Lich in Path of Exile 2: Chaos and Minion Builds

В Path of Exile 2 With the start of the "Start of the Hunt" league, the Witch now has the opportunity to choose a new subclass - the Lich. With ample opportunities to strengthen his minions, such a character is able to create an invincible army of the undead and use it as a shield, inflicting devastating chaos damage or casting curses from behind their backs.

When built correctly, minions can be a devastating force, capable of both clearing any map and wiping out any boss's health bar in seconds. In this guide, we'll look at which PoE 2 Lich builds work best, the gear they require, and the skills and support gems they need.

PoE 2 Lich Guide for Fast Leveling

Starting builds may vary slightly due to the variety of skill gems offered. At the beginning of the game, you can try yourself as a necromancer, raising the corpses of enemies, or focus on Chaos magic, which deals powerful damage over time.

Through Chaos

The Chaos build involves using spells that deal damage over time and spread it among enemies. The main skill here is Extraction of essence, which is combined with Infection. This combination opens at the beginning of Act 1 and will be relevant until the end of the game.

As you get good equipment, add slots to it using astromantic spheres and insert runes to increase elemental resistances that are missing. As a weapon for the second hand in set 2, you can take any shield and set a stone for it Shield Bash, which will allow you to move faster between groups of mobs.

The best modifiers for gearing through Chaos can be found in the table in the section with endgame builds.

Skill upgrading

At the very beginning of the game, you will be offered to use the starting staff and scepter, as well as the skill Exhumation, which allows you to temporarily turn the bodies of enemies into minions. Use these skills until you get your first uncut skill stone and start collecting the skill set from the table below:

Skill	Support Stones
Infection	Release Expansion Intense agony Chaotic Freezing
Essence Abduction	Rapid illness Zenit Thoughtful creation
Draining Presence (Spirit Stone)	Constancy Clarity of Mind Mysticism
Despair	Corrupting corruption Sublime Curse Inspiration
Dark Scarecrow	The Deadly Touch Witching Tempo Oversupply Controlled destruction
Healing (spirit stone)	Mastery Strength of spirit
Shield Bash	Fighting pace

Selecting Passives

When leveling up your passive skill tree, choose the route as in the screenshot above. The branches marked in red are for weapon set 1, and the branches marked in green are for weapon set 2.

Invest Ascension Points in the right branch and get passives Soulless form и Immortal life.

Through Minions

The Lich and his minions rely more on the strength of their undead army than on powerful chaos attacks. At the same time, they have the same capabilities to apply powerful damage over time and spread it. Gameplay-wise, everything is simple:

• In the early game, use Infection and Essence Drain, comboing with Flame Wall. In the later stages, use Amber squall to summon the Furious Spirits.
• Use the skill of the skeleton arsonists Team: Explosive Doom, to cause them to detonate and blow up the Furious Spirits.
• Against bosses and rare enemies, place Offering of pain and cast Despair on target.

The table with equipment and the best modifiers for it can be found further down the text, in the endgame builds.

Skill upgrading

The skills in the table below are relevant for the end of the story campaign and are listed in the order in which they should be upgraded:

Skill	Support Stones
Lightning Skeleton Mage (summon one to apply shock)	Conductor Flame of the Storm
Lightning Skeleton Mage (Main damage dealing skeleton unit)	Hunger frenzy Witching Tempo Concentration of the elements
Raging Spirits (Spirit Stone)	The power of fire Fighting pace Fire Mastery
Skeleton Pyro	Order Command Expansion
Skeleton Cleric	Mastery Last breath
Despair	Curse Induced The Rise of Corruption
Amber squall	Release Transience
Draining Presence (Spirit Stone)	Constancy
Offering of pain	Inspiration
Skeleton Warrior Minion (Rumbling Scepter Skill)	Human Shield Lamb to the slaughter

Selecting Passives

The passive skill tree progression path should look something like the screenshot above.

After completing the Ascension Trials, take the passives Conductor of Necromancy и Soulless form.

