Path of Exile 2: Best Spectres

If you've already dabbled in the Witch class in Path of Exile, you're likely familiar with the power of summoning. The Raise Spectre skill opens up a wealth of possibilities for summoners, letting you capture the spirits of enemies and turn them into your loyal minions. Spectres can be a game-changer when it comes to dealing damage, crowd control, and supporting your build with their unique abilities. But choosing the right Spectres to summon can be a bit overwhelming, especially since there are countless enemies scattered throughout Wraeclast, each with their abilities. To help you navigate the vast pool of potential minions, here's a guide to the best Spectres in Path of Exile 2 and why they're worth your attention.

1. Frost Wraith

Spirit Cost: 80

Location: Cemetery of the Eternals (Act 1)

The Frost Wraith is one of the first Spectres you'll encounter in Path of Exile 2 that offers a combination of speed, survivability, and effective crowd control. Known for its powerful ice-based attacks, the Frost Wraith can freeze and stagger enemies with its ice spells, making it incredibly useful for slowing down mobs. In addition to its crowd control capabilities, the Frost Wraith can also deal a fair amount of damage, especially when paired with a build that enhances elemental damage. It's relatively low Spirit Cost compared to some other Spectres makes it a solid choice for early and mid-game content. If you're looking for a versatile Spectre that can handle both offensive and defensive roles, the Frost Wraith is an excellent pick.

2. Vaal Guard

Spirit Cost: 50

Location: The Ziggurat Refuge (Act 3)

For those who prefer raw power, the Vaal Guard is a great choice. This Spectre specialises in heavy offensive capabilities, throwing explosive bombs from a distance and dealing fire damage to enemies. The Vaal Guard can slow down enemies while wreaking havoc from afar, allowing it to control the battlefield. You'll want to focus on summoning the specific type of Vaal Guard that uses grenades rather than bows or spears to take advantage of its explosive potential. The relatively low Spirit Cost makes the Vaal Guard an affordable and efficient offensive ally for your character. Pair it with a tankier build or a minion army for maximum effectiveness.

3. Faridun Impaler

Spirit Cost: 120

Location: The Spires of Deshar (Act 2)

If you're looking for a Spectre that specialises in physical damage, the Faridun Impaler is a fantastic option. This Spectre is ideal for builds that focus on bleeding and physical damage over time (Dot) effects. It uses ranged attacks to deal consistent damage from a distance and can inflict bleeding on enemies, making it a great choice for builds that capitalise on damage-over-time mechanics. The Faridun Impaler may have a higher Spirit Cost compared to other Spectres, but its strong offensive capabilities and versatility more than justify the cost. With its well-rounded approach, it can complement a wide variety of builds, particularly those focused on physical damage or DOT effects.

4. Regurgitating Vulture

Spirit Cost: 70

Location: Deshar (Act 2)

The Regurgitating Vulture is one of the more frustrating enemies to face in Path of Exile 2, and when it's on your side, it's a potent force to be reckoned with. These Vultures deal both poison and caustic damage, making them an excellent choice for builds that rely on chaos or poison-based damage. With their ability to deal Caustic Mortar ranged attacks and Poison Nova for close-quarters combat, the Regurgitating Vulture excels at both crowd control and sustained damage over time. This makes it a versatile Spectre that can help soften up large packs of enemies before you go in for the kill. While the Vulture's damage can be a bit inconsistent compared to other high-damage Spectres, it more than makes up for it with the poison and caustic effects it applies, often overwhelming enemies with constant damage.

5. Priest of the Sun

Spirit Cost: 100

Location: Temple of Kopec (Act 3)

The Priest of the Sun is one of the most unique Spectres in Path of Exile 2, thanks to its powerful Solar Beam and Solar Orb abilities. This Spectre is a ranged caster that focuses on high burst damage and can pierce enemies with its fire-based attacks. The Solar Beam can deal substantial damage, and its ability to pierce multiple targets makes it effective for clearing large packs of enemies. However, the Priest of the Sun requires careful positioning, as it relies on ranged attacks and doesn't have the best survivability in direct combat. Still, if you're looking for a Spectre that can dish out substantial fire damage while staying at range, the Priest of the Sun is a solid option, especially when used to complement a tanky build.

6. Shade of the Dead

Spirit Cost: 90

Location: Act 2, The Deadwalker's Grave

The Shade of the Dead is a powerful summon that specialises in controlling the battlefield with its wide-range Necrotic Slams and Necrotic Blasts. It excels in creating a large area of effect (Aoe) damage while providing a certain degree of crowd control. Whether used for boss fights or clearing large mobs, the Shade of the Dead offers a balance of damage, survivability, and utility. This makes it a top-tier pick for builds that need high Aoe damage and the ability to handle both bosses and packs of enemies alike.

Conclusion

Selecting the best Spectres in Path of Exile 2 depends largely on your playstyle, the type of build you're running, and what you need from your summoned allies. Whether you prioritise heavy damage, crowd control, or utility, there's a Spectre for every need. The Frost Wraith offers a balance of speed and damage, while the Vaal Guard delivers explosive fire damage. The Faridun Impaler is perfect for physical and bleeding damage builds, and the Regurgitating Vulture excels in chaos and poison-based builds. Meanwhile, the Priest of the Sun offers excellent ranged fire damage.

PoE2 currency and Path of Exile 2 items play a crucial role in shaping your character's progression and ability to deal with tough encounters. As a summoner, acquiring the right items and optimizing your currency usage are essential for maximizing the effectiveness of your Spectres and other minions.

MMOexp POE 2 Team