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Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2)

PoE 2 0.3 Ranger Leveling Build - Lightning Arrow

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Path of Exile 2 Lightning Ranger Leveling Build
This is a leveling build for the Ranger in Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2)'s The Third Edict Update that focuses on Lightning damage. Check out this Ranger leveling build, including its progression, equipment, socketables, skills, playstyle, and recommended builds!

PoE 2 Icon Attention! The build is updated for Act 3 of Patch 0.3.0: The Third Edict.
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Lightning Ranger Build Summary

Ranger Leveling Build Overview

Build Setup
Path of Exile 2 RangerLightning Ranger
Herald of Thunder Icon Barrage Icon Lightning Arrow Icon Lightning Rod Icon Voltaic Mark Icon Wind Dancer Icon
Path of Exile 2 Build Pro Easy to Play

Path of Exile 2 Build Pro High Lightning Damage

Path of Exile 2 Build Pro Excellent Mobbing and Bossing

Path of Exile 2 Build Con Squishy

This Ranger leveling build is designed around Lightning Arrow's and Lightning Rod's ability to burst down bosses and fast clear mobs. Make sure to spam Lightning Rod first before you shoot Lightning Arrows to completely benefit from the lightning burst procs.

Date Changes Made
09/1/2025 ・ Lightning Ranger Build updated for Act 3.
08/31/2025 ・ Lightning Ranger Build updated for Act 2.
08/30/2025 ・ Lightning Ranger Build updated for Patch 0.3.0.
03/28/2025 ・ Lightning Ranger Build Created.

Lightning Ranger Equipment

※ The affixes shown below are arranged based on descending priority.

Gear Affixes
Dualstring Bow IconDualstring Bow
・Increased Elemental Damage
・Add Physical Damage
・Add Lightning Damage
・Increased Attack Speed
・Level to All Projectile Skills
Broadhead Quiver IconBroadhead Quiver
・Increased Critical Hit Chance
・Add Physical Damage
・Add Lightning Damage
・Increased Damage With Bow Skills
Tribal Mask IconTribal Mask
・Evasion Rating
・Increased Energy Shield
・Any Elemental Resistance
Serpentscale Coat IconSerpentscale Coat
・Evasion Rating
・Maximum Life
・Dexterity
・Any Elemental Resistance
Spined Bracers IconSpined Bracers
・Add Physical Damage
・Add Lightning Damage
・Increased Attack Speed
・Any Elemental Resistance
Frayed Shoes IconFrayed Shoes
・Increased Movement Speed
・Increased Evasion and Energy Shield
・Dexterity
・Any Elemental Resistance
Rawhide Belt IconRawhide Belt
・Flask Health Recovery Rate
・Flask Mana Recovery Rate
・Reduced Flask Charges Used
・Any Elemental Resistance
Jade Amulet IconJade Amulet
・Dexterity
・All Attributes
・Maximum Life
・Maximum Mana
・Any Elemental Resistance
Iron Ring IconIron Ring
・Add Lightning Damage
・Dexterity
・Increased Rarity of Items Found
・Any Elemental Resistance
Iron Ring IconIron Ring
・Add Lightning Damage
・Dexterity
・Increased Rarity of Items Found
・Any Elemental Resistance
Colossal Life Flask IconColossal Life Flask
・Gain Charges per Second
・Increased Amount Recovered
Colossal Mana Flask IconColossal Mana Flask
・Gain Charges per Second
・Increased Amount Recovered

Weapons

During the Act 1, try to get a solid Recurve Bow with additional modifiers that increase Physical and Lightning Damage. Prioritize having Physical Damage modifiers as Lightning Arrow and Lightning Rod heavily scale off of them.

As you progress through Acts 2 and 3, you will mainly be using the Dualstring Bow with the same modifiers so that all of your Bow attacks will receive an additional projectile.

List of Weapons

Armor and Accessories

The Ranger's main survivability revolves around heavy use of Evasion, so prioritize armor pieces that increase Evasion Rating. Additionally, use Energy Shield as a means to increase survivability in the chance you do get hit. For the modifiers, take Maximum Life and try to cap 75% on Elemental Resistances if possible.

However, always prioritize boots with higher Movement Speed modifiers. Not only will this help you traverse the early acts better, but also increase your chances of evading enemy attacks!

