PoE2 Witch League Starter - Demon Form Hexblast

       by        Game: Path of Exile 2 Guide        Tags: League Starter Build

With Grinding Gear Games announcing the details of Path of Exile 2 (PoE2) patch 0.2.0 on 27 March 2025 and the Dawn of the Hunt league launching on 4 April, it's time to prepare a standout league starter. For the Witch class, the Demon Form Hexblast build offers a thrilling, beginner-friendly option that powers through Acts 1-6 with demonic flair. This guide will walk you through a gear-agnostic build that scales naturally and dominates the campaign. Let's dive into this Witch class league starter and get you ready to shred Wraeclast!  

Why the Witch Class Demon Form Build is a Top League Starter

The Witch class, paired with the Infernalist ascendancy, unleashes Demon Form—a transformation that pumps up spell damage and mobility via Demonflame stacks. Hex Blast, the build's core skill, delivers devastating chaos damage that scales effortlessly with these stacks and your passive tree. It's perfect for Dawn of the Hunt: no fancy gear needed, just raw power from level 1 to the end of the campaign. Plus, transforming into a demon and blowing up enemies? That's just plain fun.  

Core Skills Progression for Acts 1-6

This Witch class build evolves as you progress, keeping things smooth and potent:  

Act 1: Early Chaos Foundation  

Flame Wall: Increases damage when spells pass through.  
Essence Drain + Contagion: Your AoE-clearing combo - cast Contagion on a mob, then Essence Drain to spread chaos.  
Skeletal Sniper: Gas Arrows add a single-target punch, with Flame Wall for extra damage.  
By the Act 1 boss, grab Bone Storm for a damage spike.

Act 2: Demon Form Unlocks  

Post-Bala kill, ascend to Infernalist and snag Demon Form. Use flasks to maintain 40-60 stacks (more on this later).  
Stick with Essence Drain, Contagion and Bone Storm for now - stack Demon Flame for bigger hits.

Act 3: Refine the arsenal

Switch to Bone Storm + Detonate Dead for a smoother kill (add Scattershot from a Lesser Jewel Orb).  
Prepare for Hexblast by saving up Gems - Chaos spells start to taper off here.

Acts 4-6: Hexblast

Makes the transition to Hexblast as the main damage dealer - pair with Blasphemy + Despair and Magnified Effect.  
Use Eye of Winter (or early Ball Lightning) with Withering Touch to stack Wither for boss damage.  
Essence Drain freezes bosses occasionally for control.

Passive Tree Path for the Witch Class Build

Focus on efficiency and scaling:  
Act 1: Rush spell damage clusters - early damage speeds you up.  
Act 2: Add energy shield nodes as Demon Form kicks in; avoid max health boosts to keep stacks manageable.  
Act 3: Switch to critical and physical damage for Bone Storm, then respec slightly.  
Acts 4-6: Grab Wither and Chaos notables (e.g. Withering Presence), then fill out spell damage and Energy Shield. By campaign's end (level 61-ish), your tree balances offense and defense.

Gear Tips for a League Starter Scenario

This build shines without trade reliance—solo self-found approved!  
Early Game (Acts 1-2): Prioritize movement speed boots and wands with spell/chaos damage or +1 spell skill levels. Sell excess gear for gold.  
Mid-Game (Acts 2-3): Switch to energy shield bases - avoid Health or Strength mods. Craft sockets with Artificer's Orbs from salvaged gear.  
Late Game (Acts 4-6): Vendor - sell energy shields and resistances. Life regen's optional—flasks handle sustain. If affordable, a Ghostwrithe chest (low life) simplifies stack management.  
Flasks: Roll life flasks with “charges gained per second” mods. Avoid 'remove 15% health' modifiers - they are a trap!

Playing the Demon Form Hexblast Build

Stack Management: Maintain 40-60 Demon Flame stacks with flask spam - pop them when Health dips. Use Second Wind support to double charges and ensure permanent Demon Form (40+ seconds per cycle). Refill flasks via checkpoints or waypoints when you run out.  
Rotation: Early on, it's Essence Drain + Contagion for packs, Bone Storm for bosses. Later, spam Hex Blast, weave Eye of Winter for Wither, and freeze with Essence Drain as needed.  
Bosses: Enter with full flasks—stack high (60+), attrition them down. Mobility will keep you alive.

Why This League Starter Excels in Dawn of the Hunt

Patch 0.2.0's campaign demands a build that's strong out the gate, and this Witch class setup delivers. Its gear independence suits April 4th's fresh economy, while Demon Form's scaling carries you into early mapping (like Trials of Chaos for currency). The learning curve is gentle, the timing is masterful, and you're golden.  

Video Guide - Demon Form Hexblast Infernalist (Witch) Build



Thanks for Reading

That's your Witch class league starter to crush Dawn of the Hunt with Demon Form Hexblast. Tailor it, enjoy the mayhem, and keep an eye on MMOJUGG for more PoE2 goodness as you conquer the campaign!

Special Pack for Your Endgame:

Also, we made some packs for your endgame! Easy Trading (Divine x50, Exalted x400), All-in-One Quality Pack (Etcher, Whetstones, Scraps, Baubles), and Ultimate Skill Pack (Gemcutters and Jewellers). Awesome, right? Check them Out!

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