Path of Exile 2 provides players with an extensive range of character builds and power dynamics. While it requires some effort to reach the peak of power, the journey is fulfilling and engaging.
The Sorceress is one of the game’s most formidable classes, capable of swiftly taking down enemies and bosses. If you’re keen on trying out the Sorceress, this guide will walk you through an effective leveling build.
Keep in mind that Path of Exile 2 is in early access, meaning that class builds can undergo significant adjustments. Often, if your build is nerfed, you’ll have to restart, as refunding points can be quite costly—even for the most dedicated players.
Sorceress Overview In Path Of Exile 2
The Sorceress excels at wielding elemental powers in the game. As you play, you’ll unlock and use a variety of spells drawn from three main elements: Fire, Ice, and Lightning. You can choose to specialize in one or mix spells from all three.
One of the greatest advantages of the Sorceress is its strength right from the early levels. Your damage output is impressive, allowing you to defeat bosses and mobs efficiently. As you progress, you’ll gain even more power, making the Sorceress practically unstoppable by the endgame.
Weaknesses
The main drawback of playing the Sorceress is that the class is very fragile. You can be defeated in just one or two hits, so you’ll need to be wary of boss attacks during encounters. Additionally, in the early stages, you may face mana issues if you overuse your spells too quickly.
The Sorceress is also highly reliant on excellent gear that enhances spell damage, restores health and mana, and provides shields. These factors are vital for improving both your damage output and survival chances, which means you should spend your crafting orbs wisely while checking vendors as you level up.
Ascendancy
For Ascendancy, you can choose between Stormweaver and Chronomancer. Stormweaver is currently the stronger option. While Chronomancer has its benefits, it lacks the explosive power necessary for the game’s challenges. On the other hand, Stormweaver is specifically designed for taking down bosses.
It’s also worth noting that as a Sorceress, you gain access to both Sorceress and Occult abilities, although you’ll find yourself leaning on the Sorceress abilities more. If you face difficulty, you can summon a few minions to help during the early stages, but you’ll need Spirit for that.
Sorceress Leveling Guide
Leveling a Sorceress is straightforward, but with so many resource options available, it can be challenging to determine what’s necessary in each situation. Here’s a comprehensive leveling guide to help you avoid wasting gems on unnecessary spells.
Act 1
The Sorceress starts off strong in Act 1. Here are the spells you’ll want to acquire:
- Flame Wall: This is your initial skill. It provides solid damage and can be used both offensively and defensively. While you’ll eventually replace it, it’s a solid choice to carry you through the first two Acts.
- Frost Bomb: A highly effective skill you unlock early on. Place it strategically to deal hefty damage to bosses, making it your primary damage dealer in Act 1.
- Spark: Another early game skill that delivers decent damage and clears basic mobs. It pairs well with Flame Wall, as the resulting sparks can deal additional damage by interacting with the fire wall.
- Utilize an Uncut Support Gem to access the Fortress skill from Flame Wall. This creates circular flame walls that enhance the Spark spell’s effectiveness.
- Frostbolt: A skill to stack up Freeze status on enemies, which is essential for triggering explosions from Frost Bomb.
- After defeating the King of the Mists, you’ll earn an Uncut Spirit Gem, which can unlock Arctic Armor for melee protection.
Act 2
Once in Act 2, focus on strengthening your build further in preparation for late-game content:
- Hypothermia: This powerful skill curses targets to reduce their Cold Resistance, giving your Frost Bomb a considerable DPS boost.
- Ascendancy: Complete the Trials of Sekhemas and unlock Stormweaver. Invest the first two points in Elemental Damage and Scouring Winds, which is crucial for reducing enemy elemental resistance when hit with Frost Bomb.
Act 3
In Act 3, finalize your build with the following focuses:
- Frost Wall: A key skill for your build; replace Spark with it once you obtain your first Level IX Uncut Skill Gem.
- Fireball: Another essential addition; substitute Firewall with Fireball, also obtainable with a Level IX Uncut Skill Gem.
- Complete the Trial of Chaos to unlock mana regeneration and Constant Gale, facilitating spell casting.
- Cast on Freeze: This skill can be effective against bosses despite receiving nerfs.
- Comet: Unlock and pair it with Cast on Freeze as it still deals commendable damage when triggered.
Cruel Mode
In Cruel Mode, focus on unlocking passive skills for enhanced power instead of new spells. Look for:
- Shattered Crystal
- Energize
- Thin Ice
Passive Skill Tree
Your Passive Skill Tree should emphasize enhancing Ice and Freeze damage. Prioritize unlocking nodes that improve these aspects early on. In early games, consider unlocking a few nodes like Path of Flames and Path of Storms to boost Flame Wall and Spark.
However, once you have access to Hypothermia and your Ice focus solidifies, refund points from those skills to invest in buffs for your Ice damage. Additionally, don’t overlook Overexposure, as Frost Bomb provides crucial exposure for a 30% damage boost.
Overview Of Endgame Sorceress Build
When you reach the endgame, these are the skills, passive abilities, and stats you’ll want for optimal performance:
Key Skills
- Frost Wall
- Fireball
- Frost Bomb
- Hypothermia
- Cast on Freeze
- Comet
Key Passives
- Path of Winter
- Exploit the Elements
- Sudden Escalation
- Overexposure
- Glaciation
- Inescapable Cold
- Ice Walls
- Shattered Crystal
Key Items And Stats
- A Gelid Staff with Freezing Shards Skill
- Level bonuses for all spells
- Increased Maximum Mana
- Health Regeneration
- Enhanced Maximum Life
- Any boosts to shields
- Resistances to Cold, Fire, and Lightning
Tips To Play Sorceress Build
Playing as a Sorceress in Path of Exile 2 is quite straightforward. Start off by using your Gelid Staff to launch Freezing Shards, which will freeze your enemies. Then, cast Hypothermia, followed by Frost Bomb for significant damage.
Additionally, place Frost Wall while spamming Fireball. Each Fireball that hits the Frost Wall will turn into smaller fireballs, spreading devastating damage across the battlefield—integral to maximizing your build’s potential.
Moreover, don’t forget about Cast on Freeze, which can occasionally trigger Comets to rain down from above, adding to your damage output.