Chaos Lich Endgame Build

The endgame build through Chaos is essentially not much different from the variation during the leveling. The basic set of skills does not change, only high-level buffs and debuffs are added to it to increase the outgoing damage over time. The rotation looks like this:

• Place it on the field Seal of Power.
• Cast on enemies Despair.
• Place 2 Dark Scarecrows.
• Cast on enemies Essence Abduction.
• Use the infection for distribution.
• Maintain Dark Effigies and Power Seal on the field until victory.

Equipment selection and stat priority

The Lich build through Chaos requires almost no investment and is suitable for completing a league without free currency to buy expensive unique items. To maintain efficiency during the pumping process, do not forget to check the assortment of merchants at each level for items with suitable characteristics:

Item	Modifiers
Rod (Weapon Set 1, Main Hand)	#+ to the level of all Chaos Spell skill gems. #% increased Spell Damage. #% increased Chaos Damage. Speed ​​of casting spells. Maximum mana.
Focus (Weapon Set 1, Extra Hand)	#+ to the level of chaos spell skill stones. #% increased Spell Damage. #% increased energy shield; +# to maximum energy shield; Speed ​​of casting spells. Mana regeneration. Resistance.
Ringing Staff (Weapon Set 2)	#+ to the level of all spell skill stones.
Helmet	#% increased energy shield; +# to maximum health; Any resistance.
Body armor	#% increased energy shield; +# to maximum energy shield; +# to maximum health; Any resistance. Attributes.
Gloves	#% increased energy shield; +# to maximum energy shield; +# to maximum health; +# to maximum mana; Resistance. Attributes.
Boots	#% increased movement speed; #% increased energy shield; +# to maximum energy shield; +# to maximum health; +# to maximum mana; Resistance. Attributes.
Belt	+# to maximum health; +# to maximum mana; Resistance. Attributes.
Amulet	+24 to spirit (minimum); #% increased Spell/Chaos Damage; +# to the level of all chaos spell skill stones; +# to maximum energy shield; #% increased cast speed; Mana regeneration rate. Speed ​​of casting spells. Resistance.
Rings	Maximum health. Maximum mana. Increased chaos damage. Speed ​​of casting spells. Resistance. Mana regeneration rate.
Gems	#% increase in the effect of Exhaustion (needs to collect at least 40%). #% increased Energy Shield. #% increased Spell/Chaos Damage. #% increased Energy Shield recharge start speed. #% increased Mana Regeneration Rate. #% increased Cast Speed.

The only unique item worth purchasing is Atziri's Contempt Crown of Gold. You can also buy body armor Wave Sculptor Wave Seer Outfit with 190+ energy shield. By putting 2 More Iron Runes in it, you get armor with 500+ ES and two resistances. The bonus in such armor will be enough spirit to refuse it in the amulet and replace it with a more useful modifier.

Place Greater Iron Runes in weapon and armor sockets to increase damage and protective properties of equipment. If you lack elemental resistances, place Storm, Desert, or Glacier Runes in the slots.

Skills and support stones

Place skill gems according to the table:

Skill	Support Stones
Dark Scarecrow	Oversupply Controlled destruction Witching Tempo Poisoning The center
Essence Abduction	Rapid illness Chain Thoughtful creation Mastery of Chaos Zenit
Infection	Release Expansion Intense agony Chaotic Freezing Stiffness
Despair	Corrupting corruption Sublime Curse Inspiration Cursed land
Draining Presence (Spirit Stone)	Constancy Clarity of Mind
Bone Storm	life tap Constant charge breach
Healing (spirit stone)	Mastery Mysticism
Blasphemy (spirit stone, meta-stone)	Shackles of Time (Skill Stone) Ritual curse Encumbrance
Leap (spirit stone)	Second Wind

To maintain all auras with support stones you will need 139 spirit. The jump is needed to increase mobility. Remember to assign all skills only to weapon set 1. Blasphemy is placed on both sets, and Despair and Leap only for weapon set 2.