Generally, the build will use Iron Rings for its increase to Physical Damage, further stacking the build's damage capabilities with Lightning Arrow and Lightning Rod. However, if you are still lacking the necessary Elemental Resistances, opt to equip either the Ruby, Sapphire, or Topaz Rings!

As you are using Evasion as a means of survival, having a Jade Amulet to further increase Dexterity for higher evasion rating to achieve better survivability!

List of Rings List of Amulets
List of Armors

Belts and Charms

POE 2 Sapphire Charm Sapphire Charm ・Increased Duration
・Increased Charges
・Gain Charges Per Second
POE 2 Topaz Charm Topaz Charm ・Increased Duration
・Increased Charges
・Gain Charges Per Second
POE 2 Antidote Charm Antidote Charm ・Increased Duration
・Increased Charges
・Gain Charges Per Second

The belt you will be using up until Act 3 can be acquired very early on in Act 1, and that is the Linen Belt. As this build consumes a significant amount of Mana, having increased mana regeneration from your flasks will go a long way!

We recommend equipping the Sapphire Charm to help you combat the cold attacks of Count Geonor at the end of the Act 1. Just make sure to keep dodging his attacks since they can still take a chunk of your health even with the resistance Charm equipped.

For Act 2, your main problem would be Jamanra, the Risen King so make sure to equip the Topaz Charm to help mitigate his attacks. Lastly, equip an Antidote Charm when you reach Act 3 since a lot of the bosses in this Act can deal large amounts of poison damage.

List of Belts List of Charms

Runes and Soul Cores

Equipment Sockets
Weapon
Armor

Naturally, the best rune for slotting into your weapon would be the Storm Rune, allowing the build to further scale the core skills with Lightning Damage. As for armor runes, use the elemental runes to attempt capping out your elemental resistances!

List of Runes List of Soul Cores

Lightning Ranger Skills

※ The Support Gems' priority are arranged in a descending order. The first one being the most important and the last being the least crucial.

Skill Support Gems
Lightning Arrow IconLightning Arrow
Lightning Rod IconLightning Rod
Voltaic Mark IconVoltaic Mark
Barrage IconBarrage
Herald of Thunder IconHerald of Thunder

This Ranger leveling build's foundation skills are Lightning Arrow alongside Lightning Rod for mobbing and Stormcaller Arrow for melting bosses. Make sure to activate Barrage before you use any of your skills to instantly double-cast them.

Furthermore, use Voltaic Mark against tough enemies such as elites and Bosses to help you easily proc Electrocution for a huge opening to burst down all your skills.

Lastly, equip Herald of Thunder for an additional damage boost and help you deal more Lightning AoE damage with your skills.

List of Skills

Lightning Ranger Passive Tree

Passive Tree Progression

The leveling passive tree for the Ranger focuses on providing Projectile Damage, Lightning Damage, and Movement Speed to help you progress through the campaign as fast as possible. For your first few passives, make your way to Clean Shot for additional damage then quickly rush to get Eagle Eye and Blur to help with your survivability.

As you stack up on Dexterity and the occasional Intelligence investment, head straight for Primal Sundering, Surging Currents, Catalysis, and Coming Calamity respectively to to further boost your damage output. After settling your damage, grab Escape Velocity for both mobility and survivability.

Lastly, get Frazzled for better mana regeneration and Acceleration for the movement speed and to help you cast your skills faster.

Passive Skill Tree Guide and List of Passives

Ascendancy Options

Deadeye Icon Deadeye • Provides a good balance of speed, survivability, and damage. Perfect for new and returning players.

As of Patch 0.3, we recommend choosing the Deadeye Ascendancy and obtaining the Tailwind Ascendancy node to increase your clear speed and reach endgame faster.

You have the option to transition to a different Ascendancy at a later stage of the game if you wish to switch to a different build once you reach the endgame.

