PoE 2 Best Sceptre Tier List - Top 10+ Sceptres in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 is gearing up to be an exciting sequel with plenty of new mechanics, items, and possibilities for builds, continues to generate excitement among fans. And one of the most intriguing aspects that has been revealed so far is the design and functionality of sceptres, which seem to play a major role in scaling both minion and aura builds. In this guide, let’s go over how these sceptres might shape builds and gameplay, as well as break down the top 10+ sceptres in PoE 2, based on teasers, playtests, and developer insights shared so far.

Path of Exile 2 Sceptre Changes & Mechanics

What Makes Sceptres Unique in PoE 2? In PoE 2, the mechanics surrounding Spectres have undergone significant changes, particularly with the Raise Spectre skill. Here are some key points regarding Spectres in the game:

1. Raise Spectre Skill: This skill allows players to summon a spectral version of a defeated enemy to fight alongside them. The level of the raised Spectre is now based on the level of the Raise Spectre skill gem rather than being capped by the area level, which enhances the potential power of the Spectres you can summon.

2. Quality of Life Improvements: There are discussions in the community about potential quality of life changes for the Raise Spectre skill, particularly regarding the ability to easily resummon Spectres. Players hope that these improvements will be implemented not just in Path of Exile 2 but also in the original game

3. Spectre Mechanics: Raised Spectres retain the abilities they had in life, which means they can utilize their unique skills in combat. However, they will not carry over any modifiers from their original forms, such as those from magic or rare enemies.

4. Support Gems: Spectres can benefit from various support gems linked to the Raise Spectre skill. This allows for customization of their abilities, enhancing their effectiveness in battle.

These changes aim to make the use of Spectres more dynamic and engaging, providing players with more strategic options in their gameplay.

Related Read:

PoE 2 Build Tier List - Top 10+ Builds in Path of Exile 2 Early Access Now

PoE 2 Best Leveling Builds for Each Class | Path of Exile 2 Starter Tier List

PoE 2 Best Endgame Builds for Each Class | Path of Exile 2 Endgame Tier List

Top 10+ Sceptres in Path of Exile 2 For Aura/Minion/SRS Builds

So here we'll rank the sceptres based on their potential impact, utility, synergy with various playstyles, and the already known info so far:

1. Discipline Sceptre - Best for Aura Support Builds

The Discipline Sceptre is a game-changer for support- and aura-focused builds. This sceptre grants the unique Discipline Aura, but here's the twist: the aura does not affect you, only your allies or minions. While this might seem like a drawback, it opens up incredible potential for buffing your team.

Key Features:

• +3 to all Minion Skills: A massive boost for minion-based builds.

• 97% Increased Spirit Recovery: Enhances your allies' ability to regenerate resources.

• Energy Shield Sharing: Converts a percentage of your maximum Mana into Energy Shield for allies.

This sceptre is perfect for Exiles who want to stay behind the scenes, empowering their minions or party members. The defensive layering it provides makes it ideal for supporting massive armies of minions in combat. This is the S-tier sceptre for aura and support builds. If you’re running a minion build or a group-focused support role, this sceptre is a must-have.

2. Malice Sceptre - Best for Crit-Based Minions

The Malice Sceptre introduces a unique mechanic that applies Critical Weakness Aura to enemies. This aura grants a stacking Critical Strike chance debuff to foes, making your attacks and minions' hits significantly more powerful.

Key Features:

• Critical Weakness Aura:

  - Applies every 0.66 seconds.

  - Stacks up to 20 times, granting +0.5% Critical Strike Chance per stack.

  - Duration of 4 seconds.

This sceptre is ideal for crit-based minion builds or any build that thrives on high critical strike synergy. The stacking nature of the aura ensures consistent damage ramp-up over time, especially during prolonged fights. If you love seeing big crit numbers and want to make your minions deadly, Malice is perfect.

3. Skeletal Warriors Sceptre - Best for Summoner Builds

This sceptre is a dream come true for summoners. It passively summons Skeletal Warriors when equipped, providing a constant stream of disposable minions. In playtests, these skeletal warriors acted as "meat for the grinder," soaking up hits and protecting the player.

Key Features:

• Automatically Summons Skeletal Warriors: No spirit reservation required.

• +X Levels to Minion Skills: Boosts the power of all minions.

While the summoned skeletons aren't particularly powerful, they serve as excellent fodder to protect your more valuable minions or yourself. Combined with the +levels to minion skills, this sceptre solidifies itself as an excellent option for any summoner build. This sceptre is great for keeping pressure on enemies by constantly summoning minions.

4. Generic Aura-Based Sceptres - Versatile for Hybrid Builds

While not tied to a specific sceptre name, there are sceptres designed to amplify aura scaling. These sceptres provide modifiers that boost minion damage, spirit regeneration, and aura effectiveness. Some of the highlighted features include:

• Flat Lightning Damage to Allies: Perfect for scaling elemental builds.

• Increased Attack and Cast Speed: Great for hybrid summoner builds.

Jonathan Rogers, in a recent interview, mentioned that aura sceptres are meant to balance between auras and minions, encouraging players to choose between massive armies or powerful support tools.

5. Sceptres with modifiers like +3 to Minion Skills - Minion Build Sceptres

For minion enthusiasts, sceptres with modifiers like +3 to Minion Skills, flat damage bonuses, and increased cast speed are highly valuable. These modifiers ensure that minion builds remain competitive and scalable well into the late game.

Players who enjoy crit-based minions will particularly love crit-focused sceptres like Malice, while those who prefer defensive minion strategies may find Discipline sceptres more appealing. This sceptres are good for hybrid builds. They’re versatile but may lack the specialization of other sceptres.

6. Dual-Wielding Sceptres: Is It Possible?

One critical limitation noted during playtesting is the inability to dual-wield sceptres. While this restriction may change in the future, it forces players to carefully consider their setup. Single-wielding a sceptre and pairing it with a shield or another weapon might be the optimal approach for most builds.

More meta PoE 2 sceptres will be updated on the list, stay tuned!