In this guide, we’re diving into one of the strongest caster builds in Path of Exile 2: the Arc Stormwaver. This build, shared by Goblin Inc. on his YouTube channel, has explosive clear speed, high bossing DPS, and a smooth power curve once you get past a rough mid-game. Now, let’s dive in.
Core Mechanics
Arc and Lightning Infusions
Arc has been slightly reworked. On its own, it chains between enemies and deals solid lightning damage. When infused with lightning, however, Arc chains more times and deals 200% more damage. The entire build revolves around ensuring every Arc is infused. This is achieved through Cast on Elemental Ailment combined with frequent shock application. Every time you shock enemies, you enable more Infusion uptime.
Snap and Infusion Storage
The skill Snap consumes shocks in a large AoE and spawns Lightning Infusions. By taking the Shocking Limit node, you can hold up to 4 Lightning Infusions at once, letting you stockpile buffs and carry them into the next pack or boss.
Unleash Support
Unleash makes Arc fire extra echoes. Each echo consumes Lightning Infusions, massively increasing AoE clear and burst damage. It feels fantastic while mapping, since every cast effectively becomes three.
Ascendancy – Storm’s Recollection
This ascendancy power respawns Lightning Remnants three seconds after pickup. Against bosses, this means every single Arc cast is infused, giving you unmatched consistency and damage output.
Shock Scaling and Damage Rotation
Arc also has a unique modifier: it increases the magnitude of shocks inflicted by 50%. Combined with Strike Twice, which allows you to apply two shocks simultaneously, you can stack devastating debuffs on bosses.
- Mapping: Spam Arc → mobs melt instantly.
- Bossing: Use Arc to apply two shocks, then consume them with Lightning Conduit, which one-shots bosses in most cases.
The synergy is so strong that you don’t even need to finish your intended rotation, as bosses die before the full cycle completes.
Key Supporting Skills
Orb of Storms: Generates Lightning Infusions when it expires. With Overabundance (extra Orb) and Compressed Duration, you can set up multiple Infusions before fights. Ascendancy makes them respawn, further multiplying the generation. And if you ever need to get Orb of Storms quickly, you can buy it safely and conveniently from MmoGah — fast delivery and secure service make your build progression much smoother.
Mana Tempest: A huge damage amplifier. Doubles damage and increases AoE for Arc and Lightning Conduit. Always activate it before casting your main skills.
Shaper of Winter + Heavy Snows (Optional): Converts all damage into chill magnitude. This slows enemy movement, attacks, and casts by up to 50%, giving a powerful defensive layer — especially useful in Abyss and against tough elites.
Passive Tree Progression
The Sorcerer tree has seen major changes. Here’s what to prioritize:
- Elemental Force: +3% to all elemental res and 20% increased elemental damage.
- Empowering Remnants: Chance to gain 2 Infusions instead of 1.
- Everlasting Infusions: 10% chance your skills do not remove Elemental Infusions, but still count as having consumed them.
- Empowering Infusions: 30% more damage after consuming an Infusion.
- Drenched: Reliable 40% increased shock chance + 5% bonus cold damage.
- Lightning Quick: Cast speed + lightning damage.
- Shocking Limit: +1 to maximum Lightning Infusions
- Power Conduction: increased shock duration and magnitude of shock you inflict
- Electric Amplification: damage penetrates 18% Lightning Resistance + 6% Elemental Damage as extra Lightning Damage
- Pure Power: 2% increased Lightning Damage per 10 Intelligence
Defensive Transition
- Campaign: Hybrid Armor + ES.
- Early Endgame: Swap to pure ES.
- Chaos Inoculation (CI): Switch around 3,000 ES. At this point, respec less efficient damage nodes into high-value ES clusters like Dampening Shield, Pure Energy, Patient Barrier, and Melding.
A reminder: damage is defense for this build. Faster kills mean fewer chances to die. Don’t be afraid to prioritize offensive nodes early, then respec into ES once you can handle CI.
Gear Priorities
Since the Arc Stormwaver relies on high Energy Shield and spell scaling, gearing is all about balancing offense, survivability, and utility. Here’s how to prioritize each slot:
Weapon (Wand)
- The single strongest modifier is + Levels to Lightning Spell Skills. Every extra level massively increases the damage of Arc and Lightning Conduit.
- Maximum Mana and Mana Regeneration are crucial for sustaining constant casting.
- Cast Speed, Spell Damage, or Lightning Damage are excellent supporting stats that make the build feel much smoother.
- Defensive affixes like faster start of ES recharge or increased recharge rate are also very valuable.
Amulet
- Once again, + Levels to Spell Skills is the most impactful stat.
- If you want to run the Convalescence + Cast on Ailment setup, look for a Spirit roll here.
Chest / Helmet / Gloves / Boots
- These slots are primarily for stacking as much Energy Shield as possible.
- Boots should have movement speed so you can reposition quickly.
Rings
- Use these to cap your resistances first.
- After that, look for cast speed, maximum mana, or flat damage to help boost both offense and sustain.
Charms
- The most important ones are “Cannot be Stunned” and “Grants Immunity to Freeze”.
- “Grants Immunity to Ignite” is also very useful defensively.
Final Thoughts
The Arc Stormwaver combines everything players want in a caster build: lightning-fast clears, effortless scaling, and bossing power so high that encounters end before mechanics begin. While it struggles in the late campaign and the first steps into mapping, once you reach CI and start stacking spell levels, the build becomes unstoppable. If you’re looking for a top-tier PoE 2 caster that can handle all content with minimal gear requirements once it’s online, this build is for you.