How to Respec Ascendancy

Build Progression

Jump to an Act!
Act 1 Act 2 Act 3

Act 1 Progression

To progress through Act 1 and beat Count Geonor using the Lightning Ranger leveling build, follow these steps:

# Steps
1
After beating the The Bloated Miller Icon The Bloated Miller , talk to Renly and equip the Lightning Arrow Icon Lightning Arrow Gem.
2
Head for the Mysterious Campsite at Clearfell to get an extra Level 1 Uncut Skill Gem Icon Uncut Skill Gem .
3
Complete Treacherous Ground and get the Rapid Attacks I Icon Rapid Attacks I Support Gem for Lightning Arrow Icon Lightning Arrow .
4
Defeat Beira of the Rotten Pack Icon Beira of the Rotten Pack to obtain Head of the Winter Wolf Icon Head of the Winter Wolf for the Cold Resistance to prepare against Count Geonor.
5
Find and defeat to level up your Lightning Arrow Icon Lightning Arrow and get the Lightning Attunement Icon Lightning Attunement Support Gem for it.
Note: Make sure to loot the Witch Hut to get Medium Flasks.
6
Defeat The Brambleghast Icon The Brambleghast to get a Level 2 Uncut Skill Gem and use it to get Lightning Rod Icon Lightning Rod .
7
Progress to The Grim Tangle and defeat The Rotten Druid Icon The Rotten Druid to obtain another Level 1 Uncut Support Gem and slot in Concentrated Area Icon Concentrated Area to Lightning Rod Icon Lightning Rod .
8
Look for the Haunted Treasure Inside the Tomb of the Consort and defeat the rare enemy to acquire a Level 1 Uncut Support Gem and slot in Elemental Armament I Icon Elemental Armament I to Lightning Rod.
Note: Once you find a Level 3 Uncut Skill Gem, use it to equip Stormcaller Arrow Icon Stormcaller Arrow .
9
Defeat The Crowbell Icon The Crowbell to get a Book of Specialisation Icon Book of Specialisation for free passive points.
10
Search and complete your first Ritual in the same area to get a Level 4 Uncut Support Gem and use this to upgrade your Lightning Arrow Icon Lightning Arrow .
11
Start looking for the Dryadic Ritual in the same area to get an extra Level 1 Uncut Support Gem (to be used later).
12
Defeat the The King in the Mists Icon The King in the Mists to get +30 Spirit and a Level 4 Uncut Spirit Gem Icon Uncut Spirit Gem . Use this to equip Herald of Thunder Icon Herald of Thunder Spirit Gem, then slot in Concentrated Area Icon Concentrated Area from the Support Gem you got earlier.
13
Complete The Lost Lute at the Ogham Farmlands to obtain a Book of Specialisation for more passive points.
14
Search for the Crop Circle in the same area to defeat and obtain a Level 4 Uncut Skill Gem and use it to upgrade Lightning Arrow.
15
Proceed to Ogham Village and defeat The Executioner Icon The Executioner to free Leitis and acquire a Level 5 Uncut Skill Gem.
Note: Use the Uncut Skill Gem to get Barrage Icon Barrage .
16
Search and defeat the Candlemass, the Living Rite Icon Candlemass, the Living Rite at Ogham Manor to get the Candlemass Candlemass' Essence for the free +20 Maximum Life.
17
Continue and defeat Count Geonor Icon Count Geonor to complete Act 1.
Note: Make sure you have Medium Flasks since this boss fight has 2 Phases so you will be spending a good amount of time learning and surviving the mechanics.

Complete Act 1 Walkthrough

Act 2 Progression

To progress through Act 2 and beat Jamanra, the Abomination using the Warrior leveling build, follow these steps:

