Path of Exile 2 introduces a host of new mechanics and improvements, particularly for melee builds. Here we break down the top 3 melee builds that are dominating in PoE 2 Early Access now, offering players a blend of survivability, damage output, and gameplay flexibility.
PoE 2 Best Melee Builds for Leveling & Endgame
Path of Exile 2 has made significant improvements to melee combat compared to its predecessor. The new melee mechanics allow for more fluid animation cancelling, improved aim and control over attacks, and the ability to guide attacks around enemies. Skilled players with good reaction times can make melee combat look exceptionally smooth and enjoyable.
Another major change is the ability to weapon swap to a shield setup, giving melee characters much stronger defensive capabilities. The new stun threshold mechanic on bosses is also noteworthy - filling the stun meter makes bosses vulnerable and staggered, opening up damage windows. Melee builds in PoE 2 prioritize a balance of damage, crowd control, and survivability through smart use of the new mechanics.
Below are the top melee builds in PoE 2, each designed to excel in both leveling and endgame content.
1. Armor Break Warbringer (Pure Melee)
The Armor Break Warbringer is a powerhouse melee build that revolves around shattering enemy armor to amplify physical damage exponentially. Leveraging the Warbringer Ascendancy, this build thrives on its ability to deal devastating critical hits while staggering enemies with heavy stuns. By breaking enemy armor and turning it into a damage multiplier, this build excels at both bossing and clearing maps.
The key feature of this build is its reliance on Mace Strike and Armor Explosion Support, which create incredible synergy for AoE destruction. Combined with War Cries, the build is capable of controlling the battlefield while dealing massive burst damage. If you enjoy obliterating enemies with visually impactful explosions, this build is for you.
Leveling: ★★★★☆
Endgame (Bossing): ★★★★★
Endgame (Mapping): ★★★★☆
How To Set Up
Skill Gems:
Mace Strike with Armor Explosion Support, Heavy Swing, and Brutality.
Infernal Cry for crowd control and armor-breaking explosions.
Hammer of the Gods for high single-target damage.
Ascendancy:
Surprising Strength: 40% more damage against heavily stunned enemies.
Armor Breaker Node: Reduces enemy armor to negative values, amplifying your damage further.
Gear:
A two-handed mace with high physical damage and attack speed.
Focus on stun threshold reduction, life leech, and critical strike modifiers.
Passive Tree:
Prioritize melee damage, stun build-up, and area of effect nodes.
Unlock Split the Earth for additional Aftershock slams.
Gameplay Tip:
Open fights with Infernal Cry to debuff enemies, then follow up with Mace Strike. Use Hammer of the Gods to finish off bosses or elites with devastating critical hits.
Check more details to set up the Armor Explosion Warbringer build
2. Hammer of the Gods Chronomancer (Pure Melee)
The Hammer of the Gods Chronomancer is a high-damage, cooldown-based melee build that leverages the Chronomancer Ascendancy to repeatedly unleash devastating slams. With skills like Hammer of the Gods and Time Snap, this build excels at delivering massive AoE bursts while resetting cooldowns to maintain damage uptime.
This build rewards precision and tactical gameplay, requiring you to manage cooldown resets and position yourself carefully. The Chronomancer Ascendancy also provides mobility and utility through skills like Temporal Rift, allowing you to heal, reposition, or escape danger. If you enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay with incredible visual payoffs, this build is perfect for you.
Leveling: ★★★☆☆
Endgame (Bossing): ★★★★★
Endgame (Mapping): ★★★★☆
How to Set Up:
Skill Gems:
Hammer of the Gods with Brutality, Concentrated Effect, and Inevitable Critical.
Time Snap with Ingenuity and Second Wind for cooldown resets.
Bone Shatter for stunning enemies in between slams.
Ascendancy:
Focus on cooldown reduction nodes to maximize the frequency of Hammer of the Gods.
Use Meta Skill Energy Boosts to amplify triggered abilities.
Gear:
Two-handed weapons with high base damage and crit chance.
Cooldown reduction and armor gear for survivability.
Passive Tree:
Prioritize slam skill damage, critical strike nodes, and cooldown recovery speed.
Gameplay Tip:
Use Leap Slam to engage enemies, stun them with Bone Shatter, and finish them off with Hammer of the Gods.
Check more details to set up the HotG Chronomancer build
3. Sunder Slam Titan Warrior Build
The Sunder Slam Titan Warrior is a heavy-hitting melee build that utilizes massive AoE slams to clear packs of enemies and stagger bosses. Built around the Titan Ascendancy, this build combines survivability with devastating damage. Sunder creates fissures that ripple outward, dealing consistent AoE damage, while Seismic Cry amplifies your slams with Aftershocks for even more destruction.
This build is ideal for players who prefer slower, more methodical combat. While it may lack the speed of other builds, its ability to stagger and annihilate enemies with a single slam makes it incredibly satisfying to play. The Titan Ascendancy also provides excellent durability, making it a reliable choice for endgame content.
Leveling: ★★★★☆
Endgame (Bossing): ★★★★★
Endgame (Mapping): ★★★☆☆
How to Set Up:
Skill Gems:
Sunder with Fist of War, Upheaval, and Brutality.
