Welcome to the Ice Shot Deadeye build, a top-tier league starter for the 0.5 patch of Path of Exile 2. With substantial buffs in recent patches and a playstyle that feels incredibly smooth, this build is shaping up to be one of the most effective choices for both early mapping and endgame bossing. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, Fubgun's video guide will provide you with the insights needed to master the build.
Why Choose Ice Shot and Snipe?
Ice Shot has always been a popular bow skill, but recent changes in patches 0.4 and 0.5 have propelled it into the spotlight:
1. Patch 0.4 Buffs
• Increased secondary projectiles.
• Higher projectile damage.
• Greater cold conversion, leading to improved overall damage.
• Enhanced chill magnitude for added crowd control.
2. Patch 0.5 Adjustments
• Minor nerfs to secondary projectile freeze buildup, which are largely irrelevant for bossing.
• Snipe received a damage nerf at lower levels but was buffed at higher levels (21+), making it even more effective in the endgame.
• New interactions with Mirage Archer for Snipe, offering alternative playstyles.
These changes have made Ice Shot a prime contender for the best bow build in the current meta, especially with the nerf to Pathfinder and poison-based builds.
Pros and Cons
Pros
• Smooth Playstyle: Ice Shot offers an enjoyable and satisfying gameplay experience, especially as early as level 31.
• High Damage Output: Compared to other bow skills like Lightning Arrow, Ice Shot has approximately 40% more hit damage, making it excellent for early mapping.
• Exceptional Boss Damage: With proper gear, you can one-shot most pinnacle bosses, even on a low budget.
• Low Button Press Playstyle: The build transitions into a one-to-two-button setup, making it user-friendly.
• Crowd Control: The perma-chill and freeze mechanics provide a valuable defensive layer by slowing enemies significantly.
• Endgame Viability: The Herald of Ice/armor explosion chain remains unnerfed, allowing for powerful mapping potential.
• Budget-Friendly: The investment is very low, with gear costing around five PoE 2 divines orbs or less, making it ideal for league starts.
Cons
• Early Squishiness: Pure life and evasion builds can feel fragile early on. However, transitioning to an ES-evasion hybrid setup resolves this issue.
• Snipe Timing: Snipe is the primary source of single-target damage. The skill requires precise timing: hold down the button until your character glows, then release to unleash a devastating attack. Snipe scales with attack speed, so its timing may change as you upgrade your gear.
Skill Tree Overview
The skill tree focuses on maximizing damage while incorporating essential defensive layers. Key nodes include:
• Projectile Damage: Boosts overall DPS.
• Freeze Buildup: Essential for the early game to freeze bosses and improve survivability.
• Evasion Nodes: Provides a solid defensive foundation.
• Mark Nodes (Weapon Swap 2): Increases damage against marked enemies significantly.
Weapon Swap Setup
This build utilizes two weapon sets:
1. Weapon Set 1: Focused on damage-dealing skills like Ice Shot, Snipe, and Tornado Shot.
2. Weapon Set 2: Dedicated to mark-related nodes that amplify damage against marked enemies.
Freezing Mark is the key skill in Weapon Set 2. When applied correctly, it can double your single-target damage by increasing cold damage as extra damage and amplifying shock magnitude.
Key Ascendancy Choices
The Deadeye ascendancy is the best choice for this build due to its synergy with bow skills:
• Gathering Winds
• Point Blank
• Endless Munitions
• Mirage Deadeye
Skill Gem Setup
1. Mirage Deadeye
• Ice Shot
• Elemental Armament
• Rapid Attacks
• Deliberation
• Cooldown Recovery
2. Snipe
• Window of Opportunity
• Concentrated Area
• Elemental Armament
• Elemental Focus
• Close Combat
3. Herald of Ice
• Elemental Focus
• Magnified Area
• Cold Attunement
• Elemental Armament
4. Freezing Mark
• Prolonged Duration
• Eternal Mark
• Charged Mark
• Mark of Siphoning
5. Ice-Tipped Arrows
• Short Fuse
• Elemental Armament
• Magnified Area
• Longshot
6. Ice Shot
• Elemental Armament
• Ice Bite
• Rapid Attacks
• Fork
7. Mirage Archer
• Ice Shot
• Elemental Armament
• Deliberation
• Rapid Attacks
8. Tornado Shot
• Overabundance
• Prolonged Duration
• Durability
9. Barrage
• Cooldown Recovery
• Rapid Casting
• Perpetual Charge
10. Bow Shot
• Rapid Attacks
• Freeze
11. Combat Frenzy
• Charge Profusion
12. Power Siphon
Gear Recommendations
• Horror Shelter Trapper Hood (with Greater Glacial Rune)
• Blood Horn Obliterator Bow (with Greater Iron Runes)
• Foe Hail Primed Quiver
• Corruption Pelt Lizardscale Coat (with Greater Iron Runes)
• Sol Knuckle Ruby Ring
• Gloom Scarab Lunar Amulet
• Kraken Eye Prismatic Ring
• Victory Mitts Spiked Bracers (with Greater Glacial Rune)
• Carrion Thread Plate Belt
• Dire Stride Serpentscale Boots (with Greater Glacial Rune)
• Substantial Ultimate Life Flask of the Plentiful
• Lavianga's Spirits Gargantuan Mana Flask
• Floral Thawing Charm of the Medic
• Sunny Silver Charm of the Verdant
• Clinician's Dousing Charm of the Bottomless
This build shines even on a low budget. With gear costing around 5 divines or less:
• You can one-shot quest pinnacle bosses.
• You can clear maps efficiently with strong crowd control from freezing and chilling effects.
• The build remains viable for all content in the game, even at low investment.
Tips for Success
1. Practice Snipe Timing: Perfecting the timing of Snipe is crucial for maximizing your bossing DPS. Spend a few minutes in your hideout practicing the release timing.
2. Utilize Weapon Swaps: Properly setting up your weapon swaps to include mark-specific nodes in Weapon Set 2 will significantly enhance your single-target damage.
3. Prioritize Defense Early On: Transition to an ES-evasion hybrid setup as soon as possible to mitigate early-game squishiness.
4. Craft Your Bow: Even after recent crafting nerfs, creating a suitable bow is still cost-effective. Focus on flat physical damage as your primary stat.
5. Leverage Freezing Mark: This skill is essential for maximizing your single-target DPS. Use it wisely during boss fights to boost your damage output.
Final Thoughts
The Ice Shot and Snipe Deadeye build is an exceptional choice for players looking for a powerful league starter that transitions seamlessly into endgame content. With its high damage output, satisfying playstyle, and budget-friendly gear requirements, it's no wonder this build is expected to dominate in the 0.5 patch.
