PoE 2 Bone Lich Build Guide: 100% Crit

Path of Exile 2's Witch class offers a thrilling playstyle with the Bone Lich, a minion-caster hybrid that dominates with Bone Cage for clears and Bonestorm for boss fights. Optimised for 100% critical hit chance, this build delivers screen-wide devastation and solid boss damage, making it a blast for both maps and endgame content. If you're grinding your way through Wraeclast and want more tips like this, be sure to bookmark our site and check out our store for exclusive PoE-themed gear to show off your exile pride. Let's break down this Bone Lich build, inspired by top community strategies, to help you smash Tier 4 Pinnacles and beyond.

The Bone Lich shines for its versatility—Bone Cage wipes packs with ease, pinning melee enemies for safety, while Bonestorm channels devastating DPS on bosses. With a near 100% crit chance (aim for 98-99%), every hit lands hard, and the build's mana management and weapon-swapping tech make it forgiving yet powerful. It's not a one-shot monster like some melee builds, but its clear speed and boss ability make it a top caster choice in patch 0.2.

Role: Screen-wide AoE for mapping.

Supports: Astral Projection, Spell Cascade, Arcane Surge, Haft, Magnified Effect.

Why It Works: Bone Cage covers a large area, trapping enemies and preventing melee overruns. Magnified Effect increases its range, Arcane Surge helps with mana, and Haft adds damage. Aim for a high-level gem (28+) for maximum effect.

Tip: Ensure 98–100% crit chance via gear and passives to make every cast a crit, shredding packs instantly.

Role: High-DPS channeling skill for single-target.

Supports: Concentrated Casting, Arcane Tempo, Extraction, Execute, Inspiration (or Burgeon).

Why It Works: Bonestorm's damage scales with channeling time, and Execute grants 50% more damage against low-life enemies (paired with Deepest Despair's helm). Inspiration reduces mana cost (critical at level 31+), while Burgeoning maximises DPS when mana is stable.

Tip: Switch to Inspiration for high-level Bonestorm to avoid mana drain; use Burgeon for pure damage.

Blasphemy Setup: Inflict Heightened Curse, Ritualistic Curse for debuffs. Move Clarity here for boss mana retention.

Custom Critical + Detonate Dead: Essential for mapping, boosts Clear with extra explosions. Less important for bosses.

Sigil of Power (Weapon Swap): Gives up to 60% more spell damage at maximum levels. Use with Magnified Effect for a larger AoE.

Orb of Storms + Blink + Convocation: Orb of Storms (with Pinpoint, Critical Chain, Font of Mana) aids mana regen, while Blink (Wind Wake) and Convocation (Second Wind, Ingenuity) enhance mobility and minion control.

This build's secret sauce is a weapon swap system for optimal damage:

Primary Weapon (Wand): Prioritise +1 physical spell ability, casting speed, crit chance and lightning damage (to shock enemies for 20% increased damage taken). Example: +1 to all physical spell abilities, 20% casting speed, +10-20 lightning damage.

Secondary Weapon (Chiming Staff): Activates Sigil of Power for 15% increased spell damage per level (60% at max). Switches to staff when casting Sigil, then back to wand.

Setup: Assign Orb of Storms, Blink and Convocation to the second weapon set; keep Custom Critical and Blasphemy on the first. Click Seal of Power to automatically switch to the staff, then use Orb of Storms or Blink to switch back. Check the auras again if Blasphemy or Blink fails.

Helmet gear priority: Deepest Despair's Speed Bone Crown (enemies count as low level for 50% more damage from Execute). Swap to Azoth's Contempt for survivability if needed.

Wand: +1 physical spell power, casting speed, crit chance, lightning damage.

Chiming Rod: Allows Seal of Power; prioritises skill duration mods.

Gloves: Nightscale Postcale gloves for mana regeneration when hitting enemies. Remove before boss encounters to start with full mana.

Rings: Seed of Cataclysm for chaos resistance, crit chance and spell damage.

Amulet: Prioritises +1 spell ability, casting speed, spell damage. Sacred or Silver Charm protects against stuns and slows.

Boots/Belt: Prioritise resistances and movement speed.

Jewel: Prism of Faith (Diamond) for +3 Bonestorm levels (increases damage by 30% at level 31). Costs ~6–7 Divines.

Focus: +1 spell power, casting speed, spell damage.

Passive Tree and Ascendancy

First Weapon Set (Wand): Tempered Mind, Deadly Force, Jugular, Moment of Truth for crit and damage. Add crit chance if below 100%.

Second Weapon Set (Staff): Royal, Explosive Impact, Chronomancy, Entropy, Preservation for Seal of Power duration (up to 40 seconds).

Ascendancy: Crystalline Factories jewel with spell damage, crit bonus and crit spell damage. Take All This Form and Eternal Life; use Necromatic Conduit for gloves or Rupture for survivability. Skip Eldritch Empowerment (no benefit from channeling Bonestorm).

Mana Nodes: Ether Flow or Open Mind if Bone Cage mana regeneration lags during mapping.

Prep: Remove Nightscale gloves, enter the arena and cast Seal of Power (switch to Chiming Staff). Place Orb of Storms for mana regeneration.

Execution: Stand close to the boss for the Deepest Despair effect, channel Bonestorm with Inspiration, and refresh Sigil of Power every 40 seconds. Dodge mechanics (e.g., Zash's slams) as fights last 40–60 seconds, unlike one-shot builds.

Survivability: Swap to Azoth's Disdain if tanking is tough. Use Blink for mobility and Convocation to reposition minions.

DPS Boost: Lightning damage on Wand shocks bosses (20% increased damage taken). The +3 level of Prism of Belief is a game changer.

Spam Bone Cage with Magnified Effect for screen-wide clears; Detonate Dead pops stragglers.

Use Sigil of Power for tougher rares or essences, swapping to Chiming Staff as needed.

Keep Nightscale gloves on for mana regen; reallocate Ether Flow if mana struggles.

Bone Cage's pinning effect keeps melee mobs at bay, letting you focus on casting.

Strengths: Insane clear speed, safe mapping with pinning, solid boss DPS (Tier 4 Pinnacles viable), forgiving mana management with Inspiration.

Weaknesses: Not a one-shot boss killer, requires dodging mechanics, weapon swapping bugs can disrupt flow, survivability dips with Deepest Despair.

The Bone Lich Bonestorm Witch is a top-tier caster for players who enjoy big AoE clears and engaging boss fights. Its 100% crit setup and weapon swap technology make it rewarding for experienced players, though bugs and longer boss fights may frustrate those chasing one-shot builds. With ~6-7 Divines for a Prism of Belief, it's accessible but scalable with better gear. Perfect for Witch fans or anyone craving a dynamic play style in patch 0.2.

This Bone Lich build brings explosive fun to Path of Exile 2, blending massive clears with boss-slaying power. Whether you're mapping or tackling pinnacles, it's a blast to play. Follow MMOJUGG for more builds.