PoE 2 new Patch 0.4 is just around the corner (release on Dec 12), and players are eagerly anticipating the changes and buffs that will shape the new meta. As we head into the new league, several builds remain strong, while others have undergone significant nerfs or reworks. In this guide, we'll cover the top 8 builds that are set to shine in The Last of the Druids, breaking down the changes, strengths, and how you can prepare for a successful league start.
To ensure a smooth transition into the new league, it’s essential to have enough PoE 2 Currency to handle upgrades and essential purchases as you progress.
1. Poison Pathfinder–The Speed Demon
Key Changes in Patch 0.4
The Poison Pathfinder build is one of the most exciting choices for Patch 0.4, especially with the buffs to Pathfinder Ascendancy. The new Sprint Rune (providing 25% increased movement speed, doubled with essence modifiers) makes this build incredibly fast, perfect for temple farming and maximizing map clear speed. Additionally, the new ability to not be knocked down while sprinting further amplifies its mobility and effectiveness in high-speed farming scenarios.
Strengths
Speed Farming: Poison Pathfinder will likely become the best temple farmer in the game, enabling you to clear maps at lightning speed and farm high-value PoE 2 items efficiently.
Versatile: This build can handle all content, making it a great all-rounder for players who want a build that performs well in both the early and late game.
League Starter Potential: With the buffs in Patch 0.4, Poison Pathfinder is an excellent choice for league starters, as it can scale well with both low and high budgets.
If you want to dominate the early game and make your way to end-game content as fast as possible, Poison Pathfinder is a top pick for Patch 0.4.
2. Lightning Arrow Deadeye –Favorite Build
Key Changes in Patch 0.4
The Lightning Arrow Deadeye build remains one of the most reliable picks for Path of Exile 2, despite some recent nerfs. The biggest impact of Patch 0.4 was the reduction in single-target damage, dropping from around 60-70 million DPS to a more reasonable 10 million DPS. While this may sound like a huge hit, it's important to keep in mind that Lightning Arrow Deadeye still offers one of the best clears in the game, making it a fantastic choice for those who enjoy high-speed map farming and fast-paced gameplay.
Why It's Still Strong
Clear Speed: Despite the nerf, the build retains the same clear speed, allowing you to clear maps efficiently without much hassle.
Bossing Viability: While single-target damage has decreased, the build remains a solid choice for bossing due to its high mobility and DPS potential in the right setup.
This build remains an ideal choice for players who want a fast-paced, high-clear speed character that can still handle end-game content, even if it sacrifices some single-target damage.
3. Explosive Shot Grenade
Key Changes in Patch 0.4
The Explosive Shot Grenade build, once a top-tier pick for speedruns and early-game farming, has experienced some nerfs in Patch 0.4. The biggest downside is the mana issues, especially without the Viper Cap Helmet, and the reduced movement speed from nerfs to MS pallet. However, despite these drawbacks, the build still remains extremely strong in terms of damage output.
Strengths of the Explosive Shot Grenade
Early and Mid-Game Strength: Explosive Shot Grenade remains one of the strongest early-game builds, especially with its high damage output and boss-killing potential.
High-Value Farming: It is incredibly efficient for farming due to the rapid speed and powerful explosions, making it a solid choice for those aiming to level up quickly or farm high-value items.
Boss One-Shots: Once properly geared, you can easily one-shot end-game bosses, making it a fantastic option for players who want to power through content.
While it does require mana management in the late game, its early-game dominance and speedrun viability make it one of the best picks in Patch 0.4.
4. Lightning Crossbow Deadeye
Key Changes in Patch 0.4
The Lightning Crossbow Deadeye build is another strong choice in Patch 0.4, with minimal nerfs affecting its playstyle. The primary nerf is the loss of Wind War from Deadeye, but the build still maintains its power, particularly in shock burst rounds and high mobility. The build can also be played on Witch Hunter, which provides a tankier option for those who prefer a defensive playstyle.
Why It's Strong
Versatility: Lightning Crossbow Deadeye offers both offensive and defensive strength, with the ability to deal powerful damage while also being tanky enough to survive tough encounters.
No Major Nerfs: Unlike many other builds, Lightning Crossbow Deadeye hasn't been hit by significant nerfs and remains a reliable choice for both beginners and experienced players.
