Minion builds have long been a favorite in Path of Exile, and their versatility carries over into Path of Exile 2. This guide will walk you through the progression of a Witch Minion build, starting from the early game and leading into the endgame. With the right setup and strategy, you'll dominate the campaign, clear maps efficiently, and prepare for the toughest challenges.
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Why Choose a Minion Build?
Minion builds are exceptionally powerful in scaling damage and survivability through gem levels, critical strike chance, and maximum Spirit. While minions may feel weak in the early game, they become devastatingly effective as you unlock key passives, gear, and abilities.
Leveling from Act 1 to Act 2: Building the Foundation
Skill Setup:
Contagion and Essence Drain (Early Damage Sources):
- Contagion spreads damage-over-time (DoT) effects to nearby enemies upon killing a target.
- Essence Drain synergizes with Contagion, providing both boss damage and AoE clearing.
Support Gems:
Contagion: Magnified Effect (AoE size).
Essence Drain: Swift Affliction (increased DoT damage) and Persistence (longer duration).
Unearth (Summons Early Minions):
Use Unearth with Brutality (damage boost) and Marshall Tempo (minion attack speed).
Unearth minions inherit Contagion effects for additional AoE potential.
Skeletal Snipers:
Equip a wand with Chaos Bolts for boss damage and pair it with a scepter to summon skeletal warriors.
Key Passives for Early Levels
Starting Passives:
Focus on nodes that enhance both spell damage and minion damage.
Key Nodes:
- Raw Destruction: Grants intelligence and damage multipliers.
- Chaos Damage and Entropy: Improves DoT effects for Contagion and Essence Drain.
Act 2 Transition:
Acquire minion-specific nodes:
- Gravedigger: Increases minion revive time.
- Necrotized Flesh: Boosts minion life and improves the Hellhound's ignite damage.
Mid-Game Transition (Act 2 to Cruel Difficulty)
Unlocking the Ascendancy and Hellhound
Around level 22–24, complete the ascendancy quest to gain the Hellhound, which:
- Absorbs 20% of damage you take.
- Deals AoE ignite damage that synergizes with poison clouds from Skeletal Snipers.
Detonate Dead Combo
Utilize Detonate Dead for massive AoE damage, scaling with the corpses' maximum health.
Support with Magnified Effect and Fire Infusion for larger AoE and higher damage.
Swapping to Reapers
Replace Skeletal Snipers with Reapers for better single-target damage and sustained output.
Support Gems: Marshall Tempo (attack speed) and Last Grasp (extended uptime after death).
Endgame Setup: Cruel Difficulty and Beyond
Core Minions:
Skeletal Brutes (Primary Damage Dealers):
Durable and high-damage minions.
Support Gems: Heavy Swing (stagger effect for AoE damage) and Marshall Tempo.
Skeletal Arsonist:
Throws grenades that deal overlapping AoE damage.
Paired with Scatter Shot for multiple hits and Flame Wall for bonus ignite damage.
Hellhound:
Scales with life-based damage nodes, making it a tanky and effective AoE dealer.
Raging Spirits:
Cast alongside Flame Wall for additional mobile damage sources.
Skeletal Cleric (Utility):
Provides minion resurrection and healing.
Keeps key units like Arsonists and Brutes alive during boss fights.
Buffs the army with Pain Offering for attack speed and bonus damage.
Gear Priorities
Offensive Stats:
Scepter:
Look for:
Minion Ranks (boosts minion power and Spirit efficiency).
Maximum Spirit.
Physical Damage, Critical Strike Chance, and Critical Strike Damage.
Helmet:
Prioritize Minion Skill Ranks for enhanced minion health, damage, and reduced Spirit cost.
Chest Armor:
Aim for additional Spirit to maximize aura and minion potential.
Shield:
Offers defensive versatility with block chance, elemental resistances, and maximum life.
Defensive Stats:
Opt for Energy Shield (ES) and Armor Hybrid Gear.
Use gear that converts a portion of physical damage into Chaos damage to synergize with the Hellhound's absorption ability.
Playstyle Tips
Map Adaptability:
Adjust your minion composition based on the environment:
Use melee units like Brutes for open maps.
Swap to ranged units (e.g., Skeletal Snipers) in tight corridors or narrow zones.
Bossing Strategy:
Use Bone Storm for focused single-target damage.
Combine it with Detonate Dead for burst AoE.
Gear Scaling:
Regularly upgrade your scepter and helmet for more ranks in minion skills.
Invest in Spirit-boosting items to sustain more active buffs and auras.
Witch Minion build is an excellent choice for both campaign progression and endgame mapping in Path of Exile 2. With its flexible scaling and strong synergy between minions, DoT effects, and Spirit management, this build is well-suited for new and experienced players alike. While it may require careful planning in the early game, the payoff in raw power and survivability is well worth the effort.
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