What Build Should You Play in PoE2 Abyssal League?

Path of Exile 2's Patch 0.3 drops this Friday, bringing fresh content and exciting changes to the game. Whether you're a seasoned exile or new to Wraeclast, this free-to-play weekend is the perfect chance to dive in, with progress saved for future sessions. At MMOJUGG, we're thrilled to break down the highlights of this patch, from ascendancy updates to new mechanics, to help you dominate the early game. Curious about what's new? Bookmark our site for the latest PoE2 tips and check out our Path of Exile 2 Shop for currency and rare or unique gear to boost your journey.

What's New in Patch 0.3?

Patch 0.3 introduces Act 4, additional mini-acts, and the Abyss League mechanic, which promises fast-paced content to chew through in a day or two. While the full passive skill tree and final numbers remain under wraps, the patch notes offer clues about what's strong. Without concrete details, theorycrafting is part speculation, but we can make educated guesses about the meta. Let's explore the standout ascendancies and builds to consider for this league.

Deadeye: The King of Ascendancies

After analyzing the patch notes, Deadeye emerges as the top ascendancy, especially for projectile-based skills. The addition of Tailwind boosts movement and skill speed, making it a must-have for zooming through content. Changes to mark skills, which are no longer spells, mean you can't trigger them via Cast on Crit setups, but Deadeye's buffs make applying marks easier. With projectile skills gaining 20% multiplicative hit damage, Deadeye paired with skills like Lightning Arrow or Falling Thunder looks set to dominate. However, expect bows and quivers to be pricey due to high demand, so plan your currency wisely.

Hollow Palm: A Risky but Fun Melee Option

Hollow Palm, a fan-favorite from PoE1 for twink leveling, makes its PoE2 debut. This unarmed playstyle ditches weapons for physical damage scaled by skill level, offering a unique melee fantasy. You'll gain attack speed based on evasion rating from armor (body armor, helmet, gloves, boots) and critical strike chance per energy shield on gear. With potential +3 skill levels from amulets, +2 from gloves, and more from support gems or jewels, you could hit a level 28 skill without a weapon by level 20.

The catch? Endgame weapons often outscale Hollow Palm's base damage unless the passive tree includes strong unarmed clusters. Combining Hollow Palm with Deadeye's projectile synergy (via skills like Falling Thunder or Staggering Palm) could be a game-changer, but it's untested until we see the tree. If you're up for a challenge, this build offers a fresh way to smash through early content.

Chayula Monk: A Chaotic Experiment

For players craving something off-meta, the Chayula Monk offers a wild ride. The skill Into the Breach spawns flames (red for life leech, blue for mana leech, purple for extra chaos damage) that last five seconds and stack up to 10. A new node lets you spawn only purple flames for maximum chaos damage, potentially exceeding 70% extra damage with increased effect modifiers. The challenge lies in maintaining max stacks consistently, which isn't guaranteed based on current info.

The Volatility mechanic adds another layer. You gain Volatility stacks by inflicting elemental ailments, building up to 200 stacks or until four seconds pass without gaining a stack. At 200, Volatility detonates, granting 1% extra chaos damage per stack for 10 seconds without self-damage (a welcome change). The dream is to cycle 200 stacks every six seconds for a permanent buff, but without the Volatile Power support (removed in this patch), it's unclear how to sustain stacks. New lineage support gems might hold the key, or you may need to cap stacks at 30 or detonate early for boss fights. This build is a gamble, but its potential for massive chaos damage makes it worth experimenting with.

Sorcerer: A Spellcasting Alternative

Sorcerers get new Infusion mechanics that visually enhance spells, with Arc receiving a significant buff. If you loved the classic Spark build, a Stormweaver Sorcerer could be a fun second character to theorycraft. However, Arcane Surge took a nerf, so double-check your build if you're relying on it. Sorcerer offers a powerful alternative to Deadeye's dominance, especially for players who prefer spellcasting over projectiles.

Other Noteworthy Ascendancies

• Invoker: Despite a nerf to Meditate (from 200% to 150% effect), it remains strong for spirit scaling. Invoker's crits ignoring non-negative resistances sound promising but may lack impact in the endgame.

• Blood Mage: This ascendancy looks intriguing for unconventional builds, though it's less hyped than Deadeye. Experimenters might find hidden potential here.

Tips for Patch 0.3 Success

• Go Off-Meta for Economy: Deadeye's popularity will inflate gear prices. Consider off-meta builds like Chayula Monk or Sorcerer to save currency.

• Experiment Early: Without the passive tree, test builds in-game to find what clicks. Act 4 and mini-acts offer plenty of content to explore.

• Leverage Abyss: The Abyss League mechanic looks engaging and should yield rewards quickly. Dive in early to maximize loot.

FAQs About Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.3

1. What's the best ascendancy in Patch 0.3?

   Deadeye is the top pick due to Tailwind and projectile damage buffs, ideal for skills like Lightning Arrow or Falling Thunder.

2. Is Hollow Palm viable for leveling?

   Yes, but its endgame scaling depends on passive tree support. It's great for early-game melee fun, especially with Deadeye synergy.

3. How does Chayula Monk's Volatility work?

   Volatility stacks from elemental ailments, detonating at 200 for extra chaos damage. Maintaining stacks is tricky without specific supports.

4. What's new in Patch 0.3?

   Act 4, mini-acts, and the Abyss League mechanic are added, alongside ascendancy changes and new support gems.

5. Should I avoid Deadeye due to gear costs?

   Deadeye is strong but expect expensive gear. Off-meta builds like Chayula Monk or Sorcerer can be more budget-friendly.

Thanks for Reading

Patch 0.3 is shaping up to be a thrilling update for Path of Exile 2, with Deadeye leading the charge and experimental builds like Chayula Monk offering fresh challenges. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more guides and updates as we dive into the new content. Happy hunting, exiles!