What is the best Path of Exile 2 Warrior build? The Warrior may appear at first glance to be a fairly straightforward class in Path of Exile 2, but with a few new tricks up their sleeve this time around, they are surprisingly effective at both defense and offense. We take a look at the best build and skills for this heavy brawler.

We already have Path of Exile 2 builds for Sorceress, Mercenary, and Ranger, but those PoE 2 classes are generally ranged damage dealers, never quite getting their hands dirty. With the PoE 2 Warrior, however, you'll be in the mix at all times - whether defending or maiming, however, is up to you. You can also check out our dedicated PoE 2 builds guide for even more tips

Path of Exile 2 Warrior overview

The Warrior is a tanky, melee-focused class that moves a little slower than some of its counterparts but hits harder as a result. Warriors generally deal physical damage and can utilize two-handed weapons like mauls to deal high damage up close.

The Warrior class can also switch to a one-handed weapon and make use of a shield. When equipped with a shield, the Warrior has access to an active block ability which can be used to guard any front-facing damage for a short period.

Warriors can make expert use of the weapon set passive function, creating what is essentially two different builds whether you're on the defensive or offensive. By utilizing the ability to switch between these instantaneously can make this class highly effective, and far more flexible than it may seem initially.

Path of Exile 2 Warrior ascendancies

There are two ascendancies for the Path of Exile 2 Warrior:

  • The Titan: A defensive qscendancy, the Titan focuses on crowd control and high defense.
  • The Warbringer: An offensive ascendancy, the Warbringer boasts high melee damage and the ability to detonate fallen enemies.

Best Path of Exile 2 Warrior build

The best PoE 2 Warrior build is:

  • Key skills: Earthquake, Rolling Slam, Shockwave Totem, Leap Slam, Seismic Cry, Hammer of the Gods
  • Key persistent Spirit buffs: Scavenged Plating, Overwhelming Presence
  • Key passives: Smash, Singular Purpose, Cranial Impact, Titanic, Skullcrusher
  • Ascendancy: The Titan

Best PoE 2 Warrior skills

This Jagged Ground focused build prioritizes defense, making this one of the stronger builds for newcomers. Being up close and personal with bosses and hordes of angry foes means you'll want to make sure you have the defenses to match. As a result, playing through the early game while keeping Earthquake and Shockwave Totem up - both skills you can use and then step away from - allows you to survive some harrowing fights.

When you reach the Cruel difficulty, you'll want to make sure you use Leap Slam to get in and out of trouble when you're being overwhelmed. Seismic Cry can help clear out mobs a bit quicker with the help of Rolling Slam, while Hammer of the Gods should be reserved for powerful Elite type enemies or bosses.

Best PoE 2 Warrior Spirit buffs

For our build, Scavenged Plating is integral to keeping ourselves alive, opting for nodes that grant extra armor from the passive skill tree, along with some thorns. Overwhelming Presence helps stun foes - especially bosses - so you can get damage in without getting too exhausted.

Best PoE 2 Warrior passives

These notables focus mainly on granting you a greater chance to Stun foes while also providing some extra damage against them, which is currently the best way to build an offensive-minded Warrior. As you work your way up to Titanic and Skullcrusher, keep in mind that you should take some defensive skills like Honourless that increase your armor.

Best PoE 2 Warrior ascendancy

The Jade Heritage skill from the Warbringer Ascendancy absorbs a set amount of damage, which will greatly help you take on bosses, especially on the Cruel difficulty and in endgame farming. It also allows you to explode nearby corpses with Warcallers Bellow, helping you clean up the battlefield.

All Path of Exile 2 Warrior skills

A lot of Warrior's skills amount to hitting things very hard with a large object. Quite a lot of them cause AoE damage after a set period of time, dealing fire damage, increased stun buildup, or armor-breaking secondary effects.

All Path of Exile 2 Warrior active skills

Skill NameRequirementsEffect Earthquake

Level 1 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Smash the ground, leaving behind Jagged Ground that slows enemies. After a few seconds, the Jagged Ground erupts to deal damage. Boneshatter

Level 1 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Hit enemies with a melee strike that causes Heavy Stun on foes near their stun threshold, creating a powerful shockwave. Rolling Slam

Level 1 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Slam the ground to Stun enemies and knock them away, continuing up with a powerful second slam. Armour Breaker

Level 3 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 6

16 Strength

Attack with a forceful blow, knocking enemies back and weakening their armor. Shockwave Totem