Passive skills

When upgrading your passive skill tree, use the screenshot above as a guide. Note that some nodes there are assigned to different weapon sets. The ones in red go to set 1, and the green nodes go to set 2.

The best Ascendancy skills for this build are:

• Soulless form.
• Eternal life.
• Mystical enhancement.
• Crystal Phylactery is an additional socket for a non-unique gem that will increase its effects by 100%.

Video guides

Below we have added several video guides with different variations of Witch Lich builds using Chaos damage.

Build #1:

Build #2:

Lich Endgame Build with Skeleton Mage Minions

For the Lich on minions, there is a wide selection of stones that summon undead. There is no need to pump and summon everyone in a row, since in this case the damage of each individual combat unit will be too small. The best option is to invest in pumping some main squad of skeletons and accelerate their strength to the maximum. One of the most stable options is Lightning Skeleton Mages.

The minion build is suitable for the most lazy gameplay and requires almost no character participation in combat. All that is required of the player is to press a couple of necessary buttons and monitor the level of health and energy shield. The summoned creatures will do the rest of the work.

In difficult battles with rare and unique enemies, place Conductivity и Offering of pain. If you receive damage to your energy shield, use Wellness. Maps are cleared automatically.

Equipment selection and stat priority

Select equipment items based on the modifiers in the table:

Item	Modifiers
Main Hand (Thundering Scepter)	+2-4 to the level of all minion skill gems. 43-50% increase in spirit. Allies in your presence deal 30-60% increased damage.
Second hand (buckler)	Sun Shard Stab Buckler with two Zantipi soul cores.
Helmet	+2 to the level of all minion skill gems; Any resistance. #% increased Energy Shield. +# to maximum energy shield. Attributes.
Body armor	+50-60 to the spirit. Any resistance. #% increased Energy Shield. +# to maximum energy shield.
Gloves	Any resistance. #% increased Energy Shield. +# to maximum energy shield.
Boots	30% increased movement speed. Any resistance. #% increased Energy Shield. +# to maximum energy shield.
Belt	Resistance. Cells for amulets.
Amulet	+2-3 to the level of all minion skill stones; +40-50 to spirit; +# to maximum energy shield; +# to maximum health; Resistance. Attributes.
Rings	Everlasting Ring Pearl Ring и Lightning Stone Ring with Topaz
Gems	Minions have #% increased damage; Minions have #% increased Attack and Cast Speed; #% increased Minion Accuracy; Minions have #% to all elemental resistances; 10-20% increase to maximum energy shield.

Items with ideal stats may seem overly expensive at first, so don't rush into them. The easiest way is to build things gradually. Focus first on increasing the level of your minion skill gems, getting extra spirit, and the highest possible energy shield. In the final build, level 1 gem gives about 10% damage from minions, so if you're short on budget, you can sacrifice a few bonus levels.

Skills and support stones

All the main skills that become available at approximately level 41, so you can start collecting such a set already in Act 3 of the story campaign:

Skill	Support Stones
Lightning Skeleton Mage (summon one to apply shock)	Lightning susceptibility Conductor Stripping Overload
Lightning Skeleton Mage (Main damage dealing skeleton unit)	Minion Mastery Hunger frenzy Mastery of Lightning Witching Tempo gathering
Healing (spirit stone)	Second Wind Mastery
Offering of pain	Wide coverage Commitment Constancy
Conductivity	Sublime Curse Expansion Inspiration
Ghost: Terracotta Soldier (raised in Act 5 with skill) Ghost capture, only 1 is called)	Mutilation Fighting pace
Skeleton Cleric (only 1 summoned)	Death march
Skeleton Warrior Minion (Rumbling Scepter Skill)	Human Shield Lamb to the slaughter Last breath Instability of minions

Passive skills

Pump up the passive skill tree in accordance with the screenshot above. The main focus here is on increasing the strength of minions, as well as increasing the energy shield. In the characteristic nodes, it is worth collecting as many as possible dexterity, so that it is enough to use the buckler Shard of the Sun. Everything else needs to be pumped in intellect.

