Path of Exile 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to Grinding Gear Games' beloved action RPG. While it will share many core gameplay mechanics with the original game, it introduces new skill gems, passive tree updates, and exciting class refinements. Among the diverse and creative builds, the Smith of Kitava stands out as a powerful, versatile melee build that focuses on using Kitava-themed weapons and devastating physical damage.
If you want to crush your enemies with brutal melee strikes, wield the might of Kitava, and dominate the endgame content, this Smith of Kitava build guide is for you. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything from the core concept of the build, skill choices, gear recommendations, passive skill tree, ascendancy options, and gameplay tips.
What is the Smith of Kitava Build?
The Smith of Kitava is a melee-focused build centered around the lore and weaponry of Kitava, the god of destruction in Path of Exile's world. The build channels the power of heavy-hitting axes or maces that are themed around Kitava's brutal nature. It focuses on dealing massive physical damage and leveraging the build's defensive layers to survive in the toughest fights.
The Smith of Kitava thrives on:
High melee physical damage output
Strong area of effect damage with cleave or heavy swings
Good survivability through armor, life, and sometimes block or dodge mechanics
Reliable crowd control and boss-killing potential
This makes the build a solid choice for both new and experienced players who want a straightforward yet effective melee character in Path of Exile 2.
Class and Ascendancy Choice
Class: Marauder / Duelist Hybrid
The build can start from either the Marauder or Duelist classes in PoE 2. Both classes provide strong melee foundations.
Marauder offers excellent base life, armor, and physical damage nodes, which align perfectly with the Smith of Kitava's heavy melee theme.
Duelist grants better attack speed and critical strike chance, useful if you want to focus on faster hits or critical damage scaling.
Ascendancy: Juggernaut (Marauder) or Slayer (Duelist)
Juggernaut is recommended if you want to maximize survivability. Juggernaut ascendancy provides strong physical damage reduction, armor bonuses, endurance charges, and stun immunity-ideal for tanking hits while dealing heavy blows.
Slayer is better if you prefer an aggressive, high-damage approach with life leech and critical strike mechanics. Slayer ascendancy excels in offensive power and sustain, with powerful modifiers to damage and speed.
Key Skill Gems and Mechanics
Smith of Kitava build revolves around specific melee skill gems that bring out the best in heavy weapons.
Main Skill: Cleave or Heavy Strike
Cleave is excellent for dealing area damage and clearing groups quickly, perfect for farming and mapping.
Heavy Strike packs a massive single-target punch, ideal for bosses and tougher enemies.
Support Gems:
Melee Physical Damage Support: Boosts your physical damage output significantly.
Fortify Support: Grants defensive buffs, reducing incoming damage.
Increased Area of Effect Support (for Cleave): Expands the area your attacks cover.
Multistrike Support (if available in PoE 2): Allows multiple attacks per trigger for faster damage.
Brutality Support (if available): Converts your damage to pure physical, sacrificing elemental damage for raw power.
Life Leech Support or Leeching Support: Provides sustain during fights.
Passive Skill Tree Overview
The passive skill tree for Smith of Kitava focuses on the following:
Physical Damage nodes: These increase your melee physical damage, weapon damage, and general attack damage.
Life and Armor nodes: To maximize survivability, focus on increased life, armor, and endurance charge nodes.
Weapon-specific nodes: Pick nodes that enhance axes or maces, depending on your weapon choice.
Attack speed and critical strike nodes: Optional, based on your preferred playstyle.
Area damage or AoE nodes: If using Cleave or other AoE skills, prioritize these.
