Path of Exile 2 introduces the intriguing Lich Ascendancy, and we are excited to explore the optimal League Starter build for this new class. As a dedicated Witch player, I find the Lich’s focus on curses and minion mechanics particularly exciting, making it a refreshing choice for gameplay. The Lich promises engaging and powerful abilities, enhancing the fun factor of build crafting.
Minion builds are especially forgiving for newcomers, allowing players to enjoy a more relaxed experience while their minions handle combat. This guide outlines my preferred Lich League Starter build in Path of Exile 2, which you may find beneficial as you embark on your adventure.
Essential Skills and Mechanics for the League Starter Lich Build (Version 0.2.0)
Launching your journey as a Lich in Path of Exile 2 is straightforward, thanks to a robust set of skills designed to carry you through early content seamlessly. One of your primary attacks will be Frost Bomb, which delivers considerable damage. Complementing this, Contagion spreads poisons that synergize beautifully with Flame Wall, maximising your curse impact and providing substantial, risk-free damage output.
For taking down tougher enemies, Essence Drain is an excellent choice because it pairs well with Contagion. While you may replace it by Act 2, the transition to Raging Spirits should occur once you reach 30 Spirit, either through weapon improvements or defeating The King in the Mists. At that point, spam them with Flame Wall for optimal damage.
Here’s a complete list of skills that you’ll want to equip during your Lich journey:
Key Skills
- Frost Bomb: Fast Forward, Concentrated Effect, Spell Cascade
- Contagion: Unleash, Hinder, Magnified Effect
- Flame Wall: Fortress, Arcane Tempo
- Essence Drain: Controlled Destruction, Swift Affliction, Intense Agony
- Skeletal Snipers: Scattershot, Feeding Frenzy, Bidding
- Shield Charge: Ingenuity
- Raging Spirits: Splinter, Demolisher, Martial Tempo
- Skeletal Arsonists: Scattershot, Fire Infusion, Feeding Frenzy
- Flammability: Heightened Curse, Inspiration
- Pain Offering: Ablation, Persistence, Font of Rage
- Skeletal Storm Mage: Overcharge, Conduction, Stormfire
- Skeletal Cleric: Meat Shield, Minion Mastery, Last Gasp
It’s advisable to maintain a Shield/Sceptre build early on, using Shield Charge (with Ingenuity) for smoother map traversal. This skill serves as a fantastic mobility option, so make sure to assign it to an easy-to-reach key.
In terms of minion selection, prioritize the Skeletal Sniper for its damage output, while utilizing a combination of Gas Cloud and Flame Wall to excel against bosses. Acquiring a few Skeletal Arsonists early on will also bolster your offensive capabilities. Aim for a Skeletal Cleric only later in your journey, ideally when you reach the Cruel difficulty stage.
Itemization Strategies for the League Starter Lich Build (Version 0.2.0)
The Lich League Starter build is refreshingly adaptable in terms of gear requirements, as it does not demand a plethora of unique items. In fact, the build can function effectively without any specialized equipment—though a couple of unique items may prove beneficial down the line.
What you should focus on is optimizing your gear based on specific stat priorities. A +Minion Skills bonus is essential, as this will enhance your minion count and effectiveness, especially as you unlock features to reduce Spirit costs in Path of Exile 2.
Stat Priorities
- +Minion Skills
- Movement Speed
- Resistances
- Strength/Intelligence
- Maximum Life/Mana
Passive Skill Tree: Notable Nodes for the Starter Lich in Path of Exile 2 (Version 0.2.0)
As I navigate the game as a Witch and transition into the Lich, I prioritize the Lord of Horrors passive for its 12% reservation reduction on minions, which is pivotal for efficient resource management. Additionally, the Silent Guardian passive on the tree’s left grants 20% Minion Resistance and boosts minion damage substantially.
Also, consider Adamant Recovery and Ancient Aegis for bolstering your defenses. The former harmonizes Armor and Energy Shield benefits, while the latter maximizes your defenses from Body Armour significantly. When selecting Lich Ascendancies, focus on the “Energy Shield” line, aiming for the following:
- Generic Node
- Soulless Form
- Life
- Eternal Life
Challenges and Considerations
Once your Lich build gains momentum in Path of Exile 2, it becomes a formidable force with abundant damage output from Raging Spirits and various minions. Coupled with Flammability, your damage potential remains robust throughout the game stages. This versatility is what makes the Witch/Lich class so appealing: it is user-friendly and capable of high damage output with minimal effort.
However, the initial leveling phase can be cumbersome and frustrating. Despite the buffs to Frost Bomb in version 0.2.0, early progress felt sluggish until I acquired Raging Spirits, Energy Drain, and other key skills. Patience is paramount at the beginning, as preparation in the form of suitable gear—like Sceptres with high Spirit—will significantly ease your experience.