In Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt (Patch 0.2.0), several builds stand out due to their unique mechanics, synergies, and potential for high damage output. What's among the best? If you want to find out, we got you the top 5 POE 2 best 0.2.0 builds for Season 1.

PoE 2 0.2.0 Build Guide - Top 5 Best Builds for Path of Exile 2 Dawn of the Hunt

In Path of Exile 2, especially with the upcoming 0.2.0 patch, having a good build is essential. A well-optimized build allows players to progress smoothly through the early levels and into endgame content. With the introduction of new balance changes and mechanics in Patch 0.2.0, certain builds will perform better than others, making it crucial to select a strong starter build to avoid frustration during leveling and mapping. Next, let's dive into the top 5 Path of Exile 2 Dawn of the Hunt builds in 0.2.0 patch, including their skills, ascendancies and gear.

1. Detonate Dead Infernalist Build

The Detonate Dead Infernalist is considered one of the best Path of Exile 2 0.2.0 builds due to its unique mechanics and high damage potential. This build leverages the low-level Detonate Dead gem in combination with Skeletal Brutes, which have high health, allowing for massive damage output when they are sacrificed. The build focuses on stacking minion health and damage nodes, maximizing the initial explosion damage from Detonate Dead, which is calculated as a percentage of the corpse's maximum life.

• Skill Focus: Use the Detonate Dead skill, which deals fire damage based on the maximum life of corpses. This skill is particularly effective when used on high-HP minions.

• Ascendancy: Choose the Infernalist ascendancy for increased fire damage and synergy with corpse mechanics.

• Gear:

• Weapon: Look for weapons that enhance fire damage and provide bonuses to minion skills.

• Shield: Equip the Prism Guardian for additional Spirit, allowing for more minion summons.

• Playstyle: Focus on summoning minions and using Detonate Dead on them to maximize damage output.

2. Flicker Strike Voidbringer Build

The Flicker Strike Voidbringer is the POE 2 0.2.0 best build because of its versatility and effectiveness in clearing content. Flicker Strike relies on Power Charges, making it less likely to be nerfed as it requires setup and build-up, which balances its power. The build benefits from specific quarterstaffs that enhance attack speed and critical damage, making it a formidable choice for players who can acquire the right Path of Exile 2 items.

• Skill Focus: Use Flicker Strike, which allows you to teleport to enemies and deal damage. This skill benefits from Power Charges.

• Ascendancy: Choose the Voidbringer ascendancy for enhanced damage and survivability.

• Gear:

• Weapon: Equip quarterstaffs that increase attack speed and critical damage.

• Jewels: Look for jewels that enhance melee damage and critical strike chance.

• Playstyle: Utilize Flicker Strike to quickly engage enemies, maintaining Power Charges for increased damage.

3. Stampede Titan Build

The Stampede Titan is a melee powerhouse that excels in dealing with large groups of enemies. Despite its initial clunkiness, the build is expected to receive buffs in Patch 0.2.0, particularly with the introduction of new support gems like Battershout, which enhances physical damage explosions. The Hammer of Faith, a new unique item, provides random shrine buffs, further boosting the Titan's capabilities in combat.

• Skill Focus: Use melee skills that benefit from physical damage explosions, particularly with the new support gem Battershout.

• Ascendancy: Choose the Titan ascendancy for increased melee damage and survivability.

• Gear:

• Weapon: Use a two-handed weapon that enhances physical damage.

• Unique Items: Equip the Hammer of Faith for random shrine buffs that enhance your combat capabilities.

• Playstyle: Engage multiple enemies at once, utilizing your melee skills to deal explosive damage.

4. Galvanic Shards Witch Hunter Build

The Galvanic Shards Witch Hunter is poised to shine due to its unique mechanics. The new unique item, The Deepest Tower, allows enemies near the Witch Hunter to be considered as "on low life," significantly increasing damage output through passive skills that benefit from this condition. Galvanic Shards offers a fast firing rate and good damage, making it the best POE 2 0.2.0 league starter for clearing multiple enemies quickly.

• Skill Focus: Use Galvanic Shards for fast clearing and Shockburst Rounds for boss damage.

• Ascendancy: Choose the Witch Hunter ascendancy for powerful damage nodes.

• Gear:

• Weapon: Equip a crossbow with high physical damage and elemental damage bonuses.

• Alternate Weapon: Use a bow for Stormcaller Arrow to inflict Shock on bosses.

• Playstyle: Clear maps with Galvanic Shards and switch to Shockburst Rounds for tougher enemies and bosses.

5. Frost Nova Build

The Frost Nova Sorceress is considered one of the best builds in Path of Exile 2 Dawn of the Hunt due to its exceptional crowd control capabilities, allowing players to freeze multiple enemies and manage large groups effectively. This build synergizes well with other cold spells like Frostbolt and Frost Bomb, maximizing damage output while maintaining battlefield control. 

• Skill Focus: Use Frost Nova for crowd control and freezing enemies.

• Ascendancy: Choose an ascendancy that enhances cold damage and control.

• Gear:

• Weapon: Look for weapons that enhance cold damage and provide bonuses to freezing effects.

• Armor: Equip gear that increases your survivability and cold damage.

• Playstyle: Utilize Frost Nova to freeze groups of enemies, allowing for strategic positioning and damage dealing.