Level 3 Uncut Skill Gem

Any Martial Weapon, Unarmed

Level 6

16 Strength

Raise a totem that periodically Slams the ground around it, damaging nearby enemies and proccing Jagged Ground eruptions early. Infernal Cry

Level 3 Uncut Skill Gem

Level 6

16 Strength

Perform a warcry, increasing the damage of subsequent attacks. Enemies will combust upon death. Shield Charge

Level 3 Uncut Skill Gem

Shield

Level 6

16 Strength

Channel to change in the target direction, dealing extra damage to enemies collided with and blocking all blockable attacks. Perfect Strike

Level 5 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 14

34 Strength

Charge up your weapon and release to deal damage. Charging fully will emit a wave of fire. Molten Blast

Level 5 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 14

34 Strength

Gouge molten rock from the ground and fling it at the target. Projectiles explode on collision. Resonating Shield

Level 5 Uncut Skill Gem

Shield

Level 14

34 Strength

Repeatedly strike your Shield with your weapon to cause shockwaves around you. Enemies hit by a shockwave briefly lose armor. Block all blockable attacks. Leap Slam

Level 7 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 22

52 Strength

Jump into the air, damaging and knocking back enemies with your mace where you land. Earthshatter

Level 7 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 22

52 Strength

Slam the ground, sending out a fissure that deals area damage to enemies. Warcries performed near the spike will cause it to shatter, dealing damage. Shield Wall

Level 7 Uncut Skill Gem

Shield

Level 22

52 Strength

Ram your Shield into the ground, throwing up a semi-circular wall of earth. Each segment explodes and deals damage to enemies when destroyed. Sunder

Level 9 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 31

72 Strength

Slam the ground, creating a roiling fissure that deals damage to enemies in front of you. The number of enemies hit increases the size of the shockwave. Volcanic Fissure

Level 9 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 31

72 Strength

Slam the ground, creating a winding fissure that deals damage as it travels. Using a different slam skill will cause an aftershock which connects to other fissures. Seismic Cry

Level 11 Uncut Skill Gem

Level 41

95 Strength

Perform a damaging warcry, knocking back nearby enemies. If a stunned enemy is hit, your next slam deals more damage. Supercharged Slam

Level 11 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 41

95 Strength

Channel to charge up a heavy swing, drawing earth from the ground to enlarge your mace. Release to slam the ground, dealing damage and creating aftershocks. Stampede

Level 11 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 41

95 Strength

Charge forward, cracking the earth and leaving behind Jagged Ground. At the end of the charge, a massive leaping slam damages enemies and causes Jagged Ground to explode. Ancestral Warrior Totem

Level 13 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 52

119 Strength

Summon a totem that uses socketed Mace skills. Hammer of the Gods

Level 13 Uncut Skill Gem

Mace

Level 52

119 Strength

Summon a massive hammer that falls from the sky onto your target, dealing immense damage based on your weapon.

All Path of Exile 2 Warrior persistent Spirit buffs

Skill NameRequirementsEffect Herald of Ash

Level 4 Uncut Spirit Gem

Level 10

25 Strength

Reservation: 30 Spirit

Enemies you overkill with attacks will cause a large explosion, causing Ignite. Magma Barrier

Level 4 Uncut Spirit Gem

Level 10

25 Strength

Reservation: 30 Spirit

When you raise your shield it's infused with Magma for a short time, spraying fire before you. Scavenged Plating

Level 4 Uncut Spirit Gem

Level 10

25 Strength

Reservation: 30 Spirit

Breaking an enemy's armor grants you a stack of Scavenged Plating, gaining armor and thorns per stack.  Time of Need

Level 8 Uncut Spirit Gem

Level 26

46 Strength, 46 Intelligence

Reservation: 30 Spirit

Periodically heal and remove curses and ailments. Overwhelming Presence

Level 8 Uncut Spirit Gem

Level 36

61 Strength

Reservation: 30 Spirit

While active, enemies nearby are easier to Stun and inflict elemental ailments upon. Berserk

Level 14 Uncut Spirit Gem

Level 58

73 Strength, 73 Dexterity

Reservation: 30 Spirit

Strengthens Rage and grants Life Leech based on your Rage, but you lose life while raging. Dread Banner

Level 14 Uncut Spirit Gem

Level 58

73 Strength, 73 Dexterity

Reservation: 30 Spirit

Killing enemies generates Valour. Using this skill consumes Valour and grants various resistances.

Now you have the best PoE 2 Warrior build under your belt, take a look at the Path of Exile 2 Twitch drops to get some free goodies. While you wait for the full release, check out our guide on the most exciting upcoming PC games, and the best PC games for something you can play right now.