PoE Sanity

[PoE 2] IMPROVED CHAOS Lich Build - 0.5 League Starter Leveling for ED+Con Witch - Path of Exile 2

By ronarrayWatch videoDuration: PT11M58S

Summary

  • Core Combo: Utilize Essence Drain for single-target damage and Contagion for area-of-effect (AoE) clearing.
  • Leveling Strategy: Combine Chaos DoT spells with Bonestorm and Entangle to trivialize campaign bosses and progression.
  • Weapon Swapping: Maximize damage by splitting skills across two weapon sets (Chaos skills on Set 1, Physical/Bossing skills on Set 2).
  • Utility: Incorporate Orb of Storms with Living Lightning to apply Impale for increased boss damage in later stages.
  • Ascendancy: Choose between Lich (for defense and sustainability via Soulless Form and Eternal Life) or Infernalist (for speed via Demonic Possession).

Essence Drain + Contagion Mechanics

The build relies on spreading damage-over-time (DoT) effects.

  • Contagion: Cast on groups of enemies to apply a spreading AoE effect upon their death.
  • Essence Drain: Used primarily for single-target damage.
  • Tactics: Apply Contagion to a group, then hit the primary target with Essence Drain to ensure it dies quickly and spreads the Contagion effect to nearby mobs.

Early Game Progression & Setup

  1. Level 1: Start with Entangle for AoE clearing and Chaos Bolt for single-target damage.
  2. Level 3: Acquire Essence Drain in the Red Veil to complete the primary combo.
  3. Weapon Sets:
    • Set Chaos passives to Weapon Set 1.
    • Set Physical passives to Weapon Set 2.
    • Assign Contagion and Essence Drain to Set 1; assign Bonestorm and Entangle to Set 2.
    • Note: Right-click the weapon set icon to lock them if you do not have distinct weapons for each slot.
  4. Spirit Gems: Use Ravenous Storm for boss encounters, potentially paired with Corrosion to improve damage (requires dexterity).

Skill & Support Optimization

  • Bonestorm (Level 14+): Replace Chaos Bolt with Bonestorm on the second weapon set for bossing. Use it immediately after casting Essence Drain.
  • Support Priority:
    • Unleash: Essential for both Contagion and Entangle.
    • Swift Affliction: Use for Essence Drain.
    • Brutality: Can be used early to increase damage against act bosses, but be aware it prevents elemental damage, which may negatively impact weapons that have elemental damage bonuses.
    • Corrosion: Used to support Ravenous Storm and Bonestorm.

Gear & Passive Tree Priorities

  • Weaponry: Prioritize items with “+1 to level of all spell skills” or “+1 to level of all Chaos skills.” High spell damage percentage is the secondary priority.
  • General Gear: Focus on basic armor and Energy Shield. Prioritize movement speed on boots.
  • Passive Tree:
    • For the second weapon set, path toward “Cut to the Bone” and critical strike nodes.
    • For the first weapon set, prioritize all available Chaos damage nodes and “Dark Entries.”

Advanced Mechanics & Ascendancy

  • Orb of Storms: Late in the campaign, use Orb of Storms linked with Living Lightning (levels 1 & 2) to summon lightning minions. These minions apply Impale to enemies, significantly boosting single-target damage when combined with Bonestorm.
  • Ascendancy Choices:
    • Lich: Focus on Soulless Form, Eternal Life, and Rupture for a defensive, sustainable playstyle.
    • Infernalist: Use Demonic Possession and Demon Form for faster clear speeds and higher spell damage.

Key References