Seismic Cry for empowering slams with Aftershocks.
Ascendancy:
Surprising Strength: 40% more damage against heavy stuns.
Skull Crusher: Increases physical damage against stunned enemies.
Gear:
Two-handed maces with high base physical damage and attack speed.
Focus on life leech and stun-related modifiers.
Passive Tree:
Invest in area damage, stun-related nodes, and melee physical damage.
Gameplay Tip:
Use Seismic Cry to empower your slams, then chain Aftershocks with Sunder for devastating AoE bursts.
Check more details to set up the Sunder Slam Titan Warrior build
4. Tempest Flurry Invoker (Melee/Range Hybrid)
The Tempest Flurry Invoker combines lightning-based melee and ranged attacks for a versatile, fast-paced playstyle. Using Tempest Flurry as its main skill, this build delivers a rapid sequence of strikes that culminate in a powerful lightning bolt. Combined with Herald of Thunder and Cast on Shock, it creates devastating chain lightning effects that clear packs and deal significant boss damage.
This build excels at hybrid gameplay, allowing players to alternate between melee and ranged combat seamlessly. The Invoker Ascendancy amplifies the power of elemental ailments like Shock, increasing enemy damage taken and scaling your lightning DPS. If you enjoy zipping between enemies and chaining elemental attacks, this build is for you.
Leveling: ★★★★☆
Endgame (Bossing): ★★★★☆
Endgame (Mapping): ★★★☆☆
How to Set Up:
Skill Gems:
Tempest Flurry with Crescendo, Marshall Tempo, and Conduction.
Herald of Thunder for lightning damage boosts.
Ascendancy:
Shock Effect Nodes to amplify elemental damage.
Triggered Spell Damage Nodes for Cast on Shock synergy.
Gear:
Lightning-based weapons with high attack speed.
Evasion and energy shield gear for survivability.
Passive Tree:
Highlight nodes that boost lightning damage, ailment application, and shock duration.
Gameplay Tip:
Use Tempest Flurry for melee engagements and Stormwave for ranged combat. Leverage Cast on Shock for automatic lightning spell triggers.
Check more details to set up the melee/range hybrid Tempest Flurry Invoker build
5. Lightning Arrow Orb of Storms Ranger
This build combines the AoE-clearing capabilities of Lightning Arrow with the static burst damage of Orb of Storms, making it an excellent choice for both mapping and bossing. The build also utilizes Lightning Rod to anchor lightning strikes, creating a synergy that devastates enemies in large groups or single targets.
The Deadeye Ascendancy enhances this build further by providing additional projectiles and bonus damage at range. With its high mobility and consistent lightning damage, this build excels at kiting enemies and controlling the battlefield.
Leveling: ★★★★☆
Endgame (Bossing): ★★★★☆
Endgame (Mapping): ★★★★☆
How to Set Up:
Skill Gems:
Lightning Arrow with Marshall Tempo, Lightning Infusion, and Primal Armament.
Orb of Storms for additional AoE damage.
Ascendancy:
Take Far Shot for increased damage at range.
Endless Munitions for additional projectiles.
Gear:
Bows with high physical damage and added lightning damage.
Focus on life, resistances, and evasion.
Passive Tree:
Focus on projectile damage, attack speed, and crit chance nodes.
Gameplay Tip:
Use Orb of Storms for consistent AoE damage and clear packs with Lightning Arrow. Against bosses, layer Orb of Storms with Lightning Rod for maximum burst.
Check more details to set up the melee/range hybrid Lightning Arrow Orb of Storms Ranger build
6. Gas Bombing Witch Minion (Melee-Ranged Hybrid)
The Witch Minion Gas Bombing Build is a unique hybrid that combines minion summoning with ranged poison and fire mechanics. Using Skeletal Archers, Flame Wall, and Unearth, this build creates a deadly synergy where poison gas bombs explode and ignite for massive AoE damage. Raging Spirits act as melee attackers, adding additional damage and tanking potential.
This build is incredibly efficient for leveling, requiring minimal gear while offering strong synergy between its skills. It’s ideal for players who enjoy managing minions and creating intricate damage setups.
Leveling: ★★★★★
Endgame (Bossing): ★★★★☆
Endgame (Mapping): ★★★★☆
How to Set Up:
Skill Gems:
Skeletal Archers with Corrosion, Scattershot, and Meat Shield.
Flame Wall with Fortress to create a circular AoE.
Add Raging Spirits with Instability for melee support.
Ascendancy:
Focus on minion damage, life, and revive speed.
Unlock Inferno Hound in Act 2 for additional fire damage.
Gear:
Focus on minion-related stats, life, and dexterity.
Passive Tree:
Prioritize minion survivability and nodes that enhance minion life and damage.
Gameplay Tip:
Use Skeletal Archers behind Flame Wall for poison and fire explosions. Summon Unearth Constructs to tank enemies while setting up your gas bombs.
Check more details to set up the melee/range Witch Minion Gas Bombing Build
All three builds are capable of crushing endgame content. Pick the one that best fits your preferred playstyle. Don't forget, you can always respec passive points and experiment as you learn more about PoE 2's melee combat!
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