# Steps
1
Complete the Earning Passage quest for an Uncut Skill Gem Icon Uncut Skill Gem Level 5. Use it to upgrade Lightning Arrow Icon Lightning Arrow .
2
Defeat Balbala, The Traitor Icon Balbala, The Traitor to gain access to The Trial of Sekhemas.
Note: Although this leveling build does not require any Ascendancy, you can still attempt to finish the Sekhema's Trial to get the Ascenndancy of your choosing.
3
Clear Mobs in Keth until you get the Kabala Clan Relic Icon Kabala Clan Relic (to be used later).
4
5
Defeat in the Galleria for a random Jewel.
6
Open the Guarded Sarcophagus for an Uncut Support Gem Icon Uncut Support Gem Level 2. You can use this to get Elemental Armament II Icon Elemental Armament II for your Lightning Rod later on.
7
Three Elemental Offering Ring choices: Ruby Ring, Sapphire Ring, and Topaz Ring for flame, cold, and lightning resistance respectively. It is recommended to choose the Topaz Ring to prepare for Jamanra, the Abomination Icon Jamanra, the Abomination .
8
Clear The City of Seven Waters for an Uncut Support Gem 2. You can use this to get Multishot II Icon Multishot II for your Stormcaller Arrow.
9
Destroy the Effigy located in the Shrine of Bones for an Uncut Support Gem Icon Uncut Support Gem Level 2. You can use this to get Chain II Icon Chain II for your Lightning Arrow once you have 3 gem slots for it.
10
Clear Mobs in The Bone Pits until you get the Sun Clan Relic Icon Sun Clan Relic (to be used later).
11
Complete A Theft of Ivory quest for an Uncut Support Gem Icon Uncut Support Gem Level 2. Use this for any missing support gems in the build.
12
Place both Relics in the Valley of Titans to complete the Ancient Vows quest. Choose the Sun Clan Relic for more Charm charges gained.
13
Complete A Crown of Stone quest for an Uncut Support Gem Icon Uncut Support Gem Level 2. You can use this for any missing support gems in the build.
14
Complete the Tradition's Toll quest to get a Book of Specialisation Icon Book of Specialisation .
15
Defeat the for a Djinn Barya Icon Djinn Barya .
16
Activate the in Deshar to get a permanent 10% Lightning Resistance.

Complete Act 2 Walkthrough

Act 3 Progression

To progress through Act 3 and beat Doryani using the Lightning Mercenary leveling build, follow these steps:

# Step by Step Guide to Act 3 Leveling
1
Defeat Rootdredge Icon Rootdredge to get Uncut Skill Gem Icon Uncut Skill Gem Level 9 and use it upgrade your Lightning Arrow Icon Lightning Arrow .
2
Loot the basket found in the Orok Campfire at Sandswept Marsh to get a Lesser Jeweller Lesser Jeweller's Orb .
Note: Use this on your Lightning Arrow and use your extra Uncut Support Gem to slot in Chain I Icon Chain I .
3
Proceed to the Jungle Ruins and defeat the Mighty Silverfist Icon Mighty Silverfist for a Book of Specialisation Icon Book of Specialisation .
4
Complete The Slithering Dead to get the Venom Draught of Clarity for provide you with increased Mana Regeneration.
5
Look for the Jungle Grave and interact with the Ravaged Corpse to summon Servi and get a rare Belt. We recommend taking Rawhide Belt for better survivability.
6
Defeat Ignagduk, the Bog Witch Icon Ignagduk, the Bog Witch for 30 Spirit and an Uncut Spirit Gem Icon Uncut Spirit Gem Level 10. Use this to equip Wind Dancer Icon Wind Dancer for better survivability.
7
Submit the Tribal Vengeance to get a charm. Choose the Antidote Charm for increased defenses against Poison.
8
Defeat Blackjaw, the Remnant Icon Blackjaw, the Remnant to get The Flame Core for +10% Fire Resistance.
9
Use the Paquate's Mechanism to Corrupt gear. We suggest corrupting the Lightning Rod Icon Lightning Rod skill gem for a chance of an additional Support Gem slot.
10
Obtain an Uncut Spirit Gem Icon Uncut Spirit Gem Level 10 from Treasures of Utzaal and use this to upgrade your Herald of Thunder Icon Herald of Thunder .
11
Offer the Mushrooms in Apex of Filth to obtain Ultimate Mana Flask Icon Ultimate Mana Flask and Ultimate Life Flask Icon Ultimate Life Flask .
Note: If you find an Uncut Skill Gem Level 11, use this to equip Voltaic Mark Icon Voltaic Mark and pair it with Second Wind I Icon Second Wind I and Neural Overload Icon Neural Overload .
12 Ascendancy: By this time, you can complete the Trial of Chaos to get your third and fourth Ascendancy Point.
Deadeye Icon Deadeye : Get the Gathering Winds passive node to transition to one of our Deadeye builds.
Pathfinder Icon Pathfinder : Get the Contagious Contamination passive node to transition to one of our Pathfinder builds.
13
Use the Sacrificial Heart Icon Sacrificial Heart that you can pick up in Utzaal to acquire Weapon Set Skill Points.

