Ultimate Endgame Warrior Build for Path of Exile 2

The Warrior class stands out as the epitome of physical prowess in Path of Exile 2, especially as players delve deeper into the endgame. With a primary focus on Strength, Warriors deliver punishing hits that can incapacitate foes and dominate battlefield dynamics. Their ability to stun enemies, coupled with catastrophic area-of-effect attacks, allows them to control encounters effectively. However, this raw power comes with a downside; Warriors are relatively slow, necessitating careful planning of their attacks to maximize impact at the right moments.

Echoing its predecessor, the Diablo series, Path of Exile 2 encourages players to experiment with diverse character builds. This entails exploring various combinations of skills, gear, and Ascendancies (subclasses) to unlock the full potential of each class. While multiple paths exist for Warrior development, optimal strategies become apparent as players progress into the latter stages of the game. This guide will outline the definitive endgame Warrior build in Path of Exile 2.

Top Gear Recommendations for an Endgame Warrior Build in PoE 2

Optimal Maces for the Warrior

A blacksmith hammering a new sword in Path of Exile 2.

Warriors in Path of Exile 2 primarily capitalize on maces, available in both one-handed and two-handed variants. One-handed maces allow players to use shields, offering a balance between offense and defense, while two-handed options maximize damage output by utilizing both weapon slots. For a pure damage-oriented build, two-handed maces are the ideal choice.

In your search for top-tier gear, focus on acquiring a high-level unique mace that enhances key attributes such as Strength, stun effects, maximum health, or raw damage output. If opting for a one-handed mace, the Olrovasara Torment Club serves as an excellent option, augmenting lightning damage and attack speed. Pair it with the Wulfsbane Painted Tower Shield for significant boosts to Strength, maximum health, and a chance to inflict the Intimidated status on enemies, which increases the damage they take upon first contact. To streamline your search for essential gear, consider utilizing a PoE 2 loot filter.

The Intimidated status effect inflicts increased damage taken on targets, enhancing your combat efficiency.

Essential Armor Choices for the Warrior

Warriors are best suited for heavy armor options, namely plate metal and chain mail. This setup ensures significant defense, even in damage-centric builds. Focus on gear that elevates Strength and boosts attack damage to fully optimize your Warrior’s potential. A great example is the Horns of Byden Rusted Greathelm, which not only amplifies your Strength and melee attack Rage generation but also increases the likelihood of acquiring rare items across your inventory.

Recommended Skill Gems for an Endgame Warrior Build in PoE 2

Skill Gem: Hammer of the Gods

In Path of Exile 2, players obtain new skills through cutting Skill Gems, which allow the unlocking and equipping of various abilities. For a Warrior aiming for peak performance, Hammer of the Gods should be your top priority. Requiring a level 13 Skill Gem, this extremely potent skill brings forth a colossal hammer that slams down, dealing substantial area damage. However, as it demands considerable casting time, ensure to establish solid crowd control prior to execution.

Skill Gem: Seismic Cry

Boosting utility, the Warrior’s suite also includes various Cry abilities. Among them, Seismic Cry is particularly effective. Requiring a level 11 Gem, this ability unleashes a shockwave that increases your damage output for the subsequent strike, especially when targeting stunned enemies.

Skill Gem: Rolling Slam

To enhance your ability to inflict stun, Rolling Slam is a must-have; it only requires a level 1 Skill Gem. This technique delivers two strikes—initially enhancing enemy stun while simultaneously pushing them backward, creating an opportunity for follow-up attacks, such as Hammer of the Gods.

Skill Gem: Shield Wall

When engaging multiple enemies, maintaining survivability is essential. For Warriors wielding one-handed maces in tandem with shields, Shield Wall (level 7 Skill Gem) creates a protective barrier of rocks around you. Enemies must dismantle the wall to approach, with each destroyed segment causing an explosion that inflicts damage, thus buying you valuable time to heal or reposition.

Optimal Passive Skills for an Endgame Warrior

Passive Skill: Smash

Path of Exile 2 character skill tree showcasing diverse paths

Advancing through levels in Path of Exile 2 involves selecting passives from the extensive skill tree. Aim to enhance your Strength, stun accumulation, or armor penetration, based on your chosen specialization. Smash is essential for any Warrior, providing a 20% to 40% boost in attack damage against heavily stunned enemies.

Passive Skill: Brutal

If you pursue a stun-centric playstyle, Brutal is critical for amplifying stun accumulation, melee damage, and overall Strength.

Passive Skill: Skullcrusher

Further enhancing your stun build, Skullcrusher significantly amplifies damage dealt to heavily stunned foes.

Best Spirit Gems for an Endgame Warrior Build in PoE 2

Spirit Gem: Overwhelming Presence

Path of Exile 2 showcasing Spirit gems, Spirit skills, and Ascendancy portraits. — Custom Image by Katarina Cimbaljevic

Apart from leveling passive skills, acquiring Spirit Gems is essential for additional buffs. Overwhelming Presence stands out for Warriors, as it decreases nearby enemies’ stun thresholds, making it easier to trigger stun effects and maximize damage through your stun-oriented skills.

Spirit Gem: Herald of Ash

If you prefer a fire damage route for your Warrior, Herald of Ash is invaluable. This gem facilitates enemy detonations and boosts the damage they take when ignited, creating a fiery wave of destruction.

Ascendancies for an Endgame Warrior Build in PoE 2

Ascendancy: Warbringer

Art of a warrior in Path of Exile 2, combating a horde of hyenas with a club.

Warriors possess two Ascendancies: Warbringer and Titan. Focusing on Warbringer, this subclass primarily utilizes the Ancestral Warrior Totem skill, offering multiple bonuses, including the ability to summon minions and redirect damage.

Warbringer amplifies your Warcry skills, including Seismic Cry. The unique skill Greatwolf’s Howl allows unrestricted activation of your Warcry without cooldowns, contingent on your mana capacity. Additionally, Warcaller’s Bellow detonates nearby corpses upon using your Warcry, deploying extra damage.

Warbringer enables superior armor-breaking, enhancing personal defense. With Anvil’s Weight and Imploding Impacts, your damage contributes to enemy armor reduction, while Renly’s Training and Turtle Charm adjust block chances to maximize your survivability. Despite its diverse utility, Warbringer is less effective for endgame Warriors, often overshadowed by the Titan subclass.

Ascendancy: Titan

Titan serves as a balanced Ascendancy, focusing on boosting armor and maximum health, while simultaneously enhancing Slam and stun attacks. Surprising Strength increases damage against heavy stunned foes by 40%, while Crushing Impact ensures your strikes are capable of heavy stunning enemies that meet specific criteria.

Furthermore, Earthbreaker grants your Slam abilities a chance to initiate aftershocks, while Ancestral Empowerment enhances damage from all Slam attacks. Titan excels in survivability, providing an extra 15% maximum health through Mysterious Lineage and an additional 50% value boost for your body armor thanks to Stone Skin.

This Ascendancy also includes a unique skill, Colossal Capacity, permanently increasing your inventory space by 20 slots, providing greater resource management. Given its versatility and raw damage potential, Titan is the recommended Ascendancy for endgame Warriors.

While this guide outlines a powerful build for the endgame Warrior, it is important to note that several effective paths exist. The Warrior’s naturally high strength and the flexible PoE 2 system allow for a multitude of development strategies. Keep in mind that the meta continues to evolve, especially during the Path of Exile 2 early access period.

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