Tanky Witch Hunter Variant: For players who don't mind losing some damage output in exchange for higher survivability, the Witch Hunter variant of this build is a great option.
The combination of mobility, high damage, and tanky survivability makes Lightning Crossbow Deadeye a top contender for players who want a well-rounded character.
5. Bleed Spear Blood Mage
Key Highlights
The Bleed Spear Blood Mage build has often flown under the radar, but it has quietly emerged as one of the best early-game builds in Patch 0.4. While it may not be as flashy as some of the other top-tier picks, it offers excellent boss damage and solid map-clear speed. What makes this build especially appealing is its resilience and ability to deal consistent damage without requiring expensive gear.
Why It's Great
Boss Damage: Excellent for taking down bosses early in the game, with strong scaling that allows you to handle end-game content without much trouble.
Map Clear Speed: Though not as fast as some of the more popular builds, Bleed Spear Blood Mage is still highly efficient for clearing maps and farming valuable Path of Exile 2 items.
Accessible to Most Players: While it doesn't have a dedicated creator guide, Blood Mage builds can be easily researched and adapted by players who enjoy experimenting with different setups.
If you want a solid all-around build that doesn't require specific gear or playstyle, this is a great choice, especially for players looking for a build that doesn't dominate the meta but still performs excellently.
6. Warrior Shield Wall Titan – Hardcore Strength
Key Changes in Patch 0.4
The Warrior Shield Wall Titan is a hardcore build designed for players who prefer a more tanky, defensive playstyle. With Patch 0.4, the build received major buffs, making it a viable choice even for softcore players. While it's still a bit more niche, its survivability and damage mitigation abilities make it one of the best defensive builds in the game.
Why It's Strong
Tankiness: This build is extremely resilient, making it perfect for players who want to focus on survival rather than pure damage.
High Buff Potential: Thanks to Patch 0.4 buffs, this build has great late-game potential and can handle some of the toughest bosses in the game.
If you prefer a tankier playstyle and enjoy hardcore builds, Warrior Shield Wall Titan is a fantastic choice.
7. Essence Drain Lich – A Solid and Viable Build
Key Highlights
The Essence Drain Lich build remains a strong choice despite recent nerfs. While the nerf to pack size in maps has made the build feel less powerful, it's still highly solid and viable for players who enjoy high DPS with solid survivability.
Why It's Solid
High Damage Output: Despite the nerf, Essence Drain Lich still offers high damage for players who enjoy quick, efficient farming.
Viable for Solo Players: If you prefer solo play, this build will give you the survivability and damage needed to clear difficult content without much issue.
While it's not the most popular choice, it remains a great option for those who prefer a DPS-focused, solo-friendly build.
8. Ice Strike Monk - Zizaran / Sarge2 / Milkybk
Although only a few players have tried this build so far in the current league, it was played last season by Sarge and Milkybk, so checking out their content could be helpful. Ice Strike Monk stands out for its strong melee burst damage and versatile skill mechanics, making it appealing to players who enjoy fast-paced close combat. While it may not be as widely popular as other meta builds, it remains a solid option for league starters who want something different yet powerful.
TLDR
In the PoE 2 Patch 0.4 league start, most builds from the previous patch are still very effective and can be reused directly. The only exception is the Life Stacker build, which was heavily nerfed and is not recommended. Additionally, Fusions may emerge as a new, strong playstyle worth paying attention to, while the strength of the new Druid class remains uncertain.
Conclusion
Patch 0.4 is shaping up to be an exciting league with several strong builds, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Whether you want to focus on clearing maps quickly, bossing, or surviving tough encounters, there's a build for you. From the speed-farming potential of Pathfinder Poison to the tankiness of Warrior Shield Wall Titan, every build in this guide offers unique advantages that will help you dominate Path of Exile 2's new challenges. This overview was shared by Fubgun's video. Make sure to pick the build that best suits your playstyle and prepare for the exciting changes coming in Patch 0.4!
Related Links:
PoE 2 0.4 The Last of The Druid – Top 5 League Starter Builds
PoE 2 0.4 Beginner's Guide – The Last of the Druids and Fate of the Vaal
