Completing a Powerful Ritualist in Path of Exile 2: A Guide to Solving

The Huntress class has been introduced in Path of Exile 2, along with the Season of the Hunt league. This class features two Ascendancies that allow for unique gameplay styles, with the Ritualist being one of the most enjoyable options available.

However, unlocking the Ascendancy can take some time. Initially, your leveling will depend on effectively playing the basic Huntress class, utilizing various skills and abilities. If you’re eager to explore the Huntress and aim for the Ritualist Ascendancy, this guide provides all the essential information.

Ritualist Build Overview

Ritualist is one of the two Ascendancies available for the Huntress. Though it may not be as powerful as the Amazon, it offers a lot of fun gameplay. You’ll only gain access to it in the middle of Act Two, meaning you’ll navigate Act One and most of Act Two using the base Huntress class, which can be quite challenging.

If you use the Huntress in the conventional way, mainly focusing on Parry to gather Frenzy charges for damage, you might find the experience difficult, as this approach can feel clunky. Instead, utilizing Bleed as a core strategy will simplify mob clearing and help damage bosses, making your campaign smoother.

The silver lining is that employing a Bleed build will help you efficiently progress through the early game, especially when combined with the Ritualist Ascendancy for enhanced strength. While this build does face some obstacles in the mid-game, its power will increase as you continue toward the endgame and Cruel Mode.

You will rely on skills like Rake, Bloodhound Mark, and Spearfield for damage, which are user-friendly and lessen the need to generate Frenzy charges.

Ritualist Leveling Guide

Act 1

During Act One, focus on developing the fundamental aspects of your build to ensure you can swiftly defeat bosses. You’ll start with Twister and Whirling Slash to level up effectively until you unlock Rake.

Also, remember to unlock Stomping Ground and Concentrated Effect to attach to Rake. Defeating the King of the Mists boss is essential for unlocking the Herald of Blood, a key skill for your build.

Make sure to attach Magnified Effect and Brutality to Herald of Blood as well. You’ll also need to unlock Disengage, which will serve as your primary escape mechanism when surrounded by enemies.

Act 2

In Act Two, focus on further enhancing your build and adding new core skills for increased damage. The first skill to unlock will be Spearfield. You should then attach Lacerate and Rage.

You also want to unlock Bloodhound’s Mark and attach Bloodlust. If possible, acquire a second Uncut Skill Gem Level Nine to unlock Thunderous Leap and attach Martial Tempo.

Finally, unlock the skill Rapid Assault, although you don’t need to add any support gems to it yet. Complete the Trial of Sekhemas in Act Two to unlock the Ritualist Ascendancy for the Huntress. After that, open the nodes for Physical Damage and Corrupted Lifeforce. The latter will grant you a skill called Blood Boil, which can be equipped later.

Act 3

As you enter Act Three, you will start gaining access to Uncut Support Gem Level Two, allowing for several upgrades to your skills. Begin by removing Twister and Rake, as they will no longer be necessary.

You can also access Lesser Jeweller’s Orb, which enables you to unlock a third slot for both Spearfield and Rapid Assault. Unlock Heavy Swing and attach it to Rapid Assault alongside Concentrated Effect. You should also unlock Comorbidity, Rearm, and Close Combat to attach to Spearfield.

For Herald of Blood, attach Bursting Plague and Reach, along with Magnified Effect. Equip the skill Blood Boil obtained earlier, and attach Brutality, Acrimony, and Persistence.

Lastly, defeat the Bog Witch to earn a second Uncut Spirit Gem and unlock Wind Dancer. Remember to attach Cannibalism and Blind. Complete the Trial of Chaos for two additional Ascendancy points and unlock Reduced Resistances and Unfurled Finger.

Cruel Mode And Mapping

Upon entering Cruel Mode and unlocking Uncut Support Gem Level Three, you will be able to acquire more skills to further improve your build. You should unlock Heft and attach it to Rapid Assault. Lastly, acquire Haemocrystals and attach them to Bloodhound’s Mark.

Passive Skill Tree

Within the Passive Skill Tree, focus on options that boost Dexterity, the primary stat for the Huntress. Quickly unlock Blur and Primal Instincts to increase Evasion Rating and Attack Speed.

Also, secure Escape Velocity for Evasion Rating, Lasting Toxins to enhance Bursting Plague, and Javelin, along with Precise Point and Roll and Strike, to boost Spear damage. Consider adding Fast Acting Toxins, Deterioration, and Wasting as you progress through the passive tree.

Lastly, Bloodletting and Cruel Methods are beneficial for enhancing your bleed damage.

Overview Of Endgame Ritualist Build

Key Skills

• Spearfield
• Rapid Assault
• Herald of Blood
• Bloodhound’s Mark
• Blood Boil

Key Passives

• Blur
• Primal Instinct
• Escape Velocity
• Lasting Toxins
• Fast Acting Toxins
• Deterioration
• Blood Letting
• Cruel Methods

Gear And Weapon

• Armor pieces with resistances.
• Evasion Rating on armor is essential.
• A spear with high physical damage.
• Rings providing mana and HP regeneration.

Tips To Play the Ritualist Build

This Ritualist build is straightforward to play, relying heavily on using just one or two skills. In the early game, you’ll be spamming Rake on enemies, which will be incredibly effective, especially when you start scoring kills and triggering Herald of Blood.

After you unlock Rapid Assault, switch to using that skill against mobs instead of Rake for damage output. When facing bosses, use Rapid Assault followed by Spearfield and Thunderous Leap to quickly take them down, even those with significant health.