This is a guide on how to make a good build in Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2). Check out the steps and factors to consider when making a build, as well as the criteria of a good build in this guide!

How to Make a Good Build

How to Make a Good Build
1. Plan Your Build 2. Research Uniques 3. Use Weapons Swap and Specialization 4. Get All Permanent Buffs 5. Change and Improve Builds When Necessary 6. Learn Game Mechanics 7. Look at Other Builds

Plan Your Build

Players need to plan different aspects of their builds ahead of time to see if they are viable. Various elements and factors concerning a build should synergize and complement each other to be considered good. Factors include:

• Class and Ascendancy
• Build Archetype
• Active Skills and Support Gems
• Passive Skill Tree
• Equipment and Gear

Class and Ascendancy

To start, players should carefully choose what class and ascendancy they want. Doing so is crucial as the class ultimately determines where players start in the passive skill tree and the weapons they may primarily use. As such, players should familiarize themselves with each class and their specialties and weaknesses.

Best Class Tier List

Build Archetype

Players should also decide what build archetype they want to pursue. A build archetype is essentially what the build can do and what it specializes in. For example, players may opt for a build that utilizes lightning damage or inflicts DoT effects to defeat enemies.

Players should also make their builds specialize in only a few mechanics and avoid making them a jack-of-all-trades, making them less viable. Additionally, other aspects like skills and gear are built towards the chosen archetype (i.e., compliments it).

PoE 2 Best Builds

Active Skills and Support Gems

It is helpful to have different skills for different purposes when planning skills. While it depends on the build, builds usually have one to two primary damaging skills, a few persistent skills, and other skills for support, such as applying debuffs or receiving buffs.

For support gems, ensure they are compatible with the skill gems you slot them into and synergize with the overall build. To easily search for compatible support gems, utilize the search bar and input tags (e.g., Melee, AoE, Trigger) the skill has.

List of Skills

Passive Skill Tree

Players should use online skill tree planners to plan their skill tree pathing. Doing so allows them to freely plan their skill tree without worrying about the respec costs.

Given that players obtain all permanent buffs, they can use 123 skill points upon reaching level 100, 24 points being weapon specialization points and eight ascendancy skill points

Passive Skill Tree Guide and List of Passives

Equipment and Gear

Finally, players should plan what modifiers to have on their gear to help achieve their desired build archetype. For example, if they want to create a totem build, they should look at equipment that increases skill gem levels.

Players should learn how to operate the game's official trade site to have an easier time obtaining, envisioning, and checking the feasibility of items needed for their builds.

Trading Website Guide and How to Trade

Research Uniques

Players should thoroughly research Unique items they can integrate into their builds. While Unique items may seem useless or detrimental because of their usually low modifiers, many can be build-defining as they give unique modifiers.

For example, the Svalinn Crucible Tower Shield is great for a build that maximizes defense by blocking, as it makes blocks roll twice upon getting hit, significantly increasing the chances to block.

Best Unique Equipment

Utilize Weapons Swap and Specialization Mechanics

Players should also consider utilizing the game's Weapon Swap and Specialization mechanics. Doing so can add a lot more utility to their builds as they can have them specialize in more mechanics without compromise. For example, they can use Weapon Swap I to clear maps and Weapon Swap II to kill bosses.

Weapon Specialization and Swap Guide

Get All Permanent Buffs

Players should also obtain all permanent buffs throughout the campaign to further buff their builds. Out of all the permanent buffs, prioritize getting all Books of Specialization to unlock more nodes in the passive skill tree.

List of Permanent Buffs from the Campaign

Change and Improve Builds When Necessary

Players should improve or revamp their build whenever necessary. While playing the game, it is common for players to change their builds when they eventually hit a wall. They should take the time to analyze and rethink their build, possibly trying out new skill combinations, gear, and passives.

To lessen the loss of doing, players should revamp their builds slowly. For example, instead of respecing the whole passive skill tree, perhaps they can only change a few nodes first and see how it works.

Learn Game Mechanics

To make a good build, players should make an effort to learn most of the core mechanics of the game. Doing so allows them to know what they can or cannot do in the game and create builds around these limits and possibilities.

Glossary and Basic Game Mechanics

Look at Other Builds

Players can also take inspiration and reference other players' builds to get an idea of what works and does not. Given Path of Exile 2's intimidating build systems, they can first look at builds with similar archetypes to learn what class, skills, stats, modifiers, and equipment they should prioritize and would suit their builds best.

PoE 2 Best Builds

Criteria of a Good Build

Criteria of a Good Build
Can Handle Tier-15 Maps Can Handle Endgame Bosses

Can Handle Tier-15 Maps and Most End-game Content

A good build can at least consistently handle and run Tier-15 Maps in the Atlas. By extension, this means that a good build can handle most of the end-game, such as more difficult ascendancy trials.

Mapping Guide and List of Atlas Maps

Can Handle Endgame Bosses

Good builds can at least defeat pinnacle bosses like Xesht or Zarokh, even in higher boss difficulties. It is crucial that builds can, as defeating and farming these bosses is one of the best methods to farm currency and items.

List of Bosses

Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) Related Guides

Beginner's Guide

Gameplay Mechanics

Character Creation Guide	Currency Exchange Explained
How to Ascend Classes	How to Block
How to Dodge	How to Fast Travel
How to Get and Use Sacred Water	How to Get Through the Red Walls
How to Refill Flasks	How to Show the Overlay Map
How to Trade	How to Unlock Pets
What is the Max Level?	What Happens When You Die?

Game and Character Progression

Best Ways to Farm and Spend Gold	Endgame Guide: What to Do After the Campaign?
Hardcore Guide	Hideout Location and How to Unlock
How to Ascend Classes	How to Farm Uniques
How to Increase Damage	How to Increase Defense
How to Make a Good Build	How to Power Level Alts
Leveling Guide: How to Get XP Fast	List of Permanent Buffs from the Campaign
Missables and One-Time Events Guide	-

Gear and Crafting

Are There Vendor Recipes?	Crafting Guide
How to Always Show Items on Ground	How to Get Corrupted Items
How to Hide Your Helmet	How to Identify Items and Equipment
How to Increase Inventory Size	How to Use Corruption Altars
How to Use Reforging Benches	Item Rarity Explained
Sell, Salvage, or Disenchant Equipment?	Sockets Explained

Stats and Skills Guides

Best Defensive Stat	How to Get and Use Persistent Buffs
How to Get Ascendancy Skill Points	How to Get More Skill Slots
How to Increase Charm Slots	How to Increase Support Gem Slots
How to Level Up Skills	How to Respec Passives
How to Use Jewel Sockets	Weapon Set Skill Points Explained
Weapon Specialization Guide: How to Swap Weapons	-

Settings and Multiplayer

Can You Adjust Game Difficulty?	Best PC Settings and Keyboard Bindings
Gateway Guide	Guild Features and How to Join
How to Change Your Character's Name	How to Change Voice and Text Language
How to Get Loot Filters on Console	How to Get More Character Slots
How to Link Items in Chat	How to Revive Party Members
How to Use and Customize Chat Box	List of All Chat Commands
Is There Controller Support?	Multiplayer Guide: How to Play Coop
Party Bonuses and Group Scaling Explained	Stash Tab Sale Schedule and Prices
Should You Choose Mouse or WASD?	-