PoE Sanity

[PoE 2] - 0.5 GRENADE TOTEM WARBRINGER STARTER - More Gameplay Showcase // New Player friendly

By POEGuyWatch videoDuration: PT14M32S

Summary

  • Build Concept: A refined “Grenade Totem” Warbringer build for Path of Exile 2 (Patch 0.5), designed to be a highly effective, low-budget league starter.
  • Playstyle: A “lazy,” one-button playstyle that does not require complex mana management, making it suitable for casual and new players.
  • Endgame Viability: Capable of clearing all Atlas content (including pinnacle bosses) and mechanics like Ritual, Expedition, Abyss, and Breach with budget gear.
  • Progression: While the early acts (Act 1-2) can feel clunky, the build excels in the endgame. Proper lab completion is essential for performance.
  • Crafting Adjustments: Due to changes in essence crafting, obtaining +5 gem levels on crossbows is no longer easy or cheap. The build is optimized to function well without these levels initially, with the option to upgrade later.

0.5 Patch Adjustments and Crafting

The 0.5 patch introduced changes to essences that impact weapon crafting. While players could previously obtain +5 attack skills easily, this is no longer the case.

  • League Start Approach: Use a crossbow without gem levels. Focus on getting an extra ballista totem, physical damage, and the grenade implicit.
  • Endgame Goal: A high-end, deterministically crafted crossbow with gem levels remains a goal but will require more currency (estimated 30–40 Exalted Orbs).
  • Performance: The build remains powerful without these gem levels, allowing players to farm the necessary currency to eventually upgrade.

Gear and Setup

  • Amulet: Several options exist. A rare amulet with +2 or +3 projectile skills is recommended. Eye of Fault Doom is a viable alternative as it provides an extra totem, compensating for lower gem levels.
  • Rings/Gloves: Prioritize physical damage to attacks. Fire damage to attacks can also be taken.
  • Armor: Focus on high armor values and necessary resistances.
  • Weapon: Early on, prioritize the extra ballista totem and core damage stats over gem level affixes.

Gameplay and Strategy

  • Pinnacle Bosses: The build is fully capable of handling pinnacle bosses like the King of the Mist (Difficulty 1–3).
  • Efficiency: The focus for a league starter should be on reaching the Atlas, clearing content, and generating initial currency efficiently, rather than solely on campaign speed.
  • Difficulty Scaling: The build is stress-tested to perform consistently in high-tier mapping (Levels 15–16).
  • Player Skill vs. Build: Completion times in the campaign are heavily dependent on player practice and familiarity with the game’s mechanics. New players should not judge the build’s overall viability based solely on early-game performance.

Key References