4 Safe League-starter builds you can rely on in Path of Exile 2 patch 0.4 (Last of the Druids)

Path of Exile 2 The Last of the Druids is launching soon, and it’s times like these when you may get confused about the League starter builds. On one hand, there are a lot of enticing additions like the two new Druid Ascendancies, 30+ Skill Gems, rework/rebalance, and more. However, since nobody can tell how well new things will perform, it’s much easier to stick to the safer side with tried-and-tested builds.

That’s why this guide will go over four safe League starter builds that have performed well across all major updates. While the builds may feel regular, they ensure a smooth leveling experience, and possibly swap to something as you progress further. Do note that this isn’t a complete build guide, and there are still a few days before the new Path of Exile 2 League 0.4 goes live.

4 Safe League starter builds for Path of Exile 2 patch 0.4

1) Essence Drain Lich

Essence Drain Lich remains unchanged in Path of Exile patch 0.4 (Image via GGG)

The Lich Ascendancy for the Witch, along with Essence Drain and Contaigon Skill Gems, are some of the few things that aren’t getting nerfs or buffs in Path of Exile 2’s patch 0.4. No changes means it’s still one of the best League starters you can play following the update.

Here’s what the basic skill setup for ED Contaigon Lich will look like:

Contagion: Magnified Area - Rapid Casting - Unleash
Essence Drain: Chain - Considered Casting - Deliberation
Dark Effigy: Overabundance - Execute - Controlled Destruction
Blasphemy: Despair - Ritualistic Curse - Clarity
Withering Presence: Prolonged Duration

Cast Contagion to inflict an enemy with Chaos DoT, then use Essence Drain to amplify that damage. Upon dying, the enemy will spread the effect in a small AoE. Dark Effigy is a totem that will attack your Chaos-debuffed targets, while Blasphemy with Despair lowers their resistances. Lastly, you can use Withering Presence for extra damage or use Convalescence to recharge your shield for extra protection.

2) Lightning Arrow Deadeye

Lightning Arrow Deadeye survives another purge (Image via GGG)

Despite nerfs to Deadeye, along with Lightning Arrow and Lightning Rod, the build is still very viable. You are losing some damage and defense, but it’s not enough to dethrone LA Deadeye as the best League starter for Path of Exile 2. That is, unless there are a few more nerfs that GGG hasn’t revealed yet.

Here’s what the basic skill setup for LA Deadeye will look like:

Lightning Arrow: Rapid Attacks - Innervate - Elemental Armament
Lightning Rod: Elemental Armament - Magnified Area - Lightning Attunement
Herald of Thunder: Elemental Armament - Lightning Attunement
Rhoa Mount: Meat Shield - Loyalty
Barrage: Rapid Casting - Cooldown Recovery - Efficiency

For mobbing, drop some Lightning Rod and start firing Lightning Arrow at enemies. The chain reaction and Herald of Thunder will take care of any enemies in range. Barrage is mainly for a single target DPS for bosses or rare enemies. As for the Rhoa Mount, it’s a QoL that lets you move around quickly while using skills. Since Deadeye is an Ascendancy for Ranger, you can easily swap to Pathfinder later down the road.

3) Corrupted Blood Ritualist

Can't say no to free Headhunter (Image via GGG)

Ritualist is one of the highlights of Path of Exile 2’s Last of the Druids updates. One of the best weapons in her arsenal is Corrupted Blood through the Blood Boil Ascendancy skill. Additionally, you can now steal and use modifiers from dead rare monsters for up to two minutes, which is even better than owning a Headhunter.

Here’s what the basic skill setup for Corrupted Blood Ritualist will look like:

Blood Boil: Prolonged Duration - Brutality - Herbalism
Spark: Rapid Casting - Projectile Acceleration - Lightning Penetration
Ritual Sacrifice: Prolonged Duration - Corpse Conservation
Flame Wall: Prolonged Duration - Fortress - Spell Cascade

Note that you don’t need to use Spark. The Huntress has many options, and the ultimate goal is to spread Corrupted Blood. The damage also scales well, as the damage is based on enemy HP. Once you take down a rare monster, use Ritual Sacrifice to steal its modifiers. If there are none, you can steal the skill to gain one random mod at the cost of 20% HP.

4) Poison Pathfinder

It's time for Pathfinders to shine (Image via GGG)

Those who play Poison-based Pathfinder know how fun and easy the build is, and with the upcoming Path of Exile 2 update, it’ll be stronger than before. Not only is Pathfinder getting a lot more build options, including immunity to Heavy Stun while Sprinting, but the Arakaali's Lust Lineage Support Gem is also getting a buff.

Here’s what the basic skill setup for Poison Pathfinder will look like:

Poisonburst Arrow: Deadly Poison - Bursting Plague - Fork - Arakaali's Lust
Toxic Growth: Concentrated Area - Deadly Poison - Escalating Poison
Gas Arrow: Multishot - Deadly Poison - Persistent Ground - Encroaching Ground
Stormcaller Arrow: Shock - Lasting Shock - Commiserate
Herald of Plague: Chaos Mastery

The combination of Poisonburst Arrow and Toxic Growth is a great mob-clearing combination, while Gas Arrow and Stormcaller Arrow constantly apply Poison and Shock on enemies. Finally, Herald of Plague will help spread the strongest poison application from your attacks to others. Make sure to use defensive Skills like Wind Dancer if your character feels squishy.

Check out other related Path of Exile 2 Guides and features:

Edited by Mayank Singh Rathour