Complete Act 3 Walkthrough

Lightning Ranger Playstyle

Skill Rotation

For general use, you will adopt a kiting playstyle that mainly uses all your skills to clear hordes of enemies and Bosses. The rotation is as follows:

  1. Activate Barrage to enhance your next projectile skill.
  2. Cast Voltaic Mark to buildup Electrocute and stun your enemies.
  3. Spam Lightning Rod a few times then cast Lightning Arrow to trigger the lightning bursts.
  4. Rinse and repeat.

Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) Related Guides

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List of All Builds

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Rank Build
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0.4 Leveling Builds

Druid IconFire Bear Druid Druid IconFrost Wolf Druid Druid IconLightning Wyvern Druid
Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) - Sorceress PortraitCold Infusion Sorceress

0.3 Leveling Builds

Warrior LevelingSlam Fissure Warrior Ranger LevelingLightning Arrow Ranger Mercenary LevelingLightning Shotgun Mercenary
Monk LevelingCold Lightning Monk Witch LevelingDrain Contagion Witch Huntress LevelingLightning Spear Huntress
Sorceress LevelingFireball Sorceress - -

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List of Builds by Class
Path of Exile 2 - Huntress IconHuntress Path of Exile 2 - Mercenary Builds Mercenary Path of Exile 2 - Monk Builds Monk
Path of Exile 2 - Witch Builds Witch Path of Exile 2 - Sorceress Builds Sorceress Path of Exile 2 - Warrior Builds Warrior
Path of Exile 2 - Ranger Builds Ranger - -
Other Build Guides
0.3 Leveling Builds How to Make a Good Build

Ranger Leveling Builds

Lightning RangerLightning Ranger
Herald of Thunder Icon Barrage Icon Lightning Arrow Icon Lightning Rod Icon Stormcaller Arrow Icon

Focus: Burst Damage, Lightning, Fast Clear

Ranger Endgame Builds

Poison PathfinderPoison Pathfinder
Poisonburst Arrow Icon Vine Arrow Icon Ghost Dance Icon Plague Bearer Icon Toxic Growth Icon Wind Dancer Icon Despair Icon Shield Charge Icon Toxic Domain Icon

Focus: Mapping, Bossing, DoT, Poison, Chaos Damage
Grenade DeadeyeGrenade Deadeye
Explosive Grenade Icon Flash Grenade Icon Gas Grenade Icon Wind Dancer Icon Oil Grenade Icon Voltaic Grenade Icon

Focus: AoE, Grenades, Burst
Lightning Salvo DeadeyeLightning Salvo Deadeye
Conductivity Icon Grim Feast Icon Herald of Ice Icon Herald of Thunder Icon Bonestorm Icon Cast on Shock Icon Lightning Arrow Icon Lightning Rod Icon Magnetic Salvo Icon Wind Dancer Icon

Focus: Burst Damage, Lightning, Energy Shield
Shattering Concoction PathfinderShattering Concoction Pathfinder
Hypothermia Icon Lightning Warp Icon Ball Lightning Icon Eye of Winter Icon Ghost Dance Icon Grim Feast Icon Herald of Ice Icon Herald of Thunder Icon Wind Dancer Icon Cast on Freeze Icon Blink Icon Alchemist Shattering Concoction Icon

Focus: Burst Damage, Cold, Concoction
Glacial Lance DeadeyeGlacial Lance Deadeye
Herald of Ice Icon Combat Frenzy Icon Wind Dancer Icon Cast on Critical Icon Disengage Icon Glacial Lance Icon

Focus: Mobbing, Single Target, DPS, AoE, Bossing
Bleed Bow DeadeyeBleed Bow Deadeye
Ghost Dance Icon Barrage Icon Snipe Icon Sniper Spiral Volley Icon Wind Dancer Icon Bloodhound Herald of Blood Icon

Focus: Bleed, Burst, Charges
Crit Lightning Arrow DeadeyeCrit Lightning Arrow Deadeye
Herald of Thunder Icon Lightning Arrow Icon Lightning Rod Icon Electrocuting Arrow Icon Voltaic Mark Icon Wind Dancer Icon Rhoa Mount Icon

Focus: Lightning, Burst, Mobile, Mobbing, Bossing

Ranger Class and Ascendancy Guides

Base Class
Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) - Ranger Portrait Ranger
Ascendancies
Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) DeadeyeDeadeye Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) PathfinderPathfinder

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