Mastering the Witch class in Path of Exile 2 can be quite challenging, particularly if you adopt an aggressive playstyle akin to that of the Warrior class. Unlike certain other classes, the Witch generally exhibits lower damage per second (DPS), making a head-on approach against enemies a recipe for failure.
However, when leveraged correctly with the appropriate skills, weapons, and Ascensions, the Witch class possesses formidable strengths, particularly in terms of crowd control and surviving the overwhelming enemy forces that you face throughout the game.
This guide provides comprehensive insights on how to build a powerful Fire Witch, complemented by resilient Minions that can absorb damage on your behalf.
Optimal Gear for Witches in PoE2
This build is heavily centered around Minions, which rely on a resource called Spirit. The greater your Spirit reserves, the more powerful you will become. There are effective methods to enhance your Spirit, starting with the right weapon selection.
Top Weapons for Witches
- Rattling Scepter
Scepters are a principal weapon choice for Witches in PoE2, but the Rattling Scepter stands out as particularly beneficial for this build. This weapon not only provides an additional 100 Spirit but also enables the summoning of Minion Warriors to distract enemies. While these Minions may not inflict massive damage, they effectively draw enemy attention away from you, allowing for a safer attack from a distance.
For your off-hand, you may opt for a Shield or a Focus to enhance your defensive capabilities. Alternatively, you could maintain the Scepter in your off-hand and utilize a fire-themed Wand, such as the Volatile Wand. This Wand has the potential to convert Corpses into fiery projectiles that track enemies, synergizing beautifully with your future fire abilities. However, if preservation of your Corpses for Minion creation is a priority, a Focus remains an excellent choice.
Ideal Armor and Accessories for Witches
- Spirit or Minion-Enhancing Gear
When it comes to armor and accessories, those that amplify your Spirit or augment your Minions are crucial for this build. Many items possess added modifiers that provide various character enhancements. It’s wise to aim for pieces like the Alpha’s Howl Armored Cap or Ventor’s Gamble Gold Ring, both of which can significantly boost your Spirit.
Given the expense of summoning Minions early in the game, gathering enough Spirit is vital for this build’s success. Items that bolster Spirit may be difficult to find, but the PoE2 Trading Site is an excellent resource for locating these items.
Essential Skills for Witches in PoE2
With a plethora of Skill Gems available and multiple pathways on the Passive Skill Tree, selecting the most effective options can be daunting. Below is a breakdown of the Skill Gems, Support Gems, and Passive Skills that will empower your Fire Witch.
Crucial Skill Gems for Witches
- Skeletal Arsonists: Pair with Fire Infusion, Scattershot, and Immolate Support Gems
- Flame Wall: Combine with Arcane Tempo, Fortress, and Spell Cascade Support Gems
- Detonate Dead: Enhance with Magnified Effect, Corpse Conservation, and Spell Echo Support Gems
- Flammability: Augment with Burning Inscription, Impending Doom, and Magnified Effect Support Gems
- Pain Offering: Use alongside Font of Rage, Persistence, and Ablation Support Gems
- Unearth: Support with Corpse Conservation, Persistence, and Feeding Frenzy Support Gems
Since this build emphasizes fire and Minion abilities, your Skill Gems predominantly focus on these themes. The following Skills are particularly significant for your character’s growth.
Skeletal Arsonists
The Rattling Scepter already equips you with Minion Warriors, but in the early to mid-game, Skeletal Arsonists are another Minion type to prioritize. These resilient Minions launch fiery projectiles at foes, seamlessly intertwining with your flame-centric Skills and the future Ascension choices you make. Their damage output surpasses that of most other Minions, helping offset your inherent lower DPS.
Flame Wall
The Flame Wall Skill is fundamental to your strategy, as it creates a barrier of fire that ignites enemies and inflicts damage over time. While effective on its own, combining this Skill with the Spell Cascade Support Gem grants you not just one but three walls of flame, showering the battlefield in fire.
Additionally, utilizing Fortress allows you to cast circular flames instead of just walls, further expanding your area of effect. Skeletal Arsonists and Flame Wall serve as your primary damage-dealing Skills, while others like Pain Offering and Unearth work to bolster Minion strength and increase damage potential.
Skills for Late Game
As you delve deeper into the late game of PoE2 and gather ample Spirit, you’ll have the capacity to summon Skeletal Clerics alongside your Arsonists. These Clerics act as healers, prolonging the life of your Minions and ensuring quicker revivals after death, which becomes crucial during challenging boss encounters.
Optimal Passive Skills for Witches
Given the vastness of the Passive Skill Tree in Path of Exile 2, it can be overwhelming to navigate. Luckily, building your Passive Skills for this build is straightforward. Prioritize Minion Skills over fire-oriented abilities, as there are limited options for enhancing fire-specific attributes. Focus on the ascension path that primarily leads upwards and slightly to the left in the Witch Skill Tree, as depicted in the image above.
Recommended Ascension Classes for Witches
There are two key Ascensions available for Witches: the Infernalist and the Bloodmage. For a Fire Witch, the Infernalist is the optimal choice, infusing this build with both fire and Minion capabilities.
Begin by unlocking the Hellhound Skill on the Infernalist Skill Tree. This adds an extra Minion to your arsenal, further fortifying your defenses during battles. Gaining points within the Ascendancy Skill Tree requires completing challenging trials such as the Trial of the Sekhemas or the Trial of Chaos, both of which are integral to accessing your advanced Infernalist Skills.
Next, concentrate on the Pyromantic Pact and Bringer of Flame Skills. Pyromantic Pact replaces your Mana with a resource known as Infernal Flame; when you have sufficient Infernal Flame, Bringer of Flame allows you and your Minions to deal igniting damage to enemies, further enhancing the effectiveness of your Flame Witch build.
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