Path of Exile 2: A Comprehensive Guide to the Lich Ascendancy
The Lich Ascendancy, available in Path of Exile 2's Dawn of the Hunt league, offers a compelling and powerful build for the Witch class. This guide details its gameplay, leveling progression, and endgame strategies.
The Lich excels in both early and late-game scenarios, delivering substantial damage output. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough for players interested in mastering this build.
Lich Overview
As a Witch Ascendancy, the Lich build initially relies on the base class until the Act 2 unlock. While minion summoning remains a core element, the Lich focuses on Damage over Time (DoT) effects, primarily utilizing Chaos damage skills.
The core gameplay involves applying debuffs like Contagion, followed by devastating attacks with Chaos Bolt and Essence Drain. Meanwhile, summoned minions like Skeletal Arsonist and Skeletal Sniper provide ranged support, significantly easing combat.
This build shines in overcoming the early-game challenges of Dawn of the Hunt, particularly against difficult bosses like Jamnara and Geonor. Its efficient damage output ensures rapid campaign progression and smooth mapping.
Lich Build Leveling Guide
The Lich boasts exceptionally smooth leveling due to the early acquisition of high-damage skills.
Act 1
In Act 1, prioritize Contagion and Essence Drain. Use Contagion to debuff enemies, then unleash Essence Drain for massive damage. Essential support gems include Magnified Effect and Arcane Tempo for Contagion, and Chain and Swift Affliction for Essence Drain.
Unlock Skeletal Sniper and Skeletal Arsonist, favoring the Arsonist initially. Use Martial Tempo with Skeletal Arsonist. Unearth proves invaluable. Defeat the King of the Mists to obtain your first Uncut Spirit Gem and Withering Presence. Allocate remaining gems to maximize Contagion and Essence Drain DPS.
Skills | Support Gems |
---|---|
Skeletal Arsonist |
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Contagion |
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Essence Drain |
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Act 2
Act 2 focuses on campaign progression. Unlock Uncut Skill Gem Nine to obtain Despair and Dark Effigy. Use Withering Touch and Acceleration with Dark Effigy, and Heightened Curse with Despair. The Lich Ascendancy unlocks here, granting access to Life and Soulless Form nodes.
Skills | Support Gems |
---|---|
Skeletal Arsonist | Martial Tempo, Last Gasp |
Contagion | Magnified Effect, Arcane Tempo |
Essence Drain | Chain, Swift Affliction |
Withering Presence |
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Unearth | (Further developed in Act 3) |
Act 3 and Beyond
Act 3 enhances the build. Add gem slots to Essence Drain and Contagion using Lesser Jeweller's Orbs, adding Unleash and Considered Casting respectively. Obtain another Uncut Spirit Gem and Blasphemy.
Skills | Support Gems |
---|---|
Contagion | Magnified Effect, Arcane Tempo, ![]() |
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Skeletal Arsonist | Martial Tempo, Last Gasp |
Despair | Heightened Curse, ![]() |
Dark Effigy | Withering Touch, Acceleration |
Withering Presence |
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Unearth |
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Cruel Mode and Mapping
In Cruel, add Temporal Chains and Blink. Attach Ingenuity to Blink. Skeletal Arsonist can be dropped, but retain Unearth.
Skill | Support Gems |
---|---|
Essence Drain | Chain, Swift Affliction, Unleash |
Contaigion | Magnified Effect, Arcane Tempo, Considered Casting |
Blasphemy |
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Despair | Heightened Curse, Inspiration |
Dark Effigy | Withering Touch, Acceleration |
Withering Presence | Persistence, Clarity |
Unearth | Corpse Conservation, Fiery Death |
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Passive Skill Tree and Endgame
Early-game passive skills focus on Minion Health and Chaos Damage, prioritizing Intelligence. Endgame shifts to maximizing Chaos Damage, eliminating minion skills and focusing on Spell Damage amplification.
Endgame Lich Build Overview
Key Skills: Essence Drain, Contagion, Despair, Dark Effigy, Withering Presence.
Key Passive Skills: Practiced Signs, Spiral Into Insanity, Entropy, Potent Incantation, Lingering Horror, Void, Dark Entries, Wither Away.
Gear Requirements: Siphoning Wand (Chaos Damage & Spell Damage), high-resistance gear with Energy Shield, Atziri's Disdain, mana and resistance rings.
Tips for Playing Lich
Early game: utilize minions for tanking while applying Contagion and Essence Drain. Late game: Contagion, Essence Drain, Despair, and Dark Effigy. Use Blink defensively.
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