For Ascension skills, take:

• Soulless form.
• Eternal life.
• Crystal Phylactery - Buy the best one for this slot non-unique a gem that will have enough spheres. A stone that increases the energy shield and damage of minions would look great here.
• Conductor of necromancy.

Video guides

Below you can find several video guides that go over various build variations of the Witch Lich with Lightning Skeleton Mage.

Build #1:

Build #2:

Endgame Lich build through Vaal Guardian minions

You can significantly strengthen your minion build by adding to them Ghosts: Vaal Guardians. These Spectres can be obtained during Acts 3 and 6, in the Utsaal location. Each of these minions costs 50 spirit and has a unique ability: they throw oil and explosive grenades around themselves, which allows you to create powerful explosions and burning ground.

To be more effective, this build will need to be supplemented with a few minions. skeleton snipers, to use their skill Command: Gas Arrow. Basically, the gameplay boils down to pressing one button to accurately fire gas arrows and boost explosions where needed.

Equipment selection and stat priority

The Vaal Guardian Summoner gear is selected with an emphasis on increasing the maximum spirit and increasing the level of the minions' skill stones. Choose gear for your character based on the table:

Item	Modifiers
Main Hand (Scepter)	+2-4 to the level of all minion skill gems. 60-65% increase in spirit. Allies in your presence deal 60-80% increased damage.
Extra hand (shield)	Any one with good survivability indicators will do.
Helmet	+2 to the level of all minion skill gems; Any resistance. #% increased Energy Shield. +# to maximum energy shield. Attributes.
Body armor	+50-60 to the spirit. +# to maximum health. Any resistance. #% increased Energy Shield. +# to maximum energy shield.
Gloves	Any resistance. #% increased Energy Shield. +# to maximum energy shield.
Boots	30% increased movement speed. Any resistance. #% increased Energy Shield. +# to maximum energy shield.
Belt	Resistance. Cells for amulets.
Amulet	+2-3 to the level of all minion skill stones; +40-50 to spirit; +# to maximum energy shield; +# to maximum health; Resistance. Attributes.
Rings	+# to maximum health. +# to maximum mana. Resistance.
Gems	Minions have #% increased damage; Minions have #% increased Attack and Cast Speed; #% increased Minion Accuracy; Minions have #% to all elemental resistances; 10-20% increase to maximum energy shield.

Skills and support stones

To play on a build with Vaal Guardian Spectres, collect the following stones:

Skill	Support Stones
Ghost: Vaal Guardian (can be obtained with skill) Ghost capture)	Salvo fire Expansion Fighting pace Mastery The power of fire
Skeleton Sniper (it's enough to summon two)	Command Order Hunger frenzy gathering Sacrifice
Skeleton Cleric (only 1 or 2 needed on the field)	Lamb to the slaughter Minion Mastery Last breath
Lightning Skeleton Mage (summons 1 to apply shock)	Conductor Mastery of Lightning Witching Tempo
Offering of pain	Human Shield Constancy Font of Ferocity
Despair	Curse Induced Sublime Curse Inspiration
Shield Bash

Shield Bash is a shield skill and is used in the build only for fast movement around the location.

Passive skills

Passive talent tree for Lich with Vaal Guardian minions pump in accordance with the screenshot above. This route will allow you to collect a large amount of energy shield and sufficiently disperse the damage from minion grenades.

In the Ascension branch, take:

• Soulless form.
• Conductor of necromancy.
• Blackened heart.
• Crystal phylactery.

Video guides

You can learn more about the principles and nuances of building a Lich with spectra from the video guide:

We hope this guide helped you understand the mechanics of the Lich and choose one of the effective builds for playing on Minions or through Chaos. comments share your experience of closing content, and also ask questions about builds. You can see other builds for different characters in PoE 2 in special section of the site.