal, Sturdy Metal, Smash, and other relevant skills to bolster your Warrior’s combat effectiveness.
Furthermore, investing in Strength attribute nodes throughout the skill tree will further enhance the Warrior’s capabilities on the battlefield.
Choosing the Best Warrior Ascendancy
Upon reaching the Ascendancy stage in Path of Exile 2, Warrior players are presented with two options: The Titan and Warbringer. While The Titan focuses on damage output, Warbringer provides defensive abilities to aid in survivability against formidable foes. Given the Warrior’s current state, opting for the Warbringer Ascendancy is recommended for improved defense and resilience.
As updates and buffs may alter the Warrior’s effectiveness in the future, Ascendancy choices may evolve accordingly to ensure optimal performance.