Path of Exile 2: How to Level an Amazon Using Lightning Spear
As Path of Exile 2 continues its march toward release, the community has been buzzing with excitement about its class reworks, new skill systems, and stunning visuals. Among the standout classes is the Amazon, who returns with a renewed identity that bridges dexterity and elemental prowess. One of the most exciting leveling builds for the Amazon is the Lightning Spear setup-a fast-paced, screen-clearing spellcaster that balances burst damage with crowd control.
If you're looking to blast through the campaign with style, this Lightning Spear Amazon Leveling Guide will give you everything you need: from skill synergies and gear recommendations to passive tree priorities and bossing strategies.
Why Lightning Spear Amazon?
Lightning Spear is one of the most visually striking and mechanically satisfying skills in Path of Exile 2. It offers:
High Clear Speed: With built-in pierce and area coverage, it clears waves of enemies with ease.
Scalable Damage: Benefits from both projectile and lightning modifiers, offering multiple scaling paths.
Mobility: The Amazon's passive tree supports agility, evasion, and movement speed, making it easy to dodge while dishing out damage.
Early Access: Unlike many top-tier builds that rely on high-end gear, Lightning Spear is accessible early and remains effective with minimal investment.
Skill Overview: Lightning Spear
Lightning Spear is a projectile spell that launches a bolt of lightning in a straight line, dealing AoE lightning damage to all enemies it hits. Its core strengths are:
Projectile-based: Synergizes with pierce, projectile speed, and increased area.
Lightning Damage: Scales with elemental and spell damage modifiers.
High Crit Chance: Naturally strong base crit, making it viable for crit-based builds as early as Act 2-3.
You'll gain access to Lightning Spear early in the campaign (typically Act 1), making it perfect for leveling without relying on complex setups.
Leveling Progression: Act-by-Act Breakdown
Here's how to approach leveling with Lightning Spear from the beginning to early endgame.
Acts 1-2: Laying the Foundation
Skill Setup:
Main Skill: Lightning Spear
Support Gems: Added Lightning Damage, Pierce, Faster Casting (or Projectile Speed)
Passive Tree Priorities:
Start by heading toward the Spell Damage and Lightning Damage clusters.
Pick up Cast Speed and Mana Regeneration early to smooth out gameplay.
Look for Projectile Damage and Pierce nodes to increase clear efficiency.
Gear Tips:
Look for wands with +1 to Lightning Spell Skills or Increased Spell Damage.
Use runed rings or gear with lightning damage to spells.
Stack flat energy shield or life for survivability.
Playstyle Tips:
Stay mobile-use the Amazon's natural evasion to kite enemies.
Position yourself to hit packs in a line for optimal Lightning Spear coverage.
Acts 3-4: Scaling and Utility
New Skills to Consider:
Conductivity: Apply this curse to reduce enemy lightning resistance.
Lightning Warp / Dash: Get a mobility skill to stay agile and reposition quickly.
Herald of Thunder: Adds flat lightning damage and helps with trash mobs.
Support Gem Upgrades:
Replace Added Lightning Damage with Controlled Destruction for better spell scaling.
Add Increased Critical Strikes or Increased Critical Damage if you pivot to a crit-based route.
Passive Tree Tips:
Start building into Elemental Overload or Critical Strike pathing depending on your gear and damage base.
Take Life, Spell Suppression, and Energy Shield to remain durable.
Gear Tips:
Get gear with +Life, Resistances, and Spell Damage.
Look out for POE2 items with increased cast speed-they massively improve clear speed.
Acts 5-7: Midgame Power Spike
At this point, Lightning Spear begins to shine. You'll notice your ability to one-shot packs becomes more consistent, and bossing becomes smoother.
Support Gem Changes:
Chain or Fork can be used for smoother trash clearing.
For bossing, consider Elemental Focus and Spell Echo.
Auras and Buffs:
Switch to Wrath as your primary aura for flat lightning damage.
Use Clarity if you struggle with mana.
Passive Tree Additions:
Start taking Lightning Penetration and Spell Crit nodes.
Invest into Mana Regeneration and Cast Speed to sustain longer fights.
Gearing Tips:
Look for Essence-crafted wands or Scepters with spell mods.
Consider using a Shield with +spell crit or +maximum life until you're ready for dual-wielding.
Acts 8-10: Finishing the Campaign Strong
Your build should now feel smooth and efficient, with strong clear and solid single-target DPS. This is the time to finalize your leveling tree and prepare for endgame mapping.
Key Goals:
Max out elemental resistances for survivability.
Transition into Crit-based Lightning Spear or double-down on Elemental Overload for consistency.
Late Game Skill Setup:
Lightning Spear - Spell Echo - Controlled Destruction - Increased Crit Damage - Lightning Penetration -Fork/Chain (for maps)
Mobility: Flame Dash or Lightning Warp with Faster Casting
Utility: Conductivity + Curse on Hit setup, or self-cast for bosses
Auras: Wrath + Discipline (for ES) or Grace (for hybrid defense)
Passive Tree Completion:
Take keystones like:
Elemental Overload (if not crit-based)
Arcane Capacitor for damage + regen
Heart of Thunder (lightning damage + leech)
Crit keystones like Power Charge generation or Overcharge
Endgame Transition: What's Next?
Once the campaign is complete and you enter the endgame (likely in the new Map or Dungeon systems of PoE 2), you can tailor your Lightning Spear build based on your preferences:
Endgame Build Variants:
Crit Lightning Spear
Focus on spell crit chance, crit multi, and power charge generation.
Requires better gear but offers high bossing damage.
Elemental Overload Hybrid
Lower gear requirements.
More consistent damage with better defenses (spell suppression, armor, ES).
Totem or Trap Variant
Use Lightning Spear in trap setups for off-screen safety.
Ideal for HC or high evasion builds.
Pros and Cons of Lightning Spear Amazon
Pros:
Early access and ease of leveling
High clear speed from Act 1 onward
Flexible endgame options (crit, overload, totem)
Doesn't rely heavily on uniques
Stylish and satisfying visual feedback
Cons:
Weak against lightning-resistant bosses unless you have penetration
Can be mana-intensive without gear or support
Requires positioning due to projectile targeting
Glass-cannon feel without proper defenses
Gear Checklist by Endgame
Weapons: +1 Lightning Gems wand or scepter with Spell Crit
Helm: Life + resistances, preferably with Lightning Spear enchant
Body Armour: High life or energy shield; links for 6L Lightning Spear
Gloves/Boots: Spell Suppression, resistances, life
Rings/Amulet: Lightning damage to spells, cast speed, crit multi
Belt: Life, flask effect duration, or elemental damage
Final Thoughts
The Lightning Spear Amazon is one of the smoothest, most beginner-friendly ways to level in Path of Exile 2. It scales well, offers great flexibility, and delivers a satisfying gameplay loop for both casual players and theorycrafting veterans. Services like MMOexp's POE 2 Currency can help you build it faster, and you can get more discounts if you buy it now.
Whether you're blazing through campaign zones or preparing to melt endgame bosses, Lightning Spear gives you the tools and spectacle to dominate the battlefield.
Stay sharp, dodge those telegraphs, and let the lightning fly!
MMOexp POE 2 Team